Please Help Me Convince DH! [Estimating cost of on-board extras]

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Hi all! I'm close to having my DH convinced that we should take the family on a cruise (we've never been on one). I like the 6 or 8 Day out of Galveston. DH is concerned about the extra charges we might face once we are on board. Can those who have cruised with Disney before give me a bit of a heads up at what kind of costs we are looking at besides gratuities and shore excursions. I've read about character breakfasts on board are those types of things included in the fare? Whats the price of a beer for instance? Thanks so much for your help!!!

[D2000lands]

The cruise is actually a good way to go. I've been on the Disney Magic 2 times (will be on there again in 77 days) and the Disney Dream once. As for additional costs on board, it really depends on what you do. Most everything is already included in the fare. Yes, there are stores on the ship and purchase things like clothing, pins, etc. Drinks in general are not more expensive than you would see off the ship (and there's no tax too). The gratuity is automatically added to the bill. I had a mudslide a few years ago, and it was roughly $6.35, with auto-gratuity already included. As for character breakfast, it is included with the fare on 7 night or longer cruises (it is not offered on cruises of less than 7 nights).

In my experience, most of your not included expenses would be well within your control, which would be at the stores (and at Preludes prior to show times at the Walt Disney Theater).

The one expense that everyone will have by the end of the cruise will be the gratuities to your server team in the dining room and stateroom host/hostess, and you should plan accordingly for that. The "suggested" gratuity when I was on the Dream in November was $1 for the head server, etc. (Note: the gratuity amounts are per person, per night).

[GusMan]

Other than gratuities, which you will most likely pay before you get on the ship, you can walk on the ship with $5 in your pocket and leave with that same $5. Everything you need is included. Sure, there are options, such as alco-beverages, shopping, spa treatments, and excursions that cost extra, but there is so much to do that is already included in your sailing price.

If you have never done a cruise before, or if you think that cost is a factor, you might want to consider a shorter trip. Even a 4 or 5 day trip is most excellent.

[dlfansx4]

Hi all! I'm close to having my DH convinced that we should take the family on a cruise (we've never been on one). I like the 6 or 8 Day out of Galveston. DH is concerned about the extra charges we might face once we are on board. Can those who have cruised with Disney before give me a bit of a heads up at what kind of costs we are looking at besides gratuities and shore excursions. I've read about character breakfasts on board are those types of things included in the fare? Whats the price of a beer for instance? Thanks so much for your help!!!

Besides gratuities, everything else is optional I found the drink prices to be reasonable, especially when they offer 2 for 1 drinks. You can also carry on your own alcohol to save money there.

The other things you need to consider are:
tips for room service food
alcoholic beverages
soda (when ordered from room service or bar) - it is free from the restaurants and soda station
special drinks like smoothies
packaged snacks like popcorn (from room service or by theater)
pictures
purchaces in the gift shop
Palo

Also consider that once you are on board and experience the exceptional service, you may want to add additional gratuities.

We easily add an extra $1000 to our trip but I buy lots of pictures, gift shop items (um think Dooney and Bourke purse, LOL), drinks and Palo.

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Thank you all for your replies! We have booked and Eastern Caribbean on the Fantasy for May 2013. I'm sure I'll have many more questions for y'all as I've got lots of time to think about them!!