How much should I plan to spend?

[DisneyDad1736]

So we booked our first Disney cruise (my wife and I + 2 year old). How much money should we expect to spend? I know a lot is included with cruises but aside from excursions, how much do you typically spend? Or how much do you think I should budget to be comfortable? We are going on a 7 day out of PC as well. Thanks!

 

[AnnaS]

It really depends - (not including traveling to and from port) - do you and your wife like to drink? Will you be ordering wine package? Have water delivered to cabin? Reserved Specialty dinner (Palo/Remy)?

Do you plan to shop/buy souvenirs? How much and will you tip (including shore excursions)? Planning on buying photos?

It's really up to you!!

Enjoy!

 

[DisneyDad1736]

It really depends - (not including traveling to and from port) - do you and your wife like to drink? Will you be ordering wine package? Have water delivered to cabin? Reserved Specialty dinner (Palo/Remy)?

Do you plan to shop/buy souvenirs? How much and will you tip (including shore excursions)? Planning on buying photos?

It's really up to you!!

Enjoy!

Ah thanks. I moderately drink, however my wife does not. Souvenirs? Yes but not too much and tipping, moderate-good? As far as dining goes, probably not any the speciality dining. We do want to do excursions though and I know those can be pricey.

But I’m just wondering more so how much is typically spent on the ship

 

[Dug720]

The attached link (even if it says loading, click it…this forum is quirky that way) indicates the standard gratuities. You may give more at your discretion.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/onboard-services/gratuities/

 

[Karin1984]

I spent about 130 dollar. That was only for an unlimited pass to the rainforest room. I do not drink, care for popcorn or souvenirs, didn't do classes, or Palo.

If you use the search option on this board to look for a list of all you can spend money on a cruise, you can determine what you spend money on.

 

[Cheburashka]

So we booked our first Disney cruise (my wife and I + 2 year old). How much money should we expect to spend? I know a lot is included with cruises but aside from excursions, how much do you typically spend? Or how much do you think I should budget to be comfortable? We are going on a 7 day out of PC as well. Thanks!

I've ranged from only spending about $100 onboard to spending over $1,000 (including port adventures, cabana, etc.)

It's totally dependent on what you want to spend. You can prepay gratuities if you like to have that taken care of in advance. Beyond that basic expense, you don't need to spend anything you don't want to. Food & non-alcoholic beverages are included (with the exception of canned soda, but fountain soda is complimentary), and so is the entertainment (live shows, games & parties, classes not involving alcohol, theater movies, on-demand TV & movies in the stateroom) so you won't need to spend anything if you don't want to.

If you like to drink alcohol, want specialty adult-only dining, do DCL excursions at port, buy souvenirs, use the spa or play Bingo, that will add to the cost. But you can have an awesome cruise without any of that.

One small expense I recommend is renting a bicycle at Castaway Cay. It's only $13 per person, and CC has a very nice, long, level bike track that takes you to an observation tower & scenic outlook.

Oh, and budget $250 to spend on a placeholder to get 10% off your next cruise.

 

[nancipants]

- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from the port (if applicable)
- Parking (if applicable)
- souvenirs
- popcorn/snacks before any shows
- specialty drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic
- Sweet on You treats
- specialty coffees
- Palo/Remy
- alcohol tastings
- excursions

I usually budget $100 per day, just to be safe. Plus parking (we drive to the port), gratuities, and Palo Brunch. We usually do excursions on our own.

 

[cvjw]

We usually plan on at least $1000 for 2 people. We have a couple drinks a day, dine at palo, get a wine package, do excursions on the fantasy and then tip our servers well.

 

[daisyx3]

This last time just in souvenirs I bought two sweatshirts, a pair of earrings, a tervis, a t shirt, and two Christmas ornaments--and that's just what I remember. That is my weakness! I also drink more than I do on land, rent a float on CC, and do a placeholder.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Oh, I don't want to answer now after reading the other replies. My last 5 night cruise, I spent $1000 for just me. Our cruise next month is 4 nights, and I'm budgeting $2000 for the 2 of us.

 

[lanejudy]

We have cruised as a family of 3 with just $100 extra for onboard charges (tips were pre-paid). Or it's possible to have $1000 or more in onboard charges. It really depends on what you like and what you are willing to spend extra to do.

Somewhere is a thread with a really great list of all the extra-charge things onboard. I'll see if I can find it.

I found this list, it's pretty extensive. I'm not sure all of these items are presently available post-covid but it gives you an idea of what "extra" there might be.

 

[Calantha]

In Summer 2019, we did non-Disney excursions (see below), so excluding those costs there was Palo, a full Photo package, Mixology, additional tips for the servers/room attendant, and then shopping, room service, random paid food (e.g., hot pretzel)... I think I spent 750-1000 on an 8 day cruise for 3 of us. (I went to Palo and Mixology with SILs, so only 1 each of those). Our excursions were a private van tour of St. Kitts and then a boat ride/lunch/snorkle on Antigua - so that was about $500 more.

 

[DisneyDad1736]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we’ll budget $2kish to be on the safe side

 

[bakerworld]

So much is prepaid - I'm pretty sure excursions are paid at the time of reservation. Seems like the onboard final bill contains alcoholic beverages and souvenirs. I think your idea of $2kish is reasonable however remember DCL is placing everything on the CC. Actual cash we've only used for tips - on and off the ship.

 

[nancipants]

Oops, I forgot a placeholder cruise and the photo package. We've never done photos before but will splurge next time around since it will be our toddler's first cruise and I want lots of pictures! <3

 

[lanejudy]

I'm pretty sure excursions are paid at the time of reservation

Excursions booked through DCL are not prepaid will be charged to your onboard account. Private excursions will have different terms.

 

[Kwami]

If it helps, specialty coffees are priced similar to Starbucks, cocktails are similar to what you'd pay at a chain restaurant in the US (e.g. Chili's), and non-alcoholic specialty drinks are about $4-5. Most other prices are listed on the website when you go to add activities or to purchase gifts.

 

[bakerworld]

Excursions booked through DCL are not prepaid will be charged to your onboard account. Private excursions will have different terms.

I think this must be why I was suppose to pay attention to the cancellation date - which I didn't = expensive non experience LOL

 

[MomOTwins]

Oh, I don't want to answer now after reading the other replies. My last 5 night cruise, I spent $1000 for just me. Our cruise next month is 4 nights, and I'm budgeting $2000 for the 2 of us.

Haha, I had the same reaction. We spent about twice what you did on our 7-night cruise! We ate at Remy, went on DCL excursions, both had a massage at the spa, bought plenty of drinks, bingo, snorkel gear at CC…. It adds up! The good thing I will say is that unlike other cruise lines, the extras feel very much extra on DCL. The MDRs are very good so upcharge dining is truly only if you want to splurge, and there are so many activities with no cost.

 

[Lynes88]

First time we went to Remy (1st Disney Cruise for us) before we "knew" how to control ourselves and the bill came to just under $600. That was for one dinner for the 2 of us. Yea that was 2 bottles of wine, and Cognac for desert. Yes I walked out of there, but we were the only ones left in the Restaurant past midnight and they never pressed us to leave, it was truly a memorable meal. But lesson learned on how quickly you can spend money if not paying attention....