Article in USA Today(3-14)...how cheap cruises can turn very expensive.

[ncligs]

Article in USA Today(3-14)...how cheap cruises can turn very expensive.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/vacations/destinations/2003/2003-03-14-cruise-main.htm

 

[ADisneyMom]

posting the link to USA Today. Someone mentioned the article
on the radio today and thanks to you I got a chance to read it.

There are so many free activities that even on a budget, you
can still have a good time.

 

[Stewblue]

Thanks for posting the link to the article. The only thing I found puzzling was the author found the extra charges a surprise (drinks, excursions etc.) When we cruised 23 years ago, the cruise lines charged extra for drinks, for excursions, for playing bingo, for pictures, etc. To me, that part hasn't changed at all.

 

[kelly alvermann]

Any suggestions regarding what is worth spending $$ on and what is not abord the Disney cruise (sailing 1/17/04 7 day Western, 1st Disney vacation/cruise). We will be travelling with 5 children and would like to know some of what to expect expense wise. I hear about the unlimited soda star you can purchase, video arcade tokens are an extra I understand, any comments on what is worth it and what is not??

 

[kelly alvermann]

Any suggestions regarding what is worth spending $$ on and what is not abord the Disney cruise (sailing 1/17/04 7 day Western, 1st Disney vacation/cruise). We will be travelling with 5 children and would like to know some of what to expect expense wise. I hear about the unlimited soda star you can purchase, video arcade tokens are an extra I understand, any comments on what is worth it and what is not??

 

[tezb]

DCL may be more pricey than other cruise lines but at least they don't charge extra for certain things like....ice cream, daycare, certain activities, etc. Also, they have the soda card/mug in place and one time internet fee which makes it cheaper than being charged for each drink or internet minute used. Makes DCL look better when you stop and add into all the "extras" the other ships charge.

 

[DonnaDavid]

I wish daycare were free, but they definitely charge for Flounders.

Although there are times when booking your shore excursions through the cruise line isn't much more expensive than doing it yourself, and it will always be more work to do it on your own, you can often save a lot of money doing your shore excursions on your own. I recommend www.cruisecritic.com for anyone who is looking for more info on shore excursions (whether you're planning on doing it through the cruise line or on your own.) At the top of the page is a "boards" topic. From there you can research either ports of call or individual cruise lines. Great resource!

 

[tezb]

Oh I didn't realize they charged for Flounders...guess cuz I don't have little ones anymore.

 

[abitjaded]

Plus, Disney saves you the money you might lose in the casinos. Years ago we went on an NCL cruise, guys went to the casino with $50 each to spend, said they'd be gone a while. They were back in five minutes.

Carla

 

[Bev J]

When we cruise we always take soda, bottle water on with us. We do not feel the soda card is a 'deal' since we don't drink $20 worth of soda in 4 days. There are plenty of free drinks, you can order juice from room service anytime and thats better than soda all the time just pack a squeese bottle for your kids to use and they can drink the juice from that. We also took some fruit snacks, granola bars some candy for our kids that they could snack from. There is plenty of food on board but sometimes kids just want some 'junk' stuff. Our 5 year old always took a box of cereal at breakfast for a snack later on, he loves dry fruit loops.

Cruise critic is a great site for lots of cruise info. The disney board is a dud since there is not much participation on it. For a busy friendly board look at the royal carribbean board and you will find lots of info for on island shore excurisions, especially for the west. carib.

What you spend on your cruise once you are onboard is up to you the best way to keep control is to check your account every day. Don't let your kids buy their own arcade cards, they really add up in a hurry! We missed the casino on the Wonder, we do budget for this since we do enjoy it and we are ahead since hubby won 4250 on the Century 2 years ago playing slots-got some nice tanzanite out of that one!

 

[kelly alvermann]

Thank you so much for all the insight. At least I have 10 months to plan!!!

 

[tezb]

We have done the same...last time we brought our own soda/water, snacks, etc and now DCL offers more choices at the drinking station which is fine w/ my kids. They don't drink that much soda either. We didn't purchase the mug deal and don't plan to this time either...I liked the sticker option before though..easier than carrying around a mug. The thing that adds up on our account are those pictures....I always like them and end up buying too many because I can't decide...Those are my main souvenirs!

 

[currycook]

Thanks for posting the article. How true.

 

[abitjaded]

You're right about CruiseCritic, lots of good port info, but this is still the best Disney Cruise board. (Sorry, Dave and Jennifer of Passporter fame, but your cruise board is pretty sad, too. They did not even mention this board, I guess trying to push their own site, shame, shame.)

Carla

 

[ilvsocr00]

I was watching the Travel Channel last night - doing research for a possible voyage on DCL and they said to look for meal charges. On some ships only the buffets and meals on your dinner rotation are "free", everything else (ice cream, snacks, room service - anything outside of scheduled meal times) cost a fee.

Any truth to this with DCL?

 

[abitjaded]

Palo dinner is $5, Palo brunch (includes a glass of sparkling wine) $10. An extra, small, tip is usually left here, too. No other charges for ANY food onboard or on CC. Alcohol is extra, and pricey. Soda (pop) at non-sit-down meals is extra as is espresso or latte and the like at Palo dinner. Free 24 hr room service should be tipped (about $1 per person). We also got one of the servers to deliver from one of the dinner buffets at Topsider's, and we tipped him a bit more. But the pizza, buffets, wraps, fruit, ice cream, cookies and all scheduled meals are included. I carried off a bunch of fruit to eat at CC, but need not have bothered even there, there was a fresh fruit stand. Unless you drink a lot or down 10 coffees at Palo, you will spend very little extra on food.

Carla

 

[ilvsocr00]

Thanks Carla for the wonderful information!! As you can tell I am a cruise rookie

We are still in the process of booking our cruise - can't decide between a land/sea or 7 night. I have always loved the time I have spent at WDW and from what I have read on the boards will have a vacation to remember.

 

[floridaminnie]

Since when or when has it ever been that the cruises are all all all inclusive including pictures, drinks, excursion, etc. ? Yes, it can add up very fast and apparently they do nickle and dime you for everything. AT least DCL isn't as bad as other out there.

 

[Grumbo]

I have to admit that when we got the statement under the door at the end of our cruise I was a little shocked. The spa bills (Someone didn't tell me about the "wonderful creams" they had purchased) and the drinks, tips etc. I am glad to now know I can do a daily print out and will next time. Probably won't make an iota difference in what is spent but I'll be prepared
This board had prepared me for the ability to bring pop and a few packages of Pringles and stuff for our daughter and I found that when they had photo opportunities you can always take a photo of your own with the same background and the ship's photographer will take it for you, if you want to be in the photo. I actually took about 5 photos while for other people while my daughter was in line waiting for her chance with Mickey in the atrium area. With a digital I could immediately see if I liked it and I got some that were better than those taken by the ship's photographer.
We didn't buy one ship photo (Which astounded me as my wife has drawers full of sheets of pictures from Sears that she HAD to buy because they'd have thrown them away ).
I don't drink much but the drinks weren't THAT expensive and I brought a small bottle with me for the cabin that I didn't even open but if you had a couple that liked a few cocktails each a day, and on a 7 day cruise.. Hmmmm yeah it can add up. Then again so does going to an Outback or Olive Garden so everything is relative.
I enjoyed the USA Today article. I found though unless you have been to a destination and know the layout of a location it is difficult to determine if the DIY excursion fits within your own comfort zone. I know I'd do things differently at Nassau next time but still enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[jgalecpa]

On my first cruise, My wife and I had a ball on RCCL (Sovreign of the Seas) about 13 years ago. Our cruise charge bill was 4 and one half pages long, and worth every penny.

When we cruised the Mediterranean a few years ago (Greek Islands, Rome, Turkey), it was more moderate, as we don't drink as much anymore. Only two pages.

But remember where you are when considering prices. If you were at a NICE bar in Miami. San Francisco/London/New York, $4 for an import would be a steal, and you would likely leave a $5 to include the tip.

In the USA Today article they said the $54/night was a bit misleading as the room was $108/night since they had two people. I guess the value of 3 all you can eat meals at nice restaurants was free, in their minds.

I expect my food, lodging and general activities to be inclusive, but I Expect to pay for my excurisons, Alcohol, pictures, etc. In fact, I don't want a one price fits all since if I don't use a service I don't want to pay for it.

IMHO.

Jim