What is not included on a Disney cruise?

Which is not included in Disney Cruise fares?

Disney cruise fares exclude:

• Ground transfers. Pre/post-cruise travel’s on you.
• Internet. Wi-Fi? Extra cost.
• Laundry. Self-service or pay up.
• Alcohol. Drinks aren’t free. My 2024 trip confirmed this.
• Specialty drinks. Fancy coffee? Prepare your wallet.
• Bottled water. Bring your own, or pay.
• Movie snacks. Popcorn’s extra.
• Adult dining. Fine dining incurs additional charges. My personal experience.

Note: Prices fluctuate. Check Disney’s site. Expect surprises.

Is all food free on Disney cruises?

Okay, so food on Disney cruises… Mostly free, yeah. Almost everything.

I was on the Disney Dream in June 2024. Crazy hot in Florida.

Remember those breakfasts? Endless buffets! I ate like, five Mickey waffles every morning. No shame.

Lunch? Always something available. Poolside pizza was my go-to.

Dinners were the real treat though. That rotational dining thing? Genius. Three different restaurants, included, all themed differently, each night! Animator’s Palate, Royal Palace, and Enchanted Garden. I loved the Animator’s Palate the most. The drawing!

Alcohol, though, ouch. Those cocktails add up fast. And Palo, that adult-only restaurant… Never got to go. Too expensive.

• Included Food:
  • Buffets (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Rotational Dining (Animator’s Palate, Royal Palace, Enchanted Garden)
  • Pizza by the pool
  • Room service (selected items)
• Extra Cost Food/Drink:
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Specialty coffees
  • Palo (adult restaurant)
  • Remy (another adult restaurant, even fancier!)
• Tip: Budget for drinks! Seriously.

What is not included in a cruise fare?

Ugh, cruise fares. So annoying. What isn’t included? A ton of stuff, obviously.

• Booze. Forget it. Every single cocktail, beer, wine, whatever. Expensive too. I learned that the hard way on my last trip. Remember that $80 bar tab? Ouch.

• Soft drinks. Even those aren’t free! Ridiculous. They’re charging for soda? Who does that?

• Fancy coffee. Lattes, cappuccinos – all extra. Seriously, a decent cup of joe costs a fortune. I ended up sticking to instant coffee in my cabin. Much cheaper.

• Gratuities. They sneak that in. Automatic. And it’s not cheap. My bill was inflated by at least $150, I swear. They add that on without your permission. That’s just theft, honestly.

Shore excursions? Those are always extra. And internet. Don’t even think about using your phone without paying through the nose. My data bill was insane. I’ll probably just book flights next time. Actually, no. I like cruises, but the hidden costs…

Next time, I’m budgeting an extra $500 for drinks alone. Maybe more. It’s crazy, but better safe than sorry. Plus, I’m thinking about bringing my own damn coffee. A thermos! Genius! Gonna smuggle it onboard!

Are water bottles free on Disney cruises?

Are water bottles free on Disney cruises?

It’s late… Water. Free water.

Is it really free though? Nothing truly is, is it?

You can get water… Fountain water. Tap water. At the drink stations. Yes. Like, with meals. No charge.

• It’s available.
• It’s… sufficient.
• It doesn’t come in a bottle.

Bottled water? No. Expect to pay.

Disney. It’s all planned, isnt it? Everything costs.

• Extra water = extra cost.
• Convenience has a price.
• Always.

Maybe I’ll just bring my own next time. Less to think about. It’s always something. Always…something more.

What is not included in Disney cruise prices?

Okay, so the Disney cruise… I went on one in July 2024. It was the Disney Wish to the Bahamas, leaving from Port Canaveral. Thought it’d be all-inclusive, right? Wrong!

Ugh, that bill at the end? A shock! I’d planned poorly.

So, what WASNT’T included? Lots!

• Ground transportation: Getting to and from the port? My responsibility. Uber cost a small fortune; shoulda booked their shuttle (more later).
• Wi-Fi: Essential, right? Nope. Extra charge. Highway robbery I say, highway robbery!
• Laundry: Dirty clothes pile up fast. Another charge. Pack more next time, maybe?
• Booze: Cocktails by the pool? They add up QUICK. Drinks packages exist. I know better now.
• Specialty drinks: Fancy coffees, smoothies… all cost extra.
• Bottled beverages: Even water! Buy it onshore, folks. Seriously.
• Movie snacks: Popcorn at the theater? Cha-ching!
• Premium dining: Palo, Remy… amazing, but NOT free! Worth it, though.

Let’s talk about that Uber…Port Canaveral is a bit of a trek from Orlando Airport (MCO). I swear it was like, an hour ride… probably more. I was so excited that I totally forgot to pre-book a shuttle. Big mistake. Cost me a fortune. Next time, the Disney shuttle IS the only way to go.

Also, that Wi-Fi situation… it’s not cheap. I needed it for work, so I caved. Could’ve used a little more time with the family. Oh well. Live and learn I quess.

What extras do you have to pay for on a Disney Cruise?

Ugh, Disney cruises… So much glitz, so much… extra.

Port Adventures: Those shore excursions? They’ll empty your wallet faster than you can say “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”. Seriously. Expensive.

Spa days. Yeah, I know, I wanted that massage. But, wow. They price those things like they’re made of pixie dust and solid gold.

Specialty dining. That fancy adult-only place? Forget it. My bank account cried. It’s a fortune.

Drinks. Everything else. Alcoholic drinks, the little arcade games for the kids, even photos. Everything adds up. It’s insane. I swear, they make it hard to not spend extra.

Babysitting? That’s another killer. My little sister was in the nursery for a few hours. It was quite pricey. I’m still feeling that pinch.

• Port Adventures: Costly excursions. Expect to pay a significant amount.
• Spa & Salon: Luxury services with premium pricing. Steep costs.
• Photography: Onboard photos are expensive. Plan your budget accordingly.
• Babysitting: Nursery fees are substantial. Factor this cost into your budget.
• Drinks: Alcoholic beverages and packages are extra. And a lot.
• Specialty Dining: Expensive. Very expensive. Don’t budget this unless you are very well off.
• Phone Calls: Ship-to-shore calls have added charges. Just use the internet.
• Arcade Games: Gaming expenses for kids. Prepare for a little extra expense here.

My 2023 cruise, remember? I was so naive. I thought… I thought it would be different.

How much money do you need to bring on a Disney cruise?

Ugh, Disney cruise cash? $200? That’s peanuts! Seriously, my last trip, I blew through that in like, a day. Souvenirs, mostly. My niece wanted EVERYTHING.

Maybe more like $500 minimum, if you’re not loaded. That’s for tips, duh, and snacks, and those overpriced drinks. Plus, unexpected stuff always happens. Remember that time my phone died? Needed a new charger, pronto.

Excursions? Forget it. Those are a separate money pit. Think hundreds, per person, per excursion. Maybe thousands, if you’re fancy. And don’t even get me started on the photos.

Need cash for:

• Tips – for sure, a lot!
• Drinks – those things are expensive!
• Snacks – between meals, you’ll be hungry.
• Souvenirs – the little ones will want EVERYTHING.
• Emergencies – phones die, people get sick, etc.
• Unexpected stuff – because it ALWAYS happens!

Seriously, budgeting is KEY. I’m so bad at it! Planning a trip for my family next year. Yikes. Should I use a travel agent this time? Planning is hard. I need help! Maybe this time I’ll actually save up enough for the cruise.

2024 UPDATE: $500-$1000 cash minimum, depending on your family size and spending habits. Excursions are extra and expensive! Plan that carefully! Don’t forget your credit cards, just in case you run out of cash, you know.