Do Disney cruises include food?

Is food free on the Disney cruise?

Disney cruises are almost all-inclusive when it comes to food. Yes, most dining is included. Think of it as a floating buffet paradise.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are generally covered. And of course, that rotational dining is a total steal – savoring different themed restaurants is really where the magic happens! Is it pure genius?

However, there are a few exceptions. Like that alcoholic beverages cost extra. Also, the upscale, adults-only restaurants will tack on additional fees. Hey, gotta pay for that peace and quiet somehow, right?

• Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (generally). Rotational dining.
• Not Included: Adult restaurant. Alcoholic beverages.

Here’s the thing, cruising, in general, has changed so much since my grandparents first took one to Alaska – gosh they loved that trip. What’s included now, might not be next year.

What is not included on a Disney cruise?

Disney cruises exclude:

• Specialty dining. Forget that fancy reservation.
• Alcoholic beverages. BYOB, unless you like paying cruise prices.
• Shore excursions. Prepare your own adventures.
• Most onboard activities. Some cost extra, weirdly. My brother-in-law learned that the hard way.
• Gratuities. Tip generously, or don’t. Your choice. Your problem.

Crucial Note: 2024 pricing fluctuates wildly. Budget accordingly. My last trip in July was expensive. Check the Disney site. They’re sneaky.

Additional considerations:

• WiFi: Expensive. Expect to pay through the nose.
• Spa treatments: Self-care costs extra.
• Souvenirs: Obvious. Avoid the temptation. Seriously.
• Casino gambling: Not on all ships. Confirm before booking.
• High-end shops: Prepare to spend a fortune on cheap trinkets. It’s a trap. Don’t fall for it.

Is food included on cruises for free?

Nah, that’s not quite right. My family and I went on the Carnival Breeze in 2024, a real doozy of a trip. Food wasn’t completely free. The basic dining rooms? Yeah, those were included. Buffets too, though they got old after a while. But we got hit with extra charges left and right.

It felt like a money grab. Ugh. My daughter wanted pizza every night. That was extra. Specialty restaurants? Forget it. Those fancy steak places, the sushi bar… that’s all extra. Drinks? A fortune. I’m talking like twenty bucks a cocktail. My wallet cried. So, while they advertise “included,” it’s very misleading.

We ended up spending a ton extra. Honestly, I’d have been better off booking an all-inclusive resort. It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, but I spent half the time stressed about the cost. I’m not kidding. We were trying to budget, too.

Here’s the breakdown of what was and wasn’t free:

• Included: Main dining rooms. Buffet.
• Extra: Specialty restaurants, most drinks, premium coffee, room service (beyond basic delivery), most snacks outside the buffet. Pizza.

My advice? Budget at least an extra $500 per person for food and drinks on top of the cruise price. It’s insane how much those little things add up. You’re warned.

How does food work on a Disney cruise?

Food. Disney Cruise. Fixed. Rotation dining, a constant. Navigator app dictates. Check for the schedule. Assigned restaurant. Assigned table.

Same faces nightly. Your waiting team. They follow, you move. Three main restaurants. Menus vary, predictably delicious. The illusion of choice thrives.

• Rotation Dining: Core experience. Stability amidst the waves.
• Navigator App: Digital compass. Essential for survival onboard.
• Menus: Consistent. Aimed to please everyone, exceptional at nothing.

My last trip? Palo Brunch. Worth the extra cost. Though, the crowds… always. Remember that. No escaping them. My cousin hated the buffet. So, it is.

Are meals included on Disney cruises?

Ugh, Disney cruise. 2023, July. My family, four of us, crammed into that Animator’s Palate. Food was good, actually, way better than I expected. The kids, bless their hearts, were wild. My daughter spilled her juice everywhere. Pure chaos. I was stressed. Seriously stressed. My husband was trying to be all calm and collected, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. He’s not a fan of crowded places.

We ate way too much. I mean, seriously, way too much. Everything’s included, right? So we just kept ordering. That’s the thing about the cruise, all the food is part of the price. It’s great. But also, a recipe for overeating.

We did the rotational dining thing, three different restaurants. One was a little better than the others. But honestly? We didn’t really care. We were mostly just trying to keep the kids under control.

• Meals are included: Yep, all of them.
• Rotational Dining: Three restaurants, a different one each night. Didn’t love the whole system.
• Food Quality: Better than I thought. Really!
• Atmosphere: Crazy busy. Families everywhere.

My only complaint? Way too much food. Seriously, it’s all you can eat. But my kids loved it. They talked about the desserts for days. I swear, they lived on the ice cream.

Is the Disney cruise all inclusive?

No. Disney cruise? Not all-inclusive, no. So?

Meals: Included. The food? It exists.

Snacks: Readily available. You eat, or you don’t. Choices.

Pools: Yes, water. You get wet.

Fitness: Weights and treadmills. Torture yourself. If you choose.

Entertainment: Shows. Noise. Distractions.

• “All-inclusive” is a marketing trap. Pay attention. My cruise to the Bahamas in 2023? Saw families drained. Sigh.
• Consider gratuities. Tip. Expected.
• Alcohol? Extra. Want that beer? Cha-ching.
• Shore excursions: Cost. Experiences though. Memories. Or not.
• Specialty dining: Upscale experience. At a premium. I recall Palo’s brunch. Worth it. Maybe.
• Internet: Forget it. Pricey. Unreliable. Enjoy the ocean. Or not. Your choice.
• Photographs: Those memories cost something. A price, really.

What is not free on Disney cruises?

Disney Cruise Costs: What’s Not Included

Let’s be clear: A Disney cruise isn’t entirely free, despite the magical veneer. Several things will happily drain your wallet.

• Internet access: Prepare for hefty charges. My last cruise, in 2023, saw prices exceeding $30 a day for basic packages. It’s a modern-day necessity, yet ironically, a significant cost.

• Alcoholic beverages: This is expected, right? Adult beverages are pricey, but hey, vacation! I spent a shocking amount on fancy cocktails during my family’s 2023 trip.

• Specialty coffees and premium drinks: Think lattes, cappuccinos. Your basic coffee might be complimentary. Fancy stuff? Not a chance! It adds up; this I know for certain.

• Many juices and smoothies: Expect to pay extra for fresh-pressed juice. Basic juice boxes with breakfast might be free, but don’t expect anything extravagant.

• Laundry services: Consider this, as doing laundry yourself is not particularly conducive to vacation mode. Costs vary; check pricing before embarking. It’s an inconvenience, and an added expense.

• Transportation to the port: Getting to the cruise terminal is completely your responsibility. Disney doesn’t offer shuttle services, a rather unexpected omission. You’ll have to plan your own transport.

• Movie theater snacks and drinks: Surprise! Even Disney movies won’t be free of charges; think popcorn, candy, the works. It’s a classic money grab, and, unfortunately, very successful.

• Gratuities: These aren’t exactly hidden, but it’s a cost easily overlooked. Plan for these; they’re not insignificant. They’re added to your bill, a sneaky extra. I find this annoying, honestly.

It’s a fascinating study in how seemingly inclusive marketing can mask extra fees. You’d think the Mouse House would be more transparent.

What is not included in Disney cruise fares?

Okay, so Disney cruises, right? I went in 2023, the Wonder, July. The price? Don’t even get me started. It felt like a mortgage payment! What wasn’t included? Loads of stuff. Seriously, loads.

Gratuities are extra. And those add up. Tip the staff a lot. It’s just how it is. They deserve it. I didn’t like that part, felt nickel and dimed.

Specialty dining was separate. We went to Palo, super expensive. Delicious, but wow. Expensive. Way more than the regular dining rooms.

Alcoholic beverages. Every single drink. Expensive cocktails. I remember those fruity things costing $15 each! Ridiculous. I stuck to water mostly.

Shore excursions. Those are completely separate. We did Castaway Cay, beautiful, but the cost… ugh. Remember to budget.

Souvenirs. Oh my god, the shops. Everything was overpriced Disney merchandise. I bought a Mickey hat for my nephew, nearly fainted at the checkout.

Spa treatments. They had massages and stuff, didn’t go near it, far too expensive.

Extra activities. I mean, beyond the standard stuff on the ship. There were extra things like private karaoke sessions. Crazy pricing for that.

It felt like they squeezed every last cent out of you. The base price was a lie. A total lie. Everything else was a mountain of extra costs. Plan carefully. Seriously, plan. Budget, budget, budget. Don’t go broke!