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| REAL soon is right! |
Another item that's always on my pre-vacation list is finalizing my vacation budget. Some items are fixed and some expenses are varied, so let's talk about those.
Fixed expenses can include:
- Your cruise fare.
Yes, you have to actually pay money to cruise. I know, I know...what a bummer. :)
- Travel expenses to get to the port.
Whether you fly or drive, you'll have some expenses in getting to the port before your cruise. This may include plane tickets, pre and/or post cruise hotels, gas, parking fees, food while on the road, etc. I always estimate on the high side, and add in 10-15% extra for unexpected expenses.
- Gratuities and tips.
Some might say these aren't in the Fixed category, but I feel they're so important that they're always in that column of my vacation budget. With Disney (and many other cruise lines), the set tips for your cruise are added to your onboard account. You can always increase or decrease those amounts, but please plan on paying those. I've always had exceptional service on cruises and I want to convey that thanks to the stateroom attendant and dinner staff.
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Now let's talk about those expenses that you CAN have, but certainly aren't necessary. Depending on my budget for the cruise, I might add some of these extras into my vacation.
Your extra expenses might be:
- Excursions
Whether you do excursions through the cruise line or on your own, you can spend some big bucks. I usually pick one (maybe two) excursions over the course of the cruise. For instance, in Honolulu I really want to see Pearl Harbor, so that's my excursion for this cruise.
Also, you can do a little research and see if there are cheaper options to tour the ports, or if there are other reputable companies running less expensive tours. Just be sure that if you decide to walk around or book an excursion through another company that you do your research and keep safety in mind.
- Spa treatments
The spa on Disney Cruise Line is a magical place, but that magic comes at a price. If you're looking to cut down on expenses, I would stay away from the spa treatments.
If the spa is your "thing" on a cruise, and you're on a tight budget, consider having your spa treatment(s) stand in for excursion and/or souvenir expenses. I did this about a year ago, and had the BEST hot stone massage of my life. It was heaven. SO worth it!
- Alcohol or extra food charges (such as Palo)
On DCL, all of your food is included with the exception of some of the Signature dining offerings such as Palo. Palo is adults-only and offers both brunch and dinner. It's $30/person and VERY much worth it, I think. I always include at least one Palo meal in my cruise budget! On the Dream and Fantasy, there is also Remy, a very fancy French restaurant that is $75/person.
Of course, alcohol is also an extra expense. Disney recently revised their carry on policy for alcohol; you can no longer bring on liquor but you can, at embarkation and each port, up to two bottles of wine or champagne or 6 bottles of beer per person over 21. If you like to have a glass of wine or beer during the day and would rather not pay the cruise prices, feel free to bring some on board with you. (They ask that you only consume it in your room.)
- Souvenirs
I try and limit myself to just a few souvenir items on vacation. On the cruise, I'll typically buy a small commemorative item, such as a pin, a magnet, etc. If I see a really cute DCL Tervis cup that I love, I'll buy that too. On a cruise of this length (10 days), I'm planning on spending less than $50 on souvenirs.
I used to buy a lot. A LOT. And then I moved and started to sort through all the crap (I mean, priceless treasures) that I'd bought over the years and realized that I just don't need all of it. A few small tokens and reminders of the trip work great for me.
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One of my favorite aspects of a Disney cruise are all the free activities that you can do, without spending another dime. You can see the Broadway-caliber stage shows, go to cooking demonstrations, trivia, and fun classes like learning how they fold those sweet towel animals, all for FREE. It's very possible to not spend a fortune in on board charges, and you can still have a GREAT cruise.
What extras, if any, do you budget for on your cruise vacations?
Have a magical day!
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