![\"Disney](\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DisneyWonder1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe trick really is to decide how much more you are willing to pay once you\u2019re onboard. For this it is important to know what is included in your cruise fare and what is not. I personally am totally capable of going on a Disney cruise and not pay one additional dollar, with the exception for shore excursion and tips.<\/p>\n
It makes no sense to travel the world and not see what\u2019s out there, so if you want to see Rome and you have never been there, by all means go for it and book your shore excursion with Disney. You will have a great experience, and the added peace of mind that the ship is not going to leave without you.<\/p>\n
This being said, I have had a fabulous time going ashore, and not paying for an organized shore excursion on two of my Caribbean Disney cruises. I loved walking around in Nassau, and I simply hopped on the free trolley in San Juan, Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n
What else can you do to avoid spending more on a Disney Cruise?<\/h3>\n
Let\u2019s start with the most important subject and that would be food. Don\u2019t tell me you do not enjoy indulging in what seems an endless procession of delectable treats, morning, noon and night. I admit I even go for room service in between meals and if I do not like what was served for dinner, there is always the casual dining room with lots of food stations.<\/p>\n
Remember, all meals, including snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are free. Room service is free and includes Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bars.\u00a0 Just remember don\u2019t ask for bottled water. (Do keep in mind though that room service attendants work hard and should\u00a0be tipped.) Go and help yourself to all the water and soda you can possible want during meal times \u2013 there are so many places to pick from I doubt you\u2019ll get thirsty. Stay away from packaged snacks. If you really want candy during the free movie screenings\u00a0why not bring some along on the cruise, or get your own\u00a0soda and ice cream right before the show. Bring a drinking cup and fill up on beverages served from free drink dispensers on the ship.\u00a0There is even self-serve ice cream available throughout the day and quite late into the evening.<\/p>\n We all know that Disney offers exquisite dining at Palo and Remy. Both restaurants are for guests 18 and up only and require a surcharge if you wish to dine there. For Palo it is a $30 surcharge and for Remy it is a whopping $85. Is it worth it? Well, if you enjoy sophisticated dining, I say go for it, it is absolutely great and a bargain, especially for Palo. Do you need it? Nope! Disney has amazing food and I have yet to experience a lousy meal in any of the regular dining rooms.<\/p>\n A word about alcohol: Yes, if you wish to have an alcoholic beverage it will cost you extra no matter where you dine, unless you consume the alcohol you\u2019re allowed to carry onboard in your stateroom. Passengers 21 years of age and older may bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne or six beers onboard on embarkation day and in each port of call. However, the alcohol must be hand-carried in your carry-on luggage and cannot be consumed in any of the dining rooms, including Palo or Remy, unless you are willing to pay a $25 corkage fee. Drinking in public places is also not allowed but you certainly can enjoy the beverage in the privacy of your stateroom. And, before you dream of bringing magnum sizes of any alcohol onboard, be aware that each wine bottle cannot be larger than 750 ml and beer bottles or cans cannot exceed 12 ounces each.<\/p>\n Entertainment onboard is amazing, plenty, and free. Very few activities cost money, playing Bingo being one of them. All kids programs are free. If you require childcare service for kids under the age of 3, Flounder\u2019s Reef and It\u2019s a Small World Nurseries charge $9 per hour for the first child, and $8 per hour for any additional children in your family.<\/p>\n The use of the fitness center is free but spa and salon services are not. However, you can buy access to the \u201cRainforest Room\u201d for as little as $16 per day. On most ships the Rainforest Room has a dry sauna, a hot steam room, scented showers, and heated loungers; as well as hot tubs on a private deck overlooking the sea.<\/p>\n On Castaway Cay food, lounge chairs and umbrellas are free and so is the Castaway Cay 5K race. Signup is at the port adventure desk. Make sure to do so as soon as you arrive onboard. The race comes with race bib and a finisher medal. You can even drop of your kids at Scuttle\u2019s Cove, the free children\u2019s program while you run the race or enjoy the adult beach. Bike rentals, snorkeling equipment, boats, any kind of shore excursions and private cabanas as well as alcoholic drinks come with a fee.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/h4>\nLet\u2019s talk wellness while on a Disney Cruise<\/h4>\n
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