
Raven
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How fun! The cost of the cruise includes your meals, and food is available all the time. However, there are a few exceptions. Snacks at the theater and in the lounges do cost extra, as do alcoholic drinks. But you can get just about anything you like most of the day for free, and most food items on the room service menu are included in your cruise cost (drinks, however, from room service are not). There is a 24-hour beverage station where you can get sodas, water, and tea anytime for free. You won't go hungry, believe me, and you don't have to spend anything extra unless you want to.
There are activities available for children over 3 at no cost. Kids 3-12 must be signed in and out of them by a parent, and you get a beeper so the staff can contact you if you're needed. Ages 13-17 also have activities, but they don't need to be signed in and out. Childcare for ages under 3 is available, but it does cost extra. Flounder's Reef Nursery offers babysitting for infants to 3-year olds. I'm not sure of the price exactly, but it is per hour and you need to make advance reservations as it's pretty popular.
You will need to bring spending money with you for things you want to do in ports of call. Each one offers planned excursions for a set fee, but if cash is tight, you can always walk around a bit! Looking doesn't cost a thing, and seeing new places is one of the best things about traveling.
There are tons of activities on board that don't cost a thing. There are 3 swimming pools (adults, families, and kids), movies (remember, snacks will be extra, but the show is free), music (some pretty good live acts, and some DJ action), and each night you'll have a chance to enjoy a Broadway-style show. All included in your cruise.
I also should mention gratuities. Tipping on the ship is not generally expected, except for your stateroom host/hostess (they make your bed, clean your room, turn down the beds at night, and make the most interesting animals out of towels), and your waiters (you'll have a server, assistant server, and the head server at your...um...service). Their tips are suggested by the "industry standard", naturally you can tip more or less according to your satisfaction. Gratuities are, of course, expected for bartenders and room service attendants, but their services are at your discretion.
If you haven't already, please check out the Disney Cruise Line website at http://www.disneycruise.com or pick up a travel guide (my fave is Birnbaums Disney Cruise Line - TONS of great info). Or, message me and I'll bore you to tears with my stories. |