OctoberSky

I'm a Disney fan, but also have sticker shock when I look at DCL cruises! I don't know how middle-class families afford it! 🤤[emoji44]

Do planes still fly that are not full? I'd book a window so I can lean on the wall to sleep.

It looks like all of the drinks they list on the bar menus are always "premium" liquors. Can we order the same drink, but specify "call" and it will be $3 cheaper??

Not all cheap cabins are guarantee. I have an inside cabin, midship, I picked my room. I got one perk (3rd an 4th free) and I think I got a great deal! I can spend some of my saving on drinks! I was just hoping for a happy hour like Holland America had. [emoji4]

Will be following this for recommendations. We'll be on a 7 night similar itinerary with a 2.5 year old!

I think educating people about the safety of tap water, and attempting to steer them away from more plastic consumption is a very, very important discussion topic.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change

Have fun! Can't wait to read your review.

I would like to do 3, but it will probably be 4 or 5!

I don't do heels. I just bring suede flats for the dining room.

Also I'll have a pair of Chaco sandals and a pair of tennis shoes. Might bring my Keens and a more low profile sneaker also, we'll see. Thankfully I have small feet & my shoes don't take up too much room.

Hmmm, "current rate" though... On 4/1 the current rate will be the increased amount?

Sure enough!

"Any guest that has made a booking by March 31, 2018 will have the option of prepaying their service charges at the current rate if done prior to sail date."

Yep, I gotcha. Agreed. I picked my savings elsewhere - a cheap room and getting our kids free. I think that will be the better deal for us. For the bar tab, "it is what it is". ☺

Interesting. I also read it and thought we had to pay by 4/1. I will go re-read.

I'm sorry to have bothered some of you by asking a simple question. Guess I should have gone to the money saving board.

Shrug. I was just responding to you post about the package and how you're not wanting to spend that much in gratuities. Math wise, that thinking is wrong. But if you don't have the package then not sure why you brought it up? Oh well.

 

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There's a chance we may not drink on the ship at all on port days.

smplybcause,

I was talking about paying gratuities on $14 vs $89. I don't think you followed what I was saying.

$14 for two beers plus 20% is $16.80. If you only drink two beers a day it's cheaper, if you buy a third you just spent more than you would have for the gratuities on the free package. Which, hey, if you feel better paying $8.40 a beer more power to you.

 

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Getting 3rd and 4th free probably saved me $600-700. I assure you I will not spend that much on drinks.

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Fyi you don't need to drink 10 a day for it to be worth it! It's $17.80/day per person. Less than the cost of just about any two drinks.

 

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We mainly drink beers, so if I had 2 beers a day, I would get spend $14, and I'd rather pay gratuities on THAT. I'm just saying, it'd be cooler if I got charged actual gratuities instead of on an assumed $89 per day (which I could never personally drink that much).

Anyways I was just asking what discounts were available. I do not have UBP perk, and I don't plan on buying the UBP.

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^yes, I was wondering that also. I imagine my DH may like an Old Fashioned, but $13.95 is extreme!

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Always kind of perplexed me that people save a few dollars on a sail away fare without perks, then spend many times the difference on bar bills and specialty dining bills.

 

My DH and I both enjoy a beverage or 2, but this is a family vacation so we won't be drinking a ton.

Honestly I hope we spend less on drinks than even the gratuities on the "free" drinking plan would have been. I don't see that "free" plan being a great deal unless they let me pay only the amount of gratuities for my consumed drinks (definitely never 10 per day each)!!

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What are our options? Do they have happy hour? When will they sell discount cards? Can you get a beer bucket with any kind of beer, or just the basic domestics?

Cruising on Gem to NE/Canada.

Thanks!

I agree with Keens.

Will you have a carseat with you? If not, that will limit you to walking or bus tours.

I'll be cruising with my 2.5 year old this summer, and I don't think I'll be brave enough to try an excursion over 2.5 hours. It just feels like you could be trapped and miserable.

I think we'll rent a car if we want to explore a bit. Otherwise we'll probably just do whatever is walkable.

A neck pillow. An empty water bottle so you can fill it before you board. Snacks. Something to read or do (crossword or tablet). Headphones and a white noise app. Ear plugs. A sweater or sweatshirt.

Make sure to wiggle your toes and rotate your ankles often. And get up to walk the aisle every couple of hours if possible.

We prefer to spend time with our kids also. Personal preference I guess.

We'll be cruising when our youngest is 2.5 and knowingly chose a ship with no care for kids under 3. Oh well, my little would never want to be left with strangers anyways. We'll just take turns for nap and early bedtime.

Awww, this is great. Well written, and I love how his personality and sense of humor shines through! Thanks for sharing. 😁