Your prices will vary based on a few things:
1) time of year
2) age of children
3) on board activities
4) port adventures
5) discounts being offered by Disney
6) your spending habits
While I am all about researching trips on-line, I generally choose to book the package with the operator. Meaning.... if I want to fly Westjet, I'll book through Westjet, regardless of where I spied the price. When it comes to booking a Disney package, I have always done it through the specialists at CAA Travel. They do more Disney than anyone!
Each agency, or booking method can and will offer you an incentive. (Think of it a perk in exchange for their commission.) When I booked the Wonder cruise, which we took in November 2013, I booked it in June. There was an incredible bargain that I spied on-line, and my regular agent was able to secure that for me. I paid $689 per person for the 7 night cruise.
We chose the balcony room, knowing that I would want to be in the room at all times with my son, but wanted a little freedom to have coffee and fresh air on the balcony while he slept. If I was travelling with younger children, or a second adult, I would definitely choose a less expensive, port-hole outside room (no balcony). A second adult to supervise would enable you to leave the stateroom and enjoy fresh air and deck chairs in numerous other public areas on the ship. Though as safe as possible with a plexiglass base on your deck railing, I wouldn't want a toddler anywhere near a balcony on a ship.
Because there were only 2 of us, the "child" had to pay an "adult" fare. However, if we had travelled as a family of 4, there would have been 2 adult fares and 2 reduced child fares (Approx $450 per child) as we would have been staying in the same stateroom.
The CAA Travel service provided us with a $200 on board credit, PLUS a package of 7 professional ship-board portraits of our choosing. So, in practical terms, there was a $300 incentive which made my budget stretch even further.
The on board credit can be used for anything, but it is non-refundable. I used mine to cover the costs of our 2 port adventures, plus a couple treats at the gift shop.
The mandatory gratuities charged to your ship account are $12 per person, per day. Yes, even toddlers and babies pay the mandatory gratuity.
Typical prices on board are $20 for a photo, stuffed animal, or drink in a souvenir glass. $40 for a bottle of wine, a t-shirt or bingo hour. $60 for a port activity, princess dress or arcade pass.
There is a spa on the ship. The services start at $100 and a mandatory 18% gratuity is in addition.
Be advised that any specialty beverage you purchase, even a child's smoothie will have a 15% auto gratuity added. You will have to sign for the charge, and the slip will ask for an ADDITIONAL gratuity on top of the auto-grat.
You can see how things can add up quickly, if you aren't mindful of the expenses. It would be easy to run up a bill as the ships are CASHLESS. Everything is charged to your stateroom with the swipe of your Key to the World Card. Without fail, the night before the cruise ends, there is a very long line at Guest Services with people questioning their room charges.
That being said, our week cost us each just $110 in room charges and $84 of that was the mandatory gratuity. CJ and I were not big drinkers. LOL And all of our "spa" time was spent up on deck 10 playing soccer.
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| Another ship sailing by our balcony. |
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