Hi Kaitlyn!
Bravo on your plans to book an adventure at sea with Captain Mickey! A
Very Merrytime Cruise would be the best surprise for your three kiddos. I always say that a Disney cruise makes for a perfect gift because it’s one size fits all! All kidding aside, a holiday cruise with the entire family sounds like a magical way to get in the spirit of the season. Prepare for your senses to be amazed with the delicious scent of gingerbread and the wonderful sight of a life-sized gingerbread house in the Lobby Atrium!
Let me assure you that
all your meals are included in your cruise fare (unless you opt to make reservations at
Palo or Remy for the grown-ups). Even Room Service is complimentary! I will say there are a few incidentals you may want to experience as part of the voyage that cost extra, such as popcorn at the theatres. But by and large, you can say that the food offerings are all part of your cruise reservation. That’s good news, right?
As far as estimating your out-of-pocket items, that’s a bit trickier for me to do. So much depends on your family’s habits and preferences. Moreover, it makes a difference the length of your cruise, whether you are big on souvenirs, and what extras you will opt for like
Port Adventures. My suggestion: when you do make reservations for these premium activities, they will be priced for you on the Disney Cruise Line website, so you can keep a running tab on what you reserve to get an idea of how much spending money you need to have. For example, if I book a spa treatment at
Senses Spa and Salon, it shows the treatment price and also reminds me about the gratuity that will be included. Likewise, for things like
Beverage Tastings, the price per person is clearly listed. It's very straightforward and easy to track.
Here’s a planDisney tip: with three kids, you might want to consider giving them each a
Disney gift card for their souvenirs to keep tabs on spending. My daughter always loved to get her shopping on, and who doesn’t love a Disney gift card? Kids love this because they get to be in charge of how the money is spent. And when it’s gone, it’s gone!
You don’t have to spend a dime to get questions answered at planDisney, so please come back anytime! We love having new friends join us here. Wishing you lots of luck as you plan your holiday vacation and tons of fun on your Disney cruise!
Happy Sailing!
Sherry