How much do you spend once onboard?

[Garyjames220]

I listed out exact prices from my cruise folio as I did the same cruise in 2023 that GaryJames220 is asking about, the 4 night Spain cruise on The Dream. Can you copy and paste my post into a new post, as it seems he has not read it or can't see it for some reason.

1. Automatic Tips = $58
2. Extra Tip to Cove Cafe Bartender -$10
3. Length of Cruise Rainforest Pass = $99
4. Martini Tasting =$50
5. Chocolate and Liquoir Tasting =$60
6. Palo Brunch $50 plus $10 tip
7. Shopping at Mickeys Main Sail = $167.95
8. Drink of the Day $8.56 x 4 = $34.24
9. Glass of Sparkling Wine at Dinner $10.62 x 4 = $42.48
10. Coffee at Cove Cafe $7.38 x 3 = $22.14
11. Room Service Tip = $5

Hey

sorry I actually did miss that, thanks for re posting. That’s very helpful

the drink of the day is always such a good price

u ever done remy desert experience

 

[lanejudy]

do you know if they do single day rainforest room passes

Single-day passes seem to be hard to come by. There have been a few reports of availability on a couple of cruises, but most folks are finding only the length-of-cruise pass is offered.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Hey

sorry I actually did miss that, thanks for re posting. That’s very helpful

the drink of the day is always such a good price

u ever done remy desert experience

I don't tip extra for the drinks, as an 18% tip is automatically included.

Prices in Europe include VAT so there is no extra tax added on. There is no extra sales tax in the shops, the listed price is what you pay.

The prices I listed are the exact prices I paid for things. Prices on American cruises may be different.

No I havent done Remy.

 

[Flossbolna]

Prices in Europe include VAT so there is no extra tax added on. There is no extra sales tax in the shops, the listed price is what you pay.

This is not correct. A cruise which only cruises within the EU will add Italian or Spanish VAT (depending on homeport) on top of the published prices. (Yes, in my opinion that is in violation of EU laws that they charge extra and don't include it in the published prices, but that's how DCL does it).

The OPs cruise homeports in the UK and then leaves the UK customs area to go the EU customs area. Therefore it should be considered an international cruise that will not have to pay any VAT.

For this purpose, EFTA does not matter, so a cruise that goes from Denmark to Norway leaves the EU. A cruise from Denmark to Sweden and the Baltic countries would have to pay Danish VAT. Hence the Med cruises, that only go to Italy, Spain and Greece have to charge VAT and they do. If they had one port in Turkey for example, voila, no VAT payable.

 

[o&smom]

Just did Remy dessert this summer for the first time. Highly recommend it!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

This is not correct. A cruise which only cruises within the EU will add Italian or Spanish VAT (depending on homeport) on top of the published prices. (Yes, in my opinion that is in violation of EU laws that they charge extra and don't include it in the published prices, but that's how DCL does it).

The OPs cruise homeports in the UK and then leaves the UK customs area to go the EU customs area. Therefore it should be considered an international cruise that will not have to pay any VAT.

For this purpose, EFTA does not matter, so a cruise that goes from Denmark to Norway leaves the EU. A cruise from Denmark to Sweden and the Baltic countries would have to pay Danish VAT. Hence the Med cruises, that only go to Italy, Spain and Greece have to charge VAT and they do. If they had one port in Turkey for example, voila, no VAT payable.

I was on the exact same cruise in 2023, The 4 night to Spain from Southampton. Im giving exact specifics for what the OP will experience in 2024. My cruise left from Southampton, one port in Bilbao, Spain and then back to Southampton. Thats what the OP wants to do in 2024.

There were no extra costs, the price listed on the merchandise tags is what I paid. I still have the receipts.

 

[Garyjames220]

I think budgeting $1000 is a great plan, and if you come in less than that you'll be happy!

Will your kids be 3 next year or 4? You're planning some couple time, if they will be 3, you might want to pay for the nursery for times you know you don't want to be called to pick them up (Palo, spa, etc). Just an idea and something else to budget for.

They will be three next year when they go

I have no idea how the kids clubs work, we are used to the nursary upto now

Can we not put them in the kids clubs and just pick them up when we are ready or how does it work

 

[Garyjames220]

Just did Remy dessert this summer for the first time. Highly recommend it!

What time was it on

I’m just wondering would you not be stuffed for dinner that night

 

[o&smom]

What time was it on

I’m just wondering would you not be stuffed for dinner that night

I think it was around 2:30. We had early seating for dinner, and were not stuffed, but ate a little lighter than normal at dinner. We usually have multiple appetizers and even multiple entrees.

 

[lanejudy]

They will be there next year when they go

I have no idea how the kids clubs work, we are used to the nursary upto now

Can we not put them in the kids clubs and just pick them up when we are ready or how does it work

I think the PP's comment lends to the broad age range within the Club/Lab. Yes, you can drop off your 3-yr-olds there. They may be the youngest in the crowd, with kids considerably older; the age make-up can vary by cruise and isn't something you can plan ahead. Also, if the kids don't enjoy the Club for whatever reason, CMs will contact you to pick them up. At 3, they technically can go to either the nursery or the Club/Lab, so if you have some time that you really don't want to be interrupted, you might want to put them in the nursery. Or make that plan for later in the cruise so you have time for them to try out the Club/Lab first.

 

[Garyjames220]

I think it was around 2:30. We had early seating for dinner, and were not stuffed, but ate a little lighter than normal at dinner. We usually have multiple appetizers and even multiple entrees.

Fair enough lol

Well my wife loves her deserts so might give it a go this time

To be fair the deserts don’t look to big so mybe should go for it

 

[o&smom]

They will be there next year when they go

I have no idea how the kids clubs work, we are used to the nursary upto now

Can we not put them in the kids clubs and just pick them up when we are ready or how does it work

Kids must be fully potty trained in order to go the the clubs by themselves. We never had issues with our kids wanting to stay in the clubs, but I have read many reports of people saying that their kids would not stay long on their own. Just depends on your kids.

 

[Garyjames220]

I think the PP's comment lends to the broad age range within the Club/Lab. Yes, you can drop off your 3-yr-olds there. They may be the youngest in the crowd, with kids considerably older; the age make-up can vary by cruise and isn't something you can plan ahead. Also, if the kids don't enjoy the Club for whatever reason, CMs will contact you to pick them up. At 3, they technically can go to either the nursery or the Club/Lab, so if you have some time that you really don't want to be interrupted, you might want to put them in the nursery. Or make that plan for later in the cruise so you have time for them to try out the Club/Lab first.

Oh right so I can’t drop them off at say 2pm and pick them 5pm they call u and say time up they have had enough

I see what u mean. That’s quite hard to make plans

Do some people not get a call and just turn up when they are ready then?

 

[Garyjames220]

Kids must be fully potty trained in order to go the the clubs by themselves. We never had issues with our kids wanting to stay in the clubs, but I have read many reports of people saying that their kids would not stay long on their own. Just depends on your kids.

So what happens if you were half way through a remy meal or in the spa without phone near by

 

[o&smom]

So what happens if you were half way through a remy meal or in the spa without phone near by

They always know where you are.

 

[o&smom]

Oh right so I can’t drop them off at say 2pm and pick them 5pm they call u and say time up they have had enough

I see what u mean. That’s quite hard to make plans

Do some people not get a call and just turn up when they are ready then?

They will only call you as a last resort, especially if you let them know you are going to Palo, etc.

 

[lanejudy]

Oh right so I can’t drop them off at say 2pm and pick them 5pm they call u and say time up they have had enough

I see what u mean. That’s quite hard to make plans

Do some people not get a call and just turn up when they are ready then?

It really just depends on the kid(s) and their comfort level in the bigger group setting. Some are perfectly fine with it; others not so much. You can plan to drop them off all day, but if the kids are not happy the CMs won't force them to stay and participate. If you have plans like dinner at Palo, let the CMs know and they'll try to entertain the kids. But if the child is really unhappy, they will expect you to come pick them up within (I think) 30 minutes of being contacted. (and as a parent, I can't imagine ignoring that call and leaving my child somewhere they were so unhappy)

I think I read a somewhat recent report that one couple had Palo (or Remy?) interrupted -- and the server was kind enough to package something to-go. It's possible 1 parent remained at dinner and brought the to-go plate to the other after the meal.

 

[Garyjames220]

So if we wanted to go to some of the bars at night and the girls were tired. How does that work. Is there anywhere they can sleep in the kids clubs as I know they are open to midnight or would I need to book the nursary for this

 

[o&smom]

So if we wanted to go to some of the bars at night and the girls were tired. How does that work. Is there anywhere they can sleep in the kids clubs as I know they are open to midnight or would I need to book the nursary for this

Not in the kid’s clubs, just the nursery.

 

[Garyjames220]

Not in the kid’s clubs, just the nursery.

Oh I didn’t no this. So the only way the girls could stay in the kids club until midnight is if they were awake?