A Disney Cruise for Seniors on a Budget

Add-on Charges on a Disney Cruise for Seniors, Or Anyone

Always budget for gratuities as this helps the Cast Members who take care of you during your cruise.

Disney does charge for certain add-ons, but they are upfront about it. Remember, the are all optional!

WIFI. Although the Disney Navigator App is free to use onboard, WIFI is not. Checking emails, surfing the net, texting, streaming shows, and making ship to shore phone calls are subject to additional charges. This includes downloading the Navigator App, so do download it at home.
Airfare and ground transportation.
Your car rental, garage parking fees for the length of your cruise.
Gratuities for your room steward, dining room servers, bar tenders, etc.
Bottled beverages such as water and soda.
Popcorn, peanuts, candy, and packaged snacks.
Specialty dining restaurants such as Palo’s, and the ship’s specialty ice cream-sweet shop.
Alcoholic beverages, specialty pastries, specialty coffee bars, and spa Juice Bar.
Shore Excursions.
Onboard exclusive experiences, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Hook’s Barbery, Royal Court Royal High Tea, adult-only beverage tastings, culinary classes.
Photo packages.
Senses Spa and Salon.
Laundry services.
Babysitters and nursery.
Souvenirs and sundries offered at a variety of shops throughout the ships and on the private islands.
Private Island beach activity rental equipment, such as snorkeling equipment, jet ski rentals, and cabanas.

Seniors, Take Advantage Of The Freebees!

One way for seniors to keep their DCL cruise cost low is to find alternatives to avoid the add-on charges.

Forget the photo packages. Use your phone for photos. If your entire party wants to be in the photo together, ask a crew member or fellow passenger to take the picture for you. They will!

Most DCL ships offer a free tour the day you board. Time and meet up will be on the Navigator App. This tour helps you to get accustomed to the ship so you can get around easily. And, and they really are a lot of fun and informative.

Kids clubs offer an open house on departure day. This is the only time adults can see what they are missing and make them wish they were a kid again.

Bring your own close-top beverage mugs to fill them up with soda and water from the complimentary soda station on the pool deck and drinking water fountains found throughout the ship.

Stock up on dessert offerings from quick service stands to eat as snacks in the movie theater or bring your own from home.

Enjoy the soft serve ice cream. It’s your vacation, have it for breakfast!

Transportation To and From the Disney Cruise Ship

Reserve a seat on the DCL ground transportation bus from local airports to the cruise terminal and back after your cruise. It will cost less than renting a car and paying for parking, or hiring a ride share.

If you fly in the day prior to your cruise, (which I highly recommend), stay at a hotel that provides a free shuttle to and from the airport and/or a free shuttle to the cruise terminal.

Dining on a Disney Cruise for Seniors

You can eat all day long as much as you like as often as you like at the buffets, quick service counters, and room service, although the food venues other than room service do close overnight.

Plus the casual times for breakfast and lunch in the main dining rooms and your scheduled seating for dinner, means spending money on specialty dining restaurants isn’t necessary. And the food choices are mind-boggling even for folks with food allergies.

Senses Spa & Salon

While a day at the spa sounds enticing, the price may break the bank. Instead, find a quiet spot on the promenade deck or in one of the adult-only lounges and relax with a book or your favorite music on your iPod.

Omit the Paid Shore Excursions on a Disney Cruise for Seniors

Visit the port on your own. Research it through online travel guides before you go to learn about the area, how to get around and what no cost or low cost activities are offered.

If you have no desire to see the port, stay onboard the ship. Most passengers are off on the excursions or wandering the port leaving the public areas of the ship far less crowded than days at sea. Splash around in the pools, ride the water slides, chill in the hot tubs, and play the games available on your ship such as basketball, mini golf, shuffleboard, or table games.

No Laundry on Vacation

Pack enough clothes or slightly over pack so you don’t have to use the laundry services or the self-service pay launderette. If you think you may need to do some necessary laundry, pack a travel size box of laundry detergent, wash the items in your stateroom’s bathroom sink, and hang them to dry in the shower. DCL ships have a pull out clothesline in the bathtub/shower.

Exclusive Onboard Experiences on Disney Cruises for Seniors?

Don’t be tantalized by those pricey exclusive experiences. DCL has numerous engaging activities planned every day that won’t cost you or Uncle Scrooge a cent. Check the Navigator App for times and location for towel folding, trivia contests, drawing classes, and more. You might even win a prize!

On Board Shopping

Sea Trasures Store On Board Disney Cruises for Seniors

The onboard shops are tempting for Disney lovers. We want to take a piece of the magic home and there is a treasure trove of souvenirs to choose from. Set your souvenir budget to purchase small mementos like key chains and magnets, or for one big item: a Christmas ornament or a miniature model of the ship.

Disney’s Private Island and Beach

Make the private island stop a beach day. Wade in the ocean, walk along the beach, laze in a lounge chair or hammock, participate in the island parties and partake of the island BBQ. Ride the tram around the island and take your photo with a beloved character.