Can it be done?

[BoardwalkBabe]

Is it possible to board the ship and not spend money outside the cost of the cruise?

What is the least amount of money you've spent on a cruise?

[doone]

Excluding the auto tips, sure, I guess it could be done.

[JaniceB]

I am sure I couldn't do it. Something would tempt me.

[peaches from georgia]

You can have the auto tips taken off your account also if you wish and not tip at all, so yes, it can be done. :(

[Randyk47]

Short of not tipping I guess it can be done. I recall a cruise on the Ryndam where we tendered into St Thomas that there was a small group, three or four couples, who insisted on being tendered back to the ship for lunch. Nothing particularly wrong with that but they made quite a scene about it. The main premise was they had paid for lunch as part of their cruise and they were determined not to be out a single additional dime. They actually got into quite a debate about why HAL hadn't provided a box lunch or some kind of harborside buffet or coupon for a free shore lunch. I don't mind taking full advantage of a cruise but I've always thought this was just a little extreme. You'd have to have been there to appreciate it....they were quite indignant about it.

[BoardwalkBabe]

I consider tips as part of the cost of the cruise, so no worries about not tipping from this end.

I was thinking more along the lines of not spending money on drinks, photos, shopping, bingo and whatever else I spent it on during last year's cruise (spent just about the same amount as we paid for the cruise itself!).

Am trying to stay within a budget this year and not go overboard!

[viennacruiser]

Yes, you can outside the tips:D My sister and I went on the Volendam many years ago to Bermuda and did not spend any $$ at all.We had none to spend:(
We still had a great time:D

[tiffnco]

We had one trip where the most we spent was about $200. We're not big drinkers so that's why we had such a low tab. I'm certain you could walk away without spending anything...but then you're missing out on the Pinnacle :eek: ...

[HeatherInFlorida]

It definitely can be kept pretty darn low if you're us:o !

If you don't drink alcohol (we don't) and you don't want any tours and you don't want to eat in the Pinnacle and you don't want any spa treatments, etc and you don't want even so much as a soft drink, then you're home free.

Personally I think that's not possible, but truthfully our shipboard bill (not counting tips) is always between $150 and $200. I feel tipping is mandatory and a separate issue so I'm not including that. We prepay our Pinnacle and tours, but even that cost was pretty low because we don't do a tour in every port. I would guesstimate our overall extras comes to +/- $500.

[gwilli]

My husband & I were talking about that last night - that you really don't have to spend any money on board and you can still have a nice time. You can walk around in most ports, and in the Caribbean, you can go into stores & get free tastings! I'm sure it can be done - but not the way I like to travel! Have fun!

[trubey]

ooops. susan.

[jhannah]

As noted, yes you can sail and not spend any additional money on board. I wouldn't want to do it, but it can certainly be done.

[kryos]

I would guesstimate our overall extras comes to +/- $500.
That's about what I spent on my recent 10-day Sun cruise.

I'm not a big drinker, but I have gotten accustomed to those delicious pina coladas while cruising. Never touch alcohol at home. But, I limit myself to no more than two per day. Most days I wound up only having one that I would enjoy at the end of my evening, sitting in the Wheelhouse Bar for an hour or so striking up conversations with people.

As for the spa, I'm not interested, and I don't purchase very much in the onboard stores ... not into jewelry (I'd never wear it) ... nor expensive purfumes. I just buy a few tee-shirts and some duty-free smokes.

So, even with a couple of shore excursions tacked on (Princess charges you for them once you are onboard), my bill didn't even exceed $500 with the auto tips. However, I did have a $100 shipboard credit going into the cruise.

So, yes, if you cut out all purchases, prepay your shore excursions (if you take any) and don't drink at all, it is entirely possible to have a shipboard balance at the end of your cruise equal to only the autotips. And, if you don't care for the above items, then I guess you wouldn't even feel that you missed out on anything either.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

Short of not tipping I guess it can be done. I recall a cruise on the Ryndam where we tendered into St Thomas that there was a small group, three or four couples, who insisted on being tendered back to the ship for lunch. Nothing particularly wrong with that but they made quite a scene about it. The main premise was they had paid for lunch as part of their cruise and they were determined not to be out a single additional dime. They actually got into quite a debate about why HAL hadn't provided a box lunch or some kind of harborside buffet or coupon for a free shore lunch. I don't mind taking full advantage of a cruise but I've always thought this was just a little extreme. You'd have to have been there to appreciate it....they were quite indignant about it.
I think you can arrange to have room service pack you a picnic lunch if you are going ashore. My TA told me that HAL will do it, though I've never tested that premise out.

Maybe they didn't ask?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Randyk47]

Could be that they could have arranged a box lunch. What really got me was that they were berating this extremely junior ship's officer about the situation. Wanted to know if they'd get priority tendering back to the shore once they'd finished lunch. Complained about their missed port time because they had to go back to the ship for lunch. And on, and on, and on. About the only reason it stopped was a tender arrived and they got loaded and shuttled back to the Ryndam.

[venicecruiser]

My onboard account was about 90-100.00 after 2 weeks on Seabourn. Since almost everything is included in the cruise fare, its not hard to do. I had some pressing/laundry done and bought a couple small things in the boutique....

[ekerr19]

Geez, I don't think anyone wants ours... we are always in the thousands. I can't imagine it any less... :confused:

[dakrewser]

Geez, I don't think anyone wants ours... we are always in the thousands. I can't imagine it any less... :confused:

1) pre-book shore excursions
2) pre-book Pinnacle reservations
3) pre-book soda cards, btls of liquor, wines
4) don't buy pictures
5) stay out of the shops on-board

That can usually keep it to $500 or less!

[ron46936]

Except for the auto tips we typically spend less than $100 on our on board account. We always by a coffee mug with the name of the ship for our collection and a glass of wine for the wife each night and a few soft drinks for me just about covers it. We do spend on the islands tho for tours, drinks, snacks, shoes (wife), and shirts (me).

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Geez, I don't think anyone wants ours... we are always in the thousands. I can't imagine it any less... :confused:

Laura, reading about all these others that spend no money:confused: I too have never had a bill less than $1000. The first night alone as soon as the shops open we charge up at least $500 to $600. First if we are on a Vista class ship like this coming Sunday on the Westerdam we will purchase the Waterford replica of the Atrium centerpiece. Next we always buy golf shirts and sweat shirts of the ship right away, mostly because the small sizes tend to go fast if we don't buy the first night and if we wait our size could be gone. I also check to see if there are any Swarovski pieces I do not have at a good price. That does not always happen but I keep checking. I also always pick up a new coffee mug to take to work. Of course later in the week we buy photos, although I have to admit each cruise we tend to buy less and less. I have a big HAL photo album that I keep adding to and use as a scrapbook of all our cruises so I do buy a few photos for that. I personally like to get the Embarkation Photo just for that reason and one good Formal night photo.
Also on occasion there has been a piece of fine jewlery that has my name written all over it and I just can't live with out it:D
We also have at least one bottle of champagne every night along with a few other drinks through out the day. This coming cruise we did pre pay for Pinnacle for the first night but also plan to go back to the Pinnacle on Friday. I can easily see next weeks bill to be $1200 to $1500 and that is after all of our ship board credit.

[ekerr19]

1) pre-book shore excursions
2) pre-book Pinnacle reservations
3) pre-book soda cards, btls of liquor, wines
4) don't buy pictures
5) stay out of the shops on-board

That can usually keep it to $500 or less!

I DO all that! We need to leave the kids at home - they drink too much... just kidding! We do!

We spend a lot - but it's really no biggie to us, it's our vacation and we don't worry about money while onboard.

Now, the time Kyle decided to call his friends back home from the ship... well, that was the $750 phone bill! :eek: I could have thrown that kid overboard!

[ekerr19]

I can easily see next weeks bill to be $1200 to $1500 and that is after all of our ship board credit.

Ah, a girl after my own heart! That's what ours would be too! I can't even imagine all those pax spending less that $100??? What do these people do? We spend $100 within the first hour onboard!

[HeatherInFlorida]

At the risk of alienating my really good friends on these boards, there are those of us who do not have a bottomless pit of money. This financial thing comes up frequently and there are those who keep saying "heck, you're on vacation ... money should be no object".

Don't misunderstand me. I think it's great that it's not an issue for some of you and I'm envious. But for some of us it is absolutely an issue and we have to save to go on these cruises. So I think if someone asks if one can go on a cruise and keep their onboard costs down, the answer should lie more in the fact that it's possible than "money be damned ... you're on vacation ... who cares what you spend".

Most of you are all people who I have come to know and really like so I post this at risk to myself. I just think everyone should remember that not all of us can add $1000 or more to our onboard accounts.

:o

[Ziggy7]

This is funny because on our "Ladies Only" cruise, the younger ladies (our daughters) didn't have much money to spend. So we were all joking that to keep expenses down they could, instead of buying drinks for the souvenier glasses, they could just wander around the lido deck and pick up left behind glasses (there were tons of them!) Also they could bring baggies and go to the Lido buffet and fill it with food so they had lunch for their on shore excursions, they could take pictures of the pictures in the photo gallery to save there. However, other than them collecting left behind souvenier glasses they did none of these, after all they had their Moms with them, and Moms are softies and paid for alot of stuff for them. And I must say, our daughters would have done without before doing these things even if we Moms weren't there :) We raised them to follow in our footsteps and we would never do these things! ( well ok maybe we would collect left behind souvenier glasses :)

For us it would be hard not to spend money, I love to shop and go on tours, also I'm a sucker for Photo's as long as they are good. Of course it depends on if we saved enough money to do all these things too , we can live without as long as we are crusing :) But anythings possible :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

At the risk of alienating my really good friends on these boards, there are those of us who do not have a bottomless pit of money. This financial thing comes up frequently and there are those who keep saying "heck, you're on vacation ... money should be no object".

Don't misunderstand me. I think it's great that it's not an issue for some of you and I'm envious. But for some of us it is absolutely an issue and we have to save to go on these cruises. So I think if someone asks if one can go on a cruise and keep their onboard costs down, the answer should lie more in the fact that it's possible than "money be damned ... you're on vacation ... who cares what you spend".

Most of you are all people who I have come to know and really like so I post this at risk to myself. I just think everyone should remember that not all of us can add $1000 or more to our onboard accounts.

:o

Heather, I am not the least bit offended. Yes, we are fortunate that we have the funds to spend and we plan to spend that much. I am sure we could do it for a lot less but choose not to. Like Laura we too will spend at least $100 within the first hour of being on the ship some times more with pre ordering champagne, possibly stopping by the spa and the new one for this cruise is to buy a internet package so I can report back to my friends here on the HAL board.

[ekerr19]

At the risk of alienating my really good friends on these boards, there are those of us who do not have a bottomless pit of money. This financial thing comes up frequently and there are those who keep saying "heck, you're on vacation ... money should be no object".

Don't misunderstand me. I think it's great that it's not an issue for some of you and I'm envious. But for some of us it is absolutely an issue and we have to save to go on these cruises. So I think if someone asks if one can go on a cruise and keep their onboard costs down, the answer should lie more in the fact that it's possible than "money be damned ... you're on vacation ... who cares what you spend".

Most of you are all people who I have come to know and really like so I post this at risk to myself. I just think everyone should remember that not all of us can add $1000 or more to our onboard accounts.

:o

Heather -

I think you know us well enough by now! :) First off, I could never be mad at you, I respect your opinion even when it differs from mine.

I am not trying to be flippant in my posts - I really do wonder how people get by with spending so little! I wish I knew the secret. We have gone on a few cruises where we didn't drink any alcohol, yet still managed to spend over a $1,000...

I also hope that those who feel as you do not think that I am criticizing or trying to make light of anyone's situation. We are fortunate to be able to do many of the things we do - for us, it's not so much as "money be damned!" rather than, "I'm not going to worry that much about it", because at home I really am constantly aware of it. DH merely turns over his paycheck - making sure it is all properly allocated is my job. For me, vacation is break from having to worry about all that. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Well, at least we're all still friends;) . It's just that the question was "Can it be done?" and I think it absolutely can.

It's not the alcohol (I used to drink but reached my allotted capacity many years ago:D ). I think it's all the other stuff. And certainly when you have kids with you, it will be more.

We never feel we're denying ourselves anything. I buy some pictures, we go on tours, we drink non-alcoholic drinks and sodas and stuff. So we're not hiding out in our cabin, but we just don't do spa stuff (not our thing) or buy every picture they take of us.

Anyway, the point is we all know how much we can allot for the vacation and we can act accordingly. And you can still have one heck of a wonderful time on your cruise and not spend too much over the cost of the cruise. In this day and age, with travel to resorts so terribly expensive, cruising is still one of the best deals out there.

[ryansmemom]

We had dinner with a lovely couple on our Millenium cruise who told us they had not budgeted an extra dollar to spend while onboard. They planned on tipping the staff, but that was it. They brought their own wine and did not spend an additional penny the entire 11 days.

They told us they had saved for years to afford this cruise. They both worked for public television stations in the midwest. They enjoyed their cruises and were definitly no frills type people. Yes, they followed the dress code. Yes they were very interesting, highly educated people. They were well travelled and knew how to travel well within a very limited budget.

So, I guess it can be done. Having lived for many years on a very tight budget and not really understanding how to travel well on one, I am very grateful I can spend some money when I travel. I really do admire people who are able to manage to travel well on a small budget. Although I must admit I appreciate my creature comforts a whole lot, especially since I start out with chronic pain. (enough kvetching, Linda)

Linda

[Dmgernant]

I don't know how people keep it so low. 2 weeks ago on the Oosterdam our tab was $3800.00 for 2 people for 1 week. Wine , Spa, Pinnacle etc
Denise

[localady]

We have a travel budget that we stick to during the year. I usually spend the lions share of that budget on as many cruises as possible. To do that, we also keep our tabs fairly low. I generally don't spa it and we are not big drinkers. I'll buy something if I really need it, but generally, our tab with the tips is under $500 for 2 weeks. I'm with you Heather, I tend to watch what I spend onboard and look for the best deals on the cruises so we can cruise more... :cool:

So little time, so many more ports to see.....:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

I don't know how people keep it so low. 2 weeks ago on the Oosterdam our tab was $3800.00 for 2 people for 1 week. Wine , Spa, Pinnacle etc
Denise

Yikes!!!:eek: For one week? For us that would be double the cruise.

Linda, I like my "creature comforts", too, but for us the cruiseship itself is one big creature comfort even without spending extra money.

As they say, to each his own ... :)

[jhannah]

Now, the time Kyle decided to call his friends back home from the ship... well, that was the $750 phone bill! :eek: I could have thrown that kid overboard! Had that been my kid he would have been taken to the nearest middle eastern sweat shop to work it off! ;)

[Randyk47]

Wow....and I thought we were "bad" on a cruise!!! $3,800 for 1 week makes me feel a whole lot better about our $700-$800 for a week. :o We've got a 12 day coming up in less than two weeks and I'm planning about $1,200....pretty much $100 a day but that includes drinks, tours, spa and trinkets from the ship store. I don't include tips in that figure.

[ekerr19]

Had that been my kid he would have been taken to the nearest middle eastern sweat shop to work it off! ;)

Oh, he paid! He never gets to live it down either... every time it comes up, "Mommmm!, do you have to tell it AGAAAAIN???" LOL!

Seriously, the Purser reduced it by half - we were fortunate. ;)

[obriendan]

Doing a survey of the bills from three 7 day cruises (why do I still have them?), I find that we spend and average of $235/week. This is mainly for before and/or after dinner drinks and wine at dinner, and an occasional tour. We're not trying in any way to stay on a budget. Fortunately (?), we spend very little in the ship's shop.

[TeresaJenkins]

At the risk of alienating my really good friends on these boards, there are those of us who do not have a bottomless pit of money. This financial thing comes up frequently and there are those who keep saying "heck, you're on vacation ... money should be no object".
Don't misunderstand me. I think it's great that it's not an issue for some of you and I'm envious. But for some of us it is absolutely an issue and we have to save to go on these cruises. So I think if someone asks if one can go on a cruise and keep their onboard costs down, the answer should lie more in the fact that it's possible than "money be damned ... you're on vacation ... who cares what you spend".
Most of you are all people who I have come to know and really like so I post this at risk to myself. I just think everyone should remember that not all of us can add $1000 or more to our onboard accounts.


I just found this thread. I have not read any posts past this one yet, but I wanted to make a comment on your post before reading anything else.

I agree.
I'm sure if you took a poll on the issue and spelled it out like you did here, you would be surprised at how many people are in the same boat so to speak.

For reasons like, children, college, fixed incomes, medical expenses, caring for parents/grandparents, and endless others; many of us (including me) have to save to cruise or go away on vacation every year.

I love threads like these because the tips offered can be priceless, and if done carefully one may not even feel as if they are going up anything.

To you, and the original poster THANK YOU!!!:)

Now I'll read the rest of the thread.;)

[WISCruiser]

if you put your "mind" :rolleyes: to it. I have'nt done it on HAL, but I conducted a personal test on my 04.04 Celebrity Zenith Cruise to see if I could get a Final night invoice that read $0.00. I used envelopes to properly tip my wonderful Cabin, Dining and Ass't Stewards (back then, Celebrity was not on autotips yet).

I walked about all over the two towns that we visited (w. carrib.) and window-shopped my butt off. Brought my own Diet Coke and snacks on-board (did'nt drink alcoholic bev, easy to do). They had SUPER soft-serve frozen yogurt on-board(n/c). Did'nt need to buy trinkets for friends. Pictures... got plenty of them from previous cruises, no need there.

I don'nt donate to the Gambling god, no prob. there. Shows at night were great; after show, went to bed. So again, it can be done... takes ALOT of will power to tell yourself that you can still have a pretty good time and not blow a huge wad of cash.

I'm sure Celebrity was'nt happy with me!:o

[Bookish Angel]

Other than tipping (I would NEVER stiff someone in that regard) I can spend pretty easily nothing on anything else. I won't pay for overpriced cocktails, sodas, or photos, don't need t-shirts or other mass-produced souvenirs and don't care for the haute cuisine offered by the surcharge restaurants.

I don't go to the casino or play bingo. I thoroughly enjoy my own entertainment I bring (several library or bookcrossing books and compact discs), and the free and healthful activities of brisk deck walking and swimming and the free entertainment on the ship.

Yep, I am a minimalist and certainly the lifestyle does not appeal to everyone. I just deplore debt (and don't create any) and unneeded stuff.

[TeresaJenkins]

Other than tipping (I would NEVER stiff someone in that regard) I can spend pretty easily nothing on anything else. I won't pay for overpriced cocktails, sodas, or photos, don't need t-shirts or other mass-produced souvenirs and don't care for the haute cuisine offered by the surcharge restaurants.
I don't go to the casino or play bingo. I thoroughly enjoy my own entertainment I bring (several library or bookcrossing books and compact discs), and the free and healthful activities of brisk deck walking and swimming and the free entertainment on the ship.
Yep, I am a minimalist and certainly the lifestyle does not appeal to everyone. I just deplore debt (and don't create any) and unneeded stuff.

I won't go to the spa or anything, and I will buy gifts for my 4 teenage daughters the last day of the cruise.
However, the casino is my weakness. Hearing that there is a card/game room on our ship will help me not to go there (I hope):D .

I say this jokingly, but I may have a game addiction. It does not have to be for money, but I love to play games. I fear if I ever go to Vagas I would sell my kids for one last hand of poker!:eek: Again, I'm joking, but I really do have a "game" problem.

Bookish Angel- Since we will be on the same ship will you smack me or something if you see me heading towards the money tables?;) LOL

[tlmlb]

Had that been my kid he would have been taken to the nearest middle eastern sweat shop to work it off! ;)

Wow, what insensitivity here...

I don't really think you know you geography on this one....the middle east has enough problems, don't give it another undeserved stereotype.

[obriendan]

A small addition to my previous post. The $235/week did not include tips. These cruises were before mandatory tipping!

[localady]

Wow, what insensitivity here...

I don't really think you know you geography on this one....the middle east has enough problems, don't give it another undeserved stereotype.

Perhaps you'd prefer Siberia, cause if it was my kid, he'd be there working there to pay it off!!!!!!:eek:

I need to thank EKerr, because I will talk to both of my boys about phone charges, as the 17 yo will inevitably pine for his gf at home and might consider a call or 2!:cool:

[Bookish Angel]

Bookish Angel- Since we will be on the same ship will you smack me or something if you see me heading towards the money tables?;) LOL[/QUOTE]

Well, okay - but you'll have to return the favor when I complain about the lack of onions and/or chick peas on the salad bar! I might actually play a few hands of blackjack as I have been practicing at home just for fun and have tripled my money several times. Of course, that probably won't happen in real life!

Teresa, if you like games, check out www.ravenchase.com. My husband and I did the 2/26 event and had a blast! We are doing the 3/26 event and are still working on the first clue.

[sandij]

Heather I agree, and we do try to keep expenses down and still have a great time. Heck you're on a cruse ship already what more do you need. I avoid the casino but not the gift shop, I don't drink and DH manages to bring his own on board and we take tours of places we've never been to (after cruising so many years those places are becoming hard to come by) but still save enough to go again next year and maybe even again this year. Our only splurge is we have to have that balcony cabin.

[papadave]

There is more than enough food, there are plenty of included beverages, included entertainment, pools, sun, chairs, books and company without any additional charges. We spent very little extra on our last cruise and could, if necessary, restrict our onboard spending to paying tips. That much said, we'll probably pay a bit each day. However, you can have a great time without spending extra.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather I agree, and we do try to keep expenses down and still have a great time. Heck you're on a cruse ship already what more do you need. I avoid the casino but not the gift shop, I don't drink and DH manages to bring his own on board and we take tours of places we've never been to (after cruising so many years those places are becoming hard to come by) but still save enough to go again next year and maybe even again this year. Our only splurge is we have to have that balcony cabin.

Me, too, Sandij!!! We booked our first balcony cabin a few years ago on the Maasdam and we've been spoiled ever since. That's why I choose never to treat myself with a suite ... probably get spoiled with that, too. So the balcony is sweet enough for me:D .

And look at all the $$$ we save cruising out of FLL;) (I'm in WPB, too).

[TeresaJenkins]

Bookish Angel- Since we will be on the same ship will you smack me or something if you see me heading towards the money tables? LOL. Well, okay - but you'll have to return the favor when I complain about the lack of onions and/or chick peas on the salad bar! I might actually play a few hands of blackjack as I have been practicing at home just for fun and have tripled my money several times. Of course, that probably won't happen in real life! Teresa, if you like games, check out www.ravenchase.com (http://www.ravenchase.com/). My husband and I did the 2/26 event and had a blast! We are doing the 3/26 event and are still working on the first clue.

WOW! Thanks for the link. I had no idea they had such things in Richmond. I am so excited!:D :D

BTW, I'll try to tame you if you get out of hand at the salad bar. Just so you know though, I'm a wimp.:o LOL

[Ziggy7]

Perhaps you'd prefer Siberia, cause if it was my kid, he'd be there working there to pay it off!!!!!!:eek: hahaha good one :)

[stanford's girl]

Perhaps you'd prefer Siberia, cause if it was my kid, he'd be there working there to pay it off!!!!!!:eek:

I need to thank EKerr, because I will talk to both of my boys about phone charges, as the 17 yo will inevitably pine for his gf at home and might consider a call or 2!:cool:

We didn't have a problem with the phone. It was the video arcade. Once my son found out you could use the sail and sign card for this, he went hog wild.:eek: Needless to say, his savings account was quite a bit lighter when we got back. A lesson learned about the use of "credit cards".:)

[localady]

We didn't have a problem with the phone. It was the video arcade. Once my son found out you could use the sail and sign card for this, he went hog wild.:eek: Needless to say, his savings account was quite a bit lighter when we got back. A lesson learned about the use of "credit cards".:)

Stanford's Girl-

You all are a world of help!!!! I didn't realize that they could charge video arcade on their sail and sign card!!!!:eek: That could be an expensive lesson also!!!

Forearmed is forewarned!!!:cool:

[ekerr19]

Perhaps you'd prefer Siberia, cause if it was my kid, he'd be there working there to pay it off!!!!!!:eek:

I need to thank EKerr, because I will talk to both of my boys about phone charges, as the 17 yo will inevitably pine for his gf at home and might consider a call or 2!:cool:

localady - do yourself a favor and have the phone in their cabin turned off! DS thought it was $2.00 per call - not $2.00 per minute!!! He called his GF and then he borrowed my cell in every port (I have international roaming) and still called! Better yet, get them an international sim card for one of their cell phones, then they can call away while in port! :) It would be much cheaper...

[stanford's girl]

Localady,

My pleasure!:)

[ekerr19]

Stanford's Girl-

You all are a world of help!!!! I didn't realize that they could charge video arcade on their sail and sign card!!!!:eek: That could be an expensive lesson also!!!

Forearmed is forewarned!!!:cool:

localady - they can charge anything! If they charge and you haven't registered a CC for them, the front desk will call you down to "settle the account" within a few days anyway, so be prepared. Now having sailed with our 25 yr. old, 16-yr. old and 12-yr. old - we've learned a few things the hard way.

Our 12-yr. old (daughter) is usually always in the cabin with us and the two older boys will share a cabin, but they don't need charging capabilities. My eldest has had his CC authorized in the past, but usually he only has a drink or two when he is with us and we buy. We made the mistake of authorizing our 16-yr. old to our CC - not that he drank or anything, he just used the phone, which we never even considered as a possibility... we wanted him to be able to order sodas, smoothies, buy candy or whatever in the shops... in the shops, if a minor is not authorized, the most they can charge is $20.

Our sons brought their own PS2 and found another set of brothers who brought an X-Box, so video games have never been a problem for us.

I think as long as you educate your kids (and check the room charges every day or two) you should be fine. Now that our kids know their boundries, it's not a problem - half the fault lies with us for not making sure they understood what they could and could not do - and we no longer have any problems. :)

It is such a great vacation for all of us, I hope you have a great one too!