I have a few questions? First time Cruiser's?

[spankey]

My family and myself are going on the Septmber 19th 4 night cruise.. I have a few questions for you long time vetrans of cruising? Ok here goes...

My son actually will be turning 9 on the day we return from the cruise.. Do you think they would be able to maybee do something special for him while we are on the cruise? Like a cake or something? I know I have read that there is no character breakfast on the 4 night trip.. But do they offer anything for children that have birthdays while on the cruise? If so is there anything I should do, like contact the cruise ahead of time or tell them when we get there? Anyone elses children ever celebrate a birthday while cruising?

My second question is about spending money while on the boat? What I mean is, like tipping and such? Do you tip at the end of the cruise or during? The DCL site refers to this but it has me a tad confused? Can anyone explain the tipping procedure and what I can expect?

My wife and I aren't big drinkers (alcohol) so I don't intend on spending next to anything on drinks while on the cruise? So I know that would run the tab up profusly.... But room service? Is this inculded with the cruise or is that extra? Reason why I ask is we booked this cruise roughly a year ago and over the last month ran into a financial cituation beond our control...:( So all the money we have been saving for spending is pretty much cut in half... My kids are HUGE fish and love to swim. So all I can see them wanting to do is swim then entire time while on the islands!!! We do plan to take the kids to atlantis while at the island but they intend to swim the rest of the time... Also is there a set charge the cruise line charges to your credit card when you check in? Or do they bill it when you leave? Can anyone offer me some insight there as well?

I know I must sound NUTZ, but want to get a grip on some things roughly the wife has been asking me that I just can't answer? I want to be able to chunk away as much as I can but again just want to be safe than sorry!!!!

Thanks and have a great DAY!!

Spankey

[AuntieBon]

Tipping is done at the end of the cruise. When I took my sister and her three kids last year we went with the understanding that money was a definate issue. The kids each had so much cash and when they used their cards to purchase something had to give AuntieBon the money for it. No surprises that way.

Room service is included except for the tips when the food is delivered. My nephew was thrilled that he could get food 24/7 and other than a few dollars in tipping it was free.

We didn't do any excursions, simply took taxi cabs to the beaches and/or walked around town. We went on the seven day cruise to St. Marten, St. Thomas and of course the Disney island Castaway Cay. Our charges were pretty minimal and mostly the tips.

[TheWog]

If you speak to your server or Head Server they will definitely be able to have a cake for your son. Just let them know and they will do it for you. They will bring it right to your table and have some servers sing. If you want to have something in the room you can order that ahead of time or you can contact The Perfect Gift in Port Canaveral ahead of time and she will have a basket delivered to the stateroom. These all of course cost extra except for the cake.

All purchases on board are charged to your KTTW card. You can ask for a printout daily or hourly to check your spending. Make sure you have the purchasing privelages cancelled for your children's cards. Just go to Guest Services for that. All drinks will have tips added. Room Service is included free, but will be the only place you will need money on board and we tipped a couple dollars each time. If you order a large dinner for the whole family a little more of a tip maybe.

The tipping guidelines are per person per cruise kids are counted.

The cruise line will not charge your card until you hit $500 I believe. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that being the magic number. You can also settle the bill in cash or Disney Dollars or the Disney Rewards dollars from the Disney Visa Card. If you do not go down to pay in one of these ways they will just slide the bill under the door your last night and charge your card. Tips for servers and steward can be paid in cash in the envelopes provided, if you would like to charge them you will need to go to Guest Services to get slip to give each of them and charge to the account.

I suggest going to Disboards.com Disney Cruise section as well for more information. They are very informative there and can give you a lot of information on everything DCL.

[pvangordon]

Most of the room service menu is free (or rather included in the overall costs you're paying for the trip). However, I think there's a separate list of items with charges, like soda six-packs.

[spankey]

Thanks, all of you.. You all were very helpful.

Spankey:D

[TheWog]

You're welcome, have a great cruise.