questions about cruising with kids

[cozumelrocks]

I am taking my daughter (7) on a cruise next month (Carnival). I have cruised before but this is my first time taking her along. So I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer for me. I want her to be able to buy a few things while on the ship if she wants to. I have read that I can set up daily limits for her so she can't go crazy. Can I do this online somehow? Or can I call my PVP and have her do it? I would like to avoid the guest services desk on embarkation day and have it all set up ahead of time if possible. Should I keep a hold of her sign and sail card and just give it to her when she wants to buy something? Or should I punch a hole in it and have her wear it on a lanyard? The only place she will be without me is Camp Carnival and she is too young to have sign out privileges (not that I would let her sign herself out at 7 anyway). How do other people handle this?

What do kids need to get back on the ship after being in port? I typically carry a photocopy of my passport while in port and just use my drivers license to get back on the ship. My daughter has a passport but I wasn't sure how they handle kids. She doesn't have a photo id other than her passport so if we need it to get her back on the ship I will remember to take it off with us. Or should I take her birth cert and passport?

Thanks for your help!

[Prinycesa07]

The only question that i can answer is the last one about getting off the ship. My 2 and 3 year olds only needed their sign and sail card to get on and off the ship at ports. No photo id or passport.

[gerif]

Since she will not be out and about around the ship without you, I see no reason for her to carry a card. You can just buy whatever she wants for her while you are together.

[Gardeneroflove]

DD only needed her kttw card to get on/off the ship (with us, she's 2, lol) and we carry her card.

 

If she wants it, let her carry it and just buy what you want, when she wants. I saved our cards from last time and we let dd have that one (rather than losing the one she needs!)

[cb at sea]

At 7 years old, my child would NEVER be allowed to go anywhere alone....so the need for her own "account" would be nil.....if your daughter wants to buy something (and of course, you'll be right there), let her, if you want to!

 

A 7 year old should never be alone in a shopping enviroment!

[Naomi John]

Nothing is wrong with letting her have a lanyard. DD loved to race to the room and open the door. Yes, the lines at Guest Services will be long the first day, but wait until the second day, and explain what you want. Teaching a child how to spend money is important.

 

I hate to use the word, "I", but, (yeah, there is always a but), I would advise my DD "this is what you have to spend". Then make her think about what she was spending her allotted amount on. They always want everything.

 

I'm trying not to sound as if I am teaching a lesson. I hope my post is understandable.

[boulders]

When you're off the ship in port, you'll need her sign and sail card to get off and then back on again. Children don't need photo ID.

 

If you wish to allow her to purchase things with her card, you can either hold it for her or let her wear it around her neck on a lanyard. DD was 8 on her first cruise and wore hers around her neck. DS is now 8 and I hold the card for him.

 

You can set up a daily limit at checkin. No need to go to guest services.

[cozumelrocks]

Thanks for your help. She won't be going anywhere with out me so she doesn't need to carry her card. On our previous Disney vacations I have given her a daily limit of like $15-$20/day to spend how she wishes. She earns this money doing chores before we go. So its hers to spend. But she likes to pay for things on her own instead of having me pay for it. Its a growing up thing. So I think I will pack a lanyard and play it by ear. She will either have to wear it or give it to me. I'm not going to allow her to carry it. She would lose it in a quick minute if I let her do that!

[fadenya]

My daughter was 7 on her first cruise 2 years ago. I bought her a carnival lanyard for her card but only for her to wear. The free ones from the casino are to flimsy IMO. She was very responsible and it made her feel important. She only wore it while in camp carnival and while getting on and off the ship.

This year she will be old enough to sign herself in and out of camp carnival and will be keeping her card throughout the day.

 

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