Charges for adult children

[Retired_to_Cruise]

Don't most local governments allow you to sign up for that shipboard welfare plan? The amount you are able to receive depends on how many non-adult and adult children you have. After all, it affects the local economy and allows the cruise lines to continue to sell cabins.

[jackparts]

Police?? Really?? What crime has been committed? That person has not even gotten on the ship. What is the crime? Being an adult child is an oxymoron. Until that " child" has committed a crime the police will not respond unless imminent danger is a possibility. Trying to understand the OP, there must be something unspoken. OP, to try and get an honest answer, please explain further.

[Elaine5715]

This is only tangentially related to the OP's question, but ship staff do not have any authority whatsoever to keep a passenger on the ship against his or her will once it has docked at a U.S. port. Regardless of what they may tell you, you are free to leave at any time after the ship has cleared customs.

 

Miami Dade police will be called and the guest will be arrested. Like all tourist destinations, they are very sensitive to innkeeper fraud.

[dadroy]

As noted by many posters the person would have 24 hours of courtesy charging privileges. If they charge anything they would have to set up the cash account. If they don't, I would imagine Carnival could drop them at the first port of call. If they needed the doctor before the end of the cruise and another port stop was available, again they could be left at the pier.

 

The only time the OPs situation would come into play is seeing the doctor between the final port call and the end of the cruise. In that case it would have to be a civil matter and Carnival would have to sue for payment.

 

Sorry, but no defrauding an innkeeper for two reasons. The doctor is not an innkeeper (and I don't think a court would find the doctor qualifies as an innkeeper) and any "crime" would not fall under any state law since the crime would have occurred on the "high seas". I don't know federal law, but I can't imagine there would be a federal statute to cover something like this.

[serene56]

This is only tangentially related to the OP's question, but ship staff do not have any authority whatsoever to keep a passenger on the ship against his or her will once it has docked at a U.S. port. Regardless of what they may tell you, you are free to leave at any time after the ship has cleared customs.

 

 

I think that is why they wait until you are walking off the ship-- then turn you over to the customs officer.

[Donray]

You can actually be arrested. It would be theft to not pay a bill. What do you think would happen if you ate in a restaurant and then refused to pay? Police called and jail.

 

Also, don't forget a bad credit report.

[Havingfun2010]

As noted by many posters the person would have 24 hours of courtesy charging privileges. If they charge anything they would have to set up the cash account. If they don't, I would imagine Carnival could drop them at the first port of call. If they needed the doctor before the end of the cruise and another port stop was available, again they could be left at the pier.

 

The only time the OPs situation would come into play is seeing the doctor between the final port call and the end of the cruise. In that case it would have to be a civil matter and Carnival would have to sue for payment.

 

Sorry, but no defrauding an innkeeper for two reasons. The doctor is not an innkeeper (and I don't think a court would find the doctor qualifies as an innkeeper) and any "crime" would not fall under any state law since the crime would have occurred on the "high seas". I don't know federal law, but I can't imagine there would be a federal statute to cover something like this.

 

If this was an emergency, you would discuss with the doctor that you do not currently have funds to pay, and then make payment arrangements. However, if you fail to disclose this and run up a bill in excess of $1000.00 than it can depending on port, a criminal act. In any case, it is a collectable invoice, even in the "high seas" because the ship is registered in a country, and many "crimes" are handled at the nearest port where a person is handed over to the local authority. In any case, you have so many variables, and it is dependent on location etc.

 

Bottom line, don't try to defraud because you will lose.

[TerReuv]

As noted by many posters the person would have 24 hours of courtesy charging privileges. If they charge anything they would have to set up the cash account. If they don't, I would imagine Carnival could drop them at the first port of call. If they needed the doctor before the end of the cruise and another port stop was available, again they could be left at the pier.

 

I really don't think they would put you ashore. You have paid for the cruise and putting the person ashore at the first port would not get Carnival their money, but might given them some bad press.

 

I would think the person would have no charging priviledges for the rest of the cruise and then Carnival would go after them once they had returned to port if the balance was not paid.

 

But, I too am wondering about this question. Has this already happened? Do you think it might happen?

[serene56]

You do not have to put cash down on your account.

Unless you spent money that first 24 hours.

 

Last cruise we spent nothing.

 

Had drink coupons left over from LONG AGO.

Prepaid tips. carry on our own soda. Private vendors.

[dadroy]

The original post specifically is cash account, no money put down. No charges for drinks etc.

 

THEN some time during the cruise a visit to the Doctor and no ability to pay. For most people the doctor bill would be added to our account and we would pay it at the end, like the wine you bought. But the question was would they let the person leave owing the doctor money.

 

I cannot see it being any kind of a crime. Yes the cruise line could collect by suing the person but I do not believe the police would get involved in this. I am sure there are medical people on this board who will attest to patients at land hospitals needing emergency treatment and being allowed to leave then pay later or get sued for any balance.

 

The OP was not asking about ordering drinks etc and not paying.

[RDC1]

How their cruise was paid for might also come into play. If it was by credit card and they have that card on file it might end up getting charged, depending upon the agreements and acceptances made during the booking process.

[Nic6318]

I know it's none of my business but why would anyone go on a cruise without being able to do anything other than drink lemonade, have free food and attend shows all cruise without at least having a coke or alcoholic drink? I know there are people who spend next to zero but I just don't know how they do it---well maybe I don't want to know as that's not how we do things. Strange to me, but hey, good luck and I'm sure it can be done.

 

Somehow if I didn't have any money to spend on extras, a cruise ship sounds like a pretty nice place to be. Not being able to buy alcohol or go gambling doesn't sound like much of a hardship.

 

Of course nobody offered to fund a cruise for me before I could afford to pay for myself. But if someone did, I would thank them for such an extravagant gift, and really enjoy everything else that is free on a cruise and not feel too hard done by.

[DirtyDawg]

I have adult children. I choose to leave them at home. :D

 

Last time we cruised with all the brood, mine were 'not quite adults not quite children' but on NCL they could drink. Had them on my credit card forgetting how much 19 and 20 year olds could drink. Opps!:mad:

 

Did I mention that was the last cruise we did with the brood!

[QTPieRye]

Somehow if I didn't have any money to spend on extras, a cruise ship sounds like a pretty nice place to be. Not being able to buy alcohol or go gambling doesn't sound like much of a hardship.

 

Of course nobody offered to fund a cruise for me before I could afford to pay for myself. But if someone did, I would thank them for such an extravagant gift, and really enjoy everything else that is free on a cruise and not feel too hard done by.

 

Great answer and I agree!

[Johnny Bananas]

Here's what happens on NCL when you don't pay:

 

 

[Elaine5715]

I am aware that when folks have visited the ship medical center for treatment of a chronic or acute medical condition unrelated to the ship (motion sickness, on board accident), the doctor had them debark at the next port in some cases since they were not equipped to monitor the patient. My guess is unwillingness to pay is an untreatable condition.

[KPfromCT]

I guess I just don't understand why anyone would go on a cruise and have ZERO money for incidentals.:confused::confused:

 

And when I hear ADULT children, that makes me believe they over the age of 18.

 

One would think there would be some discussion before the cruise as to what charges they are responsible for.

 

I don't get it.........

[JRosamonda]

I have taken adult children with us on both Carnival and NCL. How it worked for us was all tips were put onto my credit card on file. A block of charging privileges was put on all cards except for those who brought their own cash. The guest services was able to put the amount of cash they had onto their sale and sign card. It works out perfectly and we do the same with our underage children too.

[springs741]

Here's what happens on NCL when you don't pay:

 

 

And they say Carnival cruisers are the "Wal-Mart" of the seas. This person certainly lacked some class.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

I took my college aged son and his roommate on a cruise last year. I booked them a cheapie inside cabin across from our balcony room.... pre-paid their gratuities, paid for their flight and pre-cruise hotel room plus the shuttle expenses. What I did not pay for.... and what I expressed 8 months prior and reminded them each month as the cruise got closer, was that they would be totally responsible for putting funds on their S&S account. I told them that there was no way that I was going to link my credit card to their cabin. If they chose not to put down funds then they would be enjoying iced-tea and lemonaide for 7 straight days..... Well.... they got the message and saved each month so they would have money for extras and spending. They linked their debit cards, which turned out to be a mistake due to holds on their accounts etc.... . Next time, I would encourage them to just put down some cash and replenish it if necessary.

 

I also had them arrive on the ship with a small stack of one dollar bills for tipping room service. I just knew that they would be using this amenity and wanted to give them the heads-up that room service tips were not included in the pre-paid gratuity pool.

 

I would also like to add that I am SO DARN THANKFUL that I did not link my credit card to their cabin as between the two, they racked up over a $750 bar bill for a 7 day cruise. I had no idea that my 21 year old son and his friend could drink that much alcohol. At least there was a designated driver and we were with them in all 4 ports.

 

They both had a good time but seriously, I would recommend to any parent of an adult child to try and allow them to be responsible for their own extras on their S&S card. If you have time before the cruise, help them set up a savings plan to put a little away each month. Not only does it show them personal responsibility but it also allows them to think twice before making any impulse purchases. If it's their hard-earned money, they will think twice.

 

 

OP, wishing you and your family a great cruise.

 

 

 

.

Edited November 15, 2014 by FlaGrl4Evr

[fireofficer5]

She said , I left my hand as a deposit.

Edited November 16, 2014 by fireofficer5

[ccruisequeen]

My parents had to cancel due to illness. I had set up SS before we left for the port and was under the assumption I still could use their card. On the second day, I ordered a drink and was told to go to the guest services desk. Turned out I had no money for my drink or the tips

Luckily I had extra casino money, so I applied that to my card. Had to keep an eye on my budget for the rest of the cruise. Now I apply my own cash and keep it up to date.

 

 

I still cruise for Warm Chocolate Melting Cake (with 2 sugar-free vanilla ice-creams)

[ccruisequeen]

You can actually be arrested. It would be theft to not pay a bill. What do you think would happen if you ate in a restaurant and then refused to pay? Police called and jail.

 

 

 

Also, don't forget a bad credit report.

 

 

I thought a cruise video had been paid for on my final bill at check out. Two weeks later I got an email from them telling me I owed $15. After double checking, I gave them my credit card number and settled.

 

Lesson learned. Never settle the bill until you are ready to disembark [emoji2]

 

 

I still cruise for Warm Chocolate Melting Cake (with 2 sugar-free vanilla ice-creams)

[frazzledrazzle16]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if its under the same booking, I believe you can set up your onboard account for the entire party and then specify who you would like to have charging privileges.