Teens: How NOT to lose their key/charge card?

[jswrpw83]

I don't remember the name for the ship's all-in-one charge card, key, identity card. But, I am travelling with kids. How do you keep up with your card, and keep someone else from charging on it! I did buy a waterproof lanyard from amazon.com they can keep it in, but hoping for some great ideas from experienced cruisers.

[walkswife]

I don't remember the name for the ship's all-in-one charge card, key, identity card. But, I am travelling with kids. How do you keep up with your card, and keep someone else from charging on it! I did buy a waterproof lanyard from amazon.com they can keep it in, but hoping for some great ideas from experienced cruisers.

 

I just told my 14 yr old that if she lost her Sign & Sail card she wouldn't be able to get off the ship in ports ..... She hung onto that thing like it was gold:D .......

[cruisinbuddy]

Educate them on what exactly the S&S card is for. Be firm in your education. Also tell them that if they do lose it tell you right away. Then you can go to the pursers desk and get a new one and cancel the old one. I think you also have the option to limit there purchases. In '03 we took 3 teens on Disney and there was no problem at all.They brought their own spending $. If they went and bought something on the card then they gave me the cash for it, teaching them responsibility. 1/2 the time I said keep your $.

Oh yeah, you can also duct tape it to their leg, LoL, hey another use for duct tape. Key thing is education.

[cruisinbuddy]

Sorry forgot something, buy them an, all the pop you can drink card or cup, it'll save you a lot of $$. Also on Disney anyways, in the teens club, they have their own version of foo foo drinks, at an extra cost.

[jswrpw83]

Thanks for the great tips! Love 'em.

[suznf]

DS "lost" his sea pass on our cruise- luckily it was ON the ship...not an excursion. We went to the pursers desk and it was replaced IMMEDIATELY- took all of 3 minutes. They also checked for bad charges. Let your kids know that if they do lose them, to let you know right away!

 

His old card was eventually found...in the pocket of his clothing w/his dirty laundry lol. Then he had to make sure to use the right one, because the other one had been deactivated.

 

Saw lots of younger kids with thier cards on lanyards around thier necks. My teens carried them in thier wallets/pockets. (I used a lanyard....nice beaded thing I bought from a school fundraiser.)

[cruisinthemed]

i think it would be great if they punched a hole in them and put them on a cord like players at casinos. we are taking our 2 girls on norwegian jewel 7/16/06 and i'm concerned about them losing theirs.

[trish1c]

Tell your teens to treat them like cell phones or credit cards. Teens never lose those. :D

[Sheffie]

I think that most kids cards have holes punched in them so they cannot buy liquor, but if they don't, have the Purser punch a hole in it, and get a lanyard (as suggested by others) that they can hook onto the card. It will free up their hands, and then they won't have to stress over losing it.

[smarterman64]

i believe your a bit mistaken on that :p

I've seen teens go thorugh many cell phones a year

[cruisinthemed]

I think that most kids cards have holes punched in them so they cannot buy liquor, but if they don't, have the Purser punch a hole in it, and get a lanyard (as suggested by others) that they can hook onto the card. It will free up their hands, and then they won't have to stress over losing it.

my girls are older 18 and 21 when we cruise so they wouldn't have holes punched for being minors, i didn't specify that in my previous post. but for them and myself i'd like to have the hole in it to put it on a lanyard, so can i ask for that at the purser?

[love2relax]

cruisinthemed, Yes, you can. The purser's desk is always the first stop we make when we board (any ship) to get our cards punched. Even we adults wear them on lanyards around our necks. It keeps them handy, and we don't have to dig them out when we order drinks. We like our Cruise Critic lanyards because the bottom part detaches without having to take it off over your head. Also, we have found many fellow CCs that way prior to and/or during our meet and greets!

[sunline2000]

Both ds's and dh and myself used the lanyards no problem Ds's were told if lost let us know right away.Ds 12 had no charging priveledges but would carry $5 for smoothies...DS 15 had a limited amount own $$ on the card that he added to as needed(also his own $$$)we paid for cruise and excursions DS'S payed for arcade and own perks.Oh we were on the Disney Magic 7 dy cruise soda was free 24/7 so was coffe tea lemonade fruit punch 2 kinds of juice:) ;) :D

[larie]

Ok, so I don't know. What is a lanyard and where do I get them? Taking 3 kids and curious.

[Sheffie]

Ok, so I don't know. What is a lanyard and where do I get them? Taking 3 kids and curious.

 

Here is a picture of the Cruisecritic one that can be purchased from up on the top of this page under CClogowear.

 

It loops around your neck and they usually have a snap at the end for attaching things.

[suzie9499]

It is good to hear that you can get them replaced and cancelled easily. My son (15) has lost cell phones, money, keys, game boys-you name it. Even when bought with his money.

How does it work to give them a spending limit on the card? Is there a minimum amount?

[jswrpw83]

Here's a picture of the one sold on amazon.com:

 

Look over 'waterproof lanyard'.

[KK_Cruisin]

I personally use a lanvard while in port. I bought one from office depot for $3 that has a couple small pockets in tha back of it for cash and the clear plastic cover in the front for your Sign & Sail card and your ID. I would not buy a completlly clear one as I would not want ppl to see the cash i have on me. Comes in handy for the ladies whose swimwear and coevers usually do not have pockets. When i am on the ship I have a hole punched in my S&S card and use a coil key chain holder to keep in on my arm, since you dont ned cash or your ID on the ship.

[Ehpride]

They sell things in the gift shop that you can use. Or I bought a money tuck like someone posted a picture of earlier. I didn't carry any cash except in port (which I sandwiched between IDs) so that wasn't a concern for me.

[trish1c]

i believe your a bit mistaken on that :p

I've seen teens go thorugh many cell phones a year

 

Ahh. Most of the teens I know seem to have the things surgically attached to their heads. :rolleyes:

[cmich068]

RCCL sells lanyards that you can slip your card in, no punch required.

[sofunky]

if you take the cards into the casino (at least on carnival-not sure of the other cruise lines but imagine its the same) they will punch them and attatch a bungy cord to them. very nice it will clip to your clothes! that way they wont walk off without it!:p

[scotts8826]

For our kids we bought a retractable lanyard that clips onto the side of your pants. We took off the plastic cover where the card fits, got their cards punched at the purser's desk and hooked it directly onto the retractable string. This way, they did not have to take it our of the pouch to open their room, just pull it up and use it. We found this item at a Wal-Mart.

[LBB]

Please be aware this is not just a teen problem. :o SO lost his within hours of being on a ship. I guess he was celebrating a little too much. Lost it another time later on the trip. We had it replaced both times, but be careful to check out all the charges on it.