we set a record - NO $$ spent ONBOARD !

[shoreguy]

I'm thinking of requiring my 17 yo to buy his own internet package when we get on board. I don't know what to do about the cell phone, that's going to be a HUGE problem.

 

Can't hurt him to unplug for a week . ;)

[newmexicoNita]

This didn't really happen on purpose -- it just happened !

Let me think about what we usually spend money on . . .

 

DRINKS were way too expensive - and we actually LIKED the tea !

BINGO - again too $$ - and electronic ??

Prefer to buy souvenirs in port

Le Bistro always BOOKED before we could get to the front of the long line !

(even though it seemed to always have vacancy when walking by at night?!)

 

don't worry -- we did do the tipping -- we always use CASH -- this is just the first time they actually owed us money at the end of the cruise !!

 

Its OK -- any time away from work is a GREAT TIME !

Are we supposed to applaud you? I am glad you can have fun and spend no money, for us this is just not quite the way it works; we enjoy a little liquid libation, we spend sometime in the casino and will spend money of a few other things. Our bill is usaully lower than the average, but we do enjoy things like a few nights in specialty dining rooms etc. I can't believe you couldn't get a reservataion one night for Le Bistro. Still glad you enjoyed your vacation.NMNita

[Droopy_Sails]

Can't hurt him to unplug for a week . ;)

 

Right, no matter how much he says otherwise. ;)

[Droopy_Sails]

Are we supposed to applaud you? I am glad you can have fun and spend no money, for us this is just not quite the way it works

 

It was just a cool story, Nita. Nothing to get defensive about.

[Cosmopolitan]

I'm thinking of requiring my 17 yo to buy his own internet package when we get on board. I don't know what to do about the cell phone, that's going to be a HUGE problem.

 

Not a problem...leave the cell at home.

 

Buy his own internet package;)

[crystalclean]

like I said -- this has NEVER happened before -- probably won't happen again!

 

We don't use a CC to back our account, so on the first day, we go to the desk and leave CASH. Yes, that cash was used for tipping or what NCL calls "service charges" but we still had more than half of what we had put down left to collect on the last day ! It would have been more normal for us to be standing in line to PAY (more CASH) on the last AM !

 

Wasn't real impressed with NCL . . . This was our first VERY OLD, VERY SMALL, ship in the ATLANTIC ! Probably our last ! Carnival Freedom next . . .brand new, huge, and out of Miami !! Whew ! Maybe more folks will be having a good time on this one !!

 

Yup ! Just a neat story !

[mgf316]

thanks for the tips !

15 min FREE internet at Paradise Beach in Cozumel ! -- fun spot for kids too !

17 y/o has a senior cruise coming up in a few weeks -- does anyone know how his card will work with no parents onboard???? I wonder if we can block his card - send cash with him or at least put a cap on it !! Too easy to over-spend with a CC !

 

 

Yes you can give him cash i think it was like $100 minimum or maybe $200 and that would go on his card and he could spend how ever much he wanted but wouldnt be able to go over the $100, or $200. and whatever he doesn't spend he will get back when he checks out at the end of the cruise. this was about 3 years ago so i would call the cruise line real quick to double check

 

Mike

[d man]

I think one of the best things about a cruise in no computer or phones.

 

Leave all those things home!

 

 

 

enjoy

[halos]

My 14 and 16 year old had their cards blocked so they couldn't spend. They also didn't have cell phones, they each got a teen passport which gives then 20 slush or smoothie drinks and a bit of money to spend in ports. I did not pay for any internet - we usually find an internet cafe in one port to check e-mails.

 

I guess I'm just cheap.

 

If you're cheap, then so am I. :p I'd do the same.

[Smellytoes]

I'm thinking of requiring my 17 yo to buy his own internet package when we get on board. I don't know what to do about the cell phone, that's going to be a HUGE problem.

 

If your 17 yo purchases his own internet package when the minutes are up all he has to do is push the right button and it renews itself. I wouldn't do it. Just go to the internet cafe manager and tell him that under no circumstances should there be any internet purchases on your account. There were places to go online in every port. As for the cell phone, either don't bring it or lock it in your safe as soon as you board. I still haven't seen that bill yet:eek:

[ronandannette]

Yes you can give him cash i think it was like $100 minimum or maybe $200 and that would go on his card and he could spend how ever much he wanted but wouldnt be able to go over the $100, or $200. and whatever he doesn't spend he will get back when he checks out at the end of the cruise. this was about 3 years ago so i would call the cruise line real quick to double check

 

Mike

 

Definetly double check before you send him. Last year we sent the in-laws to Alaska on NCL (very elderly, not well travelled, don't use credit cards). I was told by a CSA that they would require a deposit of $1,000.00/person to establish a cash account, without which they could be denied boarding. I FLIPPED when I heard this! It took many calls to various parties at NCL to clarify the matter and we finally settled on us buying them a large on-board credit on our credit card. If this is an organized school trip maybe they've made some sort of special arrangement, but if not, you really NEED be sure before dropping him off at the pier!

 

Happy Sails,

 

Annette

 

P.S. Good for you, OP :D !! I've gone 1 day on board without spending, but that's as far as I've gotten.

[brunolvr]

Don’t parents ever say “no” to their children (or teens) any more? A lot of parents have become so lax and/or lenient in their discipline that their children have no respect for them or other authority figures.

I agree, turn off the cell phone and put it in the safe as soon as you get onboard and have them stay away from the internet café. If all they want is to be on the cell phone and internet, maybe it would be best just to leave the kids at home.

[LateCruiser]

Every One Seems To Be Missing Your Point...$Zero Dollars Spent On Board...

 

Geez..........

 

No Bar Bill.........Not Even a Coke...

No Bingo Bill...

No Casino Bill...

No Photo Bill...

No Shore Excursion Bill...

 

Wow...

Great Self Disclipine...

 

= NO Fun!!:eek: (Just kidding - I'd love to have a bill under $1500).:D :o

[cruiser12]

We were on NCL Dawn, the cruise after the Big Wave - A day late. But before all the moneys that they gave us to spend on the cruise and obc when we booked, our final payment was $129.00 ( $600.00 was due) Did not question it, just paid the $129.00 After all the money from NCL due to all of the above- The cruise was on NCL.

[newmexicoNita]

It was just a cool story, Nita. Nothing to get defensive about.

It is a cool story and I was joking, not being defensive. Sorry it was taken that way. It is a total shock I will admit, but also worth reading. NMNita

[Surfgirl]

[quote name='brunolvr'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]Don’t parents ever say “no” to their children (or teens) any more? A lot of parents have become so lax and/or lenient in their discipline that their children have no respect for them or other authority figures.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]I agree, turn off the cell phone and put it in the safe as soon as you get onboard and have them stay away from the internet café. If all they want is to be on the cell phone and internet, maybe it would be best just to leave the kids at home.[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

That's exactly what I was thinking as I'm reading this thread.

Geesh.. if I had racked up a bill like that, I would still be paying off mom and dad today... and probably would have been grounded for life!

When I was growing up, my parents held me accountable for my actions-- financial and otherwise. Not only does it teach respect, it teaches fiscal responsibility. Learning the value of a dollar can help prevent people from getting into credit card debt later in life. They learn early that overspending has consequences.

As for the original poster who had zero dollars on your bill.. I thought that was a great story. Congrat's!

[heyitsmejudy]

[quote name='Smellytoes']Want to help me pay my onboard expenses:D . Just got off the Dawn for 11 days. Between 6 of us my onboard account was over $5,000:eek: . A good chunk of that was my 17 yo HAD to be in constant contact with the stupid girlfriend. I couldn't believe it when I saw that internet bill. I can't wait to get the cell phone bill. I caught him text messaging her during a show:mad:[/QUOTE]

Next time, save some money and TAKE the stupid girlfriend!!!

[LateCruiser]

[quote name='heyitsmejudy']Next time, save some money and TAKE the stupid girlfriend!!![/quote]

Better yet - throw the cell phone overboard:D .

[Stillfloatin']

[quote name='Ted Pulaski']Every One Seems To Be Missing Your Point...$Zero Dollars Spent On Board...

Geez..........

No Bar Bill.........Not Even a Coke...
No Bingo Bill...
No Casino Bill...
No Photo Bill...
No Shore Excursion Bill...

Wow...
Great Self Disclipine...[/quote]

And not much fun!!!:eek:

[just4now]

[quote name='shoreguy']Can't hurt him to unplug for a week . ;)[/quote]

I'll let you tell him that. ;)

[Droopy_Sails]

[quote name='Surfgirl']That's exactly what I was thinking as I'm reading this thread.

Geesh.. if I had racked up a bill like that, I would still be paying off mom and dad today... and probably would have been grounded for life!

When I was growing up, my parents held me accountable for my actions-- financial and otherwise. Not only does it teach respect, it teaches fiscal responsibility. Learning the value of a dollar can help prevent people from getting into credit card debt later in life. They learn early that overspending has consequences.

As for the original poster who had zero dollars on your bill.. I thought that was a great story. Congrat's![/QUOTE]

I know...I'm reading all this stuff about locking up the cell phone and notifying the internet cafe manager and I'm thinking, "Just tell your kid no calls (or X amount of time) on the cell and no (or X amount of) time online. If your teenager doesn't comply with your clearly stated limits and you actually have to lock up his cell phone or make an NCL employee responsible for his conduct, you have way worse problems than large bills."

[just4now]

[quote name='brunolvr'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]Don’t parents ever say “no” to their children (or teens) any more? A lot of parents have become so lax and/or lenient in their discipline that their children have no respect for them or other authority figures.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]I agree, turn off the cell phone and put it in the safe as soon as you get onboard and have them stay away from the internet café. If all they want is to be on the cell phone and internet, maybe it would be best just to leave the kids at home.[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

Oh please.

It was meant tongue-in-cheek.
Plus, he has a job and his own money. I doubt he'd agree to buying an internet package anyway once he finds out the cost, [I]he[/I] was the one who took the message about the soda card increased and informed [I]me[/I] how ridiculous an amount that was.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

[quote name='just4now']Oh please.

It was meant tongue-in-cheek.
Plus, he has a job and his own money. I doubt he'd agree to buying an internet package anyway once he finds out the cost, [I]he[/I] was the one who took the message about the soda card increased and informed [I]me[/I] how ridiculous an amount that was.[/quote]

Dont let some of these posts from people get to you. Im 19..and I know what you meant. I had my cell with me on my last cruise and paid for the bill myself. I enjoy being able to talk to friends back home on vacation. Nothing wrong with that if thats what I like to do.

[Surfgirl]

Nothing wrong with it if you are paying the bills. A lot wrong with it if you expect daddy to pay. I think that's the point that some are making here.

[crystalclean]

Thanks everyone for the tips!
Knowledge from each other only allows us to be prepared!
I will definitely research my 17 y/o senior's cruise and ALL aspects !!