Now DD’s friends want to tag along! Questions

[mousefan73]

We are doing a girls trip, my mother myself, and my DD in July. This is her graduation Cruise. Now. Her two girlfriends wish to also sail. They would be in a separate cabin and costs have already been discussed and their parents said OK.

These are two team girls one who will be turning 18 on embarkation day. The other is 16 I assume since the one is an adult technically speaking the two of them can share a cabin alone and have their own booking correct? the other girl needs a parent note correct?

This is Barcelona to Southampton sailing and the girls are European.

Two other questions that came up
1. These girls don’t have a credit card so let’s say €200 down as cash for state room charges.?
2. Would my daughter be able to switch to cabin officially before ceiling or can they make the switch at check-in or can she just crash?

We are and they will also be GTY
Thnks!!!

 

[kiford]

I think that. even though an 18-year-old can book a cabin, if there is someone under 18 in that cabin, there has to be someone over 21 who is also booked with them. You may need to confirm that. If that's the case, then you would have to book the under-18 with you and your DD with her friend who is 18. I'm not sure if they have to be 18 at the point of booking or if they just have to be 18 at the point of sailing - that could also be an issue. When you check-in, you just get additional keys, and people can sleep wherever they want as long as they go to the correct muster station associated with their booking.

 

[Mommb]

This is from the Terms and Conditions for UK/EU residents (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/contracts-terms-safety/terms-conditions/uk/):
MINORS
A Minor aged 17 or under not travelling with a parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a Responsible Adult in the same stateroom. The parent/guardian of a Minor not travelling with them must authorize a Responsible Adult to have custody and control over the Minor at all times and to contract on their behalf in connection with the Disney Cruise Line vacation. A Minor authorization form must be provided to Disney Cruise Line prior to embarkation and can be completed during Online Check-in by visiting the My Reservations Dashboard at www.disneycruise.com/plan. After 9:00 PM, all adult areas serving alcohol are restricted to Guests aged 18 years or older.
“Responsible Adult” means an adult aged 21 years or over accompanying a Minor on a Cruise or Cruise Package as authorised by the Minor’s parent/guardian as such Minor will not be travelling with their parent/guardian. The Responsible Adult must have custody of and control over the Minor at all times. The Responsible Adult will enter into a Contract on the Minor’s behalf in connection with the Disney Cruise Line vacation.

So, as kiford says above, you would need to book the 16 year old in your room. You will also need signed permission from her parents.

I have always put a credit card on file, so I'm not sure how much cash is required to set up a room account. You will need to make sure that the girls have enough to cover gratuities if they're not pre-paid.

 

[lanejudy]

Agree with above. 18 to 20 year olds can be booked into a cabin with others in that age range, but not younger unless it's their own child. (So a 20-yr-old parent can cruise with a child.) You'll need to adjust your booking -- which may be a challenge if you are within the PIF period. But you might still be able to do a name change for a fee. You can swap around who sleeps where once you are onboard, and get extra key-cards for those individuals changing rooms.

ETA: As to the cash account -- the girls will need to be careful they don't over-spend. I suggest making them pre-pay their auto-gratuities so they don't need to worry about that. Then DCL will cut them off when they reach the cash limit paid. Be careful about any excursions if they need to save cash for those.

 

[mousefan73]

Agree with above. 18 to 20 year olds can be booked into a cabin with others in that age range, but not younger unless it's their own child. (So a 20-yr-old parent can cruise with a child.) You'll need to adjust your booking -- which may be a challenge if you are within the PIF period. But you might still be able to do a name change for a fee. You can swap around who sleeps where once you are onboard, and get extra key-cards for those individuals changing rooms.

ETA: As to the cash account -- the girls will need to be careful they don't over-spend. I suggest making them pre-pay their auto-gratuities so they don't need to worry about that. Then DCL will cut them off when they reach the cash limit paid. Be careful about any excursions if they need to save cash for those.

If they stick with this 21 and over for 18 and under, then they’re gonna have to do a name change and move either my mother or I into the second room, which I don’t know if they’re gonna do. Still waiting to hear from my TA. we already booked and paid in full, including Prepaid gratuities for our room. We had a special rate that required that in one shot GTY. So let’s see if the TA can maybe work some magic.
It’s a bit frustrating how Disney doesn’t view adults as adults regardless of their age no other cruise line. Does this at least here in Europe it’s kind of ridiculous if you’re an adult and can responsible for younger people. At least if Everyone’s linked in the same booking.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

For the cash part, I do cash on my cruises. As soon as I get on the ship, I go to guest services and put $300 onto my account. Then in the App a few times a day I check how much I have left.
In the shops and at bars, cove cafe etc, the charge is processed almost immediately and the balance adjusts.
When I get a drink in the MDR or the Palo it usually takes a while for charges to be processed.
I just got into the habit of checking the app and my balance every time I do an upcharge item.

You dont need to pay for extra internet access to check your onboard spending.

If I see the balance going down but know I want to spend more, I just go to guest services and add more cash.

On the last night, before I go to bed, I go to guest services and close out my account. Any money left on my account that I know I wont spend I get back in cash, American dollars.

I never go to guest service when there is a big line, I always go at odd times, when the big crowds are doing something else.

I get American dollars in my home country, before I get on the ship.

 

[lanejudy]

It’s a bit frustrating how Disney doesn’t view adults as adults regardless of their age

Neither girl is an adult at the time of booking, so you are still talking about minors entering into a contract pre-cruise. Hopefully your TA can work something out, but I understand the rule.

 

[mousefan73]

Neither girl is an adult at the time of booking, so you are still talking about minors entering into a contract pre-cruise. Hopefully your TA can work something out, but I understand the rule.

Oh that I clearly get and it makes sense But if Lets say one was 18 already right now. Legally, they are an adult but they still need someone 21 or over for Europe is just simply mind-boggling. It’s an American mentality if you’re 18 you’re still a “kid“

Praying that my TA can make some switch aroundS so we get to state rooms

 

[mjkacmom]

If they stick with this 21 and over for 18 and under, then they’re gonna have to do a name change and move either my mother or I into the second room, which I don’t know if they’re gonna do. Still waiting to hear from my TA. we already booked and paid in full, including Prepaid gratuities for our room. We had a special rate that required that in one shot GTY. So let’s see if the TA can maybe work some magic.
It’s a bit frustrating how Disney doesn’t view adults as adults regardless of their age no other cruise line. Does this at least here in Europe it’s kind of ridiculous if you’re an adult and can responsible for younger people. At least if Everyone’s linked in the same booking.

Here in the US those under 21 need to be booked with someone 21+ on cruises. On our last cruise (NCL) our 19 and 20 year olds needed to be booked separately, one of them in each of our connecting cabins.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

If I comprehend your question our experiences:
Our daughters bring friends.

The biggest plusses:
No gambling on DCL and ya have to be 21 to drink on DCL.
Dunno if people know its 18 to drink and hit the casinos on most other lines.

So you and the girls are are good to go if you book them in your name. It's how we do it.
They can use either cabin. It's a kick back / highly family and kid tolerant atmosphere.

We've never experienced any problems that way.
If someone has - hope they chime in.


Items are so expensive in DCL shops the girls avoid them. They never bought anything, nor spend any money other than the expensive popcorn at the WD Theater Dreams show that I know of.

 

[mjkacmom]

If I comprehend your question our experiences:
Our daughters bring friends.

The biggest plusses:
No gambling on DCL and ya have to be 21 to drink on DCL.
Dunno if people know its 18 to drink and hit the casinos on most other lines.

So you and the girls are are good to go if you book them in your name. It's how we do it.
They can use either cabin. It's a kick back / highly family and kid tolerant atmosphere.

We've never experienced any problems that way.
If someone has - hope they chime in.


Items are so expensive in DCL shops the girls avoid them. They never bought anything, nor spend any money other than the expensive popcorn at the WD Theater Dreams show that I know of.

Other cruise lines are 21+ for drinking with cruises leaving from the US, NCL will allow beer and wine with a signed waiver for 18+. Does DCL switch to 18+ in Europe like other lines?

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

BTW:
Our girls would make additional friends and they all like to stay up all night on deck socializing until dawn as the pools are netted.

Sometimes the crew will bring snacks, drinks and nachos to them,, no charge. It's what girls do. All that social energy adds to the fun.

The boys are crash test dummys and sacked out back in the cabin.

Maybe even a sleepwalking Goofy will pay them a visit in the middle of the night and do a clever, funny skit:

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Other cruise lines are 21+ for drinking with cruises leaving from the US, NCL will allow beer and wine with a signed waiver for 18+. Does DCL switch to 18+ in Europe like other lines?

That's a good question. We're sailing DCL in Europe this Sept and I'll find out.
My point is the kids won't run up a bar bill on our tab or blow money at a ships casino.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Other cruise lines are 21+ for drinking with cruises leaving from the US, NCL will allow beer and wine with a signed waiver for 18+. Does DCL switch to 18+ in Europe like other lines?

That's a good question. We're sailing DCL in Europe this Sept and I'll find out.
My point is the kids won't run up a bar bill on our tab or blow money at a ships casino.

Yes, this is the official wording on DCL website in the FAQ section

"During round-trip cruises departing from any European country that has a lower drinking age, parents or guardians may sign a Beverage Consent Form that allows their 18- to 20-year-old children to consume alcoholic beverages while in the adult’s presence."

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Yes, this is the official wording on DCL website in the FAQ section

"During round-trip cruises departing from any European country that has a lower drinking age, parents or guardians may sign a Beverage Consent Form that allows their 18- to 20-year-old children to consume alcoholic beverages while in the adult’s presence."

You just revealed that I’m one of those guys that first thing I do is I throw away the instruction manual.

 

[Dug720]

Unless you pre-pay the gratuities, those would be deducted from the room balance daily. So that $200 wouldn't go very far.

Also just something to be aware of - the 18 year old(s) would not be allowed do do teen club stuff, and the under 18(s) would not be allowed in the adult-only areas (and yes, they will check cards at least on the pool deck).

 

[Mommb]

Yes, this is the official wording on DCL website in the FAQ section

"During round-trip cruises departing from any European country that has a lower drinking age, parents or guardians may sign a Beverage Consent Form that allows their 18- to 20-year-old children to consume alcoholic beverages while in the adult’s presence."

This was our experience when we cruises in Europe with our 20-year-old son. I signed a voucher so he could drink when I was with him. I don't know if adults are able to authorize unrelated 18-to-20 year old to drink with you if they have parental permission for the cruise.

Oh that I clearly get and it makes sense But if Lets say one was 18 already right now. Legally, they are an adult but they still need someone 21 or over for Europe is just simply mind-boggling. It’s an American mentality if you’re 18 you’re still a “kid“

The way the terms are worded, two 18 year olds could share a room alone. However, they can't have someone else under 18 with them (except their own child) unless they also have someone 21 or older.

It's certainly worth checking with your travel agent to see what can be done, but restricted Guarantee rates typically don't allow guests to be removed or changed.

 

[mousefan73]

TA was able to move my mom ( first booking) to new toom with under age friend. 18 year old is now in my room with DD. Benefit is both state rooms now have gold status.! I think Disney uses logic here in the fact that if they wouldn’t have allowed this, they would’ve lost a booking. I think there’s a difference between changing names to a completely new name versus shifting people around to make a trip possible. We had restricted

Most European lines drinking ages 18 and up. Some lines even don’t bat an eye if parents allow their kid under 18 to share glass of wine at dinner. Since in Germany, for example, drinking age of 16 and above. For beer and wine. Lines like Aida, costa, MSC etc. but the girls are aware of the situation on Disney that they will not be served. That’s why I promise then will buy some sangria while on shore!

Quick question, though I found that parental form online and confirm please that they only need to bring this with them at check-in. Does the thing need to be notarized?

 

[Girl of the South]

European kids seem to be more mature than their American counterparts . . . Spring Break being a case in point! Glad it worked out.

Were you going to bring the sangria on the ship for them to drink in their cabin? I don't think it's allowed. Just beer and wine? Or you mean to drink at a meal?

 

[DMMarla07860]

European kids seem to be more mature than their American counterparts . . . Spring Break being a case in point! Glad it worked out.

Were you going to bring the sangria on the ship for them to drink in their cabin? I don't think it's allowed. Just beer and wine? Or you mean to drink at a meal?

yeah only beer and wine allowed to be carried on