A good thing came out of DCL pricing

[Club Disney Chandler]

With the continual DCL price hikes, we told our teens that there probably won't be a DCL cruise for us in 2017, that we'd probably be going with RCCL instead. That asked about the approximate price difference between the 2 lines, we told them it would probably be about $3000.

They both have started budgeting their money better and cutting back on things to try to make up the difference. We are now in discussions to cut Directv and just go with NetFlix, Hulu etc. to cut back some too. Every time we talk about not wanting to cook dinner and go out to eat, they ask if they cook and clean up afterward if we can put that money towards a 2017 DCL cruise.

My son, (turns 16 in March) is hoping to get a job at either Sprouts or Target so my wife will get a discount on groceries so we can put that money towards the cruise too!

It was a surprise I really wasn't expecting from them and I'm pretty excited about it. So I guess in a way I have to say "Thanks" to DCL for helping my teenagers become more responsible and increase their knowledge on the value of the dollar.

 

[southerngirl528]

Wow! That is a great testament to your training and upbringing of your kids, Club Disney Chandler!! That is awesome! Huge kudos to your teens from this mom!

 

[tinkerone]

that is amazing! you have obviously taught your children the value of money so good for you. its a lesson that will benefit them for life. it shows great discipline for them to want to help contribute to the cruise.
I know you and they will have an great time just in the planning. the cruise will be the dessert!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Your kids are awesome. It's so nice to see them pulling together to pay for the cruise.

 

[Gilland18]

That is a great story!! Congrats on some great kids!

 

[Heidiatmn]

Once that $$ is saved, I'd put it in front of them in cash and say OK-would you like to KEEP this money (buy a car maybe) and go on a RCCL cruise instead or keep none and go on a Disney cruise. $3K is a lot teaching moment or not. My first Disney cruise is in February-I've done most other lines and am very skeptical it can be that much better than the other lines to be worth the extra $$-can't wait to find out though Figure I'm better going in skeptical than having high hopes and be disappointed....I've never had a bad cruise on any line (except the one I missed) though so maybe I have low standards

 

[Ofinn]

Once that $$ is saved, I'd put it in front of them in cash and say OK-would you like to KEEP this money (buy a car maybe) and go on a RCCL cruise instead or keep none and go on a Disney cruise. $3K is a lot teaching moment or not. My first Disney cruise is in February-I've done most other lines and am very skeptical it can be that much better than the other lines to be worth the extra $$-can't wait to find out though Figure I'm better going in skeptical than having high hopes and be disappointed....I've never had a bad cruise on any line (except the one I missed) though so maybe I have low standards

My son wants to do a European cruise he also wants his own computer. My dh and I were discussing painting the house and refinishing the wood floors. My son suggested we sail on RCI to Europe in 2017 instead of DCL. Im sure that would save thousands. I love DCL but dont think I could make huge sacrafices to sail on them. If it ever comes to that its time to switch.

 

[bcwife76]

Awww, good for them!

 

[southerngirl528]

Since the kids decided on their goal, seems to me it wouldn't be right to dissuade them. They are after all, teenagers not small children that don't know any better. JMHO.

 

[MunFam]

good for them! I will be curious to know how they feel about DCL's cost/value after they have worked minimum wage for a year...just to make up the difference...and to see if they still felt their efforts were worth the cost, value-wise versus something else. I think you have done a great job of teaching your children to work for what they need and want. I always strive to maintain that fine line of a well taken care of child, without ever being spoiled, so I can only hope that when she is 16, she will have the same work ethic your children do.

 

[dclpluto]

Very nice. Another waste of money if your trying to save is cell phones. I wish I could get rid of the addiction.

 

[MunFam]

Very nice. Another waste of money if your trying to save is cell phones. I wish I could get rid of the addiction.

Just out of curiosity? How is the cell phone an addiction and waste to you? I am not trying to start a debate, I am just truly curious. We live in a large city and I consider having my cell phone personal safety. If my car breaks down driving home late at night...or if I need to call 911 for some reason since most payphones are gone now days. We did get rid of our house phone.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Just out of curiosity? How is the cell phone an addiction and waste to you? I am not trying to start a debate, I am just truly curious. We live in a large city and I consider having my cell phone personal safety. If my car breaks down driving home late at night...or if I need to call 911 for some reason since most payphones are gone now days. We did get rid of our house phone.

I can't speak for @dclpluto but I interpret it as a basic cell phone with just talk and text is a very inexpensive necessity. But for us, we really don't need four iPhones with a crapload of data, but I just don't know if I could ever go back to a flip phone.

We too got rid of our landline when I found out the house alarm can operate on wifi, the only people that ever called were telemarketers anyway.

 

[MunFam]

the only people that ever called were telemarketers anyway.

Haha! Same for us!!

 

[dclpluto]

Just out of curiosity? How is the cell phone an addiction and waste to you? I am not trying to start a debate, I am just truly curious. We live in a large city and I consider having my cell phone personal safety. If my car breaks down driving home late at night...or if I need to call 911 for some reason since most payphones are gone now days. We did get rid of our house phone.

All cell phones can call 911 they don't have to be on a plan.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We too got rid of our landline when I found out the house alarm can operate on wifi, the only people that ever called were telemarketers anyway.

All cell phones can call 911 they don't have to be on a plan.

Also, land lines don't require a paid service for 911 to work. Plug any phone into a wall jack and dial. It will work. They will have your location.

Back when I worked law enforcement communications, all 911 calls got a response. If we couldn't call you back or get a satisfactory response on callback, a deputy was coming to check. Sometimes the lines in the ground would send weird signals somehow and we'd have deputies telling us the address was an empty lot.

Just a little FYI there. Knowing what I know from my days in LE communications, we haven't had a land line in many years....and I'd never pay for an alarm service subscription. That's me.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

@Club Disney Chandler, that's awesome! Money lessons are important and your teens are getting it. When it's their hard earned dollars they do look at spending differently. That's a very good thing right there! And for them to understand what it means to be able to take expensive vacations, not take it for granted, etc....all very good stuff for them to be aware of. It's one thing to break down the dollars into how many hours it takes for Dad to earn that amount.....then a whole 'nother ballgame in how many hours THEY have to work.

Oh, think you have to be 18 to work at Target. There's a lot more businesses with higher minimum age requirements now as compared to when I was that age. My youngest just made it to 18 which opens a LOT more doors. Hobby Lobby will hire cashiers under 18. My oldest started with them at 17. I like him working for Hobby Lobby because I know at least 1 day of every weekend he will be off work. (Family time!)

 

[texas disney mom]

Chick fil a and mcdonalds hire under 18. We went to Netflix only a long time ago and it was a very good thing because the tv isnt on in the background all the time. But you would also be surprised what you can get streaming or on utube if you get apple tv. Roku also good. The only thing is sports if you watch that, but we do not. There are also a lot of phone plans that are very cheap and you do not have to go flip phone. We have two different ones and they are just as good as the contract plans. No flip phones.

 

[preciouspups]

I think it is awesome that your kids have a drive and determination to work hard for what they want. A lot of kids these days do not have that. They will truly appreciate their cruise a lot more if they have contributed to it.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I can't speak for @dclpluto but I interpret it as a basic cell phone with just talk and text is a very inexpensive necessity. But for us, we really don't need four iPhones with a crapload of data, but I just don't know if I could ever go back to a flip phone.

I am the same way. I keep looking at our cell phone bill and I know that I could cut most of that expense if I switched back to a basic phone. But I use my phone for too many things. It is my camera, my calendar, my alarm clock, my radio, my health monitor, my checkbook, etc. I would have a hard time going back! lol


I think it is awesome that your kids are willing to put in their own money and sacrifice things to make up the difference to go on their preferred cruise! It is a very mature response to getting something that they desire.