? about Helping friends by putting their son in our cabin

[musicgirl]

We are hoping to sail in June 2006 with another family of 6. We have 3 and said that their ds could stay in our room.

Would we make his reservations and pay for him (with reimbursement of course) or do his parents?

Thanks, Lorie

 

[papacruise]

The cost of the fourth person will be included in the total cost of your stateroom. You will be responsible for seeing that it is paid, but DCL or any TA will allow you to use your friend's credit card to pay whatever portion of your stateroom that the two families decide is fair.

There are many ways to determine the amount that the other family should pay. The two families should agree on how much each family should pay. Generally, the families agree that the second family will pay the difference between the price for the four of you and the price that you would have paid as a stateroom for three. Sometimes, however, people simply divide the cost of the stateroom by four, and the other family pays one-fourth of the cost of your room. Since the cost for the third and fourth persons in a stateroom is always less than the price for the first two, this second method results in the second family paying more, and you reaping some benefit for adding the child to your stateroom.

I am sure that there are other ways to split the cost as well. These are simply the most common two ways to do it. Either way works, as long as the two families agree beforehand. That's the key -- discuss everything in detail on the front end, that way there will be no misunderstanding.

 

[clh2]

Don't forget to discuss the "tip" thing in advance too. An extra person in the stateroom can be extra work for the stateroom host.

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks,

They have also cruised before so they know the setup. It would be easy for them to include the dining tips in their own since we would be seated together.

We would just have them give us "his tips" for our stateroom host. Then of course, we would just have them reimburse us for any charges on board. It's nice that they itemize by cards, so it should be pretty clear!

I know some people like to put cash "down" for charging purposes. Could they put cash toward his card only I wonder?

I'm not too worried about the money being paid, they're good friends and would never try not to pay us back. They are very generous people. I just wanted to know how everything works with his being in our room.

I wonder if we would get all of his documents as well? And do we check him in?

Thanks, Lorie

 

[kcashner]

Each person in a stateroom can be tied to a different credit card. Thus, his KTTW could be tied to his father's credit card. If you charged tips, that would eliminate any portion of his on board expenses (tips, excursions, purchases) being put on your card.

As to check in, make it easy and have both families check in together. Have your ressies linked which would seat you together at dinner. Yes, they could put cash toward his KTTW instead of a credit card if they choose to do so.

Yes, you will get his documents as the docs for the stateroom will arrive together. You would make his reservations. His parents could pay the TA directly for his fare, or could reimburse you--whichever you decide.

The big key is communication and early booking! Do be sure that you know up front exactly what his family is agreeing to pay so that there is no problem at the 61 day point or on board.

 

[webray]

Just make sure you have a stateroom that sleeps 4 and not only three.

 

[Susan Prescott]

My DS (13) has stayed in my brother-in-law's cabin with my nephew for our past 3 cruises because the aft rooms we like only sleep 3. We also have a DD. We told our TA to include our DS in our price, which she did. DS was linked to my brother-in-law's credit card but we told him to let us know how much we owed and we told our DS that he could not charge without checking with us first. We also made sure to pay for DS's tips. It worked out really well for us.

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks, now all I need are some June 2006 dates!!!

Lorie