Do my teens need charging privledges(sp?) to get a drink at common grounds?

[mickeymom629]

I wasn't going to give charging privleges to my children, but I was thinking that my sons, 15 and 13, might want to get a drink at Common Grounds. How can they do that if they can't charge? Also, are they expected to leave tips?

 

[wovenwonder]

Yes -- they will need charging privledges to buy anything on the ship -- including drinks -- without you present. When they order drinks a 15% gratuity is automatically added to the bill that they will sign.

We've always given our kids charging privledges. We place a certain amount of cash on each of their accounts that they can spend to their choosing. When the money runs out -- their charging privledges are to stop. I always trusted my kids to keep track of their spending and it was never a problem. As young as 10, my son enjoyed the freedom of being able to buy his 'drinks' and game room cards, etc at his discretion. He seemed to budget his money well -- as he always had some souvenier money left to spend on the last day or two. I think we put $100 or so on each of their cards.

Another option if you just want your teens to be able to buy drinks -- would be to purchase the refillable soda mug for each of them ahead of time.

 

[Padre Disney]

wovenwonder,
Just want to make sure. Can we put a pre set spending amount on any of the kids cards? On our 3 day I thought you had to leave the spending amount open and linked to a credit card. We would like to be able to a have set amount on each childs card so they can buy what ever they like but we do not want it linked to our credit card. When you said you put $100 on each card was that from your cc or cash? We trust our kids to keep track of purchases we are just afraid of what might happen if the card should get lost. When they spend all the credit that is on the card charging is no longer allowed? Can you add more money to the card at any time?
Thanks

 

[mickeymom629]

That's my question too!

About those mugs, can the kids get any kind of drink put in them in common grounds? I mean, do they serve non-alcoholic specialties there? What about tipping when they have a mug?

 

[zbuddy]

I know my 15 yo had a drink mug purchased for him and that kept him hydrated! But that was just soda. He used his charging priviledges to get some nonalcholic strawberry dacquiris, so I guess you can get some other tropical type of drink, without alcohol. I think the dacquiris were about $4 or so, so luckily he did not drink too many! He did not drink coffee, so I am not sure about that.

zbuddy

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

I dont think they do coffee anymore. I guess caffine and us already overly excited teens just aint a good combination!

 

[wovenwonder]

When you set up your individual stateroom accounts (from your cruise documents) you can set your kids up as 'cash accounts'. They will let them go over the cash amount placed on the account though -- and you will have to make it clear to your kids to keep track of their purchases. If a card is lost - just let guest services know and they will take care of it for you. You can stop by Guest services every day if you'd like -- and get a printed copy of your room account to review.

The soda mugs are for soda only. No specialty drinks are included.

 

[mickeymom629]

I think I know what we'll do now!