KAREN

Message: We are leaving 4/14/02 on RCCL Voyager and the ship is so large I was wondering if anyone has any experience with how best to keep track of two teen daughters coming with us. The youngest, 13 if afraid of not being able to find us if she needs anything and I have the same concern about finding them.<BR>Also, was wondering what is the proceedure for tipping as in who and how much. Also <BR>thanks

gail

With thousands of passengers and crew on a big ship, I would consider knowing where your 13 year old is and have a meeting time and place - checking in often. (measured in hours, not minutes). Vacations always give me a false sense of security until I wake myself up and realize that I should exercise the same conditions/rules in a beautiful and expensive place as I do anywhere else. The cruise line will tell you more often than you want to hear how, when and how much to tip

MJ

How about walkie-talkies? I noticed some families using them on my last cruise.

SHARKGB

We use the walkie talkies when ever we travel. They work great, and I don't feel I have to stay in one place waiting for the kids to check in.

KAREN

THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS, I WILL RUN OUT AN PICK UP WALKIE TALKIES. I NEVER THOUGHT OF USING THEM. I'LL FEEL BETTER HAVING SOME METHOD OF COMMUNICATION WHILE ON THE SHIP<BR>

ladybug

Karen...you need to get decent walkie-talkies with many channel options, because others are using the same channels. Also, the Voyager has voicemail to leave messages to the room (there are numerous phones throughout the ship, to call from). Another idea is to have sticky-notes to leave each other messages in the cabin. It's amazing, but as big as the ship is, I bumped into my traveling companions all the time on the ship. Don't worry..things will be fine. As far as tipping...it states in your brochure the customary amount. $3.50 p.p. per day for waiters and cabin stewards, and $2.00 per day p.p. for the assistant waiter. The tip is already added to the bar tabs. You tip room service. Have a great cruise, you'll love the Voyager!!!!!!!!!!!!!

waverley

Walkie talkies. Would not leave home without them! Get a really good set though. you don't need to the kind that has altimeters etc but just has really good reception. We got a high end Motorola which are quite compact and were very happy with them.

Anita

Karen, glad you asked that question. I had been wondering about that too. We leave in August and have a 15yr old and 18 yr old. We are sailing Radiance of the Seas and have heard how big these ships are. The ideas are good that you all are recommending, and I had thought of the walky talky idea and do plan on taking ours. Does the ship charge for voicemail left to the rooms though. I am hearing there may be little charges for things that I thought would be part of my PAID cruise experience.

linda

Please advise your kids not to be rude and sit on the ship's steps as many were on Voyager in June. I always give my kids a long lecture about respect and manners pre-cruise.<BR>Ditto on the walkies and post-it notes.

Clyde

Forget the walki talkies. Do what we do when we sail (we only sail on Carnival though): Let the kids have their space. Thet them run wild. Give them some free space and maybe meet up with them for dinner.<BR><BR>They will have fun running around the ship and hanging out with other kids.

grace

Gosh, I thought everyone just made sure their kids got aboard ship, told them where to meet the last morning of the cruise and turned them loose.<BR> You mean there are actually parents that keep upwith the little virgin darlings? Oh, you are kidding me, right?<BR>Must be ships other than Carnival and Royal Caribbean where the parents supervise the kids, right?

Paul Therault

Our family have tried the walkie-talkies but found them having too much traffic. Even the ones with 14 channels. We considered purchasing the ones with over 14 channels but did not think the expense was warranted. Especially having to purchase a license.<BR><BR>We went back to the original plan of each one knows where the other is. If one has to change area we notify by phones (all over the ship) or go to the area where we can be found.<BR><BR>This is a strict policy for us and we very seldom lose each other.<BR><BR>We also make sure the kids are with another friend or family and not roaming the halls alone.<BR><BR>The younger ones are always signed in and out of the children's program.<BR><BR>Paul

Poptart

Gee grace and clyde, you let your kids run "wild"? No wonder Celebrity has started with Adults only cruises and Carnival has the reputation that it does - parents who let their kids run wild. Makes it painful for the rest of us adults.

Paul Therault

You bet. There are quite a few parents that say they are on vacation and so are their children. They let them have the run of the ship and they think they are safe.<BR><BR>Any attorney can tell you just how may suits are initiated against cruise lines for childrens' misfortunes.<BR><BR>Naturally the mass-market cruise lines with their value pricing will attract the most families. Only exception is the exotic itineraries (not Caribbean).<BR><BR>Paul