We are first time cruisers. We are getting mixed information and was wondering if anyone could help us out with this. How exactly do the Key to the World cards work? Do you have to load them with a minimum amount? and how about the kids cards?

Any and all information will be helpful. Oh also we are trying to budget... any example price range we should shoot for?

Thanks for your help
the rottman family

When you get your travel documents you can check in online or when you check in at the terminal, you are able to put a credit card or cash on your account. Any charges on board will be charged to your KTTW card and thus deducted from your credit card or cash. If you use a credit card, it is really your credit card limit. If you use cash, they will only allow $400 at a time. However, you can "reload" it on the ship if you have used your $400.

All of the food and beverages at the soda fountain are free. Any alcoholic beverages or soda at the bars are not and you would need to use your KTTW card. Palo is a small fee, Bingo and any purchases you make while at sea, all need to be charged to your KTTW card.

I hope this helps!

:D

You can put a limit on the kids cards -- to make sure they don't buy to much on the ship. KTTW is also your key and your ID card for your vacation. You might want pick up plastic cardholders for the kids to wear around their necks so they don't lose them. Mouseshoppe sells retracting holders (http://www.mouseshoppe.com/product.cfm?ProductID=9010) and plastic waterproof carriers (http://www.mouseshoppe.com/product.cfm?ProductID=2574).

Niwel...I read somewhere that you have to put a Minimum of $500 hold on your credit card if that is what your using. Is that true?? I'm not sure if we'll use that much. And we plan on using cash for the tips. Thanks for your help!! Only 25 days!! :-)

They authorize a specific amount against your card - not charge. Basically, it places a hold on your account for that amount, but they only charge what you spend. Any amount you don't use is released back to your account at the end of the cruise

Thanks Tony! I kind of figured it was like that, but was'nt quite sure. :-)

from our experience.
the kids charge privileges can be withdrawn by you at your request.
you can put your tips on the charge card if you like.
you can spend as much or as little as you can afford. it is possible you get off the boat with as little extra spent as the tips.
but you may want a souvenir, a specialty drink, or one of the many programs tours. some of this you can budget before you go by logging onto the web site and making reservations, the rest you will need to do as you go.
on our first trip we spent nearly $800 for two of us but that included many souvenirs, and a very expensive couples massage on the beach. on our last trip with 4 we spent less then $300 including souvenirs, one kids program, equipment rentals, and pictures.

for budget purposes I suggest you plan what you would for any other vacation for non food, hotel costs and you will come pretty close.

How much you spend really depends on you. One cruise we spent > $4000 (but that was Panama, with all of the merchandise, and some artwork). Another cruise, we spent $2.50. It can really vary

Thank you to everyone with the helpful information.