Welcome aboard, Jeanette!
One thing my family and I love about sailing with Disney is that we don't need to carry money around, as the ship is cashless. Each guest receives a Key To The World Card when they arrive. Many guests will bring or purchase lanyards to store the cards and wear them around their neck. It's not only your "charge card" for purchases, but also an i.d. of sorts, key to your stateroom and keeps track of any photos you have taken, so they're all linked to your family's stateroom. Parents get to select if their kids get charging privileges or not, so that's up to you. So, if you're sitting by the pool and want a fruity cocktail, charge it on your Key To The World Card. These purchases are then put on your stateroom account which is settled toward the end of the cruise with the credit card you have on file.
Now, for the Youth Clubs - my kids' favorite spots onboard! The counselors can contact parents in one of two ways should their kids be ready to go before the parents stop back to check in on them. First of all, all staterooms include two
Wave Phones, which work like cell phones for calls and texts onboard. Toss one in your bag as you head out without the kids and the counselors will call or text you if need be. But, even easier is using the newer
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App. Since most of us use our cell phones as cameras and always have them with us onboard anyway, it's the easiest solution. The App is not only a listing of the schedule of events and activities onboard, ship maps, character greeting times, and more, but also includes a fun text feature. The counselors can actually text through the app right to your phone or mobile device with the app on it, and you'll be notified. I love this!
Have such fun planning, Jeanette!
Marcy