According to several kids I have spoken too, this sneak 'em in practice has been going on for years. On the '04 Mexico Cruise they got several kids on the ship unknown to the cruiseline. In addition, you have to have an adult in every cabin. How do you think they registered enough adults to house 40 kids?? Hmm, they had to lie about ages- to have an adult in each cabin. Yes, my son was registered as 21 or over-was 17 at the time. They also had more than was allowed in each cabin. That would be the extra kids they had to sneak in. Oh, one other cleaver trick, was to share name badges. Get one in and then hand the badge to others in line.
My son still cringes when he thinks or talks about the "bus trips." During the time they went to Mexico last year he said hygiene was a huge issue. The boys bags were stored below the bus and it was next to impossible to get to their toiletries. He said sleeping in the hot bus with all the horrible body oder was enough to make him puke. I was shocked that there were no hotel rooms secured with all the money spent in a year's time!
They occasionally got to stop at rest areas or camping grounds to bathe. He said getting to brush his teeth was a luxury. By the way, he had 16 cavities when he got home that needed desperate attention! He had none before going to the Whitmore. Not exactly the hygiene practices we encourage at home!
