Where to store cash and credit cards while on ship ?

I divide my cash up by port, with an envelope for each port. Then keep it all in the safe and just take out the appropriate envelope I need when I need it.

If you research, you'll know how much cabs cost, beach chairs/umbrellas, etc. Bring extra for souvenirs and food/drinks in port.

The safe in your room is safe. ;)

That's what I do too--it's nice to have it done ahead of time.

We always use the safe and have had no problems at all. We have had to get it opened a couple of times; it's always a very secure process.

We keep our valuable in the safe with no worries. To ensure we don't leave anything behind, we use a large zip-lock type clear baggie and put everything in it, and it goes into the safe. Nothing is left by itself in the safe. Flat items such as credit cards can be easily overlooked since the safe is dark inside and it is usually in a dark closet on a high shelf. At the end of the cruise we just grab the baggie and know that we have everything of value, and that nothing is accidentally being left behind.

Even with one large baggy, I would still double & triple check the safe on the last day. Several years ago our family of 4 (DD, DSIL, DGS & myself) took a 7-day cruise, followed by a week near Orlando. My DD insisted on keeping all of our WDW passes together. (I think she thought that she was more organized than me in my 70s.) Before our first day at WDW, she panicked when she couldn't find the passes. Her only possible explanation was that they had been "hiding" in the cruise ship safe. Fortunately, wise old Grandma had made photo copies of both sides of all 4 passes, plus the invoice for them. We were able to take them to the service window at our first park, and got replacement passes issued. (I never leave all the valuable stuff up to DD anymore. :) )

I had a problem with the safe on one of my cruises. I had to wait 30 min. for a special person with the master card to come and open it for me. I had to sign a form that was date and time stamped saying that I gave him permission to open it in my presence.

 

As someone already said, only a few crew members have the master card or code, and they are not going to risk their jobs and criminal prosecution going around and entering cabins when not authorized.

 

Roz

I had the same problem on one cruise. However, when the safe mechanic came to fix the safe, there were actually 2 crew members including an officer as well as me to ensure that there was no funny business.

DON

I've left cash on my dressing table, never been touched.

But the safe is even better.

The safe is (as the name reflects) the safest place! Or, you could lock your stuff in an empty suitcase...your bags all have locks, right? If they don't, they should!!

How long do you think it would take for someone to break a luggage lock? There's a reason they tell you not to put your valuables in your checked luggage. You might as well put your valuables under your mattress.

If you feel that they need to be locked up somewhere aas opposed to just in your cabin then use the safe.

The safe is (as the name reflects) the safest place! Or, you could lock your stuff in an empty suitcase...your bags all have locks, right? If they don't, they should!!

How long do you think it would take for someone to break a luggage lock? There's a reason they tell you not to put your valuables in your checked luggage. You might as well put your valuables under your mattress.

I agree with ATCcruiser. Luggage locks can be defeated in seconds. Anyone who relies on luggage locks to protect valuables is only fooling themselves. Watch and learn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf-DGKUNffI

I've left cash on my dressing table, never been touched.

 

But the safe is even better.

I left the safe open, thinking DW would close it after getting casino cash.

Later, received a phone message from security that our room steward noticed our safe was open.

(Of course, he didn't want responsibility for anything that was missing.)

And of course, he received another tip.:)

I've left cash on my dressing table, never been touched.

Not sure if that was accidental or on purpose, but it wasn't smart, IMO. The cabin door is propped open while the steward cleans and anyone walking by can see into the cabin. If the steward steps away for a few seconds, a theft can occur.

We always use the safe and in fact, we don't even leave our electronics out and charging during the day. We charge them at night when we are in the room, just for added security.

Not sure if that was accidental or on purpose, but it wasn't smart, IMO. The cabin door is propped open while the steward cleans and anyone walking by can see into the cabin. If the steward steps away for a few seconds, a theft can occur.

We always use the safe and in fact, we don't even leave our electronics out and charging during the day. We charge them at night when we are in the room, just for added security.

So who do you think the thief will be?

Thank you to all for your responses.

It looks like the safe is the way to go :)

It looks like the OP has come and gone.

It's common to fear the unknown.

Years ago, before our first trip Brazil, we were warned not to go; it was a dangerous place...We would be murdered.:eek:

One of the couples in our group stayed in their Rio de Janerio hotel room, eating granola bars and beef jerky.

We labeled them "The scared couple"... whilst thousands of tourist were in the streets for Carnival.

How long do you think it would take for someone to break a luggage lock? There's a reason they tell you not to put your valuables in your checked luggage. You might as well put your valuables under your mattress.

While I am going to agree that you should keep money, wallets, passport, credit cards in the safe in your room not all your valuables may fit, like a lap top computer. Putting that in your luggage, locking it, and putting it in the closet or under the bed is reasonable to me.

I think the biggest threat to your room on a cruise ship is from opportunists that see something of value open and can quickly remove it. Even if someone can enter your luggage quickly it will take time that most will not want to take.

Shak

While I am going to agree that you should keep money, wallets, passport, credit cards in the safe in your room not all your valuables may fit, like a lap top computer. Putting that in your luggage, locking it, and putting it in the closet or under the bed is reasonable to me.

 

I think the biggest threat to your room on a cruise ship is from opportunists that see something of value open and can quickly remove it. Even if someone can enter your luggage quickly it will take time that most will not want to take.

 

Shak

The best deterrent for an "opportunist" is to keep valuables hidden. If they can't see it, they won't know that there is something there. I rather doubt that your room will be open and unoccupied long enough for someone to come in and search every drawer, ever suitcase, every nook and cranny for something to steal. "Out of sight - out of mind".

Putting something in your luggage under the bed is good enough because it will be out of sight. Taking the extra step to lock it is a waste of time.

But, if that is what you think is needed, it certainly can't hurt. But it is unnecessary.

I have never locked my luggage, and with over 50 years of travel to at least 40 countries, in hundreds of hotels and on dozens of cruises, have never had even a single item stolen.

The best deterrent for an "opportunist" is to keep valuables hidden. If they can't see it, they won't know that there is something there. I rather doubt that your room will be open and unoccupied long enough for someone to come in and search every drawer, ever suitcase, every nook and cranny for something to steal. "Out of sight - out of mind".

 

Putting something in your luggage under the bed is good enough because it will be out of sight. Taking the extra step to lock it is a waste of time.

 

But, if that is what you think is needed, it certainly can't hurt. But it is unnecessary.

 

I have never locked my luggage, and with over 50 years of travel to at least 40 countries, in hundreds of hotels and on dozens of cruises, have never had even a single item stolen.

I sorry but I don't agree and I always lock my luggage. I do so not so much to prevent theft but also to make it more difficult to add things to my luggage. Yes being an unsuspected mule for drug or other contraband can happen.

This poor guy lost his job and had to come up with bail money. He actually locked his luggage but failed to notice it was compromised.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/11/17/framed-at-the-airport-queens-man-gets-shock-of-his-life-at-jfk/

I either use Lewis n Clark lock http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Accessories-Lockdown-Triple-Security/dp/B003EM3D6E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436023740&sr=8-2&keywords=lewis+n+clark+lock or double zip ties. I like this lock a lot and have had it for about 4 years now. I can also use this lock to lock bags together if I am waiting or on a train or attached my bag to my chair or leg of table while eating. If you notice the second review a pilot of an aircraft secured his bag to hing of the luggage bin.

I also use zip ties like the lock, one looped around the handle and the second through the zipper pulls and through the loop on the handle. This way one has to be cut to cover their tracks like in your video. The lock about also makes if more difficult for someone to cover their tracks.

On a recent trip I noticed at the luggage carousel that one of my zip ties was missing. I opened my luggage right there and found the note from TSA they entered my bag.

Time is a criminal enemy and the more time I can add the better, but to each their own.

Shak