No ATM on Eurodam? How much to bring then?

We are leaving on our first Holland America cruise on Eurodam on August 19th.

 

We usually use an on-board ATM to get cash for extra tips because we don't like to carry a lot of cash with us, and also I never know how much to pay.

 

We are going to be three (low maintenance) women in Neptune Suite. We don't plan on using room attendant or concierge much. Normally we keep the "do not disturb" sign on the door almost all the time.

 

But this time we would have to use sofa-bed, so we would have to let the attendant to make it every evening from what I understand.

 

So I am trying to figure out how much cash I need to bring with me so it would be enough for cash tip for everybody involved with the suite and for the waiters.

I am sure this question was discussed many times. But I don't really have too much time left to look it up, we are leaving early morning on August 17th.

 

I just didn't expect that Eurodam was not going to have an ATM on board! Everybody else we used before had one - Royal, Celebrity, Disney.

 

Thank you very much in advance for all the info!

Your automatic Hotel Service Charge of $15/person/day takes care of the basic tipping. How much you care to add in cash is entirely up to you. We usually give our room stewards about $5 or $6 /day extra and the dining stewards $4 or $5 /day the same ... but nothing above the HSC is needed.

 

When we were on the Koningsdam (which has an ATM) last Nov we were told that they would be added to other ships as well. If the Eurodam has one by the time of your cruise, there is a flat fee of $6.50 for using it. The front desk will give you a cash advance a 3% fee, so if you are getting less than $210 (?) it's better to go to the front desk.

 

But there's a way to get cash for no fee. Go to a slot machine in the casino and charge money to your on-board account with your key card. Take a few spins and then cash out.

Edited August 15, 2017 by catl331

Your automatic Hotel Service Charge of $15/person/day takes care of the basic tipping. How much you care to add in cash is entirely up to you. We usually give our room stewards about $5 or $6 /day extra and the dining stewards $4 or $5 /day the same ... but nothing above the HSC is needed.

 

When we were on the Koningsdam (which has an ATM) last Nov we were told that they would be added to other ships as well. If the Eurodam has one by the time of your cruise, there is a flat fee of $6.50 for using it. The front desk will give you a cash advance at 3%, so if you are getting less than $217 it's better to go to the front desk.

 

But there's a way to get cash for no fee. Go to a slot machine in the casino and charge money to your key card. Take a few spins and then cash out.

 

Thank you very much, Carol!!

I never use casino, so don't quite understand that tip :)))

 

How exactly do you do that charging the key card there? Is it easy to figure out?

 

Thank you!

I don't mind the ATM fee too much, as I am kind of paying for the convenience.

 

I usually decide how much cash to pay to the crew while on-board, as I am not that experienced with cruising: we often do like "first cruise on the line" thing as we choose the cruise by itinerary and dates - not by company.

 

So right now I can't even predict what services would we use as we have never used Holland America before. It seems like most of stuff which comes with the suite we do not really need. So we should not be needing to use the crew help too much. But maybe I don't see something...

 

I always give some extra cash to people, but I don't want to pay too much and hate not have enough of money to pay what I feel I should. That's what I am worried about.

Edited August 15, 2017 by JoieNsk

I never use casino, so don't quite understand that tip :)))

 

How exactly do you do that charging the key card there? Is it easy to figure out?

Fairly easy, and there will be someone around to help if you have trouble. You put your key-card into a slot machine and it asks for your birthday (I think) and if that matches what they have for your account it asks you to choose a PIN, and how much money you want to charge.

 

When you are ready to quit you press the cash-out button which transfers your "bank" to the key card. You then take the key card to the teller's cage, tell them how much you want to take out (it doesn't have to be all) and enter your PIN on a key pad.

 

If you leave money on the key card you can play another slot machine by signing on with your PIN, and away you go!

 

There may be a limit on how much you can charge each day, but we've never taken more than $200.

 

I always give some extra cash to people, but I don't want to pay too much and hate not have enough of money to pay what I feel I should. That's what I am worried about.

Again, you don't have to give your room and dining stewards anything above the Hotel Service Charge which is automatically added to your bill, and anything you hand out in cash will be appreciated.

 

Many (maybe even most) people who get room service food give the delivery steward $1 or $2 for breakfast or a snack or small lunch, $3 to $5 for a full dinner. I don't know what's appropriate for spa cash tipping as we don't use that.

Edited August 15, 2017 by catl331

Fairly easy, and there will be someone around to help if you have trouble. You put your key-card into a slot machine and it asks for your birthday (I think) and if that matches what they have for your account it asks you to choose a PIN, and how much money your want to charge.

 

When you are ready to quit you press the cash-out button which transfers your "bank" to the key card. You then take the key card to the teller's cage, tell them how much you want to take out (it doesn't have to all) and enter your PIN on a key pad.

 

If you leave money on the key card you can play another slot machine by signing on with your PIN, and away you go!

 

There may be a limit on how much you can charge each day, but we've never taken more than $200.

 

Thank you very much, Carol, for the detailed explanation!

Will you be leaving the ship for sightseeing at the ports on your itinerary?

If so, you will undoubtedly pass several ATMs onshore.

 

Alaskan ports are small....homey....you will be walking past small businesses and an ATM or two. :cool:

Will you be leaving the ship for sightseeing at the ports on your itinerary?

If so, you will undoubtedly pass several ATMs onshore.

 

Alaskan ports are small....homey....you will be walking past small businesses and an ATM or two. :cool:

 

Oh, man!!!

 

Thank you!

 

I am so stupid - I didn't even think of that :)))

Bear in mind, too, that the Concierges in the Neptune Lounge can provide you with cash charged to your account (provided that you've secured your shipboard account with a credit card). I think there's a 3% service charge for it.

 

Alternatively, there are ATMs at all Alaskan ports. You can also take travelers' cheques with you and the Concierges can cash those for you.

 

My rule of thumb is $20 per week per crew member I expect to give supplementary tips to. There will definitely be 5 (two room stewards, one waiter, one assistant waiter and one wine attendant). If I make heavy use of the concierges, I may throw a tip in their direction, too.

Bear in mind, too, that the Concierges in the Neptune Lounge can provide you with cash charged to your account (provided that you've secured your shipboard account with a credit card). I think there's a 3% service charge for it.

 

Alternatively, there are ATMs at all Alaskan ports. You can also take travelers' cheques with you and the Concierges can cash those for you.

 

My rule of thumb is $20 per week per crew member I expect to give supplementary tips to. There will definitely be 5 (two room stewards, one waiter, one assistant waiter and one wine attendant). If I make heavy use of the concierges, I may throw a tip in their direction, too.

 

Thank you, James!

 

I had no idea there were going to be two room attendants on Holland America!

 

Is it just because it is a suite?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that three women are going to be me, my 73 yo mom and my 18 yo daughter. And I am the one to pay everything.

 

So it is going to be for three people.

I had no idea there were going to be two room attendants on Holland America! Is it just because it is a suite?

No. A few years back they changed from one cabin steward handling about 15 cabins to teams of two handling about 30 cabins. I think the reason was to be able to provide continuous coverage while one of the pair was on a break, plus give more OJT to new stewards. BUT - two years ago in an SB stern suite we had a single steward taking care of just 8 cabins across the stern and one up the side. Edited August 15, 2017 by catl331

They will charge the aproppriate tips to your account...no need for cash for tips anymore! However, you will want to have cash handy...cash is best for gambling expenses, and for smaller purchases ashore.

 

We generally bring about $1500 or so for a week long trip. What isn't used, goes back to the bank when we get home.

Thank you very much for all the great info!!!

 

I have better idea now!

No. A few years back they changed from one cabin steward handling about 15 cabins to teams of two handling about 30 cabins. I think the reason was to be able to provide continuous coverage while one of the pair was on a break, plus give more OJT to new stewards. BUT - two years ago in an SB stern suite we had a single steward taking care of just 8 cabins across the stern and one up the side.

 

We have one of the aft Neptune suite with corner balcony.

 

Do you think, Carol, we are going to have one attendant or two?

 

Thank you again!

Do you think, Carol, we are going to have one attendant or two?

Sorry, I have no idea. We only had a stern corner once. Except for the balcony being on two sides, DH didn't like the stern very much.

:cool: every cabin has two stewards. their tips are added onto your shipboard account. we usually give 30-50 dollars extra for 10-14 days. we do 2-5 dollars for room service. we had a corner aft Neptune suite and loved it the balcony had seating for nine !

:cool: every cabin has two stewards. their tips are added onto your shipboard account. we usually give 30-50 dollars extra for 10-14 days. we do 2-5 dollars for room service. we had a corner aft Neptune suite and loved it the balcony had seating for nine !

 

Thank you very much!

 

We are in Seattle and will board Eurodam in couple hours :) Will find out everything ourselves soon.

 

Will post if they have ATM on board or not.

Bon Voyage! You will have a great time.:)

Bon Voyage! You will have a great time.:)

 

Thank you, Carol!

 

We did have a great time - of course!!!

As I promised to report - we didn't find any ATM on board Eurodam in August 2017.

As I promised to report - we didn't find any ATM on board Eurodam in August 2017.

 

 

Thanks - we are on the Eurodam May 12, 2018 - which is FOREVER away! Would love for you to do a review on your trip!

Thanks - we are on the Eurodam May 12, 2018 - which is FOREVER away! Would love for you to do a review on your trip!

 

I am not really great on the reviews :))

 

But I like to read reviews and they are very helpful.

 

So I will try to do my best - to kind of "pay back" :)

 

We came to Seattle two days earlier and stayed in Grand Hyatt as I booked the room for points there. The hotel was very nice. It is not exactly family friendly though. To get separate beds for us three I would have to book really expensive suite. So me and my mom slept on the king bed and my daughter got a rollaway. Though I did have enough of points to book a room with the lounge access, and that was really good option for us. They have great breakfast there with hot items and their evening options were very good too and enough for us to replace the dinner. So we basically had breakfast and dinner included with the room - for three people. My bill was 5 dollars - for the glass of wine in the lounge. So I thought the points were spent real well for us.

 

We didn't do much in Seattle as my mom is 72 and my 18 yo daughter is not adventurous. But we did go to the Pike Place Market, also to the Chihuli Garden and to the Space Needle.

 

In Chihuli Garden there are photographers in the museum and you can get your picture taken - it is included into the ticket price. Later you can e-mail it to yourself or download. The rooms are dark there, so the picture the photographers made for us was better then the ones we made - for sure!

 

For Space Needle - we did pre-fix branch in Sky City Restaurant at the Needle. It was pricey but it still was a great deal I felt. We got a very good brunch (too much food though!), some pictures, saved time not standing in line to go up. We didn't get window table as we just came and got the reservation. But we still had a great view as the second row tables were elevated. It was so relaxing to watch the views from our table instead of fighting the crowds on the deck of the tower. The restaurant it revolving. So you see everything.

 

And we did have deck acces included with our branch too. We went there after the branch.

 

So I would really recommend that branch, but try to book in advance as it really fills up!

Edited September 20, 2017 by JoieNsk

Thanks - we are on the Eurodam May 12, 2018 - which is FOREVER away! Would love for you to do a review on your trip!

 

We got off the Eurodam a week and a half ago - dunno if this will help. Its short, though

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2543450

The Cruise itself was really great!

 

I am so glad I booked the corner aft room! We had all the views we wanted whenever we wanted. And were able just dive right back into our warm cabin.

 

My mom had real good eye for animals. She would notice the whales water spouts or sea otters and we could just jump right on the balcony to watch them. And she could lay on her bed and watch the wake as the huge balcony door would allow that.

 

We had rainy and cold weather most of the days at Alaska. And the Glacier Park was really really foggy. So I think our view was even better than for people who would go on the upper deck to get the "full view". We were on the deck 4 room 4176, and that low there was less fog. We saw a bear and a cub on the shore when we were pulling into the glacier park - in spite of the fog.

 

I would really advise to have good binoculars. We had actually a very good binocular provided with a cabin. But I also brought my own ones - so every person had their own. And it was really good idea.