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1. Tips. We are Canadian, travelling in Europe... are tips in USA currency?

2. Lanyards not provided? If you want one bring from home?

3. Excursions (private company) I thought would be prepaid by credit card so found the advice re baggies for local currency plus tip intriguing... is that Normal? Pay after tour, with cash?

4. Shower gel and shampoo provided.... is it garbage and I should bring my own?

5. We have the UBP ...saw conflicting posts, first drink free or not?

6. In order to avoid sticker schock on bill at check out, what types of things might be added to my account....should I start putting a little money on my account in advance, is that done via OBC?

 

I hope you enjoy your first cruise! I think you will have a great time.

 

For your cabin key/charge card there will likely not be a lanyard provided, but you can bring your own or purchase something on board which will be a memento of your trip. They can punch an opening (hole) in the card so you can wear it on a lanyard. FYI.... Not everyone chooses to wear it as a lanyard. Some find it easier to carry in a purse or wallet.

 

For private excursions, check with the company which is providing the excursion. I would expect most will accept credit cards rather than having to pay cash.

 

I've always just used the provided soap and shampoo. Norwegian Cruise Lines provides these in dispensers in the shower/bathroom (as compared to lots of little plastic bottles). I have found these to be just fine.

 

At any point during the cruise you can request a copy of the most current version of your on board charges at the purser/customer services desk, so you are aware of what has been charged to your account. They will also place a copy under your door on the final evening of the cruise. Personally, I pay it off after the cruise, but I do request a print out every couple of days to ensure that no charges have been placed on my account in error. In the event that this does occur, then it is easier to sort it out before the last day of the cruise.

 

My experience has been that if they hand you a drink (usually orange juice or sparkly wine) when you first board the ship, then this is free. However, if you are waiting for sail away and the waiters are circulating with trays of drinks, then there is a charge for these. Feel free to ask "is there a charge for this drink?"

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The cash for vendors was for a Med cruise and was for private tours, not those sponsored by the cruise line. Private vendors who we found by checking for reliable ones through Trip Adviser and here always took a credit card to hold the reservation but asked that they be paid at the end of the excursion, and they asked for it to be paid in Euros.

 

Hidden/Additional Charges:

Photos taken by the cruise line photographers are for a fee, and can get quite expensive. You will go and view them at a designated place and you can purchase a package that includes them all or individually.

 

On some lines, there is a charge for room service during specific hours and some for anything other than continental breakfast (Royal). I keep small bills for tips to those delivering room service.

 

We take our own lanyards. They make it easy to keep up with the card that opens your door and is used on board for charges. As a general rule, if they ask for your card, you are going to get charged. Ask.

 

Most cruise lines have specialty restaurants where you are charged. We've never found it necessary to go to the specialty restaurants. Many find this an important part of their cruise experience.

 

Internet can be an additional charge and will be added to your account. Charges vary by cruise line. These will be charged to your seapass card. They will have various plans to choose from.

 

If you use your cell phone while at sea, you will get a LARGE charge added.

 

Obviously, purchases in the shops and the casino are additional charges, as well as excursions you book.

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If you use your cell phone while at sea, you will get a LARGE charge added.

 

I would second this..... and this nasty surprise won't come until you get your cell phone bill! The cruise line can add an access charge, and there will likely be roaming charges from your cell phone company and possibly international fees.

 

Many cruisers turn of their cell phones and place them in their safe and do not turn them on unless they are in port. If you do want to use your cell phone as a wireless device, then check to ensure that it is in airplane mode, then turn wireless back on.

 

Of course, you also have to pay for wireless on the ship... So just leaving the device off all together might be the better bet!

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Yeah, cell phones! Make certain they are in airplane mode while on the ship - take it with you in port and turn the airplane mode off only when you find a free WiFi spot to make your check in calls, etc. We also took our 10" tablets loaded with books to read and had a relaxing time in the early evenings in the Viking Crown Lounge on our RCL cruise - seems hardly anyone goes up there, which was awesome, and a great view over the prow of the ship. If you throw a tiny cash tip on top of the automatic tip when you swipe for a drink they will remember exactly what you like as soon as you find a seat. Even if it's unusual... my drink is Tito's gluten-free handmade vodka distilled from corn - on the rocks with 3 olives.

We found the coil wrist 'bracelets' with a split ring on them handier for our Seapasses than lanyards; you can easily hold them to face the barcode to the crew with scanner as you head on or off the ship, and they were better in the hot tubs, etc.

 

Bring your own favorite shampoo/conditioner - the stuff on the ships is kinda like cheap hotel crap (unless maybe you are on SeaDream Yacht Club or SilverSeas, lol).

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we had a death in the family while we were in cozumel. The family did contact the ship and we got a msg to call home. I don't remember the charge being usually large. We also go to a starbucks or internet cafe when in port and can email or skype from there.

 

We had the same thing happen to us on our honeymoon. In our case it was a sea day and we could not make a call from our cabin. We went to guest services and they were fantastic, they took us into the back office for privacy and made the call for us, made sure the we were OK and brought water and tissues for the wife. We never got charged for the call.

 

We ended up buying the staff a load of chocolate, biscuits and left a note thanking them for there help, support and assistance they gave us that day.

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5 things I wish I would have known:

 

1. Put suitcases under bed (more room in closet)

2. take 2 bathing suits (they don't dry overnight:eek:)

3. Don't stress about wardrobe (no one cares what you wear)

4. less shoes (one day, one night pair that matches everything)

5. You don't have to buy every photo (really how many do you need of you in that formal?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks to all contributors to this thread, as first time cruisers we were initially a little overwhelmed but after reading all 122 pages we found that most of our questions or concerns were similar to those already asked here.

 

We have one question for I haven't been able to find an answer - or if it was answered we missed it;

 

We're from the UK and embarking on a med cruise - as all drinks and on board purchases will be charged to our on board account will we need US currency for anything or can we pay Tips, laundry machines etc. in Euro's?

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Thanks to all contributors to this thread, as first time cruisers we were initially a little overwhelmed but after reading all 122 pages we found that most of our questions or concerns were similar to those already asked here.

 

 

 

We have one question for I haven't been able to find an answer - or if it was answered we missed it;

 

 

 

We're from the UK and embarking on a med cruise - as all drinks and on board purchases will be charged to our on board account will we need US currency for anything or can we pay Tips, laundry machines etc. in Euro's?

 

 

 

If you are sailing in the Med, I’m sure that crew would appreciate tips in Euros as they can easily spend them during shore leave. Because we sail primarily on Royal (no laundry machines) I can’t answer your question for sure but the machines we have seen (I think on Princess) took American quarters (which are the same size as Canadian).

 

 

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Going on South American cruise in 14Feb. Have been told to keep only US $ not to convert. Advice please!

 

 

 

We didn’t convert before going. Can’t remember which countries we converted a little at guest services. Do remember that they were unable to do any conversions for one of the South American countries. US dollars seemed to work fine. Just keep track of the conversion rates as they vary wildly even though they are called Pesos. Right now Argentina is 19.5650 and Chile is 603.50. Big difference.

 

 

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We stayed with US$ on trips to Brazil and Chile and bought local currency at ATM machines with our ATM cards to handle taxi fares and local tips. We' e used that technique wherever we've traveled with uniform success.

 

The current rate of the Brazilian Real is 1 BRL =0.313819USD. This means when you see something priced at 10 Brazilian Reals, it's worth $3.14 US$

 

The Chilean Peso is 1 CLP =0.00165902USD. This means that if you see something priced at 1000 Chilean Pesos it's worth $1.66 US$.

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If you are sailing in the Med, I’m sure that crew would appreciate tips in Euros as they can easily spend them during shore leave. Because we sail primarily on Royal (no laundry machines) I can’t answer your question for sure but the machines we have seen (I think on Princess) took American quarters (which are the same size as Canadian).

 

 

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Thanks for the reply, although I could exchange some USD solely for these purposes it wouldn't be in useful denominations so I'll have to make do with Euro's. I'm prepaying gratuities so it will only be for the 'above and beyond' tips.

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Just got back from our first cruise and it was great! Thanks to everyone who posted. This thread helped a lot. Here are my 5:

 

1. OnRCL surf package only $31 for the week - I wish I had set that up for 2 phonesso that it would be easier to communicate with my wife while on board. As of Jan 2018, RCL has 2 speeds, surf andstream. I found surf fine for sending /receiving email and Facebook messages.

 

2. Technologychanges - so what someone said in 2010, may not apply to 2018. For example, internet speeds will most likelyimprove

 

3. Insidecabins aren't bad. Sure a balcony isgreat, but it's not additional $1200 great.

 

4. Lots of good tips and advice, but at the end of the day you need to analyze how you work and go with the tips that fit your needs.

5. Ithought the food in MDR on RCL was really good. Buffet was good for breakfast (hard to make bad breakfast food)

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Just got back from our first cruise and it was great! Thanks to everyone who posted. This thread helped a lot. Here are my 5:

 

1. OnRCL surf package only $31 for the week - I wish I had set that up for 2 phonesso that it would be easier to communicate with my wife while on board. As of Jan 2018, RCL has 2 speeds, surf andstream. I found surf fine for sending /receiving email and Facebook messages.

 

2. Technologychanges - so what someone said in 2010, may not apply to 2018. For example, internet speeds will most likelyimprove

 

3. Insidecabins aren't bad. Sure a balcony isgreat, but it's not additional $1200 great.

 

4. Lots of good tips and advice, but at the end of the day you need to analyze how you work and go with the tips that fit your needs.

5. Ithought the food in MDR on RCL was really good. Buffet was good for breakfast (hard to make bad breakfast food)

 

 

 

Yes speed onboard improves but we get used to even faster speeds ashore so it seems even slower.

Some of us actually spend a lot of time in our cabins so the value of the balcony increases for us (even when we don’t use it, it’s still nice for the view).

And yes they can certainly screw up breakfast. I like my eggs over very very easy. The cooks onboard seem to think that a hockey puck qualifies.

 

 

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I have been obsessed with this thread since I found it. To the detriment of life and work around me! :-) So thankful to all who have taken the time to put their thoughts and especially the first time cruisers who 'came back' and said what they learned from here. I leave Miami in 17 days and I am beyond excited. Now to catch up on work before I leave.

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I have been obsessed with this thread since I found it. To the detriment of life and work around me! :-) So thankful to all who have taken the time to put their thoughts and especially the first time cruisers who 'came back' and said what they learned from here. I leave Miami in 17 days and I am beyond excited. Now to catch up on work before I leave.

 

The rest of us certainly understand the obsession!

 

How wonderful that this thread has been going since 2009, and with such helpful information!

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The rest of us certainly understand the obsession!

 

 

 

How wonderful that this thread has been going since 2009, and with such helpful information!

 

 

 

Oh I wish you hadn’t said that. You just reminded me how long I’ve been following it.

 

 

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If you really need/want your own coffee (I don't blame you)You can buy those single cup of coffe maker, it sits on top of your mug you put a filter in it add your coffee and hot water... You can order a pot of boiling water from room service and just bring your fav coffee and filters

 

where do you find these at? i'm taking it that it doesn't plug in? what brand is it?

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where do you find these at? i'm taking it that it doesn't plug in? what brand is it?

 

 

Another good option is the aeropress. It actually makes excellent coffee- better than most machines IMO. You just need the aeropress itself, hot water, and ground coffee. I think they sell it at a lot of the major retailers, but we got ours at the very large online store that started out as mostly books.

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We had the same thing happen to us on our honeymoon. In our case it was a sea day and we could not make a call from our cabin. We went to guest services and they were fantastic, they took us into the back office for privacy and made the call for us, made sure the we were OK and brought water and tissues for the wife. We never got charged for the call.

 

We ended up buying the staff a load of chocolate, biscuits and left a note thanking them for there help, support and assistance they gave us that day.

 

This happened to me in 2010, we docked in St. Thomas on the NCL Epic and I was heading to excursion when I called home to check on my mom who had cancer. Found out she passed, I was shocked and numb. The crew of the Epic was fantastic! We went back on ship and told them what happened. They took us behind scenes to use their computers to book a flight home and had someone give us a free ride to the airport. They waived all the fees for our prepaid excursions. I can't say enough about the them, they made an unbearable time a little easier.

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I agree, this is a great thread. Here's my tip.....keep a note pad or index cards by your computer while reading and write down the ones that really work for you. It's too hard to remember them all. Then I put the note pad in my suitcase so I can look over it at the last minute. I always find at least one thing I had forgotten about!

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