Our first cruise ...

[It's a Ship!!!]

Just remember that there are kiosks on the ship where you can pay off your account balance with cash. So I like to make a credit card account and then pay off some or all of it in cash. It's easier for me than having a cash account and worrying if I have enough on there when I want to buy something.

[Cuizer2]

Just remember that there are kiosks on the ship where you can pay off your account balance with cash. So I like to make a credit card account and then pay off some or all of it in cash. It's easier for me than having a cash account and worrying if I have enough on there when I want to buy something.

 

Why not wait until you get home and pay it off with a check? The you don't have to carry around a lot of cash.

[coevan]

credit cards = miles or rewards, we use CC's for everything, transfer money from checking to Capital One when we get home.

[A&Jfamily]

Hello me and my husband will be going on our first cruise on a 7 day carnival breeze on Oct 22 ..to the western Caribbean... Will appreciate all the info

1. Cash or credit/debit on sign and sail account . is having cash a better option for everything.

2. Sea sick ! Not sure if we are going to find out I guess..

3. Were going to Mr sanchos in cozumel , is the Al worth it also has anyone had the massage on the beach ? Versus on the ship ...

4. Packing suggestions?

I just want to make sure our first time will be memoriable .. Being this is our first ...

 

 

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We ALWAYS use credit due to the reasons others have cited about the holds on debits. We pay our card off each month, and with the rewards, they can add up.

 

Ever been on a boat before? The sea bands are cheap and in my opinion work for motion sickness - at least in a car. I am more prone to car sickness than boat, and they worked on our last vacation.

 

Massage on shore always cheaper - either at home or away - than on the cruise ship. They are a rip off IMHO as I can do one at home for half the cost. But, if my back got tight or something I would spend the money then.

 

As for packing, I am of the pack light crowd. We can each easily do a week with a 22" roller and a backpack (meds, docs, phones, tablets etc). Use a base color like black and take flip flips (and or other beach shoes) a pair of sandals that can be dressed up or down for dinners and some tennis shoes for walking. A few pairs of shorts, swimsuits, cover ups, a fresh t shirt for each day, a few dresses and some black slacks with 3-4 different tops for casual evenings and you are pretty much good to go. I also take some yoga pants and a hoodie or two because I can be cool walking inside on the ship or in the shows and I can use them for gym time with my "dirty" shirt from the day before.

[It's a Ship!!!]

Why not wait until you get home and pay it off with a check? The you don't have to carry around a lot of cash.

I mentioned the kiosks because some people only carry cash, and I find a cash account to be one more little thing to worry about.

 

 

Personally I usually do it because I end up with leftover cash that I brought with me for things in port. I've also paid part of my balance with cash I won in the Casino. A friend of mine paid off most of his balance with cash so his wife didn't know how big his bar bill was;p

[garmar73]

Just a couple of Suggestions. One, I always use a credit card to pay my Sign-n-sail account at the end of a cruise and save your cash. When we are ashore never carry your credit cards. Remember you are in a foreign country and if you purchase something with a credit card, your number could be compromised. Basic rule I use is when ashore--CASH ONLY. I have never had anyone in a foreign port refuse a "Yankee Dollar" for a purchase. Second, unless you have natural "sea legs"; you will probably get seasick to some extent. IMHO none of the "motion sickness" aids are 100% effective. So, when you do feel a queasy stomach from the motion of the ship--do as a cabin steward told us; try eating Granny Smith apples and drinking Ginger Ale which are available from room service. This remedy settles your stomach and over the course of our seven cruises has really worked well for us, even in very rough seas. Have a happy first cruise and welcome to group of us who are "hooked" on cruising

[TXCruisingMomof2]

Per person if I prepay tips & cheers& excursions... what will they charge my credit card if I use it for sign & sail at check in? I know I have to have something either a credit card or cash, but I probably won't be charging anything to my room.

[broberts]

...When we are ashore never carry your credit cards. Remember you are in a foreign country and if you purchase something with a credit card, your number could be compromised. Basic rule I use is when ashore--CASH ONLY....

 

Interesting. I'm the complete opposite. I take just a small amount of cash ashore and a cc. If cash is stolen one is out that amount. If a cc is compromised or stolen, the cc company absorbs the loss.

[Drrandall]

Go to Passion Island Via Twister boat in Cozumel. We do it next week. Soooooo excited. Gonna be puking by the time we get there.😂

[A&Jfamily]

Interesting. I'm the complete opposite. I take just a small amount of cash ashore and a cc. If cash is stolen one is out that amount. If a cc is compromised or stolen, the cc company absorbs the loss.

 

I agree. Limited cash for the day trip needs and a credit card. Your card can be compromised anywhere - so have at least second account with another company so you have a back up plan.

[Cuizer2]

Just a couple of Suggestions. One, I always use a credit card to pay my Sign-n-sail account at the end of a cruise and save your cash. When we are ashore never carry your credit cards. Remember you are in a foreign country and if you purchase something with a credit card, your number could be compromised. Basic rule I use is when ashore--CASH ONLY.

The only time I have had my credit card compromised is here in the US.

 

Interesting. I'm the complete opposite. I take just a small amount of cash ashore and a cc. If cash is stolen one is out that amount. If a cc is compromised or stolen, the cc company absorbs the loss.

 

There are no hard and fast rules. On shore, sometimes a credit card is best, sometimes cash is best. Make sure you have spare cash and credit cards in the safe. On shore take some of both.

[bnorris10]

Hello me and my husband will be going on our first cruise on a 7 day carnival breeze on Oct 22 ..to the western Caribbean... Will appreciate all the info

1. Cash or credit/debit on sign and sail account . is having cash a better option for everything.

 

I prefer using credit and i like using my carnival gift card for this as I will get double cash back points for it - why bother with cash and then have to go back and add more

Don't do a debit card as it can hold up your money in limbo

2. Sea sick ! Not sure if we are going to find out I guess..

 

worse case scenario if you get sick go to the store on the boat and buy some seabands - they are more expensive on board - if you are prone to motion sickness like on roller coasters then buy them at walmart ahead of time

 

3. Were going to Mr sanchos in cozumel , is the Al worth it also has anyone had the massage on the beach ? Versus on the ship ...

 

Massage on the beach is super cheap and they do a good job - we love sanchos go there every time we are in Cozumel - 2 adult tickets is $110 - but if you pay $230 for the romantic package you get a private cabana and a massage for 2

 

4. Packing suggestions?

I just want to make sure our first time will be memoriable .. Being this is our first ...

 

don't go crazy pack what you think you will need

 

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hope this helps

[crusinpsychRN]

Don't use debit card. Let your cc company know you will be out of the country. Mr. Sanchos is great, good food, lots of drinks. Better than Nachi.

 

You will be hooked and will need to book another as soon as possible. Read the ports of call section to learn about excursions.