Packing tips & Cash

[alison11]

I am packing (we live friday for PR, then on the AOS Sunday 5/27) - I am curious, I know there are not irons and that a pressing service is offered which is great. But, what about alarm clocks? Do the cabin's have them? I thought i read somewhere that there were no alarm clocks but I figured i would check here first.

 

Now onto cash....how much do you suggest brining? I know we will have tip money and what not, but we will probably look into jet skiing and some shopping at the ports. Are credit cards accepted at most shopping locations or is it safe to assume we will need cash on hand?

 

Thanks!

[isujim]

I think you can program your phone for a wake up call........but there are no alarm clocks that I have ever seen.

 

As for cash............there is no correct answer for that.......depending on what you do in port, how much shopping in port you do etc........but I have found take less clothes than you plan and more cash than you plan.:)

 

Have a great cruise.

[piercetc4]

i don't recall alarm clocks - you can have a wakeup call if that helps- most places take credit cards but having some cash on hand for tips and other things comes in handy- like $1 bills for luggage tips, room service tips, etc... if you are renting the jet skiis thru rci, they put on your seapass card and that will be paid for however you set it up on embarkation day- credit card is one way to go with that-

[jules815]

We always used room service as our wake up call (although we were usually up before then). There is a small clock on the phone, but really hard to see. We were in a balcony room, so it wasn't completely dark, but I would still have to fumble for my glasses and turn on the light to read it. I would suggest bringing a travel alarm that lights up.

[Cavatelli430]

I am packing (we live friday for PR, then on the AOS Sunday 5/27) - I am curious, I know there are not irons and that a pressing service is offered which is great. But, what about alarm clocks? Do the cabin's have them? I thought i read somewhere that there were no alarm clocks but I figured i would check here first.

 

Now onto cash....how much do you suggest brining? I know we will have tip money and what not, but we will probably look into jet skiing and some shopping at the ports. Are credit cards accepted at most shopping locations or is it safe to assume we will need cash on hand?

 

Thanks!

 

There are not alarm clocks in room, but you can set up wake up calls for your room (just like being at a hotel). I've noticed on packing list suggestions to bring a travel alarm clock. We didn't need an alarm except for the last morning because we were set up to be first off the boat. Phone wake up call worked just fine! ;)

We took some cash, split it up between the 2 of us. I don't know about the shops where you will be going, but for example, in Nassau Bahamas, most of the stores in shopping area took credit/debit cards. I had actually purposely left some of our trip cash in my checking acct, so we weren't carrying a ton of cash around, so I used my card at a few places.

If the jet-skiing is a shore excursion through RC they will charge it to your seapass. So you wouldn't have to worry about cash for that.

[pinkrosesdeb]

I keep a small travel alarm in our "cruise" bag. As for money, we always take a LOT of $1 bills for tips. We never seem to have enough. I start putting my $1 aside about a month before we go and then take them all with us. You will be able to get more in the casino though so don't worry. We just always seem to be short and forget to use the casino before we need them. I would always use a card in the islands because of the diffence in currency.

[996turbos]

For room service tips I bring $30.00 in gold US one dollar coins. They are fun to hand out and get a reaction when people think at first the got a couple quarters then see they are gold coins. The staff seems to remember you for it. :) Just part of the fun of cruising for me!

[cb at sea]

Don't tip with "weird" money--the staff won't appreciate it! They like to be able to convert it readily, so they can send it home. Use regular bills.

Bring enough small bills to tip your cab and porter, but bring the rest in large bills--you can change them on the ship--and it's easier and less bulky than bringing all small bills. (You don't want a huge wad of money that's obvious!)

Most larger stores will take credit cards, but the "straw market" type places usually take only cash. Don't try to purchase a $5.00 item with a $100.00 dollar bill! You may get change in "native" money! Take smaller denominations for those purchases. At RCI's private beaches, you really won't need any cash at all. (Unless you plan to buy the native junk they sell) Everything else will go on your credit card/seapass account!)

[VA CDC]

I always get a cash advance on my Sea Pass card at the casino. This is treated as a "purchase" if it is tied to your credit card. Better yet with the RCI card is it provided double points. Just pay it off at the end of the month.

[996turbos]

Since when is the US mint producing weird money??? This is valid US currency. Easy to spend just like folding money. I doubt you speak for "all" of the staff. Cruising is a fun thing. Don't be a wet blanket cb. If I gave the tip in quarters does that qualify as wierd money too? Hey tell ya what, if any weird money floats your way just send it to me. I'll take the time to spend it. Gold US dollars, $2.00 bills, 50 cent coins, you name it, I'll take it. :p

[cb at sea]

Ok, so it's not weird--just not used much. These folks don't need the extra work of changing little-used currency into widely-accepted currency. It may be fun for you, but it's not for them! I've had several friends who worked cruise ships and they don't like trinkets--they like regular folding money, in regular denominations.

[zotzer]

Since when is the US mint producing weird money??? This is valid US currency.

 

Walk up to any vending machine and try using the funky money in it. That's my rule...if a vending machine won't take it, I won't give it. :)

 

No one is going to refuse odd denominations, but if money is just money...why not simply give the "regular" stuff?

 

T

[CruisingCatherine]

Settle down everyone.;)

 

Some people like to do special things for the staff. I am sure that if given as an added tip, the staff would appreciate any additional money. I always tip well (with cash) but sometimes pass out chocolates to the staff. Everyone likes to personalize their own experiences. Don't rain on someone elses parade.

 

If you feel the staff appreciate folding money more. Then by all means pass it out on your next cruise as part of your personalized cruise experience.

[skandls]

Here in the good old USA - if you use a Susan B Anthony or a 2 dollar bill people will look twice. If you are in out of the USA please realize that trying to be 'remembered' can be a hassle for the crew trying to buy a money order to send home.

 

I don't want coins from any foreign (to me) country. So don't dump 'change' while you are in non-US ports.

[FitzLA]

Don't tip with "weird" money--the staff won't appreciate it! They like to be able to convert it readily, so they can send it home. Use regular bills.

Bring enough small bills to tip your cab and porter, but bring the rest in large bills--you can change them on the ship--and it's easier and less bulky than bringing all small bills. (You don't want a huge wad of money that's obvious!)

Most larger stores will take credit cards, but the "straw market" type places usually take only cash. Don't try to purchase a $5.00 item with a $100.00 dollar bill! You may get change in "native" money! Take smaller denominations for those purchases. At RCI's private beaches, you really won't need any cash at all. (Unless you plan to buy the native junk they sell) Everything else will go on your credit card/seapass account!)

 

Since when is the US mint producing weird money??? This is valid US currency. Easy to spend just like folding money. I doubt you speak for "all" of the staff. Cruising is a fun thing. Don't be a wet blanket cb. If I gave the tip in quarters does that qualify as wierd money too? Hey tell ya what, if any weird money floats your way just send it to me. I'll take the time to spend it. Gold US dollars, $2.00 bills, 50 cent coins, you name it, I'll take it. :p

 

Actually, I agree. Don't give coins. When you travel out of the country, they do not accept coins when converting currency. I know that when I travel out of the county, when I try to exchange a coin they do not accept them. And when I return to the U.S. with coins, I can only exchange the paper bills for u.s. currency. Which is why I have so many coins from other countries at home. Could not exchange them. Same in most places. Although it is a nice gesture, it is not pratical. In most cases, they will not be able to exchange it and will only be able to spend it where u.s. currency is accepted. Fine if they spend it in port, but if they take it home to another country abroad, it is useless.

[996turbos]

I would think that changing the money was as easy as going to thier own on board stores. The crew does not have to return home with coins if they don't want to. Some may find it unique or collect coins. I do. Yes we all want our cruise to be special to ourselves. This is certainly better than no tip which also happens by some people. Given the choice, and it's my money to tip,I give out gold coins. No one has ever refused even when used on StMarteen at a street vendor to buy my son a coke. Just my 2 cent-j/k :p

[scubapuss]

I get $100 in 1's and $200 in 5's. That usually lasts for tips.

[Jedimindtrick]

I usually take about $1500 in cash and keep my credit cards open. But we like to gamble. :D I think I came home with $400. But I bought ALOT of crap in the ports and always used cash in the ports.

[Mrsg324]

I carry an old cell phone for an alarm clock that is not activated.

 

We only use cash in ports. I don't feel comfortable with the conversion to US dollars for some reason on credit cards.

[Nliedel]

The wakeup calls are VERY reliable.