Sailing one week from TODAY! 1st time cruiser - any tips???

[tiggersgrl]

Any tips for a first time cruiser? We're sailing on the Wind (Hawaii 10 days) on November 3rd. We can't figure out how much cash to have on hand - hate to make "charge it to the room" a common phrase ...:o

[shoreguy]

Any tips for a first time cruiser? We're sailing on the Wind (Hawaii 10 days) on November 3rd. We can't figure out how much cash to have on hand - hate to make "charge it to the room" a common phrase ...:o

 

It will be a common phrase - the ship is a cashless world. All expenses onboard are charged using you sail and sign card. You can use cash to pay the account down.

 

Your need for cash is in fact limited. While on shore you can use it but a charge card is easier and safer. Bring some $1 and $5 tips to roomservice or someone that goes the extra mile. The bulk of your tipping is addded to that same onboard account and shared by the crew.

[MikeandAmy]

We took traveler's checks along to be safe and put a cash deposit down for our onboard credit. We had no problems doing this and the reception desk was able to cash our traveler's checks for when we needed it :rolleyes: .

[johnql]

The previous posters are correct. The majority of your onboard purchases can only be charged to your shipboard account. Cash will not be accepted. One of the major exceptions to this rule is gambling in the casino, where cash is readily accepted. But even there you can, if you choose or need to do so, charge chips to your account.

[miss-riss]

Hi MikeandAmy:

 

I have a question for you. We are going to probably do the same thing as you did---we don't own any credit cards--don't like them, don't want them. How much cash did you need to put on the account when you arrived on the ship? I was going to just use my check card, but I read somewhere that they hold the money on it, which may cause a problem for future purchases etc. I think it's like a preauthorization, which your bank holds for a certain period, and once they put they actual charge through, it could cause problems because the preauth is still be held. I think that's how it works.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Clair