MATHA531

Although not quite as far down the road as Sweden, Denmark is well on the way towards becoming a cashless society. Credit cards will be accepted, as a matter of fact almost required, for most everything. You can get some krona from ATM's using your debit card but it is becoming more of a hassle to use cash in these advanced societies.

English sim cards are by far the easiest to acquire and use by Americans one of the reasons being, of course, the language. They have varying policies which might or might not appeal to you. You might wish to do a little research on their web sites (Vodafone, o2, ee, three) just add .co.uk to the name. All have plans that bring calls to the USA from Britain to dirt cheap, and I mean dirt cheap, levels. However, once you leave Britain, you will pay an arm and a leg, well perhaps just an arm to call North America. You can also get data. There is a good chance if you have an I phone or a smart android phone that it is already unlocked. You can also easily purchase an inexpensive phone on ebay that is unlocked. I got a plan from Vodafone.co.uk where for a 30 day period and a top up of £10 I got data and then got an extra which made calls from Britain to North America 2p/minute. Go for it.

Different countries have different laws of course. But this illustrates one difference, a big one, between credit and debit cards. If a debit card account gets compromised, actual money leaves your account, your outstanding checks might turn to rubber and you might have to wait to get restitution although you probably will. In the USA, laws have been passed that for the most part extend the same protections to debit cards as credit cards but then again you might have to wait to get your money back. With credit cards, at least in the USA, usually the procedure when your card is compromised is they ask you what transactions are fraudulent, they are immediately removed from the account without a great deal of hassle and a new card issued. Of course if you're leaving on holiday in a day or two, that could be a problem. The biggest problem, though, at least for me is informing the merchants who automatically debit my account to pay my utility bills of the new number. It is for this reason that unless absolutely necessary, I am loathe to use debit cards in lieu of credit cards.

As far as notifying card issuers of travel, that seems to be a mixed bag. I do with some banks, they tell me thank you very much and then tell me this is no guarantee their fraud department will not pick up suspicious charges. One bank even told me not to bother for the same reason. I am not saying you shouldn't notify the card issuing bank but I wonder how much good it really does.

You will find your need for cash in the UK while not yet on the level of Sweden is getting there. I was in the UK for a week last June and never once paid cash for anything and believe me for the most part I don't wine and dine in fancy places. Perhaps cash for a couple of pints in a pub but for health reasons, I no longer drink unfortunately or fortunately as the case may be. One might need cash for street vendors (not that I would ever eat from a street vendor but that's me), pubs for drinks and well I can't think of much else. Only way to travel and whatever the exchange rate is it is. Always make sure any credit card you use has the proper foreign transaction fee i.e. 0% like in zero percent Anything more is a rip off.

Almost all merchants in touristy type areas will take credit cards; street vendors might not. The euro is the currency in Germany, Estonia, and Finland so it doesn't hurt to have some euro with you; however ATM's are plentiful and you can always use your debit or ATM card to pull out some euro if required although you should check with your bank as to fees. It hardly pays to withdraw €20 if your bank charges a $5 fee for the withdrawal plus possibly a foreign transaction fee.

As far as Denmark, the official currency is the Danish kroner but euro are widely accepted. You will be at the mercy of whatever exchange rate the merchant wants to use and again of course in touristy areas, acceptance of credit cards is pretty much universal.

Now Sweden is in the process of doing away with the use of cash. For the record, the official currency is the Swedish Kroner, a completely different currency than Denmark although they both have the same way (just like the currencies of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are all called dollars). You will find, believe it or not, that in Sweden, the use of cash is frowned upon and they will expect you to pay with a card for a cup of coffee so I wouldn't bother with Swedish kroner.

Russia? For the most part few people do St. Petersburg on their own an usually are on some kind of a tour where they will take you to stores which will take cards and/or euro or US dollars of British pounds.

After Brexit, perhaps the only place Americans will be able to travel across the pond will be Great Britain.

Most merchants are prepared to accept US cards but if you want to use your card in an unattended machine, it is a good idea to ask your credit card company for a pin. When you use your pin for a purchase the credit card company will recognize that this is a charge and not a cash advance. I have done this successfully in Barcelona, London, and Paris without any problems.

We discussed that up above. There is no harm in requesting a pin so I will not say not to. In most cases, US credit cards will work in unattended kiosks and the like and will not ask for the pin. With other banks, the terminal will ask for the pin but that is simply a decision of the individual bank. There may even be some times, few and far between, where despite the fact you have a pin because of the way your bank programmed its chip, you will be out of luck. However, it is not a necessity to have a pin. There are about 3 banks in the USA that issue pin preferred credit cards which will almost always ask for a pin. However, they are small out of the way federal credit unions. It is unnecessary to stress yourself about pins. More importantly is to get a card with no foreign transaction fee and the best rewards program you can find.

Estonia's currency is the euro.

Just out of curiosity as I do not understand the logic but why would anybody not want to use a credit card for a small purchase; especially when travelling outside your home country where if, and I know it might be a somewhat large if, the card one is using has a proper (0%) foreign transaction fee.

What's very frustrating about the credit card situation is that there's no 100% answer. In 2015, your Rotterdam experience rejected a card without a PIN. In the same year, buying tickets in a London Tube station, we successfully used our credit card without providing a PIN. Based on what people share -- that credit cards without PINS at unmanned locations won't work -- we should not have been successful in London. And yet we were.

 

 

As an aside, the card I used actually has a PIN; I know it and I was prepared to use it in the Tube station. However, the transaction went through without asking for my PIN which suggests I could have used a credit card that didn't have a PIN.

Every emv compliant card has a hierarchy of credit validation methods (cvm's) programmed into the chip. Separate ones for purchases and advances. Every terminal goes down the list of cvm's till it finds one that works. If your bank placed no cvm on a higher level than pin since London tfl terminals accept no cvm, it wouldn't reach pin and hence will accept your card without asking for the pin. The Dutch National Railways have been notorious for not accepting cards lacking pins. Again, there is no one answer fits all. In general, today, chip and signature cards will work almost universally where credit cards are accepted but the point is really moot as there are very few US banks that issue pin preferred cards for purchases so why look for something that doesn't exist. It is far more important to make sure you use a credit card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee than to worry if the card makes provisions for the use of pins.

If you shop in Europe, won't they ask for a pin? If you don't have a pin, the merchant may not sell you the item. In the USA, what you say is true. However, I'm thinking of the Baltic countries. I would not expect to use the pin in the US.

Not so. When the merchant runs your card, in almost all cases of USA cards at the choice of the American banks, the primary cvm is signature. A message will flash on the terminal signature required or its equivalent in the local language, a slip will be printed, the merchant will probably have to hunt around for a pen, you will sign, the merchant may or may not compare the signature on the card with the signature on the slip (although much more likely to do so than in the USA where signatures are hardly ever checked anymore) and you'll be on the way. The merchant, according to mastercard/visa regulations does not have the discretion to refuse to complete the transaction because you don't have a pin. I will not state unequivocally it will NEVER happen but it is exceedingly rare. (This was becoming a problem in the era before the USA banks started issuing emv compliant cards although it never became widespread). There is no need to worry. It is highly highly unlikely you will have a problem if your card does not default to pin transactions for purchases. There are only 3 financial institutions in the USA I know of issuing pin preferred cards which will default to pins and they are small out of the way federal credit unions. Trust me. It is almost never going to present a problem no matter what others claim.

Generally any bank that issues you a credit card with a chip in it will also issue you a PIN code. They intend it for use in ATMs for cash advances, but the same PIN works fine for credit transactions internationally. You just need to contact your bank to request one, and then you won't have to worry about whether you can use your card.

Not quite true. Yes your bank will almost always issue you a pin upon request. In many if not most cases, that pin will only be asked for when trying to make a cash advance either at an ATM or perhaps in a bank branch which in general although not always is not a good idea.

However, with most USA issued credit cards for purchases, the pin will be worthless. The terminal, based on the programming of the chip for what is called the card verification method (cvm) will not ask for a pin or recognize a pin. It can get somewhat more complicated than that as there indeed are different kinds of pins which it is not worth going through here. In general, almost all USA issued credit card today will have emv chips but will be what the industry calls signature preferred. A few of these, very few, may have pin capabilities for kiosks and things like that but according to current mc/visa rules, it is not within the agreement not to honor a valid card just because it lacks pins for cvm's for purchases. While one might run into a few kiosks which will insist on a pin, these are few and far between.

But if it makes you feel better to have a pin, by all means ask your bank. In almost all cases, it will never be requested.

I hear that in Europe, they prefer a CC with a chip & code. I have CCs with chips but no codes. Will I be able to use those cards?

The overwhelming majority of the time the answer is yes, your card will work. Every so often, you will come across an unattended kiosk type set up where the card will not be accepted. Such places are few and far between but exist. If it's any consolation, it is against visa and mc policy not to accept a valid card lacking ability to use a pin but there's nothing one can do about such things but again it's very rare these days.

As with so much else, there is no "best". Also to come up with the best solution, one would have to know where one's home is. Assuming the OP is in the United States, well as the song goes, the times they are a-changing. For example, on most T Mobile USA plans, you can get roaming in Europe with calls 20¢/minute, unlimited texts and unlimited data albeit slow. T Mobile has run in the past promotions where data speed can be 4g although more likely 3g but now they charge for the higher speeds although for competitive reasons they may in the future offer higher speeds for data. Some of the other carriers in the USA have plans not quite as good but far better than the days of asininely high prices for roaming outside the USA. If one's current carrier does not have reasonable plans, there are always local sims and it depends on just what one is looking for. Excellent android phones are available for a little over $100 which will enable you to deal with local sims and get whatever data plan a carrier might have. Also be aware the eu is eliminating roaming charges within Europe which should be in place after next June 2017 so a local sim bought in Italy will provide service elsewhere within the eu (although calls out of the eu will unfortunately be very expensive to make up for this).

Oh and if 20¢/minute is too much, one can use internet calling on many plans with modern inexpensive smartphones and there's always wifi in hotels and restaurants throughout Europe.

The industry is in such a state of flux that really any advice one gets about what is so today may be totally outdated in a couple of months. Best advice to start is to check with your carrier.

Yes, it really is all about how much luggage you have isn't it? I'm determined to keep it to one backpack and one medium rolling bag for each of us. The issue with cruises is formal nights. I can get away with a dress that takes very little luggage space, but my husband wears a suit. And then there's the dress shoes. We might have to skip formal night this time.<sigh>

 

On our first cruise I spent more time doing laundry than I cared to because I insisted on packing light. The second one, we took so much that we needed a large rolling duffle in addition to our regular bags. I would never try to get on public transportation with that much luggage.

 

However, even one rolling bag can be too much if the subway/underground/tube or other form of commuter transport is packed. So then it becomes a matter of timing to avoid the rush hours.

No arguments from me but everybody has to deal with their own set of circumstances. Taking the tube out of Heathrow is not a problem. The line starts there and the carriages do have a little space here and there for luggage but no overhead racks or stuff like that.

As far as formal night, to me it is an oxford button down shirt a tie and no jeans. I can also stuff a sports jacket in my luggage and voila. Formal night. Others of course might not feel the same way and really get dressed up. I will never criticize anybody who feels differently of course.

I should take the underground from Heathrow to Victoria (you will have to change but that's easy, I should do it at South Kensington) and the National Express bus from Victoria to Southampton.

As always, it comes down to how much baggage and whether you can handle it. I always get a laugh when somebody uses the phrase cruise luggage. I pack for a cruise the same way I pack for any holiday trying as much as possible to minimize what I take so have no problem transporting my luggage between various means of transport; whether it be the coach or the train or to the cruise terminal from arrival in Southampton.

If you have no problem with your baggage, the tube out of Heathrow is not a terrible way to go. To get to Victoria, your best bet is change from the Picadilly line train at Hammersmith to the District line train which almost always will go to Victoria. It's a simple across the platform change, no stairs, no escalators, no lifts. Get off the middle track and walk across to the tracks against the wall. Hex to Paddington requires either an underground trip or taxi and ultimately there isn't very much time saved although the carriages are a tad more conducive to baggage but the tickets are expensive whereas using the tube can be part of a zone 1-6 travel card and you're finished with paying after another modest fare for sightseeing for the rest of that day.

But again, how much luggage do you have and can you negotiate whatever with it.

Okay. Several years ago, I did a cruise out of Dover, read through the internet postings and got a fare of £1 from Victoria Coach Station to Dover. Will be cruising out of Southampton in June and have no problem with National Express and will look out for special fare but here's the question.

When we got to Dover, the coach driver for a fiver each volunteered to take us to the port. Certainly worth it but the fact this was sometimes although unofficially available on arrival in Dover, I can't find here or elsewhere any indication this happens in Southampton. Anybody have any ideas although if I have to taxi from the bus terminal to the port, that's not a problem.

There have been articles that Sweden for sure and somewhat less so Denmark are becoming no cash societies. Want a coffee in Stockholm? Credit card please. There's some thought Sweden will no longer be printing currency. Denmark, like I said, is not there yet. At the Wasa Museum, customers are given coins for the checking lockers and I presume toilets are free. St. Petersburg as noted is a completely different situation if you are on an arranged tour; you will not need Russian currency most likely except perhaps at the included lunches in a restaurant if you want anything to drink. Souvenir shops, a left over from the Soviet era, want western currency (USD, Euro, GBP (at least in the past before Brexit)). Other places on most Baltic cruises are in euroland and ATM's will be readilly available.

The change at Barons Court or Hammersmith is a simple across the platform, no stairs, escalators or anything. Off one train onto the other right across. The change from the District line train to the Jubilee line is, as I remember, simple with hardly any stairs or corridors. Think there are escalators from the sub surface district line platform to the much deeper Jubilee line. Personally, I would go that way.

If you're doing Paddington Express and then cab, you might as well look into a car service directly from Heathrow to your hotel. It will probably come out cheaper and more comfy.

It is a standard excursion offered by many of the cruise lines. Each cruise line in port that day gets an allotment of cars. They pick you up at the ship exit on a shuttle bus and drop you at a siding and direct you to your car. Express to San Pietro station which is about a 12 minute walk from the vatican downhill for part of the way. When you arrive at the vatican they give you a spiel of what you can do (many pre-reserve vatican tours and the like) direct you to one of the hoho bus shops (where that cruise line gets a comision of coure) or you can purchase a different line's hoho from a different vendor (I wanted the red one and to use a credit card; the one we were directed to was the green one and only took cash). On our excursion they told you to come back to the spot they were given you the speech by 1645 for the walk back to the station or you were free to walk on your own to the station. The HOHO bus stop for the Vatican is another 15 minute walk across the river. You then meet back at that spot and are supposed to walk you back to the train station.

Meanwhile back at the port, and I'm not trying to sell you on this, you have to wait for a shuttle bus not to the station in the port city but 10 minutes walking away, deal with buying your tickets (no problem) and getting on a train where you don't have to get off at St. Peter's but can continue to the central station for a fraction of the cost. You then do your own thing.

Now the fragility sort of involving the cruise line excursion was driven home to us by an unfortunate incident on the Vista cruise I took this past June. After spending the whole day bopping around Rome, I finished early and decided to make my way back to St. Peter station; part of this walk is a bit up an incline, not terrible but if you have some walking difficulties it can be a bit slow; at least it was for me.

At the appointed time, the guide came up to a few of us waiting to tell us there had been an unfortunate incident on the traain route back to the port and we would not be taking the train back. Instead we waited and finally Carnival arranged some buses which took us back to the ship. We met several people who had decided to do it on their own and they were told tough noogies or something to that effect although the ship did wait for them as somehow they got back to the ship. I will say, you will have to decide if it's worth the extra money which is quite a bit but it might be worth the peace of mind.

The US banks, with the exception of two small federal credit unions, have decided basically that setting up the infrastruture to support pins on the new chipped cards would be more expensive than their losses due to card fraud with lost or stolen cards. Almost every US issued credit card will require a signature when used at a retail location. The credit card networks have pressured European vendors to accept what is called no cvm at kiosks and automated gas pumps and the like. No cvm means no pin allowed. There may be a few instances, very few, where kiosks and ticketing machines have not been properly programmed in accordance with these regulations but chip and signature cards will work 99.9% of the time everywhere credit cards are taken including automated kiosks and the like.

Norwegian has changed what you can bring on-board :mad: This change was made about 4-5 months ago. Per Norwegian's policy "Passenger is not allowed to bring on board the vessel any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of any kind including water, soda and juices etc.

I was not a happy camper when they made this change! On my last cruise with Norwegian Jan 9th 2016 I was able to bring Water & Soda.

Has anyone recently taken any water or soda on a Norwegian cruise.

I wonder how well they check the bags out of Tampa?

Russ :cool:

They probably do the soda part at the behest of pepsi because of the overwhelming number of Norwegian passngers like me who prefer coke products and that cuts into their revenue and pepsi's revenue, obviously. :o :mad:

I've always believed Carnival is a step above Norwegian; especially when it comes to food especially food in the mdr. Norwegian was the first to get rid of once night of the cruise lobster tails in the mdr first for the buffet and then gone, unless you pay a supplement in the mdr, gone forever from rhe included venjes. It always seemed to me that the game at Norwegian was to get as many people as possible into the optional supplemental pay restaurants. (Of course in the interests of full disclosure, I hate pepsi products and much prefer coke products and I am trying not to let that influence my preference). On my vista cruise this past June, formal night included lobster tails in the mdr and while I don't use it, Norwegian was the first to charge for room service except for continental breakfast while I think, although am not sure, that Carnival still doesn't charge for it. However I was very disappointed that they built vista without a proper large theatre.

It is interesting though. I have never cruised Royal Caribean and always considered them a step above Carnival and Norwegian and have been researching a cruise next early June before school ends and I have to deal with hordes of kids but have seen very mixed reviews of service on the Independence of the Seas cruise out of Southampton I am interested in and would say at least from what I have read, Royal Caribean has gone a long way downhill. But I can't vouch for that personally.

...but carrying them around onto the ship or fitting them in your bag may be mre trouble than it's worth.

It's something, and with all due respect to anybody who feels differently than I do. I bring two or three empty water bottles or how many I might need and fill them with water from the bathroom and put them in the fridge in my cabin. The water on every ship I've ever been on is quite good and very very safe to drink. It's the same thing we have in NYC. There are a lot of bad things you can say about NYC but tap water is NYC is pure and no different in the slightest from bottled water. Now I know I'm not talking about a lot of money but what a pain to shlep around bottles of water. At least, that's the way I feel.

Everything on a Carnival ship is priced in US currency. If is says a drink is $5, your credit card at the end of the trip (you will have an account that everything is charged to) will be charged $5. Now if you are not from the US, that is if your credit card is in a different currency, your credit card company will convert to your currency. There are no options to do otherwise on the ship.