For New Cruisers - money stuff

[Colorado Kat]

Just a couple of tips for new cruisers.

 

There will be a small safe in your room. To activate it, you need a card with a magnetic stripe. Do not use your credit cards, or anything important. Plan now, and take along your library card, or an expired AAA card, or something similar. I use a used-up grocery store gift card I have. To both open and close the safe every time, you will need this card, so no, you can't store it in the safe. We bury it under some clothes in another drawer.

 

The safe is small, but big enough for passports, wallets, cell phones, small cameras, ipods, etc. Possibly a tiny netbook computer, but I'm not sure on that.

 

I say cell phones - trust me - you do not want the cell phone bill if you use your phone on the cruise. Search the forum for reasons why - there are horror stories - the latest I've heard was $3700.

 

You can check how many charges you've racked up on your sign and sail cards on the tv in your room daily. That way, you can get rid of any erroneous charges, or rein yourself in early. And if something is wrong, do not wait till the last morning of the cruise, the line at the desk will be hours long!

 

Just things new cruisers might not contemplate, but useful info! Kathy

[yogimax]

Try to use a card that you have no other use for. We had one that was totally torn up by the safe.

[Lydia B.]

Good information. I agree about checking your charges on the TV, folks do make mistakes. I also periodically take cash down and pay down my bill, just makes me feel better. I don't like leaving the ship owing money, just me, but it makes me a bit happier. I think the last time I only charged $6.45 or something like that for the last drink.

Also IF you were promised onboard ship credits double check them online too! IF you have a problem you can check with the purser when they aren't so busy.

[patrice1]

Not all ships have online info on your onboard account. I know the Imagination and the Fascination don't and the Miracle's was wrong all week & we had to go to the Purser's Desk periodically to get updates.

As far as the safe goes, I always get a plastic coupon holder - letter size- for all our cruise paperwork and other info, like a tab for passports, excursions, casino $, extra tip $, etc. and the whole thing fits in the safe. It works well for us.