How many times a day do you have to pull out your Cruise Card?

[TravelinGert]

I have a clear hard plastic card holder that will mount on a lanyard or on one of those badge clips with the reel from work I was planning to use. I hadn't really thought about looking like a conventioneer. More thinking it would feel just like work where everything is based on a card we swipe. It is just like the one on the right with the side opening, which makes it very easy to slide your card in and out.

 

 

I can see not wishing to wear a lanyard as not everyone is comfortable with a long cord dangling round their neck. I don't know why a clip and reel wouldn't be fine, though?

 

I often make do with just a miniature camera bag on my belt, even just for shopping. I don't have to worry about hanging on to my handbag while shopping. Who needs more than a tissue, some ID, a credit card, and their phone anyway? I can even fit a bandaid, a first aid cream single, an individually wrapped insect repellant wipe, my favorite lipstick, and a hair tie in there if need be and still have hands free! I was rather looking forward to hauling even less around on the cruise, though. That way I'll always have one hand free for my drink, and the other free for holding on to my Sweet Baboo's hand. :o

[mr walker]

Maybe this is an Australian thing, but get a lanyard without the plastic sleeve at the end, get a hole punched in your card and then you won't need to worry about taking it out of a wallet/sleeve or anything like that. It's so much easier!

 

This :) - maybe it is an Aussie thing :D

[Cookiecookie]

All my family used lanyards on Oasis in August was so easy and never had to remove it to use it. We took them on board with us much cheaper than the ones sold on board.

[shipshape sam]

...and on the topic of "how" to carry it, I haven't seen many folks using a lanyard but that doesn't mean it's not a great option.

 

I use a lanyard and tie it around a 'D' ring in my cargo shorts pocket and keep in my pocket. Then pull out and never lose it. I punch a hole in card to attach to lanyard.

 

Most people complain about lanyards because they are forced to use them at work. Never worked where I have had to have a lanyard around my neck, so at least for me, it is a nice way to keep track of my card. At cabin, just pull out of pocket, slide in door, remove and typically just drop card allowing it to hang at my side while I carry stuff into cabin. Again, not losing it by setting it down somewhere. It is always with me.

 

A little off target. Also, it is never a problem to to show or get on/off ship with. Sometimes, I do have to remove to purchase something, but small inconvenience compared to losing INHO.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I use an old name tag holder from a conference. [i have 2 since DH went, too]. It is clear plastic and on a blue bead type necklace. I usually wear it under my shirt [but sometimes over during the day. At night I carry a small evening bag.

 

The clear plastic allows me to check out pool towels and getting sodas [i buy a unlimited soda card] without removing the card. It is very convenient.

[bigque]

I always have my video camera with me in a case around my waist as I am always taking pictures and shooting videos so I usually keep it in there if I happen not to have that at the time then I just have it in my pocket or wallet.

[jndsilver31]

I use a lanyard only on the ship. I dont mind looking like someone at a convention. But when leaving the ship I put my card in my front pocket.

I also never take me wallet, take what travel cards I need and put them in the front pocket of my pants. Harder for a pick-pocket to stick his hands in your front pocket (something I learned in the Navy)

[DonnaK]

I generally keep the Sea Pass in my pocket. If the shorts/pants I am wearing do not have a pocket, then I put my Sea Pass in my husband's pocket. I also have a very small wristlet that I use for the family's Sea Passes and DLs when we are off the ship.

 

I wouldn't wear a lanyard.

[springfire]

We use lanyards from home, easiest for us!

[OCruisers]

We need a place for our stuff we always want to carry around with us so my smallish purse works. On cruise ships we call it "our" purse. :D

 

LuLu

~~~~

[FLACRUISER99]

Your photo is attached to your card... so when it is swiped they can see you are the person who that card belongs too... I just leave mine in my pocket. I don't carry anything on the ship except my card... and maybe a few bucks for (extra) tips. :)

I believe your photo is in the ships computer and not on your card. When going on & off the ship the bar code is scanned and not the stripe, the magnetic stripe is only used for the locks such as your stateroom, DL, or CL.

[latnballer]

Has anyone had an issue with lettering coming off the cards? Mine started to when it interacted with the sunblock. Almost had an issue getting back on the ship from a port since part of my name was coming off.

[FLACRUISER99]

Has anyone had an issue with lettering coming off the cards? Mine started to when it interacted with the sunblock. Almost had an issue getting back on the ship from a port since part of my name was coming off.

Yes but it was a replacment made on the ship. I got it too close to my Ipad.:eek:

[Clarea]

Has anyone had an issue with lettering coming off the cards? Mine started to when it interacted with the sunblock. Almost had an issue getting back on the ship from a port since part of my name was coming off.

We found that rubbing alcohol will remove the lettering.

[lady_cruiser]

How often and for what reasons do you have to present your card on a typical basis (asks the soon-to-be-first-time cruiser)?

 

It seems clear that you have to use your card to enter your stateroom, board or leave the ship, and get a drink from the bar...but what else?

 

I'm curious as I've seen a lot of discussion about lanyard vs wallet vs purse vs etc - but how I might carry the card would be heavily influenced by how often I might need to actually use it.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic. On a typical day you will use it, as you already stated, to enter your stateroom and when in port to leave and reboard the ship. But we seldom use it in the casino (we don't care for the points) and we do not buy a drink every day nor do we buy something in the onboard shops everyday.

 

So if you will be like use, you won't be using your card that much.

[Trekker954]

Often enough that its a PITA to have to pull it out of a wallet (which I rarely carry). So we've resorted to the lanyard, although I really hate that especially when I'm wearing a cute outfit. We'll go down to customer service and have them punch the card. But I save the cards as souveniers and the hole is ugly, so then I resorted to use the seapass holder that Celebrity gives their concierge/agua guests and I liked that for a while because I could even hold my casino money in there and cropped down compass but that was even more noticeable that half the time I use my Allure inaugural lanyard and at night stick it in a pocket.

[TEXASMUNK]

Obviously, getting onboard, getting off at every port, getting back at every port...

Average day.....

Consierge....wife, cappochino

Spa..wife

bloody Mary....me

Bucket of beer...wife and me

Pina Colada me

Strawberry D wife

perfume wife

jewelry wife

Consierge evening drinks

Martini...me

Martini...me

Martini...me

Martini...me

[hazeleyez3]

My husband and I both keep ours in our pockets.

 

Reasons (for us) to take it out:

• Getting on and off the ship
  
• Muster Drill
  
• Opening the door
  
• Concierge lounge the couple times we have had access to it
  
• Coffees in Café Latitudes
  
• Rum and cokes or beers at night
  

 

When we were on the Oasis we took it out for the shows but just having it in our pocket was fine

[dstein]

Thanks, everyone for your comments - they are very much appreciated! (I'm the OP.)

 

One final question re: stateroom doors. Is the door opened via a proximity pad or do you actually have to swipe your card through a slot or insert into the door lock as is typical with most hotels?

 

I'm leaning to simply carrying in my pocket or perhaps in the camera case. My preferred method for my ID card at work is a belt clip with retractable cord. That works great with our door proximity sensors but wouldn't be as convenient if you have to swipe the card through a slot or insert into door lock.

[Doug S]

Thanks, everyone for your comments - they are very much appreciated! (I'm the OP.)

 

One final question re: stateroom doors. Is the door opened via a proximity pad or do you actually have to swipe your card through a slot or insert into the door lock as is typical with most hotels?

 

I'm leaning to simply carrying in my pocket or perhaps in the camera case. My preferred method for my ID card at work is a belt clip with retractable cord. That works great with our door proximity sensors but wouldn't be as convenient if you have to swipe the card through a slot or insert into door lock.

 

Inserts like a hotel door.

[Trekker954]

obviously, getting onboard, getting off at every port, getting back at every port...

Average day.....

Consierge....wife, cappochino

spa..wife

bloody mary....me

bucket of beer...wife and me

pina colada me

strawberry d wife

perfume wife

jewelry wife

consierge evening drinks

martini...me

martini...me

martini...me

martini...me

 

 

love this response. Made me smile:)

[Trekker954]

Thanks, everyone for your comments - they are very much appreciated! (I'm the OP.)

 

One final question re: stateroom doors. Is the door opened via a proximity pad or do you actually have to swipe your card through a slot or insert into the door lock as is typical with most hotels?

 

I'm leaning to simply carrying in my pocket or perhaps in the camera case. My preferred method for my ID card at work is a belt clip with retractable cord. That works great with our door proximity sensors but wouldn't be as convenient if you have to swipe the card through a slot or insert into door lock.

 

 

And one other thing I don't think was mentioned, like hotel keys, DO NOT PUT IT NEXT TO NEXT TO YOUR CELL PHONE. Even when I think I haven't put it next to my cell, it demagnetizes. and sometimes that walk all the way to your cabin and your can't get in until you take a very long walk to Customer Service and so on. ugh

[msjaxson]

Maybe this is an Australian thing, but get a lanyard without the plastic sleeve at the end, get a hole punched in your card and then you won't need to worry about taking it out of a wallet/sleeve or anything like that. It's so much easier!

 

Thats what i do ...love it ....

[msjaxson]

Often enough that its a PITA to have to pull it out of a wallet (which I rarely carry). So we've resorted to the lanyard, although I really hate that especially when I'm wearing a cute outfit. We'll go down to customer service and have them punch the card. But I save the cards as souveniers and the hole is ugly, so then I resorted to use the seapass holder that Celebrity gives their concierge/agua guests and I liked that for a while because I could even hold my casino money in there and cropped down compass but that was even more noticeable that half the time I use my Allure inaugural lanyard and at night stick it in a pocket.

 

I have a dressy crystallized one for nite ...and my ne patriots for day LOL

[redlobster]

14 times a day while cruising