questions re cruising RCI

[Jennielo]

HI All,

this is my first time cruising and will be going on the Radiance of the seas.

Just a couple of questions.

 

I have got the drinks package, pre paid gratuities anything I can prepay.

Do you need to carry much in the way of actual cash for anything on the boat.

 

I am cruising from Australia but being an american boat will I need US currency.

 

I am travelling with teenagers

 

Any other hints or advice would be appreciated :)

[Clarea]

The casino requires cash in USD.

Edited January 9, 2014 by clarea

[debbs0723]

I would say, yes, bring extra cash. You have already prepaid gratuities so you are not obligated to pay any extra. That said, some people do leave extra here and there. Also for the luggage porters at the airport and at the cruise terminal. You will also want cash in the ports during excursions, beach trips, etc. You will usually be able to get extra cash on board if you would like as well but we always just travel with it and put it in our safe.

 

Debbie

[HPSOV]

The only thing you need $US cash for is the casino, you can get $US from the cashier there charged to your sea pass card (a small service fee is charged I believe).

 

Being an Australian cruise you won't find anyone expecting any tips, at the end of my cruise on Radiance I tipped the room attendant and waiters a little extra in $US using my leftover casino cash (I'd like to say winnings, but no). And I tipped a couple of the better bar staff when I signed for the bill (didn't have drinks package), although as a result they made my next drink too strong for me to drink, I guess they were trying to be nice though.

 

If this is a South Pacific itinerary the ports you visit will generally accept $AUD or $XPF.

[Jennielo]

thank you great information such lovely and helpful people on here :)

[bchalker]

I would say, yes, bring extra cash. You have already prepaid gratuities so you are not obligated to pay any extra. That said, some people do leave extra here and there. Also for the luggage porters at the airport and at the cruise terminal. You will also want cash in the ports during excursions, beach trips, etc. You will usually be able to get extra cash on board if you would like as well but we always just travel with it and put it in our safe.

 

Debbie

 

Also remember they do charge a fee for getting cash onboard so for us that would be an emergency backup. Try to bring it with you.

[aussielozzie18]

Anything you buy on the Radiance on board is charged to your seapass card during the cruise and you pay it off at the end of the cruise either by credit card or cash. Just remember the charges are in US dollars so everything will be more expensive once the charges are converted.

 

Keep your teens away from the internet on board. It is very expensive.

[goodycruising]

When they ask if you want your seapass charges put on your credit card in your currency or US$, it is usually better to put it on US$ and let your bank do the conversion. RCI have a higher conversion margin generally.

 

Be careful on the first day, or any other time you get asked if you want one of these nice drinks in the special cup. It is not for free, and it is best to ask before they put it in front of you it how much it will be. If you still want it, then fine.

 

When you go to the specialty coffee shop area, the coffee is a charged on your sea pass card, but the biscuits/muffins are free. They don't offer you one, and it took us days to work that out first time! You can ask for a free biscuit without purchasing a coffee too. Always ask how much things are until you get to know. There is no shame in asking, we all had to learn sometime.

 

There is also something you may find, depending on your bank, we are with NAB, and we have been charged 2.3% for a purchase from a foreign company. It is clearly in our terms and conditions. That is on top of the 3 or 4 cents different for the exchange rate compared to what you see on the TV/paper. It depends on your bank's terms and conditions, but we find we use the credit card to put against the sea pass, and then we pay cash that we have purchased from the Post Office before we go. You can check your sea pass account balance on the in-room TV as you go, and if you are unsure, do question any unknown charges at the service desk. We find by having the cash before we go, we know what our budget is, both for the sea pass and the casino! The exchange rate is locked in that way.

 

The drinks in the mini bar, if you have one, are charged as you use them. The mini bar person fills them up roughly daily, and you see them appear on your sea pass account. The mini bar people like to barge in when you are in the shower sometimes too. Put the do not disturb on the outside where your sea pass card goes in.

Edited January 9, 2014 by kjsmith63

[Jennielo]

Thank you for all the advice good to know all the little things they don't tell you about in the brochures. So excited about going on our first cruise and I will definitely be keeping the kids away from the internet lol

[shippmates]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and exciting and addictive world of cruising. Hope you enjoy this as much as we do. Before you leave home, you may want to see if you can find a credit card that does not have a foreign transaction fee. I know the capital one card we use does not charge a foreign transaction fee.

[ssuccow]

For Aussies, 28degrees Card does not charge a fee and their exchange rate is the same as all the other cards. Saves you about 3.3% which can add up with a big bar bill.