First cruise, what's the best to bring..

[lilyfrog73]

This is DH and my first cruise. What is best to bring: cash, trav. checks? We are not big credit card users (if you can't pay now, then you don't need it). Can we make a deposit on our account and get back what we don't spend at the end of the cruise?

[Big Al B.]

You should have enough cash in small bills for things like tipping room service and the baggage handlers. (Only place you can use cash on ship besides the casino). You can put down a certain amount of cash on your account as part of boarding. I am sure that if you have any left, it will be refunded. If you plan to spend money on any excursions and don't want to use credit or ATM cards, I would take traveler's checks and cash some on the ship before debarking. Try to have smaller bills because often if the stores take US dollars, they will still give change in local currency.

[mrsfuzzmo]

Yes, you can put cash down for your onboard account, but it usually is a minimum amount of $250.00. So be sure if that is the way you want to go, that you have enough cash. We always use our credit card for our onboard account because we don't want to deal with the lines and hassle on the last day trying to square everything away. Plan on having extra time to deal with the accounting at the pursers desk if you go the cash route. It just makes it easier to use the credit card and then just pay for it when we get home.

 

That being said, cash works fine, as do travelers checks (though I never use them....hassle again to me). So, basically any form of money works, as long as you have enough of it!!!

[vmom]

If you have a credit card, the easiest way to handle you ship board account is with a credit card. When you get to the ship they will issue you a card about the size of a credit card (often called a sea pass) that is also you room key. You can use it like a credit card to cover your ship expenses. If you have it linked to your credit card, they automatically charge you credit card at the end of the cruise. if you don't then at the end of the cruise you will need to pay the bill with your traveler's checks or cash...and it can add up to alot after you consider tips. (allow at least $10/per person/day).

 

 

We use our credit card for our sea pass account and bring cash for expenses before and after the cruise and at each port. We found it easier to use cash at port, but traveler's checks will work also. Bring alot of small bills for tips.

[kenphy]

If you have a credit card, the easiest way to handle you ship board account is with a credit card. When you get to the ship they will issue you a card about the size of a credit card (often called a sea pass) that is also you room key. You can use it like a credit card to cover your ship expenses. If you have it linked to your credit card, they automatically charge you credit card at the end of the cruise. if you don't then at the end of the cruise you will need to pay the bill with your traveler's checks or cash...and it can add up to alot after you consider tips. (allow at least $10/per person/day). We use our credit card for our sea pass account and bring cash for expenses before and after the cruise and at each port. We found it easier to use cash at port, but traveler's checks will work also. Bring alot of small bills for tips.

 

Usually, the ship puts a hold on your debit (or credit) account for about $60/person/day, to ensure they will get paid, but they settle right away. If you don't have a debit card (linked to your checking account) you should get one, makes life a lot easier, and you don't have to consider spending more than you have (because it won't let you!)

[Gabsabunch42]

This is DH and my first cruise. What is best to bring: cash, trav. checks? We are not big credit card users (if you can't pay now, then you don't need it). Can we make a deposit on our account and get back what we don't spend at the end of the cruise?

Just to add, yes you will get back a check on the last day for whatever you don't spend. We did not take any travelers checks. When deciding how much to take, remember that you may want to purchase photographs, gifts, and drinks, soda or soda cards, port exursions. And of course as already stated here, don't forget about the auto-tips. We used cash for the casino, bingo (we could have charged that to S&S card if we wanted to). You will need some cash to tip the terminal baggage porters (if you choose to), maybe to slip extra tips to room steward, bar wait staff, etc. We also took cash for stuff at ports like souveniers, taxis, souveniers, rentals (snorkel stuff, etc.). Hope this helps! Have a great cruise!

[lilyfrog73]

:) Thanks for all your responses. This really helped. We do have a debit card with our checking and wasn't sure we could use it the same way. That was a big help. We plan on pre-booking our excursions so they are out of the way and taking cash for ports. This being our first cruise, we want to ensure we bring more than enough to enjoy ourselves

[lilyfrog73]

:) Thanks for all your responses. This really helped. We do have a debit card with our checking and wasn't sure we could use it the same way. That was a big help. We plan on pre-booking our excursions so they are out of the way and taking cash for ports. This being our first cruise, we want to ensure we bring more than enough to enjoy ourselves

 

Of course extra cash for tips. My DH and I are usually generous in this aspect as long as service is par. Thanks again everyone!