Re: First-timer on cruise heading to St. Thomas and Tortola

[asmolen]

Hi, everyone.

 

I'm heading out of Miami on Saturday, May 6th for a 1-week cruise to St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Bahamas. This is my first cruise. I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could suggest:

 

1. How much cash I should bring with me for the week?

2. What are some must-have items to bring with me from home?

 

Thanks so much!

Amanda

[mdsgu]

You won't need any cash onboard -- everything is charged to your room card. As far as the islands go, cash is usually king, but you can use your credit card in all but the most rudimentary shops (notify your card issuer that you will be using it out of the country). We usually take $100 ashore at each port for little souvenirs in the markets and tips. If you are planning on using a taxi for anything, I'd take an extra $100. Have small bills because very few people can make change.

 

Don't forget your sunscreen. If you buy it onboard, it will be triple or quadruple the price you'd pay at Walgreen's. Pack your clothes and then remove half of them. You won't need shampoo or soap; it is provided. Pack a small power strip because there are so few outlets in the rooms (you may also need an extension cord).

[asmolen]

Got it! I know we're planning to venture around the islands so we'll need money for transportation. I read online a few weeks ago to bring small bills to the islands. I just wasn't sure exactly how much to bring.

 

Good to know about the outlets! I wouldn't have thought of that. Excellent packing advice. Thank you!

[TSUmom]

If you are going to be on the Escape head on over to the Roll call boards - we have a large group planning many activities...

[asmolen]

Thanks! I just joined the Roll Call a few minutes ago. :D

[DMH15]

Best cruise advice:

 

Take half the clothes you planned and twice as much money.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[snownow]

Drink? If so bring ones along. It is nice to tip your bartenders.... and Service gets sooo much better :)

 

We normally bring a couple of hundred for the port stops, all depends on if your taking excursions from the ship or going it on your own.

 

What to bring

Sunscreen, bug spray, Magnetic hooks (for the bathroom, walls are metal, and gives you a place to hang a travel bag or wet stuff), small Bluetooth travel speaker if you hang out in your room much,

[mcmomny]

I always pack plastic zip lock bags to put the wet bathing suits in before packing to go home.

 

A back pack or small beach bag to carry things when in port, you might want to bring your bathing suit in case you find a beach, the ship will provide beach towels for you.

 

The other good thing about a power strip is this way you plug all of your electronics in one place so it is less likely to forget one!

 

Have fun and please report back how your trip was!

[Coastalbreezes]

Do bring cash if you plan on spending any time in the casino. Slot machines only take bills and if you charge to your cabin there will be a 3% convenience fee charged as well. If you take cash from the ATM on board, you will be charged $5.50 fee plus whatever your bank charges for using a foreign ATM and that can add up.

 

Tracy

[beerman2]

The pack and then take out 1/2 of what you packed is Soooo true.

 

We don't do excursions but usually still plan/budget $100.00 a day.

 

For 7 day cruise take around $1,000.00. Money doesn't spoil you can always take it home . Look at it as a down payment on next vacation. 😂

[beerman2]

Hi, everyone.

 

I'm heading out of Miami on Saturday, May 6th for a 1-week cruise to St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Bahamas. This is my first cruise. I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could suggest:

 

1. How much cash I should bring with me for the week?

2. What are some must-have items to bring with me from home?

 

Thanks so much!

Amanda

It's a little pricey , but the excursion to Jost Van Dyke through NCL was fantastic. It's about a 45 minute Catamaran ride over and back with 3 hrs on the beach . Home of the Soggy Dollar Bar and their famous Painkillers.

 

You can see multiple islands on the trip.

[asmolen]

Drink? If so bring ones along. It is nice to tip your bartenders.... and Service gets sooo much better :)

 

We normally bring a couple of hundred for the port stops, all depends on if your taking excursions from the ship or going it on your own.

 

What to bring

Sunscreen, bug spray, Magnetic hooks (for the bathroom, walls are metal, and gives you a place to hang a travel bag or wet stuff), small Bluetooth travel speaker if you hang out in your room much,

 

Yes, we drink. We purchased the drink package, thankfully. Are there no hooks in the bathrooms already? Thanks for the tip! That will come in handy, for sure!

[asmolen]

I always pack plastic zip lock bags to put the wet bathing suits in before packing to go home.

 

A back pack or small beach bag to carry things when in port, you might want to bring your bathing suit in case you find a beach, the ship will provide beach towels for you.

 

The other good thing about a power strip is this way you plug all of your electronics in one place so it is less likely to forget one!

 

Have fun and please report back how your trip was!

 

I would not have thought about a zip lock bag for wet bathings suits. Thanks!

 

Ohhh, sounds like we'll be bringing a power strip along. I'm pretty good at doing room checks before leaving to go home from a vacation, but my mom can be a little more forgetful. Thank you!

[asmolen]

Do bring cash if you plan on spending any time in the casino. Slot machines only take bills and if you charge to your cabin there will be a 3% convenience fee charged as well. If you take cash from the ATM on board, you will be charged $5.50 fee plus whatever your bank charges for using a foreign ATM and that can add up.

 

Tracy

 

Man, they really get you with the convenience charges. No wonder cash is always king. I'll be sure to swing by my bank before leaving on the cruise. Thank you so much for the tip!

[asmolen]

The pack and then take out 1/2 of what you packed is Soooo true.

 

We don't do excursions but usually still plan/budget $100.00 a day.

 

For 7 day cruise take around $1,000.00. Money doesn't spoil you can always take it home . Look at it as a down payment on next vacation. 😂

 

Perfect! I was planning on about $1,000 just to be safe. We don't gamble and have the drink package, but we're planning on excursions through the islands. Whatever we don't spend can certainly go towards our next vacation. Thank you!

[asmolen]

It's a little pricey , but the excursion to Jost Van Dyke through NCL was fantastic. It's about a 45 minute Catamaran ride over and back with 3 hrs on the beach . Home of the Soggy Dollar Bar and their famous Painkillers.

 

You can see multiple islands on the trip.

 

Yum, painkillers! Thank you for the tip! We might have to check this out. I love catamarans. Thanks!

[moonbmn53]

I take heavy duty magnets with clips on the bottom with me. I use them to put the Freestyle Daily (listing of all daily activities) on the wall as well as any information I want to be reminded of. That way I don't have to find where I put it among all my stuff. I also use the magnets to hang my hats.

[shortyp333]

It's a little pricey , but the excursion to Jost Van Dyke through NCL was fantastic. It's about a 45 minute Catamaran ride over and back with 3 hrs on the beach . Home of the Soggy Dollar Bar and their famous Painkillers.

 

You can see multiple islands on the trip.

 

:hearteyes:Just got off Escape Saturday: HIGHLY recommend Jost Van Dyke catamaran Rebel Yell excursion. It is one of the most beautiful island I've ever visited...equal to Hawaii and Christmas Islands for me. (DISCLAIMER: My opinion only.) Make sure you head over to Ivan's (Kenny Chesney's favorite bar!) once you are there as well as Soggy Dollar. Ivan's is on the rocky walkway to your right..it IS rocky so wear shoes or you won't be able to make it no matter how tough your feet are. Favorite part of our cruise was Jost Van Dyke and the sunsets from our cabin...and the food...and the District Pourhouse...and...:)