Couple of last minute questions...

[Hawkeye75]

Well we are heading out this Sunday and can't wait!!! Just have a couple of questions before it's too late.

 

1. There's really no need for cash on board since everthing that can be charged will be linked to our credit card but I'd rather not bring lots of cash for when we dock to the Islands and I'm not a big fan of traveler's cheques. Is there a bank machine on board the ship? Does it accept Canadian Debit Cards?

 

2. Any need to make reservations for some of the restaurants like Portfinos? If so when should the reservations be made?

 

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance?

 

Thanks for all the advice I've received all up to this point...you guys are great.

[Sue L]

Well we are heading out this Sunday and can't wait!!! Just have a couple of questions before it's too late.

 

1. There's really no need for cash on board since everthing that can be charged will be linked to our credit card but I'd rather not bring lots of cash for when we dock to the Islands and I'm not a big fan of traveler's cheques. Is there a bank machine on board the ship? Does it accept Canadian Debit Cards? The Atm machine has a $$ charge, just go to the casino and you can get cash, no fees and it will just be charged to the credit card you used for your seapass

 

2. Any need to make reservations for some of the restaurants like Portfinos? If so when should the reservations be made? Yes, would advise doing this as soon as you board, make it a priority so you get the day and time you want. They will have the regular dining room menus there so you can decide which night is best.

 

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance? Again you should make spa appointments as soon as you board

 

Thanks for all the advice I've received all up to this point...you guys are great.

 

Have a wonderful wedding and a wonderful cruise and don't blame us when you are as addicted to cruising as the rest of us were.

 

 

Sue

[cruisecrazymama]

Well we are heading out this Sunday and can't wait!!! Just have a couple of questions before it's too late.

 

1. There's really no need for cash on board since everthing that can be charged will be linked to our credit card but I'd rather not bring lots of cash for when we dock to the Islands and I'm not a big fan of traveler's cheques. Is there a bank machine on board the ship? Does it accept Canadian Debit Cards?

 

2. Any need to make reservations for some of the restaurants like Portfinos? If so when should the reservations be made?

 

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance?

 

Thanks for all the advice I've received all up to this point...you guys are great.

 

I can't help with the first question, as we never use the ATM.

The second and third I can answer.

You will need reservations for both the smassage, and the specialty resturants. The best time to do this is as soon as you get onboard Sunday.

Enjoy your cruise and you new life together!

[chitowngoose]

1. Is there a bank machine on board the ship? Does it accept Canadian Debit Cards?

2. Any need to make reservations for some of the restaurants like Portfinos? If so when should the reservations be made?

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance?

 

1. yes. Probably takes your card if it's tied to one of the main companies, like Cirrus or MoneyPlus, etc

 

2. Make them asap once you are on board (after spa appts.). There will be annoucements for this as well. It's good to have some idea of which nights you are interested in depending on your excursion schedule, or other activities.

 

3. The first thing you should do (before Portifinos) is go to the spa for your reservations. Cannot be made until on board.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Well we are heading out this Sunday and can't wait!!! Just have a couple of questions before it's too late.

 

1. There's really no need for cash on board since everthing that can be charged will be linked to our credit card but I'd rather not bring lots of cash for when we dock to the Islands and I'm not a big fan of traveler's cheques. Is there a bank machine on board the ship? Does it accept Canadian Debit Cards?

 

2. Any need to make reservations for some of the restaurants like Portfinos? If so when should the reservations be made?

 

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance?

 

Thanks for all the advice I've received all up to this point...you guys are great.

 

1. You can get cash from the Casino (when they are open and they are closed while in port) and you won't have to pay extra, it will just appear as a regular charge on your seapass. If they ask, yes you are going to play :D If you want to use the ATM do it early on, they usually run out of cash, and be prepared to pay a fee - $5-10, not really sure what it is these days.

 

2. If you want to eat in the specialty restaurants, book the day you board. You can either visit the restaurant or call from your cabin.

 

3. See # 2, just change the venue :)

 

Hope this helps and have a wonderful vacation!!

 

###

[JanineM]

Congratulations and Best Wishes, fellow Canuck! We live right by the Port, and have sailed Mariner twice ourselves. She is a beautiful ship. The weather is clear and crisp here in Florida; but the crisp part is relative (around 26C today).

 

You will not need cash on the ship, and I used little cash on the islands. Most places accept credit cards. There are ATMs on the ships, and you can also get cash in the casino from your Seapass. (There are safes in the staterooms, so you can leave extra cash there as necessary.)

 

Does your card have a Visa logo, or is it a regular debit card? I have a BoM debit card that does NOT have a Visa logo, so it is not accepted as a debit card in stores except in Canada. However, you can use the non-Visa debit cards in ATMs.

 

You can make reservations in Chops and Portofinos after you board. We usually drop our carry ons in the stateroom, then immediately head up to the Windjammer for lunch. Portofinos and Chops are right at the entrance to the Windjammer, so you can stop in either or both and make your reservation as soon as you board. If you don't head upstairs to eat, then you can telephone from your stateroom as soon as you board. Both restaurants do get booked up, so stop by and make a reservation soon. If you are unsure of which night you want to eat in the restaurant, talk to the maitre d', they can tell you about the cuisine in the dining room on different nights. I'm allergic to shellfish, so we always go to Chops on lobster night.

 

Can't help you with the massage, but I have heard that the beauty salon gets booked up early, so it might be worthwhile to stop by the spa on the first day and ask about reservations. The spa folks also have a table set up in the Promenade mall area on the first afternoon and evening, so you could speak to them at that time.

 

Hope you have a WONDERFUL time!!!

[aqhacruiser]

Well we are heading out this Sunday and can't wait!!! Just have a couple of questions before it's too late.

 

1. There's really no need for cash on board since everthing that can be charged will be linked to our credit card but I'd rather not bring lots of cash for when we dock to the Islands and I'm not a big fan of traveler's cheques. Is there a bank machine on board the ship? Does it accept Canadian Debit Cards?

 

2. Any need to make reservations for some of the restaurants like Portfinos? If so when should the reservations be made?

 

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance?

 

Thanks for all the advice I've received all up to this point...you guys are great.

 

Not sure what ship you are on but I was on the Explorer last week. A couple we sat with at dinner went to guest relations to see if there was a ATM machine but were told where one was located in the port we were in which was Bermuda so they had to run to several different ones in King's Wharf before they found one that worked. So I do not know if there will be an ATM on your ship. If you want to go to Portifino's it's suggested you make a reservation when you board, for the night and time you wish to go. Also it's suggested the same for spa appointments, do it when you get on the ship so you get the time and day you want. The casino does accept cash don't forget and you can take cash out at the casino on your seapass/ credit card to a certain limit everyday. There are also safes in the rooms you can lock your cash in. I learned in Bermuda that they do not take Discover as it's considered a U.S. card only, so bring visa's, mastercard's. Enjoy your cruise and have a wonderful honeymoon! :)

[whitsmom]

Hey Hawkeye75: We are on the same cruise. We have a very active Roll Call board and have 72 signed up for our Meet & Mingle. I just now finished packing. Can't wait :D .

[seamour]

 

3. Me and my new bride want to get a couples massage at the spa...again any need for reservations and how far in advance?

 

Thanks for all the advice I've received all up to this point...you guys are great.

 

you already got your questions answered, I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS, eh ? And have a wonderful cruise !

[Hawkeye75]

Thanks for all the help guys...I think that pretty much answers all my questions! ...and to those of you who are are boarding the Mariner this Sunday, maybe we'll bumb into each other. ;)

 

Thanks again everybody!