Quote:
Originally Posted by Barefoot
I do have a couple of (probably stupid) questions for experienced cruisers. We're taking a Mediterranean cruise next Saturday with Holland America (Ryndam). It's only our second cruise.
As far as money goes, are Travellers Cheques easily cashed on board ship? Or do we need to take Euros in cash? Are North American Visa cards readily accepted in Spain and Italy, and on board ship?
There will be two formal nights and the rest are "classy casual". Does this mean I need to pack 12 different outfits just for dinner? Or do experienced cruisers wear the same thing on several different occasions?
We haven't booked any shore excursions yet. We usually avoid long bus trips, and we don't like the feeling of being "herded around". When we cruised Venice and Greece, we took a couple of excursions but mainly we just hung out ourselves, which was easy to do in the Greek Islands and in Venice. From reading the Message Boards about our current cruise, it seems that most people have booked excursions well ahead for every single port. Are we best to book in advance or "wing it" when we are on the cruise?
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I would call Holland America and ask. Generally US money is accepted on land so you may be able to use dollars.
Credit card chip is a good question. No matter what you are told the local merchant might not take it. My daughter had the problem this summer. Credit Card co in US said no problem not having a chip but local non chain shops would not take it. My guess is that they are liable for stolen cards and do not want the risk. She used an ATM to get local cash as needed. Also automated ticket machines etc required the chip or local cash.
Try searching on
Cruise Critic Message Boards. You can look at ships and ports.
Formal night. What won't fit in one suite case forget. I would mix and match but take as little luggage as you can.
To be a little more series on the suite cases I would take one per person that was to be checked and one per person to carry on. The reason is that suite cases get lost so make sure you can survive with your carry on. Also don't pack all your stuff in your bag and your spouses in the other . Mix and match. We have never lost a bad going to the ship but have coming home. Also can not remember a cruise where I did not meet someone with a lost bag.
I tend to book excursions ahead of time much easier and avoid the sold out. I would do it ASAP. If you are not sure that you will want to go on one on a given day then I can see waiting and picking from what is left. When we are doing repeat cruises we tend not to book ahead but for the first time to a new area we generally book every port in advance.