[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by rjm1cc

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.

Thanks for the info, and to those who PMed me. It's a great idea to mix and match clothes when packing! I will take Euros and US $s for tips. I can pay our ship charges by credit card. An extra suitcase will cost me $200, so thanks for reminding me that no-one cares what I wear.