[cab1948]

My husband and I have been looking to take a cruise this winter. A few of you have mentioned about added benefits, such as Elite status, for sticking with one cruise line. We've been on Princess, NCL and Carnival....Could you tell me exactly what kind of benefits you receive?

[rjm1cc]

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?

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.

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by cab1948

My husband and I have been looking to take a cruise this winter. A few of you have mentioned about added benefits, such as Elite status, for sticking with one cruise line. We've been on Princess, NCL and Carnival....Could you tell me exactly what kind of benefits you receive?

The benefits are too numerous and diverse to mention in a post, but generally they include express check-in/check-out, free laundry, a gift, wine, on board open bar party, and on and on. Each cruise line is different and awards differently. Some award for days at sea, some for individual cruises, some for both. There are also many levels possible, ranging from just a few to 8 or 10. I would advise you to look into the various cruise line websites to see what they offer. They are under different names, for instance, Royal Caribbean has the Crown and Anchor Club, Carnival has VIFT (Very Important Fun Person), and Princess has it's Captain's Circle. Some of the top level benefits include having dinner with the captain and a free meal at one of the specialty restaurants. The more you sail with a cruise line, the better the benefits will be!

[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.

[duffysmom]

Bare, how exciting to cruise the Med in September. Make sure that you have black slacks, (the wrinkle free material) and you can wear different tops. Actually we've stopped dressing up on cruises to Europe and eat in the Buffet. I know that Europe has gone over to a chip credit card so that can be difficult so it's best to have Euro's. Have you checked out your Roll Call on Cruisecritic.com? Many times people on your particular cruise will have private excursions that you can join. In the Med you can be locked out of ship excursions so best to make a reservation on line. Please let us know all about your trip when you return; I'm sure the doggies will be happy to welcome you home.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

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.

You can also take clothes that are ready to be discarded and that will give you some extra room for what you buy.

[Posh 08]

We have just returned from another Carnival cruise. Still haven't noticed that young rowdy crowd yet but do love the larger cabins. The Ocean Suite this trip was our favorite. One more Carnival booked but our little group of cruise friends are looking at other lines because of some cutbacks.