MONEY: Most ports of call will take U.S. dollars when purchasing goods and services abroad.  A few will require you to use the local currency. No need to worry about changing your money for the Caribbean islands. Changing money from one currency to another does not cost you anything.  Depending on where you get the money changed at.   It is a good idea to have a few dollars of the local currency of the country that you first fly into.  This way if you can not find a place to exchange your money, you’ll have enough local currency to eat or if you need a taxie,etc.There are probably banks in your hometown that will exchange your currency for the desired currency. Usually a Federal Reserve Bank. 

SPENDING  MONEY: Once you are on the ship you will have an on board ship credit card which you will use to charge your drinks,purchases in the gift shops and your shore excursions. This will be placed on your credit card,such as a Master Card or Visa automatically when you leave the ship to go home. This card is also your id for getting back on the ship and in some cases the card is also your stateroom key. There are a few things most people do not budget for when taking a cruise.  Here is a list of a few items that you may not have planned for. Photos/Videos:The onboard video or photo department will be snapping pictures and shooting videos that you will want to buy.  Just put it in you budget now so it won’t drive you crazy during the cruise.   Average price per picture is $7.00 and $25.00 for a  video of your cruise.

SHORE EXCURSIONS: A great way to see the Ports Of Call in the limited time you’ll have on your cruise is on an organized shore excursion offered by the cruise line.

LUGGAGE:It is a good idea to pack complete outfits in different bags instead of packing one bag full of pants, another bag full of shirts, etc.  This way if you loose a bag, you will at least have a few complete outfits to make it through a few days. It is a good idea to use clothing that you can mix and match. Do not over pack. Remember that you will probably buy something to take home, so leave some room. Perhaps put a full suitcase inside a larger suitcase or pack an empty, soft carry-on bag.  Most airlines now only allow 50Lbs per bag,max. 2 bags and one carry on. They will charge you $25.00 additional to take a bag that is over 50Lbs. Expect your luggage to be tossed around. Any bags that show signs of stress should not be used. And do not pack any glass or pottery items in your luggage. The last night of the cruise you will probably be asked to have your luggage outside your cabin door. This is to expedite disembarking the luggage. Remember, before putting your luggage outside your cabin door the last night of the cruise, to leave out a complete set of clothes to wear off the ship for traveling home and anything else you will need in the morning like pills and toiletries. After you place your luggage outside your cabin door, you will not be able to retrieve your luggage until you exit the ship and go through customs. This could take several hours so plan for it. Remember to bring a carry-on. You will need it the last morning of the cruise for any break-able items, prescription drugs, valuables and  toiletries.

PASSPORT and VISA: Most places throughout the world will require you to have proper documentation, a passport and perhaps an entry visa. It could take you months to get the paper work needed to board a vessel. Check with your travel agent and ask them what you need to bring with you ,in the way of proper documentation. As of Jan.1,2007 You will need a Passport to go to Bermuda,Caribbean and South America. As of Jan.1,2008 You will need a Passport to enter the USA from any outside destination. A photo drivers license and one other Id such as your orginal birth certificate. (No copies) can also be used as a secondary ID.

U.S. CUSTOMES: When returning to the USA after your cruise, you will probably have to go through United States Customs.  This can sometimes frustrate the most easy going person on the planet because it can sometimes take hours.  As you probably know, U.S. Custom Agents are trying to protect U.S. Citizens against people entering the United States with illegal or dangerous items.  So they have amazing search and seizure powers and they will use these awesome search and seizure powers whenever they feel they should.  They also use trained dogs to sniff luggage at many ports.  Depending on the number of custom agents and the number of passengers, the time involved for everyone to disembark could take a few hours.
BUT,in USA ports things go rather fast as they do this every week and they know what they are looking for. So be patient! 

U.S. Customs also collect money from people returning to the United States with purchases that exceed the duty free shopping limit.  You are allowed to purchase a limited amount of goods “Duty Free or Tax Free”.  Once you go over your limit, you will have to pay a tax to U.S. Customs.  The limit may vary depending on where you are going, so check with the cruise line if you plan to buy lots of stuff. This will be discussed during your cruise.

TIPPING:  Most service personnel onboard cruise ships make a tiny salary and generate most of their income from passenger gratuities or tips.  There are fairly standard tipping guidelines among most cruise lines.  During your cruise, the cruise director usually has what is called a disembarkation talk.  During that talk, they should go over the suggested tipping guidelines for your particular ship. Here are the industry standard guidelines for tipping, but please remember, tipping should be based on service.  If your service personnel did a fine job you should probably use the industry standard guidelines.  Depending on service, you may want to tip more or less. 

Waiter:  $3.50 per passenger - per day

Busboy:  $1.75 per passenger - per day

Cabin Steward:  $3.50 per passenger – per day

Bar Drinks: Usually 15% is added to your bar bill.  If you found that a particular bar staff employee gave you extra good service, it really makes their week if you give them a couple extra bucks the last night of the cruise.

Head Waiter: Some cruises the headwaiters really can add to your cruise experience.  If they make special treats for you at your table or if you think they deserve a gratuity, a suggestion is $1.00 per passenger – per day.

BON VOYAGE

*SEE packing list for more info on packing. Left hand side of page under "MORE INFO".