Stateroom Safes

[JoeMGiants]

Is it true that one requires a card with a magnetic strip to operate the stateroom safe on HAL? EG: Credit Card ?
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Mary Ellen]

It will depend upon the ship. Recently on the E'dam, it was a keypad lock. We selected our own combination.

[NetwrkEng]

Not on the HAL ships I've been on. You use a four digit code.

[bishop84]

Is it true that one requires a card with a magnetic strip to operate the stateroom safe on HAL? EG: Credit Card ?
Thanks in advance for your input.

I have not seen the magnetic strip ones on HAL ships. However if you do come across one almost any card with a magnetic strip will work. The last time I used one my library card worked! However your cabin key will not operate the safe.

[RuthC]

IIRC, there's still some ships that use a real key for the safes, too. Then it's necessary to find a place to hide the key.

On those ships that use a magnectic stripe card I use an expired gasoline card, with the number section cut out. Then I hide the card.

[RustaRoo]

I have encountered both types of safe on HAL - key pad and magnetic strip card. The key pad is more convenient IMO since, as RuthC mentioned above, using a card would mean hiding it in the room, particularly if you have a travelling companion who also needs into the safe (and you're not around). I'm just glad they're there.

[jtl513]

Some of the old mag stripe safes are still around on S-class ships. What ship are you on JoeM?

[cruizn2escape]

Anyone know about the Westerdam? Am hoping it is key pad!

[RedmondCruiser]

Anyone know about the Westerdam? Am hoping it is key pad!

The Westerdam has a key pad safe. All S class ships have the magnetic card lock, as does some of the R class ships. The key pad is much more sensible.

[catl331]

It will depend upon the ship. Recently on the E'dam, it was a keypad lock. We selected our own combination.Every time you close and lock the safe you set the combination, and every time you open it you clear it. You could, if you wanted, use a different combination every time - e.g. mmdd.

[mr green]

There is one problem with some key pad safes. On some, if you punch in a wrong number as you lock the safe, you are in trouble, IF YOU CAN'T REMEBER THE NUMBER THAT YOU PUT IN!!! You are only allowed a few tries to open the safe, if it does not open, it may close down for a period of time!!!

john

[jtl513]

There is one problem with some key pad safes. On some, if you punch in a wrong number as you lock the safe, you are in trouble, IF YOU CAN'T REMEBER THE NUMBER THAT YOU PUT IN!!! You are only allowed a few tries to open the safe, if it does not open, it may close down for a period of time!!!

johnThat's why you should look at that last display of the code that you actually entered. However, if you can't recall the code, the Purser's Office can open them using master codes.

I locked myself out of a safe in a Rome hotel once, and a gentleman from the front desk came up to the room with a book of codes and simply looked up the master code for that serial number safe.

[TMWeddle]

Do all HAL ships and all cabins have a safe?

[jtl513]

Do all HAL ships and all cabins have a safe?Yes. And on the Eurodam some of them are large enough to hold an average laptop computer. Those on all other ships won't.

[Copper10-8]

Pretty sure this is the way it looks right now (pending drydock changes)

Prinsendam: Actual key (might have been changed by now)

"S" Class: Mag strip

"R" Class: Mag strip or Combo Lock

Vistas: Combo Lock

Eurodam: Combo Lock

[Steviewonder1]

I have used both. One issue with keypad safe's is that they can be picked. There is a spray that can be put on the keys, after they are wiped down, that when you punch in the numbers, leaves a nearly invisible touch indication. The combo is 4 digits. The likely keys you have pressed are the only 4 in the combo, less if you double up numbers. I came back to my room last year found the safe open, but nothing aparantly missing, until we counted the money pouch. Missing $250.00 I now use a take along safe with stout wire mesh in the pouch and a locking strap to secure it to the sink's drain pipe. I keep the key. You cannot get a finger into the hole at the top with the steel cord latched. I trust the card swipe safe's only.

Good Safe Keeping your things.

[jtl513]

The likely keys you have pressed are the only 4 in the combo, less if you double up numbers.According to post #11 the safe goes into "hide mode" after a few false entries, so a thief would have to be lucky to hit the right code in the first few of 24 possibilities. Just a suggestion: touch every key once before you close the door and enter a final code, thwarting any "touch detection spray".

[Krazy Kruizers]

On the Statendam we had one of those (looked like the old room key) cards to open and close the safe.

No codes -- no regular magetic card.

[jtl513]

On the Statendam we had one of those (looked like the old room key) cards to open and close the safe.

No codes -- no regular magetic card.
You mean a plastic card with a bunch of holes punched in it? We had one of those once too, but I don't remember which ship. Veendam maybe?

[Copper10-8]

I have used both. One issue with keypad safe's is that they can be picked. There is a spray that can be put on the keys, after they are wiped down, that when you punch in the numbers, leaves a nearly invisible touch indication. The combo is 4 digits. The likely keys you have pressed are the only 4 in the combo, less if you double up numbers. I came back to my room last year found the safe open, but nothing aparantly missing, until we counted the money pouch. Missing $250.00 I now use a take along safe with stout wire mesh in the pouch and a locking strap to secure it to the sink's drain pipe. I keep the key. You cannot get a finger into the hole at the top with the steel cord latched. I trust the card swipe safe's only.

Good Safe Keeping your things.

Very interested in that incident. Can I ask you what cruise line that occured on and if their onboard security staff conducted an investigation?

Not only is that a more advanced method of getting into a safe, it is time consuming (locating the correct four digit combo) and not without risk because the crook has to still gain access to the victim's cabin/state room without being caught

[RuthC]

On some, if you punch in a wrong number as you lock the safe, you are in trouble, IF YOU CAN'T REMEBER THE NUMBER THAT YOU PUT IN!!!

That's why you should look at that last display of the code that you actually entered.
The safe on the E-dam flashed the code number for several seconds after I pressed the "lock" button.
I actually thought it was too long, as I got sick of standing there watching to be sure it went out before I closed the closet door.

[RuthC]

And on the Eurodam some of them are large enough to hold an average laptop computer. Those on all other ships won't.
Right you are, John. I was shocked to see the size of the safe in my E-dam cabin. It was the first time my safe was large enough to hold my jewelry case.
Oh, and this was in a J-category inside, so I expect all the E-dam cabins have the larger safe.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You mean a plastic card with a bunch of holes punched in it? We had one of those once too, but I don't remember which ship. Veendam maybe?

Yes -- one of those cards. It was on the Statendam.

On the Veendam we used an old AAA magnetic card.

[sklja]

anyone know which type of safe is on the Noordam-HAL?
Key or card swipe?
thanks
sklja

[PennyAgain]

Remember when you are departing the ship to really check the safe. Use a flashlight. Some of the safes are in positions that make it hard to see if something is left behind.

Do not use black or dark jewelry or other cases in the safe.

My husband thought (and believed) he had lost something and it was stuck in the safe.

Double and triple check!

[bishop84]

anyone know which type of safe is on the Noordam-HAL?
Key or card swipe?
thanks
sklja

They are key pad safes requiring a 4 digit number

[kenish]

Our outside cabin on Zaandam's LP deck had the mag stripe safes. Since someone asked about laptops and the size of the safes, I ran a test. My small tablet-style PC (about 13"x8") did not fit.

I'd question traveling with anything valuable enough to require a safe....leave it home if possible and add to your relaxation on the trip!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Remember when you are departing the ship to really check the safe. Use a flashlight. Some of the safes are in positions that make it hard to see if something is left behind.

Do not use black or dark jewelry or other cases in the safe.

My husband thought (and believed) he had lost something and it was stuck in the safe.

Double and triple check!

Oh so true -- on one of the ships we found a small black jewelry box tucked into the corner -- dark -- could hardly see it.

[Opinions]

I'd question traveling with anything valuable enough to require a safe....leave it home if possible and add to your relaxation on the trip!

I consider my passport valuable enough to require a safe!

[Copper10-8]

Pic of the new and much larger combo closet safe on Eurodam

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_8774.jpg?t=1218068307

[Juanita462]

Thanks for the excellent tips on safes onboard ships. Never would have thought of touching every keypad before setting the code to deter theft. Our son has those coded locks on his doors - must tell him about the spray to detect a code.

I wonder if sealing money in an envelope would deter a thief?
It would be interesting to hear what happened when the $250 theft was discovered and reported.

As for jewellery - having done so much volunteer work in third world countries I learned to leave my valuables at home. I only travel with my wedding band and a few pieces of cubic zirconia for a little dress up on formal nights.

I have always left my digital camera in a drawer - has anyone ever had theirs stolen onboard ship?

[Copper10-8]

Theft onboard HAL ships is NOT a problem. Yes, there will be opportunists so use commons sense! Use those safes, make sure you lock your door behind you and don't leave valuables out in the open so EVERYONE walking by your cabin when you have your door open can see the "mother of all valuables" laying on your desk, your table and whatever else is visible from an open door from the corridor.

I have no explanation about what happened to Stevie Wonder's $250. Yes, safe combo's can be picked but not by amateurs. I didn't hear Stevie tell us that his safe was without a doubt opened and his money removed by someone using this spray he's referring to. That's why I asked about the investigation hopefully having been conducted after the discovery. I've been a cop for 28 1/2 years, including time in detectives investigating property crimes, and I've never come across any safe jobs where the crook(s) got in using some sort of spray which lead him/them to succesfully locate the safe's combo. Btw, on a ship that would mean two separate trips into that cabin, once to the apply the spray and once to come back in to figure out the combo (not counting the fact that there are several possible combo's of "four" available. in other words,. how does the crook know what sequence is used?)

I somehow don't think that there are a lot of HAL crew and/or passengers walking around on the dam ships with little spraybottles in their pockets looking for cabins and safes to get into. Regardless, everyone's gotta do what makes them feel safe (no pun intended;) ), If that means wiping down the combo buttons on your safe on a daily basis, hey, go for it, just use common sense!

[cf_chuck]

not counting the fact that there are several possible combo's of "four" available. in other words,. how does the crook know what sequence is used

24 different combos.

[Copper10-8]

24 different combos.

I just knew someone would figure that one out, thanks Chuck!;)

[ssminnow]

mr howell kept his money in his brief case.

[pipedreams62]

http://www.nancyricaschiff.com/media/book/Safe_Cracker.jpg