Couple of questions from a first timer....

[jsol1979]

Ok, I am going on my first cruise ever in April of next year. I have a couple of questions that I am not totally sure about!! Just looking for some clarification from all you great constant cruisers!

 

I have given my deposit to a TA and will pay the balance in January. At this time, I believe I can go to the RCI website and fill out my cruise documents so when they send them to me (30 or so days before the cruise), they will already be done. Is that what people are calling the Set Sail Pass?? Or is that something completely different?

 

Also, for the Sea Pass card, is that something that you just set up when you get on the ship, or can you prepay on it? I plan on using my tax return money for all of our spending money, so do I just bring the cash on the ship and they will apply it to the card? Or is it better to use a credit card and then just use the cash to pay the card down afterwards? And if you put money down on the Sea Pass card, and you don't spend that much, how do they give your balance back to you?

 

One last question about excursions? If you were to go through RCI (which is what we might do in Belize to get the Aerial Trek and Cave Tubing option), I assume its better to book beforehand to ensure a spot, and so that would just go on a credit card, and they charge you immediately? The other excursions we will probably book through independent agencies which I know are totally different. The excursions booked through RCI would not be able to be charged to your room unless you booked when you got on the ship, I assume, or you can't pay RCI with a check for an excursion ahead of time?

 

I appreciate any help in these matters, I just want to make sure that I am clear on these items, to try and have everything go as smoothly as possible!!

[knothead]

Set sail pass is the personal info that will be printed in your docs, but your actual set sail pass will not print until your final payment has been posted.

 

I have done my sea pass card both ways. You can take cash to pursers desk to set up your account. If you are due a refund at the end they pay you back in cash. But I find it is easier to let them bill your CC and just keep your cash back and pay your CC bill when it comes in. If you have trouble saving cash back I would go with the first option.

 

Excursions pre-booked thru RCCL are charged directed at that time to your CC. If you want chage to go to your sea pass card you will have to wait until after you board to book.

[Michuck]

It's really much simpler to use a credit card. If you spend more than the cash you put down, you'll have to go to the Purser's Desk to add more (could be a line). Also, if you are due a refund, you'll have to stand on line again either the last nite or the morning of disembarkation, and those lines can be very long. If you need cash while onboard (for the casino, tips, in ports), you can go to the casino cashier and take cash out against your credit card and there is no cash advance charge. The charge goes on it just like a normal purchase, and is 'lumped' in with all your other onboard charges. Excursions booked in advance are charged immediately to your credit card at time of booking, but excursions booked once onboard are charged to your sea pass account.

 

Have a wonderful first cruise!!! You'll be hooked after that!! If you plan on another cruise following this one, and if you book onboard, you'll receive a discount. Even if you change the dates or ships, as long as the name doesn't change, the discount will follow to the new reservation. A great way to save a few dollars (this will also be charged to your sea pass account). If you cancel the newly booked cruise, your deposit will be refunded (of course, you need to cancel outside the penalty periods).

 

Michele

[Aliann]

Have a wonderful 1st cruise... it won't be your last!

[jsol1979]

Thank you for all your quick replies, they are very helpful!! Sounds like using the credit card would be the best option and then just pay it off with the money that has been saved. And thank you for the warm wishes for the first cruise, I know we are going to love it, and are hoping we aren't seasick at all and then we can plan to get married on the next cruise!

[clyde1818]

I know you haven't asked for any yet, but here is a little advice for you. IF you can afford it, travel to the port city the day BEFORE you sail. That way you won't have to worry about if the plane has any delays or lost luggage or whatever. And that way you can get up early and just take a quick cab ride to the port. And I have found that getting to the city the day before we sail gets us into the "vacation" frame of mind that we ALL deserve. Have fun.

[jsol1979]

already have the hotel booked for the day before, just waiting for the flights to become available!!! I have read so many of these threads with so many great tips and that is one that I have definitely taken to heart. Now I just have to make that all important packing list - ;) . Thank you very much for the tip though, it is appreciated!!

[QuitMyDayJob]

This will be our first time on RCCI and I'm a little confused about the excursions, so I want to be sure I understand: if you book/reserve your excursions now, say for a December cruise they will charge your cc now? When I look at RCCI's website it seems to suggest that only Alaska cruises are available to prepay for excursions. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding.

 

Any clarification would help. Thanks!!

[wrp96]

You can book excursions now for December cruises. In the last two weeks, they opened up a bunch of new excursions for my December cruise. Now if your cruise is farther out, they might not have all the excursions available.

 

If you book now, they will automatically be charged to your credit card. But you can still cancel until up to 24 hours before the excursions and get your full money back.

[QuitMyDayJob]

Wow, that was fast!! Thanks. If they're charging my credit card now, then I'm prepaying it. And that's what I prefer. Thanks for clearing this up. I guess I'm a little dense!!

 

Now...time to start narrowing down the shore excursion decisions!!

[fishoutofwater]

I am new to sailing with RCCl but I have sailed several times before. Go to the Belize thread to check out of of the reveiws for cave tubing. We just did that in September and went with a private person. It was much more than we expected for less than half the cost. You can see my review and who I went with. We also got an extra cave. I really think you would enjoy it.