Been a bit since we have been aboard a ship...boarding one tomorrow...have a couple of questions

[txflood33]

Hello all

 

It's been about 7 years since we have been on a cruise...some due to finances, some job situations, some vacation time needed for other events, and a lot of Covid time.

 

Regardless, we are back. Currently sitting in a Vancouver hotel to board the Eclipse tomorrow, bound for Hawaii. This is our first trans(any ocean) and first trip to Hawaii. We followed advice learned from here...split clothes up between bags in case one is lost, use airtags in the bags to help locate (bags did not get lost...woohoo), flew in early to Vancouver to ensure we don't miss the boat...would’ve done anyway just to check out the city. Negative Covid test in hand.

 

So here are a few things I don't remember...when we get to the boat, they take our checked bags(checked as in checking an airline bag) and those are brought to our cabin later. We also have 2 carry on bags and 2 backpacks. Will X take all of the bags, sans the backpacks, and deliver later, or just the larger bags? If they take just the larger bags, will we have reasonably immediate access to out cabin to drop off the carry ons? I ask, simply to figure out what I may want to keep with me in my backpack in case the bags are delayed for whatever reason.

 

Second question regarding table games in the casino. I'm pretty sure I can lay cash down on any table and get chips...can I use my seapass card and just pay the bill at the end of the trip? I believe, if memory serves, there is a surcharge added. How much cash does one bring aboard for 5 consecutive sea days?

 

Much thanks and happy sailing

[Arizona Wildcat]

They will take whatever you check at the pier.  After u board you can go directly to your cabin and drop off your carryon stuff.

 

How much cash?  Only place to use it is in the casino so depends on you.  You can use OBC for promo chips that must be both bet and lost.  You get regular chops for any winnings 

[Northern Aurora]

Keep your carryon bags with you and once you board you can go directly to your stateroom to drop them off and put your valuables in your stateroom safe.  As much as possible of the check in process is now more streamlined than you will remember (ie a photo your express pass is taken with an I-pad).  You will pick up your stateroom keys from the mail slot outside the stateroom door.  While your stateroom may not be totally prepared you can deliver your carryon bags.  

[Bill Miller]

Sounds like a great cruise. I'm jealous. Keep us informed and let us know how your cruise goes.

[CNSfromHI]

6 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

Keep your carryon bags with you and once you board you can go directly to your stateroom to drop them off and put your valuables in your stateroom safe.  As much as possible of the check in process is now more streamlined than you will remember (ie a photo your express pass is taken with an I-pad).  You will pick up your stateroom keys from the mail slot outside the stateroom door.  While your stateroom may not be totally prepared you can deliver your carryon bags.  

☝️ This.

 

You can use your SeaPass card in the casino. I don't think there's a surcharge, but I just plunked cash (U.S. bills) into a few slots while onboard.

 

As far as how much cash to bring, only you can answer that based on how often/much you might tip, if you want to use cash in the casino (I think you need to exchange cash for some sort of "casino card"), etc. We brought $500 in cash because we had zero clue; probably returned home with more than half of that.

 

Hope you have a blast!

 

cjr

[Jldevlin]

We board with you tomorrow .... Once you get on the ship you go right to your room to get your room cards and you can drop your stuff there and then head out to do your muster drill. Which is so  much simpler now, you will be directed to where it is for your location and you are done!!!! It is going to be a beautiful sail away !!!!

[horseymike]

Have a great cruise 🚢

[39august]

You can also use any OBC in the casino. Just ask the cashier. And you don't have to lose the promotional chips  as someone posted. If you win, you keep it. No problem. 

[quickpick]

Just off Millenium last week. I used the new Celebrity app to do the check-in beforehand. You basically enter all those information that they would ask when you were standing in the check-in counter in the past. You can even take the photo through the app. You will need to book an embarking time slot. The app will have the digital boarding pass ready for you as well.  

 

If you do all those through the app, when you arrive at the terminal at the booked time slot, they would find and verify all the necessary information, and without much delay, direct you to embark with your boarding pass in your app. The process is very fast now if you do the check-in beforehand.

 

Depending on the time you embark, your room may or may not be available. They will let you know. If room is not available, people would usually go to the ocean view cafe to eat something while waiting. You will find your sea pass in the mail slot of your room now, instead of giving to you at the check-in. Your checked-in luggage should arrive outside your room by the sailing time.

[quickpick]

 

In the casino, you can use your sea pass to withdraw money to play, if you win, they pay you back as cash in the cashier.

 

For the slot machine, you can just tab your sea pass to play. It will ask you how much to withdraw. I do not see any surcharge in my account.

However, if you use your sea pass in the table, they will charge you 5% surcharge.

 

One of the tricks I get is that you can use the sea pass in the slot machine to withdraw money first. After playing, or even not playing, cash out from the slot machine. It will print you a ticket. You can then use this ticket to exchange cash from the cashier or chips in the table. No surcharge.

 

This is my experience in the ship I got off last week. Not sure if it applies to all ships. Or Celebrity would change the policy eventually. But if you want to use your sea pass to play and want to avoid surcharge, try the above trick.

 

There is also an ATM machine there. Never use it. Not sure about the surcharge on this. 

[txflood33]

great info....much appreciated 

[IslaSarah]

I'm always careful to at least bring medications, camera, laptop (if I've brought it), and needed documents in my carryon with me instead of handing that over at the pier, just in case something goes astray between there and the cabin. 

[RedIguana]

15 hours ago, txflood33 said:

I ask, simply to figure out what I may want to keep with me in my backpack in case the bags are delayed for whatever reason.

I always bring my Dop kit, bathing suit (not sure if needed for your departure), cash, cards, passport, laptop, phone, chargers, and a change of clothes for the evening in case my bags are not there before dinner. So basically anything I need for personal hygiene for an evening, dinner clothes, and anything valuable. Checked bags sometimes get delayed or misplaced. There were two bags outside my mid-ship hump cabin last cruise that belonged to someone with a far aft cabin. I did let the steward/porter know.