Need a few questions answered..passport, theft, safe

[craigandjessica]

I have a few (ok maybe a lot) of questions that I can't find the answers to. I knew that I would get the answers here so here I go

 

#1. What do you do with your belongings (clothes, cash, S&S and credit cards, documents, towels, cameras etc) if you go to a beach that does not offer lockers while you swim or kayak or whatever? I don't want to carry a bag into the water but don't want it stolen at the beach either. We are looking at Paradise Beach, Do they have lockers? any recommendations on waterproof wallets/ziploc baggies...which work the best.

 

#2 How does the safe in the room work. Does it only work with the card that initially is swiped or does it open with any card with the magnetic strip?

 

#3 Since we have prepaid our gratuities and are prepaying our excursions, how much do you think our S&S accout will be at the end of a 5 day cruise. I might drink 2 drinks/day max and my hubby about 4. What else would we possibly use the card for besides drinks and pictures?

 

#4 How much do the pictures cost? Has anyone purchased the vouchers/gift certificates from the bon voyage department? If so, are the easy to use?

 

#5 I have read somewhere that you can order alcohol from the bon voyage dept to have waiting for you when you arrive? Is this correct and if so, what are the costs? What kinds of alcohol does this include?

 

#6 Which island has the best shopping deals (or can be talked down in prices easier) between Cozumel and Grand Cayman?

 

#7 If you keep your passport in you safe during shore visits, if for some reason you miss the ship (not that we plan to even cut it close but we'll call this worst case scenerio) is the ship under any obligation to get your passport to you?

 

#8 Is there anywhere on either Cozumel or Grand Caymen that has free or cheap internet access or phone access so we can call home to check on our kids?

 

#9 Our kids our staying with the in-laws. What do I give them for emergency contact info in case something happens with our kids while we are on the ship? In other words how could they get ahold of us on the ship?

 

Sorry for all the questions but I figured asking them all at once instead of starting a new thread for each one would be a lot easier. Thanks in advance for your response. I know this is the place to get the quickest and nicest reponses.

[TransplantedOkies]

I can't answer all of your questions but I can answer #9. There is the Maritime Telecommunications Network(MTN) shore to ship telephone numbers. 1-877-225-7447 OR 1-732-335-3284. A nominal per-minute charge applies.

Let your relatives know what ship you'll be on,dates of cruise, your stateroom number, and whatever else you think they might need.

 

I'm sure if these numbers aren't correct someone will post the correct information.

[cb at sea]

Yes--make sure you leave health info with the "babysitters"---insurance card, doctor's number, and permission to have them decide treatment for the kids, if needed!

 

When going to the beach, leave all valuables on the ship, in your safe. Take a minimal amount of money and if you take a credit card, don't take the 1 that is attached to your shipboard account. No one will bother your flip-flops or t-shirt---just stick the little bit of cash into the pages of an old paperback book, and you can ask someone else from your ship to "keep an eye' on your stuff---you'll know who they are by the towels!!!

 

Some safes are "combinations", that you set---some have to have a "magnetic" strip---bring something other than a credit card for that---maybe an old department store credit card or a grocery store card...

 

Most folks spend about 1/2 the total cost of the cruise between incidentals, excursions,photos, etc.... If you're drinking 6 drinks per day, figure about $50 per day in the bar tab!

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

I have a few (ok maybe a lot) of questions that I can't find the answers to. I knew that I would get the answers here so here I go

 

#1. What do you do with your belongings (clothes, cash, S&S and credit cards, documents, towels, cameras etc) if you go to a beach that does not offer lockers while you swim or kayak or whatever? I don't want to carry a bag into the water but don't want it stolen at the beach either. We are looking at Paradise Beach, Do they have lockers? any recommendations on waterproof wallets/ziploc baggies...which work the best. Every excursion we've done has either been to a place with lockers or on a boat with reliable operators. Hopefully someone here can tell you about leaving things on the beach.

 

#2 How does the safe in the room work. Does it only work with the card that initially is swiped or does it open with any card with the magnetic strip? It depends...some are a code and others require you to swipe a magnetic strip (you can use anything with a strip, but I wouldn't use your sail and sign card and run the risk of demagnetizing it.) I have always used the same card, so I'm not sure if you can use multiple cards.

 

#3 Since we have prepaid our gratuities and are prepaying our excursions, how much do you think our S&S accout will be at the end of a 5 day cruise. I might drink 2 drinks/day max and my hubby about 4. What else would we possibly use the card for besides drinks and pictures? Drinks for me tend to be about $7-8 each. You will also use your S&S card for any purchases in the shops, specialty restaurants, etc. You can use cash in the casino. We do not drink much and we don't take ship excursions, so our bill is usually about $300 for a five day cruise. We like to buy the pics and they can be expensive.

 

#4 How much do the pictures cost? Has anyone purchased the vouchers/gift certificates from the bon voyage department? If so, are the easy to use? The 8x10's are about $20-$25 depending on the cruise line. $15 or so for the 5x7. Sometimes you can get a photo package. They don't print every size every time you get a pic taken. The formal night pics are usually larger, while the port, casual MDR dinners, etc are a variety of sizes.

 

#5 I have read somewhere that you can order alcohol from the bon voyage dept to have waiting for you when you arrive? Is this correct and if so, what are the costs? What kinds of alcohol does this include? I'm not sure on this.

 

#6 Which island has the best shopping deals (or can be talked down in prices easier) between Cozumel and Grand Cayman? When we were in Cozumel we could get some prices down, but there wasn't a lot of bargaining. That could be different now. We did not shop in Grand Cayman - we did a full day excursion with Moby Dick tours to see the sting rays and snorkel. I highly recommend you don't miss the sting rays if you are going to GC!

 

#7 If you keep your passport in you safe during shore visits, if for some reason you miss the ship (not that we plan to even cut it close but we'll call this worst case scenerio) is the ship under any obligation to get your passport to you? Not at the time you are left...which hopefully won't happen. Some lines will go in to the stateroom and inventory all the items and pack them up and ship them to you (at your cost), but this may not happen right away. There are a lot of debates on CC about taking your passport...if you don't want to take it with you in the port (we don't either), at least make a photocopy of the info page and take that with you. You can also scan it and email it to yourself so you can pull it up if you need it. (Someone else on CC suggested this, and I think it's a great idea...you can usually find an internet connection!)

 

#8 Is there anywhere on either Cozumel or Grand Caymen that has free or cheap internet access or phone access so we can call home to check on our kids? I do remember that GC had internet cafe's and pay phones that seemed easy to use and fairly inexpensive. I don't recall in Cozumel.

 

#9 Our kids our staying with the in-laws. What do I give them for emergency contact info in case something happens with our kids while we are on the ship? In other words how could they get ahold of us on the ship? I think someone else already posted this info. The in-laws will be able to get a message to you on the ship, but it may be delayed. I would recommend a medical limited power of attorney form. This is what we do. This way it is notorized and there are no questions your in-laws have the authority to act on your behalf.

 

Sorry for all the questions but I figured asking them all at once instead of starting a new thread for each one would be a lot easier. Thanks in advance for your response. I know this is the place to get the quickest and nicest reponses.

 

Have a great time on your cruise!

[TransplantedOkies]

Yes--make sure you leave health info with the "babysitters"---insurance card, doctor's number, and permission to have them decide treatment for the kids, if needed!

 

When going to the beach, leave all valuables on the ship, in your safe. Take a minimal amount of money and if you take a credit card, don't take the 1 that is attached to your shipboard account. No one will bother your flip-flops or t-shirt---just stick the little bit of cash into the pages of an old paperback book, and you can ask someone else from your ship to "keep an eye' on your stuff---you'll know who they are by the towels!!!

 

Some safes are "combinations", that you set---some have to have a "magnetic" strip---bring something other than a credit card for that---maybe an old department store credit card or a grocery store card...

 

Most folks spend about 1/2 the total cost of the cruise between incidentals, excursions,photos, etc.... If you're drinking 6 drinks per day, figure about $50 per day in the bar tab!

 

Regarding the health info that you leave with the in-laws, you will want to make copies of your insurance card(front and back) and type out some sort of letter stating you(insert name) give full permission to (insert names) to seek any appropriate medical care for (insert childrens names) during (insert dates) then go have this letter signed by a notary.

[firefly333]

We found Grand Cayman to be expensive for shopping. Cozumel and St. Thomas are well known for jewelry deals. We paid like $12 each for decent qualify tee shirts in Grand Cayman, but you can buy Blue Mountain coffee for $20 - $25, but I wasnt that impressed with the taste. I liked the $7 coffee we bought in Roatan better. Maybe they use seconds on the beans they sell to tourists, didnt come up to par imo.

 

The only cheap stuff you will find in Grand Cayman will be white tee shirts that shrink and things you probably dont want unless you just want something to remember the island by.

 

check out Captain Marvins for cheap excursions in Grand Cayman and see the sting rays instead.

[UlvaZell]

I have a few (ok maybe a lot) of questions that I can't find the answers to. I knew that I would get the answers here so here I go

 

#2 How does the safe in the room work. Does it only work with the card that initially is swiped or does it open with any card with the magnetic strip?

 

The card that you use to close the safe is the only card you can use to later open the safe. Any card with a magnetic strip should work. I usually use our grocery store card (Kroger Plus card)....

[dna1990]

Some random thoughts, but what had already beed said sounds good too.

 

#1. What do you do with your belongings (clothes, cash, S&S and credit cards, documents, towels, cameras etc) if you go to a beach that does not offer lockers while you swim or kayak or whatever? I don't want to carry a bag into the water but don't want it stolen at the beach either. We are looking at Paradise Beach, Do they have lockers? any recommendations on waterproof wallets/ziploc baggies...which work the best. We did not use them but I would bet Paradise has lockers. Ask this in the Coz Port of Call section. But in general, we are quite protective of things at the beach. I would say Paradise Tom's is the least I would worry at, but we will often take turns staying with the items. It is easy to 'stay with a group' as you arrive there will be several from your ship. Sit close by and say hi. Neighbors watching neighbors does go a long way.

 

#2 How does the safe in the room work. Does it only work with the card that initially is swiped or does it open with any card with the magnetic strip? Which ship? Some are combo, where you set a PIN combo each time you lock it. Others are are mag stripe. As others have said, take a secondary card for that.

 

#3 Since we have prepaid our gratuities and are prepaying our excursions, how much do you think our S&S accout will be at the end of a 5 day cruise. I might drink 2 drinks/day max and my hubby about 4. What else would we possibly use the card for besides drinks and pictures? Very individual. The more you read around, you will see posts on 'what is extra'. Drinks, pics, and ship excursions would be the high end items. Or if you buy liquor, jewelry, etc from ship shops. On most lines, you can watch your daily charges accumulate on the TV, or go by and ask the main desk for a balance. Bingo and casino spending, specialty dining, specialty coffee, etc.

 

#4 How much do the pictures cost? Has anyone purchased the vouchers/gift certificates from the bon voyage department? If so, are the easy to use? As stated above, $15-$25, which can really add up. My advice would be to skip the BonVoyage package and wait for any 'sales' while on board. In general wait several days before deciding on which to purchase. If you start grabbing all the ones early (cause they're so darn cute) you can quickly get out of budget once some nice formal shots come along midweek, etc. In general, they will also sell a digitial CD (if you buy the print), but these are good for reprints to share with family.

 

#5 I have read somewhere that you can order alcohol from the bon voyage dept to have waiting for you when you arrive? Is this correct and if so, what are the costs? What kinds of alcohol does this include? Which ship or line? In my experience, it has only been wine packages offered. My DW has ordered those bon voyage packages before, but I have yet to see a big 'value' in them. When my son first went, we had the welcome banner waiting for him and he thought that was cool - but like the strawberry plates, and what-not...nah. Now once "back in the day", one of those packages got you a bridge tour, that was cool. My opinion, wait till you board and you can better 'see' what you are buying. If you booked with a TA and are a first timer, they 'may' already have a welcome gift or banner waiting for you. I'd prefer OBC personally.

 

#6 Which island has the best shopping deals (or can be talked down in prices easier) between Cozumel and Grand Cayman? Trinkets or high end items like jewelry? If trinkets, this is all but disappeared. Corporations flying in cheap goods made elsewhere. Cozumel shopping looks more like Houston shopping that anything you may have pictured about Mexico. Barcodes and the whole bit. Yes, there are occasional places to still find off the beaten path, ask around the Port of Call sections. Are Coz/GC your only stops? As others have said, GC is not known for being cheap.

 

#7 If you keep your passport in you safe during shore visits, if for some reason you miss the ship (not that we plan to even cut it close but we'll call this worst case scenerio) is the ship under any obligation to get your passport to you? Still debated. Yes, I am sure the ship will return your stuff, but several days/weeks later maybe. Not in time to help you fly home from a missed ship. Weigh the risk of needing your passport versus losing or damaging it while on an excursion. In the past, we have never taken ours off. But are considering it more in these current times.

 

#8 Is there anywhere on either Cozumel or Grand Caymen that has free or cheap internet access or phone access so we can call home to check on our kids? We buy and use eMail from the ship. That way you don't have to worry about timing the call when each party is there. Cell coverage is good in both Coz and GC, but be sure and understad what roaming charges may apply for your phone.

 

#9 Our kids our staying with the in-laws. What do I give them for emergency contact info in case something happens with our kids while we are on the ship? In other words how could they get ahold of us on the ship? What others have said. I am not an attorney but play one on cruisecritic, but a one page notarized letter authorizing treatment with both parents signature. Copies of all insurance cards. Notifiy schools that grandparents allowed to pickup, etc.

 

Sorry for all the questions but I figured asking them all at once instead of starting a new thread for each one would be a lot easier. Thanks in advance for your response. I know this is the place to get the quickest and nicest reponses.

[craigandjessica]

Thank you for all of the responses. I found a message board that the owners/operators of PB said that if you have anything valuable that you don't feel comfortable leaving out on the beach that they will hold it behind the bar. That makes me feel alot better about that. Also I noticed on the PB website that they have free internet access (only 1 computer with 15 minute time limits) but it is offered at least.

 

A question from one of the responses I got about pictures. Are all of the pictures available throughout the cruise (ie can you purchase your bon voyage picture on the last night of the cruise, or are they taken out to put new ones each day?) I would rather wait until the end to purchase the pictures so I don't buy 1 and find one I like better later.

Also, we plan on doing the stingray excursion not through the ship. Our port times are 8-3 (2pm is the last tender according to the excursion company) The stingray tour times are 9:30-12:30. Would we have time to take a bus to Hell and back (:)) before 2? Just want to go there and send a few postcards to the family. We don't plan on staying there long but don't want to be rushing back either. Just wondering if anyone knew how long it took to get from town to there.

[dna1990]

In our experience, photos have been available all cruise. However, once the formals start coming out, it does seem that the very early small ones (ie embarkation) tend to fade away. Not sure if that means the staff no longer puts them out, or if by natural process, guests have discarded them.

 

If one of your favorites goes missing one night,m just ask. I have seen folks given a second 'pile' to sort thru looking for a particluar photo not on the display walls.

 

Do go ahead and place the obvious non-keepers into the 'discard' pile, so that leaves the staff more room to display everything.

 

And not sure if it is liked, but we tend to gather up all our pics and put them in one spot behind one of the main photos. I think then when staff puts them back out, they tend to leave that pile together.

 

 

I would leave Hell as a possible trip. Tendering in GC can lead to an overall shorter feeling day. We have not been to Hell, but honestly everyone that we talk to that has - says it was not a big deal. If driving that way anyway, sure stop it for the fun postmark. But unless you just have tons of time, I wouldn't make a trip just for it. If you could leave from the Stingray Tour dock and goto Hell, then back to port...that sounds better. But to come all the way back into town, to leave back out to Hell - probably time better spent sampling rum cakes. Just my opinion.

 

Is this a Galveston based trip? If so and going thru Houston - you will still be able to say you went to Hell and back. :)

[kym&lee]

I am an attorney, so I thought I would comment to help put your mind at ease. Someone has already posted a very good "form" letter on what you need to do so that your in-laws can handle an emergency for your kids. If it is just the family doctor, it isn't such a huge deal, but if God forbid something happened that required parental consent (such as surgery or hospitalization) it gets a little trickier and they would definitely want to have a NOTARIZED consent form signed by BOTH you and spouse. That isn't going to stop you from freaking out if an accident happens, but it IS going to allow a hospital to begin taking measures to ensure your childs safety. (In a worst case scenario, a hospital is going to do whatever they have to do to try to save a life, with or without consent).

 

Also, as others have suggested and I am just adding it since I've already began typing this post, yes - you should leave all their health insurance information with your in-laws, too.

 

Have a great cruise!

[cathyz]

To answer #5, yes, you can order alcohol to be in your cabin when you get on board, the bottles are liter size so a little larger than you're used to, but can be expensive. They range in price from about $35 to about $65, depending on what you want. You need to call them to get the latest prices and to order, 800-522-7648. It's definitely worth the extra convenience for us, we're not smugglers.