If you are planning a long haul flight to connect with your cruise, allow at least two nights at your country of embarkation before you board your ship. This will allow you to get over jet lag and if there is a delay to your flight will ensure you do not miss your cruise!
Always check the correct time in the country you intend embarking your cruise ship. I nearly missed my Antarctica cruise because the flight attendant on the plane down to Ushuaia gave me an incorrect time. When I arrived at the ship, the gang plank was about to be stowed away. I was advised that I was half an hour late. If I had missed the departure, I would have missed the whole cruise, as there was no port of call to fly to in Antarctica!
Different cruise companies use different currency onboard. This could be Australian $, US$ or British pounds, even if the ship is cruising in New Zealand waters. Cruise ships are “cashless” in that you are given a cruise card when you embark. You can preload your cruise card at the pursers desk, on the day of embarkation, with cash and/ or via credit card. I prefer to have a mix of cash and credit card. The pursers desk will change currency for you, so that you can purchase items on shore in local currency. The exchange rate may differ to the bank exchange rate.
Check your cruise documentation to see what credit cards are accepted onboard the ship. There are normally no EFTPOS or ATM machines onboard cruise ships.
If you have any cruise questions, please email me below.
For other Tips refer to my book “Cruising – A Guide for First Time Cruisers”
Special offer for GrownUps – $10.00 including pack and post, within NZ.
Send payment to PO Box 576, Tauranga. Allow 4-5 days for delivery.
Email: castewart@xtra.co.nz
Photo: Marco Polo in Ushuaia
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