Looking for Advice

[warrenite]

Hi, we are planning our first cruise and trip to WDW this May. Hopefully some of the more experienced travellers can offer some advice.

Do you have to bring your passport on the shore excursions? Most of the excursions seem pretty "wet" how do you keep your ID dry?

When you are at the park what do you carry your ID and money in? (We'll be visiting the water park too)

Is a Canadian credit card widely accepted, or are travellers cheques a must?

Thanks,

John

 

[son3disfan]

We just cruised in March, but only on the three day.
So our stops were Castaway Cay ( so no credit cards needed... you can use your room key for eveything) and Naussau. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, but make sure to call the credit card company before you leave and let them know where and when you are travelling , so you purchases will not look suspicious, and won't be denied.

We left our passports in the safe for the cruise. Just need to show them on boarding, and departure.

Not sure about St. Thomas????

 

[KLondon]

We've done the DCL cruise twice (4 and 7-day Western). Unless things have changed in the US, you will actually need to surrender your Canadian passport when you go through the cruise check-in. You get your passport returned on the final day of the cruise (*very* early in the morning).

You'll have your cruise keycard - good for your room, onboard charges, etc. - which you'll need to get on and off the ship. As for other ID, we always carried a photocopy of our passports and our drivers' licenses. Using Canadian-issued credit cards were never a problem.

As for keeping stuff dry at the waterparks... Just rent a locker there for the day and keep everything in it. When you're ready to spend some money on food or whatever, just get your stuff out of your locker. If you have someone in your party who won't be partaking of the watery fun, you can just claim a picnic spot and keep your stuff under the watchful eye of your designated landlubber

One final point.... I typically avoid traveller's cheques anymore. The fees that some hotels and banks charge to cash these make them sort of unattractive. We opt for a US dollar credit card (available through the Canadian banks) to use in the States. You get a decent exchange rate, you avoid the hidden 'currency conversion' fees charged by domestic cards, and you still have the safety aspect (getting them replaced if stolen, etc.).

Hope this helps!

 

[Beavertails Queen]

When I was on the cruise you did as KLondon said. Hand in your passport on arrival and get it back the last day. That goes for all non-US citizens as technically you are leaving the US and then re-entering the country.
I would leave all my valuables in the safe in the room. When you are on excursions on the cruise you just need your room card as this is your pass for getting on the boat and you can charge things to it.
In the parks I would carry a credit card (definatly not traveller's checks - they are just not handy anymore). Leave all other valuable IDs in your room. Canadian credit cards are fine.