OT..Once more..Alaska trip advice please!

[SleepyRose]

We were wondering if we should take travelers checks, cash, or use plastic? The trip itself is paid for but we'll need walking around money. Souveniers, eats, side trips etc. We'll be gone a month so we want to make sure we have enough. Any suggestions? Thanks guys!

[Pad A Cheek]

That sounds like heaven.
Can I come too?

Karen

[SleepyRose]

That sounds like heaven.
Can I come too?

Karen

I know it, I cant wait! Sure you can come!

[OutaSync]

You won't need any cash on board. You have to register a credit card before boarding and all charges you may incur for alcohol, mssages, etc. will be charged to your onboard account. Off ship it's easiest to use your creit card. Take a small amount of cash for tips and small items. There are banks and ATMs everywhere and even the natives speak English so you won't have any trouble getting around.

You may want to call your credit card company and let them know where you are going. Traveling to Spain one time with my brother, his creidt card company put a hold on his card when the unusual charge came in from Spain. He couldn't use his card for the rest of the trip and didn't know why it wouldn't work. Which reminds me, he never paid me back for the money I lent him.

[SleepyRose]

You won't need any cash on board. You have to register a credit card before boarding and all charges you may incur for alcohol, mssages, etc. will be charged to your onboard account. Off ship it's easiest to use your creit card. Take a small amount of cash for tips and small items. There are banks and ATMs everywhere and even the natives speak English so you won't have any trouble getting around.

You may want to call your credit card company and let them know where you are going. Traveling to Spain one time with my brother, his creidt card company put a hold on his card when the unusual charge came in from Spain. He couldn't use his card for the rest of the trip and didn't know why it wouldn't work. Which reminds me, he never paid me back for the money I lent him.

I was just reading about the tipping issue. Which do you recommend, automatic or at the end? Do they give you enveloped with ppls names on them? So confusing!!!

If I had all the money MY brother never paid back I could buy my own Cruise Line.

[Hose_Head]

You won't need any cash on board. You have to register a credit card before boarding and all charges you may incur for alcohol, mssages, etc. will be charged to your onboard account. Off ship it's easiest to use your creit card. Take a small amount of cash for tips and small items. There are banks and ATMs everywhere and even the natives speak English so you won't have any trouble getting around.

You may want to call your credit card company and let them know where you are going. Traveling to Spain one time with my brother, his creidt card company put a hold on his card when the unusual charge came in from Spain. He couldn't use his card for the rest of the trip and didn't know why it wouldn't work. Which reminds me, he never paid me back for the money I lent him.

All good advice!

I would add: take two credit cards on separate accounts. Keep them separate so that if you lose one, the other will still be safe. Another option is to take a few hundred in traveller's checks. They're secure and work as a great backup should crisis hit.

I'm Canadian with relatives (wife's side of family) in the USA. I travel cross-border several times per year. I always use credit cards first, and ATM's to get whatever cash that I need.

[Bearded_One]

Credit cards and ATMs are great. If you have to pay ATM fees, don't take several small ATM withdrawals, it is cheaper to take a few large withdrawals. Make sure that you always have at least a couple of hundred dollars cash in case you have a credit card or ATM issue. I have been to Caribbean islands that have had data problems that caused all of the ATMs on the island to die -- it also happened here in Northern Virginia after a hurricane went though.

Don't forget to take a cheap 12 foot extension cord for your CPAP.

[junie]

Have a great time,

[OutaSync]

[quote="SleepyRose

I was just reading about the tipping issue. Which do you recommend, automatic or at the end? Do they give you enveloped with ppls names on them? So confusing!!!

If I had all the money MY brother never paid back I could buy my own Cruise Line. [/quote]

I just let them do the automatic tip on the cruise. It makes it so much easier. I meant small bills for tipping porters and cab drivers, off ship.

My brother spreads out his borrowing amongst all of us. If we pooled it all together we could all go on a reunion cruise.

[Guest]

Don't forget to exchange your money for Alaskan dollars!!!!!


Hehe just kidding.....we always get a few tourists (from the US) who ask, "Do you take American dollars?". I always smile politely and say "No sorry we only take Alaskan money", just to make them sweat a little.

AKCPAPGUY

Enjoy your trip to America's last frontier!!!!