Fanmail Friday: January 23rd Edition

Can you cash traveler’s checks onboard a cruise ship?

Although nearly all of the expenses onboard a cruise ship are paid using your onboard account you can cash your traveler’s checks onboard a cruise ship.  All you have to do is make a visit to the purser’s desk and they will be more than happy to assist you.

Have you ever used a vacuum bag to pack for a cruise?  I was thinking of using them to avoid the extra bag charges airlines have put in place.

I have never personally used vacuum bags for packing.  Through the years, I have learned to under pack rather than over pack.  However, I have heard of people using these bags to maximize their available space. At the end of the cruise, they just borrow a vacuum from the cleaning crew to pack for the trip home.  There are also bags that don’t require vacuums they work by rolling out the air.  Just be aware that not only do you have to worry about extra bag charges but also weight restrictions.  Check with your airline but it has been my experience that weight fees are often more expensive than extra bag fees.

We have a group of four going on a cruise but one has to cancel.  What happens to the other person that was supposed to be sharing the room with them?

You would have to check with the cruise line for the exact answer but here is my take on the situation. Since you didn’t say, I am going to assume the trip is soon and you are within the final payment period.  If the canceling passenger is issued a partial refund chances are, the remaining passenger will be recharged at the single cruising rate.  If you are in the no refund period (this varies by cruise line) than it should be considered a no-show in which case there should no extra charge since the cruise line already received full price for the cabin.  This is a classic example of why travel insurance is a must.

Related posts:

1. Fanmail Friday: January 2nd Edition
2. Fanmail Friday: January 16th Edition
3. Fanmail Friday: January 9th Edition
4. Fanmail Friday: November 21st Edition
5. Fanmail Friday: November 28th Edition

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