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Currency Exchange
Bureau de Change Onboard your Cruise Ship
Most ships operate a Bureau de Change onboard, where foreign currency can be purchased or sold subject to local currency restrictions.
All major currencies will be stocked based on the countries visited. For British cruise lines (namely Cunard, Cruise & Maritime, Fred Olsen, P&O Cruises, Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery) currency transactions are converted through sterling, and for American cruise lines (Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International) currency transactions are converted through US dollars. Costa Cruises & Star Clippers currency transactions are converted through Euros.
Most cruise lines charge a premium either on the commission charge or exchange rates for the convenience of using the onboard service. However, Fred Olsen do not charge commission on the transaction and state they set competitive exchange rates.
Depending on the port of call you are visiting, it is often easy to find a Bank, ATM machine or Bureau de Change very near the pier, at more competitive rates.
Daily News
Daily News Onboard your Cruise Ship
You've finally arrived at your cabin - the first thing you should find is a leaflet with the ship's deck plan and the daily newsletter. Take these with you until you know your way around - all the restaurants, bars, showrooms and pools will be shown on the plan and all of the day's and nights activities listed in the newsletter.
The daily newsletter is delivered subsequently to your cabin each evening. You'll find the information invaluable as it provides the schedule for all the next day's activities and entertainment programme, as well as the opening hours for the spa, gym, shops, restaurants and children's clubs.
You'll even find the listings for films on your in-cabin TV and information on the next day's ports of call. The daily newsletter will give details of fitness classes, beauty salon and spa special offers & discounts, including the special offer cocktail of the day - truly invaluable!
Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Washing Your Smalls Onboard Your Cruise Ship
Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and a great many provide dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Many ships also have a self-service launderette.
Medical Facilities
Medical Facilities Onboard Your Cruise Ship
Every cruise ship provides professional medical staff and facilities on board to assist including a licensed doctor in the event of an emergency or routine medical condition. Medical staff are on call 24-hours a day.
Doctors will be generalists and licensed. American and British cruise lines use doctors licensed in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and the UK.
The size of ship may determine the extent of the facilities although some smaller luxury ships are very well equipped. Ideally these facilities would include an examination room, isolation room, x-ray machine, defibrillators, cardiac monitors, airway equipment, external pacemaker, electrocardiograph, infusion pump and a mobile emergency trolley.
Consultations with the doctor and use of the medical facilities will be charged on your shipboard account. Guests are responsible to provide all medications, equipment and supplies necessary for their care, and must have the appropriate levels of travel insurance cover in place before travelling.
Shopping
Cruise Ship Onboard Shops
Depending on the size of the ship, there will be at least one shop selling basics like toothpaste, medications and batteries.
As well as gift shops and boutiques selling an assortment of fragrances, cosmetics, resort wear, cruise line merchandise, jewellery, watches, souvenirs, post cards, stamps and photographic equipment, there is usually a duty free shop for spirits, wine and cigarettes.
On some of Royal Caribbean's newer ships (Voyager Family onwards) there's a full-scale Shopping Promenade cut out of four decks with Shops, Café's, Bars and even an English Pub. A real shoppers paradise that's not a bad place for the men to spend a few hours either!
