Too bad cruise lines don’t just build tipping into the price. Who wants to hassle with all that tipping stuff on vacation?
We did choose to have onboard tips built in.
For the record, some know I hate being an obvious tourist. No neck bags or bra pouches for me. And no heavy purses.
For years I’ve carried a tiny silk crossbody from Eagle Creek, in ordinary life and on travels. Light, just large enough, fits my cell, passport and more, in two zip pockets and one open. Note how long the strap is, which is unusual. The pouch sits at my hip. When travelling, I usually wear it under a sweater or top. If I’m concerned, I can tuck it in my waistband.
I got the original at REI, which no longer has it. Searched for years and for this last summer trip, finally found it in beige. My original has held up wonderfully. I just check periodically where the straps attach, make sure they’re still good.
Just sharing, because the sort of pouch with a long strap is so comfortable and not obvious. Being silk, I even use the black one on evenings out, not even under my clothes. This one has discreet lettering, same color as the bag.
Some do. Tauck and Crystal cruises include gratuities. You can tip extra if you want to, but there is no obligation. I was on a Crystal cruise recently and left a tip for the valet and maid for my cabin because the service was so good, but I got the impression most passengers did not tip. As far as bus drivers, local guides, waitstaff etc …, there was no tipping.
Here is the adapter (green one) we got for our trip to Prague last June. https://www.containerstore.com/s/flight-001-grounded-adapters/d?q=converter&productId=11007816
Each different configuration is in a different color, so it is easy to keep them straight if your travels mean that you will need multiple models. What is not obvious from the photos, is that two items can be plugged into the adapter at the same time. One on the top, and one on the front. Yup. could charge both phones at once.
Here’s the adapter I use. Works well and has everything. Charges up to 5 devices. The plus to me is the super bright color. Makes it less likely for me to forget it and leave it somewhere. 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SFTSQD6/ref=twister_B07WC82KL3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
FYI My friend’s husband was pickpocketed on a train in Italy, wallet in front pocket. And I’ve heard many a similar story. Trains, train stations, and crowded outdoor public tourist spots are the hotspots. There are even signs INSIDE some museums (Louvre, Versailles) warning about pickpockets, so it is a thing. Nothing to worry about, just something to prepare for in terms of where you are keeping your money and cards when you are out and about.
I used a small crossbody purse and kept my hand on the zipper as we walked, or put an extra clip on the zipper when we were traveling and I knew I would be more occupied with other luggage and figuring out where I was going. The thieves are looking for easy targets and easy access. Even having your cards and cash zippered up on an inside pocket of a bag will help. If I was a man, I think I would use the money belt or neck wallet, or keep my hand on my cards/cash inside my pocket when on a train or at a crowded tourist destination. It’s when you are around crowds such that people are in your personal space that you have to think about it.
I also traveled light and was VERY happy with that decision, but we were going from city to city, hotel to hotel, lots of public transport. If you are sleeping on the ship every night and not lugging your luggage around, it won’t be as big of an issue.
I’ve heard and read plenty of pickpocket stories in Europe (especially touristy cities like Barcelona and Rome - Dad’s wallet was stolen on train years ago). We carry a small Rick Steves travel backpack with things we can loose and small amount of cash in pockes. We have pouches under our clothes.
I used to wear my under-clothing pouch around neck, but then I read about string being cut. For a while I switched to crossbody, with pouch at hip under pants. Now I like hanging it on side strap of bra, with pouch sitting side of rib cage.
I took a crossbody purse that locked and kept my hand on it as we walked (and wore it crossbody). In Italy, you are supposed to have your passport with you at all times. So, I put that in a silk pouch around my waist, and turned it around so the pouch was at my back right above my bum. You couldn’t see it nor the belt in the front - no bulge.
My DH would carry one of the smaller Wallets that slide on his belt and then tucks into his pants in front,. Never a wallet in a pocket.
[quote=“conmama, post:48, topic:2066623”]
In Italy, you are supposed to have your passport with you at all times.
Rules are meant to be broken. Bring a photocopy if you must and leave the passport in a secure location if you are just out and about.
You might get away with that in Italy, but do not try to pull such things off in Central Asia or some former members of the Soviet bloc. How do I know that… it was a miracle kid was not jailed, but she became a few $$ poorer.
A bag that fits under the arm snugly is more secure than a crossbody that hangs on the front.
@doschicos , we didn’t carry it in Positano, but we definitely did in Rome and Naples. Being stopped and being asked for it wasn’t worth the chance to me ( a paper copy won’t work if the police stop you), since it was not an inconvenience. Risk were low, but I didn’t want to worry about it.
In Amsterdam, we enjoyed the Jordaan Food and Canals tour. One of our best days there. We learned a lot about the history of the neighborhood, and the food was amazing. Also, it might be a bit late to get tickets for the Ann Frank House. If you are interested, check now to see if there are tickets.
Have a wonderful cruise!
BB I’m not clutching some larger bag that can be ripped from my shoulder. My tiny crossbody can’t be seen or grabbed. As said, I can wear it across my body but still tuck it in my waistband.
But all this is very ymmv.
And yes, if they want you to carry your passport, do. The xerox can be used to simplify getting a replacement.
You are going to have a blast. My parents have taken several of those cruises a year for the last 8 years. They love them because they make it so easy. It’s a floating hotel that drops you off in each town/city and with the cruise sponsored excursions, the hassle of worrying about language barriers, etc. is minimized. They also get amazing deal since they can just pick up and go whenever with little notice. It helps to be retired.
However, when they take us, we do our own thing to have more flexibility and control of schedule and places to see. We rely a lot more on public transport and are often outside more touristy zones.
Pickpockets, credit cards, language barriers, etc. really depends on the area. I don’t remember having to be as paranoid in the areas where you are headed. It’s not like Barcelona, Paris, and Rome. This summer I thwarted 2 attempts in Barcelona at pick pockets who had targeted my S and nephew. And a few years back, both my Dad and BIL got their wallets picked from their front pocket in Paris and Italy. However, both of theirs were on chains clipped to their belt loops, so nothing was stolen. My super paranoid BIL was amazed that he felt nothing until he felt the wallet swinging. Be aware of crowded, public transport, but also especially of people in your tour groups that are not part of your tour.
Credit cards also depends on where you are going. I was surprised how little cash we needed in Scotland. And then I was also surprised how much cash we needed in Barcelona, Nice, and Rome. Our credit cards were also declined here and there on that trip, but I don’t remember it being an issue in Germany, Vienna, Eastern Europe. But it is good to have more than one. It’s also good if you can have a Mastercard and a Visa. The Vatican website would not take ANY American visa. We tried 10 cards between all family members. It didn’t have trouble with Mastercard apparently, but my mom had left that one home. LOL.
You might also be surprised at the number of people who DON’T speak English. Generally, the more touristy place you are, the better off you’ll be. And the younger the person, the more likely they are to speak English. But in Budapest even the hotel clerks didn’t have great English, and Hungarian is not like Spanish, French, Italian at all. We got along better using my Mom’s Slovak than our English.
Also, the currency in Budapest is the forint, not the Euro. But like credit cards, the more touristy the place, the more likely they will accept the Euro. But they may not. And even if they do, it won’t be in your favor.
My Dad LOVES to travel, my Mom- not so much. He splurged on a Viking Cruise after she went through treatment for pancreatic cancer. After her first cruise she said-- I’ll go anyplace in the world with you if we go on Viking! They took a trip through Egypt on Viking the following year and loved it. 6 years later, she’s cancer free and loves going on river cruises. Follow the precautions others have shared and you will have a great trip!
I’m sitting in aEuropean airport at the moment. Second European trip this calendar year with two trips to Australia and three to Hong Kong earlier in the year. Best advice I can give - RELAX. There is no one right or wrong way to do things, especially as regards money.
If I don’t have local cash from a previous trip, I personally. prefer to order some cash before I leave the US. I pay no fees with my bank although the exchange rate is not quite as good as an ATM in the target country. I just like the cash in pocket. For example, not all taxis take credit cards and on arrival,I generally just want my hotel- not an ATM search. Works for me, others would disagree.
I generally carry some US larger bills. In a real emergency, for instance, cards are compromised, I can use a currency exchange. Just a bit of self-insurance althoughI realize this trip, I’m carrying only cab fare home from my US airport.
Things money and card wise change frequently also. Do you have Apple Pay or a contactless card? I used Apple Pay a lot this trip.
Enjoy the trip! Tripadvisor forums also can give great advice, generally very current.
I’ll depart from the money and security theme to give you the generic advice I give to international travelers:
Don’t think of this as your only trip to your destination, think of it as your first trip.
I’ve seen too many tourists exhaust themselves trying to get to every site in their guidebook. Instead relax and do the things you think you’ll enjoy the most, saving the others for the “next time.’ Even if you never return you’ll end up with better memories of what you do see. If you talk to experienced travelers you often find that their best memories are of things like strolling along the riverbank at dusk people watching or discovering a cute little café in a hidden part of the city. By all means visit the places on your bucket list but, for instance, don’t spend hours on tours you find boring just because they’re of places you think you are supposed to see. Save those for “next time.” 
As to the card slot to turn on the light, if you don’t have your room key available (for instance you’ve lost one and one person wants to stay out longer than the other) any plastic card will work. In fact you don’t even need to use a card. A folded piece of stiff paper will do.
Could not agree with this more! D and I had mapped out a schedule of the things we wanted to do while in Paris, many of which she had done before, so we had a general idea of what we would do each day we were there. As we neared the end, I was weary of museums and churches so our last day was one museum instead of two and a church. Then we did some shopping.
I did order cash ahead of our trip - I knew taxis in Paris were cash only (or mostly) and I didn’t want to hunt for an ATM on arrival. I did take around 500E and yes, I spent it all. Mostly transportation but also smaller purchases here and there. We weren’t on a cruise or a tour though.
We are pre-paying our tips for the cruise.