I have tickets already, yes. Thanks.
Have a great cruise! I think you will love it!
In terms of purses, I carry a cross-body bag that has a slash-proof strap, RFID protection, and zippered pockets where you can attach the zipper part to a small metal doo-hickey (technical term, 
), which means it takes a bit longer to open. I think it is sold by ebags.
I was once nearly pickpocketed in Termini station in Rome. My daughter and I were taking the train to Venice. They post the platforms for trains to popular tourist destinations shortly before the trains leave–I believe they do this in order to reduce the pick-pocket problem. In any event, a man approached us and was so insistent on helping with the luggage that I finally caved in. The thing was, we had more luggage in total than he could handle. So I was coming along behind with two large bags, and boarded the train. A woman who appeared to be pregnant boarded behind me, bumped into me, and then asked me to let her pass. I had a large suitcase of mine which happened to be blocking the way ahead of me, so I turned to her and said, “I will move this so you can get through.” In that moment, I noticed that the flap of my purse had been lifted, the zipper was undone, and my long wallet was sticking part of the way out of the purse! I had been completely unaware of this. Yay for not packing light! Luckily for me, at this point, the woman gave up. I am not sure whether she was in fact pregnant or whether that was part of the scam, which was clearly a two-person operation. When I got to my seat, I tipped the man anyway. He may have thought I was the biggest idiot he ever had targeted and not succeeded in robbing, or he may have realized that I was onto him. Either way . . .
On a cruise, though, I don’t anticipate that you need to worry very much at all about pickpockets. My Dad and stepmother took river cruises in Europe well into their 80’s and never had a problem. There was once a pickpocket in China who boarded the bus with their group of elderly travelers, but that is a story for a different time.
I mention the special purse just because it gives added peace of mind, not because I think you are likely to need it. I carry it all the time here now. On the last two trips to Europe, I pretty clearly never needed it, though I carried it.
Wonderful advice and so helpful. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your expertise!!
Have done extensive travel in Europe. I’ll add my voice to those suggesting that one has at least some local currency upon arrival.
Don’t forget to place a travel notification on your ATM card and CC card. (although some CC cards no longer require or accept such notification). Also second the addition of a separate account and ATM card. Do not link that ATM card to any other accounts. Keep a low balance and use it for withdrawals.
Came across an issue - in Tahiti - but thought I’d mention it. Went to the ATM and discovered they didn’t have any alpha characters on the key pad! I memorize my PIN via a word. Had to pull out the iPhone and check its dial pad - then convert my ‘word’ to the associated numbers. Now I remember both word and numbers for the PIN.