Do I need to carry cash with me onboard?

[gweeptrish]

This is probably a really dumb newbie question, but do I need to carry cash for anything onboard the NCL Jewel? My previous cruises were on a line that was explicitly cash-free - you couldn't pay for anything with cash only shipboard account.

[my_crib_too]

We never carry cash... Everything gets charged to the room card.

We don't gamble so my comments do not cover the casino.

Welcome to NCL. Have a fun vacation.

[dasmonkey]

Originally Posted by gweeptrish

This is probably a really dumb newbie question, but do I need to carry cash for anything onboard the NCL Jewel? My previous cruises were on a line that was explicitly cash-free - you couldn't pay for anything with cash only shipboard account.

I find workers very much appreciate cold hard cash.

But no, it's not needed to actually pay for anything on board.

[time2cruise1]

Originally Posted by gweeptrish

This is probably a really dumb newbie question, but do I need to carry cash for anything onboard the NCL Jewel? My previous cruises were on a line that was explicitly cash-free - you couldn't pay for anything with cash only shipboard account.

Just cash for the casino and it is nice but not required some small bills to tip for any extra special service.

[Richpontone]

You need dollar bills to give to the dock worker handling your luggage on embarkation and also for waiters or waitresses who serve you drinks or on room service. You can put the tip on your ship board bill, but the NCL staffers love cash. Also cash is needed for your room steward at the end of your trip for exceptional service. Cash comes in handy when you dock in various ports.

[gweeptrish]

Originally Posted by Richpontone

You need dollar bills to give to the dock worker handling your luggage on embarkation and also for waiters or waitresses who serve you drinks or on room service. You can put the tip on your ship board bill, but the NCL staffers love cash. Also cash is needed for your room steward at the end of your trip. Cash comes in handy when you dock in various ports.

Room steward isn't included in that mandatory service charge? How did I miss that?

[johnql]

Originally Posted by gweeptrish

Room steward isn't included in that mandatory service charge? How did I miss that?

The steward is included in the Daily Service Charge. However, many people feel that an additional cash tip is nice if the service provided warrants it. If you have no special requests and the steward just does a satisfactory job, then you should not feel obligated to tip extra.

[gweeptrish]

Originally Posted by johnql

The steward is included in the Daily Service Charge. However, many people feel that an additional cash tip is nice if the service provided warrants it. If you have no special requests and the steward just does a satisfactory job, then you should not feel obligated to tip extra.

Oh good. Thanks for clarifying that. 'bout gave me a heart attack.

[Sauer-kraut]

Originally Posted by gweeptrish

Room steward isn't included in that mandatory service charge? How did I miss that?

Only if you want to tip them above the DSC amount.

[luddite]

Originally Posted by gweeptrish

Room steward isn't included in that mandatory service charge? How did I miss that?

Room steward is in the DSC. Which isn't a tip.
If you want tip the room steward, cash is helpful.
Room service is working for tips, where cash is in order.
There is nothing aboard the ship to purchase with cash, which seems to be the gist of the original post.

Having some cash available is helpful on the ship as well as ashore. Just like in real life.

[JerseyGrl85]

we were on the jewel in august and it was our first cruise. we had cash on us because we don't use credit cards and it would have been a hassle to use our debt card for the on board account(A hold is places and a large amount of money an isn't released for some time after you get back home)

anyway We payed with cash for everything in the duty free shops. We also payed with cash for the jewelry sale they have in the atrium on specific days. and every few days we would pay whatever our balance's was on our on board account.

its a personal preference. If your more comfortable with cash then use cash, if not use credit. they are flexible

[jaja]

Originally Posted by Richpontone

You need dollar bills to give to the dock worker handling your luggage on embarkation and also for waiters or waitresses who serve you drinks or on room service. You can put the tip on your ship board bill, but the NCL staffers love cash. Also cash is needed for your room steward at the end of your trip for exceptional service. Cash comes in handy when you dock in various ports.

I bring lots of $1 and $5 ..for room service, porters and excursions...I also have $ in my wallet in safe for extra $ for my steward and if in suite for butler and consierge..

[SuiteCruiser]

As well, there is an ATM on board if you find you do need cash, there is a rather high user fee, though, so not worth taking out $20 at a time.

You can take up to $2000 a day from your shipboard card at the casino for a 3% fee.

I bring some money for the casino, and some singles for porters and a little extra for here and there. Everything else goes to your card.

If you don't have cash, and want to add extra for your steward, for instance, you can go to the guest services desk and the can add a tip, and they will give you a voucher that you can give to the steward. That tip will then appear on your onboard account.

[2Cruise4Ever]

The only place on board the Jewel (or any other NCL ship) that accepts cash is the casino. Everything else goes on your shipboard account.

[krnplcd]

Originally Posted by SuiteCruiser

As well, there is an ATM on board if you find you do need cash, there is a rather high user fee, though, so not worth taking out $20 at a time.

You can take up to $2000 a day from your shipboard card at the casino for a 3% fee.

I bring some money for the casino, and some singles for porters and a little extra for here and there. Everything else goes to your card.

If you don't have cash, and want to add extra for your steward, for instance, you can go to the guest services desk and the can add a tip, and they will give you a voucher that you can give to the steward. That tip will then appear on your onboard account.

Hi Just wanted to verify about the 3% fee? Last time I went on the GEM i don't think that fee existed? Is this a "new fee" in the last few years?

[gra2172]

Originally Posted by Richpontone

You need dollar bills to give to the dock worker handling your luggage on embarkation and also for waiters or waitresses who serve you drinks or on room service. You can put the tip on your ship board bill, but the NCL staffers love cash. Also cash is needed for your room steward at the end of your trip for exceptional service. Cash comes in handy when you dock in various ports.

You mean the dock worker who unloads the bus luggage less than gently then stands there with his hand out? Those guys always make me grumble... You cant NOT pay them.

[ColinIllinois]

Originally Posted by gra2172

You mean the dock worker who unloads the bus luggage less than gently then stands there with his hand out? Those guys always make me grumble... You cant NOT pay them.

I never tip those guys and I'm a pretty decent tipper. I don't like the feeling that I'm being shaken down for cash.

[gra2172]

Originally Posted by ColinIllinois

I never tip those guys and I'm a pretty decent tipper. I don't like the feeling that I'm being shaken down for cash.

Exactly how I feel. Sometimes I'll mill around until they're busy shaking down someone else, grab my bags and run for it!

[emcelh]

Originally Posted by Richpontone

You need dollar bills to give to the dock worker handling your luggage on embarkation and also for waiters or waitresses who serve you drinks or on room service. You can put the tip on your ship board bill, but the NCL staffers love cash. Also cash is needed for your room steward at the end of your trip for exceptional service. Cash comes in handy when you dock in various ports.

Keep in mind that there's a 15% tip added to drink charges so there's no need to tip above that unless you want to.

[Sauer-kraut]

Room Service a couple of bucks per delivery...