How much cash should we bring?

HI,

Leaving in 48 hours for FLL...so much to do and so little time!! I love it! Today is my only day off work before we leave...working a 12 hour shift tomorrow and flight out is 0600 friday morning.

This is our 4th cruise, but can't remember how much cash I usually bring. We don't really gamble...I might "donate" $50 or so for the week. But love to tip and drink cocktails in port. We are going to St Maarten, St Thomas and Grand Turk.

Any cash advice is appreciated!! Even if you have ever "run out"...how did you get more? I hate paying service fees...and I use Chase as my bank.

I plan on getting small bills for tipping, ease, etc. Is it easy to get small bills on the ships? Like at the purser's desk?? I feel like such a newbie, but it was 2006 when I last cruised to the Caribbean.

Thanks so much...sorry if there is already a thread like this...too busy to dig for one. XO, Laura ;)

Hi,

You know that basic saying...take half the clothes you have packed...and twice the money !!

Excursions?

Transport/Taxis?

Food and drink on shore?

Trinkets/shopping/Souvenirs?

Forgotten necessities?

Tips?

Emergency funds just-in-case?

Haven't done a Carib. itinerary lately, so don't remember how prevalent shore ATM's are.

Have a great cruise !

Woody

I can't tell you how much to bring, but will advise to bring more than what you think. You can always bring money back home and deposit back into your account.

A lot of people on here budget about $100 per day. Some may spend more than that, while others don't even get close to that figure so it really is hard to say.

I probably wasn't much help, but have a wonderful cruise!

Bring more than you think you will need. There are usually a few extras that pop up.

Hard to say how much you will need - really depends on if you wish to add extra staff gratuities, make cash v credit card purchases in port, additional cash for parking, cabs, baggage handler tips, and other arrival / departure expenses, donate in the casino as you indicate, etc.

The one thing about cash is it doesn't take up a lot of space and you can always bring any extra back home with you. Better to have more than not enough if you intend to use cash for the miscellaneous expenses.

And yes, the ship can change larger bills so take some in small denominations at hand for the pier tips, etc., and larger for everything else.

Bring more than you think...in large bills...the ship can break them down for you. I agree that paying a fee for your own money is NOT the smartest thing to do!

Larger bills are much easier to carry!

Of course, on the ship, any charges can go on your account...assuming you'll be using a credit card at the end to pay it off, you won't need much cash for the ship itself....gambling and room service tips excepted!

I too would bring more money than you think you will need.

Have a great time.

Keith

Yes, you can change larger bills at the front desk for smaller ones such as exchanging twenties for tens, fives, and ones.

Also, if you want to exchange hundreds for twenties the casino cashier will also do that with no problem.

Thank you!!

Just got my last workout in...I kept meaning to get that extra 10 pounds off before I left...hahaha...why do I bother?? I wonder if I can do it in 2 days?? :rolleyes:

Thanks for the advice...I will round "up" in my spending estimations...I do plan on charging most "big" things, but know cash is king and I don't want to stress about running out of it. I wish I could stop time...the prep days before a trip are always the BEST. It seems like once a vacation starts it is over.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be in "Turks" & Caicos that day. (I find that adorable for some reason.)

We budget $100/day be it at sea or in port. Not many days we exceed that especially at sea and we tip liberally. Most of the onboard expenses go on the account anyway.

I have a fear of an ATM eating my card, so bring extra cash just to make me feel better.

Grand Turk is wonderful, and perfect for Turkey day! (The Beach and pool are both fantastic. Great to have an excursion, but you don't need one if you want a relaxing beach/pool day.)

Call your bank and see if they have a relationship with a bank in any of the ports you will be visiting that will allow you to use their ATMs without fees. If there are, you might consider bringing less cash and getting more along the way, or if you run out of what you thought you needed then you can get more.

extra cash is always good...

I figure $100.00 a day per person and I do not gamble. I never use my bank card and always bring home cash better safe then sorry

On one of the islands the bar bill was out-of-sight! :eek: I guess prices are higher if you can see more than one 110'+ ship (Except in Puerto Banus, Spain).