Spending Cash: How much do you usually take? How much do you usually spend?

Hey all! Long time listener, first time caller. I'm curious about how much money I should budget for my 5-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Celebrity Constellation (Dec. 7-11). I'm talking spending cash in terms of extra money AFTER pre-booked shore excursions. This will be my first solo cruise and I've read everything from one lady who spent a mere $4 to a couple who spent $7,000 on art alone. I was thinking $400 ($100 per full day on the ship), but now that I think of it, I may be overestimating how much I'll drink and how much specialty dining I'll be doing. Any thoughts? I read of one couple who spent $500 together, so maybe $250 is a better budget for this single boy?

It's really hard to know how much another person will spend. I have never spent more than $100 a day,but its easy to spend way more than that without trying.

I would say always lean on the higher end of the budget, if you don't spend it,you can always bring it home.

Are you planning to gamble??

I take very little CASH because almost everything gets charged to my onboard account and settled by credit card. As for SPENDING other than excursions, probably not more $25 bucks per day (ie: a few drinks).

I bring a budget of like $300 for onboard spending after prepaying the shore excursions and Daily Service Charges / Tips for meals,shopping and drinks. And another $50 in cash a day for any port stops, in case I want something to eat out there.

It's really hard to know how much another person will spend. I have never spent more than $100 a day,but its easy to spend way more than that without trying.

 

I would say always lean on the higher end of the budget, if you don't spend it,you can always bring it home.

 

Are you planning to gamble??

I'm not much of a gambler, but I'm certainly trying to gauge how much I should allocate and shoot for the higher end of the scale. Thanks!

I take very little CASH because almost everything gets charged to my onboard account and settled by credit card. As for SPENDING other than excursions, probably not more $25 bucks per day (ie: a few drinks).

Yes, that's what I meant by spending cash. I know the ship is "cashless" and I'll set up an onboard spending account that will certainly be settled by credit card. I'm just trying to figure out what is "typical" for a solo cruiser to spend while onboard. $25/ day sounds low for a few drinks, but thanks for the information; It's helpful nonetheless!

I bring a budget of like $300 for onboard spending after prepaying the shore excursions and Daily Service Charges / Tips for meals,shopping and drinks. And another $50 in cash a day for any port stops, in case I want something to eat out there.

Thanks for the info! Very helpful!

For me, it depends on which ports I'm visiting and what I plan to buy or do. On board, I only need cash for tips.

It is hard to tell someone how much money they should bring (in my

opinion)......we are all such different people. If you have a number in

mind, go with that......if you don't spend it, bring the $ back home. I just

did that.....I was on cruise last week and I actually had credit left and

went to the casino to get it back in cash. They charged a 5% fee but it

was worth it to me.

As for the amount of cash "couples" bring.......I don't even go that route.

Some couples are "big spenders"...just as some solo cruisers are, but

I don't really worry or concern myself with how much $ other people bring

with them. Oh, also some couples many not spend much at all.....and some

solo cruisers may not spend much either........there really isn't one way

for each cruiser........bring what you feel comfortable bringing:)

My last cruise was 21 time since I don't drink.days, I only spent $80 on myself in that. Just extras like milkshakes, chocolates and cakes.

On the other-hand I believe I gave out over $200 in tips to the waiters in the MDR and the people who cleaned up my room. And yes, I got very good service while on-board.

I usually bring about $75 in cash not including the gratuities and the internet package which are charged to my card. I spend $30 on taxis and use $30 for tips. The rest in the airport. I rarely buy trinkets in port or from the cruise line and I don't tend to go to the pay restaurants at all.

I think I did some travelers cheques one time- but don't use them anymore.

From NYC I do around $460 or so- because I am going to spend about $160 on my bus there, tips at hotel, cabs , movies, maybe food until I get there.

From the $300 remaining I allocate maybe an addition $100 for tips (not just steward, but misc people, i.e Howl at The Moon). Bermuda for example I then needed $30 for a bus pass and ate a lunch in town for $30-

If I had to pick a number it might be $400-$500 just to be on the safe side, but usually I used no more than $200-250 cash on any trip.

I aim for about $100/day, knowing some days I'll spend over or under. For my upcoming cruise, since its a 10 night sailing, I'm expecting to spend more, so I will be putting a lot of OBC on my account.

I plan on $10 per drink. I think for the most part they're cheaper than that. My big expense is the photos. I am going to try to take it easy and limit myself to one or two a day. Figure those at $25 a pop. I figure for a 4 day cruise I will need $200 for photos, $200 for drinks, and maybe an extra $200 for dining or spa services. On top of that you might want $100 for your parking, and another $100 cash for excursion tips, etc. So my proposed budget would be $800-$1000.