Cash

BOB strikes again!!

 

 

 

Thanks for the information, I had no idea.

 

 

 

I’m not a gambler, I guess that’s why I was unaware of this option.

I am and never knew about this. If I can wire $$$ in advance, would be very helpful.

CR VIP can get $5000 off SeaPass card but would rather have the money in this account.

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Personally I do not see why someone would want to do a cash account onboard. That would required carrying a lot of cash. Which if you lose it, is LOST.

Also, with so many perks on various credit cards, pay with credit card (simple), get perks, pay credit card bill in full so no interest charges.

I travel internationally a lot for work and for play, and travel with a small amount of cash (a few hundred), an ATM card, and a few credit cards. I carry more than one, as it seems to be that I end up with a credit card hacked the day I leave or the first day in transit. :) This has happened several times. Even when I did not use that card. It is probably a corollary of Murphy's law.

But to each their own.

Personally I do not see why someone would want to do a cash account onboard.

There are a few reasons. A simple example is people who *do* carry a balance, they'll always get charged interest and that far exceeds any perks. There are also several people who use cash for everything they can, as evident by this thread, for their own personal reasons.

As for the original question asked: No cash is needed at all on the ship itself, provided you do have a credit card to settle the bill. Several people mentioned tips, but that is *only* if you wish to tip above and beyond what you're already automatically tipping. Up charge options, like individual drinks, drink packages, and I believe the spa tack on an extra 18% for the gratuities. Specialty restaurants and room service have the gratuity included in the price. You do not have to tip extra. It is not expected that you tip extra. Some people just feel uncomfortable leaving a table without a tip, even though they are indeed still getting one "behind the scenes".

Personally I do not see why someone would want to do a cash account onboard.

 

and a few credit cards. I carry more than one, as it seems to be that I end up with a credit card hacked the day I leave or the first day in transit. :) This has happened several times. Even when I did not use that card. It is probably a corollary of Murphy's law.

 

But to each their own.

Seems like you answered your own question. I know if your hacked credit card companies are pretty easy to deal with getting it taken care of, I make these reports every day at my job. Some people just don't want to deal with that. Anyway, like you said, to each his own, the way you do it doesn't affect me and the way I do it doesn't affect you. Works for each of us.

Personally I do not see why someone would want to do a cash account onboard. That would required carrying a lot of cash. Which if you lose it, is LOST.

 

Also, with so many perks on various credit cards, pay with credit card (simple), get perks, pay credit card bill in full so no interest charges.

 

But to each their own.

It’s simple. One rule I have for my play in the Casino is I only bet the money I can afford to lose.

Credit Cards are cash advances and then become a debt. Using debit cards are a pain because your account gets a double whammy for about 7 days, a hold and the charge.

We carry cash for tipping above the prepaid gratuities.

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You really don’t need cash, and just carry some for incidentals and emergency, you can prepay your gratuities, you can even charge amounts to your card in the casino if I’m not mistaken

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You really don’t need cash, and just carry some for incidentals and emergency, you can prepay your gratuities, you can even charge amounts to your card in the casino if I’m not mistaken

 

 

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As stated previously, Credit Cards are cash advances and not my money but become a debt. Putting it on a SeaPass Card goes right to Credit Card or Debit Card assigned to the account.

I already prepay our gratuities and I choose not to turn this thread into a tipping thread. Some of us choose to tip cash extra for special service. I always tip $1 a drink cash and I am well aware it is included in the price/package, or whatever.

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Hi all

I have a couple of questions on money that maybe someone can help with.

Do I need any cash for my cruise it's my flrst time?

I am under the impression that the ships are cashless

 

How does the sail card work?

Sorry, also when settling the bill do you pay immediately upon disembarking or do you send an invoice to your home address?

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

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Andynk, I apologize if this posts 2X but I tried to send and it didn't seem to go through so trying again.

Since it is your first cruise, there has been lots of good advice here, but maybe you want a step-by-step. You may want to give a small cash tip to the porters who take your luggage when you arrive at the port, to the people who deliver your luggage to your room, to the waiters who deliver room service (if you get room service - I usually tip $2, but it's up to you), and even if you have automatic gratuities included on your account, you may have service during your cruise from someone that you want to have a little bit of additional cash with you to tip that person. Also, don't forget that if you are out in a port you will want cash for souveniers, and if you go to a beach on your own (not a ship-sponsored tour) you will need cash if you want to rent chairs/umbrellas and maybe you'll want a drink or a bite on the beach. I always end up taking quite a bit of cash even though the ship is "cashless" for us as we always set up our account on our credit card when we board. On the last day we get a print-out in our room letting us know what will be charged to our credit card. Also, you can always go to the Guest Services desk at any time during the cruise and ask for a print out of your charges so that you have an idea of what has been charged to your account. The charges are usually posted fairly promptly, so you can keep track of what you will owe at the end of the cruise. I hope this helps answer at least part of your question and enjoy your first cruise!

OF COURSE you should have cash! You should ALWAYS have cash, no matter where you are! Cash is KING! You can charge everything on the ship to your account....how you PAY that account is up to you. Most use a credit card and pay it off when you get home...that's fine! But...if you're ashore, not everywhere accepts credit cards or if they do, they "convert" your funds into their funds. The USD is accepted everywhere in the Carribbean..except Cuba...don't know why you'd want to give them our money...but whatever. Definitely bring some cash...we generally do $1500.oo for a week....seldom spend it , but nice to have!

I have cash to tip people the first couple of days whom I think I will have a "relationship" with over the week. I usually give our cabin steward some cash the first or second day. We have sailed suites the last three cruises so I usually slip some cash to the suite sun deck bartender and deck server the first or second day. It seems to pay off. I won't go into details.

Two trips ago (Allure) we had a great concierge and Coastal Kitchen hostess and I tipped both on the 3rd day some cash. This most recent trip (Oasis) they weren't great and I didn't tip them anything.

Cash needed on board is minimal depending on how you want to tip specific people.

Some shore excursions such as Nachi Cocom in Cozumel want cash.

Also you'll need some $1 and $5 to tip shuttle bus drivers and porters when arriving and departing your cruise.

(You might not need a porter on departing, depending on how much luggage you have.)

Bus drivers -- $1 or $2 per person

Porters -- $1 to $2 per bag when arriving. $5 per bad when departing because they stay with you through customs -- takes a lot more time.

Bar staff -- You can add additional tips on your bar bill when you pay for a drink, or you can tip $1 or $2 more with cash if you want.

Casino for Royal Caribbean requires cash, which is a good thing.

I was on a Carnival ship once where the slots accept and charged the ship card -- I spent a lot more than if I used cash because it was so easy to do..

There is a safe in the room, so put your cash in there and take it out when you need it.

If you need some more single dollars, the customer service counter or the casino cashier can change your money.

You won't need your wallet on the ship -- I leave mine in the safe and take it out when leaving the ship anytime.