How Much Cash Should I Bring?

We're traveling on the Celebrity Constellation next week and I was wondering how much cash to bring. Everything is already paid for or will be charged to our credit cards so it doesn't seem like we'll need much. Any thoughts?

What is the itinerary and duration? My cash allotment is based on destinations and activities onshore. Some places favor cash over alternatives.

We usually budget around $50 per person per port. So depending on your itinerary it can vary.

Initial reaction was how long is a piece of string' :D but realistically I would think a lot depends upon your ports of call. Some places you may buy no more than a cup of coffee, the next one a bag full of souvenirs.

Well, it depends on what you think you might buy in port, and how you plan to pay for it. Personally, I prefer to use cash -- but others exclusively use credit. Onboard, any purchases you make will be charged to your shipboard account -- even gratuities (if you didn't get pre-paid grats as a perk). I am kind of old school, in that I like to have a little cash (in a variety of denominations) to tip 'extra' -- for exceptional service. But, that's about the only thing onboard that you would need cash for.

We bring extra cash for casino, extra cash for tipping over required amount, will bring singles for bartenders at bars and lounges

We always travel with US $ and a small amount of local currency for each port we visit(equivalent of about CAN $) which we get from our local bank before departure. We use credit cards for most purchases.

If heading to Europe - we also carry UK Sterling and Euros

If heading to Southern Hemisphere - we also carry Aus & NZ $

Usual rule

Pack half as much, take twice as much cash

Bring more cash than you think you'll need...better to have it, than not! And better to not have to pay fees to access your own money via ATMS.

You can redeposit it when you get home, if you don't need it. We don't go anywhere without at least $1500 in cash...more if we're traveling for more than a week. Typically, we bring most of it home again...

You will want cash for the odd tips, and small purchases that pop up.

I'm assuming you mean in port. There are a lot of things to think about: lunch maybe, museums or other attractions and the transportation to and from, tips, souvenirs.

One poster mentioned $50 per person per day. That figure might be low if you will be paying an entrance fee anywhere or need to get a taxi. But in other instances it's more than enough.

I would rough out an estimate of how you plan to spend your day to give you a better idea. I often check online to see what lunch at local restaurants will cost, or what museums/attractions will be open and what the charge will be. I usually budget $100 a day for just me. That's going to be high in most instances, but better safe than sorry. I can always put the extra back in the kitty for the next port.

We like to mix up the bills and pay attention as you go that you are breaking down your bigger bills for tips.

Bring more cash than you think you'll need...better to have it, than not! And better to not have to pay fees to access your own money via ATMS.

 

You can redeposit it when you get home, if you don't need it. We don't go anywhere without at least $1500 in cash...more if we're traveling for more than a week. Typically, we bring most of it home again...

 

You will want cash for the odd tips, and small purchases that pop up.

I would agree with this. There's nothing wrong with bringing "too much" cash. Last cruise we ended up taking out cash at a bank in one port, then later from the ATM in the casino. We found more things to spend it on in port, and then at the end of the cruise we wanted to give our room steward a larger tip than we had originally planned - thus the ATM withdrawal in the casino.

We always bring more cash than we think we will need, you just never know what could come up. I usually have cash left to re-deposit when we get home. Usually $1,000. per week.

I also try to bring 'new' cash, if I can. Some countries are funny about taking old, ratty, marked-up US currency. Don't want to have any problems in the port shops. And, I don't want to 'reward' my favorite cruise ship employees with currency that might not be of any benefit to them, when they try to exchange it.

Yes, I too bring more than I'll need (but you never know)...cash travels easily and doesn't take up much room. I prefer to not use credit cards when I can especially during international traveling. JMHO.

All of it.

We always bring more cash than we think we will need, you just never know what could come up. I usually have cash left to re-deposit when we get home. Usually $1,000. per week.

I bring the equivlanet of that amount in local currency unless I'm going to a place I'm very familiar with. I will increase the amount and add a reserve of $1,000 USD in fresh bills for developing countries or places where I'm not sure that the ATMs will work.

1) The best exchange rate to a foreign currency is to use the ATM or your credit card. ATM for cash, credit card for purchases. If you buy any foreign currency from your bank at home, you are paying a healthy premium to do so. The same with carrying cash and converting at a money changer. As I type, if you change $100 with Travelex into Euro, you would get Euro 77.58. The "official" exchange rate, which the ATM rates are almost the same, you would pay $100 for Euro 85.86. Or a cost of 8.28 Euro. Nothing like almost 10% fee to change your money.

2) If you carry large amounts of cash, and it is lost or stolen, you are out that money.

3) Most Carib destinations, US cash is fine. No need for local currency.

I carry a bit of cash, and get more out from ATMs as needed.

One thing, check if you bank charges a foreign transaction fee. If so, look for a new bank.

Most ATMs outside the US do not charge a fee to use them. But, again, shop banks, some will reimburse you any ATM fees.

Lots and lots and lots.

Or

None, that’s why god made credit cards.

We're traveling on the Celebrity Constellation next week and I was wondering how much cash to bring. Everything is already paid for or will be charged to our credit cards so it doesn't seem like we'll need much. Any thoughts?

You won't need much but as they say, double your money and halve your luggage.

Lots and lots and lots.

 

Or

 

None, that’s why god made credit cards.

 

One thing, check if you bank charges a foreign transaction fee. If so, look for a new bank.

 

Most ATMs outside the US do not charge a fee to use them. But, again, shop banks, some will reimburse you any ATM fees.

Curious as to which banks don't charge foreign transaction fees. l have been charged them by Chase, Capital One, and my local Credit Union. On the plus side, the fee is generally about 1-2% of the transaction amount above the actual current exchange rate. So much better than paying 10% at a currency exchange outlet. Haven't experienced ATM fees outside of the US either.

My rule of thumb for any vacation is $100 per day. We usually bring 50-75% back home and use it to pay the charges made during that time on the credit card. I want the cash for emergencies but use my card when I can for the reward points. The cash is usually from my rewards points to begin with.

Curious as to which banks don't charge foreign transaction fees. l have been charged them by Chase, Capital One, and my local Credit Union. On the plus side, the fee is generally about 1-2% of the transaction amount above the actual current exchange rate. So much better than paying 10% at a currency exchange outlet. Haven't experienced ATM fees outside of the US either.

Capital One Venture One VISA. For ATM is has to be a member of your network for no fees. Not always easy depending where in world you are.

Curious as to which banks don't charge foreign transaction fees. l have been charged them by Chase, Capital One, and my local Credit Union. On the plus side, the fee is generally about 1-2% of the transaction amount above the actual current exchange rate. So much better than paying 10% at a currency exchange outlet. Haven't experienced ATM fees outside of the US either.

I am not sure if these particular ones are available to you in the US but the 28 degrees credit card and the Citibank debit card are both fee free (note that cash advance on the 28 degrees will incur a fee but not the Citibank card). I am sure there would be many more for the US market, Check it out.