How much cash?

[Katy_t]

Hi! My husband and I are leaving on our first cruise in 3 days (YAYYYY!!!)!.

 

How much cash should we take on the boat, and what would we use it for? We'll be on Carnival, if it makes a difference. :)

 

Thanks!!

 

P.S. I looked through the forums and didn't see an answer, so if there is already a thread like this, please send me there!

[GTO-Girl]

Hi! My husband and I are leaving on our first cruise in 3 days (YAYYYY!!!)!.

 

How much cash should we take on the boat, and what would we use it for? We'll be on Carnival, if it makes a difference. :)

 

Thanks!!

 

P.S. I looked through the forums and didn't see an answer, so if there is already a thread like this, please send me there!

 

You may already know this but everything you spend on the ship goes to your Sign and Sail card you are given at check-in (it's also your room key). There is no cash accepted onboard, unless you are feeding a slot machine.

 

It really depends on what you like to do whether it's gamble, drink, buy souvenirs, etc. We usually allow a budget of $100 per day. We don't like to have a large charge on our credit card so we go down to Guest Relations the day before we get off the ship and pay our account off in cash.

 

Hope this helps

[paul929207]

The only cash you would need on the ship is to pay your on board account, if you are not putting it on a credit card.

 

In port, it will depend on you. Some places will accept credit cards, but not all.

[OCruisers]

We normally take $200 in cash on port stops with us.

Better to have more than you need than not enough! :D

LuLu

[GUT2407]

Basically I take very little cash, slap down a Credit Card for my on board account, make most purchases in Port the same way, maybe grab a 50 at an Cash Machine in Port if I need it.

[Kartgv]

We also carry extra cash for 'above and beyond' tips for waiters, bartenders, and cabin staff who do an exceptional job. The regular tips will be included on your onboard account (at least on most lines) or already added on your bar bill, but for exceptional service, we add a little extra, usually in person at the end of the cruise. Most passengers will also tip a few dollars in cash each time they use Room Service. All of these are totally optional, but very common. For a 3 day cruise, $100 in small bills would be more than enough.

 

And don't forget about $1-2 per bag for the porters at the pier unless you plan on carrying your bags on and off the ship yourselves.

Edited March 11, 2015 by Kartgv

[zoncom]

Never carry any more cash on shore than you can afford to lose. ATMs all over. Use the safe in your room..Get some Caribbean (or wherever you sail),port books out of your library. really good ones; Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet. Will really enhance your enjoyment.

[aliensrck]

I am taking my second cruise, but since my first one was 24 years ago when I was I high school, I haven't a clue about this. I will ensure that I have enough small cash for tips and for in port.

 

PS - 24 years ago I was on the 2nd voyage of the Carnival Fantasy. I enjoyed myself and had a blast. This cruise is on Carnival Fantasy, too! This time with my family. I can't wait to see them. Haven't seen my mother in three years as she had moved so far away. March 20th can't get here soon enough!

[cb at sea]

If you are using a credit card to pay your ship account, then you only need cash for those little purchases ashore, gambling expenses and cash tips to porters, cabs, etc....

We always bring more than we think we'll need...and take it back home when we don't spend it!!!

[ozarkmama]

Not sure where you are going on your cruise but we found that our biggest expense off ship was taxis. We averaged $10 per person one way any time we went anywhere off the ship.

[LA_CA_GAL]

I always take a lot of cash.

 

Also, I take stacks of ones and fives for easy tipping, porters, room service, excursions, bartenders, steward, taxis.

 

Usually, at the end of the cruise, I wind up coming home with $1,000.

 

And no, I never worry about carrying a couple of thousands of dollars in cash.

Edited March 12, 2015 by LA_CA_GAL

[Steviewonder1]

We budget $100 per person on shore and another $100 per person per day on ship which includes the Casino, but not drinks and other stuff. YMMV.

[Crew News]

We bring dollar bills for tips for potential Room Service of $8 dollars/day. Our budget also allocates $30 for tips to porters accepting your luggage at the terminal and transporting it from the terminal to the taxi stand upon disembarkation. Five dollars for excellent excursion guides (usually college students with summer jobs) is my norm. Extra tips for Specialty Restaurant waiters, Main Dining Room waiters, Concierge, and Room Stewards are also budgeted.

 

Everything else on board goes on the credit card.

[donaldsc]

We normally take $200 in cash on port stops with us.

Better to have more than you need than not enough! :D

LuLu

 

I totally agree with you on taking more than you think that you need as long as you do not tend to spend everything that you have.

 

We just came back from a trip to Cuba where they do not have ATMs for Americans or at least not yet. That means that what you bring is what you have to spend. My wife wanted to bring $500. I insisted on $800. Lucky that I did as we were worried about running short before the end of the trip.

 

DON

[iahawkfan21]

Imt wife and I usually take $400'or so with us, maybe half in $20s the rest in smaller denominations. We don't gamble on board but charge drinks and shopping to card for miles. I prepay for yours as much as possible, bring some in port for shopping or tour tips.

 

On board, I always tip our room steward $10 on the first day. Personally I've found if we have any requests after they are fulfilled quickly and our room usually one of the first made up. I also find a favorite bar/bartender and hand them a few bucks with my first drink and try to order from there as much as possible. Also tip an extra dollar in cash with each drink and find that I get stronger drinks and quicker service most times. These may not work for everyone but it's served us well I've never left a single cruise feeling cheated or that I overpaid. It really depends on your budget too.

 

As others have said, don't take more than you can justify to come home without. Enjoy!

[Host Walt]

...On board, I always tip our room steward $10 on the first day. Personally I've found if we have any requests after they are fulfilled quickly and our room usually one of the first made up. I also find a favorite bar/bartender and hand them a few bucks with my first drink and try to order from there as much as possible. Also tip an extra dollar in cash with each drink and find that I get stronger drinks and quicker service most times. These may not work for everyone but it's served us well I've never left a single cruise feeling cheated or that I overpaid. It really depends on your budget too...

 

Sounds like what I used to do in the dining room on the first night at our assigned table...before the advent of "anytime dining." We'd drop a $20 bill on both the waiter and his assistant, and $10 to the wine guy, whatever his title.

 

Still do the $1 thing in the bars, and $10 to the cabin steward. Maybe service would be great anyway, but I never feel I wasted the money. After all, TIP means "to insure promptness" so tipping after the fact seems counter intuitive.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Host Walt

[vtredhd2014]

Is it possible to find an ATM in a Caribbean port where you can get more cash from your bank account in the states? Long cruise and will have a payday hit my bank account mid cruise and might want a bit more cash.

[iahawkfan21]

You can find them, however the costs can vary. I can't remember but you may have access to one on board. We've always brought enough so I've never had to worry but they may have them near the front desk.

[A2Mich]

Also be sure you know what currency you will be getting at an ATM. If you are in a foreign country, you will likely get cash in the local currency, which means you may get shafted when trying to convert any leftover money back to US currency. You may be lucky enough to get $US from an ATM in an area that serves a lot of US tourists. The ship may have an ATM on board as well, but be prepared to pay dearly in fees for this option. Another option, is to check and see if your cruise line will allow you to cash a check onboard. Some cruise lines do allow you to cash one personal check onboard for a few hundred dollars.

 

Almost forgot the old saying used by many cruisers - bring half the clothes and twice the cash that you think you'll need.

Edited March 21, 2015 by A2Mich

[MrsPete]

Island stops:

 

We use an envelope method for the islands. That is, I look at what we're planning to do and what I need to pay, and I put that amount of money inside an envelope. On the outside, I write the name /contact information /meeting place for that activity (we NEVER use ship excursions). I include money for taxis, meals, whatever is appropriate. I always include some small bills appropriate for tips so that we don't find ourselves wanting to tip $4 and having only a $20 bill. If we have any type of tickets, maps, or coupons, they're in the envelope (or stapled to it).

 

This means that I don't have to remember, "Out of this cash in my wallet, I need to save $$$ for Tuesday's stop at ___." And, obviously, when we arrive at Tuesday's island, we bring ONLY Tuesday's envelope. The rest remain locked up in the safe onboard.

 

Transportation money:

 

We have about an 8 hour drive, but I don't really get any cash for the drive. We tend to use our credit card for gas and meals at home -- we do the same on the road.

 

I do prepare an envelope for parking. I figure up what it'll cost and have exactly that cash ready to hand over. It gets us through the parking gate FAST.

 

Onboard money:

 

We bring about $100 for a week -- mostly small bills appropriate for tipping. We typically bring home about half of this, but we like to be prepared.

 

My husband likes to play the casino slots, but he's cheap: Penny and nickle slots. He brings a couple rolls of coins with him, and the rule is, When the roll is done, so are you.

 

Essentially all onboard spending goes on the credit card, so no need for cash.

[singlerail]

Hi! My husband and I are leaving on our first cruise in 3 days (YAYYYY!!!)!.

 

How much cash should we take on the boat, and what would we use it for? We'll be on Carnival, if it makes a difference. :)

 

Thanks!!

 

P.S. I looked through the forums and didn't see an answer, so if there is already a thread like this, please send me there!

 

are you using cash deposits on your sale and sign card or credit card?

 

I used strictly cash, and even though I didnt drink much managed to spend over $700 u.s., for myself and my daughter

 

eg $144 in automatic tips, $165 on a shore excursion ( others i bought online direct, much cheaper), $100 for 5 pictures from the ship, $40, 2 stuffed animals for my daughter as souvenirs, $40 for a picture cd from parasailing, $40 for 1 picture from dolphin swim, $30 for pictures from sting ray city, and 2-4 drinks per day @ aprox 6.85, plus money for misc stuff, like that one beer from my stateroom fridge, money for ports...etc..

[KatPem]

Depends....like others said, if you are paying cash on board it depends on what you will be paying for. If using a credit card for your sign and sail, cash needed on board is minimal...just tipping really.

 

At the ports it is another story. If that is what you are referring too, I would suggest that you research what you are wanting to do and the costs involved, especially taxi prices.

 

We wanted to take our kids to St John on our St Thomas shop. We brought $200 and then grabbed an extra $100 for souveniers. I had not researched cab rides, just assumed they would be $20-40 per way...Boy was I wrong and we quickly learned our lesson. $10 pp EACH way to the ferry. We were able to use the cc for the ferry fees and then $7 pp each way to the beach on St John. Since there were 7 of us (a relative was with us), it was about $240 just in cab fares!! I am sure to research that now...many islands are per person and with a family of 6 that quickly adds up.

[donaldsc]

are you using cash deposits on your sale and sign card or credit card?

 

I used strictly cash, and even though I didnt drink much managed to spend over $700 u.s., for myself and my daughter

 

eg $144 in automatic tips, $165 on a shore excursion ( others i bought online direct, much cheaper), $100 for 5 pictures from the ship, $40, 2 stuffed animals for my daughter as souvenirs, $40 for a picture cd from parasailing, $40 for 1 picture from dolphin swim, $30 for pictures from sting ray city, and 2-4 drinks per day @ aprox 6.85, plus money for misc stuff, like that one beer from my stateroom fridge, money for ports...etc..

 

You are a spender. Not counting tips and an occasional ship shore excursion, my tab generally varies from zero to $10. Don't drink. Don't gamble. Don't spa. Don't shop on the ship. Don't buy photos anywhere.

 

DON

[singlerail]

You are a spender. Not counting tips and an occasional ship shore excursion, my tab generally varies from zero to $10. Don't drink. Don't gamble. Don't spa. Don't shop on the ship. Don't buy photos anywhere.

 

DON

 

well I agree, I figured since it was my daughters first cruise, the pics were worth it to me...I was just giving an example of how things add up fast.

 

so DON you cruise but dont go off the ship?

I personally could do without the photos, the casino, or the spa myself, but do enjoy the odd drink..

[griffy116]

We do much the same as a previous poster. We book excursion privately and I use the quart size zip locks. I write on the outside the port name. Inside I put the cash to pay for the excursion (if it's booked paying cash instead of a credit card), any correspondence from the company. It's common in the Med to pay cash at the end of the tour. We put the appropriate tip inside the zip-lock along with money for the taxi, and some spending money for something from a vendor that only takes cash. Most charges are put on the credit card, including the casino. We keep a zip lock in the dresser drawer with small bills for room service tips (around $1 a plate), a few for a decanter of coffee. We have another one for tips to porters, shuttle, cab/taxi, hotel maid, any incidental charge. If we visit a private island, we carry cash in case we see something we want or need from the vendors. We also carry small bills to tip the bartender instead of putting it on the card, since we're already tipping 18% on drinks now. Really, pretty much everything else goes on the credit card. We carry more than we think we'll need and use it on the way home (drink on the plane, airport or when we stop on the road. We rarely have a lot of cash left over by the time we get home.