How much cash to bring?

[jcc1025]

We usually bring about $100 for each port. Don’t like carrying a lot of cash. Ships have ATM’s and cash checks. All ports have ATM’s and take dollars, even when we were in Europe. I know you might have to pay a few bucks for the transaction but think it’s safer than losing cash. Also interests me that people pay thousands of dollars on a cruise and try and save a few bucks on a transaction fee.

 

 

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[mek]

Very little cash, that’s why they make cards.

 

LOL - I get points for my Amex and none for cash, so I only take a few hundred $'s and usually bring some of it back. (For a 7 night Caribbean cruise.)

[Dennis#1]

Depends so much on ones spending habits and how how much shopping you plan to do in the ports. I prefer to use cash to reduce the risk of credit card fraud. There is another thread “Check your Bank Accounts” that discusses fraudulent use of credit/debit cards in Cozumel.

Edited December 8, 2017 by Dennis#1

[depplep]

We don't take more than $100. We've been to all those ports and don't buy anything anymore. Maybe a drink or a snack. Most ports we don't even get off the ship. Depends on what you want to do.

[Havingfun2010]

Hey everyone!

 

Just wondering, what's the smart amount of cash you should bring to the ship? I have a feeling a lot of the things on the ship, Brilliance of the Seas, can be paid for with credit card, but what about the taxis at the ports or little souvenirs?

 

Thank you!

 

I can get on and off a 7 day cruise, and have less than $50.00 charged on my account, and $0.00 spent in cash. (I prepay everything that I can). So, your question needs to include some other facts, such as is this ship sailing in Tampa, or Amsterdam? What ports are you talking about? What is the tipping culture of the places you are visiting. Do you have a credit card? And the most important question, are you going to gamble?

 

So my rule of thumb is for a 7 day leaving the USA, is $400.00 because, I need donate $200.00 to the casino, and the other $200 is for small items, taxi, snacks on land, maybe lunch. I generally do not take excursions, but rather opt to do something on our own, and so we need taxi money.

 

If you are talking about overseas, that's a whole different picture. My next trip, on the Brilliance will have 5 different currencies. Two major, 1 medium, and 2 minor. The first major is USD, which is for the ship, and follows the same as above. The second major, EUR is the equivalent of $200 per day, but this is also split based on my expectation of using credit cards or cash and what I plan for the day. If I have left over money I just keep it for the next trip. I'm also staying in a hotel pre and post cruise which is a factor.

 

The medium, is unique and a little tough to figure out, because I don't want left over cash, but I would be able to also use a credit card. So, it might be about $100.00 for the two of us, but I might end up having money left over, that I can keep it as fond memories. The minor ones, I will just substitute some Euro's, if I need cash, because it is sometimes accepted, or use Credit Cards. I will decide once I decide what we will do.

 

Your question is complicated without all the facts.

[TeeRick]

Depends so much on ones spending habits and how how much shopping you plan to do in the ports. I prefer to use cash to reduce the risk of credit card fraud. There is another thread “Check your Bank Accounts” that discusses fraudulent use of credit/debit cards in Cozumel.

 

That's why you bring prepaid cards that are fraud-protected, give you the best exchange rate, and you don't worry about your personal bank or credit card accounts. You would usually pay an up front fee at time of purchase.

[Beachammo]

We always bring way too much cash and way too many clothes.

 

 

 

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[Clarea]

We always bring way too much cash and way too many clothes.

I can help with your excess cash problem.

[Dennis#1]

We always bring way too much cash and way too many clothes.

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I also bring too many clothes on a cruise.

 

I can help with your excess cash problem.

 

I would also be willing to help with your excess cash problem.:rolleyes:

[Ourusualbeach]

We always bring way too much cash and way too many clothes.

 

 

 

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Unfortunately my wife does not share your problems.

[Beachammo]

Unfortunately my wife does not share your problems.

Neither does mine....

 

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[renegade817]

Hi everyone! I'm a new cruiser and I'm a bit confused. Why have so many people mentioned paying tips in cash when RCCL pretty much forces you to do pre-paid gratuities? Are there tips that are not included in that? I'm sailing on the 13th, and I'm trying to figure out how much cash to bring. I'm not planning on shopping or drinking at ports.

[Clarea]

Hi everyone! I'm a new cruiser and I'm a bit confused. Why have so many people mentioned paying tips in cash when RCCL pretty much forces you to do pre-paid gratuities? Are there tips that are not included in that? I'm sailing on the 13th, and I'm trying to figure out how much cash to bring. I'm not planning on shopping or drinking at ports.

Some just prefer to tip in cash. I believe all onboard tips are either included in the automatic tips, or added to the various bills now.

[Cigar King]

We usually have a grand, and often have much of it left. I primarily use the credit card but I do like having a little cash on hand. It is King, after all.

[TeeRick]

I take only $25 cash and use it on roulette the first day in the casino. Then I win enough cash for the remainder of the cruise. Unfortunately this strategy has not worked so far.

[Beachammo]

I personally would rather spend cash in ports instead of a credit card. Enough to cover lunch and a few drinks.....

 

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[geomancer]

Hi everyone! I'm a new cruiser and I'm a bit confused. Why have so many people mentioned paying tips in cash when RCCL pretty much forces you to do pre-paid gratuities? Are there tips that are not included in that? I'm sailing on the 13th, and I'm trying to figure out how much cash to bring. I'm not planning on shopping or drinking at ports.

 

All gratuities are either auto-added to your account (this is the now $14.50 per person per day) which covers all of the 'included' aspects of the cruise, or they are added to your bill (for example if you buy a drink 18% will be automatically added for a gratuity).

 

If you want to do more, you can do more, but no it's not needed.

[globetrotter212]

I bring about $60 per port (excluding private island calls like CocoCay and Labadee) plus around another $100 for tips.

[SG65CB]

Hi everyone! I'm a new cruiser and I'm a bit confused. Why have so many people mentioned paying tips in cash when RCCL pretty much forces you to do pre-paid gratuities? Are there tips that are not included in that? I'm sailing on the 13th, and I'm trying to figure out how much cash to bring. I'm not planning on shopping or drinking at ports.

 

Some people like to give some cash in addition to the pre-paid gratuities. They might give an extra cash tip to their cabin attendant and to their dining room waiters if they have fixed dining time and the same waiters every night. On your last night of the cruise they will leave some extra envelopes in your cabin for this purpose.

[OburgOrange]

I’m assuming the ship has an ATM and that you can make change at the customer service desk on board , or whatever it is called?

[Clarea]

I’m assuming the ship has an ATM and that you can make change at the customer service desk on board , or whatever it is called?

The ship does have an ATM, though sometimes it's out of order. Guest Services will be able to make limited change. The casino can also make change.

[juju2454]

We always bring way too much cash and way too many clothes.

 

 

 

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This ^^^^^ !!! ;p always we do it out of "protection" lol:D

[Beachammo]

This ^^^^^ !!! ;p always we do it out of "protection" lol:D

With some of the people I travel with.....I may need bail/bribe money. lol

 

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[ggo85]

As others have said, "cash" needs to be broken down into categories and then you decide how much based on where you're going on your cruise, what you intend to do/buy on the ship and in port, and how comfortable/willing you are to use credit/debit cards.

 

The only place you can spend cash to purchase something on the ship is in the casino. I believe you can also charge a certain amount per day in the casino to your room, but I'm not sure. Only you can answer how much money, if any, you will spend in the casino (assuming you won't win any back).

 

The second cash on the ship is for additional tips. You can tip bartenders, specialty restaurant servers, and the spa by signing it to your SeaPass card. If you've done auto gratuities there is no requirement to tip anything more. However, many do give a little something extra to those who've provided exceptional service. Also, for those who use the DL or CL, tips to the bartenders and concierge(s) are usually in order. The amount will vary on whom you choose to tip and the length of your cruise. We typically bring $300 for additional tips, which includes CL or DL tips -- may or may not use all of that.

 

Then there is money spent in port. Depending on where in the world you are, sometimes "every" place will take credit cards; sometimes they are virtually unusable. In most ports, most "real" stores will take them. However, if you want to buy from a local market or street vendor, you will need cash. In some foreign countries, they will accept USD; others will not. Research before you go. If you need local currency, you can get it before you leave the US or you can exchange on the ship (and wait in line and get a terrible rate) or maybe get it from the ship ATM. You may or may not be able easily to find an ATM in the port you're visiting. Thus, it's really hard to give a number here without knowing where someone is going, how many port days, whether they plan to buy anything . . . On our last cruise (South Pacific), it was a different (never would use again) currency in every port. We used credit cards where we could and, if that failed, didn't buy it b/c we didn't want to pay to exchange money and then have leftover cash in a currency we'd never use. Different story if you go to Europe.

 

If you take a ship's excursion, it's nice to give the guide and bus driver a small tip. I give local currency if I have it; if not, I give USD and let them sort out how to exchange it. Figure $5 per couple for a short tour and up to $20 per couple for a full-day tour and an outstanding guide. If you do your own excursion, the vendor may want to be paid in cash. Check ahead of time.

 

Finally, there are the misc. expenses such as taxis, etc. In most first-world countries, you can use a credit card for taxis. Obviously, if you need a porter at the airport or the cruise terminal, bring a few dollars.

 

Bottom line: We typically bring $750 for a 10-day cruise. Minimal casino, minimal use of cash in port. We usually bring most of that home but would rather have it up front than be stuck having to get more.

[ronandcarla]

For my wife and that relates to port shopping in re to jewelry usually allocate about $3000 by reason cash will work better that all other forms of payment; and for me I like to play craps in the casino and usually allocate about $1500.