What is the point of cruise cash?

[TigerGalCruiser]

Out of curiosity, how much cruise cash are folks putting on the on-board account? I know about how much I need for my alcohol, so I never have more than $200.

 

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[Keys2Heaven]

Out of curiosity, how much cruise cash are folks putting on the on-board account? I know about how much I need for my alcohol, so I never have more than $200.

 

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On our last cruise, for example, we had $500 in general CC and $200 in bar cash + $50 OBC booking promotion. We had already pre-paid our grats, so that didn't come out of any of the CC fund. We ate at the steakhouse twice and did the Chef's Table. Just those 3 meals were over $300. We made a purchase in the gift shop for $100 and picked up some shirts for the grand kids. We spent $220 on alcohol and specialty beverages and we drank comfortably, including a bottle of wine purchase (1/2 off steakhouse promotion).

 

At the end of the cruise, we had a credit of $16, which came to us by check about a week after the cruise.

 

Point is, it isn't hard to spend it, if you make a plan.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Out of curiosity, how much cruise cash are folks putting on the on-board account? I know about how much I need for my alcohol, so I never have more than $200.

 

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I plan on putting enough to cover auto grats. I know I'll be using it, and it saves me the trouble of having my gift cards applied when I get there. As I have OBC, which will also be put towards auto grats, I can't pre-pay it.

 

We have cheers, so unless we decide to get a picture or two, our on board spending will be close to $0, aside from auto grats. Well, maybe the green eggs and ham breakfast, also.

[louanne93]

I don't know about anyone else but I don't buy cruise cash until there's a month and a half to go to the cruise. I might be foregoing all of a penny in interest in that time. What I do makes sense for me, it doesn't need to make sense to anyone else.;)

 

100% agree! I was wondering why there was 4 pages of comments on cruise cash. Lol! I've never concerned myself with why/how others pay their bill.

[TigerGalCruiser]

On our last cruise, for example, we had $500 in general CC and $200 in bar cash + $50 OBC booking promotion. We had already pre-paid our grats, so that didn't come out of any of the CC fund. We ate at the steakhouse twice and did the Chef's Table. Just those 3 meals were over $300. We made a purchase in the gift shop for $100 and picked up some shirts for the grand kids. We spent $220 on alcohol and specialty beverages and we drank comfortably, including a bottle of wine purchase (1/2 off steakhouse promotion).

 

At the end of the cruise, we had a credit of $16, which came to us by check about a week after the cruise.

 

Point is, it isn't hard to spend it, if you make a plan.

That's been my experience too. I was just curious as to how everyone was left with all this extra cruise cash!

 

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[pacruise804]

I am planning on doing bar cash for our October cruise. DW does not drink, so I cheers is not an option as I would never drink enough to make it worthy paying for two. I see many keep talking about it being non-refundable, but then so is cheers.... with that you are essentially prepaying for your drinks and you don't get a refund if you end up not drinking your limit. I can put $200 on bar cash which would be about the most I would drink, and if it is last day and I still have money on it, then come find me because I will be buying drinks for whoever wants one till its gone :D:D:) What appeals to me is I can just put money in during months leading to cruise and then that reduces the amount that goes on credit card to be paid when we get home. I am thrifty by nature and if I have it prepaid and must use it I will be more free with my drink spending.

 

Interesting, I never saw it presented that way, but it makes sense. We don't use Cruise Cash, but do set aside an amount for drinking to give ourselves "permission" to drink whatever we want.

 

Why not just buy general Cruise Cash? That way if you don't use it all on drinks you can use the casino trick to get your cash back or use it to buy photos or souvenirs (like duty free liquor) to bring home.

 

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Why buy any Cruise Cash? I heard it said years ago that "personal finance is 80% behavior and only 20% math." It might not be why the previous poster does it, but for me if I set aside funds towards drinking I will be freer with my drinking - if I just have OBC or general funds set aside I might be less likely to spend on drinks "in case" something else comes up where I want to use the money.

[kaylahszoo]

Might just as well add my 2 cents worth, also. I am a waitress that works at a very, very seasonal country club. That being said, 7 months are lucrative, 5 months aren't. I can only take time off in the quiet time. So I want all vacations paid for in advance, as much as possible. Don't want to come home to a $500 Visa bill. I also buy AARP gift cards. As I also paid for my daughter & family's trip, saving 10% was huge. Saved $550. I have never bought Cruise Cash, but am thinking I just might now. No more kiosks or guest services. I always give the kids gift cards so they can do with it as they please. They go 'cheap' when they are just on my credit card. That's not what these trips are about. So with the gift cards, if they want a bucket of beer, go for it!

[sgttami]

Whatever works!

 

Some people do a dozen cruises a year while others save to do one cruise in a lifetime.

 

I've "mixed up" how I pay for onboard spending over the years and it only matters....what works for me!:D

[Luv2Cruise1756]

Southwest has gift cards right now. Exhange points. I just redeemed some of mine for a card.

[scpirate]

I had 50 dollars onboard credit and didn't spend but 12 dollars of it on the ship.so cruise lines hate me anyway.i can see cruise cash helping certain people out.i spend my money in port.so it doesn't do me any good.