Spending money dilemma

[Tntt]

Okay so we are about a week out before I cruise and unfortunately we had a unexpected Financial issue and we had to make adjustments to our spending money amounts that we were going to take on the cruise as far as cash is concerned. I'm really starting to stress out because I'm not sure if we're going to have enough spending money when we get on the islands to buy souvenirs Etc. Our cruise is only four nights and I was hoping some of you can give me some advice to kind of gauge what should be okay as far as cash to take on the cruise we would not be doing any excursions nothing extra just Cruising  we might buy a couple of souvenirs but that's about it just trying to get some advice

[Cru1s1ng2009]

do you drink or gamble?

[dodgestang]

Take it all to casino bet on black 🤡

[Tntt]

1 minute ago, Cru1s1ng2009 said:

do you drink or gamble?

No, my spouse may go to the casino once or twice but it wont be nothing g excessive. We've already prepaid gratuities so that is not an issue.

[sparks1093]

You really only have to spend money if you want to, I've never seen a souvenir yet that was so important that we just had to have it. I have seen some cool things but if the price tag was too much it stayed on the shelf. You might need a few dollars for the porters before and after the cruise (we typically tip $1 a bag before the cruise and the amount we tip after depends on exactly what they do, if they get our luggage and take us through Customs and to our car they will get substantially more). I like to have about $100 in cash with me when I am walking around and if that was all that I had I could easily make it last 4 days.

[Cru1s1ng2009]

to be comfortable about $50-100 a day.

[Cru1s1ng2009]

and you can cruise and not spend a dime more if you don't want to. people do it all the time.

[RickinStl]

Since you said a financial issue, I’d say $25 a day should be sufficient.. I took 400 with me to Alaska and came home with 150 for a 7 day trip.. 

 

sorry that your your issue put you in a bind 

[Biker19]

30 minutes ago, Tntt said:

Our cruise is only four nights and I was hoping some of you can give me some advice to kind of gauge what should be okay as far as cash to take on the cruise 

Your financial (and stress level) well being is much more important than some trinket - bring only $50.

[neverbeenhere]

You really don't need any souvenirs, take pictures for free.  Paint Nassau, Costa Maya, Cozumel on three rocks from around your house and you will have a souvenirs from each place. 

[grapau27]

34 minutes ago, Tntt said:

No, my spouse may go to the casino once or twice but it wont be nothing g excessive. We've already prepaid gratuities so that is not an issue.

Sorry to hear you have a temporary cash flow problem which puts a dampener on your holiday.

As you have paid your gratuities and it's only a 4 night cruise you should be able to be thrifty.

Don't go to the casino.

Do you need the souvenirs?

Try and put everything on your credit card so you can pay later.

I hope you still enjoy your cruise and your finances become better soon.

[Cruiser_1977]

I'm sorry to read of your troubles.

 

I don't know if you're flying or driving to port. If flying, make sure you have $$ to cover any checked bag fees and transportation to & from the airport. If driving, money for parking, gas, etc. Some tip the shuttle drivers and porters. Also, whether flying or driving an emergency fund for airline changes or car troubles. 

 

Can you apply for a new credit card or a loan from your bank/credit union? You may not use it but it may be nice to have the emergency cushion. If it's a loan and you don't use it, just pay it back when you return. 

 

My last cruise I spent very little only above the cruise fare, taxes, port fees, and prepaid gratuities.

Parking at IAD = $50

Checked bag fees = $60

Food/Drink at airport = $15

Taxi to/from Excursion = $40

Tip shuttle driver

Tip to room steward (above prepaid)

I bought nothing in Cozumel or on the ship.

 

Edited May 21, 2019 by JennyB1977

[2ManyCruises]

Look on the bright side. Your cruise is paid for, gratuities are paid. Just go and enjoy yourself. We’ve taken so many cruises and land base vacations that we don’t bother purchasing Souvenirs. Take pictures and videos and share them.

 

Enjoy free things on the ship. People watch, walking tours and free beaches is a good way to have fun without spending money while at port.

[Tree_skier]

Like others have recommended let pictures be your souvenirs.  I have long stopped buying any kind of expensive souvenir on vacation.  Most of the time they break or are forgotten about quickly after you return.  A little bit of cash for some local food or drink in port and you should be golden!

 

You didn't mention which ship you are on but I enjoy my time on the ship as much as I enjoy the ports of call.

 

Edit: I just went back and looked at your posting history.  I remember you posting originally about when a friend discouraged you from your Bahamas cruise!  You're on Symphony of the Seas and will be going to Cococay, I assume, as well as Nausau.  You can have a great beach day on Cococay without spending a dime if you so choose.  All your food and drink can be included there if you want. Nassau is great for a walk around town and purchase some very inexpensive souvenirs, $20 ea and you're golden.  Go to the Nassau Straw Market.  It's like a big flea market.  It's fun and free to go to.  Everything you see on sale is seriously negotiable and is inexpensive to start with. Then back on a fantastic ship for an all inclusive experience that doesn't have to cost you a dime more than you have already paid.

Edited May 21, 2019 by Tree_skier

[cynt]

Besides gratuities I spent $15.60 on a labadoozie at coco cay. Don't stress and don't purchase souvies. You will be fine. 

[loveheart]

We spent $12.00 on board on  our last 4 night cruise.  We did an Amsterdam canal trip for 32.00E for the 2 of us and spent $20.00 in the casino. We don't buy souvenirs any more. Hope you have fun on your cruise. x

[awestover89]

We rarely buy any souvenirs. Typically any money we spend off the ship is for either transportation or food if we decide to eat/snack while on land rather than returning to the ship.

 

We have done cruises where we didn't spend almost anything aside from the cruise fare + gratuities (our first Alaska cruise, for example, we spent $20 on a shuttle in Juneau and about $150 on a whale watching excursion in Hoonah, all other ports we walked to hiking trails or around downtown)

 

Other cruises we did an excursion in every port, ate on land most port days, and frequented the casino and Ben and Jerry's on board.

 

Basically, you can spend nothing extra or thousands extra, all up to you and honestly I don't think limiting your budget will limit your enjoyment unless you dwell on thoughts of "I wish I could afford this"

[taglovestocruise]

We don't spend much at all on the cruise or in the ports.  On our last 14 night transatlantic we spent more on food and cocktails in the airport then on the cruise itself. Souvenirs for us and the family ended years ago. 

[steveru621]

I would use a credit card.  Payments not due for 20 days after you get your statement.

 

Souvenirs are a personal thing.  We rarely buy anything unless it's close to Christmas, or it's a super special place.  For us the most popular souvenir?  A cheap refrigerator magnet you'll see every day.

 

Enjoy!

[Cru1s1ng2009]

aside from cocay , stay on the boat if you have to. It is nice to basically have it to yourself and everything is already paid for there. you will be fine. been there many times. 

[matj2000]

Unless we have OBC.

 

I rarely buy anything on the ships.

 

Almost never buy anything at the ports.

 

They all sell the same things.

[Ourusualbeach]

1$ chips from the casino are about the cheapest souvenirs Royal sells 

[livinthedream99]

We started a tradition years ago, where we pick up a magnet on each new stop, on all vacations. They are inexpensive and always bring a happy memory when I see them. However, I agree that your pictures make a great souvenirs! Just enjoy yourself and try not to stress on your vacation. Best wishes~

[Merion_Mom]

Take only pictures; leave only footprints.

[ReneeFLL]

If going to CocoCay the food and non-alcohol drinks are free. Most trinkets usually end up in a corner somewhere. Buy a cheap t-shirt or a postcard to send to a friend or family member.

Edited May 22, 2019 by ReneeFLL