How much cash?

[Mypapaya]

Hi all,

I'm already signed up for a 7-day cruise in April with a port every day of the cruise, and have booked some tours NOT through the ship which require cash payment. We are a family of five, so with just these two tours alone, I already have to have at least $500 cash on me. I've read that you have to sometimes take taxis, water taxis and so forth, to visit various ports. How much cash do people usually carry on them if they are not doing a ship excursion that is pre-paid? Is it possible to get cash on the ship through your credit card? Do vendors selling souvenirs only take cash or do some take credit card? I'd appreciate any advice. :)

[6rugrats]

You can take traveler's checks and cash them onboard. You can't get cash on the ship using your credit card, to my knowledge. The easiest way is to just bring your ATM card and use at a bank. Yes, some vendors, restaurants, etc. will only accept cash.

 

I am not sure what you mean about paying for a "water taxi". Are you talking about the ship's tenders? You don't pay for those.

[cb at sea]

We always bring about $1500 (for 2 people) for a 7 night cruise...that covers the cash incidentals, our tips and gambling money.... Since you will have an outlay of $500 for those excursions, I'd bring several hundred more than that....depending on what you plan on spending!

 

Yes, some ports will require a taxi/bus to go to a beach....and the "straw market" vendors usually only take cash....but nothing costs too much at those places.

 

Just bring more money than you think you'll need...your bank WILL let you redeposit when you return! There's a safe in your cabin to store what you don't take ashore with you (and you should only take what you need!)

[bar_20]

Some cruise lines have ATM machines on board. Check with the cruise line you didn't mention to see if they have them. I know of one cruise line where in the casino you can get cash with your CC and they charge it to your room account and not as a cash advance. Most tours require advanced payment which can usually be paid by CC. If you have arranged a tour ask them what they take as payment. Most street vendors don't take CC but stores do. There are ATM's at the ports if there is not one on the ship. I usually take $500 in cash and replenish as needed.

[miladi]

If you are going on Royal Caribbean, you can cash a check up to $200.00. You have to have your seapass and photo ID on you when you cash the check.

[taxgal]

Another idea, depending upon cruiseline policy is to get cash at the casino. Most will let you get gambling money on you seapass, but some charge a service fee, so check before you go. We have gone to the casino, gotten a couple hundred in chips and cashed out for cash...yes this does add to your onboard charges, but prevents you from having to carry the extra cash....Just watch out for hidden fees, I guess somelines or casino venders got tired of being used as a bank and now charge fees for the cash advance.

[lovemylab]

The amount of cash you need will depend on what you plan on doing in each port. I would recommend going to the Ports of Call boards for each port to get an idea of activities (and costs) and use that as a guideline for how much to take. In some ports, I've carried as little as $25 while in other ports I've taken over $200.

[Johnthed0g]

On P&O you can draw foreign cash on your onboard account. I think this is VERY convenient.

[Mypapaya]

Thanks everyone,

I'm traveling on Carnival and I'm sure there's an ATM onboard, but I'll check to make sure!

[JolietDogMagic]

Hi all:

 

Has anyone ever brought traveler's checks or the AmEx Visa card and used that to convert to cash at the bursar's desk? Is there a fee for that?

 

Are the safe's safe for cash? Leaving 1500 in there seems a bit risky but I don't know anything about the safes...can the users provide more insight?

 

For just taxis and drink in Carribean ports - is $100/day enough for two people. I'm mostly concerned about the transportation as I would assume most stores and restaurants take a credit card.

 

Thanks,

Sharon

[Jahla Jahla]

Be careful expecting to use the ATM on board. On some of our cruises, the ATM was out of money because so many people were using it. I don't know how often they replenished it. I just take money and leave it in the safe.

[ddemetrius456]

Take maximum cash of $200 and if you have credit or ATM card you can take that,by that help you can get cash on the ship.But be careful with your cards.

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