Need help trying to figure out how much cash to take

[cruisinmait]

I want to make sure that we have just enough to make it through our trip.

 

I know we need money for the porters, taxis, food, and tips.

How much do you end up taking in each port for taxi's and things. I don't want to have big bills and not get the right change because they don't have it and I don't want to not have enough.

 

For tips on the cruise we are planning on putting them on our sea pass card. The bank machine is always an option, but my husband hates to pay the extra fee for using them.

 

Any help will be much appreciated.

[pcbeck]

For my family of four I always had around $150 in my pocket when going ashore in smaller bills. When I needed more cash I went to the casino and used my Seapass card to withdraw money at no cost so as to not have pay ATM fees that are pricey on board the ship. The other option is using taking traveler's checks and cashing them at the Purser's desk.

[cruisinmait]

Thank you. I didn't realize I could get cash from the casino on my sea pass card. That is good to know.

[Michuck]

Another advantage to using your Seapass card for cash is that it is not applied as a cash advance on your credit card....it's 'lumped' in with the other purchases/charges on your cruise.

 

Michele

[Bleacher Creature]

In the words of Carl Sagan,

 

 

 

Billions and billions, lol just kidding. I'm going on the cruise with about $500. That should do it, as they take credit cards everywhere.

[Pablo's Cruise]

Thank you. I didn't realize I could get cash from the casino on my sea pass card. That is good to know.

 

I think the way it works is you have chips put on your acct at a table, then cash them out? Not sure if that's totally correct, but am inclined to think it is.

[PhinsAndGills]

I don't like putting tips on my seapass for a few reasons so we pre-load tip envelopes (according to guidelines set from RCCL). We have one envelope with smaller bills to "add" to the pre-loaded envelopes in case of extra good service and for bartenders and such... Then WE DONT TOUCH THE ENVELOPES. It makes tipping easier and you don't have to worry all week about "saving back" money for tips.! :)

[crb04]

Hi--we also "pre-loaded" our tip envelopes, and cash for the one excursion booked in Cozumel that required it. Are family of four and had independent excursions booked in most ports. Like to shop, but not for big-ticket items. Brought along an additional 1000.00 in traveler's checks (brought back 400 worth) for the week, figuring if we needed more cash, ATM and casino cashier on ship. Easy to cash travelers $ at purser's desk or casino cashier. We had it broken down into smaller bills for tips, cabs, purchasing (some places don't give back US money for change) items in port--most places take traveler's checks or major charge cards too (although traveler's cheques don't hold up well when dampened--so if planning lots of water stuff...). Depends on how much shopping you plan to do and where, I guess. For ports with shops that might not have/give US change, we took about 300 cash. For others, 150 or so worked for us. Always came back to ship with leftover. Ship is pretty much cashless system; seapass account works for everything. Have fun, can't wait til our next one...

[KamloopsCruisers]

I think the way it works is you have chips put on your acct at a table' date=' then cash them out? Not sure if that's totally correct, but am inclined to think it is.[/quote']

Nope - you don't have to get chips. Just walk up to the cashier's window and ask for cash. I usually don't get more than $250 at a time (handy for tips or going ashore), but I believe I read on another thread that the daily limit was $1500. I have received cash on various ships, each time from a different cashier. I've never been questioned in the cash was for the casino.