POF Posted June 27, 2013 #1 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I am thinking with tips / taxis / ports etc - I'll need about $1,000 cash. I hate to travel with that kind of money on me. I've read that I can get cash on my Seapass for 3% fee in the Casino - I would be OK getting out a couple hundred or even $500 ? Any limits, is it any time of the day ? DO they care that I get out cash and don't use it in the casino ? ATM machines - but these must have lots of fees. Any one done this ? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 27, 2013 #2 Share Posted June 27, 2013 There's an ATM on the ship, but I don't know the fees. There are also ATMs in the various ports. You can also fund your onboard account before the cruise. Guest Services will give you cash without fees if you have refundable OBC on your account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmf123 Posted June 28, 2013 #3 Share Posted June 28, 2013 You can also fund your onboard account before the cruise. Guest Services will give you cash without fees if you have refundable OBC on your account. You can purchase OBC by calling Royal Caribbean at (800) 722-5443. (Be sure to request a copy of the receipt, and take with you on your cruise just in case). It is fee-free as clarea mentioned. You can arrange for any amount, and it is fully refundable if you happen to have any left over at the end of your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POF Posted June 28, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thanks - but the cash I need is for things I won't be buying on the ship - such as $ in port, my car service at the end of the trip, tips, and contingency. So I don't think OBC will be of much use. I am budgeting about $300 for each port ( family of 4 ) , then I have extra tips, car service ( $150 ) etc. I'll definitely use plastic when I can - but these are things I will not be able to use them on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ticktoneer Posted June 28, 2013 #5 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thanks - but the cash I need is for things I won't be buying on the ship - such as $ in port, my car service at the end of the trip, tips, and contingency. So I don't think OBC will be of much use. I am budgeting about $300 for each port ( family of 4 ) , then I have extra tips, car service ( $150 ) etc. I'll definitely use plastic when I can - but these are things I will not be able to use them on. I think you've misunderstood a little. You load your Seapass card up with OBC before you sail and then just 'withdraw' it from guest services off your account just like you would at a bank so this would be cash that you don't need to spend onboard :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POF Posted June 28, 2013 Author #6 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Really - they let you do that ! I had no idea, I thought you would have to get it on the last day. So you go to guest services and they will give you some cash from your OBC ? Thanks ! I never knew that was an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted June 28, 2013 #7 Share Posted June 28, 2013 In addition to cash I always bring US Travelers Checks too...easy to cash these on the ship (RCI no service fee) if I need extra cash. Not as outdated as some people think..and at least their insured against loss. I take these on every cruise/trip I go on regardless of where I'm going. I even found them easy to cash when we were in China (Bank of China)..I'm not suggesting to use them on land to pay for anything as most places don't accept them for payment. Easy to purchase or order them at most banks or AAA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 28, 2013 #8 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Really - they let you do that ! I had no idea, I thought you would have to get it on the last day. So you go to guest services and they will give you some cash from your OBC ? Thanks ! I never knew that was an option. Yes, as long as it's refundable OBC. OBC from Royal, such as from booking in board or shareholder benefit is not refundable. OBC that you fund yourself before the cruise is refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ticktoneer Posted June 28, 2013 #9 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Yes, that's what clarea's post was about. It's a neat way to do it :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POF Posted June 28, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted June 28, 2013 So I would fund my OBC with $500 before I left ( also - how would I do this .... ) and take $500 in cash. I would then pull from OBC as I wanted it - no fees. Wow - that seems way too easy. Thanks so much o this is a great site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 28, 2013 #11 Share Posted June 28, 2013 So I would fund my OBC with $500 before I left ( also - how would I do this .... ) and take $500 in cash. I would then pull from OBC as I wanted it - no fees. Wow - that seems way too easy. Thanks so much o this is a great site See post #3 above for how to add OBC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogimax Posted June 28, 2013 #12 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Do you really think you will need $1000 in cash? Sounds a wee bit high to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted June 28, 2013 #13 Share Posted June 28, 2013 BRING the cash with you...that way, you don't incur ANY fees! Your bank will gladly allow you to redeposit it, if you don't spend it all! You will have a safe in the room to store it. Bring it in large bills...that's only 10 $100 bills!...much easier to carry than bunches of small bills! The ship can break large bills for you as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyhooked Posted June 28, 2013 #14 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I am thinking with tips / taxis / ports etc - I'll need about $1' date='000 cash. I hate to travel with that kind of money on me. I've read that I can get cash on my Seapass for 3% fee in the Casino - I would be OK getting out a couple hundred or even $500 ? Any limits, is it any time of the day ? DO they care that I get out cash and don't use it in the casino ? ATM machines - but these must have lots of fees. Any one done this ? Thanks[/quote'] Buy travelers checks and cash at Guest Services as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powelweb Posted June 28, 2013 #15 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Yes, as long as it's refundable OBC. OBC from Royal, such as from booking in board or shareholder benefit is not refundable. OBC that you fund yourself before the cruise is refundable. If purchased with the RCCL visa, would purchasing these OBC gift certificates earn you points? looks like there is only a flat shipping fee of $2.50 involved, so on par with traveler's checks fees if you don't want to carry cash, but possibly added bonus of earning points too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 28, 2013 #16 Share Posted June 28, 2013 If purchased with the RCCL visa, would purchasing these OBC gift certificates earn you points? looks like there is only a flat shipping fee of $2.50 involved, so on par with traveler's checks fees if you don't want to carry cash, but possibly added bonus of earning points too. Anything you purchase from Royal using the Royal Visa gets double points. Also, I was not suggesting purchasing gift certificates because they are too much hassle to redeem. By calling the number mentioned in post #3, the OBC goes directly on the onboard account, no redemption needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POF Posted June 28, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Do you really think you will need $1000 in cash? Sounds a wee bit high to me! It adds up quick, we are a family of 4 ( 2 late teens , husband and myself) - so its really about $250 per person Tips from start to finish on our trip ( we pre pay - but extra and other folks) - $150. 2 Port days - own thing ( taxis, lunch, rental of beach stuff, drinks ) - $330 @ 2 days - this might be high, but I've confirmed on port boards Contingency - $200 Town Car to Airport - $110. ( RCI shuttle would have cost us $160 ) . So - yep - it adds up quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powelweb Posted June 28, 2013 #18 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Anything you purchase from Royal using the Royal Visa gets double points. Also, I was not suggesting purchasing gift certificates because they are too much hassle to redeem. By calling the number mentioned in post #3, the OBC goes directly on the onboard account, no redemption needed. Thanks for the clarification on the OBC purchase- we may consider this for our grandeur cruise this summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted June 28, 2013 #19 Share Posted June 28, 2013 RCCL will also cash a check. I don’t recall the specific limits but that can be a back-up. There is no fee. We’ve also used Travelers Checks (just to cash on board) especially if taking a B2B and not wanting to carry loads of cash in the beginning. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeywestK Posted June 28, 2013 #20 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I think I remember asking about the ATM on the ship, and it was 6%:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JYD Hawkeye Posted June 28, 2013 #21 Share Posted June 28, 2013 We went on a 7 day western Caribbean cruise in April and took $2000 to cover tips and shopping and excursions. I brought $1300 back home with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POF Posted June 28, 2013 Author #22 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thanks again everyone for all your assistance, it it really appreciated. I've never cruised and I like to plan for everything. Cashwise - Ithink I am OK - the poster above spent $700 - and I am bringking $1,000. I think I will go with the AM EXP travelers checks for $500. That way if I don't need it - I won't cash it. Plus, I feel they are safer than real cash. Thanks so much ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsmeeker Posted June 28, 2013 #23 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Visit your bank before leaving. Get the cash monies. Bring it with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraLee Posted June 28, 2013 #24 Share Posted June 28, 2013 We leave Sunday. Is it too late go have the obc applied from the phone number above? Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 28, 2013 #25 Share Posted June 28, 2013 We leave Sunday. Is it too late go have the obc applied from the phone number above? Might be close, but they should be able to tell you if you call them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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