Carrying Cash??

[FloridaLaura]

Do you carry cash while getting to the port. We are flying this time. I can put it in my cabin safe upon check in and just take out what we need at each port, but traveling to San Juan and around San Juan with all the cash makes me second guess my thoughts. We will need money for 3 excursions for 2 of us, plus cab and food money while in ports.... I am leary to travel with cash but do not want to pay fees to cash checks on board. My bank no longer offers travelers checks :confused:

Edited May 7, 2014 by FloridaLaura

[snc_cam]

I do carry cash with us into the ports. I would rather spend that than give them a credit card when making a purchase. I don't take all with me, just what I am planning for the day, leaving the rest in the cabin safe with the rest of our stuff. I have never had any problems and all of the places we've been accept the US dollar. Just make sure if you get change, to ask for it in US currency.

[cb at sea]

Of course! Hubby and I split it....(and we use LARGE bills, since they don't take up so much space...the ship can break them down into smaller bills) and I just make sure my purse NEVER leaves my sight!

 

At the airport, I send hubby through the metal detector first....once he's cleared, my purse goes into xray, and I don't proceed until my purse is with him...THEN I go...doesn't matter if the security person is telling me to go...I wait until I'm sure my purse won't pop back out while I'm not there! (if you've watced, you know that stuff in the xray machine does go in and out and in and out!!!!) Sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself! So, don't let security bully you into passing through until you're positive your things won't go back out!

 

You carry credit cards....same thing! Just be aware of what's happening around you! Carrying cash isn't a huge deal.

Edited May 7, 2014 by cb at sea

[CoconutJD]

I always have cash on me when I leave the ship to go into port. Put it in your front pockets, or buy one of those wallets that goes around your neck. Obviously I don't carry a ton, but you'll likely need it to tip or buy souvenirs. Any big purchases (over $100 or so) I'll just use a credit card that doesn't have any foreign transaction fees.

[FloridaLaura]

Thank you...I don't mind carrying around some cash while at port. I am most concerned traveling to the ship with all of the cash for the week. I will bring large bills and split it between my husband and I and that's a great idea about the xray line... I will wait til I can get to my purse after going thru security!

[bunchesofun]

We always use money belts. We keep only the amount we need on the day.

[telli01]

We've cruised out of San Juan 3 times and always carried cash and never had a problem. Just like what was mentioned above we try to have larger bills and we split it between my husband and I. Also, just like any other city be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine. Have a great trip!

[SadieN]

For large amounts of cash that you will not be using, use a money belt or neck pouch.

[maldenmusic]

We keep our cash in the safe and only carry what we think we will need for each day in port, plus a little extra just in case. Never had any problem with it. Take small bills so you don't have to depend on getting change.

[sjcruiser]

I use money belts also when traveling, or place it in the zippered lap top sleeve when traveling to and from the pier, etc., which is in my backpack or camera bag, and never leave my sides except when it goes through the x-ray machine at the airport, at which point an adult in our party or me is in front or back of it as it goes through. In port, I carry the cash in my front pocket, with my S&S card, 1 credit card and license. I usually know how much I'm going to spend in port, after the excursion is paid for, so the rest is left in the safe. I no longer buy souvenirs except for a magnet for mtg fridge, and large purchases are put on the cc.

[aaron3219]

I carried cash, used the inside safe, and took what I needed off shore.

 

No problems. I keep my money in my wallet, and tend to pick shorts with a bottom close pocket. Out of a strange habit in areas I don't know I tend to keep my right arm down at my side with my hand close to my wallet....

[mferris77]

I've heard a good tip is to have a labeled, separate envelope for each port that you keep in your safe, and portion out your cash as necessary between those envelopes... then on port days, just grab that envelope and you're good to go. No sitting around, counting cash, "How much do you think we should bring" conversations, etc. You can even keep port-specific information in the envelope like confirmation emails, maps, etc.

[Nic6318]

Don't know how it is in states, but can't you just buy travellers cheques from banks that sell them (not your own)?

 

Also, I thought the ships had ATM's...if so you could get what you need on board

[092306]

We only carry the amount of cash we'll need in port and it's really not a lot. Some for food/drinks and a few souvenirs. The rest of the cash stays in the safe. We have used credit cards in ports and thankfully never had any fraud issues.

[casperbks]

I get travelers checks from the bank and cash them at the service desk the nite before a port adventure.. they are insured.... and cost me nothing to get...

;)

[winddawn]

Do you carry cash while getting to the port. We are flying this time. I can put it in my cabin safe upon check in and just take out what we need at each port, but traveling to San Juan and around San Juan with all the cash makes me second guess my thoughts. We will need money for 3 excursions for 2 of us, plus cab and food money while in ports.... I am leary to travel with cash but do not want to pay fees to cash checks on board. My bank no longer offers travelers checks :confused:

There is an element of risk in carrying cash on the way to your cruise since you would be carrying enough for your entire trip. And of course no one wants to pay ATM fees in port or onboard.

 

The best alternative IMO is to just take the minimum amount you need to get to your cruise. Then once onboard, you can insert your Sail & Sign card in a slot machine while playing, and then take out cash against your credit card by charging your Sail & Sign in the slot machine. Carnival does not charge a fee to do this. As long as your credit card limit is sufficient to cover what you put on the Sail & Sign you should be fine. Be sure to notify your credit card company in advance of your travel that you will be traveling.

[pauleydm]

We always carry cash and one credit card (in case of an emergency) into port. I carry a travel bag that hangs over my neck. It has an anti cut strap and holds everything we need including our passports, travel documents, Id's, Sail and Sign cards and credit card. I got it from eBags:)

[Bgem75]

Thank you...I don't mind carrying around some cash while at port. I am most concerned traveling to the ship with all of the cash for the week. I will bring large bills and split it between my husband and I and that's a great idea about the xray line... I will wait til I can get to my purse after going thru security!

 

Whenever we cruise my husband and I not only split the cash between us but split it among our carry-ons. This way if something is stolen they do not get the majority of anything...between the two of us there is a carry on for each, my purse and his wallet. So that is four separate places to put it. DO NOT PUT CASH IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. (We have heard of too many people having bags checked by tsa before being loaded onto plane and cash goes missing.) I was thankful i did not have any cash in our checked luggage on our trip to Florida last summer bcs tsa opened the bags went through everything and left us a note inside to let us know our bags had been checked. But like i said i never put cash in the checked luggage...but it was still weird bcs you know someone had gone through your things..lol.

 

But when in the ports..

We have one credit card and cash with us at each port. We have one of those waterproof containers that hangs around our necks (we picked up a new one on our last cruise) so while at an excursion our money and credit cards are with us.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Bgem75

[beachbum53]

Do you carry cash while getting to the port. We are flying this time. I can put it in my cabin safe upon check in and just take out what we need at each port, but traveling to San Juan and around San Juan with all the cash makes me second guess my thoughts. We will need money for 3 excursions for 2 of us, plus cab and food money while in ports.... I am leary to travel with cash but do not want to pay fees to cash checks on board. My bank no longer offers travelers checks :confused:

 

Don't know how it is in states, but can't you just buy travellers cheques from banks that sell them (not your own)?

 

Also, I thought the ships had ATM's...if so you could get what you need on board

 

We get no-fee travelers checks from our credit union. If you have a credit union in your area, it might be worth asking if members can get no-fee travelers checks. As to the ATM's on the ship(s), yes, you can get cash out, but you'll pay a fee (not sure how much).

[luvs2fly]

My February cruise left out of San Juan. There is a strong police presence at the airport and I felt very safe! On my last cruise I brought a lot of cash! My ship left at the Pan American pier and I stayed at the Sheraton convention center.

 

My husband and I walked to a nearby restaurant around 10:00 pm. Still a very strong and noticeable police presence. We even walked to the pier without incident. We walked past lots of locals and we always made eye contact, smiled and said hello.

 

If you are aware of your surroundings and acknowledge those around you, you reduce your risk of crime. Just use caution and don't keep all of your valuables together.

 

My husband carries a faux wallet when he travels, he has one valid credit card, several expired ones and a small amount of cash in it. If someone were to rob him they would get next to nothing.

 

Have fun on your cruise! The locals are very lovely and helpful. If you check any bags get to baggage claim as soon as possible! I caught a lady in her 60's or 70's with my bag. She thought it was hers!

 

 

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[Davey Wavey]

I get free travelers checks from my credit union, but would still rather pay for them than carry a bunch of cash. I would carry a few hundred at most split between me and DW, but any more than that is in travelers checks kept in the safe. At worst, I can do the casino slot machine trick and charge money to my account then cash out. There is no fee charged when doing that. It looks like a regular purchase so incurs no cash advance or ATM fee.

 

I don't worry about getting robbed, but cash can get lost and that would majorly suck.

[Sparky2]

Do you carry cash while getting to the port. We are flying this time. I can put it in my cabin safe upon check in and just take out what we need at each port, but traveling to San Juan and around San Juan with all the cash makes me second guess my thoughts. We will need money for 3 excursions for 2 of us, plus cab and food money while in ports.... I am leary to travel with cash but do not want to pay fees to cash checks on board. My bank no longer offers travelers checks :confused:

 

Fortunately, Chase Bank still carries Traveler's Checks. At least they did the beginning of January. There is no charge to cash TCs onboard.

[FloridaLaura]

There is an element of risk in carrying cash on the way to your cruise since you would be carrying enough for your entire trip. And of course no one wants to pay ATM fees in port or onboard.

 

The best alternative IMO is to just take the minimum amount you need to get to your cruise. Then once onboard, you can insert your Sail & Sign card in a slot machine while playing, and then take out cash against your credit card by charging your Sail & Sign in the slot machine. Carnival does not charge a fee to do this. As long as your credit card limit is sufficient to cover what you put on the Sail & Sign you should be fine. Be sure to notify your credit card company in advance of your travel that you will be traveling.

 

Thats a good idea thanks!

[FloridaLaura]

Thank you all for the great tips and suggestions....

[dljones]

Do you carry cash while getting to the port. We are flying this time. I can put it in my cabin safe upon check in and just take out what we need at each port, but traveling to San Juan and around San Juan with all the cash makes me second guess my thoughts. We will need money for 3 excursions for 2 of us, plus cab and food money while in ports.... I am leary to travel with cash but do not want to pay fees to cash checks on board. My bank no longer offers travelers checks :confused:

 

Why can't you use a credit card for your excursions? You will need cash while in port for other sundries though as you say... The safest way to carry money is a money belt. Just google it. I wouldn't put money in a lanyard around my neck as some have suggested. One good tug and that would be that.