Adequate Cash on Hand for 1st Time Cruiser

[MrsPhoenix91]

We (hubby, 18 year old daughter & me) are planning our first cruise next May: 3 days to the Bahamas, leaving from Miami and sailing on the Carnival Ecstasy. After prepaid gratuities and placing the minimum $300 cash deposit on our Sail ‘n Sign account, I believe $700 cash on hand will be enough. At this moment, we have no OBC, but may change when we book at the Early Saver rate in 2 weeks. The $700 cash will be used for our round-trip transportation from the hotel to the port (then the port to MIA airport), food off the boat, and other fun stuff. We’re not planning any excursions…heck, we may not even get off the ship! Also, we do not gamble.

 

Based on this, do you believe $700 cash on hand is enough?

:)

Edited July 23, 2014 by MrsPhoenix91

[WindsorFred]

Do you plan on gambling in the casino?

Edited July 23, 2014 by WindsorFred

[MrsPhoenix91]

Do you plan on gambling in the casino?

 

WindsorFred, thank you...I forgot to mention that we do not gamble.

[Tapi]

We are a family of 4 and we just returned from a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas. We had $150 in cash on day 1 and came home with $80 on day 4. Except for tips for room service, the $5 water taxi to Paradise Island, and a handful of cheap souvenirs in Nassau, we didn't use cash much. Remember that on the ship, everything is charged to your shipboard account. Unless you're planning on going crazy at the shops onboard, or getting spa treatments, or purchasing a lot of alcohol, you won't charge much.

 

 

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Edited July 23, 2014 by Tapi

[WindsorFred]

WindsorFred, thank you...I forgot to mention that we do not gamble.

 

 

You should be good, will probably bring some cash home even. Still a good idea to have extra just in case.

[Momis2]

I have traveled quite a bit as you can see from my sig below( It does not show all the non- cruise trips I have taken!) My piece of advice is to take twice as much cash and half as much clothes as you think you will need. You can always put the unspent cash back in the bank when you get home.:D

Edited July 23, 2014 by Momis2

[WindsorFred]

I have traveled quite a bit as you can see from my sig below( It does not show all the non- cruise trips I have taken!) My piece of advice is to take twice as much cash and half as much clothes as you think you will need. You can always put the unspent cash back in the bank when you get home.:D

 

 

Good advice.

[Jamdug73]

$700 cash should be plenty. May want to bump up the on board cash though since you are a family on a first cruise. $300 on board wouldn't be enough for me because I love the specialty coffee shops/drinks of the day/fun shops/steak house/etc...:D

 

Enjoy your cruise. They are amazing.

[jpaq]

Remember to take some one dollar bills for tipping luggage handlers , etc.

[golfadj]

You should be good

[tandemcruzr]

You may want some cash to tip your Cabin Steward, your Wait Staff, and maybe a favorite Bar Tender or Bar Waiter.

[retiredX2]

It is embarrassing when you only have a 20 and you need to tip someone.:o

[BigEasyCC]

I have traveled quite a bit as you can see from my sig below( It does not show all the non- cruise trips I have taken!) My piece of advice is to take twice as much cash and half as much clothes as you think you will need. You can always put the unspent cash back in the bank when you get home.:D

 

 

So very true!

[BigEasyCC]

Last cruise a lovely couple we met here on CC had made a wonderful suggestion - she said she makes envelopes for each of her port days with the cash she expected to use. This included cash for the taxis, with several one dollar bills for exact fare, the amount due on excursions booked outside of the cruise line and spending money. This truly kept me from overspending. (My husband thanked her several times for the great idea...men. Lol!) But we actually came home with enough left over for the deposit for our next cruise.

[watermelonqueen99]

My piece of advice is to take twice as much cash and half as much clothes as you think you will need. You can always put the unspent cash back in the bank when you get home.:D

 

Excellent advice! Especially on the clothes part! I learned that lesson as I rolled 82 bags through the airport. LOL :D

Edited July 24, 2014 by zumbagirl78

[Cruise-Crazy]

For those weekend cruises I usually take $700 or $800, better to have more than you need.