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Why I would want cash...

Anita Latte

By Anita Latte,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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bruadhin

bruadhin

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Good thoughts for anyone else reading the thread. For our trip, we are driving from the Atlanta area to Jacksonville, so no air travel this time.

 

I would say far and away the number 1 reason in my mind, getting stranded.

 

Probably not too much of a worry from Atlanta to Jacksonville, fairly well populated areas and if you don't go too far from the port probably not a big deal. But if you are stranded in the middle of no where, whether the US or overseas, few things beat US dollars in large denominations for getting out of a jam in a hurry.

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Anita Latte

Anita Latte

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I would say far and away the number 1 reason in my mind, getting stranded.

 

Probably not too much of a worry from Atlanta to Jacksonville, fairly well populated areas and if you don't go too far from the port probably not a big deal. But if you are stranded in the middle of no where, whether the US or overseas, few things beat US dollars in large denominations for getting out of a jam in a hurry.

 

Gotcha! There was nothing like cash on hand after Hurricane Ike.

 

No need to schlep quarters.

Guest Services or the casino will have them.

 

Check. Duh. I really hope to not have to do laundry...but...

 

If you want to request songs at the piano bar, it's customary to include a tip.... Bigger the bill, faster it will get played! 😉

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

This! We will definitely be in the piano bar...we love live music, and DS is especially excited for this as well. Check!

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JasonV1

JasonV1

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Cash seems to help get you "more" regular bar waiter service when at shows, pool/hot tub, and MDR. I'm not saying it's necessary, just that I've noticed a difference from time to time. Even more so in the MDR where there are never enough bar waiters to go around.

 

Sometimes I like to pick up my own drinks, and in those cases I've seen cash lead to more generous pours of liquor on subsequent drinks.

 

Your mileage may vary of course. I try to use the same waiters/bartenders when possible as well, seems to help as they will quickly remember you.

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sharona211

sharona211

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Cash seems to help get you "more" regular bar waiter service when at shows, pool/hot tub, and MDR. I'm not saying it's necessary, just that I've noticed a difference from time to time. Even more so in the MDR where there are never enough bar waiters to go around.

 

Sometimes I like to pick up my own drinks, and in those cases I've seen cash lead to more generous pours of liquor on subsequent drinks.

 

Your mileage may vary of course. I try to use the same waiters/bartenders when possible as well, seems to help as they will quickly remember you.

 

Are you saying you get better service/better pours when you tip cash in excess of the standard added on tip as opposed to just tipping generously using your S&S card? Actually, it's been a while and I can't even recall - is the tip automatically added to the bar/waiter tab when signing?

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Anita Latte

Anita Latte

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Shopping, food and drinks in port for me. Plus taxis in ports/embarkation ports.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

How do you determine this? Do you spend dollars in port? Do you exchange your dollars?

 

It doesn't really apply to me and our up-and-coming cruise...as I understand I can use our US dollars in the Bahamas easily...unless I'm wrong? But it's interesting to think about how you try to limit transaction fees in port...which I assume in the reason you spend cash there?

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Honolulu Blue Great Review Rare

Honolulu Blue

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If you use your S&S card for that and the slots, it may be treated as a cash advance by your card company. I wouldn't know as I've never done it, although I don't think so as I seem to recall the S&S bill just being one large bill on the card.

 

I have done it, and it works as you said - casino transactions are lumped in with all the other S&S transactions and are billed in one lump sum after you leave.

 

Using your credit card at the ATM is, of course, another story.

 

As for using your current S&S card for the safe, Carnival recommends you NOT do that. And I recommend not using a card you will use for other purposes. Since any card with a magnetic strip on the back will work, use one that you barely use otherwise, but will remember.

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MMastell

MMastell

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I'll usually take about $50 - $75 in singles and fives to handle all gratuities and small expenditures.

 

We do take more cash, but that is for the casino and any smaller on shore purchases. i.e $20 or less or where they won't take credit cards. The amount of cash you take for casino and onshore purchases is up to you.

 

A good friend of mine is the branch manager at my local bank. One time I went in to get $50 in singles. He saw this and said: "You're either going to a strip club or on a cruise." ;)

 

I take my old Sign and Sail card and throw it in the front pocket of my suitcase. This is what we use for the safe. I like to use one that is from a different cruise line than the one we are sailing so I don't get the two cards mixed up. Don't leave the safe card "under" the safe or in the same cabinet. It's the first place someone would look for it. Also, don't use your current sign and sail card for the safe. This gives someone access to the room and the safe if they take it.

 

Take care and enjoy the cruise,

Mike

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Ehpride

Ehpride

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How do you determine this? Do you spend dollars in port? Do you exchange your dollars?

 

 

 

It doesn't really apply to me and our up-and-coming cruise...as I understand I can use our US dollars in the Bahamas easily...unless I'm wrong? But it's interesting to think about how you try to limit transaction fees in port...which I assume in the reason you spend cash there?

 

 

I'm not going to use a credit card in port to buy a 5 dollar t-shirt or 3 dollar pair of earrings. Most souvenir shops wouldn't even be able to take cards anyway. Plus, if they do, it's a lot easier to use cash. But I wouldn't use a credit card for that at home. Plus, I want to limit my exposure to fraud.

 

And most taxis only take cash. They won't take cards.

 

I just use dollars. I've never had anyone in a Caribbean port refuse them.

 

I also find it helps me budget for the extras.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Anita Latte

Anita Latte

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It's also difficult to negotiate a price with a vendor, which is expected in Mexico, if you then whip out your credit card to pay.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gotcha...my port experience is quite limited. We rarely shop so I don't think about that too much...but these are points well taken. Thanks.

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Anita Latte

Anita Latte

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Room service tips. You can purchase used playing cards from the casino cashier for one dollar cash. Most ships use your sail & sign card for the laundry.

You can get cash from guest services if needed by cashing a personal check. It is much cheaper than using the on board ATM.

I would never have thought to bring a check book... I'm typically not a check writer...I only purchased checks so I could get the Target debit card! LOL. I do find them handy for DS' school needs though. Almost every check is out made to his school.

 

This is a great back up for if I don't happen to take enough cash. Thank you!

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evanAction

evanAction

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Source:

http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/halfmooncay.html#.VBCJHvmwJ8M

 

"Half Moon Cay is Holland America's own private island in the Bahamas; when it's not being used by Holland America, Carnival's ships make port here. Despite all appearances to the contrary, the cay really is a deserted island, save for a caretaker staff of 10 to 20 Holland America workers who live here year round. The locals who sell arts, crafts, souvenirs and knickknacks in the straw market reside on nearby Eleuthera Island, and commute to Half Moon Cay whenever a ship comes into port.

 

Just remember to bring your Sign & Sail Card (Carnival) or your Stateroom Key Card (Holland America) to pay for your drinks, souvenirs, equipment rentals and last-minute excursions. And if you plan on shopping for some straw goods, bring cash."

 

Excellent. Thanks for the info!

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tandemcruzr

tandemcruzr

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No need to schlep quarters.

Guest Services or the casino will have them.

 

Yes -- we brought a roll of quarters and it set off the security scanners. Had to go to the area where they open your bag and go through it to find what set off the scanner. Because a roll of quarters is a dense bulk of metal, it looks suspicious to the scanner.

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Anita Latte

Anita Latte

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Yes -- we brought a roll of quarters and it set off the security scanners. Had to go to the area where they open your bag and go through it to find what set off the scanner. Because a roll of quarters is a dense bulk of metal, it looks suspicious to the scanner.

Been there done that on the roll of quarters...I don't know what security thought it was but at the time, a supervisor had to come over and there were huge sighs of relief and smiles when they discovered the roll of quarters...very strange.

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Ehpride

Ehpride

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Gotcha...my port experience is quite limited. We rarely shop so I don't think about that too much...but these are points well taken. Thanks.

 

 

Obviously, if you're buying a real designer purse or nice jewelry, that's not always the case. But you'll also often get a lower price if you pay with cash instead of a credit card. Bottom line is if you have to ask the price and/or they pull out a calculator, they want to negotiate. If there are price tags/signs , probably not.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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SadieN

SadieN

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Been there done that on the roll of quarters...I don't know what security thought it was but at the time, a supervisor had to come over and there were huge sighs of relief and smiles when they discovered the roll of quarters...very strange.

 

 

Small pipe bomb?

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fmrlkr

fmrlkr

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If we find we need more money use a slot machine in the casino, charge to our room then cash out. Usually what we need the money for IS the casino. There is no charge for this. On our last cruise, friends needed cash for their return trip so we showed them how to do this, they never even played.

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