Spending money

[appzoffear]

Taking my first cruise on the breakaway for 12 nights. Gratuities are already prepaid I have the ultimate beverage package and specialty dining package already paid for. My question is how much spending money should I bring? I was thinking of bringing $1500 cash and then use my credit card for my sailing account.

 

Thanks for everyone's advice

[Sauer-kraut]

Taking my first cruise on the breakaway for 12 nights. Gratuities are already prepaid I have the ultimate beverage package and specialty dining package already paid for. My question is how much spending money should I bring? I was thinking of bringing $1500 cash and then use my credit card for my sailing account.

 

Thanks for everyone's advice

 

It all depends on what you were planning on buying in the ports! Everything on board is paid for through your key card so you'll only need a few dollars for extra tips IF you choose to do that.

[gpb11]

You're asking how long a piece of rope you need for a 12 night camping trip.

 

Perhaps if you provide some real detail of where you're going, what you plan to spend your money on, as well as particular reasons you want to carry a large amount of cash with you, then the responses you get might be worth something more than random guesses.

 

My advice: Get a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card and make any substantial in-port purchases with that card. Have enough cash for small purchases as some vendors may not want to process a credit card for stuff under $20-50.

Edited November 10, 2015 by gpb11

[appzoffear]

Ports of call would be in the southern carribean...

 

I thought these small islands in the carribean don't take credit? I was under the assumption that it's small us currency only? The other money would be for tipping everyone for 12 days./.

[bnorris10]

Ports of call would be in the southern carribean...

 

I thought these small islands in the carribean don't take credit? I was under the assumption that it's small us currency only? The other money would be for tipping everyone for 12 days./.

 

Every port I have ever been at accepted credit cards - The only exception is maybe a small stand may not accept them like the straw market in nassau - But that is more of a flea market type setting so its expected your gonna have cash

 

Check your bank you may be able to find a debit card that refunds your ATM fee's back to you - Then you could bring a few hundred in cash and just withdraw cash at the port when you need it

 

Also capital one has several cards that have no international fee's when used which is what I also travel with

[jdemps]

Taking my first cruise on the breakaway for 12 nights. Gratuities are already prepaid I have the ultimate beverage package and specialty dining package already paid for. My question is how much spending money should I bring? I was thinking of bringing $1500 cash and then use my credit card for my sailing account.

 

Thanks for everyone's advice

 

I typically budget about $300 cash for taxis to/from departure port to airport, hotels and ports. Some airport taxis take credit so I would use that if its available. The shuttles are cheap but are so very annoying to us with all the waiting and extra stops so we always taxi.

 

I plan for about $200 in the casino for 2 of us to play a night or two

 

$600 for shopping in the little markets that don't take credit

 

I usually stay in a suite so I have about $300 for additional tips not covered in DSC.

 

I think the amount you take depends on your vacation style. We don't vacation on a cheap budget so I do a lot of research ahead of the cruise to know the estimated amounts we are going to spend and can plan for it.

 

There are quite a few zero international transaction travel cards out there so if you can get one of those, charge away where they take cards.

 

I don't know if any of that helps in your situation but sometimes people don't budget for all the extra charges that do add up over a week + on vacation.

[cruzsnooze]

Use a credit card at your own risk. Many charges may appear on your bill that you didn't make. For that reason I always use cash.

[appzoffear]

Ty jdemps, my budget for cash is

Right on with what you would budget also... I calculated all those things that you just mentioned when I came up with my cash allowance :) thanks for your input .. It sounds like we plan very much the same way :)

[cb at sea]

Just remember...better to have MORE cash than you need, than not enough!!! You can always redeposit unused money when you get home! That would be our budget, too.