How much to bring

[adancer1227]

Hi everyone,

 

I am trying to figure out how much cash to bring on our trip. We are taking a taxi from the hotel to the port so, with that in mind (and an average of $20 taxi fare), how much cash and in what denominations should we bring? Also, if we run out, is there anywhere on the ship that we can add money to our account then withdraw without penalty? I think We did that at the casino, but I wasn't sure if this would fall under the 5% fee.

 

TIA!

[gerif]

That's impossible to answer without knowing where you are going, for how long, what you plan to do in each port, etc. but, yes, you can get cash on your card in the casino for a 5% penalty.

[bouhunter]

That's impossible to answer without knowing where you are going, for how long, what you plan to do in each port, etc. but, yes, you can get cash on your card in the casino for a 5% penalty.

 

That's the answer. No one else can tell you how much cash you'll need. Make a budget if you have to and figure out what you'll be paying in cash.......

 

We won't travel anywhere anytime without around 150/day in cash. But only you know your needs or what you're comfortable with as a cash cushion.

 

Obviously if taxi's and tips are involved don't leave home without a supply of 1's, 5's, 10's and 20's........

Edited February 8, 2016 by bouhunter

[Clarea]

Hi everyone,

 

I am trying to figure out how much cash to bring on our trip. We are taking a taxi from the hotel to the port so, with that in mind (and an average of $20 taxi fare), how much cash and in what denominations should we bring? Also, if we run out, is there anywhere on the ship that we can add money to our account then withdraw without penalty? I think We did that at the casino, but I wasn't sure if this would fall under the 5% fee.

 

TIA!

Also bring an ATM card so you have access to extra cash in ports, should you need it.

[pjnj40]

Agree with other. Impossible to answer. I would bring a credit card with you and make most of it at port. You will get small foreign policy cost that is under a dollar.

As for the hotel part, most hotel offer a free shuttle to the pier. Check with the front desk on that.

[cb at sea]

For many things, a credit card will work ashore. We bring about $1500 for a week (in cash)...if we don't spend it, we redeposit it when we get home.

 

You will only need smaller denominations until you get TO the ship...larger bills are easier to carry, and the ship can break them down for you.

 

There are ATM's but they charge a fee to access your own money.

[Clarea]

... There are ATM's but they charge a fee to access your own money.

Not if you use the right bank.

[Keith1010]

We always bring more money than we think we need just in case.

 

Consider tips for your luggage and room service.

 

Keith

[adancer1227]

Thank everyone. Reading just the general responses are helpful. I was planning to bring a certain amount but was thinking it was too much to be carrying.

[Kermit426]

Anyone have recent experience with ship ATMs? What bank, transaction fee charged by the machine? I realize my own bank may charge a fee as well.

[Clarea]

Anyone have recent experience with ship ATMs? What bank, transaction fee charged by the machine? I realize my own bank may charge a fee as well.

I don't know the fees or bank, but I do know that they are out of order more than you might expect. In other words, I would not depend on them as my only source of cash.

[Havingfun2010]

My rule of thumb is that I only need $50.00 in cash. Now, I bring more, but I prepay everything. So what do I need money for? The ship account is a credit card so I don't need cash for that. A few dollars for room service, and maybe some extra tips for the room, or dining staff. That's how much you need!

 

Now how much should you bring? Well, how much gambling will you do? What about purchases in port? Cash or Credit? Tips for excursion people, taxi, etc. I usually carry $500 for the two of us on a week long trip to anywhere, not just a cruise. On my last cruise, I had about 350.00 left in my pocket.

 

That's what makes a cruise great. Prepay, forget about it, and have fun.

[yuvraj]

My contribution to the variety of responses which I hope is helpful ...

 

I avoid using the ATM on the ship and would generally avoid using ATMs elsewhere. I am also cautious about using my credit card for everyday purchases at ports and reserve this for major purchases at reputable shops. So all other items are paid for by cash.

 

As a contingency, I would use the casino for emergency cash and take a hit on the 5% but I don't rely on this.

 

So then it comes to working out my budget. For a 7 day cruise with a pre-cruise 1 day hotel stay I typically budget $1500 to cover 2 people. This in my experience is sufficient to cover taxi, tips for porters, food, refreshments etc. before and after the trip. Any surplus I use to pay off my on board account or at least part of it.

 

I am based in UK but this is what I did with my recent Caribbean trip. When in Europe I take the same amount but in Euros and it works out about right.

[Summerknight]

We bring lots of fives and singles. The tipping starts the minute we get out of our car into the shuttle to airport. If we use curbside check in, that's another $5 and so on...

[Midwestgal]

Can and will the ship break $100.00's and $50.00's , it's easier to bring mostly large bills and then break them as needed.

[runawaysoul]

I bring enough money to keep out of trouble without getting into it, if that makes sense. I prepay everything I can before I go. From there, I guesstimate how much I'll spend at each Port. I'll withdraw that much. If I miss, I'll withdraw more onboard. My bank reimburses $10 in ATM fees. Everyone has their factors, determining where your sweet spot lies is the secret to success.

[Clarea]

Can and will the ship break $100.00's and $50.00's , it's easier to bring mostly large bills and then break them as needed.

Yes, both the Casino and Guest Relations can break large bills.

[Summerknight]

Can and will the ship break $100.00's and $50.00's , it's easier to bring mostly large bills and then break them as needed.

 

I have never had a problem getting bills broken in the casino.

[Midwestgal]

Thank you !

[NewSalt]

This is what we do:

 

We bring $50 in singles for room service coffee in the morning.

 

About $5-10/day for bar tips.

 

About $100/pp/day for spending in port.

 

About $30 for porters.

 

Pre- and post-cruise spending varies greatly.

 

Then we add about 30% on top of that. We seldom spend that much, but my motto is "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." It became my motto after needingstomach meds and cold meds in the middle of the night on different cruises.

 

Don't skip using a porter when you disembark. They get priority lines to go through customs, at least here in NJ, and can speed your way through Customs.

[cincicruisers]

Here is my breakdown of cash for our cruise

 

Porter at airport

#1 Taxi with tip

Money for drinks on plane

Dinner night before

Drinks for night before

#2 taxi with tip

Porter at port

Drinks tip ~bring 50 singles

Room Service ~bring 5's

Cash for when in port(already paid for shore excursions)

Concierge tip

Room steward extra tip

Dining room(never eat there so no extra tips)

Porter after cruise

#3 taxi with tip

Lunch off ship in port

Shopping budget

Gambling budget

Emergency cash

[bobbie0253]

This is what we do:

 

We bring $50 in singles for room service coffee in the morning.

 

About $5-10/day for bar tips.

 

About $100/pp/day for spending in port.

 

About $30 for porters.

 

Pre- and post-cruise spending varies greatly.

 

Then we add about 30% on top of that. We seldom spend that much, but my motto is "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." It became my motto after needingstomach meds and cold meds in the middle of the night on different cruises.

 

Don't skip using a porter when you disembark. They get priority lines to go through customs, at least here in NJ, and can speed your way through Customs.

 

This is pretty close to what we budget in cash too.

[bethaniesmom]

I figure on 100.00 per travel days and port days, 50 for sea days. that always ends up covering our needs for two to three people. 50 of that is always in ones to cover room service tips, extra bar tips, porters, etc. Always have leftover money when we get home which goes toward deposit on next cruise! This trip I am on my own so certainly should have some leftover. when we do a long trip, I split the cash between all three of us until we get to the ship (and the safe) in case of any unfortunate episodes.

 

Beverly

[Ashland]

Not if you use the right bank.

 

That can be a big "if" depending on where you are....and certainly the ATM onboard will charge you a fee ;)

[Ashland]

We always bring more money than we think we need just in case.

 

Consider tips for your luggage and room service.

 

Keith

 

I always do the same....but will also have (those outdated that some feel) Traveler's checks with me too that I can cash "onboard the ship" if necessary.