How much money (cash) do you take?

[laurac22]

$1500, has been our set amount for a while. Sometimes we come home with extra sometimes not. Just depends on what we do, and what we buy. Alaska we took even more.

[ColoradoGurl]

Depends how many ports you have. For our southern cruise we had 5 ports and $1,000 cash was sufficient to cover taxis, shore food, excursions, souvenirs and shore tips for my daughter and I. I also always take $200 in $1's and $5's so I have extra tip money when I buy drinks or for luggage porters etc, and I generally tip an extra $200-$300 in cash at the end of the week to the dining room waiters and room steward (total, not to each). So about $1500 max, and sometimes I have $100 or $300 left over, and if I need to spend more I can use my card, but prefer not to since every time I've used it in the caribbean, I get random unauthorized charges that I have to dispute and then have to turn off the card and get a new one.

Edited April 29, 2016 by ColoradoGurl

[Truluv]

Now cruising solo, and bring $1K ($100 in $1's and $5's). I usually end up bringing about $500 home. I use it for casino, tips, and small things in port. If I was planning a large jewelry purchase from a reputable jeweler, I might bring more. After negotiating and agreeing on a price, you can sometimes get another discount by paying cash.

 

I also check credit cards since the rules seem to change each year, and take two that don't charge an extra fee for out-of-country charges (I will carry one in Port, and leave the other in the ship's safe as backup). I call the card companies to report that I'll be traveling. Lately I've noticed that they're also asking what other states I'll be in, which may be part of their attempts to limit fraud.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Truluv

[GUT2407]

Depends on the ports, but as little as possible, using my card to

 

1. pay for large purchases

 

2. Get small amounts of cash in port

[Janespup]

If you don't use the casino, $250 should be enough for taxis, tips and incidentals. The casino takes cash only at RC and charges 5% if you get it from your Sail and Sign card. So I would bring e tra for the casino if you plan to gamble at all.

[north29]

On a cruise or travel of any kind. Having said that, cash on a cruise ship is never a big problem, unless the ATM is not working, yes it has happened. In the Caribbean about $500 for us. We never spend it all but on other itineraries with travel before of after, at least, for example, 1000 euros, in Europe, and cross packed with each other. ATMs are great, but many places they can be hard to find and finding one in a area that you feel safe in using, can be a PITA.

[LuCruise]

We were a family of 4 on a 7 day Caribbean cruise and between DH and I we had about $400 in cash. We are Canadian and so wanted to avoid putting anything on credit card. Also, we set up our account as cash and took money out from the casino before our last port day to have a bit more.

 

Even if you do beach days, there are things like chairs and umbrellas that you might want to rent, taxi of course, and any food or drinks. It does add up.

Edited April 29, 2016 by LuCruise