CASH - how much do we need to bring?

[dex08]

Silly question, I know but I'm trying to determine how much cash we will need to bring.  We pre-paid gratuities but we are also very generous tippers, so we have already accounted for extra cash tips for bartenders, wait staff, head waiter, and room attendants.  I've also accounted for cash tips for room service and baggage attendants.

 

Is there anything that cannot be charged to our cabin account that I'm not thinking of?  Besides things that we may want to buy off board at ports, I cannot think of any other thing that we'd need cash for.  

[Clarea]

Casino.

[StrikeEagle]

the cash you are going to spend mostly is when you are in ports.    Plan your cash amount based on what you going to do in ports.    

 

Also Luggage valets tips,  bus shuttles driver tips (if you are parking your car at the pier)

Edited April 15, 2019 by StrikeEagle

[johnjen]

We'll get Euros before departing the airport at the currency converter spot to cover things like taxis, bus, from BCN to our bnb, local shopping at La Rambla marketplace, etc. Generally however, we don't tip additional on board unless it's truly deserving.

[schmeed]

1 hour ago, dex08 said:

I'm trying to determine how much cash we will need to bring.

 

How much do you plan to spend? Bring that amount. 🙂

 

Even though the ship itself (less the casino) is cashless, I always bring at least $2000 to cover shore purchases, tips, etc.

Edited April 15, 2019 by schmeed

[ryano]

The general rule Ive always read is "half the amount of clothes you think you will need and double the amount of cash" 🙂

Edited April 15, 2019 by ryano

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, johnjen said:

We'll get Euros before departing the airport at the currency converter spot to cover things like taxis, bus, from BCN to our bnb, local shopping at La Rambla marketplace, etc. Generally however, we don't tip additional on board unless it's truly deserving.

Those places give terrible exchange rates.

If you can I would get some Euros before you leave home or find a no commission currency exchange shop in Barcelona.

[njkruzer]

We get some cash before leaving home for immediate needs upon landing but also use atm machines for local currency if necessary. Also remember a cc with no foreign transaction fees.

[cb at sea]

Cash is KING...we always bring about $1500 per week for ANY trip, anywhere....more, if it's Vegas!  You can always put it back in the bank when you get home.  Carrying it doesn't mean you have to SPEND it.  Better to have it, than not!

[Ashland]

3 hours ago, johnjen said:

We'll get Euros before departing the airport at the currency converter spot to cover things like taxis, bus, from BCN to our bnb, local shopping at La Rambla marketplace, etc. Generally however, we don't tip additional on board unless it's truly deserving.

I prefer to get my foreign currency from my local bank before I leave....Just not a fan of having to look for or depend on foreign ATM's. I'm getting ready to order my Euros from BofA for my Med/Greece cruise next month. I always take plenty as you just never know...better to have enough than having to scramble looking for some. Cash travels easy !

[dex08]

8 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

Casino.

 

This was the one thing I forgot!

Thanks! 

[JP82]

My upcoming trip will be my first with Royal Carribean, but do you need cash for tips on the ship?

 

I mean on my Disney cruise, I still tipped for each drink, but I just added it to the order when I paid with my "Keycard" (or KTTW orwhatever fancy name Disney call it)

[Clarea]

45 minutes ago, JP82 said:

My upcoming trip will be my first with Royal Carribean, but do you need cash for tips on the ship?

 

I mean on my Disney cruise, I still tipped for each drink, but I just added it to the order when I paid with my "Keycard" (or KTTW orwhatever fancy name Disney call it)

 

Virtually all sitations on the ship, tips can be added to the bill and changed to the onboard account.

 

Only situation that comes to mind where cash would be needed is tipping for the free drinks in the Diamond, Concierge, or Suite lounges.  No bill is given for those drinks, so there's no opportunity to add to the onboard account.

[cruiseguy1016]

Meals are always the thing that gets us. Are you flying to and from the port? Are you going to want a meal at the airport during your travels? Are you staying at a hotel before or after the cruise? You might want cash for the bell hop. You're going to need to eat at (or near) the hotel, you might want cash for that. You can eat for free on the ship of course, but what about when you're not on the ship? How long will you be in port each day? It's a lot more convenient to grab a bite to eat while on shore than it is to walk back to the ship for a quick, free meal.

 

Most of these expenses you can probably use a credit card for but I try to use cash so my credit card number has less opportunities to be compromised.

[Joseph2017China]

I usually use about $50.00 on the ship itself.  I prepay my tips.  I think 18% is more than sufficient.  If I give extra, to anyone outstanding, I'm not going to brag about it, it's between me and them.  If I use a lounge, where I get free drinks, than I tip for that service (which is free, so no 18% auto added).  I don't consider myself cheap.  I tip based on the traditional culture of where I am, and on a ship, I tip based on the culture of the ship. 

 

I have a budget for the casino.  I make sure I have enough cash based on which country I am visiting to cover for small items, taxi's, and small purchases.  Anything larger I use my credit cards. 

 

I also use my credit cards world wide.  Never had a problem except at home.  Credit cards is one of the most safe and secure ways to handle money. 

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

Better to have it & not need it than need it & not have it! I always carry around $2000 just in case. Most of it goes right back in the bank when I return home. Maybe I'm just paranoid!😉

[cruiseguy1016]

1 minute ago, RazorbackIslandGirl said:

Better to have it & not need it than need it & not have it! I always carry around $2000 just in case. Most of it goes right back in the bank when I return home. Maybe I'm just paranoid!😉

 

We always figure $100 per day. We usually bring at least 1/2 of it home. Like you, I'd rather be looking At it than looking For it.

[RW_MI]

I have a spreadsheet with my packing list, and use a separate tab to estimate cash for each cruise. It also helps to estimate how many singles I want to bring for various smaller tips.  It can vary quite a bit from cruise to cruise.  

 

I list out each port and what I might need for excursions, food, taxis, etc.  For the ship I list room attendant, and room service tips (but I usually don't use room service).  I have lines for porters, taxis and airport food.  I'm not a big souvenir shopper, but of course list that too, especially if you might be buying from beach vendors.

 

 

[klfhngr]

Wife and I taking 2k on Symphony to the Carib.... Probably too much, but we can always bring it back.

[Beachammo]

I bring enough to bail me out of a foreign prison.....lol

[johnjen]

19 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Those places give terrible exchange rates.

If you can I would get some Euros before you leave home or find a no commission currency exchange shop in Barcelona.

Actually, the one at IAD has far better rates than getting Euros from a bank pre-ordered. I have already checked into this. But I haven't checked to see how the rates are if I just pull Euros using my card from an ATM.

[Saturngrl]

I budget about $100 per day per port, plus my casino loss limit, plus $100 for additional tips.  I notify my credit card carriers before I cruise case I need to use one outside of the U.S.  I am loathe to use a credit card in a foreign country or even a busy restaurant in the U.S. for fear of scamming.  Hope this helps.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, johnjen said:

Actually, the one at IAD has far better rates than getting Euros from a bank pre-ordered. I have already checked into this. But I haven't checked to see how the rates are if I just pull Euros using my card from an ATM.

For us in the UK we get €1.14 to the pound.

At the airport exchange it can be only €1 to £1 or less.

Also check to see if it is commission free.

Foreign ATMs often charge a fee which makes it expensive to exchange small denominations.

Good luck and hope you have a superb cruise.

Graham.

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, johnjen said:

Actually, the one at IAD has far better rates than getting Euros from a bank pre-ordered. I have already checked into this. But I haven't checked to see how the rates are if I just pull Euros using my card from an ATM.

You are still better off at the ATM.

 

Biker, who would probably never use the place at IAD, nor any other airport exchange in the US.

[Beachammo]

19 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You are still better off at the ATM.

 

Biker, who would probably never use the place at IAD, nor any other airport exchange in the US.

 

Yes.....much better

 

Especially if you get the max per day the bank allows on your account.