How Much Cash To Bring

[jimlouisesophie]

We will be on the Coral sailing from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale in November. through the Panama Canal.  How much US $ should be bring.   We are doing two excursions, which have already been paid for,  and the rest of the ports will just walk around the ports/towns.   We will be buying a few souvenirs at the port calls.  At a few ports, Cabo San Lucas for example, we will buy a few bottles of wine and will be billed the $15 by Princess as we walk aboard.  In San Francisco we will buy several bottles of wine there, using our credit card.  My question is how much cash should we bring after leaving SFO as we will use our credit card while in the city.

Edited July 23, 2019 by jimlouisesophie
Adding more content

[JimmyVWine]

Only you can estimate your spending habits, so I can't tell you how much to bring.  But here are the things that I pay for in cash when I travel:

• Taxi to the port if I am not using a ride-share app.
• Tip for any shuttle bus driver from the hotel or rental car agency if I am using that.
• Tip for porter who handles my luggage prior to boarding.
• Tips for excursion employees.
• Small purchases like water, post cards, etc.
• Purchases where I don't feel comfortable using a credit card. (Street vendors, open air markets.)
• Transportation while in port (Bus, taxi, van.)
• Taxi when I get off the ship if I am not using a ride-share app.
• Tip for shuttle bus driver if I am being driven somewhere.
• Tip for valet or skycap if someone is going to be handling my luggage.

Typically I can get all that done for under $200.  Sometimes way under $200.

Edited July 23, 2019 by JimmyVWine

[Crown Cruiser]

The list above is very thorough.  I also bring cash for tips for ship employees who go above and beyond and for the casino.

[c-boy]

^ this and if I'm not mistaken, there is a atm on deck 5 next to passenger services.

[Fuzzyape]

11 minutes ago, c-boy said:

^ this and if I'm not mistaken, there is a atm on deck 5 next to passenger services.

I've never used the atm.  I've heard (and this is where I'm probably wrong), that they can be empty pretty quick, and there's not much opportunity to refill them.  But again, it's only what I've heard, no first hand experience.  Nice list JimmyVWine!

[skynight]

Some like to use cash if they play in the casino rather than charge to their on board account. That is up to you. We also provide extra cash gratuities to our cabin steward as well as waiters when we have had traditional dining. 

[voljeep]

we bring enough 5's and 1's ( mostly 1's ) to provide about $ 10-20 per day for on board bribes and tips ... we do tend to over tip bar staff and stewart ( depending ) ...

 

then go from there for excursion tips, misc straw market "stuff" ...

Edited July 23, 2019 by voljeep
increased amount(s)

[riffatsea]

You never know when you'll need some money when you travel.

OF course have an ATM card for withdrawing cash just in case but don't use the ship ATM.

It charges ridiculous fees. Use one on shore at a bank. We only use a credit card for large purchases.

 We may not use it but we take at least $500 with a bunch in small bills to use for extra tips.room service, tour guide tips etc.

[skynight]

Regarding ATM's

You will be requiring US$. There will be only two off ship locations where you can easily get them using an ATM, San Francisco, and probably Panama City since Panama uses US$ as their currency. Don't count on it in other ports. 

[Potstech]

Also when taking cash into a port be sure to have a variety of different size bills. Some vendors will show prices both in the local and American currency.  They will give change in the local currency. Ask if not sure before paying for an item.

[shanecindy21403]

I always go with 100 per day. Then split that amount between my DH and I. That way neither one of us carrying all the money. Once onboard I put it in the safe and take out daily what we may need. Usually I have left over at end of cruise but I'd rather have extra then not enough.

[MissP22]

If you take larger bills ($20) never take them out if your bargaining for an item.

They'll never come down in price if they see you have enough money.

[szubieta]

I also tip room service about $2 to $3 per delivery.

[Kingofcool1947]

4 hours ago, jimlouisesophie said:

We will be on the Coral sailing from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale in November. through the Panama Canal.  How much US $ should be bring.   We are doing two excursions, which have already been paid for,  and the rest of the ports will just walk around the ports/towns.   We will be buying a few souvenirs at the port calls.  At a few ports, Cabo San Lucas for example, we will buy a few bottles of wine and will be billed the $15 by Princess as we walk aboard.  In San Francisco we will buy several bottles of wine there, using our credit card.  My question is how much cash should we bring after leaving SFO as we will use our credit card while in the city.

 

Depends if you are a frugal type of person/cruiser.

How much money do you usually bring on  prior cruises?

I allocate $300 USD per day in small bills.

Life is short, might as well enjoy it.  You could die tomorrow.

Good luck.  And enjoy.

Edited July 23, 2019 by Kingofcool1947

[tailspintom]

31 minutes ago, Potstech said:

Also when taking cash into a port be sure to have a variety of different size bills. Some vendors will show prices both in the local and American currency.  They will give change in the local currency. Ask if not sure before paying for an item.

Yep. I especially enjoy the vendors who decide there is currency parity (IE in Canada).

[voljeep]

20 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

If you take larger bills ($20) never take them out if your bargaining for an item.

They'll never come down in price if they see you have enough money.

additionally ... as per my wife ... they 'never have change' for that $ 20 and encourage you to buy something else

to come up to that amount ... at least until you start to walk away .... and wait ... HEY, Jezabula, next booth over, you happened to get some small bills ...????

Edited July 23, 2019 by voljeep

[Kingofcool1947]

18 minutes ago, voljeep said:

additionally ... as per my wife ... they 'never have change' for that $ 20 and encourage you to buy something else

to come up to that amount ... at least until you start to walk away .... and wait ... HEY, Jezabula, next booth over, you happened to get some small bills ...????

 

Jezabula?  

Edited July 23, 2019 by Kingofcool1947

[Colo Cruiser]

1 hour ago, voljeep said:

additionally ... as per my wife ... they 'never have change' for that $ 20 and encourage you to buy something else

to come up to that amount ... at least until you start to walk away .... and wait ... HEY, Jezabula, next booth over, you happened to get some small bills ...????

😳🤔😳

[mcrcruiser]

Knowing that we can use credit cards in most cases ,we bring  small bills for outside tipping  . For a short cruise  of 7 days or less we allocate $50 each . For cruises up to 3 weeks we  allocate $150 each  in cash 

[jimlouisesophie]

2 hours ago, tailspintom said:

Yep. I especially enjoy the vendors who decide there is currency parity (IE in Canada).

R U saying some vendors take Canadian $, not knowing that the US $ is stronger?   It is costing us about 33% more to buy US $.

[c-boy]

  good one vol

[tailspintom]

1 hour ago, jimlouisesophie said:

R U saying some vendors take Canadian $, not knowing that the US $ is stronger?   It is costing us about 33% more to buy US $.

Nope Jim, just the opposite.  What I am saying is that some shops have their products priced in Canadian (or you may substitute another currency) and will accept that price in US currency garnering a 33% increase. It happens a lot in the smaller shops where a credit card will not be accepted on the sale.

[Rooters]

4 hours ago, jimlouisesophie said:

R U saying some vendors take Canadian $, not knowing that the US $ is stronger?   It is costing us about 33% more to buy US $.

Is the $14.50 per adult per day tipping fee in USD? Thanks to who can answer this

[jimlouisesophie]

12 minutes ago, Rooters said:

Is the $14.50 per adult per day tipping fee in USD? Thanks to who can answer this

Yes, everything aboard is in US $

[Rooters]

Tks!