First Cruise!! Money Question

[wxguy]

Hi all. I'm headed on my first cruise a week from today!! Jewel of the Seas, Eastern Caribbean. It is an 8 night cruise with 5 ports of call. I know this question has probably been asked before, but i'll ask it again anyway. How much cash would you suggest I bring with me? I do know how the sea pass works and all that good stuff. But will still be bringing cash and was wondering what everyones opinion is. thanks!!

[Merion_Mom]

You can use a credit card in ports - just be sure to call your cc companies before you leave and alert them to where you will be.

 

You will need cash to get to your cruise: tipping airport porters, cruise terminal porters, taxi drivers. Once on board, you can go to the casino and get cash out on your Sea Pass. Just ask at the casino cashier's window, and the charge will go on your account as "entertainment". You then pay it off at the end of the cruise with the rest of your SeaPass account. Just walk over to a table game or slot machine and play a little bit. (they are getting wise to people just using the casino as an ATM - don't let them take away our privilege!)

[CaptData]

You will need small bills only. As above most things go on your sea pass. If you want bring Traveller's Checks about $1000.00 (if you don't want it on your CC). This will cover shor ex drinks ect. don't forget it is $10/day/person for tips to your waiter, Asst, Room Steward and Head Waiter (paid at end of cruise).

[Matisse05]

It really depends on how much shopping, gambling, and drinking you plan on doing. My weakness is SHOPPING!!! I don't drink, so money is saved there. I set a limit for the casino and once it's gone, it's gone. However I usually have pretty good luck on the nickel slots. :D I've never spent over $600 during a week long cruise. I spend my husband's cash stash!:D

 

Make sure you do bring plenty of single dollar bills for tipping porters and drivers at the terminal and at the ports.

 

Also, don't forget your end of the week tips for your room attendants and wait staff. Even though you can charge it to your sea pass account, many of them prefer cash because they have access to it right away rather than having to wait for the cruise line to distribute.

 

Just in case you need cash from your sea pass account, use your sea pss card in the casino to get an advance. This helps avoid outrageous ATM fees and credit card interest fees.

 

Enjoy your cruise and welcome to RCI and the boards. :)

[cb at sea]

Bring more cash than you think you will need for the trip--you can always take the unspent amount home with you! Bring LARGE bills--they don't take up so much space--and get them changed to smaller bills on the ship. You don't want to take large bills ashore--you risk getting "native" money given to you as change. Large purchases in reputable stores will take credit cards. Most of the "straw market" type merchants only take cash! The cruise brochure shows how much in recommended tips will be needed. Plan it out before you go!

[addictedinflorida]

I usually take $500 in cash with me which I use for small things in port like taxi fare, tips, a drink here or there, small lunch while in port, etc. I will also either use some money on the ship for gambling in the casino or if I have extra at the end of the cruise I will use it for tips instead of putting them on the seapass card.

[RVfromAZ]

Hi, First of all, you are going to love Jewel of the Seas, we just did the the same cruise aprox a month ago.

I took about $40.00 in 1 dollar bills for tips, we took about $500.00 cash, I also wrote a check while on board for $200.00 cash.

We spent a night in Ft. Lauderdale the night befor the cruise, so this cash was also for incidentals there.

We charged the tips to the Sea pass card, along with an excursion, photos, Spa treatment, etc.....

So it just depends.......if you are doing excursions on your own, if you like to spend a lot of time in the casino, shopping in the ports.....the more cash you will need!

We plan on aprox $100.00 per day average on the Sea pass.

Have a great time, Jewel is a beautiful ship, and the 8 day Eastern Caribbean was an awesome itinerary:)

[scher]

I have to tell you it really depends how many people you are and what you are expecting to purchase and where you are planning on going in port. Taxi's are a huge expense. If you have 4 people you have to take that into account. Do you tip? that is a big expense. Do you have kids. They love souvenirs, T shirts, key chains, they add up put not really enough for a charge card. Lunch on the Islands or dinner? Charge or cash. Your choice. Cabs back to the ship. There is so much you could use your cash for and so much you could use your charge for. We took $1500.00 in cash with us. We stayed 2 day pre cruise and 1 day post cruise. we needed cabs to airport at front cabs back to hotel at end. A small fortune is spend on cabs and tips. We came home with maybe 200.00 So it depends on how many cabs, restaurants, souvenirs, and people in your family. Hope this help somewhat. Like other people said you can get more cash in the casino, but I think you were just trying to get a general idea of what extra you will be spending money on.

[jwattle]

The one "wake-up" call we had was on our Mexican Riviera cruise; we took traveller's checks; imagine our shock when the lovely little restaurant we stopped for lunch just looked at us (they didn't take traveller's checks or credit cards; cash only). From then on, rest of that trip, we cashed a few travellers checks at pursers desks before each port.