How much cash do you bring

[ReyRey]

I went to the back today to get money and couldnt decide how much cash i wanted to bring. I dont remember how much I brought my last few times. I really only used money for ports of call, and tips. Just wanted to see what everyone else does.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

I think DH brings about $300. Then probably $20 seperate for the porter who handles your luggage when you arrive to the port.

 

You do know that you can get cash on board...................

[ReyRey]

Yea but i'd rather not have to bother with it on board.

[Ollie_WA]

I also went to the bank today...I took out $250.00 with $20.00 worth of singles. We are doing no excursions and I really don't plan on buying anything in Nassau....unless I see something that I can live without:D We leave tomorrow morning for Tampa and then Monday on the Sovereign:)

[CruisinDawn]

Hey ReyRey!! How are the wedding plans going? Never heard of a wedding announcement at Meet & Mingle, you all may be a first. Hope is going well for you & Suzanne. :) Miss you bright orange vest on the boards.

 

Hehe, no realistically remember you can get cash from your seapass any time your at sea up to 1K daily I believe. We do this so our Royal Caribbean Credit Card gets double points for bonuses toward the next cruise. :D

 

Looks like a reunion cruise is brewing for 9/27/2008 Liberty Eastern, you two game? Check out our old board for info.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[FunCruiser56]

Don't like to carry alot of cash when we travel so we usually have about $200 for anything we might need before we get to the ship and some port $$. If we need more cash we head to the Casino and get some. We usually put our tips on our Seapass. Since most resturants, even fast food take debit/credit cards we don't feel the need for too much cash.

 

Bev

[ReyRey]

Hey ReyRey!! How are the wedding plans going? Never heard of a wedding announcement at Meet & Mingle, you all may be a first. Hope is going well for you & Suzanne. :) Miss you bright orange vest on the boards.

 

Hehe, no realistically remember you can get cash from your seapass any time your at sea up to 1K daily I believe. We do this so our Royal Caribbean Credit Card gets double points for bonuses toward the next cruise. :D

 

Looks like a reunion cruise is brewing for 9/27/2008 Liberty Eastern, you two game? Check out our old board for info.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

 

Hi dawna I just made a post back in our old board

[cheshire999]

We usually only have about $100 in cash on us when we board. Lots of singles to tip on the way in, etc. Then we usually have $500 in travelers checks that I leave in the safe to cash for whatever, usually the casino, or meals in port. Actually brought some of them home with us this time. Used the card for most everything.

[cb at sea]

We bring alot of cash--and if we don't need it, we take it home and put it back in the bank!

I don't take cash advances on credit cards, I don't have a debit card--we do use the credit card as our Seapass acc't., but we do bring cash for small island purchases, tips, and gambling.

So far, we generally spend about $500.00 in cash on a 7 day cruise, depending on how the casino is to us!!!!

[duncanmaria]

With my family of four on a seven day cruise - at least $400, with at least $150 in smaller denominations. We tip in cash the last day of the cruise, which accounts for close to $300. Then at least $100 for porters, room service, shore excursion gratuities, etc.

[KidsBgon]

Hey ReyRey!! How are the wedding plans going? Never heard of a wedding announcement at Meet & Mingle, you all may be a first. Hope is going well for you & Suzanne. :) Miss you bright orange vest on the boards.

 

Hehe, no realistically remember you can get cash from your seapass any time your at sea up to 1K daily I believe. We do this so our Royal Caribbean Credit Card gets double points for bonuses toward the next cruise. :D

 

Looks like a reunion cruise is brewing for 9/27/2008 Liberty Eastern, you two game? Check out our old board for info.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

 

Hi Dawna

 

made any excusions changes lately- HAHA

I haven't received any of your emails recently.

Hope you are doing well.

Dawn (cruisindawn2) :D

[KidsBgon]

We take atleast $300-400.00 for a five day cruise. We have fun and don't feel guilty about it. That extra money was saved by booking an inside or OV instead of a balcony suit.

[Happy ks]

This is the type of question that be answered differently for us. If it is a short cruise, we obviously take less cash. We prefer old fashioned travelers checks for longer cruises. Since we aren't charged for them at our credit union it's easy to obtain them. Using cash (T/C's) keeps us more in line with our budget. I can't stand getting a credit card bill a month after a vacation for things like cocktails.

 

We can cash them at the Guest Realations desk as needed and we can pay our onboard account down the last day of the cruise.

[cot427]

You have to bring a lot of cash with you for off the ship. When you take the tours, taxis, souvineers, shirts, other gifts, for casino, eating/drinking in port, tipping, and probably so much more. I would want to avoid that fee for the ATM on the ship. I usually take around $300.

 

Most people prefer plastic, like me!

[geojobes]

We take some cash & some Travelers' Checques. I usually pay down my seapass with any unused TC's on the next to the last evening of the cruise & just let the last day & night go to the credit card. This time I have $350 OBC, so I don't need as many TC's. I don't like to use the ATM's on the ship, I know on RCCL you can get cash at the casino against your seapass account without paying the 3 % service fee that some of the others charge. But, I just prefer to take what I need in TC's. They cash them at the purser's desk.

 

Rey Rey, I see you live close to me. I live in Jackson. Not far at all!

[AMR40509]

Wow, I guess I bring a lot more then I thought I did.

 

We are in our 20's and not high rollers or anything, but I think for our last 10 day I brought about $1250-1500 cash. We gave about $200 to the casino, or maybe even less. I think I brought about $300 home at the end of the trip (paying for things in ports, payed off the sea pass w/ cash). We didn't really do any major shopping or anything.

 

Next up is a route we have done before (several times), the old standard W. Carrib 7 day. I don't see us doing any shopping really because we have been there before. I'll probably bring about $1000 in cash.

 

We do a fair amount of traveling and I guess that it never crosses my mind to deal with having to use Travelers Cheques for a total amount of "cash like money" of less then $2000 or so. I always seperate money into different areas; I give my wife some, I carry a roll of bigger bills, then use my wallet with what I think I'll need for the day to avoid having to tap the roll. Then on the boat I keep the roll in the safe and take what I might need in port (usually $300-500) along with my passport and ONE, high limit and not used for my sea pass, credit card.

 

I do always bring about $30 in $2 bills for tipping, and some singles.

 

We don't spend a lot of money on the boat, but it adds up fast traveling.

 

For our next 7 day out of Miami I would assume:

 

Food at the airport $30

Cab to hotel at deprt port $30

Dinner/drinks night before the cruise $100

Cab to port/baggage tips $25

Tips on board for 2 people $150

Transportation back to the airport $30

Food at the airport $30

Parking at the airport $75

 

That puts is in the $500 range before we actually do anything ON the cruise, so how could we do this on $200 cash (excluding breaking out the plastic which I guess would let you do like $10 in cash for tips)??

 

On the ship we don't really run up much of a tab, but a couple of dinners (have to eat at Chops/Porta. each ATLEAST once per tip and have to get a bottle of wine at each) will run up a couple of $100 really fast.

 

I LIKE to pay off the sea pass in cash. We haven't always been able to in the past, but not that we can, I like to bring a bit more cash and walk off the ship w/o having that Visa bill to look forward to.

 

We do always bring a couple of credit cards too. Last trip I had to cancle one of my cards due to an incident with a tour vender in Aruba so it was nice to have other cards so we didn't have to worry about it. With travel/medical costs being what they are, I feel better knowing that I have high limit cards with me so that if I need to drop some major money in save the day...I can... then we can sort it out later.

[lovemylab]

We usually take $200-$300 cash with us (this is used for meals in the airports, taxi's and any other spending we do before we board the ship). We then take the rest of our money in the form of travellers cheques and cash these onboard as needed for spending in ports.

 

I don't like paying the ATM fees onboard and my bank provides me with a far better exchange rate so that is why travellers cheques work for us :)

[cincicruisers]

I only bring about 200 cash. I stop by the casino during open hours and get cash as needed. There is not surcharge and this way I dont have to worry about having a bunch of cash with me.

[DonnaK]

For a 7 day cruise for our family of 4, we brought $1200

 

First we set aside $325 cash for tips.

 

We book excursions with private tour companies that are paid in cash on arrival (plus tips). For this cruise, it was $450.

 

We also settled our sea pass bill with cash, which was $140 for this cruise.

 

About $100 went towards souvenir shopping at the ports.

 

And about $100 in small bills for porter, skycap and shuttle driver tips, and other traveling incidentals.

 

 

I know we could have brought less, and then withdrew money at the cashier at the casino as needed, but it was our goal this time to not have any bills waiting for us when we returned from the trip. We didn't use our Credit or Debit cards except for the rental car transport between Port Canaveral and Orlando, and parking at our home airport.

[Lisichka]

I bring about $100 in cash ($30 per cabin in $1 bills for room service, the rest for whatever). Other than that I use my credit card or get cash at the casino on an as-need basis.

 

I don't drink, rarely buy souvenirs, and pre-pay everything else (Hotels, tours, etc.).

 

I just don't see an advantage to bringing cash. No protection when you lose it (and the few times I brought traveler's checks, I have hated the inconvenience of those as well).

[mildew1951]

100 bucks a day.

[SlightDraw]

For three on a 7 day 1000-1200. This covers all tips etc. plus cash for the trip home, plus money to get the the Dear Dog out of prison.

 

Here is an example, cash money talks. Say you need two Wave Runners, about $70 a piece. I say politely to the guy I only have $100 and show him the cash. Oh the barter system!

[sicsinohio]

We bring enough to get us on the ship. Then we take out cash as needed using Seapass card at the casino. That way we get the double points on our RCI Visa, and we don't have to take the risks associated with carrying around a bunch of cash. A friend of ours had $1500 stolen from his cabin on a Carnival cruise.:eek: I'd never have that much cash sitting around.

[EmpressofPurple]

(Depends on whether you plan to pay your shipboard account with cash or a credit card, of course...)

 

Presuming that onboard charges, gratuities and ship-organized excursions will be paid by credit card, here is what I need cash for (and budget accordingly):

 

ONBOARD:

- Casino (save 3% fee from taking cash out of shipboard account)

- Room service delivery tips (and extra tips to others onboard)

- laundry room

 

IN PORT:

- Independent excursions/taxis/tours

- tips for tour guides (whether independent or thru ship)

- meals and drinks in port (including buying sodas, snacks to take onboard)

- shopping (including souvenirs + any personal care items needed on ship, lost luggage/clothing, etc.)

 

I posted the following to another RCCL thread about how much you charge to your seapass, but it includes a list of ALL non-included costs that you must budget for (including cash outlay) so it may be helpful to people on this thread, too:

 

----------------

 

Some of you may find this useful; I am a frequent Princess traveler (tho' I also have cruised RCCL) so the names, prices, etc. are more geared to Princess offerings... but you can create a similar chart for yourselves.

 

I created this chart for friends who are new to cruising, or unaware of all the extra things one can spend money on a cruise. People unfamiliar with it tend to think of cruising as "all-inclusive" -- which it is, to a certain extent (as evidenced by the number of people on this thread who spend very little onboard) -- but there certainly is a lot to plan for in advance.

 

I do my own chart, writing down what I plan to spend in each area, what will be billed in advance, what goes on an outside credit card or cash (private port tours, port shopping; room service tips, laundry, etc.)

 

Hope it's helpful!

 

 

LIST OF EXTRA CHARGES ON CRUISES:

FOOD/DRINK:

· Fountain Soda at bars and in dining rooms (Soda card available for $3.95 per day for length of cruise plus tax/tip; 7 days = $27.65). Also Canned Soda / Bottled Water ($1.50/ea plus tax/tip; can bring onboard at embarkation and port stops) – have your cabin fridge emptied out by steward; better to buy a package.

· Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), anywhere on the ship (buffet, dining room, pizza place, trident grill, café, bars, shows, pool deck, room service, etc.) I gather there is a “wine package” for wine drinkers.

· Specialty ice cream near the pool and in International Café (available for free in Horizon Court Buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm and at dinner)

· A few items at International Café (chocolate covered strawberries, fondue, caramel apples, truffles); a few Room Service items (tray of canapés, soda package, etc.); Sushi at Vines

· Specialty coffee at meals, in International café (coffee card for $24.95 covers 15 drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee at Café).

· Specialty Dining Rooms ($20 pp Sabatinis; $25 pp Crown Grill) and Special Dining Experiences (ultimate balcony dining, Brooklyn lunch, Chef’s Table, Wine Flights/Tastings, etc., etc.)

· Any meals in port (duh)… except where included at “private island” stops (Princess Cays cookout)… plus rental of beach chairs, loungers, cabanas, umbrellas, kayaks, etc; any drinks, taxis, tips, etc., etc., etc. (CASH ITEM)

ACTIVITIES/PURCHASES:

· Port Tours / Shore Excursions ($20-$200+ per outing, privately arranged or thru cruiseline). (POSSIBLY CASH ITEM/TIPS CASH)

· Gambling / Casino (as you will… be sure to bring on CASH or be charged a service fee for taking out cash on your ship card) + Bingo ($10-20 per game… and now $1.50 for a bingo marker!)

· Art Auctions (can be very pricey if you buy; they often offer free champagne at preview and sale)

· Shopping / souvenirs / gifts / necessities (cosmetics/perfume/jewelry/clothes/trinkets/etc.) onboard or in port (Port “Discount” shopping books sold onboard, w/coupons for free/discounted items in port = $25)

· Spa treatments / Salon Services ($60-$180 per treatment – massages, wraps, facials, tooth whitening, ionithermie, manicure/pedicure, haircuts, etc.) + any Salon Products (Steiner/Lotus Spa/etc.) – expensive!

· Sanctuary ($15/half-day – quiet, shaded area with deluxe loungers and drink/food service, outdoor massages and sunset Yoga classes available)

· Thermal Suite ($130/couple for the cruise – indoor heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms)

· Some exercise classes ($10/ea. 55-min. Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, plus personal training and fitness/ metabolism testing, and they ask for tips on top of fees. The shorter, 25 mins. stretching and aerobics classes are usually free, as are the machines and jogging track, plus sales presentations)

SERVICES/GRATUITIES:

· Some classes including Computers@sea, digital photography instruction, materials for some scholarship@sea programs (ceramics, etc.); port lectures and other programs often have no fee.

· Photographs taken by the ship’s photographers ($10-25 per photo); developing disposable cameras/film; having prints/CDs made from your digital camera.

· Internet time (.75/min. unless you buy a package, then it can drop to .50/min – much cheaper in port) and Telephone (Yikes! Look at those costs… if you can use your cel, beware of international roaming charges)

· Laundry / dry cleaning / pressing through the ship; Self-serve laundry (CASH - I think it's $1 for washer, $1 for dryer, $1 for soap; there’s an iron there, too); tux/formalwear rental, floral purchases

· Golf simulatorand Scuba Training (no idea about these, just know they cost extra)

· Gratuities ($10pp/pd automatically added to your bill or can handle separately)

· Tips on drinks at bars or for room service orders (CASH or card)

· Any needed medical services (doctor visits charged to your account).

· Cruise Insurance (to cover medical services rendered, emergency evacuation, repatriation, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, camera, cellphone, laptop, etc.)

· Future Cruise Credit (FCC) – deposit to be used on future cruise, usually results in OBC (onboard credit).

· Babysitting and certain special children’s activities.

· Transfers/parking/taxis to and from ship before and after cruise; Tips for baggage handlers, drivers, etc. (CASH)

 

What’s Included:

· Cabin, TV movies, cabin service, toiletries, fruit delivery, safe, refrigerator (can fill with own drinks) and of course transportation to all ports of call

· Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner in dining rooms, at 24-hr buffet, pizza place, trident grill, most items at the International Café, room service (except for tips)

· All entertainment (production shows, singers/musicians in bars, show lounges, nightclub, movies, trivia, dance classes, poolside games, Princess Pop Star, port tour/shopping/some educational lectures).

· Special events such as champagne waterfall, pool buffet, captain’s party; several presentations such as culinary arts, galley tour, bridge tour, spa wellness (i.e. sales) presentations.

· Use of library, pools/hot tubs, gym (including some classes such as stretch and aerobics), ping-pong, shuffle­board, sports court (bball/vball), putting green, kids program (babysitting extra).

[Sugar*Magnolia]

We bring enough to get us on the ship. Then we take out cash as needed using Seapass card at the casino. That way we get the double points on our RCI Visa, and we don't have to take the risks associated with carrying around a bunch of cash. A friend of ours had $1500 stolen from his cabin on a Carnival cruise.:eek: I'd never have that much cash sitting around.

 

Biting my lip I dont want to comment..but honestly...who in their right mind leaves $1500 laying around? If he had it in the safe (why did he have $1500 cash with him anyway, there is no logical explanation)- but I think using the safe would have protected him.

 

so, lemme ask...(I ask with a giggle of disbeief) WHY did he have 1500 cash and did he report it stolen and how did he think it was stolen?