How Much Cash?

[TravelGal22]

We are going on a 5 day cruise with 2 ports. If I put all of my expenses from the ship on my debit card, how much cash on hand do you think I'll need?

[TravlGrl]

It really depends on what you plan to do in those two ports, and if you gamble at all while you're on the ship. On port days, we take $100 total between the two of us when leaving the ship for a full day. That's enough for us to have a meal and do a bit of shopping if we desire. Typically we won't even spend that much while in port. Just depends if we are spending the time on an excursion or not.

 

So, it's kind of hard to answer the question w/o really knowing how you like to spend money, but if it were me on your itinerary, I would probably have $200 cash for the 5 days ($100 for each port day) ...but that's just me. :) I hope that helps at least a little. :)

[Costest]

We are going on a 5 day cruise with 2 ports. If I put all of my expenses from the ship on my debit card, how much cash on hand do you think I'll need?

 

Not very much - a handful of $1's and/or $2's for room service delivery tip or other small tips as you desire

 

Cash for any cabs, busses, small purchases (assuming shore purchases mostly go on card)

 

Can't think of much else - $5.00 - $10 a day maybe

[TravelGal22]

Wow, big difference in your replies!

[Costest]

Wow, big difference in your replies!

 

Yes, but you can get casino cash on your ship board account and use debit for meals, drinks, coffee so when you said all expenses I was only thinking incidentals.

 

I don't typically use debit card and credit for only major purchase so I tend to use LOTS of cash.

[tomko2]

We usually take about $ 75.00 between us off the ship at each port to cover the cost of taxis (to the beach), rental of lounge chairs & umbrella and a couple of cold drinks. If we plan to do some shopping we take an extra $75.00.

Kathy:)

[Terpnut]

Much depends on your specific itinerary and ports. For most modern cities, we don't bring much cash (<$100 total)--just enough for tips and very small purchases. We use a credit card for everything else. In most major cities (e.g. Vancouver) even the taxis take credit cards. Of course, if you're in Cozumel or Puerto Limon, you might need a little more cash especially if you're a souvenir buyer.

[DanJ]

Not counting Princess Cays as a port, we had 2 ports last week on the Carribean Princess. I took $500 in cash, got another $200 at an ATM in St Thomas in case I happened to go casino crazy on the 2 sea days, and brought home $400. So we spent $300 in cash, which included food and some shopping in Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise. As others said, it depends on your shopping habits.

[macka]

I think TravelGal meant everything, like Drinks, excursions and all the extra's.

 

I've never cruised before but I'm budgeting for about $1000 - $1500 for 7 days.

[DanJ]

She did say 'cash on hand' because all the ship expenses would go on her debit card. Our ship account was almost $800 for excursions, drinks, tips, photos and misc. ship expenses.

[cb at sea]

Bring more cash than you think you'll need--if you don't use it, your bank will accept it's deposit!!!!!

We always bring at least $1500.00--we have no intention of spending that, but we HAVE it if we NEED it!

The 1st day home, I put it back in the bank.

[Terpnut]

Bring more cash than you think you'll need--if you don't use it, your bank will accept it's deposit!!!!!

We always bring at least $1500.00--we have no intention of spending that, but we HAVE it if we NEED it!

The 1st day home, I put it back in the bank.

I have the exact opposite philosophy--bring and use as little cash as possible. Usually I recommend bringing a handful of $1 and $5 bills-basically what you need to tip and a few small miscellaneous purchases. The main reasons for this are:

 

1. Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere

2. If you should need cash, get it at the ship's casino. Remember shipboard cash advances are merely charges against your shipboard account and are NOT cash advances (with their fees) against your credit card! Of course you will still settle your account using your credit card at the end of the cruise.

3. Some of us use internet-only banks with no local branches so there is no easy or free way to redeposit excess cash without going through the hassle of buying money orders, etc. etc.

4. Cash is risky to carry--easier to steal and not traceable.

 

So basically, my recommendation is to go cashless (or almost cashless). My wife and I now spend less than $400 a YEAR using cash! :)

[wtcruzr]

At least $100 per day of cruise time. Enjoy your time in port and splurge if you feel like it. We don't go on vacation to penny pinch and scrimp. Why allow yourself to possibly get in a bind on shore because of a shortage of funds? And don't think for one minute those people in forgien countries cannot and wont steal your plastic money and your idenity in a heartbeat.

[Skyglider]

What about traveler's checks?

 

1) In Alaska? Hassle or just take cash?

2) In foreign countries? Hassle or better than lost or stolen credit cards?

3) Do certain foreign countries not take certain brands of traveler's checks?

[samtheman]

I have the exact opposite philosophy--bring and use as little cash as possible. Usually I recommend bringing a handful of $1 and $5 bills-basically what you need to tip and a few small miscellaneous purchases. The main reasons for this are:

 

1. Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere

2. If you should need cash, get it at the ship's casino. Remember shipboard cash advances are merely charges against your shipboard account and are NOT cash advances (with their fees) against your credit card! Of course you will still settle your account using your credit card at the end of the cruise.

3. Some of us use internet-only banks with no local branches so there is no easy or free way to redeposit excess cash without going through the hassle of buying money orders, etc. etc.

4. Cash is risky to carry--easier to steal and not traceable.

 

So basically, my recommendation is to go cashless (or almost cashless). My wife and I now spend less than $400 a YEAR using cash! :)

 

IF you get cash in casino is there a charge

I got charged 3% last year

[lady_cruiser]

Figure on:

• Tips for waitstaff, room attendant, baggage handlers, tour guides, bus drivers for the tours or taxi drivers.
  
  
• Then you might want to purchase soft drinks, bar drinks, bottle water.
  
  
• Are you planning on going to a specialty restaurant on board. Add that to the budget.
  
  
• What ports are you going to? Will you be taking a tour or hiring a taxi to show you the sights?
  
  
• Will you be eating in the ports?
  
  
• Do you need to buy souvenirs for neighbors watching your house, picking up your mail, taking care of a pet?
  
  
• Are you planning on taking formal photos and buying photos taking by the ship's photographers? They can easily run up the final total.

My sister and I just came off the Voyager. Of course we spluged (spelling ??) and had a Grand Suite so the recommended tips were extra. Our sea-pass cards came to a little over 800. This included $150 (for the two of us) in the casino (too many sea days :p ). We also ate at Portofino's which was $20.00 each plus an extra tip. We also ate at Johnny Rockets -$3.95 each plus the costs for milk shakes. We did one tour in Roatan, took 2 different taxis in Cozumel and bought a few ship photographs. Our cash purchases on-shore were for jewelry, tips for the taxis, bus drivers on the tour and the tour guide. We also bought souvenirs for our bosses, the friends watching our cars, houses, and birds (we each have a cockatiel).

 

If you are very careful you won't spend what we did. This was a special occassion since we were celebrating my sister's 60th birthday. You can put $1,000 (just an example) and tell the purser to let you know when you get down to a certain amount (for example: a remaining balance of $200). Then you know that you have to start using all the free amendities offered by the cruise ship.

 

I hope this doesn't scare you but helps you in deciding how much you need to bring and how much things costs.

[Terpnut]

What about traveler's checks?

 

1) In Alaska? Hassle or just take cash?

2) In foreign countries? Hassle or better than lost or stolen credit cards?

3) Do certain foreign countries not take certain brands of traveler's checks?

Traveler's checks often cost a fee to get, aren't always accepted and require diligent record keeping if you want the full protection. Weigh that against a credit cards' growing and wider acceptance, their built-in fraud/theft protection, and the float, and I think traveler's checks (and cash) are more trouble than they're worth.

IF you get cash in casino is there a charge

I got charged 3% last year

Who charged you 3% for cash? At least with RCI, if you establish your SeaPass account with a credit card, a cash withdrawal at the casino is considered a regular charge to the account like anything else. There is NO cash advance fee or interest rate charge.

 

Since you don't pay anything to get cash onboard and you can do it almost anytime, there is no reason to bring much cash in the first place!

[Prinycesa07]

Well i spend alot less than these people lol. I dont gamble, dont do excursions and drink a little. I spend on maybe 2 drinks a day and then maybe $50 at a port buying little souvenirs and eating.

[samtheman]

paid 3% in casino on crown princess last year

they were up front no question fo them trying to hide this charge

one gent at our BJ table left after they told him about charge

[Terpnut]

paid 3% in casino on crown princess last year

they were up front no question fo them trying to hide this charge

one gent at our BJ table left after they told him about charge

Were you specifically making a cash advance against a credit card, or doesn't Princess offer the option of getting cash against your onboard account?