How much $$ to bring??

[Frizzle Fry]

I'm wondering if someone can help me with this one.

I'm cruising for the first time very soon and not sure of how much money to bring. It's a 7 day cruise to mexico on the Carnival Pride. I don't plan on using any credit. Strictly cash.

 

Anyone have a ballpark figure in mind?

 

I plan on doing some shopping, a few excursions , some dining, and playing the casino. I don't drink alcohol so I know that's a big savings right there!

Also, I am a very big tipper if the service is worthy, I know how hard people work. "Every drop of sweat has a price on it."

 

I'm just looking for opinions here. Nothing specific. I see no need to bring too much. I know what your thinking, "Too much??" I still spare certain expenses even on vacation and I'd really like to avoid using plastic.

I figure if I ask some experienced cruisers, they could tell me what they have spent in the past. Or maybe that's too personal.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Take care and smooth sailing!!

[cb at sea]

I don't know what your spending habits are, so it's really difficult to say, but I'd bring at least $1500.00--maybe more! If you don't spend it, take it home and put it back in the bank!!!

Better to have more than enough, than not enough!

 

Here are some things you'll need cash for--taxi and tips, gambling (set a budget!!!) room service tips, pictures, porter tips... By not drinking, you will save a bundle, but there are so many other things to spend on....

Just bring more than you think you'll need!

[ancldaca]

Personally, I also take along roughly $1500-1,600 as I too dislike using the plastic. I neither gamble much (stake per week is max. $100) or drink.

 

But between an excursion (solo cruiser), auto-tips, soda card, room service tips, one night at the specialty restaurant, in-port purchases, taxis, local lunches, and a good deal of duty free purchases for my friends (cigarettes), I usually bring back about half that back home. So that means I spend about $700-800 in a week.

[Frizzle Fry]

Thanks alot for the responses!

 

That's about how much I was thinking.

 

I think I'll bring more just for extra fun if I feel so inclined!! Haha:D :D

 

(for the thieves) Don't bother trying to steal it, my entourage is coming with me! Too bad, so sad.:cool:

[tcs1366]

I think DH brought 1400.00 cash, and brought back about 700 or 800.

the jewelry we bought we had to use plastic as we didnt have enough cash.

 

bring LOTS of singles and fives for tipping.

 

it was our first cruise, and we had no idea what to bring.

we also came a day early and stayed a day longer ... so that also covered dinners out and the trip to the liquor store before the cruise.

and for our 'driver'. [that was expensive]

[Frizzle Fry]

I think DH brought 1400.00 cash, and brought back about 700 or 800.

the jewelry we bought we had to use plastic as we didnt have enough cash.

 

bring LOTS of singles and fives for tipping.

 

it was our first cruise, and we had no idea what to bring.

we also came a day early and stayed a day longer ... so that also covered dinners out and the trip to the liquor store before the cruise.

and for our 'driver'. [that was expensive]

 

I'll most likely stay away from big purchases on this vacation, but I will have 1 card just incase I see an item I can't live without!

Lucky for me, I live only 20 minutes from the cruise terminal!!!

I'll definitely bring ample singles and fives.

 

Thanks alot for sharing!

[RetireeWannabee]

I can't imagine every carrying more than a couple hundred in cash.

[tcs1366]

I my head, i roughly calculated about $200 in cash just for tips alone.

Those are the ones i know about. [and that's not including the $70 per person they hit you for.]

[caviargal]

FYI, you will need to put up a significant cash deposit at check in if you do not use a credit card.

[newbiecruiser09]

We were also wondering this same question (as we are 1st time cruisers too). We (hubby & I) are going on a 4 night (Bahamas & CocoCay) and are planning on about $150/day for gambling, drinks (we don't drink too much but like 1 now & then), purchases & asst tips (not the mandatory ones which we will prepay). We plan to put a CC down when we board but (hopefully) pay it off with cash before the cruise ends.Is this do-able or are we fooling ourselves?

[blindrid]

I take about $1,000 cash to spend onshore, various tips and gamble. I also average about $125-$150 a day on my account that gets put on my credit card. I typically come back with cash but it depends on my luck at the tables.....

[Lowie]

on another note, if you are driving to the port, make sure to bring enough to pay for parking. I know that at least one pier in Miami only takes cash and i've seen a fair amount of people panicing.

[Dr. Jeff]

I can't imagine every carrying more than a couple hundred in cash.

 

That's about what I bring (plus some for emergency use) - but we each always bring $50 in one dollar bills for tips at the pier, drinks, etc. Even in Russia the US $1 bill was happily accepted everywhere :)

[blindrid]

I can't imagine every carrying more than a couple hundred in cash.

 

Split up between husband and wife, some in backpack, rest in front pocket wallet, I see no issue carrying a thousand. On the ship, that's what safes are for as we carry little on shore.

[Frizzle Fry]

on another note, if you are driving to the port, make sure to bring enough to pay for parking. I know that at least one pier in Miami only takes cash and i've seen a fair amount of people panicing.

 

Another perk of living so close, I have a driver to drop me and the crew off. No worries about parking, hotels, flights. We'll just have to contend with the usual L.A. traffic, but on sunday's it's pretty light.

 

Thanks so much for all the responses! You all have been a great help in deciding how much to bring to avoid that plastic. Most people rely heavily on electronic payments and transactions these days. I want to see if I can go old school and handle my transactions with bills, like when people didn't take plastic unless it was wrapped around a stack of cash. Haha!:D

 

Take care everyone and smooth sailing!!!:cool:

[ancldaca]

We plan to put a CC down when we board but (hopefully) pay it off with cash before the cruise ends.Is this do-able or are we fooling ourselves?

 

Yes, in fact, I do check in with a corporate AMEX I have, but since I'd rather not put the balance on that account, I usually hit the pursers on the second to last night. I get a print out of my charges to date, add in anything that's still missing (for example, 2 x auto-tips) and other charges I still feel that I may make, and that's what I then pay in cash.

 

Always check in with a 'no-limit' card if you have one. Checking in with a Visa/MasterCard (or other true credit card) just gets a hold put on that'll take a while to expire. Something I learned when I worked in the hotel industry many many many moons ago...

 

BTW, should one still want to pay with a true credit card, it is still advisable to check-in with an AMex type card and then change the method of payment at check-out. That way, only your actual charges will be approved for.

[sjcruiser]

Cash is accepted everywhere and travelers checks are happily taken also. I use the CC for big purchases. I'm a watch fanatic, but tend to stay away from these emotional purchases during vacation unless something catches my eye that I haven't seen before. Then I questions if it's a knock off. You can add cash to you onboard account. I think the minimal is $200-$300.