Newbie Cash Question

[skproiosn]

I have read that you open up a credit card once you are on board, but my father wants to bring cash to close out this card-he thinks using his credit card is too dangerous.

 

So my question is...how much cash do you suggest bringing for a family of 5. 3 of us are of the legal drinking age and will probably have 1 or 2 drinks per day. Can anyone give me some sort of estimate?

 

I'm not looking for a, "That's stupid, just pay with credit card", answer. Please just tell me how much cash you would bring for a 7-day cruise to Bermuda.

 

Thanks so much!

[Toyz711]

make sure you go to the ncl boards:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=107

to learn more about NCL...

i can't remember if it's $300 per person or $500 per person, if a person starts to go over the deposit, they get a notice to add more cash to the account. you can check the bill at the customer service desk through the week. make sure it's OK and settled the night before..to avoid standing in long lines the day you need to get off.

 

charged to each on-board account (per person):

the service charge...$10 pp per day

surcharge dining venues (if you choose to eat there, there are many included dining)

excursions

sodas/alcohol

photo

any purchases at the stores (no cash/credit accept..everything is charged to the cabin's account)

[stellatj]

well your tips alone for 5 will be about 350.00

2 drinks a day x 3 ppl will be about 315.00

then you have 2 other ppl who might want cokes or smoothies plus pictures plus tips for room service plus what ever you buy on the ship

plus whatever you do off the ship plus taxis. so its really hard to say

my 1st cruise for 2 we spent 1600.00 our second we only spent about 900.00

[Wylie Coyote]

Well... if you are only having 1 - 2 charged drinks per person (alcohol and/or Soda) with the prepaid tips... and you are not using/buying any specialty restaurants, taking any ship sponsored excursions, or in general will not have any other ship related expenses added to your onbaord account... then you might squeek by with $500, but I bet you will have to add cash to the onboard account during the cruise.

 

If money is not the object, go ahead and put $2,000 for the onbaord account, and then get the refund of monies at cruise end for what you did not use. That way you will not have to visit the purser desk to add to the account througout the cruise. It is kind of a bother when you go to get a drink or try to pay for something with your Sail Card and it is rejected and you are told to visit the purser desk! :rolleyes:

 

Happy Cruising!!!! :D

[pigeon_forge_princess]

I have read that you open up a credit card once you are on board, but my father wants to bring cash to close out this card-he thinks using his credit card is too dangerous.

 

So my question is...how much cash do you suggest bringing for a family of 5. 3 of us are of the legal drinking age and will probably have 1 or 2 drinks per day. Can anyone give me some sort of estimate?

 

I'm not looking for a, "That's stupid, just pay with credit card", answer. Please just tell me how much cash you would bring for a 7-day cruise to Bermuda.

 

Thanks so much!

Having only been on 1 cruise so far.. and about to go for my second i can tell you after all excursions and and gratuities were paid we estimated about 300 a day for drinks and suveniers and gambling in the casino and pretty much used it all up except maybe 200.00 which we spent on the way home lol. It is really hard to say as each person has differant spending habits. But i heard for cash deposits to expect 500.00 up front then adjust as you go ...but keep track of it on a daily basis. That figure by the way was for 2 of us my mom and myself.

[skproiosn]

thanks everyone!!

[FUN33]

I have read that you open up a credit card once you are on board, but my father wants to bring cash to close out this card-he thinks using his credit card is too dangerous.

 

So my question is...how much cash do you suggest bringing for a family of 5. 3 of us are of the legal drinking age and will probably have 1 or 2 drinks per day. Can anyone give me some sort of estimate?

 

I'm not looking for a, "That's stupid, just pay with credit card", answer. Please just tell me how much cash you would bring for a 7-day cruise to Bermuda.

 

Thanks so much!

It really depends on how many tours you plan to take, how much your going to drink, how much stuff you buy from the on board shops. I'd take $1,000 and you probably will have enough.

 

We have been cruising for over 35 years and NEVER had any problems with the credit card being compromised.

[pba20493]

First, let me tell you that the " suggested cash deposits " are just that, suggested. There is no real minimum amount that you need to put down. The last 5 cruises we have been on they say 250 per person, well we put 200 total for the 2 of us. Did we have to put more during the week, yeah, but we watched our spending and knew when to add. Also, here's a tip. If you are luck to hit anything in the casino, put the cash on your account, so you will have it at the end of the cruise. Just dont use your sail and sign card in the casino for cash. This way you can leave with your winnings :D .

 

Pre-pay your tips if you can. That also cuts down on the amount of cash you need to bring. I wouldnt buy any of the pictures from the cruiseline ( too high of a price for me ) Maybe 1 picture of the whole group is all I would get. If you are on a Carnival cruise, you can purchase drink tickets before your cruise I think its 4 for $20 or something close to that. Again, cuts down on the final bill.

 

Hope this helps you out. Have a great vacation.

 

 

Tim