Small bills !!

Were going on our first 7 day western carribean cruise on Oct 22 how much small bills should I bring I take small bills as in 1s and 5s maybe , a hundred each would be sufficient?

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Most lines will break larger bills into smaller for you, so that you don't have to carry a huge wad of cash. On Carnival, you can even break them down using the kiosks.

I, personally, take around $100 for general tipping, plus what I allot for tipping on excursions (I always leave my auto-gratuities in place).

Do NOT bring wads of "small bills"! They are too bulky! Bring about $20 in small stuff, and carry larger bills...the ship will break them down into smaller denominations!

$100 in ones won't fit in a wallet!

I mainly bring about $25 in ones and $50 in fives, the rest in tens -- the ones and fives are usually for tips -- you can usually get change everywhere else -- I don't bring any twenty's - my first cruise, I wanted to buy a Coke from a roadside vendor, all I had was a $20 and they could only give change in local currency -- I liked our cabby, but I wasn't going to tip him $19

Were going on our first 7 day western carribean cruise on Oct 22 how much small bills should I bring I take small bills as in 1s and 5s maybe , a hundred each would be sufficient?

 

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Depends on how you spend, what kind of stuff you buy, how many of you, & etc. On a 7 day cruise I would think $100 each in 1's and 5's would be more than enough. Maybe half that would be fine. Do make note of the earlier post about getting change in the local currency.

If you give USD at outlets which deal mainly with tourists - like bars and taxis and stalls at the ports & most beaches - they will give you change in USD. It's those who deal mainly with locals - like grocery shops (generally best value for drinks, ices, etc), chemists, & such - who give change in local currency, that's the way their registers are programmed.

So mebbe for each port day $5 in ones, $10 in fives, and a couple of tens along with your twenties should be plenty.

JB :)

Were going on our first 7 day western carribean cruise on Oct 22 how much small bills should I bring I take small bills as in 1s and 5s maybe , a hundred each would be sufficient?

 

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I think 100 1's is way overkill! Unless you are going on a strip clubs tour! LOL :D. I only use 1's to tip the hotel (not cruise) room maid daily.. like $3 a day. Or the valet for hotel valet parking, $3 to $4. Most of the other tips would be in $5 or $10.

I try to put away the nice looking 1's and 5's when I get them. It's like a piggy bank for vacation tips!

I take a lot of $5's and $10's but only a few $1's.

Agree with others suggesting you take larger bills and have them broken down into smaller bills at Customer Relations as needed. :)

I like to use casino chips for tipping

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I took $20 in 1's, same in 5's and 10's and still came home with some money. Any cash for excursion tips was kept separately in the excursion envelopes. Happy sailing!

We carry large bills with us -- usually $100 bills -- less bulk.

Once we are on the ship, then we get ones and fives.

For travelling we do carry some smaller bills for taxis, tipping, etc.

Were going on our first 7 day western carribean cruise on Oct 22 how much small bills should I bring I take small bills as in 1s and 5s maybe , a hundred each would be sufficient?

 

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If wanting $200 I'd say 20 1's, 4 5's and the rest in 20's since as others have said, the ship can give you smaller bills in exchange.

I would only bring cash for the ports, and even then, I would only bring a total of $100, just in case something happens. I would NOT carry cash around unless it was absolutely necessary, even on the ship.

Were going on our first 7 day western carribean cruise on Oct 22 how much small bills should I bring I take small bills as in 1s and 5s maybe , a hundred each would be sufficient?

 

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We take lots of "ones". You will want to tip shuttle bus drivers who load your luggage to and from the airport. Or tip the taxis. Tip the port guys who get your luggage onto the ship.

Then I usually give bar guys a bill when I order a drink. Sometimes it seems to speed up service and sometimes doesn't seem to make a difference.

Yes, the service desks will make change for you, but sometimes there is a line.

We take lots of "ones". You will want to tip shuttle bus drivers who load your luggage to and from the airport. Or tip the taxis. Tip the port guys who get your luggage onto the ship.

Then I usually give bar guys a bill when I order a drink. Sometimes it seems to speed up service and sometimes doesn't seem to make a difference.

Yes, the service desks will make change for you, but sometimes there is a line.

OP is going on Carnival. There is almost always no line at the kiosks.

While we take $100 bills to get broken down once on the ship, we do also have some smaller bills with us to take care of various tips (porters, etc.) prior to getting on the ship. ;)

I like to use casino chips for tipping

 

 

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Difficult for the locals to cash them in!

I like to use casino chips for tipping

 

 

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Not a great idea. Each cruise line has their own employee rules, when it comes to the Casinos...but the facility is generally off limits to the crew. Their ability to cash in chips...may depend on who their friends are....but, at best, its a bit of a pain...and at worst the chips could end up in their trash. And those chips do not help when it comes to tipping port workers, locals at ports, etc. Bottom line is that it is much easier for you to cash in your own chips...and use the cash for tips.

Hank