momof279

What a wonderful birthday gift:halo: I'm surprised many think you have too much OBC - I usually see the advice of 'pack 1/2 the clothes and 2x the money.' Here are some of my thoughts:

• It is better to have extra vs not enough, so if you have $300 budgeted I would bring that. We also use budgets and try to over estimate costs. If we were right at least it is covered, if we have left over than we can either purchase a splurge item or just have extra money for the next vacation;)
  
• We drink much more at sea than on land. No one has to drive and there are often some really interesting drink options. Bar cash can only be used for beverages, but I think you will easily spend $50 in 4 days. Most non-alcoholic drinks are $4-6 pre-tip - including specialty coffee (a lot of people don't like the complimentary coffee). Most alcohol based drinks are $8-10 pre-tip. If you each have a drink the first night ($20) plus a coffee and another drink one other day ($30), the $50 is spent. Any drinks above this would then be applied against your other OBC.
  
• You mentioned that your husband enjoys the casino and you enjoy bingo. I'm not familiar with the costs of either of these, but thought bingo might be as much as $20 per card (might be a set of 3). I could see easily spending $50 each during the cruise so that takes care of your Carnival Cash
  
• We were very impressed with our room steward on our last cruise and also had extra OBC. We had extra gratuity applied at guest services (they can do this for stewards, but not wait staff).
  
• I've heard mostly good reports about the Steakhouses on Carnival (I didn't notice what ship you are sailing). This meal is usually around $35 pp including gratuity, so that is something to consider also.
  
• If you are comfortable exploring a port on your own - and I think many Caribbean ports lend themselves to this - then I would not book an excursion just to spend money. We have taken some wonderful excursions, but you also run the risk of being part of a large group and not being able to try the very things you want to do most (local food, souvenirs). If your port has a local food tour (I know Nassau does) that might be a fun way to get local food and some history and should still allow time for souvenir shopping.
  
• As mentioned, mostly everything onboard will be covered by your sail & sign card/account. Some like to have extra cash for additional tips: bar staff, exceptional dining staff or room steward, piano bar requests. If you do book an excursion you may want cash to tip your guide. When we have checked bags we also tip the baggage handlers a few $ per bag.
  
• There will be photo opportunities onboard. We only get a picture if we really like it, and the last two cruises we haven't liked any of them. We do try to allow $50 for pictures though just in case there are some really good ones. The basic ones we get tend to run $20-30 per picture.
  

Everyone has different budgets, interests, and ways of cruising. I think you have a well thought out plan and it sounds like a great cruise. It's wise to get advice from those with experience, but rember to relax and do what works for you. Have a great cruise!

Thank you for the great tips.

Are you putting a credit card on file when you checkin to board the ship? If yes, then you will have a cushion if more funds are needed.

 

Anything you buy onboard, including casino, will be charged thru your ship card. The individual charges will be taken off of your onboard account in the following order. Pre arranged funds (cruise cash) will go first...you will never actually touch it. Once those funds are gone, anything you buy will accrue to your onboard account and at the end of your cruise it will be charged to your credit card (you can also pay it off in cash).

 

So your day to day need for actual cash on the ship will be minimal.

 

On land you can spend cash or use credit cards. We budget about $100/day on land for taxis and food. Sometimes we spend all of it and more, other times, not so much. We are not big drinkers...tho the wife is quite a shopper. Her fav souvenir is some form of jewelry.

I have not put my credit card on file yet. Is it $100/day on land per person or both?

Sauer-Kraut and MCC retired thank you for the advice. I was just comparing a shore tour, vs casino (husband) vs having a dinner at a specialty restaurant. I do like bingo so wanted to make sure I have enough for bingo. Decisions, decisions

We were gifted a 4 day Carnival cruise for my birthday, along with it $50 ship board credit, $50 Carnival Bar Cash, and $100 Carnival Cash. Our cruise is at the end of this month and will stop at 2 ports. It will be just me and my husband and we prepaid the gratuities. We are budgeting an additional $200-300 dollars, but not sure if that much extra is necessary. I don't drink soda (pop) and my husband drinks it once a month, usually will drink water, tea, milk, fruit juice. We usually drink alcohol maybe twice a year, but would not mind purchasing a couple of alcoholic drinks for the cruise. No planned shore excursions we usually wait until a day of to see how we feel before planning our day. This is probably not the best strategy when planning a cruise. Our main goal is to try some local food, explore the area and maybe get a couple of souvenirs. We are going to Mexico. I am concerned about having enough money to make it through the cruise. Any advice would be helpful