Cash

[hihopes]

Can someone tell me if the ship will cash a check or travellers checks for you? If not, how much cash on hand does someone need for a 10 day cruise. I am one to pretty much use credit cards first.

 

Thanks.

[6rugrats]

No, they won't cash a personal check, but they will cash a traveler's check. Can't possibly tell you how much money you would need. Will you be purchasing lots of pictures, excursions drinks, using the casino?

[PattyG12]

You'll need cash for tips and souveniers off the ship. Cash for the casino. Cash for cabs and food off the ship. Everything on the ship will be put on your card. We always try to pre pay as much as possible so we don't need too much cash.

[cb at sea]

Actually, most ships will cash 1 personal check, for up to $200...bringing cash or traveler's checks is the easiest way, tho.

Most stuff will go on your credit card. We bring cash for gambling (I'd never charge that!!) and for taxi/port/room service tips. Also, some of the "straw markets" only take cash, but most stuff isn't expensive....

How much you spend is up to you...we generally bring about $1500.00 and will take any we don't spend home!

[paul929207]

Assuming you will settle your onboard account with a credit card, then it will be all the off the ship stuff that you will need cash for. Make sure you have lots of small bills. Many vendors will take US$, but give change in the local currency

[Keith1010]

It would be helpful to know the itinerary of the cruise.

 

We do take a little more cash then we figure we'll need. Some places do not take credit card. We will need some cash for tips such as help with the luggage.

 

Cruise lines normally do cash personal checks.

 

We do bring an ATM card with us as well.

 

Be sure to have at least a couple of credit cards just in case for whatever reason the credit card company shuts one of them down.

 

Keith

[uppitycats]

Can someone tell me if the ship will cash a check or travellers checks for you? If not, how much cash on hand does someone need for a 10 day cruise. I am one to pretty much use credit cards first.

 

Thanks.

 

Yes, you can cash either a check or a travellers check at the pursers desk, if you need cash.

 

But if you are "pretty much uses credit cards first" sort of person, then you don't need much cash on board at all! You check in, giving them your credit card. EVERYTHING on board that you'd pay extra for -- liquor, soft drinks, specialty coffees, spa visits, ship sponsored excursions ...would be charged to your credit card, and you'd settle the account at the end.

 

The only cash you'd need would be a few dollars to tip room service (which aren't part of your either pre-paid tips, or service charge, or tips, that most of the cruise lines are putting on your bill), and for things you might want to buy in port -- and even there, credit cards are often accepted.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We take travelers checks with us -- the ship will cash them without any charge fees.

 

That way we can get the small bills that we need for tips, etc.

 

I have read where people say that they carry from home a ton of small bills for tipping. I ask - WHY? The ship can make change for you.

[uppitycats]

We take travelers checks with us -- the ship will cash them without any charge fees.

 

That way we can get the small bills that we need for tips, etc.

 

I have read where people say that they carry from home a ton of small bills for tipping. I ask - WHY? The ship can make change for you.

 

1. Travelers checks are very difficult to find, these days. I live in a rural area; none of the 6 banks here carry them.

 

2. Yes, the ship can make change. But it means having to stand in line, usually, to have that done. If you bring some small bills from home (not "a ton", but some), you can just head off on your excursion or off the ship without them.

 

3. ATM's are everywhere. It's easy to get cash. We've gotten cash in all kinds of seemingly obscure places through an ATM.

[sultan_sfo]

Our experience is that Princess will not cash any personal checks.

 

Princess will cash Traveler's Check.

[SuitCaseBears]

Can someone tell me if the ship will cash a check or travellers checks for you? If not, how much cash on hand does someone need for a 10 day cruise. I am one to pretty much use credit cards first.

 

Cruise lines vary - you should check with your cruise line as to whether they cash checks. But as has been said there are ATMs all over. Additionally, some lines don't charge for a lot of things, and include tips in the cost. other lines don't, so you might want to ask the question on your cruise line's board.

[firefly333]

I just found out the hard way they dont take personal checks. I booked the morning of that last minute Ecstasy cruise to nowhere and tried to call the parking lot before I left. ..and left my wallet with all my $20s and credit cards and drivers license sitting in the chair.

 

I almost missed the ship, couldnt have gotten back. I hoped to be able to write a check, but nope.

 

I sure wouldnt ever do that again. (I wrote a check for gas to get to the port, and to EZCruise parking, and had enough to pay tips and gas home). Im sure glad it was just me cruising solo and only for 3 days though.