Serious replies only, PLEASE

[fleckle]

It is a good idea never to carry more cash than you are willing lose without getting too upset about it. Personally, I dislike going anywhere carrying a large wad of cash.

 

We always keep one or two extra credit cards locked up in the safe to use in case the credit card we take off the ship should be compromised and we need to cancel it.

 

All major charges go on the seapass card or credit card. The cash is only used for tips and incidentals, such as small purchases in ports.

 

But as others have stated, you can always get more cash from ATMs or the casino, so there is really no need to bring a lot of cash on a cruise.

 

 

Or, an even better idea to to make friends with A Sixth? (See post above)

[vickykay]

Take enough cash for some room service tips, cash needed in ports, etc. Then bring some traveler's checks as a back up in case you are worried that you will run out of cash - you can cash them on the ship (no charge) or just use or cash back at home if not used. YOu really don't want to bring a lot of cash with your. I really can't imagine spending that much money per day (we did not spend nearly that amount on a 2 week Baltic cruise and Europe was quite expensive at the time).

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[INeedAShot]

IMHO, you should bring $700-900 cash for 14 days. Unless you start buying big ticketed items, then you'd need more. For emergency, of course you would have a credit card with you as well.

 

I would think 1000-1500.....but that number is dependant on your shopping habits and your husbands gambling habits. Remember, there are alot of ports in a row. Most people visit the port, eat, take in a show or lounge before bedtime. That doesnt leave alot of gambling time except for sea days.

 

We usually take about 500-750 per week (but that is without an alcohol package)

[INeedAShot]

By the way, we will try not to eat all the food or drink all the grog before we get off the Connie

[Booyakasha]

Taking that much cash, whether you spend it or not is just not smart. If you are looking to spend that much cash in a day that is your business, use a credit card, get the points take money out of the ATM I can't imagine a $3 transaction fee would bother you too much. Unless you are renting a private boat in each port I can't imagine spending that much.

 

B.

[ellasnan]

That is my fear. I'm spending more time stressing about how and why to take so much than having fun planning things. The friend is bigger into gambling, but jeeze - we have bills and children to come home to! This was why we prepaid everything, so we wouldn't have to wonder on how much would be enough. Truthfully, there is nothing onboard extra we will really need to pay for of value. We plan on eating at Bistro On Five, maybe once or twice - alright, there's a $20.00 bill. So, if I am understanding correctly, $100 - $150 a day will be more than adequate unless we find some pretty great excursions to do? Like, rent a yacht and be spoiled lavishly for 5 or 6 hours. hahahahaha

 

Stop stressing and take what you feel comfortable with!!!

We are like you we usually pay the bill in cash (due to exchange rates) but always have the credit card to hand (just in case)!!!

Oh yes if you decide to book the yacht Glenn and I will join you to get your monies worth!!!!

 

See you in 6 weeks................

[germanyboy]

On a 17 night, we had a seapass bill of $1,500 charged to credit card,--had a wine package, got a picture package--; and we had $600 cash between the 2 of us, and came home with about half of that cash

[Joedog]

I believe it is better to have too much cash than too little so I would probably take at least $2000.00 AND A CREDIT/DEBIT CARDfor a 14 day cruise.

 

However much you choose to bring I would recommend that you get at bring a variety of bill sizes. I like a break down like 50 singles, 10 fives, 10 tens, 10 twentys and the rest on hundreds.

 

I also like to bring a wad of twos for tipping, but that's just me.

 

$500 - $750 a day seems way high.

[royalcruz]

You only need cash for gambling, extra tips, small purchases or water/soda in ports. If you dine or shop in ports you can use your credit card. Everything else will go on your room acct. Since you already have the drink package for 1, gratuities, and specialty dining paid for, you might charge to your room: drinks for 1, photos, wine tastings, exercize classes, spa, excursions, internet minutes, anything you purchase in the stores. Most of these things you won't even use.

[woodofpine]

Keeps fares down!:)

 

Depending on your activity likes $100-150 per couple per port for excursions (easy less though). $50-100 pp for onboard junk shopping. We don't do spa stuff (that can be pricey). Liquor you've covered, but 'maybe' $100-200 additional for 2-4 upmarket bottles of wine. Photos can run a couple hundred.

 

Gambling, I'm frugal. I typically buy $50 in chips (but I could see buying $100 for 2 weeks) and play'em 'till they're gone... when they're gone, I'm done. That policy works for me. When I'm cleaned out, I figure it as time/entertainment cost. Once in a while, I'll leave with chips (only once or twice more than I bought); Vegas wasn't built on anyone being able to beat the house - ships are worse...

 

Based on what you describe $2,000... or less if one simply doesn't 'need' to spend.

[SailawayN]

I would say $700 total for 2 people for the entire cruise should allow for absolutely everything you could need assuming you take a credit card. I would think it would be more reasonable to take $400 for 2 plus a cash station card. I can't imagine why you would need that money unless you have a drinking or gambling problem. There are ATM's available if you need more cash. Forget the Traveler's checks--they are totally last century.

 

With the exception of some native markets, your Sea Pass which will be linked to your credit card covers just about everything your heart could desire. The natives at the markets are smart, and many accept Master/Visa.

 

You will find it much easier to pay for stuff on board with your Sea Pass rather than cash.

[bikerunner]

The most I ever spent on a cruise was a 12 day carr. All in all with grats and buying jewelry I spent with my girlfriend around 3500. Of course most of it was on a watch I bought for myself.

[xplrcrzn]

If you're prepared to spend that much you should be taking an all-inclusive luxury cruise and not Celebrity. You're wasting your money on nickel and dime expenditures on X.

[dkjretired]

Don, I hope you're out here today.

 

We have a few friends that do cruises. We asked what was a reasonable amount of money to bring on a 14 day southern caribbean cruise. Before I tell their response, let me say that we have the classic beverage package purchased for my husband; I don't drink MUCH so I will be paying as I go for water; etc. We have already paid our gratuities and have paid for the specialty restaurant that we chose. We don't plan on doing any big excursions; I plan on doing some shopping in each of the ports and of course my Husband is going to gamble. Nothing huge, but nonetheless. We are parking at a friend's home in Ft. Lauderdale so we don't have parking cost. Our cruise if basically paid for with the exception of tipping extra to our cabin stewards; etc. So, our friends each suggested $500 - $750 per day.

 

With all the experience of some of you out here, tell me really what would be a reasonable amount per day.

 

Thank you.

 

I only bring a couple hundred with me and hit the ATM when I have too.. I will usually do the ATM on land rather than on board. I do gamble but set a limit every day, we do not drink much and usually buy a few things on board. We just use a credit card and pay it up at the end of the month. I think from my days as a Police Officer, I am adverse to bringing a lot of money with me and rarely have a lot in person.

[Ma Bell]

I don't know how anyone except you could possibly answer this question. Only you know what your spending habits are. Have fun!

[INeedAShot]

One more note, if you do use a credit card.....read the terms as most charge a percentage premium if out of the US

[kitkat9438]

Can I make a suggestion about your excursions? Do your research. Go to the port of calls boards and see what others are doing at your ports of calls. If you don't see anything that's appealing to you, then you can do some internet research for excursions on the islands you will be visiting. I always do this way ahead of when we cruise and have everything booked and ready. Going with independent tour operators is cheaper and a lot more fun than the ships tours. I make myself a spreadsheet with all of my information on it, starting with my ports, hours in port, excursion explanation, cost of the excursion, plus any transportation costs if not included, list whether or not food and drink is included and keep a total of how much I will need for this. You also have to factor in taxi costs if you need them and spending money for food and drinks. You pay for taxi's with cash too. When your shopping at a market, you won't be using a credit card, it will be cash. And yes, sometimes your credit card company will charge a surcharge if you use it outside of the United States unless you are using something like Capital One.

 

I usually take the cash I need for the excursions, plus any spending money on top of that. I also get around $50 of $1 for tips for the porters, etc. Generally I will take around $100 onshore with me, plus a credit card. Any spending on the ship will go on the seapass card.

 

Hope this helps.

[Booyakasha]

I agree with Kathy and do the same thing, spreadsheet and all. Also a lot of independent excursions want a deposit up front and take credit cards there by reducing the amount of cash needed in your pocket.

 

I have just finished booking excursions in St Thomas, St Maarten, St Lucia and Antigua and they all took 50% up front and held my credit card for cancellation purposes.

 

B.

[agabbymama]

I've never done a 14 day cruise, the most I've done are 12 days. But my on-board account has never been over $500 for two. And that's getting the coffee-card, photo package, a few glasses of wine, bingo, etc. We don't gamble much, so used the coupon in the room for free play and an additional $20. Once we lost that, we never went back to the casino. Bingo is expensive (if you plan to play) plan $25-30 per session.

 

NOW, that said, once on the Islands of St. Thomas and St. Martin, I did put a lot on my credit card. I just couldn't resist the tri-color gold, and once I got started, I couldn't stop. Ended up getting a turtle pendant and chain, a bracelet, a ring, and ear rings. So if you do that kind of spur of the moment shopping, be sure to have a credit card.

 

My travel agent told me about 30 years ago, to take whatever your ticket cost as spending money. If your cruise cost $500 take $500, if it cost $1000 take $1000, but I've never come even close to that in my travels, be it land or cruise. And you have a lot of the extras already paid for. And not everyone buys the photos or souvenirs that I do.

 

Have a great cruise!

[donaldsc]

Don, I hope you're out here today.

 

We have a few friends that do cruises. We asked what was a reasonable amount of money to bring on a 14 day southern caribbean cruise. Before I tell their response, let me say that we have the classic beverage package purchased for my husband; I don't drink MUCH so I will be paying as I go for water; etc. We have already paid our gratuities and have paid for the specialty restaurant that we chose. We don't plan on doing any big excursions; I plan on doing some shopping in each of the ports and of course my Husband is going to gamble. Nothing huge, but nonetheless. We are parking at a friend's home in Ft. Lauderdale so we don't have parking cost. Our cruise if basically paid for with the exception of tipping extra to our cabin stewards; etc. So, our friends each suggested $500 - $750 per day.

 

With all the experience of some of you out here, tell me really what would be a reasonable amount per day.

 

Thank you.

 

Considering that everything is prepaid, that is about $490 - $740 too much per day.

 

DON

[Freecall]

...........that is about $490 - $740 too much per day.

 

DON

 

 

Maybe she's a generous tipper! ;)

[dpw1959]

I don't know what you are planning on buying but I think that $500 to $700 a day is way too high. Granted I would have my credit card to back me up when I was walking into a jewelry store with my wife but other than that, I would only need a couple hundred a day since everything else is covered on the ship.

[rotaryscotty]

From reading the posts, I'd like to throw out my opinion. (And remember, opinions are like A**holes, everyone has one, and most of them stink:cool:)

 

Take $500 cash for yourself, and give hubby another $500 cash. If lost or stolen it's not the end of the world.

Use the safe in your room. Cash on board is almost useless. Have dollar bills for tips, especially if you like coffee/breakfast delivered to your room- no more than 1 or 2 dollars.

 

Have credit cards for back-up and unanticipated purchases, which are very easy to find on a cruise ship. Remember, each department on a cruise ship has a budget goal to achieve during the cruise, so you will be inundated with "opportunities" to get rid of money.:eek:

[nabby]

I'm not sure about X's policy, but on Princess if you want to pay your account by cash you are required to put down a $300 deposit when you board (I think that is per person).

 

I will be on a 7 day cruise, but it is quite port intensive. We have booked our own excursions (not ship excursions) and most do not take credit cards. Do your research to see which ones will accept credit cards. For our five ports of call, plus one day before/after in San Juan, I have budgeted $600 cash. This covers tours, taxis, tips, meals, and an extra pad of $10 per day "just in case".

 

After a talk at the bank yesterday, I am now planning to bring (or get from an ATM) extra cash. Although most cards charge an international fee, the fee to get cash from an ATM is a flat rate (usually $3-5). Therefore it makes sense to pay cash for expensive items, and only charge less expensive items. Many shops will offer you a discount if you pay in cash (to save them the merchant process fee).

[fleckle]

........After a talk at the bank yesterday, I am now planning to bring (or get from an ATM) extra cash. Although most cards charge an international fee, the fee to get cash from an ATM is a flat rate (usually $3-5). Therefore it makes sense to pay cash for expensive items, and only charge less expensive items. Many shops will offer you a discount if you pay in cash (to save them the merchant process fee).

Another option if you are planning a trip to foreign countries is to use a credit card that does not charge anything for international monetary conversion and also gives you cash back.

 

That way, you have the option in each situation of determining whether you are better off taking a cash discount, if offered, or paying with the credit card. The credit card also provides protection that you don't get when paying with cash, which would not matter if purchasing inexpensive items but can be significant for any major purchase.