Spending money

[Chriselle]

I'm trying to figure out how much spending money (cash) to bring with me when I sail to the Bahamas on the Gem in two weeks with my two girls (ages 12 and 14).

 

I'm not a big gambler and don't go for buying lots of souvenirs. No excursions for us....to splurgy for this chick. I'm thinking of buying a lunch when we're in port but that's about it.

 

Any thoughts from more experienced cruisers?

[cb at sea]

If all you're doing is buying lunch, and perhaps a cab ride, I'd bring around $400.... don't think you'd spend all that, but the bank will allow you to redeposit it!!! You should have a safe in your cabin to store any excess money. I'd rather have too much than not enough!

[garycarla]

Of course, lots of things can go on the credit card. Always easy to get more from an ATM as well. I would take $1,000 to be covered. As said, you can always take the extra back home with you.

[tjc78]

Do you have a credit card? If so I wouldn't bring a lot of cash at all. Maybe a couple hundred in small bills for tips, etc. You can put your ship account on a CC and that will cover the DSC and any on board spending. You can also use your CC in port, just call the company ahead to tell them your travel plans so you don't have any problems.

[sdmike]

Even when I travel with 5 in my group I bring less than $500. All spending on the ship goes on my credit card, and in most developed countries credit cards are handled just fine in port (Bahamas included). I end up spending the cash on things like tips, cabs, and smaller purchases (or purchases in smaller shops that don't have cc capabilities). I like having around $100 in small bills because you may have difficulty getting change in some places (like with cabs)

[roger001]

My wife and I take around $400 usually and generally take a bunch of it back home unspent.

[puddles99]

We usually take about $400 and at least half usually goes to our tips (butler, concierge, etc). We rarely use cash. Like other have said, credit cards work well. You can call and ask which cards may charge and international fee (my BoA card said it would, so I stuck to AMEX while ashore last cruise).

 

Enjoy your adventure!

[Chriselle]

Wow! The responses vary! I guess my question really is...on what might I find myself spending money? I don't want to use my credit card and rack up a big bill I will struggle to pay off when I get home. I don't use credit cards as a rule; if I don't have the cash, I don't buy it.

 

So what are the things I will need to spend money on? :)

[CapeCodCruiser]

Wow! The responses vary! I guess my question really is...on what might I find myself spending money? I don't want to use my credit card and rack up a big bill I will struggle to pay off when I get home. I don't use credit cards as a rule; if I don't have the cash, I don't buy it.

 

So what are the things I will need to spend money on? :)

 

The good news is there is nothing you will NEED to spend money on. Anything that has a fee is optional. Beverages other than the free tea, coffee etc that are the buffet, souvenirs, gambling, pay restaurants on the ship, pizza delivery.

 

You can cruise without incurring any additional fees.

[Got Tequila?]

Wow! The responses vary! I guess my question really is...on what might I find myself spending money? I don't want to use my credit card and rack up a big bill I will struggle to pay off when I get home. I don't use credit cards as a rule; if I don't have the cash, I don't buy it.

 

So what are the things I will need to spend money on? :)

 

 

Will you be putting your CC down for your shipboard account? Have you pre-paid your daily service charge of $12 Per Person? Are you in a suite, so you will have a butler and concierge to tip? Will the girls use the teen club, and need to tip the counselors there?

 

On the ship the only place you use cash in in the casino, all other itmes get placed on your shipboard account....which you can pay off in cash at the end of the cruise.

 

As for items you might spend $$$ for on the ship....softdrinks, alcohol, photos, specialty restaurants, souvinirs, stuff you've forgotten and need to purchase, shore excursions, cabs, tips, food/drinks while in port.

[roger001]

Wow! The responses vary! I guess my question really is...on what might I find myself spending money? I don't want to use my credit card and rack up a big bill I will struggle to pay off when I get home. I don't use credit cards as a rule; if I don't have the cash, I don't buy it.

 

So what are the things I will need to spend money on? :)

 

There's no correct answer that another can give for you. Only you know what you might be interested in buying. Each persons interests are different. I would say tips, which are pretty much optional on the ship, but pretty much expected custom with shore tours, eating and drinking on shore, buying souvenirs on shore, cab or transportation fare on shore if you elected to use that, non prepaid NCL tours you might select after going on shore, etc. all require cash. You need to just write down what you are interested in doing and someone on her can tell you about how much that costs. Then you'll have some idea of cash needed.

[puddles99]

I agree with others - there's actually nothing you'll need to spend money on - unless you haven't prepaid the service charge. Then it comes down to what you want to spend and if you want cash for tipping.

[emcelh]

If I were just going to factor in transportation at the ports and a lunch or two, I'd be able to keep it well under $500. I'd use a CC for my shipboard account to cover the DSC (or prepay it) so I'm not counting that expense. At Port Canaveral there's inexpensive transportation to Cocoa Beach. I can't remember exactly how much, but I'm thinking about $10 PP each way, which is less than a cab would be even for 3 people. You can walk around the town in Nassau or take the water taxi for a few dollars to Paradise Island. (Don't eat lunch there, though. Very expensive.) You won't spend anything at Great Stirrup Cay unless you buy something to drink.

[crusinmama22]

I understand you don't want to spend any extra money --- but that usually does not work "

 

As mentioned before I would take $l,000. break it up into some smaller bills for room service, the kids will love that -- for a $2.00 tip it is great fun.

 

You will have to put some money on your account when you embark so without a credit card they will ask you for cash.

 

There are a few of you and the girls will be charged the same daily service charge as the adults so you must figure on $12.00 per day per person. THis can be pre-paid if desired.

 

Anyway I would rather have more money then not enough, as said before just take home what you don't need.

 

Another consideration is if there is bad weather and your flight is delayed, sometimes you have to pay first then get reimbursed by insurance, I know this happened to us.

 

But what ever you decide -- HAVE A GREAT TIME !