Cruise to Cozumel...how much is too much?

[Kentsgal1983]

It's my husbands first cruise and we are super excited! Now we are in the planning stage but how much money is too much to plan to take for spending money? We've already booked out excursions and paid everything off but we want to know what a reasonable amount of money is to take with us to buy things for family and friends? Or is a debit card a better option?

[CruiserBruce]

As we know nothing about your spending habits, there is no way for us to answer your questions. Are you going to camp out at a bar? Buy lots, or no, trinkets? Eat off the ship every day. At "street food" places, or fancy places?

Edited February 8, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[Essiesmom]

A debit card is never a good option when traveling out of the country, unless you are going to use it to get local currency out of an ATM. But in Mexico, they love dollars. How much cash to take depends on how much you like to spend on souvenirs and gifts. And food and drink onshore. EM

[Sauer-kraut]

Cozumel = tourist trap

 

How many cheap T-shirts and Mexican vanilla are you planning to buy? Set your limit and stick to it, how much would you purchase for people back home from a U.S. trip?

[KKB]

It's my husbands first cruise and we are super excited! Now we are in the planning stage but how much money is too much to plan to take for spending money? We've already booked out excursions and paid everything off but we want to know what a reasonable amount of money is to take with us to buy things for family and friends? Or is a debit card a better option?

 

I am assuming you mean ALL expenses for the whole cruise. Yes, it can vary but I will tell you what we bring.

 

We typically bring about $1000 cash. I am not comfortable using debit/credit cards in a foreign country. If you plan on any large purchases (i.e. jewelry) I would bring a credit card--be sure to alert your card company before your trip that you may be putting a large purchase on it in a foreign country.

 

What do we spend it on?

1--$ in port. If you have booked excursions, $100 should be plenty. Plan on more if you are shopping. (I don't shop much on cruises) I recommend limiting gifts for others to children/people caring for your home/pets while you are gone.

2--Tips (before cruise, for everyone on the cruise if not being added to your ship account, extra for those that we felt touche us during the week)

3--Casino

 

Honestly, that is it for us. All onboard purchases go on the ship account.

[Jasalth]

If you have everything pre-paid then you just need to look at what else you might want to spend.

 

Are you excursions all inclusive? If not then you probably want to budget $50-$200 for food/drinks while you are on them if they are a beach.

 

If you want to bring back stuff for family/friends, decide on a purchase limit for each. Say 10 people each with a t-shirt, estimate high and $20 each.

 

I would never use a debit card outside of the country. Actually I never use a debit card outside of local stores that I trust in general but that is just me. When we go I bring about $200 per day in cash for my family of 4 for other expenses. Always remember estimate high and then you can't go over budget!

[cb at sea]

Do NOT use a debit card....there are no protections associated with those cards. Either cash or credit is a better option. Especially, if you plan on gambling...bring cash for that entertainment expense!

 

We usually carry about $1500.00 for a week....our onboard charges go on a credit card. What cash we don't use goes back home and back into the bank!

Edited February 8, 2015 by cb at sea

[JimAOk1945]

You say it's your husband first cruise giving the impression that you have some cruising experience. If so, you probably already know your shopping will depend on the length of your excursions and time in port.

 

I would allow around $100 per day for port days free time expenses.

 

Happy cruising.

[Ahall2015]

A debit card is never a good option when traveling out of the country, unless you are going to use it to get local currency out of an ATM. But in Mexico, they love dollars. How much cash to take depends on how much you like to spend on souvenirs and gifts. And food and drink onshore. EM

 

Why is this not a good option? Never traveled out of the country so not quite sure why this is a suggestion?

[George C]

It's my husbands first cruise and we are super excited! Now we are in the planning stage but how much money is too much to plan to take for spending money? We've already booked out excursions and paid everything off but we want to know what a reasonable amount of money is to take with us to buy things for family and friends? Or is a debit card a better option?

 

I agree with everybody else do not use debit card, Cozumel is a really nice port with many good inexpensive restaurants and bars

[Langoustine]

Why is this not a good option? Never traveled out of the country so not quite sure why this is a suggestion?

 

Because if your debit card is compromised, you could have your entire checking account cleaned out. You can eventually get the money put back in the account, but it takes time, and meanwhile you may have checks you wrote that haven't cleared bouncing. If a credit card is compromised, you lose nothing; the credit card issuer will simply close the account and issue you a new card with a new number. That's happened to me several times over the years in this country. The only thing I use my debit card for--here or in Europe--is to get money out of ATMs.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Langoustine

[OCruisers]

We take CA$H!

No way would we even consider a debit card.

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

You didn't mention gratuities, which is a considerably large expense. Most lines you can add them to your shipboard account, but I prefer to pay them directly to the staff myself, in cash.

[Kentsgal1983]

We prepaid our gratuities but we have already set aside a decent amount for additional cash tips. We are just trying to figure out how much of each denomination to bring since many places you won't get cash back for purchases.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Why is this not a good option? Never traveled out of the country so not quite sure why this is a suggestion?

 

When a debit card is compromised, YOU have a big problem.

 

When a credit card is compromised, the credit card company has the problem.

[serene56]

Why is this not a good option? Never traveled out of the country so not quite sure why this is a suggestion?

 

 

For one-- it takes a long time for a hold to be released-- and this could tie up your money for a long time after your cruise.

 

Use cash (which is what we do)

but last cruise everything was prepaid--including tips. We carry about 50. in 1 dollar bills for small tipping. (room service, porters etc.)

 

The ports you visit will accept your money but do carry smaller bills like 1, 5 and 10's because if you have a 20 you more then likly will get change with their money--

Edited April 3, 2015 by serene56

[Raxter54]

Depending on your habits, you will be tipping a lot, even on your already paid excursions. Take lots of 1's and 5's for drivers, guides, waiters, etc...

[Underwatr]

We prepaid our gratuities but we have already set aside a decent amount for additional cash tips. We are just trying to figure out how much of each denomination to bring since many places you won't get cash back for purchases.

 

Bring larger bills; the ship will change them to smaller denominations as you need (assuming you are bringing US $).

[Cuizer2]

It's my husbands first cruise and we are super excited! Now we are in the planning stage but how much money is too much to plan to take for spending money? We've already booked out excursions and paid everything off but we want to know what a reasonable amount of money is to take with us to buy things for family and friends? Or is a debit card a better option?

 

A debit card is the WORST option. Take a credit card or two and as for money, how much do you normally spend on gifts? Multiply that by the number of people you are buying gifts for.

[Kentsgal1983]

We won't be taking a debit card, but thanks for the tip about the ship making change! That is great news!!!