Spending Money On Board Epic

[Georgina1505]

Hi All,

 

How much spending money do you think is needed on Epic as I am going to buy on board credit as I don't have a credit card and don't want to carry loads of cash! I'm sailing in December for 10 nights. Have booked my dining, have free ULtimate drinks package, have paid gratuities and have Spa Passes booked.

 

Would like to try the ice bar and maybe buy 1 photo but can't think what else I'd need money for? Have not sailed with NCL before. Maybe buy a souvenir magnet/ pen as luggage allowance limited so can't go mad shopping! And I'll be taking money for casino.

 

Have I missed anything?

 

Thanks

George

[piper45maru]

When I did a recent 7-day Epic sailing, my personal onboard expenditures were the ice bar, some drinks (didn't have UBP), Moderno (prepaid), a spa treatment (prepaid), one photo, and a souvenir magnet (I think it was about $5-6), so my spending habits sound similar to yours. There was lots of other stuff to spend money on, but they didn't interest me. Not sure whether you might change your mind when you're onboard, but if you don't think you'll shop or indulge in any specialty restaurants spontaneously, you're probably safe in figuring out the cost of what you want to do and throwing in a little extra to be safe.

 

I did bring cash onboard for tips, and I found several crew members that went above and beyond that I wanted to tip.

 

I also will say that I only planned on going to the ice bar once, but the other solo travelers I met onboard happened to love it (as did I!) and had so much fun that we ended up there 4 different nights. If you think it might be a place you would return to, and you're crazy like us, you might want to plan on extra for that! [emoji13]

 

Obviously, each person's spending habits/interest in purchases will be different, but I didn't find a lot I personally wanted to spend money on other than what I mentioned above. YMMV.

 

I brought Euros to spend in port, but I didn't end up spending much among the six ports, either, and most of it was tips for excursions. I only spent about 150 euros in port.

 

Hope that helps a little!

Edited October 22, 2015 by piper45maru

[bonniboo1]

Keep a supply of dollar bills. If someone gives u top notch service, feel free to tip. A couple of dollars goes a long way. I always leave a cabin steward some extra. For those in a suite please remembed that the Concierge and Butler do not share in the tip pool.likewise with the youth counsellers. Have an absolutely wonderful cruise.

 

Bonni

 

P.S. some of the room service incurs a charge.

[Georgina1505]

Thanks :)

 

I've got the Brazillian restaurant & Cirque pre booked. And I don't think I'll have any spa treatments. I've got loads of euros for our private tours and spending money for ports. Just unsure think I'll get 250 dollar worth of on board credit and we can alway splurge on the last day for we have any left :)

[Georgina1505]

Keep a supply of dollar bills. If someone gives u top notch service, feel free to tip. A couple of dollars goes a long way. I always leave a cabin steward some extra. For those in a suite please remembed that the Concierge and Butler do not share in the tip pool.likewise with the youth counsellers. Have an absolutely wonderful cruise.

 

Bonni

 

P.S. some of the room service incurs a charge.

 

Thanks :) I'm taking some in dollars cash which will give hubby some for the casino and then some for our stateroom attendant. We have a balcony cabin, have only stayed in insides before! So excited!! But I like to be planned! :)

[piper45maru]

I had a balcony on my sailing, too, and loved it!!!! I have an inside for my upcoming cruise but I'm calling the upsell department 7 days out and seeing if I can get a good deal on a balcony! :) Have fun!

[BirdTravels]

How much spending money do you think is needed on Epic as I am going to buy on board credit as I don't have a credit card and don't want to carry loads of cash! I'm sailing in December for 10 nights. Have booked my dining, have free ULtimate drinks package, have paid gratuities and have Spa Passes booked.

 

Would like to try the ice bar and maybe buy 1 photo but can't think what else I'd need money for? Have not sailed with NCL before. Maybe buy a souvenir magnet/ pen as luggage allowance limited so can't go mad shopping! And I'll be taking money for casino.

 

Have I missed anything?

 

Make sure you understand the checkin requirements at the port to establish your own board account. Without a credit card, you will need to use a debit card or cash (and they make a lot of authorizations against both credit and debit cards). On a 10 day cruise you will need to make a cash deposit of $450 at checkin. See http://www.ncl.com/faq#onboard-expenses.

 

And you need a bit of spending money if you are going ashore.

Edited October 23, 2015 by BirdTravels

[Georgina1505]

Make sure you understand the checkin requirements at the port to establish your own board account. Without a credit card, you will need to use a debit card or cash (and they make a lot of authorizations against both credit and debit cards). On a 10 day cruise you will need to make a cash deposit of $450 at checkin. See http://www.ncl.com/faq#onboard-expenses.

 

Thanks BirdTravels, I have read about the holds and I will use a debit card for an account that I don't really use often so it wont affect my bills etc. I've also seen people say they have opened cash accounts on board for $100 but I'm taking my debit card anyway :) I've got cash and will pay off my account so they shouldn't need to take any payments from my cards and can just release the holds (which I know can take a few weeks)

[BirdTravels]

Thanks BirdTravels, I have read about the holds and I will use a debit card for an account that I don't really use often so it wont affect my bills etc. I've also seen people say they have opened cash accounts on board for $100 but I'm taking my debit card anyway :) I've got cash and will pay off my account so they shouldn't need to take any payments from my cards and can just release the holds (which I know can take a few weeks)

 

Cool! Have a great cruise!

 

BTW: we are the Epic right now, sailing off the Spanish coast on a sea day. The ship came out of dry dock on Monday and looks and feels great!

[Georgina1505]

Cool! Have a great cruise!

 

BTW: we are the Epic right now, sailing off the Spanish coast on a sea day. The ship came out of dry dock on Monday and looks and feels great!

 

Wow, lucky you. I'm much rather be there than stuck at work :( I sail on the 9th and cant wait. I've been following the re-fit on here and it looks amazing! Enjoy the rest of your trip :)