Cash

[LovetheCubs]

How much cash do you spend on average on a cruise? 7 days?

[cb at sea]

We usually bring around $1500 for a week....do we SPEND it all? Seldom, but better to have it than not! I'd rather have the cash, than need the cash and have to pay ATM fees to get some of my own money! There is a safe in your cabin to store it. Larger bills are easier and less bulky to carry.

[LovetheCubs]

Besides souviners what will we need cash for? First timers here!!

[kcwingwalker]

You'll want cash for tipping onboard for things like room service, special requests from your steward, great service from bartenders, etc. I usually carry a packet of 100 one dollar bills. Please don't use the two dollar bill, it's can be difficult for the crew to use in ports because it's unusual and might not be accepted.

 

Many prefer to use cash in port. I'm not eager to give an unknown merchant my credit card.

[Sunshine2U]

We spent about $100 in tips, $200 in port (taxi tours on St Thomas and Tortola with tip and a couple of small purchases), $50 onboard gambling. I admit we're cheap dates. We took $600.

 

 

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[FranknBeans]

Don't spend always use cc.

[BruceFan9]

What about local currency in Roatan, Belize, and Mexico? Do you exchange some cash in port, or use ATMs, or will the ship do it?

[HowardK]

I take 500 but 100-200 could be for misc transportation and 100 for tips. 100 or so is also for the pre cruise food

 

 

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[gymbomb]

What about local currency in Roatan, Belize, and Mexico? Do you exchange some cash in port, or use ATMs, or will the ship do it?

 

 

 

If you are staying in the tourist areas they will be happy to take dollars.

 

I usually spend $100-200 in cash (or less) unless I am doing an independent excursion that I am paying in cash.

[NMLady]

What about local currency in Roatan, Belize, and Mexico? Do you exchange some cash in port, or use ATMs, or will the ship do it?

 

In those ports I've always used small denomination US $$ with no problem.

[drvalo]

$200 cash or so is budgeted for the cruise...Although we have more cash because of the days before and after the cruise that are also part of the vacation.

Here is what we might spend it on:

1. for the casino (my one evening or 30 minutes there depending on how it goes, LOL)

2. in case we feel we need to tip beyond the DSC (we don't drink beverages from the bar or eat in the specialty restaurants beyond what we get for Platinum)

3. for tips or small purchases in ports

4. in case of emergency (?). It's never good to be without some cash.

 

Otherwise we use CC or our room key for purchases on board.

 

We are really cheap dates.

[drvalo]

What about local currency in Roatan, Belize, and Mexico? Do you exchange some cash in port, or use ATMs, or will the ship do it?

 

Most Caribbean and Mexican port vendors (even if you are away from the actual port in in town) will price items in USD. We have never had a problem using small denominations in port. They often will even make change.

Edited May 7, 2016 by drvalo

[Shawnino]

We end up taking more than we'd like because private tour operators like the vast majority of their fee in cash. Other than that, unless it's lunch-off-the-ship, we spend very little.

[BirdTravels]

What about local currency in Roatan, Belize, and Mexico? Do you exchange some cash in port, or use ATMs, or will the ship do it?

 

In tourist areas frequented by cruise passengers, US Dollars are accepted. There are areas in Honduras and Belize where cruise ship passengers shouldn't be wandering. Where they will take any currency,,, literally.

[bedfordmom]

In tourist areas frequented by cruise passengers, US Dollars are accepted. There are areas in Honduras and Belize where cruise ship passengers shouldn't be wandering. Where they will take any currency,,, literally.

 

I generally take private excursions paid in cash upon arrival so I will divide up cash for each one plus estimated other expenses and put in a small envelope for each day and put in safe . So I grab the envelope and cc when we go ashore. I then bring 200 or so for gambling extra tips ground transportation etc. Always seem to come home with some extra this way