How much cash to bring?

[Mrsdub]

Trying to figure out how much cash we should bring along for tipping on the 3 shore excursions and any other extras. Thank you!

[jlp20]

Only you know your budget. Do your research as to what you want to do and what requires cash vs being charged to your ship account (folio). KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS and review your spending every few days. Reality check if your spending to much and prevents that last day surprise when the folio is delivered.

[cb at sea]

Tipping is what you can afford and feel the service is worth.  Personally, I don't go ANYWHERE without a goodly amount of cash...CASH is KING!   If you need it, you will be glad to have it.  There are safes in the cabin to store it.  If you don't spend it, put it back in your bank when you get home.  Better to have MORE than you need, than not enough.

 

For excursions, $5-10 is sufficient, if warranted.  Some are simply transportation, and we don't tip for that which we've paid.  If there is a guide that adds to your fun, then feel free to tip what that's worth to you.

 

Tips on the ship are added to your bill...no other tips are required.  If you feel the need, you may tip extra.

[lifes-a-beach]

We bring $50 in $1s. She takes half and I take half. Whatever is left we take on the next cruise or spend at home. 

[OCruisers]

Bottom Line:  Take MORE cash than you think you'll need!  

[SRF]

You don't need to bring huge amounts.  A goodly amount, yes.

 

You can always get more from an ATM.

[pacruise804]

Everyone is different, but here is some of what we do or that I've read others do:

Pre/Post cruise

-tip for drivers/luggage handlers

-$5-10 for convenience store purchases (bottle of water or pop when getting gas)

-tip for delivery if ordered takeout before cruise

-housekeeping tip

On Board

-small bills for exceptional bar or dining service

-small bills for piano bar requests (never done, but prepared in case)

-small bills in case of l-c-r game (never done, but prepared)

On Shore

-variety of bills for tips and smaller purchases

 

We also keep an emergency stash to cover potential unexpected expenses.  We probably bring enough to cover a few meals, taxi, and purchases if we don't want to use Visa, but not enough for a medical emergency.

[donaldsc]

Figure out what you might need and double it.  After all, you do not have to spend it.  You can bring it home and put it back into the bank.

 

Better to have and not need than need and not have.

 

DON

[GUT2407]

Depends where you are sailing and on how much you may want to tip.

[Nebr.cruiser]

I agree with $5--$10 pp for a tour guide, depending on quality and length of tour.  However, we never take cruise line tours, so I am not sure what the tip guidelines are for those; I would think similar.

 

We usually cruise for about two weeks and bring $500-800 dollars in cash.  We don't really spend all that much on shore (you don't need cash on the ship except for room service), but like to have a good amount just in case of emergency.  Most of that cash is left in the room safe.  Most of it comes home with us.

 

On shore we spend money on excursions , maybe a meal or drink, and little else.  Small souvineers only, if any.  I book most of our excursions ahead and either pay by credit card or bring the amount in cash, plus tips, in separate envelopes for each tour.  Some ones is a good idea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SalviaPath92]

Sounds pretty cheap as for me.

[ldubs]

On 10/27/2018 at 9:00 PM, Nebr.cruiser said:

I agree with $5--$10 pp for a tour guide, depending on quality and length of tour.  However, we never take cruise line tours, so I am not sure what the tip guidelines are for those; I would think similar.

 

We usually cruise for about two weeks and bring $500-800 dollars in cash.  We don't really spend all that much on shore (you don't need cash on the ship except for room service), but like to have a good amount just in case of emergency.  Most of that cash is left in the room safe.  Most of it comes home with us.

 

On shore we spend money on excursions , maybe a meal or drink, and little else.  Small souvineers only, if any.  I book most of our excursions ahead and either pay by credit card or bring the amount in cash, plus tips, in separate envelopes for each tour.  Some ones is a good idea.

 

 

 

+1  For us almost the same range but probably closer to $500- $600 for a two week cruise.  

[ldubs]

4 hours ago, SalviaPath92 said:

Sounds pretty cheap as for me.

 

 

Not sure what you mean 

[ldubs]

On 10/24/2018 at 5:13 AM, SRF said:

You don't need to bring huge amounts.  A goodly amount, yes.

 

 

 

So, what you are saying is somewhere between a lot and a little.   

[Thrak]

We almost exclusively use our credit card onshore. Looking at your original post it seems you are wondering about tips for excursions. I think folks have covered that pretty well here. Tipping extra onboard is completely optional. If you want to tip your steward or waiter do it at the end of the cruise. Get tip envelopes from Passenger Services. Put your steward/server/whatever's name on the envelope. Put your cabin number on the envelope and, if so desired, your last name. They will be required to turn in the envelope containing the tip. If you have left the auto-gratuity in place they will get it back. If not, it will go into the pool.

 

If you peruse the main boards you will find folks who say they tip amazingly well. (Mind mindbogglingly well in some cases.) If they want to do so (and if they are actually being honest about the amounts) then that is fine for them. Most who tip extra don't go wild with the amounts. The bottom line on tipping is that the auto-gratuity is all that is required.

 

For the crew a tip is "nice" but if you really want to do something great for some of them who go the extra mile then fill out the Consulate Host card and drop it off at Passenger Services. (That's the Princess name for the "this person rocks!" card.) Also mention them by name (and venue if appropriate) on the post-cruise survey if your cruise line has one. (Princess sends an email survey after your cruise.) This type of recognition is the crew member's ticket to perks such as extra shore leave, extra time off, promotions, etc. In the "big picture" it's far more important to them than a tip.

Edited November 4, 2018 by Thrak

[skeeter195]

This is what my wife and I bring.

-100 singles for drink tips, under $5 items on shore, a street performer or small donations.

-20 five dollar bills and 10 tens for restaurant tips($5-20), larger drink orders, taxi or other transportation

-10 twenties for larger tips(a tip on a fishing trip is 20% of the total cost), we tip $100-$200 for a day of fishing.

-50 hundreds(never 50's, they are bad luck) for the casino.  This is totally optional of course.  

 

Also if you do want to keep the money in your room safe you can get a safety deposit box on board.

[JimnKaren]

Take enough to buy me a nice gift. My birthday is April 17.

Jim