How much do you generally take on a 7 day cruise?

[footballmom]

After talking with my friend who works at our bank, we opened a separate "checking" account with a Visa debit card just for the cruise. Since we know we're going in advance (The Conquest on November 14th), there aren't any extra charges for a short-term account. I'm using it to stash spending money for the cruise. Sort of a "vacation fund." When we use it for our Sail and Sign card, our regular checking account will not be bothered at all. Of course, we also plan to take some cash........

[cynic957att]

I prefer and recommend debit cards because the DO carry the same security as a credit card but do not allow passengers to go into debt to go on a cruise which I think is just plain dumb.

[robcool]

Why don't you all just use credit cards? I believe there is an upper limit to the amount you can be liable for is they are lost or stolen, either physically or by someone getting the number. Isn't that true?

 

I was beginning to worry when I started reading this thread. We always carry a minimum of cash, say $100 to $300, and put the rest on the credit card. As long as we pay it off as soon as we get back there is no problem with interest.

 

I think Chris said it right. It is up to the traveller to find what they are most comfortable with. Travelling is a personal thing, and what works for one may not work for another. Isn't it great we can all share ideas?

 

Thanks!

 

--------------------------

"Semper Gumby" - Always Flexible

12/01 - Victory (Victory Review)

2/04 - Fascination (Fascination Review)

 

It's a Miracle! Cruising on the Miracle 12/12/04!

 

( Miracle 12/12/04 Roll Call)

[cynic957att]

Originally posted by CruisingIsLife:

I prefer and recommend debit cards because the DO carry the same security as a credit card but do not allow passengers to go into debt to go on a cruise which I think is just plain dumb.

 

Chris ,

 

I agree with almost all of your original post but the statement above IS misleading. There is a lot more security and easy and protection against unauthorized charges with a credit card as opposed to a debit card. PERIOD.

 

I too was experienced with a crisis situation in the DR last year and found out an awful lot about the protections of credit cards.

 

What I learned was -

1. Do not use credit or debit cards outside the ship/resort - most of the islands are very high risk and some are rife with CC Fraud.

2. A lot of cash in SMALL bills good.

3. Traveler's checks are second.

4. ATM/Debit cards should only be used at the resort or banks.

5. Call your CC company and let them know you are on vacation And where and ask if they have any issues with the areas you will be.

 

 

But , Chris, debit cards do not offer the security and protections of credit cards and , if you use CC to go into debt you are indeed , dumb!

[INCHARGE]

I bring $500.00 for single cruise, and always bring some home. I take 100. at each port. I just don't want to be out there with not enough cash in case I see a "must-have" I do not leave my account number anywhere but on that ship when cruising. Most of my expense there will be in casino or bingo, because I do not drink. Also when on land, I fold each bill in half separately. That way I don't have to pull out a whole wad of money. I can pull out one bill at a time from my fanny belt(yes, I still travel with one of those) The change from that bill goes in the front smaller pocket.

I will pull from the change before getting a fresh bill out. I am too leery of using my credit cards in port, because of so many horror stories like the one above with her mom. That happens more than we know. I have a really cool waterproof fanny belt for swimming, although I haven't used it but once a few years ago, but works great. I have a question.

Can you use the debit card on your sign & sail account? I can't remember. That would take care of having to pay off your credit card when you get home, not to mention that you could leave more of the cash in the bank at home.

 

Blessings 2 U

Miracle Sept 5,2004 7 day

Destiny June 13,2004 7 day

Disney Magic Sept 6,2003 7 day

Spirit Nov.2002 Panama 8 day

Paradise Oct 2002 10 day

Paradise Feb.2000 7 day

 

[This message was edited by INCHARGE on 05-01-04 at 08:58 AM.]

[Knights on the Beach]

I don't carry a huge wad of cash in port, only what I think we will be needing and maybe a couple of travelers checks (depending on which port it is and what we're doing). We are not big shoppers, so only carry enough money for taxis, tips, drinks, etc. I'm not saying I don't carry a credit card with me in port, it's just rare that I will USE one in port. I did use a CC once to rent a jetski in St. Martin, and had no problems with it. I've read that in Mahahual (Costa Maya), many places do not have phones, so they do not take credit cards.

 

I'm not worried so much about losing my travelers checks and getting them replaced while on the cruise. I put them in the safe immediately, and only take them out as needed. If something were to happen to the travelers checks, I can always get them replaced once I'm back at home. I will also have credit cards and my Visa debit card with me on the ship, so I DO have back up funds. And if I HAVE to, I can use the ATM machine to get cash. However, that's definitely not my first choice. I can get travelers checks fee-free at my credit union or AAA, so it just makes more sense to ME to do that, rather than pay $5 any time I need to get MY money out of my account.

 

As I said in an earlier post, I use a credit card for the sail & sign card, and just pay that off as soon as we are billed.

 

Beth

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Countdown to Glory

 

[This message was edited by cruisemom2 on 05-01-04 at 09:04 AM.]

[Mlkkc]

DH and I donot carry all our cash at once on a Island. We do use deposit box and safe in cabin,but we also carry one credit card and leave one on ship just in case one is lost or stolen. This makes it easier to contact the co.that issue the cc.

 

MBABYDOLL1628

DESTINY11/99 TRUIMP11/01 ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS 11/02 VICTORY 5/04

[AllenF]

I use my debit card for Sign and sail account on our 1st cruise we spent 500 bucks on the ship took about 600 cash and returned with 200. On our last cruise we spent 250 on the ship and took 600 cash and returned with 300. Now this does not include pre cuise hotel and food or gas....I am not a alcohol drinker and we took some soft drinks and my wife took some wine on our last cruise so we cut down on some ship expenses....we spent more on the 1st cruise cause we bought more stuff...also I booked my own excursions thru private operators and I would say on my last cruse I paid them in advance....it seems the more you cruise the smarter you can become with how much you spend.

 

11/02/03 Carnival Inspiration

03/20/04 Carnival Glory

12/13/04 Carnival Legend

04/17/05 Carnival Spirit

 

Till the Legend Sails

 

 

Taking the Spirit West Aloha style

[oldvato]

1. Can cash advances be taken out on the sign and sail cards?

 

2. How about cash advances using your credit card aboard ship?

 

3. Are credit cards and travelers checks accepted in Progresso, cozumel and Belize?

 

Plan on taking travelrs checks, some cash, and credit card.

[CruiseFever]

Can cash advances be taken out on the sign and sail cards?

 

Yes, in a round about way- You’ll have to go to the casino and “charge†some chips to your Sign and Sail account then spin around and cash them in- I suppose you could gamble while you’re there too

 

 

How about cash advances using your credit card aboard ship?

 

I don’t think so unless you do the above or can use those in an ATM machine.

 

 

Are credit cards and travelers checks accepted in Progresso, cozumel and Belize?

 

Someone else will have to help with Progresso and Belize but I know you can use both in Cozumel. They'll take your small children in payment too

 

 

Can you use the debit card on your sign & sail account?

 

Sure, I do every time, that was the catalyst that threw me into this current tailspin. I should start numbering them.

 

 

Someone above mentioned above about buying drink coupons ahead of time.. If you do that at the Carnival site, do you get them sent to you now or do they hold them until the cruise?

 

You’ll find them in your stateroom upon embarkation or shortly thereafter (I think the thereafter is so nobody steals them before you get there)

 

 

“I'm using it to stash spending money for the cruise. Sort of a "vacation fund." When we use it for our Sail and Sign card, our regular checking account will not be bothered at allâ€

 

I love that idea

 

 

Why don't you all just use credit cards?

 

I know myself too well. I might not pay it off when I get home. We do like the above and transfer funds into the card we use to guarantee our Sign and Sail account as needed on board via the Internet café. Just another layer of security.

 

 

Good discussion, great ideas

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

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