How Much Cash (USD) Recommended to Take on 10-Day Southern Caribbean Cruise

[ZildjianCat]

So for starters, I know that most everything on-board the ship can/will be taken care of via the Medallion device that's attached to either a debit card or credit card, gratuities for the ship personnel and so forth will be charged to our credit or debit card, etc.

 

For when we stop at various ports (6 of them I think), what would you think we'd need to have on us for the entire trip (3 of us) to cover anything we might buy (lunch or souvenirs or whatever) for the 10-day voyage?  We don't want to be somewhere without cash and need it, but I also don't want to be wandering around with way too much cash on us that a target for theft or loss or whatever.

 

Haven't taken a cruise in about 25 years, so we're rusty on some of this stuff.

 

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

[1025cruise]

That depends, how much do you plan to spend?

 

[d9704011]

$200

[memoak]

We only use cash in places like flea markets and small stores like pharmacies. In restaurants we generally use a credit card from a credit union which gives us pretty good rates

[h20skibum]

8 minutes ago, ZildjianCat said:

We don't want to be somewhere without cash and need it, but I also don't want to be wandering around with way too much cash on us that a target for theft or loss or whatever.

You don’t need to carry all your cash with you.  Take only what you plan to spend for the day, and leave the rest behind in the cabin safe.

 

Use a credit card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees for most things.  If buying at street vendors or flea markets, you will want cash.

[reedprincess]

How long is a piece of string?

 

Use CC for most things ashore. If you want cash for smaller purchases, etc. then take it.  Only you know what you're planning to do ashore, etc.  

 

I mean, maybe figure $50usd pp per port? $100 pp per port?   If you're planning to eat and drink, hire a driver, get a massage, whatever - you'd need to estimate for it, although again, CC accepted most places.. 

You can check the Ports of Call forums for ideas of pricing...

[Torfamm]

It’s difficult to guess without knowing exactly what you plan to do and where you plan to go. Martinique is the one port where I’d recommend Euros, most others will accept US dollars easily.

 

Are you planning to book tours or take taxis from the port? Those things might require cash. Any pre-arranged tours or excursions will either be pre-paid or give exact instructions about payment.

 

Most restaurants and shops accept credit cards, but street vendors may require cash..

 

You will also need to use cash if you want to offer any extra gratuities onboard.

Edited June 2 by Torfamm

[ZildjianCat]

Thanks for the feedback.  That helps.  I don't think we'll be doing much at ports aside from hanging out on the beach or grabbing some lunch.  We have one excursion at one port that we'll be doing and that's already been prepaid.  I don't think we're going to be doing extensive shopping and/or buying a bunch of stuff at markets / souvenir items from port to port.

 

Your suggestions helped give us a few extra things to think about as far as how much $ to likely bring to be safe in case something comes up.

[1emerald1]

I usually bring $600, which covers additional tips and port souvenirs.  I generally have money left over which I use to pay the dog boarder...

[1025cruise]

4 minutes ago, ZildjianCat said:

Thanks for the feedback.  That helps.  I don't think we'll be doing much at ports aside from hanging out on the beach or grabbing some lunch.  We have one excursion at one port that we'll be doing and that's already been prepaid.  I don't think we're going to be doing extensive shopping and/or buying a bunch of stuff at markets / souvenir items from port to port.

 

Your suggestions helped give us a few extra things to think about as far as how much $ to likely bring to be safe in case something comes up.

You'll want a few bucks or so to tip the guide/driver.

[candy4040]

You can always get cash up to $1000 a day in casino and they will charge it to your room.  No fees.  We generally only use cash when tipping on the ship.  Most places in 
Caribbean accept credit cards.  

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, memoak said:

We only use cash in places like flea markets and small stores like pharmacies. In restaurants we generally use a credit card from a credit union which gives us pretty good rates

Not the Caribbean, but in the South Pacific, small pharmacies, tour operators, visitor centers, sit down and takeaway restaurants and even some flea market vendors all took Apple pay. Our credit card never left our safe and we didn't need cash. In fact, we noticed the exchange rate was much better using tap than American dollars. 

[JordanF]

Our biggest cash day on a cruise last year was in Aruba, where we paid cash for taxis to and from the beach and cash for beach chairs and an umbrella--so just under $100.  Lunch was charged because we ate at a hotel restaurant, otherwise it may have been cash as well.  In other ports we used cash for tipping and small purchases.  All in all, we spent less than $200 in cash for a 9 day cruise--but I'm sure I had at least double that--most of which spent the entire trip in the cabin safe.

[negn]

I find the biggest cost is taxi to and from beaches. Usually figure around $40 round trip.  Renting loungers and umbrellas will probably add another $20. 

[Cruise Raider]

We would take $100 pp per port stop just to be on the safe side although, we’ve never spent that much in each port.  Take smaller bills for some of it. 

[WisCruiser2]

The Caribbean boards in the Ports of Call section generally have information on taxi fares to various beaches on the islands. I also googled taxi fare information. Cash also works for renting loungers and umbrellas on the beach. I always take a little more than I anticipate to need...

[geocruiser]

I use a credit card where I can.  I also call my credit card company to let them know that my card will be used outside the country on a cruise.    And not to allow any large charge with out checking with me.