How much cash?

[nanuak]

We are going on our first cruise 10/29/06, on the Conquest, and was wondering how much cash to take.

 

I am not asking how much our S&S bill will be (no one can answer this one :), and it can just be put on AMEX anyway ).

 

I am asking approximately how much actual cash money to bring for tips, cabs; how many $1's, $5's. etc.

 

Do most also carry travelers cheques?

[cruise_pirate]

Depends on how much you plan on putting on your Credit card at the end.

most everything can be put on the card if you want

 

Parking at port, 10-12.50 per day

tips

excursions (can be pretty pricey)

and so on

 

I took about 600 cash most of it in 20's 5's and 1's the casino you may want to pay as you go and of course what you buy on port days. Just depends on how much you spend. I would take as much as you feel comfortable with and put it in the in room safe and if you do not use it all you can take it home with you!

 

Have a wonderful Trip!!!!!

[nanuak]

Depends on how much you plan on putting on your Credit card at the end. Most everything can be put on the card if you want.

 

I dont really care how much the S&S card is going to be as this is our first big vacation in four years, well... over $3K would make me upset :).

 

We have free parking in Galveston from our stay at San Luis Resort.

 

Excursions are already pre-booked - Thanks Cruise Critic for the knowledge to book outside of Carnival :D.

 

$600 - How many were with you?

 

If I take travelers cheques, will I be able to cash them onboard?

[DqALEX]

That's really up to you. I put my ss card on my sea miles for the double points. But you will still need some cash

[bojncin]

Since you have an American Express card you can write a check for up to $500 with it. At least last time I checked you were able to and last couple of cruises that is what I did. It is great not to be 'stuck' with all that extra cash on the 'pre-cruise' portion of the vacation.:)

[FriscoLady]

Nanuak- We'll be on the Conquest the week before you, so we'll try to keep her nice for you!;)

 

Personally, I, too, attach my sail & sign card to my amex. First problem solved.

 

For private excursions (I never book through Carnival anymore), I bring travelers checks plus between $20-$40 cash (in 5's and 10's) for each excursion for tipping guides and drivers, etc. For some excursions, you can use your credit card and this is my preferred method, but I've found that on this particular trip I will need cash or travelers checks for every one of them. Obviously, travelers checks are the safer of the two.

 

Then I bring $100 in 5's and $50 in 1's for luggage porters, taxis, room steward, and room service, etc. I always have money left over at the end of the trip, but not always very much.:D

 

My husband usually brings $200 to $300 for the casino, and I bring about $200 for shopping at the few stores that do not accept credit cards.

 

I keep all of my cash in the room safe except a few dollars for tipping room service(I also give my kiddos some of that room service cash in their room just in case they order cookies & hot chocolate before bed or something). And being the obsessive person that I am, I keep the travelers checks and cash that I will need for each port in three separate, labeled envelopes so I can easily grab the one I need but not be carrying around a lot of extra cash.

 

I believe you can also cash personal checks at the purser's desk, but I've heard there is a small fee for that.

 

I hope that helps your planning. We'll see you a week from Sunday- we'll be the family dragging our feet and trying to talk them into letting us stay:p . Have a wonderful trip!!

[jckvpa0]

I keep an envelope of ones & two's for tipping bell men, porters, & for room service on the ship.

 

It really depends on what you plan on paying for in cash. Are you going to use your credit card for any purchase at the airport & hotel before & after your cruise? While in port how are you paying for taxis, food, drink & trinket's. Some people don't like to use a credit card while in port.

 

I prefer to bring plenty of cash & travelers checks, which you can cash in at the pursers desk.

[Bunkie103]

My DH has always been able to cash Travelers Checks at the Pursers Desk without a problem. We need some cash for extra tips for our waiters and room steward. I don't use credit cards in port too much unless I buy jewelry at a reputable store. If you choose to eat a lunch off the ship you might want to have cash for that too. Most of our excursions are pre-paid by booking on line, but a few $$ for tips would be extra.

[bojncin]

I believe you can also cash personal checks at the purser's desk, but I've heard there is a small fee for that.

 

There is no check writing fee with the American Express card. I don't think you can write a check without it.

[nanuak]

ldr4grls - Hello, I remember you from our Roll Call board before you had to go on an earilier cruise. Thanks for the breakdown, and the idea to get three envelopes for each port, what a GREAT idea!

 

We are going to assign our S&S to the AMEX, and it's nice to know that we can cash checks at the pursers desk.

 

We will use the AMEX for the pre-cruise hotel and food, and any high dollar item(s) in port.

 

jckvpa0 - Thanks for the information that we can cash our travelers cheques at the pursers office, as it makes me uncomfortable to carry a lot of cash overseas.

[nanuak]

There is no check writing fee with the American Express card. I don't think you can write a check without it.

 

Thanks - That will work for us, as we both have our own accounts :D . I also read somewhere that you could open an account at the casino, and pull cash from there without a fee.