Spending Money Question

[dapembroidery]

Hello gang,

 

I'm a newbie. 'Hello Newbie!'

 

I've been working super hard all day today..translates to: eating up every bit of information I can gather about our upcoming cruise on 5-19-07 on the Triumph. I have absolutely loved collecting all the tips from this forum. You guys are wonderful!

 

I'd really like some thoughts on how much spending money the average couple takes with them.

 

We are aware of the parking fee at the port, taxes, and drink fees thus far. Neither my DH or I drink too much, so I don't count on spending a ton on alcohol. And we don't think we can afford many of the excursions, so we were just going to play everything by ear.

 

 

Besides some onboard purchases and some trinkets, what else do we need money for?

 

Thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks!

[tnsail]

Hello Newbie and welcome to CC,

 

As far as carrying around cash it all depends on how your are gonna handle you Sail and Sign account on the Triumph. If you plan to use cash against your account you will need $200 pp to start with. If your going to use your credit card against it you will not need any cash on the ship except for tips (casino will need cash also) all other purchases will be charged to your sail and sign account.

 

Monies spent off the ship all depend on you. Trinkets and the likes at different ports will cost you. Parking fees will need to be covered after your cruise.

 

Enjoy your trip, you will become hooked for life like the rest of us....:)

[cruisingwiththegang]

Are you going to the Western Carribean?

We just were on the Triumph and had a great time. You can go to places when in port that are very inexpensive. Paradise Beach in Cozumel is free for chairs and umbrella. You just pay for your food and drinks. Very reasonable prices.

In Grand Cayman you can take a taxi to 7 mile beach for $4 pp. We went to The Palms, chairs were $5 and umbrella was $10. The beach is beautiful. The was another beach a little furthur that friends went to that had picnic tables- no charge.

As for the casino, you can use your sign and sail card in the slot machines. That's what I did. There is no extra charge to do this. You just put in whatever amount you want. I did only $10 or $20 at a time.

The Triumph is a wonderful ship. You will have a great time. Check out the Piano Bar, you will love it.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

A fun way to save money is to use public transportation, that is, the local bus. For example, you can take the local bus in Puerto Vallarta for $.50 per person, from the the cruise terminal to downtown Puerto Vallarta. And you really do not have to take a ship's excursion.

 

You should have some money for transportation, including a taxi if needed, and do not hesitate to ask someone from the ship to share a taxi with you. Make sure, though, that you agree on a price before you enter the taxi. Ask a crew member about how much a taxi costs to go to where you want to go, and use that amount as your guide. In Mazatlan, for example, the cost of a taxi is $6.00 for 4 persons. My DW and I found two people from the ship, which reduced our cost to $1.50 per person and we found another person for the trip back to the ship

 

Gratuities will be paid directly from your credit card. As a first timer, I suggest that you pay the recommended amount. I say this because you may not know the difference between superior service and the standard service provided by cruise ship staff. Cruise Critic correpondents have been on many cruises and generally can tell what is great service and what is routine and accordingly, which staff member gets an extra amount. I take extra cash for gratuities but you do not need to do so.

 

Hope that this helps.

 

Fred

[Cricket63]

To save money, go to the pursers desk before going into port and purchase one of the coupon books they sell for $20. There are quite a few buy one/get one free items and meals, free gifts(totes, sunglasses from different stores). We had purchased on and got our monies worth out of it.

Have fun!!

[dapembroidery]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys! I appreciate it. :D

 

I found out last night we are on Deck 2, midship in cabin 2366. Anyone know anything about Deck 2? Will I get lost? LOL

[trish1c]

For most people $200 -- $300 cash is sufficient. Get it in smaller bills if you can for ease of tipping.

 

For other stuff, budget about $100 per day for your trip.

[Happy ks]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys! I appreciate it. :D

 

I found out last night we are on Deck 2, midship in cabin 2366. Anyone know anything about Deck 2? Will I get lost? LOL

 

I can't say how much cash you'll need, it's all up to you. We generally spend around $100 per day onboard for a family of 4, including a bottle of wine every night for dinner and one photo for the week. A person can honestly cruise for just about nothing more that the fare and tips if they don't gamble, drink or shop. Our first cruise, we bought the souvenirs and ended up pitching them shortly after returning home, so don't spend a lot on souvenir junk ;)

 

Now, the issue of getting lost onboard. Absolutely do not worry about it. I've been on 11 cruises, 3 on the same ship and I still get lost. It's all a part of the adventure :) . You're close to the midship bank of elevators, so it will be easy to locate your cabin. On your next cruise (there will be a next!) you may want to book a specific cabin on a higher deck. I like a higher level so I'm closer to the pool and public areas, although it looks like, on this ship, those venues are only a level or two up from you.

 

Have a great first cruise!

[Solo Cruiser]

I have only sailed on Princess so I don't know about other cruise lines, but we weren't allowed to use our cruise card in the slot machines. I take cash for the slots and for bingo, for tipping porters and any extra onboard tipping I want to do over the amount added to my account.

 

When going to foreign locales I exchange a small amount of cash at the pursers desk for tipping the tour operators and to have a bill or coin that I can add to my memory scrapbook for that cruise.

 

Otherwise everything goes on my cruise card on the ship or my credit card in port.

[blindrid]

I go with a thousand - I do go the casino and little cash is used on board and in port. There are ATM's on the ship in the case you don't like to carry cash.

[Scootercruise]

My wife and I were on the Triumph in January, we only spent maybe $200 while on board, and $90 of that was on some jewelry. If you don't drink much, you can get by real cheap, as far as gambling goes, the slots seem to be a bit looser the first night or 2. On our first cruise, we spent quite a bit on excursions, but we wanted to see as much as possible. We have kinda tapered back and learned to relaaaaaaax while on board, all that matters is that you have a good time , if someone gets on yours nerves, just find a new place to relax, it's your vacation, you worked hard for it, so don't let anybody put a wrinkle in your fun. Bon Voyage :D

[crazy4cruznatl]

Hello gang,

 

I'm a newbie. 'Hello Newbie!'

 

I've been working super hard all day today..translates to: eating up every bit of information I can gather about our upcoming cruise on 5-19-07 on the Triumph. I have absolutely loved collecting all the tips from this forum. You guys are wonderful!

 

I'd really like some thoughts on how much spending money the average couple takes with them.

 

We are aware of the parking fee at the port, taxes, and drink fees thus far. Neither my DH or I drink too much, so I don't count on spending a ton on alcohol. And we don't think we can afford many of the excursions, so we were just going to play everything by ear.

 

 

Besides some onboard purchases and some trinkets, what else do we need money for?

 

Thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks!

 

Hey there!! You might want some singles for tips for your cleaning service in your room, if you ever order room service, etc. I know on Princess we used our room key for pretty much all of our purchases on board ship. I'm sure it is pretty much the same with Carnival. Enjoy your cruise!!!

[travlngrl1996]

Hello,

 

I am going on my first adult cruise in July with my new DH. We have been playing around with several ideas about the S&S card. For clarity sake, please help this newbie out. I am understanding that if I use cash, I would have to use $200 PP. If I put more than the $200 down PP and don't use all of it, at what point will the balance be reimbursed?

[AmberMarie]

With drinks and excursions and shopping, it looks like I'm going to pay what I paid for my balcony- 800 bucks. So a 1600 cruise for me. I'm totally guessing, though.. I've only been on one cruise and I was very thrifty on that cruise. This time I want to be able to more freely spend money. I've saved very hard since last cruise, so I don't want to BLOW money, but I want to have a great time and not WORRY about money... so 1600.. Is that good or bad?

 

I was trying to guess my "Worst Case Scenario" Expenses, thinking that I would spend this much at the MOST:

Nachi Cocom 49

Professional Photos80

Parasailing 55

Massage at Nachi 35

Sea Trek Excursion 85

Butterfly Farm 15

Zipline Tour 109

Casino 100

Ship Souvineers 30

Ship Drinks 50

Port Souvineers 80

Tips 100

Misc 100

[cruisingwiththegang]

Hello,

 

I am going on my first adult cruise in July with my new DH. We have been playing around with several ideas about the S&S card. For clarity sake, please help this newbie out. I am understanding that if I use cash, I would have to use $200 PP. If I put more than the $200 down PP and don't use all of it, at what point will the balance be reimbursed?

 

 

 

Your balance will be returned the night prior to debarking. They will slip it under the door with your statement. It will be in the form of a check. You can take that check to the pursers desk to be cashed before you leave if you choose. Or you can just cash it once you get home.

[travlngrl1996]

Your balance will be returned the night prior to debarking. They will slip it under the door with your statement. It will be in the form of a check. You can take that check to the pursers desk to be cashed before you leave if you choose. Or you can just cash it once you get home.

 

Thank you for your response.:)