How much cash are you taking & why?

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

LOL yep there are lots of ideas here.

 

We don't plan to gamble, or drink, but souvenier wise, my husband wants a bottle of liquor and I want a cool purse. Other than that, we plan on lying on beaches, and doing a whole lotta nothing. We like windowshopping and sight seeing, people watching.

 

Our excursions are already paid for, and we're taking our own soft drinks on board.

 

I appreciate all the different views and BTDT experience... really $300 is all we have... lol so that better work!!! But now i Have a whole slew of questions about the sail and sign cards... lol

 

Don't worry about it, since you don't gamble or drink and all of your excursions are already paid for $160 (what's left after gratuities) should be fine to buy a bottle of liquor and get a nice purse. One our last cruise my BF only had $160 on his S&S card and that included the gratuities and a bracelet he bought me. So enjoy your cruise!!! and write a review when you return.

[jimjamxx]

Just remember, no matter how much or how little cash you bring with you, you don't have to spend it, and what you do not spend you can bring home and spend it or just put it back in the bank.

 

For me personally, I would rather have too much cash than not enough. Also you can get "cash money" put on your sail and sign card in the casino.

[tomboyy]

Right now, my husband and I are taking $300 cash. Neither of us is a drinker, we're taking each a 12 pack of our own soda, our excursions are paid for.

 

Is the realistic? This is our first cruise, 7 night, 8 day (Conquest 9.30.07) and we have 3 ports of call.

 

Thoughts?

 

The wife and I took a grand a piece:D Man I had a good time

 

Tom

[cruise.freak]

The other concern is if your are getting of the ship and going to the beach in each port, the taxi fees each way. For our family of five it was 20.00 each way in each port. Three ports $100.00 in taxi fees for us.

[scapino]

We forgot $ on one cruise & didn't miss it at all. Most stuff in ports is just junk anyway & you'll never miss not buying it.

 

How can you forget to bring money on a vacation???

[tomboyy]

On sea days this all goes on your sea card, so why would you be taking cash for drinks on sea days?? :confused: You pay your sea pass in cash???

 

I bring about $400 or so, for souveneirs in port. I bring two cash envelopes, one with twentys and one with 1s, 5s, and a couple of 10s for tips.

 

I put everything on the ship on my sea pass, cash is only for in the ports and tips.

 

They said they BUDGET 100 dollars per sea day

 

And yes some people bring CASH to put down on their sea pass

 

Tom

[scapino]

So........reading all this about the amount of cash needed, I saw someone say they were bringing their own sodas. Can we bring sodas and snacks on board with us?? Are there ice machines like in hotels? Can you take your own sodas out on the deck with you or do the waiters get mad?? Help!

 

Why would you bring your own snacks? There is more food on board than a person could ever want. Your room steward will keep your ice bucket filled so you won't have to go searching for a machine

[SheriNtexas]

Why would you bring your own snacks? There is more food on board than a person could ever want. Your room steward will keep your ice bucket filled so you won't have to go searching for a machine

 

 

There IS a lot of food onboard, but there were times, like when my daughter and i were in our cabin watching a movie, that we wanted something to snack on, so we bought some pringles chips! I'm not saying I would necessarily bring pringles onboard next time, but it would have been cheaper to bring something onboard instead of choosing only from what they have in the gift shop! There were times that we didn't feel like going out of our cabin, but really didn't want room service either. On our cruise for next april, we will probably bring a few snack things with us.

[Harmons_Florida]

Do I understand correctly that you can get cash from the casino at any time, and as often as you need, with no additional charge and it is counted as a purchase and not a cash advance on your credit card?

If this is true, I might feel better just getting cash as I need it, versus walking around with a huge wad of cash.

Thanks,

-AH

[memphislonghorn]

On my upcoming 4 night cruise, I will take $500. A hundred for each port, and 300 for S&S (casino and booze).;)

[moxie99]

We just got back from the Valor in June - we bring at least $100 per person per day, three of us for shopping in port and any gambling we might do. Everything on the ship goes on our sign and sail - with prepaid tips and excursions we still managed a $3K sign and sail bill - but on the flip side, we had the time of our life.... can't wait till our fall cruise. We look at it this way - we can't take it with us, nor am I planning a large windfall for our children - we make it - we spend it. The last thing we would want is to be on a cruise worrying about money.

[Wennfred]

Right now, my husband and I are taking $300 cash. Neither of us is a drinker, we're taking each a 12 pack of our own soda, our excursions are paid for.

 

Is the realistic?

 

Not Realistic, you will go through those 300.00 in 3 days.

 

Gratuities 70.00 per person and youre down to $230.00

 

Cruise Portaits on formal night: 70.00, down to $160.00

 

Bingo, one card for 20.00, down to 140.00

 

Pre-Cruise food, 40.00, down to 100.00

 

Tipping Excursion Tour Guides, Pier Porters, Room Service, taxi's etc. 50.00, down to 50.00

 

Port Gifts and ship Gift Shopt items: 50.00, down to Zero Balance.

 

$300.00 will go fast, I recommend 500.00 that way you are not pinching and you can buy what ever you want and enjoy your cruise vacation.

 

 

If this is your first Cruise, double what you are taking, If you have cruise already then 500.00 is doable.

 

 

 

Fred

[marym933]

Do I understand correctly that you can get cash from the casino at any time, and as often as you need, with no additional charge and it is counted as a purchase and not a cash advance on your credit card?

 

If this is true, I might feel better just getting cash as I need it, versus walking around with a huge wad of cash.

 

 

Thanks,

 

-AH

 

There is a charge to get cash by using your sign and sail card. I believe it is 3%. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

[Kacruiser]

If your excursions are paid for and your tips are prepaid you should be fine. Here's the deal, when we were younger we made less money and spent less. Now we're older (55ish) make more and spend more. If you don't drink, gamble, spend money on jewelry you should be fine :p . If your on a tight budget then so be it, you don't have to tip everyone. (I know it's expected but I usually tip more so it evens out) Instead of paying for any of the pictures/portraits, bring you own camera and have someone take your photo. Limit your souvenirs, take lots of pictures at the different ports, ask your steward if you can have the book in your room and those can be your souvenirs. Others members have suggested going to the deli in the morning and make sandwiches to take off the ship for lunch. Bring some plastic baggies and pack a lunch. There are a number of free things to do on the ship that does not cost money. Check out the Carnival Capers that comes to your room everyday. Best of luck to you.

[cruisingjon]

Obviously we can only give you our opinion based on our own experience.

 

We went on our first family cruise in May. My wife and I had been on cruises prior to this one. This time it was our 2 kids with us. It was a 7 day cruise on board the Mariner of the Seas, and our sea pass acount ended up being less than $500 for all 4 of us. We are not big drinkers, but we had 1 or 2 a day, went to 2 of the specialty restaurants, did not buy photo's on board, did not play bingo (yuck we hate bingo), and had a wonderful time.

 

All I can tell you, is if you know how much you are able to spend, and you stay within that boundary, you will have a wonderful vacation. If you have not paid you pre-paid gratuities, do that prior to leaving, that way it is out of the way. Make sure you take some $1 dollar bills along to tip porters etc. as they are very helpful.

 

I know how you feel, it can be overwhelming, but just relax, have a great time, and just set limits on your spending and you will be fine.

[klfrodo]

Do I understand correctly that you can get cash from the casino at any time, and as often as you need, with no additional charge and it is counted as a purchase and not a cash advance on your credit card?

If this is true, I might feel better just getting cash as I need it, versus walking around with a huge wad of cash.

Thanks,

-AH

 

Carnival will charge you 3% to get cash from your S&S account.

 

However, the charge that hits your CC account will be a "Purchase" rather than a cash advance

[LisaRae]

I know I sound cheap, but as far as gratuities, if the cruiser who originated this question (or any other cruiser for that matter) does not wish to give a gratuity, can they not let the concierge know that, or at least lessen the amount of their gratuity? I believe a gratuity is a gratuity, and yes, I know the crew members get paid very little, but isn't a gratuity up to you? Same with the taxi driver, the port attendant, your guides, whatever. From what I have seen, many cruisers tip huge amounts, so if you are a family scraping by to go on a cruise, I wouldn't worry about it. Give what you can, and enjoy your cruise.

 

Just wondering. Please don't shred me for asking.

[Handsome58]

For a seven day cruise I like to put $600 on our S&S card and I take $1500 cash...[make sure I get 100 one's for tipping]........she has her own. Last year on a cruise in August I won $2300 playing blackjack........then in October I lost about $600 playing Blackjack on a cruise.............it all depends.....I say budget your money out......if you know you only have $300...get 7 envelopes [i hope this is after the Tips they take out] and divide the $300 by 7.....in each one is what you all will spend every day..........if you all drink........buy a half gallon or fifth of your liquor.....pour it in water bottles, pack it in your luggage..........then you all will have a great trip.......food is supplied.......there are shows...pools......dancing etc......juice for mixing your drinks..............go have a ball........

[bakechef]

The last cruise we were on a limited budget, Yes we had a paid off high limit credit card, but not the money in the bank to pay off a high bill. Our shipboard account was $314(for the both of us), this included $140 in tips $100 for 1 excursion, $30 for a martini clinic, and a few drinks.

 

It can be done, on a very modest budget. Actually not having all that shopping and running around to do gave us so much time to chill out, we had a great time and really recharged our batteries.

 

There is much to see in port that is free, take it in and enjoy it.

 

Oh I did buy a bottle of tequila in Mexico for my cat sitter, and some key lime pie in Key West.

 

MAC

[bakechef]

I know I sound cheap, but as far as gratuities, if the cruiser who originated this question (or any other cruiser for that matter) does not wish to give a gratuity, can they not let the concierge know that, or at least lessen the amount of their gratuity? I believe a gratuity is a gratuity, and yes, I know the crew members get paid very little, but isn't a gratuity up to you? Same with the taxi driver, the port attendant, your guides, whatever. From what I have seen, many cruisers tip huge amounts, so if you are a family scraping by to go on a cruise, I wouldn't worry about it. Give what you can, and enjoy your cruise.

 

Just wondering. Please don't shred me for asking.

 

Honestly you should leave the shipboard gratuity alone, this should be figured into the price of your cruise, as it is in the literature.

 

Tipping others is at your discretion, but if you choose services that typically call for a gratuity, than if the service was performed and to your satisfaction you should tip.

 

Some do get tip happy, but I feel that some of it is unnecessary.

 

MAC

[duck512]

Why would you bring your own snacks? There is more food on board than a person could ever want. Your room steward will keep your ice bucket filled so you won't have to go searching for a machine

 

Lay's potato chips and triscuits!!! :D

[UpstateCruizer]

We are taking less than $200 in cash. We will have 2 dinners out, breakfast and lunch for our precruise stays. The only reason we bring this much is to cover those meals. The rest we bring in travelers checks. Our local credit union supplies them at no additional cost to us. I just feel much better having them vs cash. If they were to get stolen they'd be useless to anyone else and easily replaced. When we wanted cash we simply took one to the Pursers desk and they cashed it for us. The pursers desk did an outstanding job verifying signatures etc. :)

[The Installer]

I was bring 3K for me and the girlfriend....but since she is the X now I guess I get the 3K all to myself and have double the good time I would have before.....lol!

[UpstateCruizer]

Ah, I was afraid of this.... I am freaking out that we do not have enough $$ to make this cruise happen. :-( The cruise itself is paid for but there is so much other stuff to think about. I just don't know if we have the cash for it!!! (We don't have a credit card.)

 

You do not have to have a large sum of money to have a good time on your cruise! On our last cruise (which was our first cruise) we did not book a single excursion! We took a cab to one of the beaches in St Thomas which ended up being the most we spent at any port. We didn't have to do that we could have wandered through the shops near the port. On the ship there was not one single thing that we purchased that we really had to have. If you don't want to buy portraits then skip having them taken and don't go to the photo gallery to look at the ones that they take at dinners and when you are exiting the ship. Alot of money saved right there and you won't miss what you don't see. The shows are free as is the food on board so nothing extra there. If you are a drinker then do a search here and you'll find lots of ways to smuggle booze that won't cost you anything extra. You can go on the cruise and not spend one extra dime outside of gratuities and STILL have a GREAT time. My husband and I spent less than $200 on our sign and sail card and $135.87 of that was pictures! It really can be done~!!

[kylescoolmom]

I am budgeting about $200.00 per day for an 8 day. (credit card) I like my Mich Lights. I really enjoy them anytime after 3pm. Now this will not be everyday or will it??? hehehehe However I would never want to under estimate. My 10 year old gets to share in the $200.00 per day. As for souveniers a few "local" trinkets and that is it. Excursions already paid for. My biggest concern is the casino. Love the dice and Texas Hold-em. After plannng this trip for the last 9 months. Balls to the wall. Going to live it up like it is my last days. :p

 

As for cash - that is about another $500.00 (tips for staff - tips for excursions - parking garage...etc)