How much cash?

[coboo]

I am trying to organize my expenses. I have already paid for the cruise and the excursions. I have money ready for the onboard expenses I will put on my Sail and Sign Card such as alcohol and casino. I am trying to figure out how much actual cash to bring and what denominations. To help everyone with the advice I know will be forthcoming, I'll let you know a little about what we are doing. We (my mom and I) are going on two excursions, Playa Mia Deluxe Beach Break and a city tour of Grand Cayman. I'm sure we will be buying some souvineers in port. We will also want to tip everyone on the ship a little extra , including the waiters who bring us drinks poolside. So, let the advice begin--how much cash do you recommend and what denominations?:)

[firefly333]

I bring two envelopes. One with lots of ones, some fives, and tens for tips and making change. Then I have a envelope with twentys. I leave both in the safe and bring out a pro-rated amount for each port, plus some extra in case I run into something special to buy. I would bring at least $300 to $500, but I dont always spend everything I bring. Its safe in the safe in the cabin if I dont need that much. We spent over $200 on rings in Cozumel the last time I was there, found some real buys. I would have hated to pass them up because of lack of cash. I got a gorgeous tanzinite with a white gold band that seems to have been what they said, it hasnt tarnished and also got some nick nacks rings that are fun to wear that might or might not be real stones they claimed. The one ring would have run over $300 in a Diamonds International store easily.

[Tbay-eh]

:cool: :cool: Like you, cruise, air, excursions all paid for. Arriving early but Carnival is comping us room and transfers. Going to Panthers hockey game, paid for. So all of this said. We are taking $1000.00 in travellers cheques and another $700.00 cash. Lots for tips and other for whatever. We prepaid our tips so no worry about that. There are basically 4 adults -

56-55-22-20 so booze and pictures and food on excursions. Always take a credit card for the emergency buys - gold, diamonds etc. What you don't spend you can always redeposit NOOOOT. Cindy:cool: :cool:

[coboo]

:cool: :cool: Like you, cruise, air, excursions all paid for. Arriving early but Carnival is comping us room and transfers. Going to Panthers hockey game, paid for. So all of this said. We are taking $1000.00 in travellers cheques and another $700.00 cash. Lots for tips and other for whatever. ... What you don't spend you can always redeposit NOOOOT. Cindy:cool: :cool:

 

Wow a cruise and a hockey game.:D Sounds like a match made in heaven. I just checked to see who you'd be seeing. Hope you enjoy the Caps/Panthers game. Thanks for the info on what $$ you are taking. Let me know what money you come back with to "redeposit.";)

[coboo]

:cool: :cool: Like you, cruise, air, excursions all paid for. Arriving early but Carnival is comping us room and transfers. Going to Panthers hockey game, paid for. So all of this said. We are taking $1000.00 in travellers cheques and another $700.00 cash. Lots for tips and other for whatever. ... What you don't spend you can always redeposit NOOOOT. Cindy:cool: :cool:

 

Wow a cruise and a hockey game.:D Sounds like a match made in heaven. I just checked to see who you'd be seeing. Hope you enjoy the Caps/Panthers game. Thanks for the info on what $$ you are taking. Let me know what money you come back with to "redeposit.";)

[Tbay-eh]

Wow a cruise and a hockey game.:D Sounds like a match made in heaven. I just checked to see who you'd be seeing. Hope you enjoy the Caps/Panthers game. Thanks for the info on what $$ you are taking. Let me know what money you come back with to "redeposit.";)

 

:cool: :cool: What can I say, we are Canadians and like our hockey. Can you believe we are leaving subzero temperatures and going to watch a hockey game in Florida, how stupid are we. Not only that, we will have cold beer to boot. I don't know how much hockey my husband and son will watch with women in halter tops etc. hope they have a good chiropractor on board for strained necks. Not something you see around here this time of year. I always like to pay off our sign and sail before we disembark, enough on the credit card already. Plus I bought American money when it took the big turn around. Is your email address in your profile - I'll let you know directly. We sail in 4 days - can't wait. It is minus 12 right now. Cindy:cool: :cool:

[3boysvus]

It is minus 12 right now. Cindy:cool: :cool:

 

 

degrees????:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[1gr8cruise]

Heck it was a big minus 25 (-25 degrees) in Michigan Sunday.....We sent it to tunderbay eh!!!

Too bad you dont get to see the Red Wings play a real hockey game eh?? Enjoy your cruise......Lucky!! We have 53 days!!

[Tbay-eh]

degrees????:eek: :eek: :eek:

 

:eek: :eek: You got it buddy. Five days ago it was minus 43F with the windchill. Actually it was only minus 32 but winds of 45 miles an hour made it minus 43 (fehrenheit?) That would freeze the balls off a brass monkey (Canadian Saying) Now you know why we cruise this time of year. Mind you, we come back to this after a week. Again, how stupid are we. Cindy :cool:

[1gr8cruise]

Dont plan on seeing much hockey on the cruise.....I think the sports bars are somewhat lacking on the ships.......I think they should be triple the size......they would sell a lot more beer for sure.......

[Tbay-eh]

Heck it was a big minus 25 (-25 degrees) in Michigan Sunday.....We sent it to tunderbay eh!!!

Too bad you dont get to see the Red Wings play a real hockey game eh?? Enjoy your cruise......Lucky!! We have 53 days!!

 

:cool: :cool: Keep your stupid weather - eh. Only kidding, I always look at what your weather is like to see what might be heading our way. Last year we flew when you had your ice storm. Our flight was cancelled finally got out at 1:30 - you have awesome people working at your airport. We beg to differ on hockey teams - our house is a hoot. Husband is Canadians fan, son is Leafs, I'm Islanders and daughter is who ever current boyfriend is fan. And God, you don't want to be here for football season. Have a great cruise. We leave in 4 days - alright. Cindy:cool: :cool:

[dyin2cruz]

Hi, we also prepay our tips and excursions. I usually bring 100 for each day I.m in port WITH an excursion booked and 200 for each port without an excursion booked. Atleast 50 for each port is in small bills ( 5s and 1s). I bring about 150 for gambling and about 100 more in 1- 20s, 2 -10s, 6- 5's and 30 -1s for tips to porters,room service, xtra for waiters or cabin stewards. Any money we dont use in ports usually ends up extra gambling money or , occasionally, we'll pay down sign and sail. Have a good time!!!!! Our sign and sail also usually has about 500 on it.:D

[picklebongo]

I am always a bit surprised when I see this question asked about how much money one should bring. How can strangers give you a sense of how much money you will need to bring? We have no idea how much shopping and stuff you want to do or anything. Just bring more than you think you will need and you should be ok.

[Lidolounger]

We bring:

$40 singles for tipping bag handlers, room service, taxi's, tour guide tipping

$50 in fives for taxis, shopping with local vendors

$60 in tens for taxis, shopping with local vendors

$300 in twenties for shopping, casino

 

In many ports you can barter so that's why I bring a bit more cash vs credit card - doesn't work well when you barter something down form $50 to say $15 and try to pay with a $50 bill:rolleyes:

 

We do use our credit card too - the cash is mostly for baggage handlers, tips, taxis and purcheses from local vendors. Sometimes we come back with cash and a bit on the credit card...our sail and sign is usually between $600-$1000 a lot depends on what tours and who we book with on that particular cruise.

[pba20493]

We bring usually 100 per port day, and 150 to 200 for each sea day ( casino and shops on board ). I will say this, do not use your sign and sail for playing the tables. They charge you a 3% fee to use your own money. Keep your gambling money in cash in your safe. It works out to be about $1000 per person for us ( we like to gamble ) but we also like to buy things on the ship. Oh i forgot, out of that money we put 500 cash on the sign and sail account and usually get a refund on the last night.

 

 

 

Tim

[tomboyy]

6-7 day Legend 2 grand. Everythings paid for already cept for 1 diving trip. 100.00 a day for gambling for me - wife doesn't care to, 200.00 to 300.00 tips this is above auto tipping, spead out between my buddy stewart and his helper and the waiter and his helper , room service, bartenders, porters. gas and pre-cruise hotel. and of course trinkets

 

PS. all drinks go on S&S card link to cc

[MilCruiser]

I'm doing something a little different for all of the additional tips. I am bringing $100 in $2 bills and a roll ($25) of gold dollar coins. This is in addition to the auto gratuities and if I don't spend it all it's no big deal. I can keep track of exactly how much I give out for tips and the denominations could be considered unique (sort of). At least they could be conversation starters.

[CaribbeanKim]

Long before we are scheduled to leave, I do my research on each port that we will be visiting to get an idea of available excursions and their related costs (and take enough cash to cover those excursions that are not purchased thru the cruiseline). I like to prepay any excursions that will be purchased from the ship... so, a few weeks before we leave I start prepaying on my S&S account. This is my basic formula for a 7 day cruise: (PS: We drive to our port and I put those expenses on my debit card.)

 

$70 pp for automatic gratuities + pre-booked excursions + $500/$700 (Misc.)

$100 Cash for Port Parking

$100 Cash for tips to porters, etc. ($40 in ones - $60 in fives)

$200 Cash for Casino ($100 per adult-you may want more or less)

$ ? Cash for tours booked thru independent operators

$ ? Cash for shopping (You decide the limit)

 

 

Additional Expenses: Figuring what you will need for port days and onboard the ship will vary depending on what you like to do. Your drinks, photos, minor onboard purchases, etc. will vary from one person to the next, and comes out of the extra cash that you put into your account. (EX: my 16 yo DD does not drink, but her father makes up for it! lol)

 

Remember, when you decide which excursions you want to do, you also need to include the cost of food & drinks if they are not included in the tour package. Set a limit on what you want to purchase as souveneirs and how much you are willing to part with...that goes for gambling in the Casino as well. I try NOT to use my debit/credit card unless necessary...as they will put a $50 hold on debit cards, and it's hard to haggle for a good price through a local vender if you pull out the plastic. While you are onboard, you can check your account periodically (thru the TV in your room), so if you see you are getting close to your limit on your account, you can always put a little more on it. My basic "rule of thumb" is to take more than what I think I will need, and come home with what I don't use.

 

I hope this has helped........Have a GREAT trip!!

[Charming01]

:cool: :cool: What can I say, we are Canadians and like our hockey. Can you believe we are leaving subzero temperatures and going to watch a hockey game in Florida, how stupid are we. Not only that, we will have cold beer to boot. I don't know how much hockey my husband and son will watch with women in halter tops etc. hope they have a good chiropractor on board for strained necks. Not something you see around here this time of year. I always like to pay off our sign and sail before we disembark, enough on the credit card already. Plus I bought American money when it took the big turn around. Is your email address in your profile - I'll let you know directly. We sail in 4 days - can't wait. It is minus 12 right now. Cindy:cool: :cool:

 

We are Canadian and we are going to a game as well. We are going to watch Boston and Florida. We are Leafs fans but we love watching hockey of any kind and the tickets are a heck of a lot cheaper for great seats.

We are going on a 5 day and we are bringing $500 cash for spending money on and $1000 for S&S and pre/post cruise stuff. I'm sure we won't need that much but better too much than not enough.

[MamaParrotHead]

The S&S bill for my DH and I usually is around $800-$1000 for a week. That's with tips, a moderate amount of shopping, a few drinks each per day, tons of pictures, no supper club or coffee shop goodies, no casino.

 

I usually figure $150 for both of us, per port, for souvenirs and munchies or drinks.

 

Don't forget about cab/shuttle fare and tip, porter tip, room service tips.

 

We usually call ahead and put atleast $500 on our S&S. Then bring $500 in cash and $1000 in Traveller's Checks for the two of us for the week. That covers paying off our S&S (last time we only had a $47 balance after all our OBC we purchased and received from price drops), money in port, money for pre-cruise hotel stay and all transportation and tips.

[fern1226]

I appreciate all the replies to the OP. I know some people think this is a silly/stupid topic but some people have no idea. I'm going on a cruise with my brother, he has never been on a cruise. He asked me how much they should take. Some people just need a little help with figuring out how much to take.

[kfgarrow]

I second and third the advice to bring lots of small bills. We tend to buy more the trinket/souvenir type things rather than expensive jewelry, often from local vendors. Most do not take plastic, in addition to the obvious problems with bartering then handing over a large bill. Having change for taxis, tips, small souvenirs, bottled water, etc. just comes in real handy.

[kfgarrow]

I second and third the advice to bring lots of small bills. We tend to buy more the trinket/souvenir type things rather than expensive jewelry, often from local vendors. Most do not take plastic, in addition to the obvious problems with bartering then handing over a large bill. Having change for taxis, tips, small souvenirs, bottled water, etc. just comes in real handy.

[TennisLover]

Don't forget some extra cash for tipping in the piano bar!

[Caliber1]

I second and third the advice to bring lots of small bills. We tend to buy more the trinket/souvenir type things rather than expensive jewelry, often from local vendors. Most do not take plastic, in addition to the obvious problems with bartering then handing over a large bill. Having change for taxis, tips, small souvenirs, bottled water, etc. just comes in real handy.

 

Agreed. Lots of small bills.

 

Don't forget some extra cash for tipping in the piano bar!

 

Ahh yes, don't forget the piano player.