How much cash?

[nulf4me]

Are you able to get change on the ship for $20's, etc.?

 

Karen

[CaribbeanKim]

Hi Karen~

 

I have never had any problem getting change for $20's onboard the ship. If you don't want to stand in line for the Purser's Desk, you can go to the Casino and they will gladly oblige. One thing to keep in mind...some ships might run low on different currencies towards the end of the cruise. If you think this will affect you...go to the Purser's Desk or Casino as soon as you can.

[TennisLover]

I'm coming back to this thread because I spent some time figuring this out yesterday for my upcoming cruise (this weekend!).

 

I wrote down each day of our cruise and what cash I needed.

 

Taxi - to/from airport/hotel/port

Excursions - a couple are already paid for, one we have to pay cash on-site

Beach days (no excursions) - taxis, lounge/snorkel/watersports at the beach, food and drinks (one site we wanted to see didn't say on their website if they take credit cards, so I emailed them and they got right back to me)

Spending on trinkets and stuff - only you can judge your own habits. do you buy t-shirts and key chains on the islands or will you be looking for bigger ticket items (should probably put the bigger ticket items on credit card anyway)

Tips - as previously mentioned here

 

Then add a few hundred.

 

I was able to find all of this information on these boards (taxis, lounge chair rentals, etc.). It is amazing how much info is here. You just have to organize! (isn't that why we are all on CC anyway?)

 

For the extras, consider your own spending habits. If you want to keep expenses down, it is totally possible. If you feel like, hey, this is vacation, I'm going to spend what I want (within reason), you can do that too. Only you can judge your own spending habits/philosophy.

 

On my way to the bank now....

[mark3232]

We have some friends that live in Houston and were running late leaving for the ship. He was in the process of putting their wallets and stuff in a backpack and the phone rang and somehow he forgot and left both wallets on his dresser. They got everything but the wallets with credit cards. The did not realize they had left them until they were checking in at the port. As luck would have it, she had gone to the bank and gotten $250.00 cash and that made it into the packpack. They were able to get by on as little as that between the two of them on a 7 day cruise. They both agree that it would have been nice to have more money to spend but still had a great time. They purchased a bottle of cheap scotch every time they went ashore. They also paid for parking out of that cash.

[MACISBAC]

We have some friends that live in Houston and were running late leaving for the ship. He was in the process of putting their wallets and stuff in a backpack and the phone rang and somehow he forgot and left both wallets on his dresser. They got everything but the wallets with credit cards. The did not realize they had left them until they were checking in at the port. As luck would have it, she had gone to the bank and gotten $250.00 cash and that made it into the packpack. They were able to get by on as little as that between the two of them on a 7 day cruise. They both agree that it would have been nice to have more money to spend but still had a great time. They purchased a bottle of cheap scotch every time they went ashore. They also paid for parking out of that cash.

 

 

I feel sorry for that "guy". His wife must have been nagging him the whole trip. Why can't women just take things in stride?

[coboo]

I truly appreciate all of the POSITIVE responses. I understand no one knows my exact spending habits. I was simply asking for advice of those who have been there...done that. I now have a good idea of what others take and it is surprising similar. I guess its true, great mind think alike. I am so ready to go today, but unfortunately as a teacher I must wait until June. Hope everyone has a great time on their upcoming trips. Just make sure you don't forget all that cash.

 

P.S. Special thanks to those who suggested applying left over cash to the Sail and Sign card at the end of the trip. My credit card will be very grateful to that suggestion!!!:D