Cash for private excursions?

[JPCARDS]

Having trouble deciding how to have the cash available for several private tours we have planned on FOS in June. Only previous cruise was Voyager in Europe and I got Euros off the plentiful ATM's as recommended. It seems all the tours ( Marva Shaw, Nachi Cocum, Outrage Eco-tour) take only cash. Should I bring along the cash I need? I don't want to carry alot of cash on board but I also don't want to use the ship ATM's and their outrageous fees. Any other options? Thanks!

[NHRAgroup]

You can always get cash at the casino on your sea pass card.

[phoenix1181]

Here we go again............... When did they start spelling bank c-a-s-i-n-o?

[cb at sea]

Just bring the cash you need? If you carry large bills, you can bring alot without the bulk! There's a safe in your room--no need to carry it everywhere with you!

All this ATM/Casino business is waaay too much trouble! Bring what you need--divide it between you and the spouse, and it's all good!

[cruisinhs]

I read a great tip on here a while back and I am planning on using it for our cruise next week. They said they would put the amount of cash needed for each port in a labeled envelope. That way when they were ready to get off the ship, they just pulled out the envelope for that port and were on their way. We are only doing excurions at two of the four ports we are visiting, but I have already labeled envelopes for those days and added the cash to pay for the excursion plus a little extra for tips.

[Riversedge]

The tours we booked all take travelers checks. If they don't you can cash them onboard before you get to port.

[WendyVF]

We do the envelope thing and put them in the safe. We tend to blow through cash (especially when travelling with the kids) during our travels to the port. Whether we're driving or flying, there are all the drinks, snacks, tips, cab fares, parking, etc and we all know if you hand a teenager a $20 bill, there is never any change that comes back to you! I usually designate a certain amount of cash for the going home expenses. I don't want to spend vacation time hunting down ATM's and have never had a problem with the safes onboard.

[Aunu]

Or find a bank that doesnt charge for ATM withdrawals at other banks ATMs.

 

One of our bank reimburses those fees. I use that card when i need to get money out of town.

[Aunu]

double/triple post?

[digital_curator]

We tip in cash and often do a lot of excursions which are paid in cash as well.

 

We just get the cash out, put it into individually labelled envelopes, one for each trip, and put them in the safe. Then we can pull them out as needed. That way there are no extra fees and no hassle with changing traveller's cheques.