How to figure out how much spending cash

We are going on a cruise in a few weeks and I am trying to figure out how much spending cash I should bring with us...can anyone give me an idea of what your brought with you and if you thought it was enough?
I would prefer to pay cash on the ship rather than charging to the room (that adds up too quick for me)

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

we paid by credit mostly
but we brought 300

Since you will not be drinking or doing a lot of BIG activities, tipping is where you might spend a lot.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

It really depends how much you guys drink and what excursions you plan on doing- some can be pretty pricey. I would look on the cruise lines website to get an idea of how much you'll spend on excursions, and if you're drinkers I would say to budget $100 a day for drinks. Also, the ship charges a daily fee of like $7pp (or something around there) so it winds up being like an extra $100 or so at the end- in a ddition to anything extra you may tip.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

hmm..I don't think we were allowed to pay cash at the time of purchase on the ship! (Well, in the shops, yes...but at the bar/pool - no!)

I think you CAN charge it to the room, then pay in cash at the front desk on the last day though. As far as amount, I don't remember! I'm sorry.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

we spend a ton on excursions. I think we spent 700 last time. We also drop a lot in the casino.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

do you know what you are going to be doing on the islands? That would give you a better number of what you need. If you plan on renting jet skis, buying liquor..things like that.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

I didn't think you could pay cash for anything purchased on the ship

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Posted by Kelly

I didn't think you could pay cash for anything purchased on the ship

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Spent about 100 a day on drinks and tips.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

I paid for tipping and our two excursions and the romance package in advance

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Posted by Kelly

I didn't think you could pay cash for anything purchased on the ship

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Posted by Kelly

I didn't think you could pay cash for anything purchased on the ship

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

I would start with 500 cash then.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Posted by DebG

Posted by Kelly

I didn't think you could pay cash for anything purchased on the ship

Damn, I didn't know that.
Can I pay the front desk cash and then put a spending limit on our room keys?

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Posted by DebG

Posted by Kelly

I didn't think you could pay cash for anything purchased on the ship

Damn, I didn't know that.
Can I pay the front desk cash and then put a spending limit on our room keys?

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

people who don't have credit cards must open a cash card. Maybe go that route?

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

I will call and ask. I really can't imagine needing that much cash, especially since I seem to be asleep by 8 or 9 pm and I am not drinking...this is probably going to be the cheapest vaca EVER for us.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

well, you can leave your credit card, and when you check out...you can pay cash. That is what we did.

We spent about $700-800, that included drinks, excursions, and some stuff we charged to the room.

Message edited 1/3/2006 4:53:13 PM.

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash

You cannot pay with cash on the ship itself. You can only use your room key to charge -but you can pay your bill in cash.

I would say - if you are looking to budget - when I get home I can post the exact site with bar menus etc if you tell me what cruise you are taking.

In general - depending on the line the prices will vary some. If there is a drink of the day it will usually run $3-5, regular beers run $4-6, mixed drinks $5-9 depending on what you get (martini's can be more or less depending on the line and if it is a special). Wine can be $5-10 a glass - but you can get bottles for as low as $20-25 and up. If you want to save but don't drink much I would suggest ordering a bottle - if you don't finish it they will cork it and bring it to you the next night - a $20 bottle will save you more money than spending $5-8 a glass.

Photos vary per line but are NOT cheap -they run about $20 a photo - some lines are more others are less.

Then you have shore excursions - they can run anywhere from $20-over 100 depending on what you pick OR if you decide to take a ship tour. Catamaran trips with beach or snorkling generally run in the mid $40 range but again that is not hard and set rule - some can be as much as 80$ if you do say a champagne cruise.

Otherwise your only expenses are:

1) tips - some lines such as Princess take this directly out of your account so you will see it directly added to your shipboard account daily. Other lines they give you envelopes and you give the people their tips directly. The line will give you a recommended amount - this is in your cruise information brochure. It usually runs in the range of about $10-12 a day - many people tip more than that if they get great service but this is your perogative.

If you want to save and you drink a lot of soda - look into a soda card - they run 30-50$ for the week for unlimited fountain soda - usually the rule of thumb is if you drink 2-3 soda's a day you get your money's worth.

2) souvenirs on the ship

3) any gambling that you choose to do. Hint some lines will let you take cash out at the casino without any service fee - some people do this to pay for island expenses or tips without having to carry a lot of money on their trips.

If you want to pay cash - ask on

cruisecritic.com - some lines will let you give them money and they will shut your card down when you reach that amount then you have to go to the concierge desk to add more money. Some lines won't do this. But if you put it on a card you can pay cash at the end of the week before they charge your card.

Otherwise some lines have tv's that you can check your ship board account so that it doesn't get out of hand - Princess you can go to the concierge desk at any time and request a print out - a good way of checking your expenses.

let me know if you have any other questions. I have been on 1 NCL, 1 Princess, and 11 celebrity cruises. I would be happy to answer any questions or give you links to great sites to help you plan

Re: How to figure out how much spending cash