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But I’ve regretted not having cash on me for a few reasons I’ve listed below. Well, here are a few reasons why I still pack a few dollars before my voyage, and why you might want to consider it too for your cruises. With us by your side, you can easily find the perfect cruise for your needs and budget. It is important to note that Carnival Cruise Cash is non-refundable and non-transferable, so passengers should carefully consider how much they want to purchase before doing so.
One Note About Cruising in 2024
Because if you do not, your card could be stopped as they notice an unusual spending pattern. Always carry as small an amount of cash as you think you will need when you are visiting a cruise port. It is more than likely that you will be leaving the ship to explore at least one of the ports on your cruise. Many cruise lines have their own private islands such as Disney’s Castaway Cay Carnival Cruise Lines Half Moon Cay and Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay. Also if you go on an organized tour you will most likely want to tip the driver and guide with cash so you will need to take extra cash for that.
Complete Guide to Using Your Phone on a Cruise (Carnival, Royal Caribbean & More)
It is often cheaper to pre-book tickets in advance online though. If you are going to want to visit certain paid-for attractions it is important that you factor the cost of this into your cruise. I very rarely pay using cash, preferring to pay by card or prebook tickets online before visiting the port.
How Much Spending Money Should I Bring For the Cruise Ports?
Set a limit for yourself and stick to it to avoid overspending. While you can charge your Sail & Sign card with cash, using a credit card or debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM onboard may come with additional fees. It’s also a good idea to bring some small denominations of US dollars as they are widely accepted in many ports of call around the world.
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Remember you may get help with luggage in the port, a taxi to/from the airport/hotel/cruise port, room service on board, etc. And all this extra tipping over and above prepaid gratuities is all at your own discretion and never a must. Many cruise customers budget for around $50 to $100 per adult per day.
How To Determine Your Budget For Your Cruise
One of the wonderful things about going on a cruise is a little thing called an onboard account. All the extra specialty dining venues, spa treatments, and excursions get charged to your account. It includes everything from money spent gambling in the casino to alcohol, specialty restaurants, cruise line shore excursions, and even the souvenirs you buy in the gift shop. They are run just as things are on the cruise ships so you will just take your keycard and everything can be charged to your onboard account.
Even if you charge back to your room the amount you wish to gamble with, the casino will give you cash. You can get a cash advance at the Casino Cashier using a credit or debit card. But be prepared to pay a “convenience fee” of around 5% (typically with a $5 minimum fee). Setting a daily spending limit is best to ensure you stay on budget throughout your cruise vacation. But if you like to tip when you receive exceptional service, consider carrying extra cash to show your appreciation to the service staff.
Specialty restaurants
For those who frequent the main dining room, it is common to tip, especially if you have had great service or have the same staff every night. There's also the possibility of tipping crew members in cash, whether to replace the automatic tips or to augment them. It eliminates the need to carry cash around the ship and minimizes the risk of theft or loss. The purchases are paid at the end of the vacation when you receive the statement of transactions.
Some cruisers like to buy gifts for their cabin steward, but it’s really all up to you. It’s also worth noting that the casino on a Carnival cruise ship is usually only open when the ship is in international waters, which means it may not be open during all hours. Table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette also require cash to place bets. The casino may also offer tournaments and other special events that require cash to participate. It serves as the passenger’s onboard identification, room key, and method of payment for onboard purchases.
She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams. It really is a very personal choice as to the amount of money you will take in cash with you to foreign ports. It is up to you and once you have sailed on your first cruise you will find it easier to realize what the right balance is for you. If you are sailing to any of these countries it would be wise to have some cash in the local currency.
New attractions like laser tag, escape rooms and IMAX movies often come with an extra fee that can vary by line and ship. Most alternative restaurants charge in the range of $15 to $60 per person (or more), but a chef's table experience or wine-paired meal could be upward of a hundred per passenger. If you do want an organized tour, you can book directly with a tour operator or through third-party shore excursion sellers; you might save a few dollars that way.
But again, if you find that “must-have” item on board and are prepared to bid for it, then the sky’s the limit as far as extra spending goes. Extra tipping on board is at your discretion but you will still have to pay the fixed gratuity cost. You can pay for a wifi package depending on how much wifi you think you and your family will use. How many devices you use on board (cell phone, iPad, laptop, etc.) will also affect the price.
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