Your sailing expenses depend greatly on cruise duration, the type of cruise lines you have booked, the food items you select, and much more. No matter how precisely you plan, you’ll see yourself spending money on quirky things, from souvenirs to tipping, drinks, and thrilling excursions. So, how much cash is enough to take with you? Although it is safer to bring your credit card with you, a little cash won’t hurt. So, in this article guide, we’ll deeply discuss how much cash one should bring on a cruise.
Why do You Need Cash to Bring on a Cruise?
Folks who are wondering how much cash I should bring on a cruise, let’s discuss some ground rules. Of course, there are several things onboard that would make you wonder, “I should’ve Brought More!” But don’t worry, you are never going to come across something unexpected if you follow our article guide.
Below are some things you might need cash for:
- Tipping: Even though cruise lines include tips in your onboard account, you might have to use local currency for individual tips.
- Shore Excursions: Make sure to budget appropriately for these excursions, as certain vendors want to cash in the local currency.
- Souvenirs: When buying souvenirs from port merchants, use local currency.
- Casino: If you intend to gamble in the onboard casino, bring cash for that purpose.
- Small Purchases: For fast onboard purchases, keep cash in the local currency on hand.
- Transportation: At ports of call, have cash in the local currency for cabs or other transportation needs.
Estimated Amount of Cash to Bring on Cruise
Below is the list of expenses one might need cash for during a trip to the waters:
1. Tipping Cash to Bring on Cruise
Ok, my water aficionados, it’s time to figure out how much money to take on a cruise. The first that counts is tipping the staff on the cruise ships.
Onboard Staff
- Default Gratuities: Daily gratuities, usually between $10 and $15 per person per day, are added to your onboard account by most cruise lines. This includes dining room staff members, cabin attendants, and other staff members.
- Additional Tips: Many travelers prefer leaving extra gratuities for crew members who go above and above in spite of the automatic charges. You should budget $20 to $50 in local currency for these additional gratuities. For example, at the start and the end of the trip, you might wish to gift your room steward an extra $10–$20.
Shore Excursions
Once you have managed the cash to bring for the onboard staff, the next thing is shore excursions. The answer to how much cash should you take on a cruise for shore excursions is right below:
- Tour Guides and Drivers: Tipping guides and drivers are typical when taking part in shore excursions. Budget $5–$10 in local currency per person, per excursion, as a general guideline. This guarantees that you can express gratitude for excellent service without depending on potentially unaccepted electronic payments.
2. Cash for Tours Along the Shore
When planning a cruise ship excursion, it is a good idea to plan the cruise fare for shore tours. This section of the article will help you to figure out how much money you should bring on a cruise for all shore tour costs.
Scheduled or Pre-booked Tours
- Included Costs: The majority of high costs are paid for trips that are pre-paid. Having some cash on hand, nevertheless, is a good idea for incidentals. Carry $50-$100 in local currency at every port to cover unexpected purchases of snacks, beverages, and other items.
Independent Research
- Entry and Transportation Charges: You’ll need more money if you want to explore on your own. Set up $100 to $150 per port for meals, attraction admission fees, and transportation (taxi or public transportation). It is advisable to use local currency to assist prevent problems with acceptance and exchange rates.
3. Cash to Bring on the Cruise for Souvenirs
Who can forget souvenirs when they are on a trip? You have to separately plan the amount of cash you need to bring for souvenirs on a cruise.
Local Vendors
If you are planning to buy from local vendors, the cash you need falls somewhere between 20 dollars to 50.
- Cash Preference: Small businesses and local marketplaces typically prefer cash transactions in many ports. Try to bring $20–$50 in local currency per port for trinkets like jewelry, handicrafts, and regional specialties.
- High-Value Items: Use a credit card that doesn’t levy international transaction fees or carry extra cash if you want to purchase jewelry or artwork. You’ll have more options and perhaps even better rates as a result.
4. Casino Cash to Bring on Cruise
Next comes a fun activity that several people opt for when they are on a Caribbean cruise. Casino turns out to be an entertaining activity that many cruise ships engage their guests in. Of course, your credit card won’t bring you anything if you don’t have cash on a cruise trip.
Gambling
- Casino Budget: Set a gambling budget if you are wondering how much money you should take on a cruise for fun activities. This is important to prevent going overboard because most onboard casinos take cash. $100 to $300 could be a reasonable amount, depending on how much gaming you enjoy. Make sure you have adequate US dollars or local currency; these are usually accepted.
- Winning Payouts: It’s always a wise option to have extra cash on hand because casinos have the option to pay out winnings in cash.
5. Cash for Small Purchases
Now, coming toward the small purchases that you don’t even bother. But they also need cash. Now, don’t get anxious thinking about how much cash I should take on a cruise for these small items.
While on board
- Room Key Purchases: Although the majority of onboard purchases are made with your room key and paid for using your onboard account, it’s helpful to have $20–$40 in local currency on hand for smaller purchases like beverages, snacks, or other small goods when using cash is quicker and more convenient.
6. Cash to Bring on the Cruise for Transportation
Ports of Call
- Public Transportation and Taxis: Local transportation frequently requires cash. For cabs, buses, or other transportation needs, budget between $20 and $50 per port. By using local currency, you will be sure to be ready for everything and steer clear of bad exchange rates.
- Transportation Tips: Keep a little cash on hand to leave tips for transport employees and drivers to ensure efficient and well-received service. This arrangement of cash will be of much benefit to you in the long run.
7. Emergency Cash
Folks, mishaps never knock at the door before they occur. So, while we are on this subject, let’s figure out how much money I should take on a cruise.
Unexpected Expenses
- Extra Cash: It’s a good idea to carry an additional $100–200 in local currency in case of emergencies. This might pay for unforeseen medical costs, extra port charges, or last-minute trips. Having this money guarantees that you are ready for any unanticipated circumstances.
- Accessibility: Store this cash safely in your cabin, yet make it easily available so you can get to it fast in an emergency.
Estimated Total
So, the total of how much money I should bring on a cruise falls somewhere between 500-600$. We can say that a fair amount of cash to bring for a week-long cruise could be between $300 and $500 per person.
Here’s a thorough explanation:
- Small Purchases: $20–$40
- Transportation: $80-$150
- Shore Excursions: $150–$250
- Souvenirs: $50–$100
- Casino: $100–$300
- Emergency Funds: $100–$200
Adjust this amount to your particular cruise duration, destinations, and spending patterns.
Extra Tips
Exchange Rates
- Currency Exchange: To obtain better rates, think about converting some cash into local currency before your trip. Exchange rates are frequently less advantageous at ports and airports.
- ATMs: If you require local cash, use the ATMs at ports, but be mindful of possible surcharges. To prevent account blocks, inquire with your bank about overseas withdrawal fees and let them know about your travel schedule.
Safety
- Storing Cash: Keep extra cash and valuables in the ship’s safe. To lower the chance of loss or theft, only bring what you’ll need for the day.
- Use Separate Spots: To reduce risk, keep cash in several places (pocket, purse, cabin safe).
Debit/Credit Cards
- Recovery Strategy: As a backup for larger purchases and emergencies, carry credit and debit cards. To prevent any problems with card usage, make sure your cards don’t have international transaction fees and let your bank know about your travel schedule.
You can make sure you have figured out how much cash to take on a cruise trip for a seamless and pleasurable experience by carefully planning and budgeting.
However, you can also check out factors that impact the amount of cash you bring on a cruise trip.
Conclusion
Summing up, the article covered the estimate of cash one should decide to bring on a cruise trip. From planning out the dresses to duration time and cruise type, it is unwise to ignore the cash management. Although most of the transactions on a cruise port and shore, from specialty dining to other expenses, are made through credit cards, a little cash would never hurt. So, plan out your next unwinding excursion wisely.
Way to Seamless Trip!