Questions from a Newbie....

[JohnG]

I usually carry about $300 in cash when I leave for a cruise. Tips at the airport and at the pier for baggage is $1 per bag. Taxis you might use in each port require cash. Some vendors in the ports will not accept credit cards. I use cash for the small amount we spend in the casino. Tips for room service ($1 or 2 per person served). Everything else I put on credit cards because I have the protection of the credit card company and can dispute charges if something is wrong.

Onboard ship, it is cashless, except for room service tips. Everything goes on your shipboard account and you use your ship key/credit card to pay for everything. You give them a credit card authorization when you board, just like when checking into a hotel, and all your shipboard charges will go on the account. Most 8x10 formal photos are 19.95, and 6x8 informal shots are about 9.95. Purchases in the gift shops, go on the ship card. On a 10 day cruise, if you don't gamble much or drink alcohol/wine, I'd say $300 onboard for two might be realistic. We do drink and order a bottle of wine each night at dinner, and our shipboard account on a 10 day cruise is usually about $700-800.

[JohnG]

I usually carry about $300 in cash when I leave for a cruise. Tips at the airport and at the pier for baggage is $1 per bag. Taxis you might use in each port require cash. Some vendors in the ports will not accept credit cards. I use cash for the small amount we spend in the casino. Tips for room service ($1 or 2 per person served). Everything else I put on credit cards because I have the protection of the credit card company and can dispute charges if something is wrong.

Onboard ship, it is cashless, except for room service tips. Everything goes on your shipboard account and you use your ship key/credit card to pay for everything. You give them a credit card authorization when you board, just like when checking into a hotel, and all your shipboard charges will go on the account. Most 8x10 formal photos are 19.95, and 6x8 informal shots are about 9.95. Purchases in the gift shops, go on the ship card. On a 10 day cruise, if you don't gamble much or drink alcohol/wine, I'd say $300 onboard for two might be realistic. We do drink and order a bottle of wine each night at dinner, and our shipboard account on a 10 day cruise is usually about $700-800.

[RoseyFmly]

Goodness, everyone is so helpful. Thank you for the insight. It really does help. We are all so excited we have started packing and we dont leave till the 27th;)

Danielle

[RoseyFmly]

Goodness, everyone is so helpful. Thank you for the insight. It really does help. We are all so excited we have started packing and we dont leave till the 27th;)

Danielle

[RoseyFmly]

Goodness, everyone is so helpful. Thank you for the insight. It really does help. We are all so excited we have started packing and we dont leave till the 27th;)

Danielle

[glojo]

Welcome Danielle, this one of the best forums for up to date info.

Regarding how much you will spend...can we say CHA CHING? Using the onboard credit can be a bit deceiving, but you can at anytime go to the purser's desk and ask to see your account. We spend $75-$100 a day, drinks and sometimes a trinket of two. We don't drink pop, but good coffee or espresso, and then we usually have wine with our meal($30). Hubby got a fantastic deal on a watch on our last cruise, I bought a cheaper Fossil watch for $50. We do spend more on a cruise than all-inclusive vacations, but cruising is so much fun, and I always think I may never be back here again. Have fun!

[glojo]

Welcome Danielle, this one of the best forums for up to date info.

Regarding how much you will spend...can we say CHA CHING? Using the onboard credit can be a bit deceiving, but you can at anytime go to the purser's desk and ask to see your account. We spend $75-$100 a day, drinks and sometimes a trinket of two. We don't drink pop, but good coffee or espresso, and then we usually have wine with our meal($30). Hubby got a fantastic deal on a watch on our last cruise, I bought a cheaper Fossil watch for $50. We do spend more on a cruise than all-inclusive vacations, but cruising is so much fun, and I always think I may never be back here again. Have fun!

[glojo]

Welcome Danielle, this one of the best forums for up to date info.

Regarding how much you will spend...can we say CHA CHING? Using the onboard credit can be a bit deceiving, but you can at anytime go to the purser's desk and ask to see your account. We spend $75-$100 a day, drinks and sometimes a trinket of two. We don't drink pop, but good coffee or espresso, and then we usually have wine with our meal($30). Hubby got a fantastic deal on a watch on our last cruise, I bought a cheaper Fossil watch for $50. We do spend more on a cruise than all-inclusive vacations, but cruising is so much fun, and I always think I may never be back here again. Have fun!