Are you planning to go on a cruise anytime soon? One of the most common questions that people have before embarking on a cruise is how much cash they should bring along with them.
This is an important question to consider because you want to make sure that you have enough money to cover your expenses during the trip, but you also don’t want to carry too much cash around with you. In this article, we will explore how much cash you should bring on a cruise and why.
Why You Need Cash on a Cruise
Before we dive into how much cash you should bring, it’s important to understand why you need cash in the first place. While many aspects of your cruise can be paid for with a credit card or prepaid package, there are still some situations where cash is necessary. For example:
- Tipping: While gratuities are often automatically added to your onboard account, it’s still customary to tip certain staff members in cash.
- Port Visits: If you plan on exploring ports of call during your cruise, you will likely need cash for things like transportation, souvenirs, and meals.
- Casino: If you enjoy gambling, then having some cash on hand can come in handy when playing games in the onboard casino.
How Much Cash Should You Bring?
Now that we understand why having cash is important during a cruise let’s talk about how much money you should bring along with you. The amount of cash needed will vary depending on your personal spending habits and the length of your trip.
Short Cruises (3-5 Days)
If you’re going on a short 3-5 day cruise, bringing around $100-$200 in cash should suffice. This amount should be enough to cover any port visits, tips for staff, and a little extra for souvenirs or other small purchases.
Medium Length Cruises (6-9 Days)
For a medium length 6-9 day cruise, you should consider bringing around $300-$500 in cash. This amount will cover tips for staff, port visits, and give you some extra cash to enjoy activities like gambling or spa treatments.
Longer Cruises (10+ Days)
If you’re going on a longer 10+ day cruise, then it’s best to bring around $500-$1000 in cash. This amount will ensure that you have enough money to cover all of your expenses and any unexpected costs that may arise during your trip.
Tips for Carrying Cash on a Cruise
While having cash is important on a cruise, it’s also essential to keep it safe. Here are some tips for carrying cash on a cruise:
- Divide your money: Don’t carry all of your cash in one place. Divide it up between different pockets or bags so that if one gets lost or stolen, you’ll still have some backup.
- Use the safe: Most cabins come with safes that allow you to store valuables like cash.
Take advantage of this amenity and use it to keep your money secure.
- Avoid using ATMs: While most ships have ATMs onboard, they often come with high fees and poor exchange rates. It’s better to bring all of the cash you need with you instead of relying on the ship’s ATM.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, bringing cash on a cruise is essential for covering expenses like tipping staff members and enjoying activities like gambling or spa treatments. The amount of cash needed will vary depending on the length of your trip, but bringing around $100-$200 for short cruises, $300-$500 for medium-length cruises, and $500-$1000 for longer cruises is a good rule of thumb.
Remember to keep your cash safe by dividing it up and using the cabin safe to store it. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy your cruise without worrying about running out of cash.