Budgeting cash?

[Miaka1]

Trying to figure out how much extra spending money to budget for a family of 4. The kids will get 100.00 each for suvineer spending , but for non suvineers? I know alcohol and tips, but what other costs can I expect?

 

[lklgoodman]

Popcorn, candy from the concession stand outside the theaters cost extra, so does some room service items like candy and I think soda from room service. You can get the free soda from the machines by the pools. We order free cookies from room service to take to movies, don't drink soda, but I think it's free in the restaurants. Specialty coffee drinks, smoothies are also up charges, regular/plain coffee is free in the restaurants. Dream/Fantasy have a specialty ice cream/candy shop that's extra also. It's somewhat a joke that you can get as many free steaks/lobsters as you want in the MDR, but popcorn--that will cost you extra. If anything costs extra, it will be clearly marked.

 

[lklgoodman]

One other thing I thought of, on our first cruise I didn't know the gift shops are closed when in port. I needed some batteries and went to guest services to see if there was some other place on the ship that I could buy some. They gave me some they had behind the desk, I tried to pay for them, but they gave them to me. Didn't know if you know about the shops being closed when in port or not, so thought I'd share.

 

[Geomom]

Trying to figure out how much extra spending money to budget for a family of 4. The kids will get 100.00 each for suvineer spending , but for non suvineers? I know alcohol and tips, but what other costs can I expect?

I just wanted to add that the ship is cashless other than tips for room service. Everything will be charged to your shipboard account. You can pay your shipboard account with cash at guest services or it will automatically be charged to the credit card you have on file.

 

[tlprice]

The only thing I use cash for on the ship is tips for room service. The place you will need cash is when you are off the ship (taxis, souvenirs, tips, port excursions, food, etc.). If you are on a 7 night or longer cruise, you can write a check at guest services for up to $200 for cash. If you are on a shorter cruise, you can write one for up to $100 cash. You don't want to take out money from an ATM in ports because you will get their currency (one of our tablemates found that out the hard way). I always think I bring enough cash, but it always seems to go faster than I anticipated. Caution on the side of bringing too much over too little.

 

[KristiMc]

Tips, excursions, spa treatments, smoothies, alcohol, alcohol tasting classes, laundry, pictures, BINGO, popcorn, Remy/Palo.

 

[Budzooka]

I spent $0 cash on my last cruise. I had some in case it was needed, but we charged everything to the room, including additional gratuities, room service, and shopping on Castaway Cay.