Cash money

[disEAR]

How much cash do you typically bring with you?

We’ll be on a 7 night with two port stops, not including CC. Is there a certain amount we should consider bringing?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How much cash do you typically bring with you?

We’ll be on a 7 night with two port stops, not including CC. Is there a certain amount we should consider bringing?

I guess it depends on how much you think you'll be spending in port. Most businesses onshore will take credit cards, but not all do.

 

[unrequited23]

We tend to bring $100 in cash on vacation. Each of us tuck an emergency $20 in our wallets, and the rest is in $5 and $1 for tips--luggage, room service, etc.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We have cash for small trinket purchases on the islands so we don't expose our CC to potential fraud. I get $200 from the bank before we leave in bills $20 and under, emphasizing $1 and $5 for tips.

 

[Rob1872]

Our only cash for the cruise is room service tips and cash for tour guides.

 

[Kwami]

Just try to play out the cruise and see what you might need. For instance, do you need to trip a driver on the way to the port? A luggage handler when you get there? Luggage handlers and drivers when you get back? Are you going to get room service? Do you prefer to leave bar tips in cash instead of charging them to your account? Are you going to need money for buying things at ports, or are you going to use your credit card for everything? Some places don't take foreign credit cards or any credit cards. If you're taking a taxi, ferry, or other transportation, then you might want some cash to pay for it. Finally, do you prefer to leave extra tips for your room host and servers in cash?

 

[tvguy]

I usually bring $100 for every day I am away, so $700 minimum, probably closer to $1,000 since there would likely be a full additional day of travel to get there and another day of travel getting home so I would really be away about 9 days.

 

[squirk]

How much cash do you typically bring with you?

We’ll be on a 7 night with two port stops, not including CC. Is there a certain amount we should consider bringing?

Bring cash if you will be using local taxis/ferries. Not all of them take cards, and even with those that do, internet can be iffy in Bahamas/Caribbean.

We had this happen at Red Hook on St. Thomas. Could not use cards because the network was down at the ferry terminal. Fortunately, I had cash on me to cover the tickets.

 

[Alaska777]

We’re bringing $1K for 7 days. Teens will get some of that too.

 

[insureman]

I usually bring $100 for every day I am away, so $700 minimum, probably closer to $1,000 since there would likely be a full additional day of travel to get there and another day of travel getting home so I would really be away about 9 days.

If you don't mind me asking why all that cash?

 

[tvguy]

If you don't mind me asking why all that cash?

When we were traveling with our kids we could easily spend at least $100-$150 going and at least $100-$150 coming home just on airport food. Easier to hand the kids cash to buy their meals in the airport as we all seem to want stuff from different fast food restaurants so my wife and I don't have to wait in line with them. So at least $200 goes there. Tips for excursions, snacks, and souvenirs in ports all add up. Easily $300. While you can put the cost of the excursions on a credit card, I have never seen an excursion where you can tip on plastic. Seems most excursions these days are near $100 a person, 4 people, $10 tip each, three ports $40 times 3, there goes another $120. We're just over $700 so far, which leaves $300 in reserve in case of issues.

 

[tvguy]

If you don't mind me asking why all that cash?

I always carry cash. Today, because the restaurant we had lunch at is cash only. See note at bottom of the menu.

 

[insureman]

I always carry cash. Today, because the restaurant we had lunch at is cash only. See note at bottom of the menu.View attachment 648510

We have a restaurant like that in our town also. Maybe a tax avoiding situation.

 

[MomOTwins]

We have a restaurant like that in our town also. Maybe a tax avoiding situation.

More likely it costs too much for them to pay the credit card interchange fees.

 

[tvguy]

More likely it costs too much for them to pay the credit card interchange fees.

I think this is the case for most. The owner of the bakery here that is cash only says he sees no reason to take credit cards, he is selling out everyday.

 

[insureman]

More likely it costs too much for them to pay the credit card interchange fees.

I thought that at one time however all they need to do is increase prices by 3 %. So I stand by my original staement

 

[tvguy]

I thought that at one time however all they need to do is increase prices by 3 %. So I stand by my original staement

Why should cash customers have to pay 3% more to cover expenses of freeloading credit card users?

 

[tvguy]

We have a restaurant like that in our town also. Maybe a tax avoiding situation.

Most of them run their cash through the bank so no avoiding taxes there, so it's all on record. Since he is deceased and his business closed, so he can't be audited I can say I know that the trick many use is to run personal expenses through the business. Their cars, their gasoline, their groceries.

 

[insureman]

Why should cash customers have to pay 3% more to cover expenses of freeloading credit card users?

Very funny!

 

[dwg]

In addition to cash I would say to make sure that you have more than one CC. Also you might consider telling the CC company to put a note on your account informing the Fraud Dept. that you will be in travel status. With all the fraud around CC companies are quick to turn off the CC if a charge looks suspicious or out of the ordinary. I once found out while waiting to board our cruise at port Canaveral that my credit card was shut off. When I called the CC company it was because I used the card to get gas on Disney World property and they sent a charge of one dollar through to verify the card was good. That caused the CC company to shut the card off.