what else do i need cash for?

[rsjj]

planning to charge everything on our credit card on board, and am trying to get our cash in order before we leave, but what else do i need cash for?

i've got...

dollar bills for tips (room service, porters at airport, etc.)
excursions (non DCL)
transportation from WDW to airport


am i forgetting anything else? just want to make sure i have enough cash for everything i need cash for...everything else is being charged. suggestions & advice greatly appreciated! thanx!

 

[inkkognito]

Post office on Castaway Cay (you must pay cash for the stamps).
Extra $$ if you plan to charge your tips early and slip some extra cash into the envelopes of those who earned a bonus.
Quarters for the laundry room and female necessity machines.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[rsjj]

yes, CC!!! thanx!

now remind me, why would i need extra $$ if i plan on charging our tip early? can't i just tell them how much to charge onto our credit card? along with bonus if earned?

do they make change on the ship? for quarters?

thanx for the tips!

 

[inkkognito]

You can charge the extra amount on your charge card if you give larger tips than the recommended amount. But we are usually on the short cruise (3 day) and charge the tips early on Friday, so we're not sure yet how much extra we're going to tip. The line gets really long by Sat. so rather than go back, we just use cash. But if you want to charge the whole amount closer to the end, that's no problem.
Yes, Guest Services will make change for you. There is also a changer in the laundry room, but it's often empty. Hubby took a photo of the laundry room for our website, and the "Empty" light is even on in the pic.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[The4OfUs]

Cash for customs on the last day, if you go over your allotment - it's cash only!! We didn't know that and blew through all the cash...thank goodness we didnt' have anything more than our allotment to pay for!

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

You'll need cash for anything you'll want to eat on the islands. Can't go to Key West without trying Key Lime Pie or Conch fritters, Can't go to Grand Cayman without trying some rum cake and having a Stingray beer, and you definitely can't stop in Cozumel and not drop into Charlos & Charlies! We usually spend most of our extra cash on local cuisine!

 

[tas190]

Mrsfuzzmo

do these places take cc's

 

[decolady]

Most of the little shops in Cozumel took cash only.

 

[skyhawk]

mrsfuzzmo-
Can you tell me about Carlos and Charlies? I've heard it brought up a few times and I was told not to miss it. What's you opinion?

Thanks

 

[The4OfUs]

We went to that in Cancun, and I personally don't feel a need to repeat that experience...but it WAS spring break so the atmosphere was...well, out of control.

It's not a place to bring kids, IMO, but for adults who want to go cut loose and have some fun, I could see it being a good time.

 

[beetlemom]

the4ofus,

Can you please tell me how you knoe what your alotment is for charging purposes on the ship? Is it your credit card limit??
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

There is no allotment, it is the limit of your charge card. They usually process a charge when your account reaches about $500, so there may be several charges on your card for the total you spend.

 

[The4OfUs]

By allotment, I was referring to how much you can buy and bring home as "duty free". I think it was one bottle of liquor per adult in the stateroom, and we had 3...but because that meant that our taxes on the one extra bottle were under $10 (the customs agent told us it would be about $2) they don't collect it, so we were home free. Good thing, as that's about all we had on us for cash at that point until we found an ATM at the airport!

So the allotment meant for US Customs in terms of the "Duty Free" stuff you could take off.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Charlos & Charlies in Cozumel is a different experience in Cozumel than it is in Cancun. It is a large bar/restaurant that is very rowdy and tends to attract cruise passengers. They have constant contests, conga lines, group dancing, shot lines, all kinds of nutty things to embarrass people, and everyone lets their hair down! If you don't like to enjoy yourself in a loud, party type atmosphere, don't go there. We've always enjoyed watching the old ladies traveling together going "out on the town" and getting nutty, seeing the accountant that needs a stress release after tax season dancing on his stool and all the rest. The food ain't bad either! It is just a fun fun place. No, not for kids really, they are welcome, and they may enjoy the decorations and dancing during the day, but I'd take them out of there by 5 pm. We've really had an absolute blast there everytime we've gone. They have this "Sangria Squirter" that I can only describe as a glass bong type thing that they blow into one end and the customers get a stream of the good stuff squirted into their mouthes. (all while being covered with a large brown piece of paper). Tequila popper girls that mix tequila & 7up and yell and smashi it onto the table to make it foam before pouring it into your mouth and shaking your head. It's hard to explain, but if you want a little (or a lot) of fun and want to let loose a little, it's a great place. Don't get me wrong, you don't have to drink to have fun there. It's a GREAT place to people watch! Best part is it is right at the end of the pier where the Magic docks, so it is a great stopping in spot before reboarding. Last time we were there, we started talking to a 70+ yr old couple who said they were having the best time of the cruise there. They left to shop and 2 hours later they were back for more because they were having such a great time!

Many places will take credit cards, many will not (like smaller food stands, markets, etc) so you will have to be prepared for those types of things. I'm sure you aren't going to want to charge a couple of cokes and a conch fritter on your credit card. so, I would take some extra cash. & TAXIS!!!! Forgot about them. Need cash for them.

 

[rsjj]

for all your tips! will bring extra cash for all the "fun" at the ports! two more days, and we're out! can't wait! here's hoping for good weather!

 

[hydster]

OOOHHH We LOVE Carlos N Charlies in Cozumel AND Cancun! LOL It is definitely a party place!!! Those girls pouring those drinks...MMMMMMMM those drinks are good (and I dont even like tequila) but you are right you dont have to drink to have a good time there!! I think for us the best part about being in Cozumel (after we are back on the ship) is watching all the innebriated passengers trying to hurry back down the dock to get on the ship before it sails away into the horizon! LOL We were on a Carnival ship once and this couple is trying so hard to run up the dock to get onto the ship as they were pulling up the ramp *(and the workers didnt slow down the ramp pulling very much but they did sort of wait for them) but watching them trying to run after a Carlos N Charlies day was funny. They had bags of merchandise from there and also shirts on with the logo so we assumed that's where they came from! It is definitely a let your hair loose kind of a place that's for sure!!! We love it and could never visit Cancun OR Cozumel without a stop in there! LOL Oh yeah and like mrsfuzzmo said the food isnt too bad either!

Heidi