How much cash per day?

[egd207]

Hi All - I know I saw this one time but can't find it.  What do you recommend I should have in cash for daily expenses.  I know most everything goes to seapass card but for tipping or other cash spending.

[smokeybandit]

It depends. It literally could be zero.  

[tonyfsu21]

12 minutes ago, egd207 said:

Hi All - I know I saw this one time but can't find it.  What do you recommend I should have in cash for daily expenses.  I know most everything goes to seapass card but for tipping or other cash spending.

This is a question only you can answer. Think shore excursion tips, room attendant tips, dining staff tips (all optional by the way). 

[need2cruz]

We just went with $200 cash for a 7 night cruise with 4 ports and knew we would need more.  We paid cash in ports for taxis and activities.  Then, we made a trip down to the casino and used a slot machine to charge to sea pass card and cash out some more.  This way you avoid ATM fees.  The cashier at the casino will give you the exact denominations you want so you can have extra tip money, if you wish for the end of the cruise.

[ChessE4]

35 minutes ago, egd207 said:

Hi All - I know I saw this one time but can't find it.  What do you recommend I should have in cash for daily expenses.  I know most everything goes to seapass card but for tipping or other cash spending.

We allow about $100 for a port day to assure we have ground transportation and money for lunch.  For onboard tips on a 7-day cruise, we allocate an extra $20-25 each for waiter, assistant waiter, and stateroom attendant (we eat at the same table each night in the MDR).  We figure that "rounds up" the 18% tip calculated by Royal to 20%.  For diamond vouchers, we discretely tip 20% of the value of the drinks in small bills at time of service.  Altogether, maybe $20 day on tips, then extra for port visits. I add to that about $100 a week for the casino.

[Ampurp85]

Although I prepay pretty much everything, I allocate $50 per day plus whatever I plan to spend at the casino. So, for a 7n cruise I will bring $350/500 in cash and then a little extra if I want to spend cash only in the casino. 

[Psycho and Barb]

We always bring more then we think we will need and how much we bring depends on the cruise itinerary...Bring the leftover cash home.  We prefer to have enough cash to do or buy whatever we might want and not have to use a credit card.   

[smokeybandit]

52 minutes ago, Psycho and Barb said:

We always bring more then we think we will need

I learned that one the hard way.  Not surprisingly it was tipping of bartenders a lot more than we expected.

[EmptyNestTravels]

On my last cruise, the ATM (with $6.50 surcharge!) was out of order when I went to get cash.  Was not aware of the option to charge up the Sea Pass card in the Casino and then cash out.  Thanks for that great tip!

[billdauterive]

5 hours ago, Psycho and Barb said:

We always bring more then we think we will need and how much we bring depends on the cruise itinerary...Bring the leftover cash home.  We prefer to have enough cash to do or buy whatever we might want and not have to use a credit card.   

This is the best advice.  Also make sure to bring plenty of smaller bills as you may not be able to make change easily on the boat or on shore.

[SaveTheSharks]

16 hours ago, billdauterive said:

This is the best advice.  Also make sure to bring plenty of smaller bills as you may not be able to make change easily on the boat or on shore.

I always find it amusing when I go up to the bank teller and ask for ~$50+ in singles -- Then I mention it's for tips...

You know they're 100% thinking I'm going to the strip club.

[12thman]

@AshleyDilloposted a great how to when I asked this in 2019. 

 

[need2cruz]

The added benefit to using a slot machine as an ATM is you can get back free money.  I punched in that I wanted to place a $200 bet.  I was going to just quick hit cash out but my husband placed a couple of bets really quick and we came out $6 ahead.  So instead of paying $6 at an ATM I received $6 and some change (left that with the cashier, though) for using the slot machine as an ATM.

[Pooch]

We need a sticky at the top of this procedure!

[egd207]

We always bring more then we think we will need is how I always think too.    Thank you all for your input.  Love the casino hint - will definitely keep that in mind if I need more.  Love this site, everyone is always so helpful.