How Much Cash Should I Bring on a Carnival Cruise?

Planning a Carnival cruise vacation can be exciting but requires some financial preparation. One thing that first-time cruisers worry about is “How much cash should I bring on a Carnival cruise?”. The answer depends on various factors, such as your spending habits, the length of the cruise, and your plans during port days.

With the decreasing necessity of cash in today’s digital age, you might also be questioning if it’s even necessary to carry any on your Carnival cruise. To help you work out the right amount of cash to bring along, I’ve put together this useful guide.

How Much Cash Should I Bring on a Carnival Cruise? 

While the amount of cash you should bring on a cruise can vary greatly depending on individual spending habits, a good rule of thumb is to bring around $100 in cash per person for each day spent in port. This amount should cover expenses like food and drinks, taxis, souvenirs, and tips for tour guides. It’s also recommended to bring smaller denominations of bills and coins for vending machines and other smaller purchases made on land.

Keep in mind that the above is an average, and your actual spending may be higher or lower depending on your personal preferences and the specifics of your cruise. Remember, it’s always better to take more than your estimated budget. This will ensure you can fully enjoy your cruise without worrying about running out of cash.

Spending Ashore

On land, your main expenses typically include taxis, meals, and entry fees for attractions. I’ve estimated these to be around $20, $30, and $50, respectively, contributing to a daily budget of about $100. However, these costs can vary significantly based on your destination and activities during shore days.

Advance planning can give you a better idea of expenses. Booking cruise line excursions can mean you’ll need less cash since transportation and entrance fees are usually included.

If you prefer to explore independently when ashore, consider budgeting more per port visit. Cash is particularly handy for taxis, you might spend around $20 on taxis in most ports, depending on the distance.

Expect to encounter small cash charges for public toilets in many countries. Also, while card payments are accepted in many shops, market stalls selling souvenirs often only take cash.

For meals, attraction entries, and tips while on excursions, carrying cash is advisable. It ensures you’re prepared for various expenses when off the ship.

Can Cash be Used on Carnival Cruise Ships?

Carnival cruises operate mostly cashless. Most onboard expenses, including drinks, souvenirs, and excursions, are charged to your room via a keycard linked to your onboard account. This is known as a Sail & Sign card. This acts as your room key, ID to get off the ship, and it enables a cashless way to pay for everything on your cruise.

To use your Sail & Sign card, simply link it to your credit or debit card. All your purchases on the cruise will then be billed to your onboard account. Throughout your trip, a temporary hold will be placed on your bank account, with the final amount charged at the end of your cruise.

Your onboard account also conveniently covers gratuities, meaning there’s no need for cash to tip waiters or room stewards. These tips are automatically included in your daily bill.

However, if you prefer a more personal touch, you can give cash tips at the end of your cruise. This is something I occasionally like to do. This allows you to directly reward staff based on service quality. Just remember, if you choose to tip in cash, it should be in addition to the automatic gratuities already charged. Removing these automatic tips and substituting them with cash could inadvertently reduce the earnings of the hardworking staff behind the scenes.

Are There ATMs on a Carnival Cruise?

Yes, there are ATMs on a carnival cruise. So, you don’t need to panic if you find yourself short on cash. However, it’s important to note that using the ATMs on board comes with a $6 charge per transaction. So, taking out more significant amounts at a time may be more economical if you need to withdraw cash. The maximum amount you can withdraw at a time is $500.

It is important to remember that sometimes ATMs might run out of cash during the journey. If this happens, you have a couple of other options to get cash. To get cash, you can access the Casino Cashier’s Window via a credit or debit card. Or you can also cash a check at the same location. These options come with a $5 charge; in case of advances under $100, a minimum of $5 is charged. However, your card issuer’s terms and exchange rates may also apply.

What Is Carnival Cruise Cash?

Carnival Cruise Cash acts as a prepaid credit for your Sail & Sign account. You can top up your onboard account with this credit up to two days before setting sail. This prepaid amount is applicable for various onboard expenses, including taxes and gratuities.

To purchase Cruise Cash, simply visit The Fun Shops website after booking your cruise. However, it’s important to remember that any amount added as Cruise Cash is non-refundable and valid only for the specific cruise specified.

In most cases, there’s no real necessity to preload Cruise Cash onto your account. Accumulating your expenses and settling the bill at the end of your cruise is often more straightforward.

Cruise Cash is particularly useful as a gift option. For instance, if you’re celebrating your honeymoon on a Carnival cruise, your friends could contribute Cruise Cash to your account as a wedding present.

Which Currency to Keep the Cash In?

The currency you should take on a Carnival Cruise largely depends on your destination. Generally, US dollars are widely accepted for cruises in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

However, checking the currency requirements for your specific cruise and destinations is always a good idea before you go. This way, you can ensure you have the right amount of cash in the correct currency. It’s also worth noting that exchange rates can vary, so checking these before you travel is a good idea.

Is Cash Needed Everywhere on Carnival Cruise?

There are many places on a Carnival Cruise where you don’t need to carry cash. For instance, in the dining room, you can charge your meals to your room using your room keycard. The same goes for shore excursions, spa treatments, drink packages, and other onboard purchases. These are automatically charged to your room, so you don’t need to carry cold, hard cash.

However, you should bring enough cash to bring back souvenirs from port visits or visit the casino. While automatic tips are included in your fare, you may also want to have some money on hand for additional tips. But remember, there’s no need to carry a lot of physical cash, as most places accept your room keycard for purchases.

Credit Card vs Cash: Which One Is Better?

When it comes to deciding whether to bring cash or use a credit card on a Carnival cruise, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. For one, card companies are used to dealing with purchases made in various locations, which can be beneficial if you are travelling to different ports of call. However, informing your bank about your travel plans is essential to avoid any fraud alerts or a temporary freeze on your card.

From buying drinks to souvenirs, a credit card can provide a convenient way to manage your expenses. It’s easy to track your spending, and it eliminates the need to carry a large amount of cash.

Yet, it’s worth noting that money may be required for some expenses, from souvenirs to excursions. In some instances, small vendors or taxis may not accept cards. Therefore, a combination of both cash and card might be the best approach to cover all your bases while enjoying your Carnival cruise.

Wrap-Up!

In conclusion, how much cash you should bring on a Carnival cruise depends on various factors. It’s important to consider your cruise destinations when planning your cash budget. Some locations require more cash than others. So, as you plan your cruise, keep these points in mind to ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable journey.