How much money should I bring?

[CruiseDad]

Originally posted by amina:
I was just wondering if $1500 is enough spending money for a family of 3 two adults one child. Our cruise is on the Carnival Destiny and it departs from San Juan April 26. Is that too little? We don't gamble?

The answer depends on lots of things.
Thing1: If you will be charging ship purchases to your credit card then very little cash is needed, charge it. The only cash you need is shore purchases, and travel to and from the ship. If you are using cash to fund your sail and sign, then you need to plan your excursions on the web and see what you are likely to spend, decide how many photos at $20 each you will buy etc. Decent bottles of wine can be had for $30. Very fine wines: do not buy on the ship, the ship rolls and fine wine will have the sediment stirred up. It is a waste. Buy your really fine wine only dining in port.

Thing2: Well I guess there isn't a thing2, thing1 seems to cover it

I don't gamble, I drink perhaps 1 drink a day, and mostly like to roam the ports with 1 good excursion per cruise. I'll bring $1000, give 200 to my dancing daughter and come home with $500. Call me cheap. Where did the $300 go, I hear you cry: I tip well. One of life little pleasures is extravagant tipping.

[sunshine37922]

Agreed on the tipping...my friends dad always gives the first good service he gets on a trip a 20 dollar tip...he most always gets good attention from that server from there on out...from bartending experience in the past, I can tell ya it works...nothing comparable to good service

[tncruiseman]

For the sail and sign. they take all major creit cards, but there are many places in the Caribbean that do not take American Express or Master Card, VISA only. I used to think MasterCard and Visa were the same and found out differently down there.

[amina]

Thank you all so very much for your response. My cruise is leaving this August on the 26. I had intended to carry cash on the ship pay for my excursions online and leave cash for the sign and sail so as not to incur a credit card bill. I so hate having bills after vacation.

One of you suggested that I purchase the wine off the ship. I don't know why I was under the impression that they didn't allow you to bring alcohol on the ship. Where did I get that from? Do they actually check your luggage for alcohol? I though I read on the Carnival website that any alcohol that one purchases they hold until the end of the cruise. Can someone fill me in.

[blackvinyl]

Who wants to take that one?

[amina]

Originally posted by PA Steve Rocky Mount:
Did you mean April 26, 2008? Because there is a departure April 27th...and if it's April 26th this year, you missed it!!

If thats the cruise that has a different port of call every day, you may need to save a bit more depending on whether you're going to do excursions in all ports. Also remember the boat charges MUCH more for good bottles of wine thah what you usually pay for them.

Also don't forget they're going to charge you $10 per day per adult for tips...thats $140 right there. Alot depends also on the age of your child. Older kids drink more soft drinks, which are about $2 a pop...so to speak.

Just a few thoughts.

My mistake. I meant to type August 26, 2007. Oops!

[penny3333]

I believe you are allowed to bring wine on board. They charge a corkage fee of $15/per bottle. I am not sure how much wine you are allowed, but they will hold liquor and beer until your cruise is over. I think Carnival's website has what is allowed listed. The prices for a bottle of wine range from $20/bottle up. We purchase our wine at dinner and whatever is left, they will recork and serve it the next evening. I have brought a couple of splits with me for consumption in the room in my carry-on before, but have not done it recently. Best wishes and have a great cruise!

[sunshine37922]

The rules are one bottle per person. Atleast that is what was announced when we boarded last week.

[PA Steve Rocky Mount]

4 words about bringing wine on board...

my opinion...

IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!

$15 just to OPEN a bottle??? Buy there's. Less hassle!

[Larry in Miami]

If you want to have the wine in your cabin there is no corkage fee.