Bring $50 to $100 per person for onboard spending, plus cash for ports

Most cruise lines let you charge meals, drinks, and activities to your cabin account, so you do not need to carry large amounts of cash onboard. However, you will want some cash for tips, small purchases, and situations where card readers fail. The actual amount depends on your cruise length, the number of ports, and whether you plan to buy drinks, excursions, or souvenirs.

A typical week-long cruise requires $50 to $100 in small bills for onboard use. For ports of call, bring an additional $100 to $300 per port day, depending on whether you are taking organized excursions (which you usually pay for in advance) or exploring on your own. If you are visiting multiple Caribbean islands or Mediterranean ports, budget more cash because some smaller vendors and local transportation do not accept cards.

Key Takeaways

  • Onboard charges go to your cabin account, so you need cash mainly for tips, vending machines, and card reader failures.
  • Tipping crew members is customary and usually costs $12 to $15 per person per day, though some lines add this automatically to your bill.
  • Port days require separate cash for local vendors, taxis, and small purchases that may not accept credit cards.
  • Bring cash in small denominations—ones, fives, and tens—because change is often hard to get on ships and in foreign ports.
  • Notify your bank before departure so your cards are not blocked as fraud when you use them in different countries.

Onboard cash: tips and small purchases

Your cruise line charges nearly everything to your cabin account—meals in the main dining room, specialty restaurants, drinks at bars, casino chips, and most activities. You settle the bill when you leave the ship. This means you do not need cash for daily food or entertainment.

Bring cash for crew tips, which are the main onboard expense. Most cruise lines recommend $12 to $15 per person per day for the cabin steward, dining staff, and bartenders. Some lines automatically add gratuities to your final bill (usually around $15 per person per day), but you can adjust this amount or remove it at the purser's desk if you prefer to tip in cash. Tipping in cash is often preferred by crew because they receive it directly.

You will also want cash for vending machines, small bar purchases if you tip separately, casino play, or the occasional item from the gift shop if your card is not working. Bring $50 to $100 in ones and fives so you can tip without asking for change.

Port days and local spending

At each port, you leave the ship and enter a country or territory where your cruise line's charging system does not work. You will need local currency or US dollars (depending on the port) to pay for taxis, meals, drinks, souvenirs, and shore excursions you did not book in advance.

If you booked organized excursions through the cruise line, those are already paid. If you want to explore on your own, budget $100 to $300 per port day depending on what you plan to do. A casual lunch and a few souvenirs might cost $40 to $60. A guided tour, meals, and shopping could easily reach $150 to $200. Caribbean ports are generally cheaper than European ones.

Many ports accept US dollars, but some do not—Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America often do, while Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia require local currency. Check your cruise itinerary and exchange cash before you board or at a port ATM. Avoid exchanging money at the airport or on the ship; rates are poor. Use your bank's ATM at the first port to withdraw local currency at a fair rate.

How to carry cash safely

Cruise ships are generally safe, but theft does happen. Divide your cash into two or three locations: keep most of it in your cabin safe, carry a small amount ($20 to $40) in your wallet, and leave some in a money belt or hidden pocket. Do not leave cash visible on your cabin desk or bed.

Bring cash in small bills—ones, fives, tens, and twenties. Large bills are hard to break in ports, and you will lose money on bad exchange rates if you have to change a $100 bill for a $5 item. Ones and fives are especially useful for tips and small vendors.

Keep a record of how much cash you brought and where you are storing it. If you lose your wallet, you will know what to report. Some travelers photograph their cash and passport information and store the images in a find cloud account as backup.

Credit and debit cards on a cruise

Bring at least two credit or debit cards in case one is lost, stolen, or declined. Notify your bank and credit card companies before you leave that you will be traveling internationally. Many banks block transactions in foreign countries as a fraud prevention measure, and a blocked card at sea is a serious problem.

Most onboard charges go to your cabin account via your card, so you will need a valid card to check in. The cruise line will place a hold on your account for the estimated bill (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on cruise length). This hold is released when you pay, but it reduces your available credit temporarily.

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express and Discover are less widely accepted in some ports, especially smaller islands and local vendors. Bring a Visa or Mastercard as your primary card and a second card as backup.

Currency exchange and ATMs

Exchange rates are worst at airports and onboard the ship. Your best option is to use an ATM at your first port to withdraw local currency. ATMs give you the real exchange rate (or very close to it) and charge a modest fee, usually $2 to $5 per withdrawal.

If you are visiting multiple countries, you do not need to exchange all your cash at once. Withdraw money at each port as you need it. Keep receipts so you know how much you have spent and how much local currency you have left.

Some travelers bring a small amount of local currency from home before the cruise starts. This is convenient but usually costs more in exchange fees than withdrawing at a port ATM. If you do exchange money before departure, do it at your bank, not at an airport currency exchange booth.

What to do if you run out of cash

If you run out of cash at a port, find an ATM or a bank. Most ports have ATMs near the cruise terminal or in the town center. Your bank card will work at ATMs worldwide, though you will pay a foreign transaction fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) plus the ATM operator's fee.

If you run out of cash onboard and need money for tips or small purchases, visit the purser's desk. They can advance you cash against your cabin account or credit card, though they may charge a fee. This is a last resort—it is better to bring enough cash from the start.

If you lose your wallet or cards, report it to the purser's desk when ready. They can help you contact your bank and may be able to arrange an emergency cash advance or wire transfer to the ship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring cash if I have a credit card?

You should bring some cash even with a credit card. Card readers fail, some vendors do not accept cards, and tips are often expected in cash. Bring at least $50 to $100 for onboard use and additional cash for ports. A card alone leaves you stranded if technology fails.

Should I exchange money before the cruise or at a port?

Exchange at a port ATM if possible—rates are better than airports or onboard. If you need currency before boarding, exchange at your bank, not at an airport booth. Avoid exchanging on the ship; rates are poor and fees are high.

What if my cruise visits multiple countries?

Withdraw local currency at each port as you need it rather than exchanging large amounts at once. This spreads out ATM fees and lets you carry less cash. Keep track of how much you have spent so you do not run short at the last port.

Are cruise ships safe for carrying cash?

Cruise ships are relatively safe, but theft does occur. Use your cabin safe for most of your cash, carry only $20 to $40 in your wallet, and keep the rest in a money belt or hidden pocket. Do not leave cash visible in your cabin.

Can I use my credit card at every port?

Most established shops and restaurants accept cards, but small vendors, local taxis, and street markets often do not. Bring cash for these situations. Caribbean and Central American ports are more likely to accept US dollars, while European and Asian ports require local currency.