Bring less cash than you think, because the ship runs on your room key
Most of your cruise spending happens automatically. When you board, the cruise line links your room key to a credit card or debit card on file. Every drink, shore excursion, specialty restaurant, and gift shop purchase charges to that card—you never hand over cash. This means you don't need to carry large amounts of spending money the way you would on a land vacation.
How much to bring depends on three things: whether you want cash for ports, how much you plan to spend beyond your cruise fare, and whether you're comfortable using cards everywhere. A realistic range for most cruisers is $50 to $200 in cash for the whole week, plus a credit or debit card as your primary payment method.
Key Takeaways
- The ship charges everything to your room key, so you only need cash for ports where vendors don't take cards and for tipping crew members.
- Bring one primary credit or debit card plus a backup card in case the first one is declined or lost.
- Budget $100 to $200 for a week-long cruise if you plan to buy drinks, excursions, or gifts beyond what's included in your fare.
- Carry $50 to $100 in small bills ($1, $5, $10) for port tips and vendors who prefer cash, especially in Caribbean and Central American ports.
- Notify your bank before you leave that you'll be using your card internationally, or it may block transactions as fraud.
What the cruise line charges to your room key
When you check in, the cruise line creates an onboard account linked to your payment method. Everything charged to your room key includes alcoholic and specialty beverages (beer, wine, cocktails beyond the basic bar), dining at restaurants outside the main dining room, spa services, casino play, internet packages, laundry, photos taken by the ship's photographer, and most retail purchases.
What's usually included without extra charge: main dining room meals, basic coffee and tea, water, most non-alcoholic beverages at the buffet and pool bars, fitness classes, most entertainment, and access to the gym and hot tubs. Check your cruise documents or the cruise line's website to confirm what your specific fare includes, because this varies by cruise line and ticket type.
On the last night of your cruise, the ship prints an itemized bill and slides it under your door. You can review it, dispute charges, and pay by the morning you disembark. If you used a card, it's already charged. If you didn't provide a card, you'll need to settle the bill before leaving the ship.
Cash you'll actually need at ports
At most Caribbean and Central American ports, vendors and small restaurants accept U.S. dollars and cards, but some prefer cash and may give you a better rate if you pay in their local currency. Taxi drivers, street vendors, and tour guides often work cash-only. Tipping at ports—for a tour guide, a restaurant server, or a taxi driver—is customary and expected in cash.
Bring $50 to $100 in small bills ($1, $5, $10 notes) for a week-long cruise. This covers tips at multiple ports, small purchases from vendors, and a meal or drink if you want to eat off the ship. If you're visiting four or five ports, budget roughly $10 to $20 per port for incidental cash spending.
At ports in Europe, Canada, or Alaska, card acceptance is higher and cash is less critical. At ports in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, cash is more useful. If you run out of cash at a port, most cruise ships have an ATM onboard where you can withdraw local currency or dollars, though the fees are typically higher than using an ATM on land.
Credit and debit cards: what to bring and how to protect them
Bring one primary card (credit or debit) and one backup card. If your primary card is declined, lost, or stolen, the backup keeps you from being stranded without a way to pay. Many cruisers use a credit card as primary and a debit card as backup, or two different credit cards from different banks.
Before you leave, call your bank and credit card company to tell them you'll be traveling and the dates you'll be away. If you don't, the card company may block transactions as potential fraud, and you'll have no way to reach them while at sea. Provide the phone number where they can reach you in an emergency—usually your cell phone, though cell service at sea is expensive.
Keep your backup card separate from your primary card. If you carry both in your wallet and your wallet is stolen, you've lost both payment methods. Leave the backup card in your cabin safe or give it to your travel companion to carry separately.
Budget for drinks, excursions, and extras beyond your fare
If your cruise fare includes drinks and meals, your out-of-pocket spending is lower. If you're paying for drinks, specialty dining, or excursions, budget accordingly. A typical week-long cruise with moderate spending might run $100 to $300 beyond the fare—roughly $15 to $40 per day for drinks, a specialty restaurant meal, a port excursion, or a gift.
Excursions booked through the cruise line charge to your room key automatically. Excursions booked independently at a port may require cash or a card payment to the tour operator directly. If you book excursions in advance through the cruise line's website, you'll know the cost before you leave home and can budget accordingly.
Spa services, photos, and internet packages are optional and charge to your room key. If you don't plan to use them, you won't be charged. Gratuities (tips for crew members) are usually added automatically to your bill at a rate set by the cruise line, typically $12 to $16 per person per day, though you can adjust this amount before you disembark.
How to handle currency at foreign ports
U.S. dollars are accepted at most Caribbean ports, but you'll often get a better rate if you pay in local currency. If you need local currency, exchange money at a bank or ATM on the island rather than at the cruise port, where rates are typically worse. Some cruise lines offer currency exchange onboard, but the rates are usually not competitive.
If you're visiting multiple countries on a single cruise, you don't need to exchange large amounts of each currency. Carry $20 to $30 in local currency per port for tips and small purchases, and use your card for larger transactions. Most restaurants and shops at ports accept cards, and ATMs are widely available.
Don't exchange currency before you leave home unless you're familiar with the rate. Airport and bank exchange rates before travel are often worse than ATM rates at your destination. Withdraw what you need at each port using your debit card, or ask your bank which ATM networks they partner with in the countries you're visiting.
What happens if you run out of money or lose your card
If you lose your primary card, report it to your bank when ready using the emergency number on your backup card or by calling collect. The cruise line's front desk can help you make the call. Your bank can cancel the card and issue a replacement, though it may take several days to arrive.
If you run out of cash and your card is declined, you can request a cash advance from the front desk using your backup card, though this typically comes with a fee. You can also ask the cruise line to hold your onboard charges until you return home and can pay by check or bank transfer, though this is not may provide and varies by cruise line.
To avoid this situation, monitor your onboard account balance by checking your bill each night or asking the front desk. If you're approaching your budget limit, you can adjust your spending or ask the cruise line to set a spending cap on your room key.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring traveler's checks?
No. Traveler's checks are rarely accepted at ports and are difficult to cash. A credit card and debit card are safer and more widely accepted. If you want a backup payment method beyond a second card, bring a small amount of cash in U.S. dollars.
Can I use my phone to pay instead of a card?
Most cruise ships do not accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay onboard, though this is changing on newer ships. Check with your cruise line before you leave. At ports, mobile payment is more widely accepted, especially in Europe and urban areas.
What if the cruise line charges me for something I didn't buy?
Review your bill each night and report any charges you don't recognize to the front desk when ready. The cruise line can investigate and remove charges if they were made in error. Disputes are easier to resolve while you're still onboard than after you return home.
Should I bring cash for tips, or can I charge tips to my room key?
You can do either. Most cruisers add tips to their final bill and charge them to their room key. If you prefer to tip in cash, bring an extra $5 to $10 per crew member you want to tip—typically your cabin steward, dining room server, and bartender. Cash tips are given on the last night of the cruise.
What's the best way to carry money so it doesn't get stolen?
Keep most of your cash and cards in your cabin safe. Carry only what you need for the day in a small wallet or money belt. Don't leave cash or cards unattended on deck chairs or at the pool. Use the same precautions you would on any vacation.