How much money you need depends on what's already paid and what you'll buy onboard

Your cruise fare covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room, and basic entertainment. Everything else — drinks, specialty restaurants, excursions, spa services, photos, and tips — costs extra. Most cruise lines bill these to your onboard account, which you settle at the end using a credit card or cash. The amount you bring should cover what you plan to spend beyond your paid fare, plus a buffer for unexpected purchases or emergencies.

A realistic budget starts by separating what you know will cost money from what you might want to try. Gratuities (tips) are the biggest predictable expense: cruise lines suggest $15 per person per day for standard cabins, though this is a suggestion, not a requirement. A seven-day cruise for two people means roughly $210 in tips alone. After that, your spending depends entirely on your habits — whether you drink alcohol, eat at specialty restaurants, book shore excursions, or visit the spa.

Key Takeaways

  • Your cruise fare pays for your cabin and main dining room meals, but drinks, specialty restaurants, excursions, and tips are billed separately to your onboard account.
  • Gratuities typically run $15 per person per day, which adds up to $105 per person on a seven-day cruise.
  • Bring a mix of credit cards and some cash, because onboard charges go to your account but ports and tenders may require cash or have card readers that fail.
  • A reasonable daily spending budget beyond tips is $50 to $150 per person, depending on whether you use specialty dining, book excursions, or visit the spa.
  • Tell your credit card company you are traveling so they do not block charges, and bring a backup card in case one is declined.

Breaking down what costs money onboard

Alcoholic drinks are the single largest variable expense for most cruisers. A beer or cocktail at the bar costs $7 to $15 depending on the cruise line and drink type. Soft drinks, coffee, and bottled water are also charged unless you buy a beverage package upfront. Some cruise lines offer packages that cover all drinks for a flat daily fee — typically $15 to $20 per person per day — which makes sense if you drink more than one or two beverages daily.

Specialty restaurants charge $15 to $40 per person per meal on top of your included dining. These are separate from the main dining room and offer different cuisines or steakhouse-style service. If you plan to eat at one specialty restaurant once during a seven-day cruise, budget $30 to $80 for that meal. Spa services (massages, facials, thermal suite access) range from $20 for a single thermal suite visit to $200 for a full massage.

Shore excursions booked through the cruise line typically cost $50 to $300 per person depending on the port and activity. A snorkeling trip might be $80; a guided city tour might be $60; a private beach excursion might be $150. You can also book excursions independently at the port, which is often cheaper but carries the risk of missing the ship if you run late. Onboard photos, cabin service charges, and miscellaneous purchases add another $20 to $50 across a week.

A realistic daily spending budget

If you skip specialty dining, alcohol packages, and paid excursions, your daily onboard spending might be just tips and incidentals — roughly $15 to $25 per person per day. If you drink, eat at specialty restaurants once or twice, and book one or two excursions, budget $75 to $150 per person per day. If you are a frequent spa visitor or plan multiple excursions, $150 to $250 per person per day is more realistic.

For a seven-day cruise with two people, a moderate budget looks like this: $210 in tips, $200 in drinks and soft drinks (if not buying a package), $100 in specialty dining, $200 in excursions, and $50 in miscellaneous charges. That totals roughly $760 beyond your cruise fare. A more conservative budget (no specialty dining, one excursion, minimal drinks) might be $400 to $500 total. A higher-spending budget (multiple excursions, frequent specialty dining, spa services) could reach $1,200 or more.

Credit cards versus cash onboard

Cruise lines bill almost everything to your onboard account, which you pay with a credit card at the end of your cruise. This means you do not need to carry large amounts of cash onboard. However, you should bring some cash for tipping crew members directly (housekeeping, dining staff), which many people prefer to do in cash rather than adding to their bill. A reasonable amount is $1 to $2 per crew member per day, or $50 to $100 total for a week.

Bring at least one major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) and ideally a backup card in case one is declined or lost. Notify your credit card company before you leave that you are traveling, so they do not block charges as fraudulent. Some cruise lines require a credit card to open your onboard account even if you plan to pay with cash at the end; check your cruise line's policy when you book.

At ports of call, bring cash for small purchases, tips, and tenders (small boats that ferry you from ship to shore). Not all port vendors accept cards, and card readers sometimes fail. A reasonable amount is $100 to $200 in small bills per port day, depending on how much you plan to spend. If you run out, most ships have ATMs onboard, though they charge a fee (typically $3 to $5 per withdrawal).

What to do if you run out of money mid-cruise

If you spend more than you planned and need cash, the ship's purser's office (guest services) can arrange a cash advance against your credit card. This is treated as a loan and added to your final bill. There is usually a fee of $5 to $10 for this service. Alternatively, most modern cruise ships have ATMs in the casino or near the purser's office, though these charge standard ATM fees.

If your credit card is declined or lost, tell the purser's office when ready. They can process a payment using a different card, a wire transfer from your bank, or in some cases, a personal check. This takes time, so do not wait until your final day to report a problem. Having a backup card prevents this situation entirely.

Beverage packages and prepaid options

Many cruise lines offer beverage packages that cover all drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for a flat daily fee. These typically cost $15 to $20 per person per day if purchased before your cruise, or $18 to $25 if purchased onboard. A package makes financial sense if you drink more than one or two beverages daily. If you rarely drink alcohol and mostly want soft drinks and coffee, a package may not save you money.

Some cruise lines also offer specialty dining packages that cover multiple specialty restaurants for a flat fee, or internet packages, or spa packages. These are worth calculating before you book. If you know you will eat at specialty restaurants three times during a seven-day cruise, a package might save $30 to $50 compared to paying per meal. If you will eat at specialty restaurants once, it will not.

Currency and exchange rates at ports

If your cruise visits ports outside the United States, you may need local currency. Some ports (like those in the Caribbean) accept US dollars, but exchange rates at shops and restaurants are often poor. It is usually cheaper to exchange money at your bank before you leave, or to use an ATM at the port to withdraw local currency. Avoid exchanging money at the cruise ship or at airport kiosks, as the rates are typically the worst available.

If you are visiting multiple countries, bring a small amount of each currency or plan to exchange money at each port. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas, but small vendors and taxis may require cash. Ask your cruise director or the purser's office which ports are cash-heavy and plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tip on a cruise?

Tipping is not legally required, but cruise lines strongly suggest $15 per person per day for standard cabins. This covers housekeeping, dining staff, and other crew. Many people add this to their onboard bill; others tip crew members directly in cash. The choice is yours, but crew members depend on tips as part of their income.

Can I use my credit card at every port?

Most tourist areas and shops accept credit cards, but small vendors, taxis, and street markets often require cash. Bring a mix of both. Some ports have poor card infrastructure or readers that fail frequently, so cash is a backup. ATMs are usually available at ports if you run out.

What happens if I do not have enough money to pay my onboard bill?

You can arrange a cash advance through the purser's office, use a different credit card, or have money wired to you. The ship will not prevent you from leaving, but your account must be settled before you disembark. Plan ahead to avoid this situation.

Are drinks really that expensive on a cruise?

Yes, onboard drinks cost $7 to $15 each, which is higher than bars in most cities. If you drink regularly, a beverage package ($15 to $20 per day) usually saves money. If you rarely drink, paying per drink is cheaper.

Should I buy a beverage package before or after I board?

Buying before your cruise is cheaper — typically $15 to $20 per person per day versus $18 to $25 if purchased onboard. However, you can wait until you board to decide based on your mood and plans. If you know you will drink, buy before you leave.