Bring less cash than you think, because the ship runs on your room key
Most cruise passengers bring between $50 and $200 in cash for the entire trip, not per day. Your room key card is linked to a credit card or debit card when you board, and the ship charges nearly everything to that account — drinks, dining at specialty restaurants, excursions, spa services, photos, and gift shop purchases. You will not need cash for these.
Cash is useful only for a few specific moments: tipping crew members in cash (which some passengers prefer), paying for things at ports of call in countries where credit cards are less common, and having a backup if your card is lost or declined. Beyond that, carrying large amounts of cash on a ship is unnecessary and creates a security risk in a shared cabin.
Key Takeaways
- Link one credit or debit card to your room key when you board, and the ship will charge nearly all onboard purchases to that card automatically.
- Bring $50 to $200 in cash for tipping crew members, port purchases, and emergencies — not for regular onboard spending.
- Specialty dining, drinks packages, and excursions can add $500 to $2,000 to your total cruise cost depending on what you choose before boarding.
- Check your credit card's foreign transaction fees before the cruise, because ports of call may charge in foreign currency.
- Set up account alerts with your bank so you can spot unauthorized charges or fraud while you are still on the ship.
What gets charged to your room key automatically
When you check in at the cruise terminal, you will provide a credit card or debit card to link to your room key. From that moment forward, every purchase onboard — except cash tips — goes to that card. This includes all meals at the main dining room and buffet, beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), specialty restaurants, cabin service, the casino, spa treatments, fitness classes, photos taken by the ship's photographer, laundry service, and anything from the gift shop or onboard boutiques.
Some cruise lines also charge gratuities (tips for housekeeping and dining staff) automatically to your room key at the end of the cruise, usually $15 to $16 per person per day. You can adjust or remove this charge before you leave the ship if you prefer to tip in cash or a different amount. Check your cruise line's policy when you book, because the amount varies.
Specialty dining, drinks packages, and excursions: costs to plan before you board
The base price of your cruise covers the main dining room, the buffet, and basic beverages like coffee and tea. Everything beyond that costs extra and should be budgeted separately. Specialty restaurants on the ship charge $15 to $40 per person per meal. Alcoholic drinks cost $6 to $15 each, and a drinks package (unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails for the duration of the cruise) runs $50 to $100 per person per day depending on the cruise line and length of cruise.
Shore excursions — organized activities at ports like snorkeling, zip-lining, or guided tours — range from $50 to $300 per person per excursion. A seven-day cruise with two or three excursions can easily add $500 to $1,000 to your total cost. Many passengers book excursions through the cruise line's website before boarding, which charges them to the room key. Others book independently through local operators at the port, which may require cash or a card at the time of purchase.
Spa services, fitness classes, and photo packages are also optional and charged to your room key. Review what you want to do before the cruise and decide whether to purchase packages ahead of time or pay as you go onboard.
Cash for ports of call and tipping
At each port, you will leave the ship and spend time in a different country or territory. Some ports are in the United States (like Miami, New Orleans, or Alaska), where credit cards work as they do at home. Other ports are in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, or Europe, where the local currency is different from US dollars.
Bring enough cash to cover meals, drinks, and shopping at ports where you plan to go ashore. The amount depends on how many ports you visit and what you want to do. A general guideline is $100 to $200 per port, though this varies widely. Some passengers spend $30 on a meal and a drink; others spend $200 on a guided tour and lunch. Many ports accept US dollars alongside the local currency, but exchange rates at shops and restaurants are often poor, so using local currency or a credit card is usually cheaper.
For tipping, some passengers prefer to hand crew members cash directly rather than having gratuities charged to their room key. If you plan to do this, bring small bills — $1, $2, and $5 bills are standard for housekeeping, dining staff, and bar staff. A typical tip is $1 to $5 per person per service, though the amount is entirely up to you.
Credit card fees and foreign transaction charges
Before your cruise, contact your credit card company and ask whether they charge a foreign transaction fee. This fee is usually 2 to 3 percent of the purchase amount and applies when you use your card in a foreign country or in a foreign currency. If your card charges this fee and you plan to use it at ports of call, you will pay extra on every purchase.
Some credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, and if you have one, use that card at ports instead of your primary card. If all your cards charge the fee, consider withdrawing cash from an ATM at the first port (ATM fees are often lower than foreign transaction fees) or straightforward accepting the fee as part of your travel cost.
Notify your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling on a cruise and provide the dates. This prevents your card from being declined due to fraud protection. Many banks flag international charges as suspicious if they are not expecting them.
What to do if your card is lost or declined
If your credit card is lost, stolen, or declined while you are onboard, contact the front desk when ready. The cruise line can link a different card to your room key, or you can use cash to settle your account before disembarking. This is why carrying at least some cash is a good safety net.
A card may be declined for several reasons: the bank flagged it as fraud, you have reached your credit limit, or there is a technical issue with the payment processor. The front desk can help you troubleshoot or process a payment with a different card. If you have no backup card and no cash, the cruise line will work with you, but it is stressful and may delay your departure from the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring traveler's checks or prepaid cards?
No. Traveler's checks are rarely accepted on modern cruises, and prepaid cards work the same way as a debit card — they still require a credit card on file for your room key. A regular credit or debit card is simpler and more widely accepted at ports.
Can I use my phone to pay for things onboard?
Most cruise lines do not yet accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay onboard, though this is changing. Your room key card is still the standard payment method. Check with your specific cruise line before boarding to see if they accept mobile payments.
What happens if I spend more than I planned?
You will receive an itemized bill in your cabin the night before you disembark, showing everything charged to your room key. You can review it and dispute any charges at the front desk before you leave the ship. After you leave, you will be charged the full amount to your credit card or debit card.
Is it safe to carry cash in my cabin?
Cabins have safes, and most cruise passengers do not experience theft. However, keeping large amounts of cash in your cabin is riskier than keeping a credit card. Bring only the cash you plan to use, and store the rest in the cabin safe or leave it at home.
Do kids need their own spending money?
Children can use the same room key as their parent or guardian, so they do not need their own card. If you want to give them spending money for ports or onboard purchases, $20 to $50 per child for a week-long cruise is typical, depending on their age and what they want to buy.