When preparing to take a cruise holiday, one of the most popular queries, is “how much spending money will I need?” and “do I use a card or the local currency whilst I am on a cruise?”
All cruise lines offer a cashless system, so you do not need cash whilst on board the ship. You will be asked to register your credit or debit card before you sail, and any purchases made on board will automatically be charged to this card. Most cruise lines however will give you the option to settle your onboard account with cash at the end of the cruise, if you prefer. Speak to the reception staff early on in your cruise to check if this is an option on your cruise.
During the cruise, you will stop at various ports of call. Whilst ashore you will need either a credit or debit card or cash on you.
The type of currency you take, of course, depends on which country you are in. For further guidance on this, visit Travelex.
We highly recommend that you take a small amount of the local currency with you. Many ships do have a Foreign Exchange service on board, so you can purchase currency once onboard the ship.
To check if your cruise lines offer a Foreign Exchange Service, take a list of our list below and follow the links for more information:
P&O Cruises
Fred Olsen
Cunard
Ambassador
Regent Seven Seas
Oceania
Cruise lines that do not offer Foreign Exchange or offer a very limited service:
Norwegian Cruise Lines
MSC
Royal Caribbean
Carnival
Celebrity
Port terminals may offer a Foreign Exchange service.
The safest way to carry your holiday spending money is by card. Major debit and credit cards are widely accepted in foreign ports.