How do I pay for purchases onboard?
After you check in at the port, you will be given a cruise card to swipe to make purchases. It also serves as your Stateroom key and ID to get on and off the ship.
Before you set sail, your cruise line will ask you to complete your check-in online, and this is where you can register a credit or debit card to pay for your onboard spending.
Just be wary – some cruise lines might put a pre-authorisation hold on your account if you use a debit card and don’t release it until after you disembark, and this can sometimes take upwards of a week to process!
With technology changing daily, some cruise lines are re-imagining the traditional cruise card. Depending on which ship you are sailing on, your cruise card may be replaced with a medallion or a wristband that you can use to make payments and enter your Stateroom.
Can I pay for anything in cash?
The shops, bars, restaurants, shore excursion desk, and spa on board your ship will not accept cash. But I’m a great believer in leaving a few US Dollars for your Stateroom Attendant, your waiter, or any other crew member who has gone above and beyond for you. Most people leave tipping until the end of the cruise.
For more information about tipping onboard, see my handy guide here.
How do I know how much I am spending?
It’s essential to keep an eye on what you are spending on board, or you may get a fright when you come to disembark! Most cruise line staterooms have an interactive TV through which you can access your onboard account balance, and if you have downloaded your cruise line’s app, you can also check your balance from here.
How do I settle my account?
On the last night of your sailing, you will get a final bill delivered to your Stateroom. You don’t need to do anything with it; it is a formality, and the final amount will be taken from your card. Always check your final bill carefully, as it is more difficult to dispute a charge once you have disembarked.
Casinos & cash
Now, one place on board a ship is generally excluded from the ‘no cash’ rule, and that’s the Casino. It will accept and pay out your winnings in cash.
If you fancy your luck at the Casino and need extra cash, an ATM is on board to take out some money. But be warned, these ATMs typically charge a high withdrawal fee, and the exchange rate is generally not very good.
Pre-Cruise planner
Everyone wants to save money, and you can purchase popular add-ons such as drinks packages, wifi, and shore excursions before you set sail using your pre-cruise planner.
While you can wait to buy these items on your ship, you will pay more for them because your cruise line typically offers a pre-cruise discount. The discounted savings can vary, with the price of drinks and internet packages changing from ship to ship and sailing to sailing.
All information is correct at the time this blog was written and is subject to change.
