Can you bring money on a cruise?

Many cruise lines with on board casinos will let you debit money from your onboard account using your cruise card. Most also allow you to insert cash at the slot machines, or buy chips with cash at the table games.
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How much cash can you carry on a cruise?

As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.
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Should you bring cash or card for a cruise?

We highly recommend paying for anything OFF of the ship in cash. Ports in tourist areas are typically safe from violent crime, but petty crime like theft — or credit card fraud — can happen. So if you plan to pay for meals and entertainment with a card, there is always the risk of being overcharged, charged twice, etc.
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How much money should you bring on a 7 day cruise?

What Is The Average Amount of Cash to Bring on a Cruise? On a cruise, most guests bring between $100-$120 in cash per day to be spent on transportation, tips, gifts, food, and shopping. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising.
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Is all the food free on a cruise?

Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra.
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How Much Cash Should You Bring on a Cruise?



Can I use my debit card on a cruise ship?

Cruise ships now are entirely cashless. This means that while they are eager to get you to book a massage at the spa, or purchase a fancy bottle of wine with dinner, they never accept cash for any of these purchases. In fact, they don't even take credit cards or debit cards in the traditional sense.
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What should you not buy on a cruise?

11 things you should never buy on a cruise ship (or in port)
  • Art. ...
  • Toiletries. ...
  • 'Special' spa treatments. ...
  • 'Medi' spa treatments. ...
  • Any treatments in spas known for the hard sell. ...
  • Manicure and pedicures. ...
  • Precious gems. ...
  • Souvenirs from the port terminal.
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How much do you tip per day on a cruise?

Most cruise lines suggest tipping $10 to $12 per day per passenger (not per couple), regardless of age. For a seven-day cruise, this means each cruiser should budget at least $70 for gratuities, or $140 per cabin for two people.
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How do you get free stuff on a cruise?

How to Get Free Stuff on a Cruise
  1. Typically held the first day or two onboard, these giveaways entice cruisers to swing by and check out the goods. ...
  2. Spa raffles might give away everything from free personal training to a complimentary massage. ...
  3. Get onstage. ...
  4. Attend an art auction. ...
  5. Prove loyalty. ...
  6. Book the right cabin.
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Do cruise ship casinos take cash?

On most cruises, you'll be able to use both cash and your cruise card. At the tables, your cash will be turned into chips or you can charge the price of the chips on your cruise card. Most slot machines will just take your cruise card, but some will also take cash.
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Can you bring cash on Carnival Cruise?

As cash is not accepted on board the Carnival cruise ships, all purchases and services onboard are paid for with the Sail & Sign Card, from drinks to souvenirs to excursions. You set up your Sail & Sign card by linking it to a credit or debit card and then all purchases will be charged to your onboard account.
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What is the first thing you do when you go on a cruise?

Here are nine things to make sure you've taken care of before your cruise is fully underway:
  • Make Dining, Spa, and Entertainment Reservations. ...
  • Change out of Your Travel Clothes. ...
  • Get an Umbrella Drink. ...
  • Tour the Ship. ...
  • Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode. ...
  • Eat Lunch. ...
  • Check Your Cabin. ...
  • Attend the Muster Drill.
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How do you pay for things on a cruise?

How do you pay for on-board cruise purchases?
  1. Credit card. This is the simplest and most used method of payment. ...
  2. Cash or traveller's cheques. If you don't have a credit card, you can pay with cash, traveller's cheques or a debit card. ...
  3. Debit card. This method of payment is not recommended.
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What should I wear on a 5 day cruise?

What to Pack for a Cruise
  • Bring activity-appropriate clothing and shoes. ...
  • Formal Attire. ...
  • Bathing Suits and Cover Ups. ...
  • Don't Forget to Bring a Sweater. ...
  • Bring a Back Pack or Beach Tote. ...
  • Bring Sunscreen and After-Sun Lotion. ...
  • Bring Your Own Toiletries. ...
  • Bring Medications for Upset Stomach and Motion Sickness.
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What happens if you don't tip on a cruise?

When you forego tipping on your cruise, you aren't hurting the corporation. You're just lowering the pool of funds that hard-working service employees share at the end of the journey. Automatically added gratuities take the confusion out of tipping on your cruise.
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Do you tip waiters on a cruise?

Generally speaking, mainstream, U.S.-based cruise lines automatically add gratuities of about $14 to $15 per person, per day, to your onboard bill. These tips are divided among the dining staff (waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters) and housekeeping staff (such as cabin attendants).
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Is tipping mandatory on cruise ships?

Cruise Lines That Allow You to Remove Gratuities:

Technically cruise lines cannot force you to pay gratuities, especially if you have a complaint or issue about the service you received on board. Gratuities on a cruise are not mandatory, but instead heavily suggested and added automatically.
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Is a balcony worth it on a river cruise?

Bottom line: On a river cruise, a balcony may offer good value when it means an upgrade to a larger suite, but not when a French balcony gives you more interior space, or when you will be spending little time in your cabin.
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Is it better to pay gratuities on a cruise?

Easier to budget

If you're cruising on a budget, by prepaying your gratuities you'll avoid having extra expenses to pay at the end of your cruise. No one likes a big bill at the end of a vacation. By prepaying your gratuities, you get to avoid this.
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Where should you not stay on a cruise?

Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid
  • Cabins with obstructed views. ...
  • Cabins with a connecting door. ...
  • Those that are close to the lifts or stairs. ...
  • Staterooms that are too far from the lifts or stairs. ...
  • Cabins near the laundry room. ...
  • Beware of cabins with little privacy. ...
  • Staterooms directly below public and entertainment areas.
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What drinks are free on cruises?

On most mainstream cruise lines, however, only certain beverages are included in the fares. Complimentary drinks typically include tap water, basic coffee, tea (iced or hot), hot chocolate (from a packet or machine), milk and a selection of juices with meals.
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Do you pay for drinks on cruises?

Most major cruise lines offer a beverage package that allows passengers to order an unlimited number of alcoholic drinks as well as sodas, coffees and other non-alcoholic beverages for a flat fee that often is in the $50 to $70 per day range.
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Can you take food back to your room on a cruise?

The buffet and main dining rooms are free of charge

Your daily planner that arrives in your stateroom each evening will show the hours that each restaurant will be open for the next day. If you prefer to eat your meal away from the crowds, you can bring food from the buffet back to your room.
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What is the average cost of a cruise?

The average cruise cost is estimated to be $214.25 per person per day. That covers $152.12 for the base ticket price and $62.13 for onboard spending.
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