Should I take cash or credit card on 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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What payment method is the best to use in cruise?

How do you pay for on-board cruise purchases?
  • Credit card. This is the simplest and most used method of payment. ...
  • 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. ...
  • Debit card. This method of payment is not recommended.
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Do I bring cash 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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Do you need a credit 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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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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Can You Go on a Cruise Without a Credit Card in 2021?



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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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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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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Is it worth the money to get a balcony on a cruise?

But Driscoll says price may not be the deterrent it once was. A few years ago, he says, "you'd be paying double to get a balcony." Now, cabins with balconies on a standard, seven-day cruise generally cost $100 more than those with a window, and between $150 and $200 more than a stateroom inside the ship.
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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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What is the benefit of cruise cash?

Cruise Cash provides an immediate credit to a guest's Sail & Sign account. This credit is good for any charge made to their account including taxes and gratuity charges. Cruise Cash is valid for a single voyage and cannot be transferred to future bookings.
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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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Is it best to prepay gratuities on a cruise?

If you want to make your life easier, and don't plan on removing or adjusting the gratuities on a cruise, it's better to prepay before you go. In our experience, prepaying gratuities does not negatively affect the service onboard.
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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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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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Can I drink the tap water on a cruise ship?

Cruise ship tap water is safe to drink unless you are told otherwise by the ship's authorities. The water throughout the ship has been treated, filtered and frequently tested to meet the standards of the World Health Organization and the U.S. Public Health Service on ships sailing into and out of U.S. ports of call.
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How much do you tip for shore excursions?

Tip non-guide drivers roughly $2 per person in your party. You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours – consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour.
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What can you not do on a balcony on a cruise?

  • Your Cruise Balcony is Not the Place to Play Loud Music. Cruise balconies are for quiet time for most people. ...
  • Keep the Rowdy Fun Off of Your Cruise Ship Balcony. Of course you should enjoy your balcony. ...
  • Your Cruise Balcony is Not Where You Dry Clothes. ...
  • Cruise Balcony Lights Aren't Like Porch Lights at Home.
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Can you wear jeans to dinner on a cruise?

On formal nights, proper attire includes tuxedos, suits or slacks (jackets required) for men and evening gowns, cocktail dresses or dressy pantsuits for women. Jeans are welcome in all dining venues during the day, but they're not appropriate in any public venues for dinner or cocktail hour.
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Can you sleep on the balcony of a cruise ship?

Can You Sleep on a Cruise Ship Balcony? There are no rules that say that passengers on cruise ships can't sleep on their balconies. That said, cruise lines do generally advise against it. Despite this many people enjoy sleeping on their balconies and you won't have any problem doing so if you want to.
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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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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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Do I need cash on a Carnival cruise?

Carnival operates on a cashless credit program on board which allows you to charge all your services, gratuities and purchases during your cruise to your stateroom. All locations on board will accept your Sail & Sign card (onboard expense account) for payment; the casino will also accept cash.
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