You're packed, excited, and almost ready to board. Then it hits you: how much cash should you actually bring?
It's one of the most common questions travelers ask before sailing. And the answer depends on where you're going, how you like to spend, and which cruise line you're sailing with.
At a Glance
- Most cruise ships run on a cashless onboard account — your card handles nearly everything aboard
- Cash is most useful for port days, gratuities, and small local purchases
- For a 7-night Caribbean cruise, plan on $150–$300 in cash for port spending, depending on your style
- Some ports and regions — like Southeast Asia or small island markets — are still heavily cash-based
- Luxury and ultra-luxury lines often include gratuities, which changes the math significantly
How Do Onboard Accounts Actually Work?
Almost every major cruise line runs a cashless system onboard. You link a credit or debit card at check-in, and every purchase — drinks, spa treatments, specialty dining, shore excursions booked through the ship — gets charged to your folio.
You settle the balance at the end of the voyage. Some lines send a final statement to your cabin. Others auto-charge your card on file.
Cash rarely changes hands onboard. So don't feel like you need a thick envelope just to survive the ship.
That said, some casinos onboard deal in cash. And if you prefer to tip your stateroom attendant or waiter directly and in person, small bills are handy for that.
How Much Cash Do You Need for Port Days?
This is where cash planning really matters. Port towns — especially in the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of the Mediterranean — have vendors, market stalls, tuk-tuks, and local restaurants that don't take cards.
A reasonable rule of thumb for most Caribbean or Mediterranean itineraries:
- Light spender: $30–$50 per port day
- Moderate spender: $75–$100 per port day
- Generous spender or shopper: $150+ per port day
On a 7-night cruise with four port days, that puts moderate spenders somewhere in the $300–$400 range total — but that's a ceiling, not a target. You likely won't spend it all.
For Eastern vs. Western Caribbean itineraries, the cash needs can differ. Western Caribbean ports like Roatán and Cozumel are very USD-friendly. Eastern Caribbean stops like Barbados or St. Lucia may require local currency for smaller purchases.
What Currency Should You Bring?
For most Caribbean and Bermuda sailings, US dollars are widely accepted — even in ports that technically use a different currency. Vendors price in USD, and change comes back in local currency (or USD).
For European river cruises and Mediterranean sailings, euros are your workhorse. In Croatia — particularly in Dubrovnik — the currency is the euro as of 2023, which simplifies things considerably.
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For Japan and Southeast Asia, local currency matters much more. Many small merchants don't take foreign cards at all. If you're sailing a luxury cruise to Japan, plan on yen — and bring more than you think you'll need. Japan is a cash culture in many contexts, especially at smaller temples, markets, and ramen shops.
Did you know? Japan has one of the highest rates of cash usage among developed economies. Even in Tokyo, many neighborhood restaurants and shrines are cash-only.
Should You Handle Gratuities in Cash?
This depends entirely on your cruise line.
At luxury and ultra-luxury lines — think Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, or Seabourn — gratuities are included in your fare. You don't need to budget for them separately. If you want to tip above and beyond for exceptional service, a small amount of cash is a gracious gesture, but it's never expected. For a deeper look at what's included, the Regent Seven Seas vs. Silversea comparison is worth reading before you sail.
At mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America, gratuities are typically added automatically to your onboard account — usually in the range of $16–$20 per person, per day. You can prepay these before sailing, which most advisors recommend. It simplifies your onboard bill and means you don't need cash for standard tipping.
If you want to tip your room steward or a favorite server directly in cash, $20–$50 per person for a week-long cruise is a thoughtful amount. Small bills — fives and tens — are most useful.
ATMs at Sea: Are They Reliable?
Ships do have ATMs, but they come with caveats. Fees are steep — often $5–$7 per transaction on top of whatever your bank charges. Exchange rates at sea tend to be unfavorable. And in busy port days, lines form.
The better approach: visit your bank or a currency exchange before you fly. For euros and major currencies, your bank can usually order them with a few days' notice at better rates than you'll find at the airport or onboard.
For the cruise packing list you're already building, add a small travel wallet with a mix of denominations. Mostly smaller bills — $5s, $10s, and a few $20s. Vendors in port rarely have change for large bills.
Why Working With an Advisor Changes the Planning Equation
This kind of detail — currency by port, gratuity policies by cruise line, prepaid excursion vs. cash excursion tradeoffs — is exactly where a travel advisor earns the relationship.
Knowing that your Silversea voyage to Southeast Asia includes gratuities but that you'll want yen for Kyoto's street markets isn't something a booking website tells you. It comes from experience, from asking the right questions early, and from knowing the nuances of each cruise line's policies before you ever step onboard.
When you're planning your next voyage, that kind of pre-trip clarity is worth a conversation.
Ready to sort out the details before you sail? Reach out to Jeffrey Lazo at Ohana Cruises. Whether you're mapping out a Caribbean itinerary or a luxury river cruise through Europe, the planning is half the fun — and it goes smoother with someone who knows the route.
