Cruise Ship Money

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If you’ve never been on a cruise then you are probably not familiar with a lot of the procedures. One thing that is often never answered is about how much money to bring with you on a cruise, or where do you buy cruise ship money? Of course, this answer will vary but there are things you need to know.

Most cruises have a special “cruise card” that you can load up with money and use to buy things on the ship like a credit card. Usually you can get this before you board the cruise ship and activate it before you go. It is important not to lose this card because it also will act as your identification when leaving or boarding the ship. Another feature of the card is that it will allow you to access certain rooms and dining areas. The most important thing to remember is that if you are on a budget, carefully monitor your spending. The last thing you want is to run out of money in the first week aboard the ship. Before you get back on the ship from venturing around one of your port stops, check to make sure you weren’t over charged for anything you’ve bought. Anything charged using your card will be automatically billed to your credit card. Disputing over charges after the fact is like pulling teeth.

Personal checks are pretty much useless, so it’s best to leave them at home. Credit cards and cash are the way to handle it. Most ships will have a bank machine for you to withdraw cash. However, if you think the service fees are crazy back home, most service fees on board are between $5 and $10 per transaction.

If you are cruising in a foreign country you will want to check the exchange rates. If the exchange rate is not in your favor then you will have to budget accordingly. If you are in a non native English speaking country, it will be extremely difficult for you to get any assistance outside of the ship. But, you will be comforted to know that most cruise destinations accept American currency.

While these are just a couple of small tips, they are definitely worth their weight in gold for the beginner. Cruising is one of the most exciting and potentially relaxing experiences and our goal it to help you find your way. Now that you know about cruise ship money, you are one step closer to enjoying a relaxing lifestyle.