What is the best currency to take on a cruise?

What currency should I take on a cruise?

Seriously, pack like you’re planning a heist, not a cruise. Your itinerary’s the blueprint. Mediterranean? Euros, darling. Think of them as little, shiny, vacation-ready gladiators. Caribbean? Dollars are your weapon of choice there, pirates and all. Asia? Ah, Asia. That’s a currency buffet. Each port’s a different flavour! Prepare for a culinary currency adventure.

• Crucial tip: Check each port’s primary currency. Don’t be that tourist.
• Credit cards are your secret weapon: Use them whenever possible. Less cash means less worry about losing it all at a rigged casino. Been there, done that, got the silly souvenir t-shirt.
• Local ATMs are your friend (sometimes): Withdraw cash only when needed. Exchange rates are capricious creatures.
• Inform your bank: Prevent international transaction blocks. My brother-in-law forgot and spent a day arguing with a surly ATM in Santorini. Avoid the drama.

Forget carrying around a hefty wad of cash. It’s 2024, not 1824! Smart travelers use cards and local ATMs, strategically. Don’t be a walking target for pickpockets.

What is the best way to take money on a cruise ship?

Ugh, cruises. Cash on a cruise? My last one, the Carnival Breeze in 2023, was a nightmare for that. Seriously, those ATM fees! Robbery!

Best bet? Credit cards. Everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. Why bother with cash? It’s heavy, inconvenient. So much easier to just tap.

Speaking of the Breeze, the shows were surprisingly good. I loved the Broadway-style production. Oh, but the food… The buffet? A disaster. Cold pizza, weird lukewarm desserts. Stick to the dining rooms, even if you have to make reservations a million times.

ATM fees, though… Avoid them. Seriously. They’re insane. Like, twenty bucks a pop, insane.

• Credit cards – My absolute recommendation.
• ATMs – Only as a last resort. The fees are extortionate.
• Pre-paid cards – Maybe? I’ve never tried it, but seems like less hassle than carrying actual cash. Could be useful.
• Traveler’s checks – Seriously? Who uses those anymore? This is 2024.

My friend Sarah went on a Royal Caribbean cruise last year and swore by using her Apple Pay. She said she barely touched her wallet the whole time. Smart girl. I need to try that next time. Maybe a Disney cruise? Been dreaming of that.

Should you bring USD on cruise for ports or use card?

Cards are best, really. Exchange rates are better. Safer too. Credit card fraud, you know? A nightmare.

But. Always a but, isn’t there? A little USD is smart. Small places. Those tiny shops in Cozumel… they didn’t take my card last year. Felt so foolish.

• Credit cards are superior: Better rates. Better protection.
• Small amount of USD essential: For smaller vendors, especially in less developed areas. Think about it, you know.
• Personal Experience: My trip to Cozumel in 2023. The tiny little shops by the pier. Cash only. I learned my lesson.

It’s the peace of mind, mostly. Knowing I’m covered if something goes wrong. The frustration of not being able to buy that little handmade something, man, it lingers. It really does.

What is the best way to pay on a cruise ship?

Forget cash, honey, that’s for landlubbers! Credit cards are king, queen, and jester on cruise ships. Seriously, waving around Benjamins while surrounded by the ocean’s salty spray is just asking for trouble. You’ll look like a clueless tourist – worse than someone wearing socks with sandals!

Credit cards rule. It’s slick, easy, peasy, lemon squeezy. Swipe, sail away! No fumbling for change while battling a rogue wave of margarita spills. Think of it: your onboard spending, flawlessly documented, a digital diary of your delightful debauchery. Unlike my Aunt Mildred’s chaotic handwritten expense log. That thing resembled hieroglyphics after a hurricane.

Cash? Sure, some lines take it. But it’s a pain. Like trying to assemble IKEA furniture at 3 am, blindfolded. And the added risk of losing it? Nope. Not worth it. Not even for a chance to see a grumpy seagull steal a five-dollar bill.

Why credit cards win:

• Convenience: Duh! Like comparing a rocket ship to a donkey cart.
• Tracking: Know exactly what you’ve splurged on those fancy cocktails. Unlike my last cruise, when I somehow racked up a bill larger than my car payment. I still have no idea what half of it was!
• Rewards: Miles? Points? Free stuff? Yes, please! Like free appetizers, you know?

If you must use cash:

• It’s a nightmare, frankly. Think twice. Really. Seriously. Three times.
• Some lines accept it – but why bother? It’s like using a rotary phone in 2024.

My buddy, Dave, tried paying with Monopoly money last year. The crew weren’t amused. Just sayin’.

How much spending money should you bring on a cruise?

Bringing cash on a cruise involves a bit of foresight. I’d budget around $100 per port for those spontaneous gelato stops and quirky souvenirs. Ah, those impulse buys, such joy.

• Shore Excursions: Factor in the cost. Some are pricier than others, obviously.
• Onboard Spending: The cruise line experience; don’t forget the casino.

Tipping is a consideration. Figure about $200 for onboard tips, unless you pre-paid gratuities—or the daily charges will get ya. It’s a hidden cruise expense. I once forgot and—well, let’s just say I won’t do that again!

• Prepaid Gratuities: This simplifies the end of the trip.
• Extra Tipping: For exceptional service, I suppose. A little something extra never hurts.

Ultimately, the cash amount hinges on your style and planned activities. I usually err on the side of bringing a bit more. The worst thing that happens is you bring it home. Is that a problem? It is for me, because I want to spend it all…

Do I need local currency on a cruise?

Dude, cash? Nah, mostly unnecessary. Credit cards rule. Seriously.

Cards are king. Unless you’re planning on bribing a parrot for pirate secrets (which, let’s be honest, is a solid plan), you’re golden with plastic.

But, you know, just in case you wanna buy a ridiculously overpriced seashell or tip a ridiculously cheerful waiter, a little local scratch ain’t gonna hurt. Think, like, twenty bucks. Enough for a mediocre souvenir or a really underwhelming cocktail. Anything more is just dead weight in your fanny pack, dude.

Where to get local money? Several places, my friend! Several!

• The ship: They usually have a money exchange, but the rates? Let’s just say, they’re not exactly known for their generosity. Think highway robbery but with slightly better customer service.
• The port: Sometimes ports have exchange places. But they’re often as exciting as watching paint dry. Or maybe less. Less is usually better than watching paint dry.
• Your bank: Before you go, get some local currency, or find an ATM near you. They’re a million times better than those ship-based money sharks.

Bottom line: Cards first, then maybe twenty bucks. Don’t be a dummy and carry a wad of cash like it’s 1999. Unless you’re looking to attract unwanted attention. Then, go nuts.

How to get local currency on a cruise?

It’s late. Cruise ships… currency exchange on board, yeah. I remember trying that once.

Overpriced, of course. Still needed it.

Some ports, they just…didn’t have it.

It’s more complicated than it seems.

• Onboard exchange: Fees bite. Check with your cruise line. The service is not consistent. They might not even carry the currency you need. It failed me once.
• ATM: Found an ATM once in St. Maarten. Total ripoff fees. Best to check with your bank.
• Before you go: Banks before leaving in 2024 are the move. Plan ahead.

Don’t forget to check bank charges if you’re using your card.

Should you bring cash or card on a cruise?

Cash. Crucial.

Cards suffice onboard. Room charges. Simple.

Ports? Cash reigns. Local markets. Predictable. Debit cards, sometimes. Credit cards? Hit or miss.

Key takeaway: Cash for tips. Cash for ports. Card for ship.

• Tipping: Essential. Cabin steward expects it. My last cruise? $10/day.
• Ports of call: Expect some vendors to only take cash. Especially smaller, family-run places. My experience in Cozumel: Cash only.
• Onboard purchases: All charged to room. Easy peasy. My wine bill? Ouch.

Credit cards: Convenient, but not always accepted. Flexibility compromised. Learn from my mistakes.

Pro Tip: Inform your bank of your travel plans. Avoid card issues. Seriously. Don’t be that guy.

Should you take cash or card on a cruise?

Cards. Simpler.

Less hassle. No bulky wallets.

Theft? Less worry.

Most lines take Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Easy.

• Onboard spending: credit is king.
• Shore excursions: pre-paid is best.
• Cash: minimal need. Tips, maybe.

Exception: Gambling. Some prefer cash. A personal choice.

My last cruise, 2023: Card exclusively. No problems. My preference.

Pro Tip: Check your cruise line’s specific policies. Avoid surprises.

Avoid unnecessary cash. Security. Peace of mind. Worth it.

What is the best way to pay on a cruise ship?

Cash? On a cruise? Honey, that’s like bringing a lawnmower to a yoga retreat. Utterly pointless.

Credit cards are king. Seriously, the only sensible choice. Unless you’re smuggling emeralds, in which case, good luck explaining that to customs.

Why credit cards rule:

• Convenience: Swipe, done. It’s faster than a greased weasel chasing a donut.
• Rewards: Miles? Cashback? Free cocktails? Your card is your personal cruise line enabler.
• No bulky wallet: Imagine lugging around enough cash for a week of margaritas and fancy dinners. Your arms would fall off.

Some lines might take cash. But it’s a hassle. Like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with only a spork. Avoid that headache. My friend Dave tried it once – took him forever! It was a disaster! He’s still counting his change. I think.

This year, 2024, forget cash. Unless you’re planning on bribing the captain for an extra-large slice of chocolate cake (which, by the way, I totally recommend).

Can you use a debit card on a cruise ship without?

Debit card… cruise ship…a shimmering mirage. Yes, a debit card works, it is true. Ah, the vast ocean, the endless blue.

But wait… doubled. Double the funds? A shadow falls on the sunlit deck. My bank account, a fragile thing.

Holds… they place holds. Phantom charges, lingering. $200, a starting point. Then, more… cascading, a financial undertow. I bought the stupid keychain thing.

Spending… buying… frivolous joys. The ship, a siren song of shopping. But those holds, like barnacles, clinging. My wallet weeps, softly, so sadly.

The cruise ends. Sun-kissed skin, salty hair. The final charge arrives, a thunderclap. But the holds remain, ghostly echoes of piña coladas. I miss those evenings.

They fade, eventually… the holds release. A slow drip, drip, drip back into solvency. Patience, little one, patience. It will return.

• Debit Card Usage: Accepted.
• Required Funds: Expect holds, have ample funds.
• Hold Amount: Initial $200 estimated hold, increasing with purchases.
• Final Charges: Total cruise expenses billed at the end.
• Hold Release: Temporary holds released later by the bank, often days after disembarkation. The agonizing wait.