Payment methods on a cruise depend on the ship and included services. Some operate as all-inclusive resorts, while others require individual accounts. Cash may be needed for gaming, beverages, tipping, and shore excursions. Passengers should plan to carry some cash for port city expenses.
How passengers pay for things on a cruise often depends on the type of ship and the services already included in the ticket price. Many larger cruise ships operate as all-inclusive resorts, with nearly all typical expenses (food, lodging, entertainment, shore excursions, etc.) included in the original ticket price. Others operate more like luxury hotels, with individual accounts set up for each passenger so they can charge for things to their room.
While a debit account on a cruise ship may allow passengers to charge nominal charges and pay the total with a credit card, that doesn’t mean a cruise is a completely cashless environment. Passengers who wish to play on board, for example, must provide their own cash to purchase gaming tokens or tokens. It is not uncommon to find at least one ATM on board a large cruise ship with casino-type gambling.
Depending on the cruise ship’s food and beverage policies, passengers may also be required to pay for beverages during the cruise, especially alcoholic beverages. Some cruise lines offer a separate beverage plan that allows passengers to consume unlimited amounts of non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas, tea, coffee, and water for a nominal fee. If this plan is not available, passengers may need a supply of cash to pay for non-free drinks. Tipping the bartender or dining room staff may also require money if the passenger does not intend to tip all service personnel at the end of the cruise.
Shore excursions may be included in the original ticket price, but this does not mean that all expenses passengers may incur are covered. Cruise packages typically cover the things provided on the ship, not the activities the cruiser can take part in in the countries the cruise ship can visit. Transportation not arranged by the cruise line for an organized tour may not be included in the ticket price. Passengers may be able to purchase food or gifts with their own currency, but may also need to make arrangements to exchange their money for local currency.
In general, cruise ship passengers should plan to carry some cash with them on the trip, although most nominal expenses can be charged to an individual guest’s account and paid by credit card at the end of the trip . If a passenger plans to spend a lot of time in a port city, it can be particularly important to have a cash supply to cover food, entertainment and travel expenses.
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