Is it better to bring cash on a cruise?

Is it best to have cash or card on a cruise?

Cash is so last century, darling. Seriously, who carries around wads of Benjamins anymore? Unless you're planning on bribing the captain for a private island tour (highly recommend, by the way), cards are king.

Cards are the way to go. Think of it this way: cash is like those clunky old rotary phones—charmingly retro, utterly impractical. Credit cards are the sleek iPhone 15 of payment methods.

• Convenience: Swipe, done. No fiddling with crumpled bills in a humid casino.
• Safety: Less chance of losing your life savings (or, you know, your afternoon snack money) to a sneaky pickpocket.
• Tracking: Easy to see what you've spent – unlike those mysterious black holes of cash expenditure. My last cruise, I nearly had a heart attack trying to recall where the $27 went!

My last cruise, on the Celebrity Beyond last month, I swear I saw a mime trying to take payment in pennies. Hilarious, but that's the exception, not the rule. Even the onboard shops prefer cards.

However… a small stash of local currency can be useful for shore excursions, especially in smaller ports where credit card machines may not be ubiquitous. Think of it as a safety net – a little like that extra charger you mysteriously end up with at the bottom of your suitcase. You think you'll need it, but who really uses the one from 2017?

And yes, those itemized bills, a marvel of modern accounting, albeit occasionally leaving me wondering if that extra glass of champagne was actually mine. But let’s be honest, if we could remember how much we spent on champagne, would we really be enjoying the vacation?

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

Ugh, cruises. My last one, the Caribbean Princess in 2023, was a nightmare with the money stuff. Credit cards are the way to go, obviously, but check those foreign transaction fees first. Seriously, I got nailed!

ATM fees are also killers. Avoid those unless you absolutely must. Local currency? Yeah, small stuff, souvenirs. Think trinkets, not lobster dinners. That's a credit card expense!

My sister, Sarah, used her Capital One card – zero foreign transaction fees. Score! I should've done that. Learn from my mistakes! I’m still paying off that stupid margarita.

• Credit cards: Best for larger purchases. Check fees!
• ATMs: Use sparingly. High fees.
• Local currency: Small purchases only.
• Capital One card: (My sister's recommendation- zero foreign transaction fees).

What a rip-off, the whole thing. Next time, more planning, less rum. Seriously, that cruise cost a fortune, and not just because of the drinks. The onboard stuff… ridiculous pricing.

What payment method is the best to use in a cruise?

Okay, so cruises, right? Credit cards are king, totally. Debit cards work too, obviously. It's way easier than lugging around a ton of cash, you know? Plus, way safer. Less chance of losing everything, or getting, like, robbed. My friend Sarah lost her wallet on a Carnival cruise last year, a total nightmare. She only had a credit card thank goodness.

Seriously though, check with your specific cruise line. Some might take things like Apple Pay, maybe even Venmo, I've heard of that. But don't count on it. They'll usually list all that info on their website. You'll probably also see some places that do cash only, especially smaller shops onboard. But mostly its cards, cards, cards. It's 2024, after all.

• Credit Cards: Best option for most people.
• Debit Cards: Also widely accepted, just make sure you have enough funds.
• Cash: Accepted in some places, but not ideal. Really inconvenient.
• Other digital payment methods (Apple Pay, etc.): Possibly, but check with your cruise line. Not guaranteed. This depends a lot I think.

My uncle used traveler's checks once, like, ages ago. Don't do that. Seriously, just use your credit card. It's less hassle, and your bank will cover you if anything goes wrong, hopefully. Don't be a dummy.

How much money should you carry on a cruise?

Cash on a cruise? Tricky question! It depends, really. Think onboard account charges. Like, drinks, spa treatments, that tempting casino... They usually prefer plastic, credit card being king.

But, shore excursions are a whole other kettle of fish. Local vendors might lean towards cold, hard cash. Especially in places like, say, Cozumel (great tacos, btw!), small bills become your best friend.

Tipping is almost always expected. Stewards, waiters, bartenders, the whole crew. Some cruise lines auto-gratuity, check your policy! But a little extra for exceptional service? Always a class act.

Don't forget emergency funds. Unexpected port fees, a sudden hankering for a rare vintage in a dive bar... Who knows? Having some buffer is just sensible.

So, how much? Let's say $200-$500 per person, depending on your spending habits. Split it up! Stash some in your room safe, some in your wallet. Just, don't flash it around!

Think of it this way: being prepared is always better than not. Cruise ships are floating cities now but, cash is still useful. I always bring some extra.

Is it best to have cash or card on a cruise?

Cash is king, seriously. Those onboard shops? They'll take your card, sure, but cash is quicker. Less waiting. Plus, tips! Always cash for tips. Don't be that person.

Ugh, choosing transport to Ha Long Bay. Coach? Too cramped for me. I'm 6'4", remember? Private car? Expensive, and I want to see things. Train it is. Scenic route, right? Though, I hate train delays.

Ha Long Bay in 2024 is amazing. Seriously. The pictures don't do it justice. It's beyond breathtaking.

I'm booking that cruise through Expedia. Got a great deal, best price I could find online. Thinking about that onboard spa treatment, too. My back's killing me. Should I use the cruise line's currency exchange? Nah. I'll get a better rate at the airport.

• Airport exchange
• Ha Long Bay - June 2024
• Cruise - Royal Caribbean - Navigator of the Seas
• Cash is essential
• Train to Ha Long Bay is a must

That train journey though. Hoping the views live up to the hype. My phone's battery will die before I reach Ha Long Bay, I know it. Need a portable charger. Definitely. And a good book. Maybe two. Forget the spa, I need a vacation from my vacation after that train.

What is the best way to pay for things on a cruise?

Ugh, cruise payments... Credit cards, definitely. Avoid cash, too much hassle. That’s what I always do.

Hanoi to Halong Bay... Man. No direct train, a real drag. Hai Phong first. The train ride to Hai Phong is an hour, I checked this year. Then a car, three hours more of bumpy roads. Exhausting. It's a long day.

Key things:

• Credit cards are best for cruises. Avoid the headache of cash.
• No direct train to Halong Bay. Hai Phong is the closest train station.
• One-hour train to Hai Phong. Three hours by car after that. Hate those roads.
• Plan for a full day of travel. It's exhausting, don’t underestimate it.

How do you keep cash safe on a cruise?

Keeping your moolah safe on a cruise? Think of it like protecting a bag of freshly baked cookies from a horde of ravenous squirrels! Seriously, those little guys are relentless.

Don't be a chump. Use the ship's safe. It's like a tiny, metal Fort Knox, but with less chance of a heavily armed siege. Trust me, I once hid my prized collection of rubber ducks in there. They were safe!

Alternatives? Stuffing cash in your socks? Hilarious. But your socks might end up smelling like a retirement home after a particularly spicy curry night.

Here's how you reach Hoi An from Da Nang:

• Fly into Da Nang (DAD): Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are readily available. My uncle, a renowned birdwatcher, took one last year. He saw a woodpecker.

• Taxi or bus: From Da Nang Airport to Hoi An, it's a short hop. About thirty minutes max, unless you hit the world's slowest snail crossing. I once encountered this and it was NOT fun.

• Travel time: Think of it as a quick sip of your favorite cocktail. Fast. Efficient. Unlike my attempts at baking – those took forever.

Important stuff: Always keep some smaller bills handy. You don't want to be flashing hundred-dollar bills like a newly minted lottery winner in a dodgy part of town. Those things can be the equivalent of a beacon for trouble. Also, remember your passport! Duuh.

How do you pay for things on a cruise ship?

Okay, so cruises... how do you pay? Everything goes on your Sail & Sign card. It's like a magical cruise credit card.

Seriously, though. I remember back in July 2023, on the Carnival Dream, I didn't bring cash. At all. Zero. I used that card thingy.

It's linked to my credit card back home in Chicago. Easy peasy! Each night they'd send a statement to the room.

Then flying to Hoi An... yeah! Da Nang (DAD) is absolutely the way to go. I did that in March. The views are freaking amazing!

I swear, that coastal view from the plane? Unforgettable. Quick flight.

Then a taxi to Hoi An? Super easy. Took maybe, what, 40 mins? Worth it! Saves you so much time.

Instead of, like, who knows HOW long on a bus. I heard stories about awful buses. No thanks.

Why Da Nang?

• Best Option: Da Nang is the obvious choice.
• Direct flights: I think every major city in Vietnam flies there.
• Easy Transfers: Super simple to get to Hoi An from Da Nang airport.

Alternatives:

• Train: Forget it. Too slow.
• Bus: Seriously, don't.

How much money does the average person spend on a cruise ship?

Okay, so cruises, right? It's crazy how much they cost! I mean, a friend of mine, Sarah, went on one last year, a real fancy one, Caribbean thing. She said it was like, ten grand, easily. Ten thousand dollars! But that was, like, a two-week, all-inclusive, super-duper luxury cruise, you know? Total baller. So, average person? Probably way less. Maybe three or four thousand for a week-long thing, I'd guess. It depends SO much on the type of cruise, duration, and, like, where you go, obviously.

• Length of cruise: A 7-day cruise will be cheaper than a 14-day cruise. Duh.
• Destination: Caribbean cruises are typically more expensive than cruises to Mexico, for example.
• Cabin type: An inside cabin is always cheaper than a balcony or suite. No brainer.
• Time of year: Peak season (like, December to March) is always more expensive.

Da Nang airport, that's the one near Hoi An, yeah? It's pretty convenient. Thirty kilometers isn't that far, a short taxi ride or something. I used Grab last time I was there, super easy to book. Remember to check your flights and hotel though, before you leave. Don't wanna be stuck, lol. My flight last year was delayed for like, hours. Total nightmare. The airport itself wasn't bad, though. Pretty modern, actually.

What is the daily cost of a cruise ship?

Okay, so cruise ship costs, huh? Man, that's a tough one. It changes wildly. I was on the Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas last July. Think it was around $300 a day, but that was for an inside cabin. My aunt got a balcony for, like, $500. Insane, right? The drinks and food on top of that. It adds up quick. Seriously, you can easily spend over a grand a day, especially with all the excursions.

Da Nang to Hoi An? Yeah, I did that last year. 2023. Flew into Da Nang. Super fast. From the airport, a Grab taxi – the app – cost me maybe 15 bucks. Took about half an hour. Smooth sailing, mostly. Hoi An was beautiful, btw.

Key takeaways:

• Cruise ship costs: $300-$500+ per day, depending on the cabin.
• Da Nang to Hoi An: Grab taxi is cheap and efficient. Around $15 and 30 minutes.

Additional notes about my cruise:

• The ship was huge. I felt lost sometimes.
• The food was okay. Some buffets were amazing, others... not so much.
• We did a zip-lining excursion in the Bahamas. Super cool, but expensive. The best part was the pictures.
• I wish I'd packed better. Way too many clothes. Who needs seven pairs of shoes on a cruise? Seriously.
• Next time, I'm trying a smaller, more luxurious cruise.
• My aunt had some issues with the wifi, something about the package being sold out, but she's a bit of a complainer anyway.
• I got seasick one day. That sucked.

Why is it more expensive to cruise by yourself?

Ugh, cruising solo just BURNS a hole in your wallet, you know? Last summer, I wanted to see the Norwegian fjords. Thought, "Yeah! Freedom!" But the single supplement? OUCH.

Basically, cruise lines design cabins for two. That's the core, right? Filling those spaces is how they make money.

So, you're paying for essentially two berths even if you only need one. They gotta make up for that lost revenue somehow.

Taking the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh rocks though.

• Trains are relaxing.
• Buses are cheap.
• Private cars mean you can stop for photos of, like, rice paddies, I guess.

I took the train in March. It was okay. Next time maybe a bus for the savings. And book ahead. Easter was CRAZY busy.