Money matters when you’re new to cruise.

Over the last few weeks I have booked lots of customers who are new to the world of cruising. No surprise really as the industry is growing so fast with the launch of so many new ships and destinations.

After cruising for over 15 years it’s easy for me to forget that there are many different things to consider when comparing to a land holiday:-

What to pack? What are the sleeping arrangements? What’s a formal night? Booking dining times. What currency to take? Tipping?

One of the big differences to consider when travelling on a cruise versus a land holiday is spending money, so here are some points to consider:

Spending on the ship – Pretty much all ships are cashless, meaning that anything you purchase on board whether it be a spa treatment, excursions, duty free or just a packet of crisps from the shop, the cost will be charged to your on board account. The only time you will see cash change hands is in the casino. You will be asked to register a card against your account prior to embarkation to cover these purchases. Some cruises accept a cash deposit, although it is usually the equivalent of a few hundred pounds depending on the length of the cruise.

A point to note – many cruise lines do not accept the pre-paid currency cards or switch/maestro as payment. If the prices on board are in a different currency you may be asked whether you want to use the cruise line’s exchange rate or your own banks. I have used both and seen very little difference between the 2 options. Most cruise lines will allow you to settle your bill in stages if you prefer to pay as you go along. Your statement can be printed for you at the guest services desk at any time.

You are given a card on embarkation which acts as you room key, security pass for getting on and off the ship and a charge card for your purchases.

TOP TIP – It’s always better to register a credit card over a debit card as the cruise lines will pre-authorise a cash amount and your funds can be frozen for up to 2 weeks on a debit card. You can choose to settle your bill by an alternative method of payment at the end of your cruise, so if you win big in the casino you can pay in cash with your winnings or alternatively with a debit card.

Spending ashore – You may be on a cruise that visits several different countries that require different types of currencies. If you are organised enough before you go your foreign exchange provider can arm you with each currency needed for each country. All ships generally have a bureau de change facility on board, but bare in mind you are a captive audience, so the exchange rates are not always the best. You will generally find that where a cruise ship docks most shops will accept Euros, US Dollars or Sterling as they are used to having international clientele visiting, so you may not need to change any money at all.

TOP TIP – The pre-paid currency cards I mentioned above are a good idea as you can use them at ATM’s in each country you visit and the money you withdraw will be in the local currency. Be sure to check what the charges for ATM transactions are as some are free and others not.

For my new customers – I hope this helps. If any of you seasoned cruisers out there have any more good tips, feel free to comment below.