If there’s one thing I always forget to do before a cruise, it’s stop at an ATM. Cruises mostly operate on a cashless system, so traveling without cash is not a big deal. You link a credit card to your onboard account and use your keycard to make purchases on board.
But sometimes you need dollar bills or foreign currency. Fortunately, in those situations, you can find ways to get cash on most cruise ships.
Occasionally, I need a few US dollars to tip the porter, tour guide or person who delivers my room service, and I always keep an extra cash tip for my room steward apart from the auto-gratuity. Also, in some places abroad, vendors only accept cash in the local currency. If you hope to make purchases while in port, you should have some cash on hand.
The best time to get cash is before you leave home, either from an ATM (if you need US dollars) or from your local bank, which can almost always get foreign currency on your behalf. Airport currency exchange counter. Local ATMs in foreign countries are also a solid option; Complete transactions in local currency instead of US dollars to avoid bad exchange rates.
But, if — like me — you forget or run out of time in your rush to get to the airport, you can still get cash after boarding your cruise ship.
At the onboard ATM
Many large cruise ships have ATMs on board, and they’re the fastest and easiest way to get cash while you’re sailing. The biggest drawback is that they often charge exorbitant fees – upwards of $10 per transaction. If you must withdraw cash, calculate how much you will need for the entire trip so that you only need to make one withdrawal.
at the front desk
If you’re on a ship that doesn’t have an ATM, ask the front desk if they can give you cash and charge the amount to your onboard bill. In most cases, the transaction will not post as a credit card purchase unless a A cash advance, so you don’t have to worry about additional charges from your card issuer or bank. Be sure to double check with Guest Services if you are concerned.
This is only an option on certain ships, so don’t count on every cruise ship offering cash at the front desk.
at the casino
Another option is to find cash on a cruise Onboard casino if your ship has one. (And, no, I’m not talking about gambling with the intention of winning to get money.)
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Go to the cashier and ask to preload the money you want on your keycard, or they give you in chips depending on how your ship handles gaming. Find the least expensive slot machine or table game, play the least amount of credits, and when you’re done, go back to the desk to cash out.
Since you are likely to lose the amount you play in a slot machine, this is a trick you should only use in a pinch.
The bottom line
Although cruising is mostly a cashless endeavor, you may need paper money in certain circumstances. It’s ideal to withdraw cash from your bank or a no-fee ATM before you get to your embarkation port, but it’s not always possible. If you need cash for tips or purchases ashore, these options can work for you in a pinch if you don’t mind potential fees and other charges.
Learn more about roaming with these TPG resources: