Managing Your Money

The first step to managing your money on a cruise is to try and estimate how much you will likely spend during your itinerary. While some parties are more inclined to spend on souvenirs, duty-free products, in-port dining and excursions than others, guests can generally expect to spend between £50 and £200 per person per day. 

Knowing how to manage your holiday money so it lasts the entire cruise means understanding how spending works on board, recognising how packages can help you save, and knowing the fees you can expect.

Cruise lines offer guests a variety of drinks and dining packages. By pre-paying a single fee up front, guests can often save money if they plan to utilise the variety and quality of their cruise ship’s onboard eateries and bars.

To determine whether these packages are worth it, we recommend that guests consider the following:

What’s Already Included: Before picking a package, consider what your base cruise fare already includes. Some cruise lines include standard dining and basic drink packages as standard, so it’s worth thinking about whether you require an additional package.

Will You Benefit: Take the price of your drinks or dining package and work out how many drinks/meals per day it would take to cover the same cost. If you are likely to surpass this number throughout your cruise, a package could save you money.

Will You Spend Time On Board: Every itinerary will include some time at sea, but once you begin making port stops, consider whether you will be likely to return to your ship for meals or if you will prefer to purchase meals while out exploring.

While guests may wish to bring cash for spending in port, most cruise lines now operate a cashless payment system on board their ships. Onboard accounts are directly linked to credit or debit cards, making payments for drinks and meals simple. 

Onboard accounts make managing your money simple. They are easy to set up, and many cruise lines now allow guests to create an account before departure. Those who would prefer to set up their onboard account at check-in can still do so.

Setting up an onboard account involves a quick and easy process of registering a credit or debit card. Some cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, only accept credit cards, so be sure to check this before booking. Onboard credit can be purchased before travel as a gift option via the cruise line’s online Cruise Personaliser.

Most cruise lines allow one card to be registered per cabin, though more may be permitted if two passengers sharing a cabin wish to have separate accounts. Once registration is complete, your key card will act as your payment method during your cruise. 

Crew members will swipe your key card or request your room number and signature for all purchases. Children can use key cards to make purchases, though spending limits can be applied with ease.

Your onboard account can be viewed at reception at any time. Many ships also allow you to view your account on the interactive TV in your stateroom. Regularly checking your account can be very helpful in successfully managing your spending.

At the end of your cruise, an itemised bill will be delivered to your stateroom detailing all expenditures. The total amount will be taken from your account on departure day, though monies spent throughout your cruise will be allocated immediately and held in your bank account. Passengers wishing to settle their account in cash must do so up front, ensuring that reception is provided with adequate cash to cover purchases each day of your cruise.

Some cruise lines provide onboard credit as a booking incentive or customer loyalty benefit. This credit is added to your onboard account and deducted from your total bill at the end of your cruise, saving you money. To make your money go as far as possible, keep an eye out for cruise deals that provide onboard credit as a booking promotion.

Onboard credit must be used before disembarkation, so make the most of it while it lasts. It can be spent on a variety of services, including:

• Drinks
• Gratuities
• Spa and salon treatments
• Laundry and dry cleaning
• Wi-Fi charges

Many cruise lines allow guests to bring a limited supply of their own wine on board, typically one to two bottles. Consumption is restricted to private staterooms, though this wine can be enjoyed in dining venues for a corkage fee.

Some cruise lines may absorb this cost, while others charge a small fee of about $25. Corkage fees apply per item, per occasion, though special accommodations may be made for weddings and other events. Corkage fees apply primarily to wines brought on board at embarkation, though those purchased in port will need to be safely stored away until the end of the cruise.

If you need local currency to spend in port, most cruise lines provide it in exchange for a charge to guests’ onboard accounts.

We recommend that guests research the currencies used throughout the ports of their itinerary and plan accordingly. Budgeting for how much they will likely spend in each port and taking that amount of cash can help manage spending.

How Much Spending Money Do I Need for a Cruise?​

Guests tend to spend between £50 and £200 per day of their cruise. If you’re looking to manage spending, we advise researching each port and identifying those where you can avoid additional costs or take advantage of free or more affordable activities.

Will My Cruise Line Buy Back My Foreign Currency?

Yes, some cruise lines typically buy back currency purchased on board, though only in the denominations in which it was sold.

What Are Gift Purchases?

Passengers and their non-sailing friends and family can purchase cruise gifts, including birthday packages, champagne bottles and restaurant vouchers. Most cruise lines accept gift orders no later than 72 hours prior to departure, though we recommend placing orders as early as possible.

Get ready to book your next cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.