One of cruising's biggest conveniences is that your Royal Caribbean SeaPass card covers nearly everything onboard — cocktails, spa treatments, specialty dining, and shore excursions all get charged to your linked credit or debit card and settled at the end of the voyage. That said, carrying some cash remains a smart move, particularly once you step ashore.
On sea days, your cash needs are minimal unless you plan to visit the casino (where Royal Caribbean charges a $3.00 transaction fee per withdrawal from your onboard account) or want to tip crew members beyond the automatic daily gratuities. As of August 2026, those automatic gratuities run $18.50 per person, per day in standard cabins and $21.00 per person, per day in suites. Extra cash in small bills is still appreciated for porters, bartenders, cabin stewards, and servers who go above and beyond.
Port days are where cash earns its keep. Many local vendors, taxi drivers, and beach chair rental operations prefer or require it. Experienced cruisers generally recommend budgeting $100 to $200 per port day to cover transportation, food, and small souvenirs. For a couple on a seven-day sailing with three port stops, that works out to roughly $300 to $600 total — though if most excursions and meals are pre-paid through the cruise line, you may get by on $50 to $60 per day instead.
As for currency, U.S. dollars are widely accepted across popular Caribbean ports such as Nassau, Roatán, and St. Maarten, so there's no need to stock up on multiple foreign currencies before you sail. If you do run short onboard, ship ATMs — typically found near the Royal Promenade or Centrum — can help, though fees of $5 to $6 per transaction add up quickly. An alternative: sit at a slot machine in the casino, transfer funds from your onboard account, immediately cash out, and collect the amount at the casino cage.
Royal Caribbean's pre-cruise Cruise Planner portal is worth a look before you sail — locking in drink packages, excursions, and specialty dining ahead of time can save up to 40% and reduce how much cash you'll actually need to carry. This guide was originally published by Royal Caribbean Blog.
