The short answer: link a card to your on-board account at check-in, check which drinks, restaurants and services are included in your fare, and know that many lines add a daily service charge per person automatically. Keep a little cash in the local currency for ports.
How the on-board account works
- Your cruise card is your wallet. Drinks, specialty restaurants, excursions, the spa and shops are charged to it.
- Link a credit or debit card at online check-in or at the terminal. Some lines also accept a cash deposit.
- Check the account in the app or the cabin TV every few days, not only on the last evening.
- The account is settled automatically at the end of the cruise; any mistakes are easier to fix while you are still on board.
What is usually included — and what is not
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Cabin, main restaurants and buffet, shows, pools, most activities | Alcohol and soft drinks (unless you have a drinks package), specialty restaurants, the spa |
| Water, tea and coffee at the buffet | Excursions, Wi-Fi, laundry, medical care |
Each cruise line and fare type is different. Check what your booking includes before you sail.
Tips and the service charge
On many cruise lines a daily service charge per person is added to your account automatically. It is shared among the crew who look after you — cabin stewards, waiters, buffet staff. The amount depends on the line and sometimes the cabin category. Drinks bought on board often include a service percentage too. Extra tips for someone who did a great job are welcome but not required.
Currency and cards
- The ship has one currency, which depends on the line and the region. If it differs from your card's currency, your bank converts it.
- If you are offered payment in your own currency at the end of the cruise, compare: the bank's rate is often better.
- Some lines block an amount on your card at the start as a guarantee. Make sure your card limit allows it.
- In port, a little local cash helps for small cafés, markets and buses.
Common questions
Do I need cash on a cruise?
Hardly on board — everything goes on your cruise card. Take a little cash in the local currency for ports.
Are tips included in the cruise price?
Often not. Many lines add a daily service charge per person to your on-board account. Check your line's rules and your booking.
Why was money blocked on my card at check-in?
Some lines put a temporary hold on your card as a guarantee for the on-board account. It is released after the cruise, sometimes with a delay of a few days.
When do I pay the on-board bill?
It is settled automatically at the end of the cruise with the card you linked. Check it in the app during the cruise so you can fix mistakes on board.
How the club fits in
The club's ways of paying apply to the booking itself: the member price (INsider Pricing), about 17% below the retail price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the price of qualifying bookings. They do not add up in one booking. On-board spending is paid to the cruise line as usual. Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search. More about booking with points.
General information; on-board charges, service charges and inclusions differ by cruise line, ship and fare. Check your booking and the line's terms before you sail. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.