Do I need to change USD for Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean generally bills onboard charges in US Dollars. We offer a service for our guests to bill their onboard charges in their local currency (rather than in US Dollars).



No, you do not need to exchange your U.S. Dollars (USD) for any other currency when sailing with Royal Caribbean. USD is the official currency onboard all Royal Caribbean ships, regardless of where in the world they are sailing. All transactions on the ship—from specialty dining and drinks to shore excursions and spa treatments—are charged to your SeaPass card, which is linked to a credit card or a cash deposit in USD. Even when visiting foreign ports, USD is widely accepted in most Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American destinations. If you are sailing in Europe or Australia, the ship still operates in USD, though you might want a small amount of local currency (Euros or AUD) for small street vendors or public transport on land. In 2026, the Royal Caribbean app makes it easy to track your USD spending in real-time, ensuring no surprises at the end of the voyage.

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Many of the larger cruise lines will have the facilities to change your currency onboard. However you may want to avoid this option as your required currency might be unavailable or there could be long queues. You're also not guaranteed to get the best exchange rates.

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Royal Caribbean generally bills onboard charges in US Dollars. We offer a service for our guests to bill their onboard charges in their local currency (rather than in US Dollars).

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When and where do I authorize Royal Caribbean to convert my onboard charges instead of my bank? Authorization for participation in the currency conversion program can be selected during online check-in (on the bottom of the SetSail? Pass), but the final authorization is made at the port during the pre-cruise check-in.

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But most widely accepted throughout the Caribbean is the U.S. dollar. It is the legal currency of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and will be recognized just about anywhere you go.

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Cash is not accepted at the onboard shops. All purchases made at the Royal Shops must be made using your Seapass® card.

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The time when you'll need the most cash on a cruise vacation is when you're in port. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments.

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As US Dollars are so widely used across the Caribbean, a secure currency card can be really handy for your holiday spends. Simply load it with dollars before you go and you can top up while you're travelling, withdraw money from cash machines and make contactless payments.

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Technically speaking, you can remove gratuities on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but you absolutely shouldn't do this. Although Royal Caribbean gives you two options for paying gratuities (prepaying or being charged daily once onboard), some passengers try to opt out of paying any gratuities whatsoever.

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Generally speaking, the most affordable mainstream cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The more upscale cruise lines will cost you more, such as Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Viking Cruises.

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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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Most veteran cruisers recommend that you budget between £75-£100 per day for other costs. You can cut back on spending and reduce your budget. However, you're probably going to need at least £50 a day. So, once you've booked your cruise, you'll want to set aside around £350-£700 for other costs.

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ATMs are typically available on board cruise ships belonging to major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess (& many others). However, most charge considerably higher fees for use in addition to any charges assessed by your bank.

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Guests may add additional cash to their account by visiting the Guest Services desk on board.

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