In most cases, you can simply explain that you do not have a credit card and they'll come back to you with a Plan B (they want your money so there will definitely be a Plan B). Never use a debit card on a cruise.
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I generally recommend using credit cards when traveling. Find out if your card has any foreign transaction fees. Also, when you contact the customer service line you should notify them of your travel dates and countries you plan on visiting so any charges do not get flagged as potentially being fraudulent.
The advantage of using a debit card on vacation is that it forces you to stay within your vacation budget and not spend any more than you have in the bank. Also, debit cards can be used nearly anywhere your credit card is accepted.
How do I pay for purchases onboard? All onboard purchases are paid for using your cruise card, which doubles as your room key. This card is set up before boarding and serves as your ID to get on and off the ship, provides you access to your cabin and makes for easy swiping when you decide you need a pina colada.
Typically charges will appear on the next monthly bill, but depending on your carrier it may occasionally take up to 60 days for charges to appear on your phone bill. Please note that most cell phone carriers do not allow their unlimited rate plans to apply to cellular calls, texts or data used while onboard ships.
Using your cell on the shipFor most people, the best piece of advice is to put your phone on airplane mode before your ship sets sail out of port. This prevents your cell from trying to stay connected, thereby eliminating roaming charges.
“I always want you to pay for a cruise with a credit card, never with a debit card,” Clark says. Aside from the better consumer protections credit cards offer, Clark points to another reason why you'd want to use a credit card to pay for your cruise.
In addition to security, it's also helpful to have cash as some places — such as smaller souvenir shops or taxi cabs — don't accept credit cards. Credit card usage simply isn't as widespread as it is in the United States.
How much should you tip cruise waiter? The cruise gratuities cover the wait staff, so you're not obligated to give them any more of a cash tip. However, if you received outstanding service from a waiter and would like to show them your appreciation with a cash tip, $5 per day per passenger is the suggested amount.
If you're not able to wait for ports of call (or don't have international data on your phone), it might be worthwhile to pay for a Wi-Fi package. Although prices have decreased over the years, it can still be pretty costly to purchase Wi-Fi for your cruise.
If you want to manage your budget more effectively, it's a good idea to prepay your gratuities for your Princess cruise. The only time you would be better off waiting is if you want to use any onboard credit towards the gratuity amount.
We recommend bringing around $100-200 in cash with you on a port day. This should provide enough money for transportation, food, and small souvenirs in port.
You are certainly welcome to bring cash to enjoy your vacation experience. There are ATM services onboard and limited currency conversion services. There is a withdrawal fee to use the ATMs onboard.
You can find nominal savings on a wifi package if purchasing it before your cruise. Typically most cruise lines give a 10%-15% discount if you book a wifi package before you get on the ship.
Can you use a debit card on a cruise? You can't use a debit card on a ship to pay for items – everything has to be paid onto your onboard account. But you can use a debit card instead of a credit card to link to your onboard account – the money will be taken from your debit account at the end of the cruise.