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. As such, throughout this guide, prices are listed in U.S. dollars.

The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the undisputed "king" of currency for a Caribbean cruise in 2026. Almost every port in the Caribbean—from Cozumel and Nassau to St. Thomas and St. Maarten—accepts USD for taxis, local markets, and shore excursions. In fact, many local prices are listed in USD alongside the local currency. Onboard the ship itself, your account will be settled in USD (for almost all major lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL), as the ships operate on a "cashless" system tied to your credit card. While you could exchange money for Eastern Caribbean Dollars or Mexican Pesos, it is generally unnecessary and you will likely lose money on the exchange rates. A peer-to-peer "best practice" is to carry plenty of small denominations ($1s, $5s, and $10s) for tipping tour guides and buying souvenirs, as many local vendors may not have sufficient change for $50 or $100 bills. Just be aware that if you pay in USD, you might sometimes receive change in the local currency.