After planning and booking a cruise, many people forget that there is still more money to be spent - aboard the cruise ship. Cruise ships are a fun way to travel but there are plenty of additional costs to plan for while on the ship. To make things more confusing, there are a variety of different ways to pay for things on a cruise ship. Here are the most common.
- Prepayment. When booking a cruise, most people pay a fee that includes transportation, lodging, and most food. Depending upon the travel agency or cruise line, sometimes additional things can be paid for in advance. Shore excursions, for example, can sometimes be paid for in advance, as can beverage cards.
- Credit. Most cruise lines keep passengers' credit cards on file during the cruise so that cruise passengers can easily charge retail items, shore excursions, and other expenses. This way, customers are not constantly searching for cash or credit cards, but can simply give their name or stateroom number and have expenses charged to their rooms. This is frequently used for beverage plans, since many cruise ships charge an additional fee for soft drinks and other beverages.
- U.S. currency. Many cruise ships have ATMs on board to allow passengers to obtain cash for gambling, buying retail articles, or tipping. In addition, in American ports (and some foreign ports), American currency will come in handy.
- Other currency. When going on shore excursions in other countries, cruise ship passengers will need to determine the best way to pay for transportation, food, activities, and any items bought. Some cruise ships offer currency exchange, and some foreign ports accept American dollars. This usually has to be taken on a case-by-case basis, though, and a cruise line representative or travel agent can answer these questions....
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Author: Bronwyn Harris