How Much Money Should I Take on a Cruise? From Port Cash to Onboard Extras

That moment when you're staring at your cruise confirmation and ask yourself how much money should I take on a cruise? Yeah, we've all been there.

‍

You're scrolling through cruise forums at midnight, reading conflicting advice about whether you need $50 a day or $500, and it's enough to make you want to stuff random bills in your suitcase and hope for the best.

‍

But cruise spending doesn't have to be a guessing game that keeps you up at night.

‍

Most of the stress comes from not knowing what to expect, and once you understand how money works on a cruise, it all becomes way more manageable.

Your Daily Cruise Spending Guide

After talking to hundreds of cruisers and looking at actual spending patterns, here's what most people end up spending on extras: anywhere from $75 to $250 per person per day.

‍

Before you panic about that range, remember that your cruise fare already covers your room, most meals, entertainment, and getting from port to port.

‍

Think of it this way – some folks are perfectly happy with the included dining and maybe one fancy dinner. 

‍

Others want to try every specialty restaurant, book shore excursions, and get spa treatments. 

‍

Both types have incredible cruises. It's really about knowing yourself and what makes vacation feel like vacation to you.

‍

If you’re wondering “how much money should you take on a cruise”, the answer varies based on your vacation style and preferences.

How Cruise Spending Works (It's Easier Than You Think)

Here's what nobody tells you upfront: you barely need cash on the ship. 

‍

Your room key becomes your spending card, and everything gets charged to your account. No juggling different currencies or carrying a wallet full of cash around the ship.

‍

This system is brilliant because you can focus on enjoying yourself instead of doing math every time you want a cocktail. 

‍

Just check your spending balance through the cruise app every couple days so you stay on track. Most people find this way less stressful than managing cash all week.

Where the Money Feels Worth It

Let's talk about what costs extra and why people rave about these experiences.

‍

Internet connectivity is one expense that most cruisers gladly pay for. Being isolated on a cruise ship without internet access doesn't appeal to many travelers – people want to stay connected, share their experiences, and handle important communications. 

‍

There are several connectivity options available, including traditional cruise ship WiFi, the GigSky eSIM starting at $19.99, local SIM cards at ports, and roaming through your home carrier. We'll dive deeper into these internet options and costs later in this guide.

‍

Specialty restaurants run about $35-75 per person, and these meals often become people's favorite cruise memories. The food quality is usually a step up from the main dining room, and it feels more intimate and special. Perfect for celebrating or treating yourselves.

‍

Drinks add up fast if you enjoy cocktails or even fancy coffee throughout the day. Individual drinks cost $4-14 each, which is why beverage packages make sense for a lot of people. If you normally have several drinks daily on vacation, the package often saves money and eliminates the mental math.

‍

Shore excursions range from about $60-250 per person. Yeah, it seems like a lot upfront, but they usually include transportation, guides who know their stuff, and experiences that would be tough to organize yourself. Plus, the cruise line guarantees you'll make it back to the ship on time, which is worth something for peace of mind.

Port Money Made Simple

When you get to each port, having local cash makes everything smoother. You'll want small bills for taxis, tips for local guides, and those must-have souvenirs you'll find at local markets.

‍

Plan on about $30-60 per port day for these smaller expenses. Most places take credit cards at restaurants and shops, but cash works better with street vendors and for transportation. A lot of experienced cruisers hit an ATM at their first port and get enough local currency for the whole cruise.

‍

In Caribbean ports, US dollars work pretty much everywhere, though you might get better prices with local currency. European ports prefer euros, but tourist areas are used to credit cards.

The Gratuity Situation (It's Already Handled)

Most cruise lines automatically add daily gratuities to your account – usually $13-17 per person per day. These tips cover your room steward, dining room staff, and other people working behind the scenes to make your cruise awesome.

‍

You can adjust these amounts at guest services if you want to tip differently, and plenty of people add extra cash tips for really great service. Budget an extra $7-12 per day per person for bartenders at specialty venues, spa staff, and tour guides who go above and beyond.

Affordable Internet on Cruise Ships Explained

Staying connected on a cruise ship can be challenging.

‍

Cruise ship WiFi starts at $16 per device daily, with premium plans exceeding $40. 

‍

Your home carrier's roaming comes with its own costs. 

‍

Buying local SIM cards at each port requires multiple cards and constant swapping.

‍

Without reliable connectivity, you're cut off from sharing those sunset photos, video calling family, or handling urgent emails. Managing different connectivity options can overshadow your vacation.

‍

So smart cruisers have discovered GigSky's cruise and land eSIM—available on 200+ ships starting at $19.99. 

‍

Unlike other options, it works both onboard and at ports with one purchase, and we never throttle your connection speed. Choose from 1-30 day plans before you sail.

‍

While perfect for social media, messaging, and light browsing, heavier users might still prefer ship WiFi for bandwidth-intensive activities.

‍

But for most travelers wanting reliable, unthrottled connectivity without the hassle, GigSky lets you focus on making memories, not managing multiple internet plans.

Building Your Personal Budget

Think about how you usually spend on vacation. Love trying new restaurants and unique experiences? Budget $150-220 per day per person. 

‍

Prefer a more chill approach with some occasional splurges? Plan for $100-160 daily. Want to keep things simple and budget-friendly? You can have an amazing time spending $75-120 per day.

‍

If you know you'll use them, prepaying for packages often saves money. Beverage packages make sense if you typically have 4-5 drinks daily. 

‍

Specialty dining packages work well if you want to try multiple restaurants. Shore excursion packages can save money if you're booking several tours.

‍

Many first-time cruisers wonder "how much money should you bring on a cruise" – the key is matching your budget to your vacation style and interests.

Your Just-in-Case Fund

Bring an emergency fund of $400-600 per person for unexpected situations. 

‍

This isn't money you plan to spend – it's your safety net for medical needs, travel delays, or amazing last-minute opportunities you discover.

‍

Travel insurance handles the big emergencies, but having cash available gives you flexibility and peace of mind. 

‍

Maybe you'll find an incredible local restaurant in port or discover a once-in-a-lifetime excursion you hadn't planned. 

‍

Having that flexible money lets you say yes to special experiences.

Money-Saving Tips That Work

Book shore excursions independently when you're comfortable with the destination. You can often save 30-50% while getting more personalized experiences. Just research well and give yourself extra time to get back to the ship.

‍

Take advantage of what's included. Most cruise ships offer incredible entertainment, fitness facilities, pools, and casual dining that rival expensive alternatives. These included amenities often end up being the most relaxing and fun parts of your cruise.

‍

Check your spending balance every few days through the cruise app. This helps you stay on track without obsessing over every purchase. If you're under budget, you can splurge a little. If you're over, you can adjust for the remaining days.

Making It All Work for You

Remember, you've already invested in an incredible vacation. The spending money you're planning now is about customizing that experience to match what you enjoy.

‍

Your cruise already includes amazing value – your floating hotel room, multiple meals daily, entertainment, and transportation to multiple destinations. The extras you're budgeting for are what make your cruise yours.

‍

Focus on what genuinely interests you instead of feeling like you need to do everything. Love food? Invest in specialty dining experiences. Enjoy adventure? Budget for exciting shore excursions. Prefer relaxation? Plan for spa treatments and drinks by the pool.

Recap: How Much Money Should I Take On a Cruise

A realistic spending budget for most cruisers falls between $120-200 per person per day for a comfortable experience that includes specialty dining, moderate drinking, a few excursions, and random purchases. 

‍

Budget-conscious travelers can absolutely have amazing cruises spending $85-120 daily by focusing on included amenities and choosing experiences carefully.

‍

Carry $250-450 cash per person for port days and situations where cards don't work well. Keep this separate from your emergency fund so you don't accidentally spend your safety money.

‍

The goal isn't to spend as little as possible or avoid all extras. It's to spend thoughtfully on experiences that match your interests and budget comfortably for the vacation you actually want.

‍

You've made a significant investment in creating lasting memories. Smart planning helps ensure those memories are filled with joy and relaxation instead of money stress.

‍

You've got this – now go enjoy every moment of your cruise.