Hi everyone!
Okay, as a first time cruiser, I have a few questions regarding money.

First, on a caribbean cruise do they accept "American" money at the islands or do we need to do some kind of currency exchange?

Second, on board the ship, do you recommend paying by credit card (for extras when they set you up with the onboard account) or do you find that cash/travelers checks are the better way to go? Do they do all of that when you check in? I'm hearing so many stories of people being charged for things on their credit card that they did not order/request and wondering if cash is the better way to go.

Just want to be prepared beforehand.

Thanks so much!!!! Any input is appreciated for this novice cruiser.

My first cruise also. Would like to be prepared. Thinking cash?

Thank you!

can'twaittocruise,

the US Dollar is widely accepted on the Caribbean islands. For your onboard account, I do very much recommend using a credit card as it is much more convenient. Most cruise lines force passengers who plan to settle their account with cash or travelers checks to make a hefty deposit.

If something is charged to your onboard account that you didn't order, it makes no difference whether you settle by credit card or with cash. Just make sure to collect all receipts that you will be given each time you buy something. On the morning of disembarkation, a summary of your onboard spending will be delivered to your cabin. Take a few minutes to check whether it has unusual amounts or items. If so, head to the information desk and tell them. If they insist the charge is correct, ask them to show you their copy of the corresponding receipt. Most likely in such a case, a fellow passenger unintentionally gave a wrong cabin number when ordering something or the server got the number wrong etc.

Thank you very much for your response. It was very helpful and informative. We are cruising within the next few months and I just want to make sure I am as prepared as possible and that there are no surprises (except, of course, for good ones!!!!)

I appreciate you taking the time to put together your response. Thanks again!
Happy Cruising!!

Yes, as Raoul said ever island has many people that are MORE than willing to take your American dollars.

The only cash you may want on board is tip money or casino money, but even those things can be put on the on board ship card. (Watch out for the casinos as they charge a fee for getting money on the charge- CCL is 3%, you are better off with cash or travellers checks for casino money)

And my wife saves every on board receipt to compare against the tab on the last night. A couple times we have found incorrect charges or thing we returned/exchanged that didn't come out right. So far the pursure's desk has taken care of things to our satisfaction, but only because we have had the paper trail to prove our case.

I have learned to request from the purser's office a statement of my account at any time during the cruise to monitor my spending-it has worked well to keep track of expenses.The cruiselines are very accomodating and will allow you to "pay down" your account during the cruise should the bill be getting too large.

Bon Voyage
BillyBuzzy

As billybuzzy said, I get a printout every couple of days just to keep track. Helps me decide if I really need that facial or not.

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As both billybuzzy and Auburnsiren have said, you can get a copy of your bill anytime while on the cruise. Last summer I took my first cruise (10 nights) and after about 4-5 days I asked to have a copy of my bill run. I was surprised by how low it was--I pay cash for everything and thought I was swipping that card a lot more than I was! However, by the end of the cruise I did manage to spend all the money I budgeted for on-board expenses, LOL. I found know what I had charged very helpful. Also, I wouldn't use a cash account because if you get too close to exhausting the funds they call you and ask you to make another full deposit, or so I'm told. And if you use a credit card and everything checks out (your charges to what they say you owe), then you don't have to go to the desk to get whatever credit balance is left on your account at the end of the cruise. Just one less thing to deal with.

Have a great cruise!