Hi, here is the newbie again with stupid questions. Does one have to take all the cash you will need with you or are there ATM's available. I do like to gamble a little and assume that the casino needs cash. Also do vendors at ports take credit cards?

Most ships have ATM's but some may run out of cash by the end of a week. Check with the cruise line (or have your TA do it)ahead of time to be sure. Shops in the ports almost always take credit cards, but smaller ones may not. American dollars, however, are welcome in Caribbean and Mexican ports. I usually take some travelers checks, which the purser's office onboard will cash - safer than having all that cash along! You will need smaller bills for tips (porters, guides, etc.), but most cruise lines now will charge the onboard gratuities to your shipboard account. THAT is best established by credit card.

If in Mexico and/or Caribbean nations, you'll want to carry smaller bills - many smaller shops and/or cabbies will tell you they do not have change for a $20 bill - - keep $1s, $5s & $10s handy...

When we needed cash, we went into the casino and they give us the cash we wanted and booked it from the Seaboard Pass. So at the end of the cruise it was on our creditcard account.
I think, thats the easiest way to get cash, without paying some charges.

Years ago I always brought travelers checks.
Now I do not bother with them.
I do bring cash, but, use my credit card for most purchases.
In the casino you can get money with your cruise card.
Many ships have ATMs now, and most ports have them as well.