One of the great things about going on a cruise compared to a general flight holiday, is that you can use on-board cruise accounts to pay for everything – rather than carrying cash around with you. This protects your money and gives you the opportunity to view your spending’s throughout your trip. The great thing about on-board accounts is that you don’t have to worry about looking after your money, using up all of your cash or acquiring charges on your credit card.

It is similar to the process of charging costs to your room when staying in a hotel. You just use your room key every time you purchase something on-board, and at the end of your cruise you will have a balance to pay.

Accommodation, meals and on-board activities tend to be included in the price you have already paid for your holiday – so there are only the extras that are an additional cost. These could include drinks, although drinks packages are available, goods bought in the on-board stores, spa treatments and when dining in speciality restaurants.

Although most charges can be added to your on-board account, we advise you to bring a small amount of cash, a credit card or travelers cheques to use at port destinations.

Your account will be set up on the day you board the ship, where you will give your card details. Most cruise lines accept Visa and MasterCard, although it is recommended to contact the cruise line directly if you’re unsure on what you can pay with.

The account acts as a tab whilst you are on-board, and you can often check your tab in your cabin to see the total price. You will usually be charged the final price on the day of disembarkation if you have set up a card. However if you’re using cash or travelers cheques you will need to visit reception before you disembark to pay off your bill. You will receive a statement on your last day to keep for your own records.