Money and phones onboard
How paying works on a cashless ship, how to avoid a surprise bill, and how to keep your phone from running up roaming charges at sea.
Your SeaPass card
One card does everything
The ship is cashless. Your SeaPass card is your room key, your ID to get on and off the ship, and how you pay for everything onboard.
Link a card before you sail
During online check-in, you'll connect a credit card to your onboard account. Every purchase is charged to the account, and the card is billed at the end of the cruise.
Credit beats debit
If you link a debit card, the cruise line may place holds on your account during the cruise, which can tie up cash you need. A credit card keeps it simple.
Kids get cards too
Everyone in your cabin gets a SeaPass card. You can control whether kids can charge purchases, which is worth doing before they discover the arcade.
Lanyard or WOWband
You'll use your card dozens of times a day. A lanyard keeps it from getting lost at the pool; the ones we use are on our Amazon list (affiliate link). Or add an optional WOWband for about $15: a wristband that opens your stateroom door and pays for drinks, and you can reuse it on future cruises. You'll still need your SeaPass card to get on and off the ship.
Your bill
Watching what you spend
- Check your account in the app every day.The Royal Caribbean app works on the ship's free Wi-Fi and shows every charge as it happens.
- Use your onboard credit first.If your booking came with onboard credit, it's applied to purchases automatically. Most onboard credit can't be cashed out, so plan to use it before the last night.
- Review the final bill the last night.Questions or mistakes are easiest to fix at Guest Services before you leave the ship.
- Remember what's already on the bill.Daily gratuities and any packages you bought onboard are charged to the same account. See what's included and what's extra.
Cash
You'll still want some cash
You won't need cash on the ship for much, but it's handy for tips and port days.
Singles for tips
We bring about $200 in singles for porters, room service, extra tips for the crew, and tips in port, and usually come home with some left over. See our gratuities guide for typical amounts.
Port days
US dollars work in most Caribbean and Bahamas ports. Small bills are best for taxis, beach chairs, and souvenirs. If you use a credit card in port, a card with no foreign transaction fees saves money.
Onboard ATMs
There are ATMs onboard, usually near the casino, but the fees are high. Bring the cash you need from home.
Phones
Avoid a surprise phone bill
Once the ship is at sea, your phone can connect to the ship's own cellular network. It's convenient and very expensive, and your carrier bills it as international roaming.
Before the ship leaves port, turn on airplane mode (then turn Wi-Fi back on), or turn off cellular data and roaming. Leave it that way at sea for the whole cruise.
Free: the app
The ship's basic Wi-Fi is free and works for the Royal Caribbean app, which covers the daily schedule, reservations, and your bill. iMessage also works on it, but only iPhone to iPhone.
Paid: VOOM internet
With a VOOM package, your phone works like it does at home over Wi-Fi: WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media, email, texting apps, and Wi-Fi calling. It's priced per device, and one person can buy up to four and share the codes. Details in our add-ons guide.
In port
Many carriers sell international day passes that work in Caribbean and Bahamas ports. Check your plan before you go, and turn it off again before the ship sails. These passes usually don't cover the ship's network at sea.
Staying in touch onboard
With VOOM, apps like WhatsApp make it easy. Without it, your options are limited. The Royal Caribbean app has a messaging feature, but notifications are hit or miss, and iMessage only works between iPhones. Agree on meeting spots and times with your group, especially with kids.
For family at home: leave them your ship name, sailing dates, and the emergency contact number from your cruise documents, so they can reach you if something comes up.
Money and phone mistakes to avoid
- Leaving cellular data on at sea. One afternoon of scrolling can cost more than a VOOM package.
- Linking a debit card without expecting holds on your account.
- Letting kids charge freely without setting limits.
- Not using your onboard credit before the last night.
- Waiting until you're home to question a charge.
Policies and carrier plans change. If you're unsure about anything, just ask us before you sail.
Questions before your first cruise?
We'll walk you through it, from linking your SeaPass account to the add-ons worth buying for your group.
Start a Cruise Inquiry →