Do cruise ships have ATMs?

Yes — most major cruise ships have at least one ATM onboard. You'll typically find them near the casino, guest services desk, or a main thoroughfare on the ship. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, and MSC all have ATMs on their ships.

That said, the onboard ATM should be your last resort, not your plan. Here's why.

ATM Fees on Cruise Ships Are High

Cruise ship ATMs charge significantly more than what you'd pay at your bank at home — typically $5–$7 per transaction, sometimes more. On top of that, your own bank may charge an additional foreign transaction or out-of-network fee. That's potentially $10+ just to access your own money.

To make it worse, withdrawal limits are often low — sometimes as little as $200–$300 per transaction. If you need $500 in cash, you may end up doing multiple transactions and paying multiple fees. It adds up fast.

One More Catch: ATMs Go Offline at Sea

Cruise ship ATMs rely on the ship's internet connection to process transactions. When the ship is far from land — mid-ocean on a transatlantic crossing, for example — satellite signals can be unreliable, and the ATM may simply be out of service. Don't count on it being available exactly when you need it.

Do You Even Need Cash Onboard?

For most onboard purchases, no. Everything on the ship — drinks, spa treatments, specialty dining, shore excursions booked through the line, gift shop purchases — is charged directly to your stateroom account, which is linked to your credit card or a cash deposit you made at check-in. Cash isn't accepted at bars, restaurants, or any onboard venue.

The main exceptions where cash comes in handy:

• Extra tips — If you want to tip your cabin steward, waiter, or bartender in cash above the standard gratuity, that's perfectly fine and appreciated
• Ports of call — Small vendors, local markets, taxis, and street food stalls in many Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American ports prefer or require cash. In Europe, most places accept cards, but smaller towns and markets may not
• Casino — If you plan to gamble, cash is often needed to get chips or play slots

The Smart Way to Handle Cash on a Cruise

• Withdraw before you leave home — Get cash from your own bank's ATM before you travel. You'll pay far lower fees and have time to get the right denominations
• Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card in port — Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture charge no foreign transaction fees and are accepted almost everywhere tourists go
• Use local ATMs in port as a backup — Port ATMs are generally cheaper than the ship's ATM. Look for bank-branded machines rather than standalone ATMs, which tend to have higher fees
• Know the local currency — In most Caribbean ports, US dollars are widely accepted. In Mexico, a mix of dollars and pesos works. In Europe, you'll want euros or the local currency