What currency is accepted onboard, and do I need cash for my Norwegian cruise?

The currency used on board our ships is the U.S. dollar. We’ve made paying for on-board expenses very easy. When you check in you open a shipboard account by registering a major credit card such as VISA®, MasterCard® or American Express® . If you prefer to pay by cash or traveller’s cheques, a suggested deposit for a 7-night cruise is US dollar 300 per person, US dollar 150 per person for cruises up to 6 nights or US dollar 450 per person for cruises of 8 nights and more at check-in (subject to change). Then, you simply sign for your personal expenses as you go and they will be charged to your account.

Important: When your credit card is entered to activate your on-board account, an initial approval is obtained from the bank. Please be advised that some banks may hold the pre-authorisation for up to 30 days. Throughout the voyage incremental holds will be obtained based on your on-board expenditure. This will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card or restrict the availability of cash in your bank account.

Travelers checks and most major credit cards are accepted in the ports we visit. Proper ID is required when cashing travelers checks. We recommend you carry a small amount of local currency when visiting foreign ports, although credit cards are commonly accepted in shops and restaurants.