There's no need to worry about carrying cash around with you whilst onboard your chosen cruise. Today's cruise ships operate a cash-free environment.
On arrival at the ship whilst your boarding documents are being checked (during embarkation) you will be asked to register a credit card (or make a cash deposit), and given a shipboard card (each cruise line has a different name for it) that usually acts as your cabin door key as well.
During your cruise, any purchases, alcoholic drinks, beauty treatments, organized shore excursions you make onboard are signed for and a foil copy is provided, all charges are then simply charged to your shipboard account. One of the exceptions, however, is usually in the casinos, where you will need to use cash, traveller's cheques, personal cheques, or a credit/debit card.
You'll normally receive an interim statement and a final statement at the end of your cruise. On certain cruise lines you can even access your onboard account and view a statement on the in-cabin TV should you wish to!
All charges incurred will be automatically debited at the end of the cruise and converted to sterling. Should you have any queries on any purchases made we would recommend that you visit the ships Purser’s Desk before the final morning of the cruise, as this time is usually extremely busy onboard.