Cash or credit card in ports

Yep, but interesting that the last 2 cruises my sister had multiple charges to contest and I watched her pull her card out of /put back in the RFID sleeve without fail. So, something happened. Mine was locked in stateroom safe and I had no issues.

Dishonesty is the mother of invention...

Card skimmers are easily thwarted by RFID sleeves for your card. Thin sleeves that block RFID signals. Been using them for many many years.

That's my standard money saving technique. Of course, if I really want it, I cave get on the ship, get the cc and go buy it anyway!

Like most others, what I plan on buying determines if I take cash or card. With that said, I always have some assortment of bills for tipping - no matter what the "port tip guides" say, good ol' US American greenbacks are welcome almost anywhere.

There are so many card skimmers that I am leary of taking a card into port. Plus, if I don't have one and an impulse purchase exceeds my available cash, money saved!!

Big difference in the protections involved between debit and credit cards...Got a debit card a thousand years back with our checking account...Can't remember the last time we used it..But we have cancelled charges and disputed charges without a second thought on our main credit card...Sometimes for reasonable $$....never a problem, easy peasy...pay it off monthly, no interest...that 2% really amazed me when you use it all the time..

Yes one card

Agree. Depends on the purchase and where. In the Caribbean we use both depending on the size and nature of the purchase. Cash for small things and card for not so small. Last cruise to Canada and NE we never really used cash at all. Most ports were Canadian so I used my debit card in those.

The ones and fives are VERY handy onboard....very handy indeed...I allow about $100..and usually bring some home...

Depends on what you are buying. If your intent is to buy a nice piece of jewelry, cc. If you are planning to buy “Knick knacks” cash (small bills). You don’t want to flash a lot of cash anywhere anymore. Try to have the exact amount. I try to collect ones and fives before cruising (sadly I usually need to spend them, but still a worthy effort).

Thats the only way I've ever done it...yeh I have a few bux on me, but not hardly much. goes against the grain to have zilch greenbacks in my pocket... I have a main card for darn near everything else thats chargeable in life. That 2% cash back on everything adds up after a year+ or so..we use it for cruises and everything else.....sort of like creating our own OBC heheheh. BUT I have another, that I hardly ever use, EXCEPT if I go ashore on cruises, or occassionally stateside if I really don't trust the transaction..(but if EBAY or AMAZON doesn't have it, it doesn't exist)....Then, if theres an issue, let the c/c co fix it, with no inconvenience to me at all....couple keystrokes, or a phone call..pffft! not my problem...besides, any port you're in...you stay in the touristy area and the fake junque shops...you'll be fine....