The short answer
Most cruise ports use the euro, but the UK, Scandinavia, Iceland, Turkey, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Hungary use their own money. Cards and tap-to-pay work widely. When a card machine or ATM asks, always choose the local currency, never US dollars. Tips are smaller than at home, and most big cruise lines add a daily crew tip of about $18 to $20 per person.
Who uses the euro
- 21 EU countries use the euro, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland and Estonia.
- Croatia switched to the euro in 2023. Bulgaria switched in 2026.
- Monaco and Vatican City use the euro under formal deals. Montenegro uses it without one.
Who does not use the euro
- UK and Gibraltar: pound.
- Norway, Denmark and Sweden: each has its own krone or krona.
- Iceland: krona. Switzerland: franc. Czech Republic: koruna. Hungary: forint. Turkey: lira.
Cards, ATMs and 'pay in dollars?'
- A machine may offer to charge you in US dollars. Say no and pay in the local currency.
- This choice is called dynamic currency conversion. Europe's consumer group BEUC says its rate is 'almost always worse' than the normal rate.
- ATMs ask the same question. Pick 'without conversion' or the local currency.
- Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fee, and a debit card from a bank ATM for cash.
- Tell your bank and card companies your travel dates.
Tipping ashore (general guide)
- Tips in Europe are smaller than in the US. Service is often included in the bill, so check before you add more.
- France: if service is not included, 5 to 10 percent is common. Taxis: a few euros or about 10 percent.
- Germany and Austria: about 10 percent for a sit-down meal.
- Italy: check for a service charge first. If there is none, a tip is customary.
- Scandinavia: service is usually included. Rounding up is fine, and taxi drivers don't expect tips.
Cruise gratuities (onboard)
- Most big lines add a daily crew charge per person to your onboard bill.
- Princess: $18 per person per day for standard cabins, $19 for mini-suites and $20 for suites (early 2026).
- Holland America: $18 standard and $20 suites, from June 1, 2026.
- Celebrity: $19.50 for inside, oceanview and balcony cabins, $20.50 for Concierge and AquaClass, and $24.50 for The Retreat, from July 29, 2026.
- For a 10-night cruise for two at $18, that is about $360.
- Some river and luxury lines include gratuities in the fare. Check your booking.
Your checklist
Sources & what we could not confirm · 5 sources · checked 2026-11
- European Central Bank: euro area countries (Croatia 2023, Bulgaria 2026)
- BEUC: #WhichCurrency should I pay in?
- N26 bank blog: tipping etiquette in Europe
- Cruise Hive: five lines raised gratuities in early 2026 (Princess, Holland America, others)
- Cruise Industry News: Celebrity raises gratuities (Aug 2026)
Still being confirmed
- Gratuity amounts come from trade press, not the cruise lines' own pages. Princess, Royal Caribbean and NCL pages blocked automated reading. Lines change rates often, so check your booking.
- Tipping customs come from a bank blog, not an official source. Practice varies by place and restaurant.
- No official source was found naming Euronet specifically. The advice is general: avoid any machine that offers to charge in dollars.