One of the most common money questions I get about Royal Caribbean is whether you can set spending limits for adults the same way you can for kids. The short answer: no. But there are several ways to control spending and keep your onboard budget in check.

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Can You Set Hard Spending Limits for Adults?

Royal Caribbean only allows spending limits for minors under 18. Once you’re an adult, you manage your own onboard account, and there’s no way to cap another adult’s daily spending inside the system.

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4 Ways Adults Can Control Spending Onboard

1. Link Separate Cards
Each adult can connect their own credit or debit card during online check-in. That way each person manages their own budget without charges piling onto one card.

2. Use a Prepaid Visa or Mastercard
Load the amount you want to spend before you sail. Once the balance runs out, you’ll need to top it up or switch to another payment method.

3. Apply a Royal Caribbean Gift Card
Official Royal Caribbean gift cards are flexible and work for almost every part of your trip (see the breakdown below). You can apply them before sailing, during check-in, or at Guest Services onboard.

4. Open a Cash Account
Deposit cash at Guest Services, for example, $200. Your charges will draw against that balance. When it runs out, you’ll need to add more cash. If you overspend, Guest Services will ask you to settle up before you disembark.

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Royal Caribbean Gift Cards vs Gift Certificates

The terms sound similar, but they are very different products.

✅ Royal Caribbean Gift Cards

• Where to buy: Royal Caribbean website, My Royal Cruise, travel advisors, call center, or onboard.
• Can be used for: Cruise fare, onboard expenses, beverage and dining packages, spa, and excursions.
• How to redeem: Online at RoyalCaribbean.com, by phone (844-645-8889), through your travel advisor, or at Guest Services onboard.
• Other details: Never expire, no fees, and can also be used on Celebrity and Silversea sailings.
• Best for: Flexibility. They cover nearly every part of your cruise before and during your trip.

✗ Royal Caribbean Gift Certificates

• Where they’re sold: Often discounted on third-party sites like AARP, Verizon, or CardCash.
• Can be used for: Cruise fare only, not deposits, not onboard charges, not gratuities or excursions.
• How to redeem: Must email your booking details and certificate to Royal Caribbean’s gift certificate team.
• Restrictions: Can’t be split between reservations, can’t be partially redeemed, and not valid on charters or casino offers.
• Best for: Saving a little money on the cruise fare if you’re okay with restrictions and extra redemption steps.

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FAQs

Q: Can I add a Royal Caribbean gift card to my onboard account?
Yes. Bring it to Guest Services and they can apply it for dining, drinks, spa treatments, or excursions.

Q: Do gift cards expire?
No. Official gift cards never expire and carry no fees.

Q: Can gift certificates be used onboard?
No. They are only valid toward cruise fare and cannot be applied once you’re sailing.

Q: Why are certificates sometimes sold at a discount?
Third-party sites resell unused promotional or corporate certificates. They’re legitimate but come with strict rules.

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Bottom Line

You can’t set hard spending limits for adults on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but you can manage your budget with:

• Separate credit/debit cards
• Prepaid cards
• Official Royal Caribbean gift cards
• Or a cash account