Arctic Cruise Money & Internet Guide: What Currencies Are Used? Is Paying by Card Convenient? Is There Wi-Fi On Board?

When planning an Arctic cruise, what many people care about most are questions related to payments and internet during the journey:

• Can you pay by credit card in the Arctic?
• What currency is used for spending on board?
• How much cash should you prepare?
• What currency is used in Greenland or Canada?
• Do Arctic cruises have Wi-Fi?
• Is there a 4G signal at sea?

Here are the quick answers:

• Arctic itineraries pass through several countries that use different currencies.
• Spending on board is usually settled in US dollars (USD) and can be paid by credit card.
• In Iceland, Finland and Svalbard you can pay by card almost everywhere.
• In Greenland and parts of the Canadian Arctic, it is advisable to carry a small amount of cash.
• The cruise ship provides satellite Wi-Fi, but speeds are limited.
• At sea and in remote ice-cap regions, there is virtually no 4G signal.

👉 Overall:Bring a credit card that works overseas, plus a small amount of cash for use ashore, and you'll be set.

Different Arctic cruise routes depart from various Northern European cities. Taking DeWonder's Arctic In-Depth Tour as an example, it may pass through Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Finland, or Norway's territory of Svalbard.

In Reykjavik or Helsinki:

• Cards are accepted at almost all restaurants, supermarkets and cafés
• Apple Pay / Google Pay are widely used
• Cash is rarely needed

Electronic payment is well developed in the Nordic countries, and some shops don't even accept cash. [caption id="attachment_7928" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

Iceland and Finland are highly digitalised Nordic countries, where credit cards and mobile payments (such as Apple Pay and Google Pay) are extremely common in restaurants, shops and transport, making almost entirely cashless travel possible in most situations. Travellers usually only need to carry a small amount of cash for special circumstances.[/caption]

Greenland and the Canadian Arctic are sparsely populated regions:

• Small shops may prefer cash
• ATMs are limited in number
• Card machines may be unreliable due to signal issues

We recommend preparing a small amount of local currency in the main cities to cover minor expenses [caption id="attachment_7758" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

In Greenland's smaller towns and remote areas, many shops and local services still deal primarily in cash, and credit cards are not accepted everywhere. We recommend that travellers prepare a suitable amount of cash in the main cities for use in small towns or local shops.[/caption]

On Arctic expedition cruises (such as Quark Expeditions Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer or Swan Hellenic SH Vega), onboard spending is usually settled in US dollars (USD).

• Visa / MasterCard accepted
• All purchases charged to your room account
• Settled together before the end of the trip
• No need to carry large amounts of cash

• Alcoholic and other beverages
• SPA / massage
• Certain expedition activities
• Souvenirs

Tips on board are usually recommended in US dollars, and can also be paid via your room account. [caption id="attachment_6855" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

During an Arctic cruise, some additional spending (such as alcoholic drinks, specialty dining, or bar beverages) can usually be paid directly by credit card, with the charges recorded on your onboard account and settled together at the end of the voyage, so travellers generally do not need to use cash.[/caption]

Arctic cruises do have Wi-Fi, but it is satellite-based, with limited speed that may slow down or drop out depending on the ship's location.

💡 Quick tip:Satellite internet is suitable for basic communication (WhatsApp, email), but not for video streaming or transferring large files. [caption id="attachment_6854" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

Arctic cruise ships usually offer satellite Wi-Fi, but with limited data and speed—suitable in most cases for sending messages or basic web browsing. If you need to upload photos, watch videos, or transfer large amounts of data, the connection speed may be insufficient, so we recommend downloading essential documents and offline materials in advance.[/caption]

Money Tips

• Prepare a small amount of local currency for onshore use
• Rely mainly on credit cards onboard
• No need to carry large amounts of US dollars in cash
• Avoid depending on a single payment method

Internet Tips

• Basic internet access is available onboard
• Connections may drop in remote waters
• Download offline maps and itinerary documents in advance
• Let your family know you may be out of signal at times

A professional in-depth Arctic tour crafted by DeWonder in partnership with Quark Expeditions and Swan Hellenic. Thanks to our small-group arrangements, you can not only observe wildlife up close during cruise and Zodiac explorations, but also gain a deeper understanding of polar ecology under the guidance of expert guides, photographing it and taking in unique natural landscapes. From the northern lights and wildlife to Inuit culture, we have accompanied numerous travellers to the ends of the earth. In-Depth Greenland Northern Lights Tour

• Departing from Reykjavík, Iceland, cross the Denmark Strait and venture deep into the fjords of north-eastern Greenland
• Daily Zodiac landings to explore glaciers, Arctic villages and wildlife
• September is the best time to see the Northern Lights — enjoy both aurora and wildlife exploration in one trip

• A once-in-a-decade astronomical spectacle: witness a total solar eclipse on the Arctic glaciers
• The itinerary combines fjord exploration, wildlife watching and science lectures
• Perfect for travellers who love photography and astronomy

Svalbard Archipelago In-Depth Tour

• Gather in Helsinki, Finland, then take a charter flight to Longyearbyen to board the ship
• The region with the world's highest density of polar bears; explore glaciers and wildlife under the summer midnight sun
• Flexible route design, adjusted in real time according to animal sightings and sea conditions

Greenland & Canada In-Depth Tour

• Departing from Reykjavik, Iceland, cross Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait to explore Greenland's fjords and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• Daily Zodiac landings for close-up observation of icebergs, glaciers and wildlife such as polar bears and walruses
• Delve into Inuit communities and polar towns to experience Indigenous culture and life in the Arctic

👉 View the Full-Year Arctic Departure Schedule 👉 Join a Free Online Seminar and enjoy exclusive offers! 👉 Further reading: Arctic Travel Guide