Cruise Talk: shipboard credit

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Topic: shipboard credit

moocow
First Class Passenger
Member # 712

posted 08-05-1999 10:26 AM

I wonder if anyone can explain how shipboard credits work. I plan to cruise on NCL at the end of October and do not want to use a credit card. Is it okay to use cash upon boarding to obtain their card? Any information that can be given would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Posts: 13 | From: Conroe, Texas USA | Registered: Jul 99

CruiseBuff
First Class Passenger
Member # 94

posted 08-05-1999 10:48 AM

I've only sailed Celebrity, but I'm sure it's the same on most all cruise lines. When you check in, the representative will ask how you wish to settle your bill at the conclusion of the cruise either by (1) credit card, or (2) cash (which includes, of course, travelers cheques). I don't believe they accept personal checks. If paying by cash, you will be required on the last night of the cruise to appear at the guest relations desk to settle your account. If paying by credit card, you will not have to do anything. The account will automatically be credited to your card. If you have a Visa debit/credit card, I think this is the most ideal way to pay your account as it will be deducted from your checking account and you still will not have to go to guest relations. On the last night of the cruise, there can be a very long line of passengers waiting to settle their accounts. I can think of better things to be doing. Your room steward will slip a final copy of your account under your door about the second to the last night of your cruise. Hope this helps.

Posts: 27 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Jul 99

moocow
First Class Passenger
Member # 712

posted 08-05-1999 11:35 AM

CruiseBuff-Thank you for the information. I think the idea of debit/credit card is a good one. If I wish to use cash, do they ask for cash upfront sort of a deposit, or is it on the honor system? Thanks.

Posts: 13 | From: Conroe, Texas USA | Registered: Jul 99

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-05-1999 11:46 AM

Beware...it can be too easy to lose track of your on-bord expenditure when using a 'cashless' system. That's probably why most cruise lines use it!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

moocow
First Class Passenger
Member # 712

posted 08-05-1999 11:54 AM

Malcolm-What do you mean by a cashless system? Are you saying that cash is the best way to go?

Posts: 13 | From: Conroe, Texas USA | Registered: Jul 99

moocow
First Class Passenger
Member # 712

posted 08-05-1999 11:55 AM

Malcolm-What do you mean by a cashless system? Are you saying that cash is the best way to go?

Posts: 13 | From: Conroe, Texas USA | Registered: Jul 99

Cruiselvr
First Class Passenger
Member # 96

posted 08-05-1999 01:50 PM

Moocow, Cashless means that you don't take out your wallet everytime you want to buy a drink or arrange an excursion. Instead you show your cruise ID which is really a cruise "credit card". The "charges" get added to your cruise account, which you can settle with cash or a credit card at the end of your trip. Celebrity now has a way of tracking your account straight from your cabin via their interactive TV. The cruises I've been on require that if you are paying by cash that you give them a deposit and can only "charge" up to that amount. If you try to go over, they will require that you give them more cash to continue charging. Hope this helps.

Posts: 34 | Registered: Apr 99

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 08-05-1999 04:31 PM

Moocow
What we did was use our credit card so that no cash deposit was required but I do believe that they put a draft on your credit card which is similar to a deposit of cash or a lien on your credit card, and then use it if and when they need to settle your account.
We then settled our account every two or three days (with travellers cheques) while cruising and then paid the rest the last day in the afternoon to avoid the rush.
It worked out very well for us as we had anticipated the expense of shore tours and a few hundred for incidentals on board such as photographs, souvenirs and drinks etc.

Haveagreattrip :-)

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-05-1999 04:46 PM

My husband does something similar to CTrail. Upon boarding the ship he gives the front desk his credit card and then on the last full day on the ship, after we get our preliminary bill the night before, he pays it off with travellers cheques, then anything we spend that last day and evening is put on the credit card and he doesn't have to stand in line. With the high exchange rate (we are Canadians) it doesn't seem so bad when the Visa bill comes in. The banks tend to use the highest rate of exchange in their calculations. We also anticipate what we will spend, i.e. tours, laundry, photos, etc.
Have a great cruise.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99

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