Cruisewithm

CASH is KING!

You are right!

Just get yourself a pre paid Mastercard. Some of them even have travel benefits built in. The you can transfer cash to it if you run short, you dont put your bank account at risk and you dont have to worry about losing cash or being robbed.

It's my second choice this one, I already got the VISA TRAVEL MONEY, it's a pre paid card also, and a very resourceful one.

Thanks.

FYI, I did not produce a CC when I boarded a year and half ago. When going through check in, they asked for a CC, I said I wanted to put cash on account. I was informed to go to guest services when I boarded to put the cash on my account, which is what I did. They never had my CC number.

This is the best, it's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the advice, I only cruised once in 2000 with my husband and I think we gave our CC, that time when lived in Italy so it was not a problem with taxes surcharges. As you can see its like my first cruise ever, I'll be cruising alone and have some doubts. Thanks again for your time to write this post.

I plan on using cash for onboard expenses as well and found this in the FAQ section of NCLs website

 

How do I pay for onboard expenses?

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to your Onboard account. Sign up when you check in, establishing your method of payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB Card, Diner's Club. You may also use your debit card however please be advised that we obtain pre-authorization, as we do for all Credit Cards, and some banks hold these funds for up to 30 days. Cash can also be used as a method of payment to settle your account with an initial deposit paid in advance.

Using your debit or ATM card

• Norwegian does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard folio.
  
• Please be advised that multiple holds will be placed on your debit card account based on your onboard purchases.
  
• After settling your onboard folio, these debit card holds may remain on your account up to 30 days after the cruise ends.
  
• To avoid overdraft charges from your bank, please make sure that you have enough available funds in your account during this hold period.
  
• Norwegian will not be responsible for overdraft charges resulting from holds placed on Debit Card accounts.
  

 

Traveler’s Check / Cash Procedures

A cash deposit may be placed on your onboard account in the following amounts:

7 day cruises - $300 USD per person

Less than 7 days - $150 USD per person

More than 7 days - $450 USD per person

Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you'd like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess.

**Personal checks will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed on board.

Have a fantastic cruise!!

Thanks

When you pay for the cruise is it considered an International Transaction? If it's not, and others with more experience please jump in and correct me, but could you not put money in your account now via the ncl website and avoid having to give CC or cash when embarking?

It's another solution I already thought about, I'll be considering it.

My fear is that they take my money and also charges in the CC, since they ask a CC for check in in. I read someone complaining about this situation, that they paid in cash and also charged the CC, it's a a lot of head ache to solve after cruising...

Unless it has changed in year and half, on our cruise we had the beverage package and pre-paid our gratuities, so we decided to put cash on our account. After we boarded we went to guest services and put $300 cash on our account. In the morning before we disembarked, I went down to guest services and cashed out. We left the ship with our cash refund, which was almost $200.

I think it's exactly what I will do. I'm travelling by myself, already payed almost everything, so I think $300 is enough.

Thanks.

35 dollars per week for social chat is better than nothing. I'll definitely get it ASAP

Thanks everyone for the answers, helped a lot.

I live in BRAZIL and here the government charges almost 7% of any international credit card transaction. I already have the UBP and DSC paid. I was thinking when the cruise finishes they would give me back immediately the rest of the money non spent. That check sent to my home definitely it's not what I was wishing. Maybe the credit card or debit card would be better.

HI, I'm thinking of giving cash during the check in in the ncl escape to cover my ship expenses, I don't want to use the credit card. Do you think it will be a problem? Is 400,00 dollars enough? It's only a 7 night cruise.

Lmao

Booked a studio in the Escape for 1.700,00 , going on 3rd june, with the beverage package and gratuities included. I don't know if it's because I booked from Brazil but it seems that I'm paying more than average. This sucks

Ata girl Nancydow!!

Sweetie, I'm living vicarious through your adventures.

Can't wait to read them all and get all the tips. Don't forget to check what could I do, a solo Brazilian woman in a ship big like the Escape.

Going solo for the first time on NCL ESCAPE, 3rd June. 42 year female. Can't wait to party, meet new friends.

I'm 42 female, cruising on 3rd June ncl escape

Wichegirl

How cool is that? I am in my roll call cruise but till now only families are members. Seems I'm the only one. Lol. Have a nice cruise.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

What scares me most is about some crazy drunk people, I read reviews about some stuff people do., like throwing plates all over the people at the restaurant in the Tepanyaki room... omg can you believe it?

Find the roll call board here on Cruise Critic. You might be able to coordinate a get together or excursion ahead of time.

Tks, I found the roll call and I joined.

HI everyone, I'll be travelling alone on 3rd June, Escape ship.

Any tips for a solo Traveller? It will be my first time. I would lover to make new friends. Thanks

Dear JW, some words from a fan from Brazil: you are awesome. Keep going, keep cruising keep having the time of your life.

I only cruised one time on Carnival sensation on September 2000. I didn't have a great time in that ship that's why since then I didn't have the will to cruise again.

, however I have been following the creation of these new mega ship and made me curious. So I decided to have my first time solo trip and solo cruise. I'll travel to Miami the day before the cruise on 2nd June, despite all the worries if my family.

I'm 42 years old I'm not single but I'll travel solo. I don't care.

Your reviews a out the Escape are fabulous. They helped me a lot to understand what would be expected in this cruise.

Wish you and your bae the best.

Man, seriously...since I started to read your review I was late for work and then later late for gym...if I could take my tablet to read inside my shower I would.

Do I need to say I loved your review? Nah..

Ok, you helped a lot, because on 3rd June I'll be on this beautiful ship for the first time an can't wait. I'll be travelling from Brazil 2 days before.

Any chance to find you in the same cruise?

Pretty please.

I lmao with your comments.

Bravo.

HI everyone this will be my first cruise solo and I'm counting down the days, I'm looking forward to meet new friends and have lots of fun. I'll arrive the day before the cruise from Brazil.

See you soon! ;)