Cash on account, with debit card?

[me-shel]

We have a credit card attached to our S&S. However, we'd like to put cash down on our account. We're thinking (1) if the cash gets used up, any other charges will roll to the credit card and (2) if there's cash leftover we'll get a check back. Correct me if I'm wrong on that...

 

Now my question: Can we just hand them a debit card and have them charge it to put cash on our account? Or do I literally have to have a stack of dollar bills, cold-hard-cash in my hand to give them?

 

I'd like to use the debit card because it's just less cash to be traveling around with... but if it truly has to be *cash* then that's what we'll do. (And I know there are some that would say to just use the cash to make a payment on the credit card, but for our budgeting purposes that's not an option we're interested in.)

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Here's my understanding (and I'm sure someone will happily correct me if I'm wrong :p):

 

If you want to have a cash account, you hand them cold, hard cash. They don't take the cash from your debit card. If you give them the debit card, they'll treat it like a credit card.

 

If you put cash down and give them your debit card, they'll use the cash first and anything you put on your Sail & Sign above the amount of cash you gave them will go onto your debit card. If you don't use all the cash, you'll get a check at the end. You can go to Guest Services and cash the check or go merrily on your way with your check in your walled. :D

 

Have a great cruise!

[Cruisin'Doc]

me-shel,

 

I believe to use the cash account - you must actually use cash. Your debit card will act as ... well, your debit card :D

 

I do not use credit cards, I use my debit card - for booking and for my S&S account. It functions exactly the same way your credit card would function.

 

If you want to use your debit card for cash, without carrying around actual cash - there are ATM machines around the ship - just pull cash from the ATM when you board the ship and put it on your account. Usually there is one close to Guest Services, as well as the Casino. Beware, however, that sometimes they run out of cash before a cruise is over.

[SadieN]

Be aware that there will be a hold put on your card (CC or Debit).

Some people have reported that it has taken over a week to get the holds removed.

No access to those funds while a hold is in place.

[ewaller04]

just buy tarvelers checks and deposit them in your account. you can get a check back for what you do not use at the end of the cruise

[KatPem]

one other thing to think about....be sure to let your bank know that you are going on vacation and have a back-up! When I was making a payment on our cruise a couple of months ago, our local bank lost power and I wasn't able to use our debit card!! Sue made me think about needing a plan B. You don't want them to see charges for a vacation and freeze yoru account.

[audcc77]

My friend used her debit card to secure her S&S card and when she returned home, she told me that someone had hijacked her number somehow. Never had a problem with it before. She was overdrawn and assessed all kinds of fees. She eventually got those fees taken off but it was a big pain.

 

Travelers checks are available for free at our bank down the street, so that is what we use, along with a credit card.

 

Have fun on your cruise.:)

[cruisinJenF]

You are correct- the cash will be used first since it will show as a credit. After that they will start dinging your debit card.

 

Give them actual cash- I took a card down to guest services and told them to charge it $300. They did- an authorization for $300 showed on my bank account except they still kept authorizing everyday for odd amounts! Then at the end they charged it all. Basically the $300 I said to charge was worthless and just tied up funds. Give them actual cash so the account shows an actual credit. You can add the cash at any kiosk if you don't want to go to guest services BTW.