Debit Card Question

[LAFFNVEGAS]

$1,000?????? Never heard of such a thing that you have to leave that much of a deposit whoever told you that has no idea what they are doing.

It depends on the length of the voyage. I know of someone recently that only deals in cash or debit card and I told them it would not be wise to use the debit card unless they were not afraid of holds, They were doing a Panama Canal cruise recently and was told they needed to deposit $500.00 per person so YES they could request $1000.

[sparks1093]

Still wondering how somebody got so much OBC and stuff prepaid as well. And how they are gonna still spend $1700

 

We pre-paid the DSC and our excursions and pre-purchased $1,100 OBC before our last cruise. Since my budget for the 4 of us was $1050 we had not problems spending that amount (and if there had been any excess three words- duty free rum:)).

 

Another reason not to prepay anything. Why give somebody your money, then have to prove to them that you did? Just pay when it is due.

 

Different strokes for different folks. We had no issues with the OBC that we bought.

 

Oh, and they did put a $300 hold on our credit card when we boarded.

[agabbymama]

To the person that pre-paid over $1,000 in OBC.... Why? I totally don't get any of this prepaid stuff, except maybe the DSC if you're using cash on board. Why give them your money when you don't have to? OBC isn't immediately refunded either. It can take weeks to get that back.

 

I thought purchasing the OBC was a smart way to be sure I had the trip paid for. And yes, you are correct, I had $200 left over and was told a check would be sent to my home address. I went to the casino, paid 3% fee to get that $200 back immediately.

 

And yes again, I learned a valuable lesson. I now no longer give up my money in advance.

[garycarla]

I thought purchasing the OBC was a smart way to be sure I had the trip paid for. And yes, you are correct, I had $200 left over and was told a check would be sent to my home address. I went to the casino, paid 3% fee to get that $200 back immediately.

 

And yes again, I learned a valuable lesson. I now no longer give up my money in advance.

 

Thank you for sharing with others.

Edited June 9, 2014 by garycarla

[Crusin6]

I thought purchasing the OBC was a smart way to be sure I had the trip paid for. And yes, you are correct, I had $200 left over and was told a check would be sent to my home address. I went to the casino, paid 3% fee to get that $200 back immediately.

 

And yes again, I learned a valuable lesson. I now no longer give up my money in advance.

 

Another way to make sure you have you r onboard account covered is to just send a check for whatever amount you feel you will be charging to the credit card company before you leave for the cruise

 

Make sure you use that same credit card on the ships account and voila you are prepaid!!

[Cruiser Who Knows Nothing]

Just got off the ship on Saturday. We used a debit card in one of our cabins. They said they were going to put a hold on $300. We had to sign a receipt for approval.

 

2 days later (while on the ship) I log into my checking account - there was a hold there, but the $300 wasn't taken out of the "available balance".

 

My bank does the same thing for rental cars. I haven't "paid" for my rental from May 29.

[sparks1093]

Just got off the ship on Saturday. We used a debit card in one of our cabins. They said they were going to put a hold on $300. We had to sign a receipt for approval.

 

2 days later (while on the ship) I log into my checking account - there was a hold there, but the $300 wasn't taken out of the "available balance".

 

My bank does the same thing for rental cars. I haven't "paid" for my rental from May 29.

 

Each bank handles it differently because my bank does subtract holds from the balance.

[Cruiser Who Knows Nothing]

and I want to add that we were WAY WAY over the $300 "hold". And nothing happend after we reached the $300. So I really don't see what the purpose of the hold was.

 

I would think that each time we reached $300, they would charge my card. Nope.

[diskids2]

We pre-paid the DSC and our excursions and pre-purchased $1,100 OBC before our last cruise. Since my budget for the 4 of us was $1050 we had not problems spending that amount (and if there had been any excess three words- duty free rum:)).

 

 

 

Different strokes for different folks. We had no issues with the OBC that we bought.

 

Oh, and they did put a $300 hold on our credit card when we boarded.

 

Was that per room or per person. I will be using a credit card but I still want to know the amount of available credit that will be tied up.

[sparks1093]

Was that per room or per person. I will be using a credit card but I still want to know the amount of available credit that will be tied up.

 

That was for everyone that I had on my account which was 4 people in two rooms.

[diskids2]

Each bank handles it differently because my bank does subtract holds from the balance.

 

I agree with this. I will be using a credit card for my onboard account, but I have paid down the cruise using debit cards. One bank lists it as a pending charge and removes it from the available balance immediately and my other bank lists it as a pending charge but does NOT remove it from my available cash balance for a few days. In both cases, the approvals did not happen unless there WAS available money in the account but only one one of them did it get deducted right away. So each bank operates in their own way.

[diskids2]

That was for everyone that I had on my account which was 4 people in two rooms.

 

Ok thank you! I have five people...three in one room and two in the other. I was expecting $300 per room so this is interesting news.

[CactusFlower527]

Yes.

Never, ever use a debit card for this.

 

NCL really does discourage the use of DEBIT cards for your On Board Account....

yes people do it all of the time...

 

I wouldn't, though.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Just got off the ship on Saturday. We used a debit card in one of our cabins. They said they were going to put a hold on $300. We had to sign a receipt for approval.

 

2 days later (while on the ship) I log into my checking account - there was a hold there, but the $300 wasn't taken out of the "available balance".

 

My bank does the same thing for rental cars. I haven't "paid" for my rental from May 29.

 

Exact same thing for me

[CasinoCruzGirl]

NCL really does discourage the use of DEBIT cards for your On Board Account....

yes people do it all of the time...

 

I wouldn't, though.

 

 

How is they discourage use of a debit card when I went on the breakaway in March and gave them my debit card they didn't even blink an eye

[JasonV1]

The issue with debit cards is authorizations, and the people who don't know what they are. They get home and see their money tied up for x days and freak out.

 

Search this boards for examples. NCL doesn't care so much as they want to avoid those complaints.

 

I don't use mine for security reasons above all else. Once a debit card number is compromised the damage isn't as easily fixed as it is with a credit card. This will get better with chip and pin cards but those are a few years from widespread adoption in the US.

 

 

 

 

 

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[garycarla]

How is they discourage use of a debit card when I went on the breakaway in March and gave them my debit card they didn't even blink an eye

 

Simple stuff here.

 

They discourage, but are not about to tell people at checkin they can not do it. Most hotels and rental car counters these days have a sign on the front desk about debit cards. As the the cruiseline and checkin - they are not stupid enough to subject their front line staff on the pier to explain the differences in a debit card for other means. Can you imagine the check in time?

 

Simple - they don't. If someone wants to, or must use their debit card, then they let them. As stated, thousands of people use them every week and have no problem. But - some people will - and way more than those that use credit cards.

 

If you want to use it, then use it. Just be aware of what others have shared.

[sparks1093]

Simple stuff here.

 

They discourage, but are not about to tell people at checkin they can not do it. Most hotels and rental car counters these days have a sign on the front desk about debit cards. As the the cruiseline and checkin - they are not stupid enough to subject their front line staff on the pier to explain the differences in a debit card for other means. Can you imagine the check in time?

 

Simple - they don't. If someone wants to, or must use their debit card, then they let them. As stated, thousands of people use them every week and have no problem. But - some people will - and way more than those that use credit cards.

 

If you want to use it, then use it. Just be aware of what others have shared.

 

Yep, every time we've check in there have been signs all along the check in counter and in the terminal that are labeled "Attention Debit Card Users" or something along those lines and the signs explain how a hold will be put on the card and it is up to the bank to release the hold.

[ALS1214]

I only have a debit card as I am trying to pay off my credit cards. Can I just give them cash? I think I read 300 dollars per person for 7 days.

 

 

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[Crusin6]

I only have a debit card as I am trying to pay off my credit cards. Can I just give them cash? I think I read 300 dollars per person for 7 days.

 

 

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Give them your credit card and send a $300 payment to the credit card company before you leave

 

If you have $300 to give the ship you can just as easily send that same $300 to the credit card people

 

And as an added bonus you have not exposed your checking account to fraud and in essence you have put $300 on your ships account. Not to mention the points you will earn on your credit card as well as showing the credit card people what a good efficient payer you are.

 

And if you are trying to pay off your credit cards well then you do have a credit card and not just a debit card

 

Of course if there is something else to it that is not my place to offer advice

Edited June 16, 2014 by Crusin6

[Crusin6]

Darn... another poster trying to confuse us with reality.

 

(thanks)

 

That makes 3 of us thinking realistically.

You me and the guy you quoted! Lol

 

Have you ever tried to explain to someone why a 529 account may not be in their best interest? Or why they should be funding an ira or 401k even if they think they cant afford to? Now that's special!! Lol

 

 

http://gosms.3g.cn/D?

 

 

f=OB0XAPGLT05qI_ViaGoSMSNow that's special!

Edited June 16, 2014 by Crusin6

[ALS1214]

Give them your credit card and send a $300 payment to the credit card company before you leave

 

If you have $300 to give the ship you can just as easily send that same $300 to the credit card people

 

And as an added bonus you have not exposed your checking account to fraud and in essence you have put $300 on your ships account. Not to mention the points you will earn on your credit card as well as showing the credit card people what a good efficient payer you are.

 

And if you are trying to pay off your credit cards well then you do have a credit card and not just a debit card

 

Of course if there is something else to it that is not my place to offer advice

 

 

I have one, but do they just hold the 300 and you can pay cash when you check out? I've never cruised before. I just don't want to spend on board using my card since I'm paying it off . Do they hand you a bill and ask how you will pay or they take you card and everything you buy on board gets put on the credit card?

 

 

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[ALS1214]

I can just put down cash on an on board account and not use a card at all, correct?

 

 

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[garycarla]

I can just put down cash on an on board account and not use a card at all, correct?

 

 

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Yes, you can do cash. You can also put down a credit card, but then go down to the desk towards the end of the cruise any pay off part or all of the balance with cash. You could even go down on the 2nd day and put down a good chunk of what you think the final bill will be. This gives you a bit more control and the least hassle. Any possible hold on your credit card will NOT cost you interest.

 

WARNING!

 

You will get a wide range of answers on how much they expect you to put down.

Edited June 17, 2014 by garycarla

[Crusin6]

I have one, but do they just hold the 300 and you can pay cash when you check out? I've never cruised before. I just don't want to spend on board using my card since I'm paying it off . Do they hand you a bill and ask how you will pay or they take you card and everything you buy on board gets put on the credit card?

 

 

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Are you against just putting the card down a check in and then Limiting yourself to spending $300 or less and just following my suggestion of sending the card company a payment?

 

However if you insist on using cash that is certainly better than using a debit card