First Time Cruising!! Can I have some help!?

[HopeJet-SkiGirl]

Hi everyone,

 

My husband and I are getting ready to take our first cruise on Freedom of the Seas, May 24th 2015 and we are beyond excited!! I am curious on how to carry money aboard the ship and was told by my travel agent to use our credit card and only are credit card. Our travel agent stated that the cruise won't take cash, unless you are at the casino. Is this true!? I must use credit card and can't use cash to pay for any gift shop items or alcoholic beverages too?

 

Thank you!!

 

Any experienced cruisers have any tips or must sees as well? Would love all the help. Thank you.

 

Hope

[rt1092]

Hi everyone,

 

My husband and I are getting ready to take our first cruise on Freedom of the Seas, May 24th 2015 and we are beyond excited!! I am curious on how to carry money aboard the ship and was told by my travel agent to use our credit card and only are credit card. Our travel agent stated that the cruise won't take cash, unless you are at the casino. Is this true!? I must use credit card and can't use cash to pay for any gift shop items or alcoholic beverages too?

 

Thank you!!

 

Any experienced cruisers have any tips or must sees as well? Would love all the help. Thank you.

 

Hope

Your room key is your Sea Pass card. Everything except gambling will be charged to it. You can leave a credit card account to secure the charges to your sea pass card or you can pay cash up front.

For tips on cruising just surf or search on here. You will find a wealth of knowledge.

Edited December 6, 2014 by rt1092

[iheartbda]

You won't even be able to use your credit card for purchases per se. You will be issued a sea pass card that is used everywhere on the ship. At check in, you need to provide a credit card and everything will be charged to that at the end of the cruise.

[Ashland]

Hi everyone,

 

My husband and I are getting ready to take our first cruise on Freedom of the Seas, May 24th 2015 and we are beyond excited!! I am curious on how to carry money aboard the ship and was told by my travel agent to use our credit card and only are credit card. Our travel agent stated that the cruise won't take cash, unless you are at the casino. Is this true!? I must use credit card and can't use cash to pay for any gift shop items or alcoholic beverages too?

 

Thank you!!

 

Any experienced cruisers have any tips or must sees as well? Would love all the help. Thank you.

 

Hope

 

RCI is a cashless ship basically...you can use cash in the casino. You can also pay cash at guest services towards your SeaPass account.

 

This system is really not difficult at all and makes it easier once onboard...as everything goes on your SeaPass account.

[mollyeilis]

People do use cash for bartender, etc, tips, though. Not entirely cashless. Just mostly.

[HopeJet-SkiGirl]

So, I am allowed to pay off my seapass card before I leave the ship or wait for my credit card to bill me? Isn't my seapass card linked to my credit card, which is what is being charged?

[Langley Cruisers]

So, I am allowed to pay off my seapass card before I leave the ship or wait for my credit card to bill me? Isn't my seapass card linked to my credit card, which is what is being charged?

 

Yes to both.

[Retired LEO]

So, I am allowed to pay off my seapass card before I leave the ship or wait for my credit card to bill me? Isn't my seapass card linked to my credit card, which is what is being charged?

 

Just go to guest services and pay it off. No Problem.

[HopeJet-SkiGirl]

Thank you everyone:)

[reney313]

The others are correct. When you check in online before your cruise, you will option to set up your onboard account. You can do so with a credit/debit card or mark the box for a cash account.

 

When you get to the terminal to check in, you can provide your credit/debit card there. If you choose cash, you don't need to provide anything. You automatically will have up to $500 "credit" but will be cut off on spending when you reach $500 if you have not gone to Guest Services onboard and provided cash down.

 

When you buy drinks or anything on board, you will use your sea pass card, which is also your room key and ID (used to board and debark the ship). Everything charged on the sea pass goes to your "onboard account". You can settle that however you wish.

 

There are a few different options:

1. Provide your credit card when you check in. If you prefer to pay cash, you can still go to the Guest Services desk onboard and place cash to pay down the onboard account. I sometimes do that if I realize I have too much (haha..casino winnings or lack of purchases in ports mostly). You can still keep your credit card there for any additional purchases or to cover the amount you don't pay with cash. I highly recommend this route if you choose to use your debit card. They do authorize the card nightly and this has caused some cruisers (including myself) troubles in the past as it can take a few weeks for it to all be cleared up in your checking account.

 

2. Go strictly cash. Do not provide your CC and instead board the ship and sometime the first day/night go to Guest Services and put money down. You do need to check your balance periodically to ensure you have enough cash in your onboard account. You will need to stand in a few very long (often) on the morning of debarkation or the evening prior to settle up (either pay what is left or get your cash refund).

 

3. Just put your credit card down initially and never go to Guest Services. At the end of the cruise, the bill for anything your purchase onboard will be charged to your CC.

 

*Note: obviously exceptions with the casino, any cash tips your choose to leave-which is over and above the pre-paid or included gratuities.

 

It may seem complicated, but is really a simple process once you decide which route you want to go. Enjoy your first cruise!

[brenderlou]

Easiest to do is to link sea pass card to your credit card. When you get your credit card bill pay off.

 

 

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[RCI Cruisers 004]

It has been said, but you won't need cash for onboard expenses. We do take a bunch of $1's and $5's for tips for bartenders and room service! You will be amazed at how service improves with extra tips ? Also, take extra tip money if you get off the ship on excursions. You will have to tip bus drivers or tour guided.... Are you Western or Eastern Caribbean ?

[Dayenu]

So, I am allowed to pay off my seapass card before I leave the ship or wait for my credit card to bill me? Isn't my seapass card linked to my credit card, which is what is being charged?

 

You card is not charged before you leave the ship. If you pay half of the charges by cash, only half will be charged to your credit card.

[cb at sea]

You will want to have some cash for going ashore...cash is accepted EVERYWHERE, so it's nice to have!

There will be a safe in your cabin, so you don't have to carry it around. On the ship, everything is charged to your cabin...you can pay with credit card or cash....debit cards are NOT recommended, as "holds" are placed on your funds. Cash is better than debit, even tho it works out the same!

 

Cash is best for the casino. Bring what you can afford to lose.

[HopeJet-SkiGirl]

Perfect. Makes a lot more sense now. Thank you.

We are traveling to Western

[dacsmom]

You picked a great ship, the Freedom is still my favorite ship. If choose to use cash or a credit card you can keep track of your spending on the TV in your stateroom. I usually have a cash account to help me stick to my budget, it is so easy to spend more than you really want when all I have to do is hand over my seapass. I also pay as much as I can before I sail like drink packages and gratuities. That is my system and it works for me.

[cruisegirl1]

So, I am allowed to pay off my seapass card before I leave the ship or wait for my credit card to bill me? Isn't my seapass card linked to my credit card, which is what is being charged?

 

No sure of your preference, but you do not have to pay anything prior to leaving the ship. When you do your on-line check in (closer to departure) and check in at the port, you will generally use a credit card. You will be given a Sea Pass card that is the room key and is used for all on board purchases. That sea pass card is linked to your credit card. The last morning you will get a statement of all the charges. There is nothing for you to do as those charges will be billed to the credit card. Just a hint, take a look at the bill a few times during week (go to guest services or check it on the TV) in case there are any mistakes.

 

You will need cash at the ports and if you want to do any additional tipping on board.

 

Enjoy

M