debit cards vs credit cards

[soonergirl15]

I am a first time cruiser looking at the liberty ship out of Galveston. I read on the site where you use either a debit or credit card or cash for a "deposit" assuming u plan to charge stuff. My question is since they put a hold on the debit card which is what I will have to use....we have 2 adults and 2 kids....do they put the hold on it per person, per room, per adult or how does this work? I am trying to budget for everything so just trying to prepare. We plan on paying for cash whenever possible but read on the ship we would have to use either kind of card.

 

Thank you for any input:)

[NIATPAC29]

You really really really need to use a credit card. Many many many problems come up with debit cards

[luddite]

They will put a hold on the card.

Never, ever use a debit card for this.

[soonergirl15]

Thank you!! We only have our debit cards so was just wondering how to work it.

[Sauer-kraut]

All passengers in the cabin will be put on the one card. The holds will be placed daily and drop off periodically. Sometimes the final hold won't drop off until 2 weeks AFTER the cruise ends. Your best bet is to pre-pay all your daily service charges before you leave. Then give them the debit card when you check in and PAY CASH on your account every couple of days (at Guest Services) to keep your balance on board to a bare minimum.

 

There have been so many horror stories on these boards regarding using a debit card for an on board account. Your best bet is to get a credit card or put cash down on your account that way there wont' be any surprises at the end of the cruise.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Sauer-kraut

[sparks1093]

I am a first time cruiser looking at the liberty ship out of Galveston. I read on the site where you use either a debit or credit card or cash for a "deposit" assuming u plan to charge stuff. My question is since they put a hold on the debit card which is what I will have to use....we have 2 adults and 2 kids....do they put the hold on it per person, per room, per adult or how does this work? I am trying to budget for everything so just trying to prepare. We plan on paying for cash whenever possible but read on the ship we would have to use either kind of card.

 

Thank you for any input:)

 

Everyone will tell you it's a bad idea to use a debit card and here is why- they will put a hold on your card (you know this), they may put multiple holds and then at the end of the trip they will put through the final charges and the holds may not have been released which could cause your account to be overdrawn. This happened to us the last time we used a debit card and I found this out when we stopped to get gas- my account was overdrawn. Fortunately by the next time we stopped to get gas the hold was released and we were fine, but since each bank does this differently it could be some time for the hold to be released and during that time you don't have access to your money. You can put cash on your account to secure it instead of using a card.

[Philob]

The hold on your debit account is immediate freezing those funds and won't be released for up to a week (+?) after you leave the ship.

 

There are on going threads here on CC about disputed charges post cruise. If you have any disputed charges post cruise, is the disputed amount or the entire charge put on hold until its settled? That would be up to the terms of your bank/debit card issuer.

 

Alternatively:

 

You can secure your on board account with a credit card and on the last night pay off your account in cash.

 

Or.

 

Let your on board expenses go on your credit card and pay it off in full when you're home.

[soonergirl15]

Thank you! So my next question is how much cash do I need to put down to keep the hold off my debit card? We don't plan on charging much if anything on the card. The only thing I know we will charge is the Dr Seus breakfast since I can't find anywhere to pay for that in advance and maybe some candy from the candy store. We aren't big drinkers but maybe a few drinks as well. Which the cash will cover. Oh and the arcade if they don't take cash in there.

[sparks1093]

Thank you! So my next question is how much cash do I need to put down to keep the hold off my debit card? We don't plan on charging much if anything on the card. The only thing I know we will charge is the Dr Seus breakfast since I can't find anywhere to pay for that in advance and maybe some candy from the candy store. We aren't big drinkers but maybe a few drinks as well. Which the cash will cover. Oh and the arcade if they don't take cash in there.

 

If you use cash you don't need to give them a card. The cash secures your account. If your sail and sign card balance exceeds the cash then the card is turned off until you put more cash down.

[soonergirl15]

I have a credit card I can use for the hold but the credit limit isn't very high. That is why I was asking about if the hold is per person or what. I think I can use that and just put cash down as we charge stuff. If they let you do that then that should work.

[soonergirl15]

Ok that makes sense. I was just wondering how much cash do I need to put down? $100, $200 or more. That will work out too.

[sparks1093]

Ok that makes sense. I was just wondering how much cash do I need to put down? $100, $200 or more. That will work out too.

 

I believe it's up to you, especially if your tips and excursions are pre-paid. When we sailed with NCL our friend put $152 on her account and still received a refund. NCL puts a $300 hold on credit/debit cards initially.

[luddite]

Thank you!! We only have our debit cards so was just wondering how to work it.

 

See post #3 here.

[soonergirl15]

Thank you all!!!

[Essiesmom]

You can also buy yourself onboard credit ahead of time, giving yourself a spending cushion. EM

[soonergirl15]

How do I do that?

[sparks1093]

How do I do that?

 

CCL calls it Cruise Cash and you purchase it through the Fun Shop section of Manage My Cruise on their website. I believe that you can buy it in increments of $25. The only catch is that with CCL it's not refundable so make sure you spend what you buy.

[soonergirl15]

Ok thank you!! I was just looking on their site and the gift cards to see if that would work also. I seen where you can purchase the photo cash in advance. U guy's are a big help:)

[Schoifmom]

Ok thank you!! I was just looking on their site and the gift cards to see if that would work also. I seen where you can purchase the photo cash in advance. U guy's are a big help:)

 

I echo the cash recommendation :)

 

If you are uncomfortable carrying the cash, go ahead and purchase gift cards (not cruise cash, as it is not refundable -- use it or lose it). If you have money left on the gift cards at the end of your cruise, you have a few options on how to handle that:

• Use the casino "trick" to obtain the balance in cash at the end of the cruise
  
• Carnival will either mail you a new gift card or a check as refund of the balance (different people have different experiences with this)
  
• Some people have had success obtaining the remaining cash from the kiosk on the last day
  

[Cuizer2]

I am a first time cruiser looking at the liberty ship out of Galveston. I read on the site where you use either a debit or credit card or cash for a "deposit" assuming u plan to charge stuff. My question is since they put a hold on the debit card which is what I will have to use....we have 2 adults and 2 kids....do they put the hold on it per person, per room, per adult or how does this work? I am trying to budget for everything so just trying to prepare. We plan on paying for cash whenever possible but read on the ship we would have to use either kind of card.

 

Thank you for any input:)

 

Yes, the hold is per person. Now is the time to apply for a credit card. Even a prepaid credit card (the kind with your name on it) or a low limit credit card of $2,000 would take care of your onboard spending and keep you out of the problems associated with using a debit card, of which there are several.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Cuizer2

[Cuizer2]

Thank you!! We only have our debit cards so was just wondering how to work it.

 

If you are serious about going on a cruise, then now is the time to apply for a credit card or get a prepaid credit card (the kind with your name on it). The potential issues that using a debit card can cause is a good reason not to use it.

 

If you cannot get a credit card, then bring $2,000 in cash or traveler's checks and use that to secure your onboard account.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Cuizer2

[Cuizer2]

Thank you! So my next question is how much cash do I need to put down to keep the hold off my debit card? We don't plan on charging much if anything on the card. The only thing I know we will charge is the Dr Seus breakfast since I can't find anywhere to pay for that in advance and maybe some candy from the candy store. We aren't big drinkers but maybe a few drinks as well. Which the cash will cover. Oh and the arcade if they don't take cash in there.

 

You are not going to charge much except:

 

1) breakfast with Dr. Seuss

2) some candy - for the kids, you really think that is all they are going to want?

3) some drinks

4) the arcade

 

and ...

 

5) gratuities - how long is your trip? This is easily reach $50 / day for a family of four

 

6) those cute photographs of you can the kids

 

7) are you planning to leave the ship? If so, there is the cost of the tours. Or maybe go into town and window shop. Why bother if you are not going to buy anything?

 

Get a credit card or a prepaid credit card (the kind with your name on it) or bring traveler's checks. Anything is better than your debit card.

[Cuizer2]

Ok that makes sense. I was just wondering how much cash do I need to put down? $100, $200 or more. That will work out too.

 

What cruise line and how long of a cruise? Typical for a one week cruise is $250 cash per person.

[sparks1093]

Yes, the hold is per person. Now is the time to apply for a credit card. Even a prepaid credit card (the kind with your name on it) or a low limit credit card of $2,000 would take care of your onboard spending and keep you out of the problems associated with using a debit card, of which there are several.

 

In my experience holds have been per portfolio, not per person.

[Cuizer2]

In my experience holds have been per portfolio, not per person.

 

The rules are not clear on this subject ...

 

Onboard Extras

 

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Q: How do I pay for onboard purchases?

 

A: All of Royal Caribbean International ships operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass card), will be used as a charge card to make all onboard purchases. Normally to activate this SeaPass® account, most guests provide a credit card, (American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Additionally, the SeaPass system may be activated with traveler's checks, debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo, or cash.

 

A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemized statement left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card and there are no discrepancies, the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation. If you have used traveler's checks or cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk, (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).

 

Please note:

We require guests to place a deposit if they are paying for their SeaPass account with cash. There is a $500 daily limit on cash accounts for 7+ night sailings and $300 for 2/3/4/5 night sailings. Once the daily cash limit is reached, we will call the guest and inform the guest that the limit has been reached.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&snav=2&faqId=265&faqSubjectId=337&faqSubjectName=Onboard+Extras&faqType=faq