Newbies to cruising HELP!!!!

[paphosbabe]

Hi all we are going on our first cruise in September on the Celebrity Eclipse.We have paid for the classic drinks package and all gratuites. We don't have a credit card and wondered for any purchases we make on board can we use our normal debit card. I know everything is paid in US dollars but do we need to take dollars for the casino and how does that work.

We are doing a Med cruise so will obviously take some euros with us to spend off the ship.

Do you pay each day for any purchases or at the end of the cruise.

Many thanks for any replies.

[emmas gran]

Hi

You can buy some onboard credit via Celebrity UK at the moment you get $25 US for £17.30 so it is a very good deal. What you do not spend is refunded to the card you use to buy it. Ring Celebrity UK and get advice 01932 834300

[paphosbabe]

Many Thanks.

[Adammara]

Daily purchases are added to your account, which is settled after midnight on the last night. I might be wrong, but I believe if you don't open an account with a card, you have to deposit cash, and add more as it is used up. Other will hopefully give you the actual facts. Our late neighbours would only use cash, but in the end got a card as it meant carry a lot of cash on holiday.

[varoo]

Daily purchases are added to your account, which is settled after midnight on the last night. I might be wrong, but I believe if you don't open an account with a card, you have to deposit cash, and add more as it is used up. Other will hopefully give you the actual facts. Our late neighbours would only use cash, but in the end got a card as it meant carry a lot of cash on holiday.

 

You are right. The ship will only charge you one amount, the final remaining balance on your shipboard account at the end of the cruise.

It is to your advantage if you can use a credit card for your shipboard account that does not charge currency conversion fees

 

When you use a credit card for your shipboard account, you don't need to do anything at all at the end of your cruise.

 

The final balance on your shipboard account will automatically be posted to your credit card and you don't need to pay anything until your next billing cycle, after the cruise is over.

 

So whether you end up with a credit or debit amount, you don't need to do anything about your shipboard account at the end of your cruise

(except to look over your final statement to check that it is correct).

 

But if you use a cash account, you will need to go to guest relations to settle your account at the end of the cruise and must pay any money you owe (or receive a refund) before you are allowed to leave the ship.

 

 

In any case, carrying around a lot of cash that can be lost or stolen is not a good idea.

 

 

If your credit card is lost or stolen, you don't lose any money.

You just inform your credit card company and you are not liable for any charges that a thief may make on it.

The credit card company cancels your credit card, issues you a new card, and you have lost nothing at all, except for some of your time.

 

As for using debit cards, many people who travel frequently set up a separate, small travel account just for using a debit card to get cash from ATM machines as needed along the way on trips.

That way they never need to carry around large amounts of cash, and it eliminates the risk of a thief using the debit card to clean out their regular bank account.

 

 

Edited July 7, 2016 by varoo

[casper106]

If don't already have a credit card,then why don't you get a basic one with no fees and a low limit just for things like this. You can even put money on your credit card account in advance and not worry about paying it off by the due date. Easy peasy.

[WEGL81]

Doesn't the cruise line also put a large hold on your debit card to ensure that you have enough money in your acct to pay at the end of the cruise? I'm not sure because I've only ever used a credit card for cruises, but I think I read that somewhere.

 

I've also read of a horrible incident where a person using a debit card had their account hacked and cleaned out while they were on a cruise. At the end of the cruise they could not pay their balance and the cruise line was holding them. I don't recall the final outcome but there was a big debate as to whether the cruise line could have them arrested or held in some manner. I echo the advice on getting a no fee, low limit credit card just for this. You can always cancel it after the cruise if you don't feel comfortable with credit cards.

[rnrcruzin]

You are probably cash and carry kind of folks and there isn't anything wrong with that. However I think most here would agree that it would be in your best interest the get a credit card and use it only for travel. Then when the cruise is over all you would have to do is a simple transfer of funds from one account to the other. This would prevent a "hold" being placed on your debit account. Additionally if something were to happen then it makes the dispute process much easier and doesn't tie up your regular checking account.

[Adammara]

Can I recommend that all cruisers have credit card and a debit card. Several years ago I only had one card (I forget which one, old age!).

 

We always stay in Southampton pre cruise, and went to a restaurant for a meal the night before we were due to embark. When it came to paying the bill, my card was not accepted, as an attempt had been made to access my account. Fortunately I had cash on me for tips on board, so that was not a problem.

 

I called the bank 24 hour helpline, and they managed to get me a new card by courier to the local branch the next day before we boarded. Great service there. We now travel with one of each card to be safe!

[karena1]

Same here. I have my regular credit card that we use for everything and pay each month. Get tons of points to use for any kind of travel I want.

 

Then I have a "spare" credit card with a low limit that I never use except once a year to keep it active. BUT if my main card would get compromised, I have this one to fall back on until my new regular CC comes

 

Then I have a debit card. Always take that when we travel JUST IN CASE!

 

Want to be prepared for every possibility.

 

Plus always take more cash than I need just to make sure I have plenty for cabs, tips, purchases, etc. Even though my regular card does not charge me foreign transaction fees, I rarely use it in non us ports in the caribbean unless I make a big purchase. For little stuff I just use cash.

[Flamencacha]

The debit card I used to setup my account on my first X hacked. Ironically on cruise day I changed to a different debit card.

A couple days into my cruise odd charges appeared on my bank account. I was able to have the card blocked.

 

 

 

 

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[duchesslt]

If your credit card is lost or stolen, you don't lose any money.

You just inform your credit card company and you are not liable for any charges that a thief may make on it.

The credit card company cancels your credit card, issues you a new card, and you have lost nothing at all, except for some of your time.

 

As for using debit cards, many people who travel frequently set up a separate, small travel account just for using a debit card to get cash from ATM machines as needed along the way on trips.

That way they never need to carry around large amounts of cash, and it eliminates the risk of a thief using the debit card to clean out their regular bank account.

 

 

 

I travel almost every week for work and have to agree with advice above. I was a victim of card cloning twice in the past 4 years. One time it was my debit card (in the US) and the thiefs purchased over 3k worth of stuff in a 2 week span - they got under the radar of fraud checks by keeping each purchase under $200.

 

I always think it's important to travel with a backup credit card. I have a copy of my passport on my phone and PC and only carry one credit card with me when I'm out and about. I always keep my passport and a debit card + credit card in a safe.

 

The other time my card was cloned, I was abroad and the card was shut off - it would have taken 2-3 business days to get a replacement and would have needed to find an American Express office if I had been in a "bind" and needed immediate money.

[leehal]

I have a Travelex Cash Passport which you can top up with cash, works like a credit card.

 

Relatively small fee, might be of use if you don't want a credit card which you can go into debt with.

 

Lots of other ones available if you search the net.

[waterbug123]

To answer your question about the casino, you can either bring cash to use there, or you can get cash on your Seapass card, which means the amount gets charged to your onboard account that you set up initially with either cash or your debit card. They charge 5% to get cash on your account though.

 

I echo the others that you really should consider a credit card for travel. If your debit card gets hacked someone can clean out your account and then where will you be? Unable to settle your onboard account, unable to pay for last minute expenses that could be associated with a flight delay getting home (last minute hotel room, for example) etc. With a credit card you have additional protection.

[hawkesbaynz]

Like other posters I always carry two credit cards and a debit card after my CC was cloned in Sri Lanka on a Sri Lanka/Maldives trip. Getting off the island was dicey as I told Mastercard the wrong password (have so many). Luckily they allowed me to email them the money when I got home - many would not!

 

Presuming your are in the UK I highly recommend the Halifax Clarity Credit Card. I use it for holidays as foreign currencies are charged at the Mastercard Rate which is much better than banks and is free to use in shops/restaurants. If using ATMs there is a small charge but I always transfer money from my bank into it using an Iphone App (Natwest). Never been charged.

 

I have about 300,000 Avios Airmiles from using my other CC as we put every single purchase on out card. Usually fly business with BA within Europe for almost nothing.

 

If you do not like 'credit' from an ethical/religious view point you could always pre-load it. I do as I like to budget my holidays as self-employed.

[paphosbabe]

Many thanks for all your advice, how much do you all usually spend (on board only) for 14 nights with a drinks package and all gratuities paid. I will of course tip again if I think the service warrants it. Also please don't include select dining or trips as we have also pre- paid for those.

Many thanks to all

[OkanaganRon]

On our 14 day Caribbean on Eclipse in Feb./2016, we also had a drink package/tips covered plus $300. in non-refundable onboard credit and $300. refundable onboard credit.

 

We spent $200. on massages at the spa, and $100. on internet usage.

We were hard pressed to use up the remaining $300. finally resorting to purchases of $100. in the onboard shops.We then took the remaining $200. as cash from the front desk.

 

fyi we did not visit the casino.

[keithm]

Hi all we are going on our first cruise in September on the Celebrity Eclipse.We have paid for the classic drinks package and all gratuites. We don't have a credit card and wondered for any purchases we make on board can we use our normal debit card. I know everything is paid in US dollars but do we need to take dollars for the casino and how does that work.

We are doing a Med cruise so will obviously take some euros with us to spend off the ship.

Do you pay each day for any purchases or at the end of the cruise.

Many thanks for any replies.

A debit card is what we frequently use as well. We do bring some cash along as well. We do bring a credit card when venturing ashore. Too easy for a debit card to get "skimmed"& your account gets drained out of a lot of cash.

[llarsen]

I had a strange thing happen to us one time (not on a cruise) but concerning debit/credit card.

 

We flew from California to Milwaukee, had a car reserved at Milwaukee airport to drive the rest of the way to visit family. We never use credit cards so only carried a debit card with us.

 

The car rental required a CREDIT card for the deposit and would not take our debit card for the deposit. Finally after a lot of sweet talking we managed to have them run the debit card for the deposit (which they then put a large hold on our checking account.)

 

It was not a good way to start our trip and I worried our debit card would be declined every time we made a purchase because of the hold on our account.

 

Lesson learned...carry at least one credit card just for travel or emergency.

Our Capital One does not have any foreign exchange fees :-)

[gennadi]

Payment for onboard expenses are made at the end of the cruise in USD. At the check-in procedure you must open a shipboard account. You have 3 options: credit card, debit card, or cash account.

The benefits of using a credit card have been mentioned by previous posts. You may use a debit card, but be advised that your bank may "freeze" the amount due for about one month after the bill is paid. The third option is to open a cash account at check-in and any amount not spent will be returned to you at the guest services desk the night before disembarkation. You may use euros to open the account, but the exchange rate is not so favorable onboard.

 

The casino is the only venue that uses cash. It operates like land-based casinos; you play with cash and are paid in cash. Again, USD only. Happy winnings!

[emmas gran]

OK this is difficult to answer, but I will try and help. You say tips/gratuities and drinks are covered, also tours. The other things you may want to spend on are Speciality dining (allow $40 per person you may get a cheaper deal) laundry is charged by the item or by a "bag offer".Many people wash undies through in the bathroom and wring in a towel,then leave to dry so it is only larger items to launder unless you take clothes for the total cruise by mixing and matching. This is helped by no more formal nights, you can be dressed up without all the trimmings

Are you a bingo player as that is charged as is anything bought in the shops onboard.

I have never used the spa/hairdresser they are expensive as I manage with the hairdryer in our room. If you have room service breakfast you may want to tip the delivery person. 1or 2 dollars

In my world you could get away with $5-600 dollars and as I said if you pre purchase Onboard credit the deal at 17.30 for $25 is a good deal

I hope this of some help to you

[kevinyork]

Many thanks for all your advice, how much do you all usually spend (on board only) for 14 nights with a drinks package and all gratuities paid. I will of course tip again if I think the service warrants it. Also please don't include select dining or trips as we have also pre- paid for those.

Many thanks to all

 

 

 

It sounds like you won't need to spend much onboard at all. Extra costs are normally tip ( you've got them included ) speciality dining ( which you've prepaid) and excursions (which you've prepaid). The only other costs might be the casino or shops onboard so it's hard to say if you would need more onboard credit for those.

 

The advise given above about buying some onboard credit now to get the great exchange rate would be worth following. That way whatever extra you spend onboard would be covered at a very good exchange rate and if you didn't use it all you would get it back.

 

By the way! We get on when you get off!

 

 

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Edited July 9, 2016 by kevinyork