On board Credit Card charges

[es0]

Do the charges that are made to your credit card while on board originate from the same merchant ID, or do different shops/restaurants, etc. show up as different company names on your statement?

 

I am asking because I use a feature of Bank of America Visa (ShopSafe) that allows me to generate a credit card number (a child card from my main card) and specify the maximum limit and expiration date. It only allows one merchant ID to use this type of card. After the first merchant charges something, if a different merchant tries to charge on that card, they will be denied.

[blackshirt]

There may be multiple authorizations but there will only be one actual charge at the end of the cruise. If memory serves me, they all come from the same merchant which should be the name of the ship.

[tingyyy]

That has been my experience too.

 

A running total is kept of each time your seapass is swiped on board and the final balance is billed to your credit card as one single charge (therefore from one merchant) after the cruise.

[es0]

Perfect!! Thank you so much.

[Ourusualbeach]

Ours showed up as 1 charge RCL ALLURE NON DCC.

 

If you book a next cruise on board that will show up as a separate charge,

[RocketMan275]

Do the charges that are made to your credit card while on board originate from the same merchant ID, or do different shops/restaurants, etc. show up as different company names on your statement?

 

I am asking because I use a feature of Bank of America Visa (ShopSafe) that allows me to generate a credit card number (a child card from my main card) and specify the maximum limit and expiration date. It only allows one merchant ID to use this type of card. After the first merchant charges something, if a different merchant tries to charge on that card, they will be denied.

 

If I understand correctly, you are creating a new credit card with a different number with limitations on how much can be charged, expiration date, and which can only be used with one merchant.

 

You would have to provide this "child" card at check-in as the credit card on your account. Essentially, all charges on board are made to your ship board account and are then transferred to the single card you provide at check in. You do not present a credit card for on board purchases, only the card given you by the cruise line.

[Clarea]

If I understand correctly, you are creating a new credit card with a different number with limitations on how much can be charged, expiration date, and which can only be used with one merchant.

 

You would have to provide this "child" card at check-in as the credit card on your account. Essentially, all charges on board are made to your ship board account and are then transferred to the single card you provide at check in. You do not present a credit card for on board purchases, only the card given you by the cruise line.

I've heard of these temporary credit card numbers, but I thought they were aimed at internet/phone use. I did not think that a different physical card was generated. My understanding is that at check-in, the physical card is swiped, so I'm not sure how the temporary number would work.

[RocketMan275]

I've heard of these temporary credit card numbers, but I thought they were aimed at internet/phone use. I did not think that a different physical card was generated. My understanding is that at check-in, the physical card is swiped, so I'm not sure how the temporary number would work.

 

Good point. How would you get a physical card to be swiped?

[es0]

I've heard of these temporary credit card numbers, but I thought they were aimed at internet/phone use. I did not think that a different physical card was generated. My understanding is that at check-in, the physical card is swiped, so I'm not sure how the temporary number would work.

Clarea, Good point. You are correct, there is no physical card. During my On-Line checkin process I was asked to complete my CC information. I was hoping that would be good enough and they would not require a card to swipe. :-(

[Clarea]

Clarea, Good point. You are correct, there is no physical card. During my On-Line checkin process I was asked to complete my CC information. I was hoping that would be good enough and they would not require a card to swipe. :-(

This is another inconsistency with Royal's online check-in. The last time we were asked to enter the entire credit card number was for an Explorer cruise last September. Every other cruise only asked for the last 4 digits, so physical swiping was necessary. I think that even on the Explorer cruise when we had entered the full CC number during online check-in, they still asked for the credit card at terminal check-in.

[flacruiser]

With the exception of Harmony of the Seas, even though you give your credit card number during the on-line check in process, credit cards are presented at check in and swiped.

[Biker19]

With the exception of Harmony of the Seas and Quantum class, even though you give your credit card number during the on-line check in process, credit cards are presented at check in and swiped.

Fixed.

[es0]

With the exception of Harmony of the Seas, even though you give your credit card number during the on-line check in process, credit cards are presented at check in and swiped.

I will be on Harmony. I think I'll leave the throw-down CC number online and if they ask me at boarding time for a CC to swipe, I'll just have to give them the real card.