Do I need a S&S account?

[sanger727]

 

Not everyone is in a position to have credit cards, and some people simply have an aversion to them. I, personally, don't have credit cards at all. I use cash and have sufficient cushion should something happen. I use cash/gift cards and enjoy the pleasure of knowing that I won't be seeing a bill at the end.

 

 

I understand that not everyone can get a credit card, but for those that can, I'm a firm believer in having a credit card with you when you travel internationally. A few things pop to mind when you might need access to a lot of cash immediately - needing medical treatment (some foreign hospitals require payment upfront and the may or may not accept your travel insurance for this), missing the ship and needing to fly to the next port, having your passport stolen.

 

Remember that your bank most likely doesn't have a location in a foreign port so you'll be limited to what you can withdraw from an ATM in a day - $300ish I think is normal. I wouldn't expect a check to be accepted in a foreign country either. But visa and MasterCard are always accepted.

 

 

 

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[myfuzzy]

OP stated that their gratuities were pre-paid. I always do that as well so that I don't have to budget for it later. I like to vacation knowing that I won't have a bill at the end :)

 

I agree. Don't use a debit card. If you don't have credit cards, use cash or gift cards.

 

Not everyone is in a position to have credit cards, and some people simply have an aversion to them. I, personally, don't have credit cards at all. I use cash and have sufficient cushion should something happen. I use cash/gift cards and enjoy the pleasure of knowing that I won't be seeing a bill at the end.

 

Well, IF you have a CC on file, and at the end you CAN pay the balance in full in CASH, but, just an FYI, when you make a purchase on a CC, not a debit card, and something happens, you have a protection against the company, and you would be refunded the monies pretty much immediately. When paying with cash, prove it, and wait and wait oh and wait for you monies to be refunded.

 

As an example....years ago, I had just paid my final payment to sail on the SS Norway, on my American Express card. the very next day they had that horrible accident on it and the cruise was cancelled. I immediately called AE, explained what happened to the ship and the sailing was cancelled, and my money was refunded to me IMMEDIATELY, whereas I had flights and hotels booked, I was able to book a replacement cruise right away. I didn't have to wait for my account to be "researched" for my monies to be refunded. And to add, you cannot rent a car without a CC, some may say sure, you can use cash, but when I tried that I got to the rental car agency and they looked at me like I had three heads, and they had to go to the Pope to get permission to take my money.

[grandmarnnurse]

Well, IF you have a CC on file, and at the end you CAN pay the balance in full in CASH, but, just an FYI, when you make a purchase on a CC, not a debit card, and something happens, you have a protection against the company, and you would be refunded the monies pretty much immediately. When paying with cash, prove it, and wait and wait oh and wait for you monies to be refunded.

 

As an example....years ago, I had just paid my final payment to sail on the SS Norway, on my American Express card. the very next day they had that horrible accident on it and the cruise was cancelled. I immediately called AE, explained what happened to the ship and the sailing was cancelled, and my money was refunded to me IMMEDIATELY, whereas I had flights and hotels booked, I was able to book a replacement cruise right away. I didn't have to wait for my account to be "researched" for my monies to be refunded. And to add, you cannot rent a car without a CC, some may say sure, you can use cash, but when I tried that I got to the rental car agency and they looked at me like I had three heads, and they had to go to the Pope to get permission to take my money.

 

Preciously why I always use a cc!! A debit card is so unsafe, but cc give you that added protection you need. And it's not like someone else posted that I have a bill waiting for me when I get home, because whatever I put on my cc, I always have the cash to pay it off when that bill comes. I would never keep a balance on a cc! Too many people never learned that lesson, and struggle with debt! A cc is necessary when booking all sorts of things. I can't imagine not having one! I put EVERYTHING on my cc (groceries, etc) so that I earn points towards free cruises! 😎 I just always make sure that there is money budgeted for everything on there!

[myfuzzy]

Preciously why I always use a cc!! A debit card is so unsafe, but cc give you that added protection you need. And it's not like someone else posted that I have a bill waiting for me when I get home, because whatever I put on my cc, I always have the cash to pay it off when that bill comes. I would never keep a balance on a cc! Too many people never learned that lesson, and struggle with debt! A cc is necessary when booking all sorts of things. I can't imagine not having one! I put EVERYTHING on my cc (groceries, etc) so that I earn points towards free cruises! I just always make sure that there is money budgeted for everything on there!

 

With the CC, you have that choice...pay your account in FULL with cash on board...."0" on your card, OR you can wait for the statement to come through and pay it as you would a normal bill.

 

But, because I cannot reason rationally, would someone please tell me how you can cruise with a zero bill at the end of your cruise. That's with not putting a cc or cash down. Do you not pay your gratuities, get a beverage...of any kind, no trinkets, bingo, casino.....

 

Unfortunately, I have had my CC for so many years, I don't have any "perks" attached for any points for anything.

[dmdiver]

I think you can cruise with no onboard expenses if you prepaid all your gratuities, excursions & either got the drink package or chose only to drink what's provided free on the ship. If you don't gamble or shop, there would be no expenses there and hopefully you don't need to see the doctor.

[CalaDragonflyLady]

In all the years I've been cruising and using a credit card for my sail & sign card, I have never had an issue with unwanted charges. Not to mention, you can check your charges on your account frequently on the TV or with guest services. I'm not saying it can't happen--I'm sure it does--but if you check your balance on your account frequently, you can monitor the situation. I would never use a debit card. I don't even use one anywhere anymore. Way too easy for fraud, and to clean out your accounts. A credit card offers much more protection, and to never be responsible for charges that you did not make.

 

 

I agree.......*N E V E R* use my debit card for my on board account, nor for travel in general. More protection if you use a credit card. If you "don't believe in" standard credit cards you can pre-purchase a temporary one with a balance on it.

[myfuzzy]

I agree.......*N E V E R* use my debit card for my on board account, nor for travel in general. More protection if you use a credit card. If you "don't believe in" standard credit cards you can pre-purchase a temporary one with a balance on it.

 

BUT...READ the fine print. Some of those cards are not valid outside the U.S. if you plan on using it off ship. I overheard yelling...I happened to hear a woman screaming at the cashier on one of the islands that that card was good, had money on it yada yada yada, only to find out it was a pre paid visa from one of those cards you buy in the supermarket or drug store. Not good on the island where we were.

[myfuzzy]

I think you can cruise with no onboard expenses if you prepaid all your gratuities, excursions & either got the drink package or chose only to drink what's provided free on the ship. If you don't gamble or shop, there would be no expenses there and hopefully you don't need to see the doctor.

 

If I'm not going to drink, gamble or shop. I might as well stay home. That's why I go on vacation...I don't have to drive, cook or clean...so I'm going to LIVE IT UP

[CalaDragonflyLady]

BUT...READ the fine print. Some of those cards are not valid outside the U.S. if you plan on using it off ship. I overheard yelling...I happened to hear a woman screaming at the cashier on one of the islands that that card was good, had money on it yada yada yada, only to find out it was a pre paid visa from one of those cards you buy in the supermarket or drug store. Not good on the island where we were.

 

 

Good point, but I was addressing the issue of funding an S&S account :cool:. In ports I figure cash is king and don't use my credit card unless I don't have enough moolah with me :D

[sanger727]

I think you can cruise with no onboard expenses if you prepaid all your gratuities, excursions & either got the drink package or chose only to drink what's provided free on the ship. If you don't gamble or shop, there would be no expenses there and hopefully you don't need to see the doctor.

 

 

 

Oh, you can absolutely leave the ship without incurring any onboard expenses. I just don't think they will let you board without setting up an account. What you do with that account is up to you.

 

 

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[myfuzzy]

Oh, you can absolutely leave the ship without incurring any onboard expenses. I just don't think they will let you board without setting up an account. What you do with that account is up to you.

 

 

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So I am going on a fantastic cruise...I am going to bypass any beverages, trickets, gaming and not pay tips.....just because it seems I'm cheap.

[Schoifmom]

So I am going on a fantastic cruise...I am going to bypass any beverages, trickets, gaming and not pay tips.....just because it seems I'm cheap.

 

OP said that they PREPAID THEIR GRATUITIES, some people don't drink, and some people don't gamble. That just leaves shopping on board, and some people are able to resist the temptation for overpriced trinkets and photos. Some people can find fun wherever they are.

[sanger727]

So I am going on a fantastic cruise...I am going to bypass any beverages, trickets, gaming and not pay tips.....just because it seems I'm cheap.

 

 

 

The person I quoted mentioned pre-paying tips and a drink package, as did OP. So tips and beverages are already covered. Me, personally, are not the least bit tempted by on-ship trinkets or gambling. So not spending money on that doesn't make a person cheap.

 

 

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[riclop]

Of course you do.

[matt082600]

Items from the gift shops and drinks above your allowance on Cheers.

 

Pictures, "gold by the inch" (and such other offerings, specialty dining venues......

 

As already stated, they will require some form of "backup payment" to your s&s account; cash or card...

[bingomamma19]

Oh, you can absolutely leave the ship without incurring any onboard expenses. I just don't think they will let you board without setting up an account. What you do with that account is up to you.

 

 

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Yes you can board without putting money on an account. If you are doing a cash account, you don't even set that up until you are on board. When I took my college aged boys, I prepaid everything (tips also) on their room before we boarded. They did not need any money on their sign and sail account as I had pre bought their cheers too.

 

We just said we would set up a cash account, never did put any cash on it for either one of them.