Cash instead of credit card?

[cage keeper]

Have any of you experienced cruisers given cash or travlers checks instead of a credit card at check in? I read a couple of posts of being way over charged, meaning they may make mistakes. Like the woman charged 1700. for internet. We don't use credit cards for charging. The only card we have is a MC through our checking acc. If a mistake were made, this could be a big problem for the rest of our vacation. We are spending two more weeks in Orlando.

[odis]

You will have to put a certain amount down for a deposit if you use cash. Not sure what the minimum amount is. What I usually do is give them a CC up front and on the last full day, pay it off with cash or travelers checks. This also gives you the chance to review the bill at the pursers desk for any problems, but you can review your bill at any time.

[Treven]

I always put down cash. I don't want the cruiseline to put a block on my credit card, which might keep me from using my cc at a hotel post cruise.

[CTShore]

How much cash do you usually put down?

[MargaritaPlease]

Wake up people!!!

 

Your credit card offers you so much more protection!! The credit card company will help you settle disputes, cover your liability, etc. Don't use cash.

[zotzer]

Yeah, but if you use cash, there will be no dispute to settle, as you won't get a $1700 hit after you leave the ship! :)

 

Tracy

[cage keeper]

I was thinking of American Express or Visa travel check cards. It's OK for you to say use the CC when you have a high limit. It won't do us any good to settle the dispute AFTER our Disney vacation is ruined:eek: . With our bank card the money would be taken right out. Now if they over charged me $1700.00, I would not have a whole lot of cash for the next two weeks or the over 2,000 mile drive home.:mad:

 

Haven't used a regular CC in over 5 years.:D

[megr1125]

that comment about waking up was kinda harsh! many people only use cash and don't have credit cards so they don't follow the large portion of the people in this country as they fall deeper in debt.

 

the initial amount is probably a couple hundred bucks.....just check often and don't wait til the last minute....the line at guest relations gets long the last day.

[megr1125]

those travelers check-card things are a PITA. Unless you know the exact amount on it your charges can get declined. stick with paper travelers checks.

[cage keeper]

You know, now that you metion it , you are right. My DS got one from his God Mother for Christmas and before we realized it he threw out the instructions. You have to call to activate them. DH had to take him to the bank to activate it. I was afraid it was a lost cause, and it was a lot of money. I'll go to AAA and get the insured paper travlers checks.

[wraithe]

My wife and I just got done filling out our onine check in stuff. There was a block on it to fill in how much cash you wanted to put down on your Sea Pass account. I would not in any way, anytime, anywhere, anyhow use a debit card either on the ship or overseas. Not even if tortured. Can I be any more plain about that. Debit cards suck, there, that's JHMO. I don't even use a debit card in my town. I use my credit card, and keep a checking account register that I compare to my bank account and pay off every month. It's a hotel point card, and I'm using it to stay in P'Can and Orlando free in April before and after my cruise. That's just how I handle it. I second all the folks who said that you can dispute charges, especially if you carefully monitor them daily. It would suck if you get to Disney and can't use the credit card to get in, but it would suck onboard if you sit down to have a drink with friends and they tell you that you have to go put more cash on your Sea Pass account before you can enjoy your evening. Seems like 6 of one, half dozen of the other to me. Good luck and happy cruising.

[cage keeper]

Wraithe, so if I only have debit or cash, what one would you use?

 

Treven, How much do you need to put down? We are not big drinkers, but will probaly have a couple every night. And DS will want access to the arcade. Would six or seven hundred do it?

 

Or should I just bite the bullett and get a CC. I don't want to do this unless absaulty nessary.

Thank you to everyone for your help.:)

[helicopter]

Whatever amount you give them they will except. If you are using a credit card they will hold a certain amount, but if you are giving them cash they will take whatever you give. Check after a few days and add more money if you think you need to. I have done all three, cash, credit card and debit/check card - cash is very easy, I will be doing that again in June. You are not obligated to buy anything on the ship, and since RCCL doesn't do auto tipping they aren't making sure the tip is covered by having a certain amount for deposit. Late on the last night of the cruise when you feel that you will not be signing again for anything go down and close out your account. If you have any cash remaining they will give it to you then. But, besure you are not going to use the card again. Don't think for a minute that if you walk up with $50.00 to put down as a deposit they are going to say no we can't except that.:o

[MargaritaPlease]

that comment about waking up was kinda harsh! many people only use cash and don't have credit cards so they don't follow the large portion of the people in this country as they fall deeper in debt.

 

It's a harsh world - as evidenced by your comment equating credit card use to being deep in debt. I maintain my opinion that using cash in this day and age is foolish. The vast majority of people (certainly including those who can afford to cruise) can obtain some sort of credit card that allows them the security, liability limitation, and other benefits of leaving their cash at home and they should ALL take advantage of that opportunity.

[wraithe]

Wraithe, so if I only have debit or cash, what one would you use?

 

Treven, How much do you need to put down? We are not big drinkers, but will probaly have a couple every night. And DS will want access to the arcade. Would six or seven hundred do it?

 

Or should I just bite the bullett and get a CC. I don't want to do this unless absaulty nessary.

Thank you to everyone for your help.:)

 

If I had to choose between the two, I would use cash instead of a debit card. Here's the problem with that, if you lose it or it's stolen, you're done for. Might as well have set fire to it. If you plan to do any excursions through the ship, 6 or 700 most likely won't do it, if you go cheap for two people, more likely closer to a thousand. You're really kind of between a rock and a hard place. I would recommend, and I would tell my 20 yo daughter the same thing, get a CC with a 2000 dollar limit, or something like that, then get cash from the casino to put on your Sea Pass, or something like that. I dunno, cage keeper, seems like it'd be a pain, I know that a CC can be a daunting proposition. Maybe talk to the people in your local bank branch, I'd bet they can help advise you on your particular case. I agree with helicopter, you can pay whatever amount you want in cash, RCL will happily accept it, and apply to your account. I just worry about you carrying a lot of cash before you get to the ship. Good luck with it, and I know that you'll have a great time however you decide to do it.

[cage keeper]

Thanks for all the imput. I hope you meant 1,000 with excrusions. Can't imagine spending that much on booze and video games. Accutaly, from what I read on RC's website if I book the excursions ahead of time online, I pre pay these. Will use debit card. I won't carry that much cash. It will be travlers checks, some cash and use the debit card for checking out od Disney. They let you put everything on your room just like the cruise lines. All hotel and park packages and dining plan are already paid for. Just have to pay for meals, including Emeril's at Universal.:D

 

Several years ago, After DH had back surgery, we got way behind in CC bills. Swore to never use them again. Thankfuly our credit is still great. When we wanted to do work on the house, we refinanced. So far this has been working for us. :D

[cage keeper]

OH, I left this part out. I will give my tips out in cash. Not comfortable giving them to a third party. Worked in the rest. buss. for over 30 years, everyone should be handed their tip in person. Just the way I would prefer to get mine.

[wraithe]

Thanks for all the imput. I hope you meant 1,000 with excrusions. Can't imagine spending that much on booze and video games. Accutaly, from what I read on RC's website if I book the excursions ahead of time online, I pre pay these. Will use debit card. I won't carry that much cash. It will be travlers checks, some cash and use the debit card for checking out od Disney. They let you put everything on your room just like the cruise lines. All hotel and park packages and dining plan are already paid for. Just have to pay for meals, including Emeril's at Universal.:D

 

Several years ago, After DH had back surgery, we got way behind in CC bills. Swore to never use them again. Thankfuly our credit is still great. When we wanted to do work on the house, we refinanced. So far this has been working for us. :D

 

I should have said, 1000 with excursions, you're absolutely right. Many excursions on Grandeur changed last year, so some did get charged to my Sea Pass, itinerary changes due to Wilma. Sounds like you've got a plan, and you know what you're doing. You'll have a great time. Last Oct was my first pleasure cruise on Grandeur, I'm already going again on Mariner in April, and planning to book Voyager for next January to do another cruise with table mates from the Grandeur cruise. I hope you have as much fun as we did, and are new cruise addicts when you're done. Happy sailing.

[lvssushi]

Just wanted to point out that you do not need to carry a large amount of cash with you onboard. I am surprising my DH and kids with our cruise. I have a onboard credit that I have paid money into and will have most if not all costs covered. Just call RCI or your TA and they can do it for you. By the way, for our family of 4, 7 days, no RCI excursions, I put down a $1000. What we don't use I will cash out on the last night. :)

[Treven]

I've put as little as $200 down (my first cruise). I only went on one excursion & had two drinks during my cruise; got $ back at the end.

 

Now that I'm becoming more familiar and comfortable with the whole process on my next cruise I'll probably put down $500. That might not be enough for a family, but I'm alone so that should be ample.

[cruisequeen10]

I am one of those who pays cash. I do have a credit card, but they seem to charge extra exchange or an admin fee for every purchase (outside of Canada). On our last cruise (NCL), we were required to put down $25 each. Then each day, when the tips were added to our account, we were required to put more down. As I only purchase the embarkation photo and a couple of things in the gift shop, I am not putting down lots of cash ahead of time. We mainly just keep up with the tips that are put on each day and then at the end, pay the balance.

[cage keeper]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to have my TA put some money on our account ahead of time. Learned another new tip. We'll start with a thousand. Too bad I'm not one of those getting a tax refund. HA HA! :D

 

I'm afraid you are right about becoming addicted to crusing. I already am and havn't even gone yet.:rolleyes:

[Treven]

If you're referring to the AMEX Travel Card, you can't use it for your onboard account; but you can, of course, use it at an ATM for cash, and use that cash for your account.

[1VirginCruiser]

I had to respond to the earlier thread that implied that use of credit cards leads to dept problems. I always use a credit card not only because it's safer, but I then fly for free (earn points).

I pay it off every month (again, a free 28 day loan). No dept, free miles and a free loan. I call it discipline with benifits.

[cage keeper]

Treven, I think they still have the old fashion paper AMEX travlers checks. I can get them at my credit union or AAA. Thats DH's job. He handles the finances. My job is to do all the planning and booking.:D Wraithe comfirmed my suspitions about giving them my bank card.:)