Cruise Cash

[New2cruise2022]

I read what NCL said about cash, but I would like to get some first-hand experience and advice. 
 

Can I use cash to put on my stateroom account and pay for things?

 

Obviously I will have a card on the room, but I would prefer to pay for everything with cash. 

 

When do I place cash on the account?

Just at the start or can I do it daily?

Where do I put the cash on my account?

 

Is there a cashier that can take cash for the casino?

[pcakes122]

1 hour ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Is there a cashier that can take cash for the casino?

Slot machines and table games take cash.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said:

I read what NCL said about cash, but I would like to get some first-hand experience and advice. 
 

Can I use cash to put on my stateroom account and pay for things?

 

Obviously I will have a card on the room, but I would prefer to pay for everything with cash. 

 

When do I place cash on the account?

Just at the start or can I do it daily?

Where do I put the cash on my account?

 

Is there a cashier that can take cash for the casino?

You can set up a cash account. The "policy" is listed below. But you can put as much/little as you want. Your on board account can't be negative, so you will be prevented from charging once you have used all of the cash on your account. 

 

Guest Services will handle your cash account. 

 

The casino is cashed based. If you charge your room, there is a 3% service charge (e.g., if you advance $500 from your room charge, even if you have a cash account, you will be charge 3% or $15 service charge).

 

You could just let your credit card ride on your account and settle in cash on the last night. BUT,,, the ship will post multiple authorizations against your credit card which are much greater than the amount owed. And they will stay on your account, blocking your credit line, until your bank releases the authorization. 

 

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/onboard-expenses

Cash Procedures

A cash deposit may be placed on your onboard account in the following amounts:

7 day cruises - $300 USD per person
Less than 7 days - $150 USD per person
More than 7 days - $450 USD per person

Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you'd like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess.

**Personal cheque will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed on board.

Edited November 28, 2022 by BirdTravels

[dbrown84]

I always use cash, and it's exactly as described above.  If you don't have at least $1 available, you can't even charge the free drinks to your account.  If you want to avoid going to guest services when you first board, you can buy some OBC before the cruise.  If you run out, you can then go to guest services and add more cash.  Any extra you can get back as cash on the last night 

[debenson0723]

Or you can use your credit card to pay for purchases on the ship and earn points on the card, then come home and pay off the card with your cash (or bank account).   I only take cash on a ship for the casino and additional tips.

[BirdTravels]

56 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

Or you can use your credit card to pay for purchases on the ship and earn points on the card, then come home and pay off the card with your cash (or bank account).   I only take cash on a ship for the casino and additional tips.

But, the OP said that they do not want to use their credit card. 

[phillygwm]

4 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Can I use cash to put on my stateroom account and pay for things?

 

Obviously I will have a card on the room, but I would prefer to pay for everything with cash. 

 

When do I place cash on the account?

Just at the start or can I do it daily?

Where do I put the cash on my account?

 

Is there a cashier that can take cash for the casino?

As others have stated, the casino cashier is there for cash outs only.  You give cash to your dealer, in exchange for chips, or put bills in the slots directly.

 

As long as you have a card on the room, it doesn't matter when you place cash on the account.  Your card is on file but it's not "hard charged" until you check-out.  That is not to say that the card isn't authorized, potentially multiple times through the cruise.  This is an important distinction but only problematic if you're using a debit card.  Only your net amount will actually charge to the card.

 

As such, I would actually deposit the cash on the last day, once you know what your bill is going to be. Why not avoid Guest Services whenever possible? There might be a nominal charge against your card for things you do after you settle up, if you made a purchase on the last night or didn't prepay DSC, etc. but it won't be a big amount. 

 

Others have described the process if you did NOT have a card on file, in which case you'll be shut down when your balance hits zero.  That's why, even if it's your intent to pay cash, it's still easier to have a credit card on file.

Edited November 28, 2022 by phillygwm

[New2cruise2022]

Thank you for all of your insights. I will have a credit card on file. I won’t even mind using it. I’m just old school and sock a little cash away so it feels like Monopoly money when I go on vacation. It’s probably pretty lame to some people but it’s a fun way for me to stay on budget. 

[phillygwm]

7 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Thank you for all of your insights. I will have a credit card on file. I won’t even mind using it. I’m just old school and sock a little cash away so it feels like Monopoly money when I go on vacation. It’s probably pretty lame to some people but it’s a fun way for me to stay on budget. 

I like getting the points on my card but some people prefer the self-discipline of cash.  Nothing wrong with that!  I've actually done it myself when I did well at the casino, so I wouldn't be carrying quite as much cash around.

 

All except the oldest ships allow you to view your bill on your TV so you can track it as frequently as you wish.

[Beer Belly]

8 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Thank you for all of your insights. I will have a credit card on file. I won’t even mind using it. I’m just old school and sock a little cash away so it feels like Monopoly money when I go on vacation. It’s probably pretty lame to some people but it’s a fun way for me to stay on budget. 

Oh believe me, Boss Lady has me checking our account daily to be sure we are on track and not putting too much on the card, which gets paid as soon as we get home. We also bring in the neighborhood of $300 USD in cash per day of the cruise just in case, and use what is left over to put toward the CC.