Question about shipboard account

[cruisequeen10]

My shipboard account consisted of the following:

 

$70 tips

$19.95 embarkation picture

$20.00 bingo

 

Total $109.95 for the 7 night cruise.

 

I put $50 cash down and paid the balance on the last day.

[thomasale]

2 things that always surprise me here 1.) the number lf times laundry comes up. We just bring home the dirties and do them at home as part of our "back to earth" routine. 2.) the number of people who take pride in how little they spend while cruising. My Grandfather used to say "You know what a dollar in the bank is like????Not having a DOLLAR" Believe it or not a Scotsman and was well off due to his own efforts...but could he SPEND.

 

I guess I got it from him...Thanks Grandpa :)

[DFD1]

I suppose there are lots of reasons some cruise passengers don't spend as much as others, but for me it's simply that "I've been there and done that".

 

Over the years, I've proweled through hundreds of on-board gift shops and seen dozens of art auctons....Just don't need it anymore.

 

Perfectly happy to have a drink and good dinner each night, enjoy the cruise and not have to worry about carrying all that stuff home when it's over.

 

Perhaps this is overly simplistic, but it works for me.

[the2ofus]

Mary, a debit card can be a good idea as it takes the money directly out of your bank account when you make the purchase, just like using a check but the money goes out right now. It is usually accepted just like a credit card while many places will not accept personal checks.

 

It can be a very bad idea if you are not a person who enters charges into your bank book immediately. Suddenly, your bank account balance is less than you thought because you lost that little debit charge slip from last Monday.

 

The other very bad situation with a debit card is that if it is stolen and someone else uses it, they can clean out your bank account before you even know it's missing. With most credit cards there's a limit on your responsibility for charges on a stolen card.

 

Best scenario is to have a credit card, keep the limit reasonably low and pay it off each month.

[AlohaPride]

Mary, a debit card can be a good idea as it takes the money directly out of your bank account when you make the purchase, just like using a check but the money goes out right now. It is usually accepted just like a credit card while many places will not accept personal checks.

 

It can be a very bad idea if you are not a person who enters charges into your bank book immediately. Suddenly, your bank account balance is less than you thought because you lost that little debit charge slip from last Monday.

 

The other very bad situation with a debit card is that if it is stolen and someone else uses it, they can clean out your bank account before you even know it's missing. With most credit cards there's a limit on your responsibility for charges on a stolen card.

 

Best scenario is to have a credit card, keep the limit reasonably low and pay it off each month.

 

I agree about the credit card. Too bad my DH is anti-credit card...and I'll leave it at that. We do have a debit card, but I guess the reason I don't want to use it is because of those mysterious charges that seem to make their way onto people's credit cards. I don't want this happening on my debit card down the road.

[RevNeal]

I am not sure just how to say this. When we were on the Maassam in April (post drydock) I used my debit card. I was curious as to what kind of hold they put on it, so I checked my account every day for the entire cruise (16 days)

 

NOT once was there EVER a hold or charge to my debit card until the cruise was over.

 

I always have way more than enough in my account to cover things like that, but nothing was charged until it was all over.

 

I asked a friend that is an officer of my bank and he said what "usually" happens is that they run an approval of a certain amount (the infamous $60.00 a day) and if it goes through, then you are set to go. this is not a hold or a charge YET, which is why, he said, that people sometimes get confused. I guess I believe that, but would not hold my breath as, sure as "She" made little green apples, the next time it will be different.

 

Happy Sailing, charging, drinking, shopping,body pounding, cutting and shining

 

Dear Ed,

 

Thanks for the input. IF HAL would be consistent from Purser to Purser and ship to ship, and I could count on them not putting multiple holds on my checking account under the mistaken assumption that the earlier holds had "lapsed," I would be happy to do it that way. I don't at all doubt that such was your experience on the Maasdam. It simply wasn't what happened to me 4 and 3 years ago. Perhaps HAL has changed its policy?

[hammybee]

I am one of those people who uses a credit card for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING, including a Kids's Meal at Mc Donalds. I have found it helpful to track where the money has gone and I like the points. It only works if you can pay the bill in its entirety, else risk that that Happy Meal could, one day, cost you $89 in interest.

 

Now if you hand me $100 in cash- I have no idea where it goes and it goes fast.

[FoxyTerrier]

I am one of those people who uses a credit card for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING, including a Kids's Meal at Mc Donalds. I have found it helpful to track where the money has gone and I like the points. It only works if you can pay the bill in its entirety, else risk that that Happy Meal could, one day, cost you $89 in interest.

 

Now if you hand me $100 in cash- I have no idea where it goes and it goes fast.

 

I too am one that uses a credit card for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. There are so many times when it comes in handy. Goods or services that are not perfomed correctly - when you can't get satisfaction with a company a simple call to the CC company and a hold is placed on the charge until the dispute is handled. Many cards offer rebates or miles that you get a nice perk by charging, but as Hammybee pointed out you MUST pay off the in it's entirety and on time.

 

Before going to Europe this year I signed up for a Capital One card only because they do NOT charge the extra 3-5% charge fee for european purchases.

 

Before I started using my CC for EVERYTHING I would make mulitple trips to the ATM in a month and had no idea what I was spending my money on - for me the CCs have made me a much more careful spender as I just REFUSE to pay interest charges. When I whip the card are I think do I really need this - often times it is no and put the item back. I also find that if you need to return something it is so much easier.

 

I will also have to say we live pretty frugally, but very well. I would never think of buying several $3 cups of coffee a day, I usually pack a brown bag lunch, we rarely eat out but experiment with lots of new recipes. I have no problem driving my 8 year old Lexus - it still looks brand new and was bought used at 3 years old. My first Lexus had 200K miles when I bought the "new used" one.

 

I can thank my parents for teaching me how to deal with money - basically if you can't afford it don't buy it!!!

[aaerobear]

Rev,

 

I know what you are saying and I am sure it has to do with different ships different personel, but, like I said I have been lucky on all my trips, Princess/Royal Carib/NCL/Celebrity/and HAL.

 

Ed

[cruisinbulldog]

So if I understand everything that is said, if you board the ship the first day and say deposit $2000.00 cash in your account you can not draw cash at any time thru the cruise?

Its not like a bank account..

[serendipity1499]

We have two Credit Cards & use one only to pay for all our daily purchases, medical, cruises & cruise expenses etc.. The FULL amount is auto deducted from our checking account each month..We get 1% back on our total purchases (3%-for gas) ..On our last 25 day cruise our HAL our account came to $976..That's $39.00 a day for two of us..I can see where HAL would really not like cruisers like us, as we spend so little..Of course we pre-pay our HAL shore excursions, but even those are few & far between...We usually take private cabs & pay cash especially in ports we've been to many times...On our last trip, all of the shops with one exception put our Credit card bill through in US Dollars...The one exception quoted shoppers $12.00 USD in cash for a doll & the same one went through on my Charge Card in Braz. Reals adjusted to $11.78..

 

The other Credit Card is only used for auto payments of monthly services, & the full amount on that one is also auto deducted from our checking account..Most of our bills are auto deducted..

 

I rarely write a check but we do take one or two checks plus both Credit Cards with us on our cruises..One is kept in the safe, just in case the other one is lost or stolen..We carry very little cash & never pay interest on anything including our house..DH insisted we pay cash & not have a mortgage for our retirement home..

 

Credit Card Companies don't like us either, because we pay everything off each month..;) Wondering how long it will take before the Credit Card Companies wise up to those who pay off our bills in their entirety & try to sock a "Use Fee" on us?:( Oh well, then we'll all have to start carrying cash & travelers checks again!

[FoxyTerrier]

Credit Card Companies don't like us either, because we pay everything off each month..;) Wondering how long it will take before the Credit Card Companies wise up to those who pay off our bills in their entirety & try to sock a "Use Fee" on us?:( Oh well, then we'll all have to start carrying cash & travelers checks again!

 

The CC companies are still making money off your purchases. They get (I think) 2-5% from the business where you charge. That is why some businesses will give you a small percentage discount if you pay in cash.

[richwmn]

The CC companies are still making money off your purchases. They get (I think) 2-5% from the business where you charge. That is why some businesses will give you a small percentage discount if you pay in cash.

To expand on that just a little -- the smaller the business, the larger the percentage they pay. It is based on average card purchase and total card usage. Also, for small businesses there is a swipe fee (an amount just for using the card regardless of amount). The small business I work at doesn't take cards. When we have checked into it, we found it would take about an $8.00 purchase to cover all the card fees.

 

Rich

[boards]

Why do most stores accept them then, when they lose so much? I guess if they didn't it would be lost sale entirely, though. Seems like a high cost to operate, but I'm glad they do accept makes it easier for DW to shop. (Quiet I think she coming in the room)

[cruisinbulldog]

So if I understand everything that is said, if you board the ship the first day and say deposit $2000.00 cash in your account you can not draw cash at any time thru the cruise?

Its not like a bank account..

 

Anybody?

[AlohaPride]

So if I understand everything that is said, if you board the ship the first day and say deposit $2000.00 cash in your account you can not draw cash at any time thru the cruise?

Its not like a bank account..

 

Hmm...what would you need to take cash out for? Are you talking about taking money out of your on board credit in order to pay for things on land tours and such?

 

Good question.

[cruisinbulldog]

Just saying instead of keeping cash on hand or in safe, put it on account and draw on it when needed.. such as when you go onto a island for spending money instead a credit card..

[Navy_Chief]

Generally, we keep some cash available (Euros while on a Med Cruise) to either use ashore or (U.S. Dollars) for other activities like the casino or my wife's bingo habbit :). We try to set up and pay for shore tours ahead of time. We still have the Credit Card for shore purchases as well. The Ship Board Account is just used for everything else on the ship (Bar/Sodas, Wife's Salon visits, shopping at Ship's Stores, ect)

[sunflowerstarr]

To expand on that just a little -- the smaller the business, the larger the percentage they pay. It is based on average card purchase and total card usage. Also, for small businesses there is a swipe fee (an amount just for using the card regardless of amount). The small business I work at doesn't take cards. When we have checked into it, we found it would take about an $8.00 purchase to cover all the card fees.

 

Rich

 

ive seen some businesses offset the chance of not bein able to cover those fees by posting signs that say any purchases made via credit card must be a certain amount or more. the smallest ive seen is $5. if its under they simply wont accept a credit card.

[happy cruzer]

Ok. No one mentioned the 3% fee to get your extra cash back once you have deposited it. At least that is what is being reported over on the casino charge thread.

 

The information there is if you get cash from the casino or your onboard account HAL chages 3% whether the account is secured with your own cash or your own credit card. So I would be careful and never depoist more in that account than you are going to use. I think I will secure my onboard account with a credit card and bring traveler's checks for all else.

 

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[dakrewser]

Ok. No one mentioned the 3% fee to get your extra cash back once you have deposited it. At least that is what is being reported over on the casino charge thread.

 

The information there is if you get cash from the casino or your onboard account HAL chages 3% whether the account is secured with your own cash or your own credit card. So I would be careful and never depoist more in that account than you are going to use. I think I will secure my onboard account with a credit card and bring traveler's checks for all else.

 

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

You're wrong.

 

Any overpayment on your account is returned to you - no charge - at the end of the cruise. The 3% fee is for getting cash in the casino.

 

Of course, any money you give the front desk as deposit is held until you disembark - they aren't a bank holding your money for you.

[happy cruzer]

ok. I see - if you have cash deposited the only way to get it if you need it during the cruise is to go to the casino and withdraw and pay the 3%; you can't go to the purser and make a draw.

 

But at the end of the cruise, the front desk/purser would give you your positive balance without a fee.

 

got it.

[Chivalrygirl]

We always pay in cash because we have had to buy USD before leaving home, or some other currency depending where we are crusing. That way we have a little bit of control over currency fluctuations. We pretty well square up our account towards the late afternoon on the day before disembarkation and just let them charge our credit card for the few more dollars we will have owing from the last night.

Its pretty simple really.

[AAAAmerican]

ive seen some businesses offset the chance of not bein able to cover those fees by posting signs that say any purchases made via credit card must be a certain amount or more. the smallest ive seen is $5. if its under they simply wont accept a credit card.

 

*Yikes*

 

The stores/vednors can not have a minumum amount for credit card charges.

 

Case law ruled on that issue. When you see merchants that have such signage or policy so called Report them to the Credit Card Comapnies as there lawyers are on a good retainer and will handle that abuse of services ....:cool:

 

Yes even charging One Lincoln Copper Plated Penny they have to.

 

Otherwise they will be not allowed to use the C Cards services and loose many customers... In the USA even TOLL FREE Lines are expected now.. do you remember the days of the WATTS Lines?

 

Questions on this can be answered by our FTC (Federal Trade Commission) http://www.ftc.gov in Washington, D.C.

:D :D

[noblepa]

*Yikes*

 

The stores/vednors can not have a minumum amount for credit card charges.

 

Case law ruled on that issue. When you see merchants that have such signage or policy so called Report them to the Credit Card Comapnies as there lawyers are on a good retainer and will handle that abuse of services ....:cool:

 

Yes even charging One Lincoln Copper Plated Penny they have to.

 

Otherwise they will be not allowed to use the C Cards services and loose many customers... In the USA even TOLL FREE Lines are expected now.. do you remember the days of the WATTS Lines?

 

Questions on this can be answered by our FTC (Federal Trade Commission) http://www.ftc.gov in Washington, D.C.

:D :D

 

Its true that the credit card merchant agreements prohibit the vendor from setting a minimum purchase amount. Its also true that many small vendors do it routinely. I reported a vendor once. AFAIK, the cc company did nothing about it. I suspect that the cc companies aren't particularly interested in enforcing that rule. I can also see the vendors point. They pay something like $0.30 plus 3-5% of the purchase amount. On very small purchases, of a dollar or two, that can seriously erode their profit.

 

You won't get anywhere arguing with a merchant and pointing out that they are violating their agreement with the cc company.

 

Paul Noble