? about the onboard account

[kohlerdm]

How does the onboard account work? We are planning on using cash. How much do we need to put in the account to begin with? It says online that a deposit will be required. The whole onboard account has me confused, why not just do a pay as you go method? Seems more inconvienent to me and like you would spend alot more money because you don't see it going as you spend it.

[alphakitty]

Normally, you secure the account with a credit card and then all charges on board go to that account.

 

You can use cash to secure your on board account. There will be a deposit required at check in, then you spend down. When the account gets low, they will notify you to go to the Purser's desk to put more on the account.

 

Here's the FAQ from Carnival, not sure all cruise lines do it this way.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Sail_And_Sign_On_Board_Account.aspx

[kitty9]

The cash required is generally $250 per person. I think it's much easier to go cashless rather than have to carry around money all the time. I don't want to have to worry about leaving money around when I'm at the pool or anyplace else on the ship. Just carrying the small card is much more convenient.

 

You can also back your sign and sail card with a credit card, which I think is easier. You don't have to stand in long lines to put more money into your account and you don't have to stand in long lines on the last morning to settle your account.

[pms4104]

Our experience with HAL: We register our credit card at embarkation and, last day, we verify the charges on the account and pay the credit card bill when it comes in the mail. HAL also offers the opportunity for you to register a credit card at embarkation and pay the final bill with cash or traveler checks before disembarkation.

 

I think the whole deposit/credit thing is so the cruiselines are reasonably certain of getting paid for all passenger charges without undue hassles.

 

We generally pre-alert our credit card companies before leaving home that we will be traveling and the types of charges that may appear on our account while we're gone. Chase and Discover put notes in our files. I understand that if we did not notify them of our travel plans, they may deny the charges.

[julieanne]

Hopefully you have a credit card? You can also pay the bill in cash at the end of the cruise. You can also check your account everyday on the stateroom tv system so you can keep track of what you're spending (oooh, I do not like looking at this! hehehehe). There has been a time or two when I have seen erroneous charges on our account and have gone down to have them removed, but it has been very rare.

[Insane]

Carnival requires the following if cash is being used.

 

2-4 day cruises: $100 deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 deposit pp

9 + day cruises: $350 deposit pp

Deposit with U.S. Currency or Traveler's Checks

U.S. Currency and traveler's checks are accepted as a form of deposit to open a Sail & Sign Account at the start of the cruise. As the guest approaches the deposit limit, the Information Desk will notify the guest that additional money must be deposited.

 

It's important to remember that the gratuity that is added ($10/pp/day) I believe is added right at the beginning, so if you are on a 7 day cruise and you have two people in the room, you'll be charged $140 right away.

 

Yes, credit cards are easier, but unless you have a high credit limit available, your better off using cash. :p

[Insane]

Watching your account on the TV is amazing. I used it mostly to find which lounge my DH had just bought his last drink. Then I knew where I could find him! He and the guys didn't like being found so easily!__________

Carnival Legend Feb 2004

[julieanne]

Isn't it though? Makes you wonder if you should hit the next "Friends of Bill W." meeting, doesn't it? :p

[citcatt1]

they also add the tips on to the sail and sign card unless you pre-pay!:eek:

[RoofingPrincess]

How does the onboard account work? We are planning on using cash. How much do we need to put in the account to begin with? It says online that a deposit will be required. The whole onboard account has me confused, why not just do a pay as you go method? Seems more inconvienent to me and like you would spend alot more money because you don't see it going as you spend it.

 

BINGO!

[jlp20]

How does the onboard account work? We are planning on using cash. How much do we need to put in the account to begin with?

 

This is an important question and you should not rely on me or anyone else for information.

 

Contact your T/A, check the website of your cruise line or contact them directly by phone.

 

Hate to hear you were refused on board for the lack of a couple of hundred dollars.

[Zipliner 1968]

So what you're saying is that you pay a deposit up front and anything you buy onboard is charged on the account (tips and anything that you use your SS card for).

 

I hear that if you use your debit card they take a big "pre-auth" chunk out that's tied up for a week+. Does anyone know if this is true? We're going to be cutting it close and I'm a bit worried... We prefer to pay the deposit in cash and leave our debit card out of it for this reason.

[CaptData]

On some debit card, yes they put a hold on it. In your case from the sounds of it I would use cash method. Put $250.00 on each account. Bring extra in the form of Traveller's Checks.

[MrsAggie]

Carnival requires the following if cash is being used.

 

2-4 day cruises: $100 deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 deposit pp

9 + day cruises: $350 deposit pp

Deposit with U.S. Currency or Traveler's Checks

U.S. Currency and traveler's checks are accepted as a form of deposit to open a Sail & Sign Account at the start of the cruise. As the guest approaches the deposit limit, the Information Desk will notify the guest that additional money must be deposited.

 

It's important to remember that the gratuity that is added ($10/pp/day) I believe is added right at the beginning, so if you are on a 7 day cruise and you have two people in the room, you'll be charged $140 right away.

 

Yes, credit cards are easier, but unless you have a high credit limit available, your better off using cash. :p

What if one of the passengers going with us happens to be an 18 yr old who is paying her own way. Will they issue a separate account to her?

Christy

[celbercrz333]

First of all, which cruiseline are you sailing with? Each line might require a different amount. I know that with Carnival, at the end of the cruise they automatically deducted tips from the guests and we had no say in the matter. Some people wanted to buy gifts on the ship to take home only to be told they reached their limit. With Celebrity, they gave you envelopes to put what you thought each worker on the ship deserved. Go to the section of this site that is specifically for the cruiseline you are sailing on and ask them your question.

[dkjretired]

A cruise is basically a cashless society...

 

I would never use cash for my on board account. In the event of a problem with a purchase you can put a hold on it with your CC. Also, have read of too many problems with the on board accounts and do not wish to be waiting in some line the day before the cruise ends to settle my bill.

[andyjo0930]

We have found it easier to do it this way. When we get there, we actually register our debit card (just like a credit card).. Then after we get on board, we go to the purser's desk and put some cash on our account. This way, we can put any amount we like. If on the last day, we still have money left on our account, we can take it off, and if we go a little bit over, they can take the difference from our credit card, and then we don't have to go down on the last day to settle our cash account. We have done this the last three times and it has worked out well.

[Katy P.]

On NCL, the amount that they'll require you for a deposit upon opening a cash account, per person or per cabin ( ie spouse) ? The clause on the paper's vague as to the amount that they're requiring. Anyone out there ever opened a cash account aboard any NCL ship? Appreciate any info. Thank you v. much :)

[Wildewoman]

Thanks!!

[mydashcounts80]

I have a question...so if you don't spend all the money that you prepay, how do you get it back?

[collectingcoke]

Last year on NCL on the last day went down was first in line, and they gave us cash back it was easy.

[wannaBcruzin]

I have a question...so if you don't spend all the money that you prepay, how do you get it back?

 

 

Every cruise line is different. Princess does not refund unused OBC. You have to spend it or lose it. I have spoken with at least 5 CSR @ Princess and 2 Supervisors. All told me the same thing USE IT OR LOSE IT. So I only put on my account in advance the tip charges for all of us as well as the soda cards. The rest I will purshase casino credit. You can take your casino coupons into the casino and cash them in at any time. Hope this helps. If you use a Debit card ( Bank Card ) make sure there is plenty of money in your bank account. Princess will put a hold on your bank account for up to 300.00 per person. This hold will remain on your bank account for at least a week or more.

[andyjo0930]

To get back your money, all you have to do is go to the casino and take it off of your sea pass account, it takes two seconds and you can get your money back. We usually put a small amount on our account, and check it periodically throughout the cruise. If on the last sea day, we have a lot left on our account, we either start spending it or just go and take some off. (we usually dont' buy any pictures until the last day so that we can see all the ones we took and then buy the best ones).

[TRIBE1959]

My sister used cash on Carnival and they put a check under her door for balance remaining on last day.

[dlvqaz]

So what you're saying is that you pay a deposit up front and anything you buy onboard is charged on the account (tips and anything that you use your SS card for).

 

I hear that if you use your debit card they take a big "pre-auth" chunk out that's tied up for a week+. Does anyone know if this is true? We're going to be cutting it close and I'm a bit worried... We prefer to pay the deposit in cash and leave our debit card out of it for this reason.

I've paid cash up front and no problems. Also, I just use cash in the casino. Once, I settled on the morning of departure and got my refund. Another time, they sent me a check a couple of weeks later with balance from my account. I've also used my debit and put in enough to cover the basics. I then used the internet to check my card activity and moved money over from savings near the end of the cruise. Credit card is the easiest.