Debit Card/Credit Card

[Ilivetogo]

I do not have a "credit" card. (Don't want one.) I only use my debit card. I use it as "credit" sometimes, and debit other times.

I have heard that if you use a debit card on the ship for your account, it is "charged" a certain amount then you have to fuss over the total, etc. :confused:

How does this work on board the ship?? I don't want a hassle or problem once I get there.

Thanks!!!

[Arwenmark]

I am not sure if they put a hold on the debit at the beginning, I have heard conflicting comments on that. You can also use cash for your on board account by putting down a certain amount when you check in and then adding to it if need be. If you don't use it all they refund it at the end of the cruise. That way you don't have some money tied up on the debit card and another amount charged to it. I suggest you call the cruiseline customer service direct and enquire as to how they do both debit and cash, how much is hold or deposit requirements.

[sparks1093]

We used our debit card in April. They put it through at a certain amount, say, $400 (I can't remember the exact amount, it may have been $500). Then when we left the ship they charged what remained on our shipboard invoice. Now, this wasn't a big deal, but for some reason the initial amount they charged was put back on the card and it was a couple days before the final amount showed up on my bank statement. This made it look like we had more money available than we actually did. We had to drive home from Miami and I spent a little bit more than I should have because my balance was not accurate.

[njhorseman]

I do not have a "credit" card. (Don't want one.) I only use my debit card. I use it as "credit" sometimes, and debit other times.

 

I have heard that if you use a debit card on the ship for your account, it is "charged" a certain amount then you have to fuss over the total, etc. :confused:

 

How does this work on board the ship?? I don't want a hassle or problem once I get there.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Well, if you can use your debit card as a credit card, you do have a credit card, don't you? ;)

 

They will put a hold for a certain amount of money on the debit card when you check in at the pier. Even if you spend less than the amount of the hold over ther course of your cruise it will take several days after your cruise ends... the exact length of time depending on how long NCL takes to submit the charges to your bank and the bank's own policy on releasing holds...before you will once again have access to the excess amount frozen by the hold.

[Ilivetogo]

Since I'm not planning on using all that much on-board credit, maybe I'll just go the CASH route and that way they don't even have my card at all. That works for me. I wasn't sure you could do that.

Thanks!!

[njhorseman]

I am not sure if they put a hold on the debit at the beginning, I have heard conflicting comments on that. You can also use cash for your on board account by putting down a certain amount when you check in and then adding to it if need be. If you don't use it all they refund it at the end of the cruise. That way you don't have some money tied up on the debit card and another amount charged to it. I suggest you call the cruiseline customer service direct and enquire as to how they do both debit and cash, how much is hold or deposit requirements.

 

They have to put the hold on at the beginning of the cruise or they wouldn't be guaranteed that sufficient funds would be available at the end to pay for the expenses accumulated. That is standard operating procedure for any business where the final amount of the bill is not known at the inception of the process. Hotels operate the same way, for example.

[melligene]

Since I'm not planning on using all that much on-board credit, maybe I'll just go the CASH route and that way they don't even have my card at all. That works for me. I wasn't sure you could do that.

 

Thanks!!

 

 

I too was conflicted about using my debit card. After reading all the post here on CC I decided to get an Amex Blue card just for our cruise. Pay it off in 30 days with no interest. Worked for me.

[garycarla]

First, I know some people do not have credit cards for variouos reasons. Some good ones, some not so logical, but that is their choice.

 

For those open to discussion,I would strongly suggest that when traveling, you have a credit card or two unless you just can not control your spending. We always travel with at least two cards and always pay off the balance when we get the bill. We do NOT pay anything for those cards. No interest, no fees.

 

Advantage to Charge Card

Emergency cash or charging if something happens. Medical bills, hotels, rental cars, flights, etc etc. If you away from home and need money, you could be in a world of hurt. Why the same people that insist on insurance would travel without a charge card is beyond me.

 

When you use a charge card on the ship, it works great. They just charge your daily service fees, and anything else to your onboard account. On the last day, they process one charge to your charge card for the then current balance. If you want to pay some or all off before the last day in cash, no problem.

 

Debit Card:

Yes, you can use this. They will put a hold on your card so they can make sure it is good to pay off your bill. For most people this is fine. But, if the charge gets to high, or the hold is too long and your checking account comes up short, who knows. For many people, they have their mortgage and other bills paid automatically out of their checking account. I do not want some debit card problem to screw that up.

 

Cash:

Cash always works great. They will want you to "deposit" a set amount on the first day. Then, if you spending gets high, they will ask for some more. They will NOT give back your extra cash until the last day - unless of course your replace it with a charge card, etc.

 

 

Again, each person has different reasons for what they do. Most of my advice above relates to travel rationale, especially for those that do not travel often.

[Arwenmark]

Since I'm not planning on using all that much on-board credit, maybe I'll just go the CASH route and that way they don't even have my card at all. That works for me. I wasn't sure you could do that.

Thanks!!

 

 

Remember that your service charges of $12. pp per day will go onto that account so you need at least that much in your cash figuring. As I say there is no doubt a minimum they require down. Call and see what that is, probably somewhere between 100 and 200 per day but DO call and ask.

Any drinks you order soft or hard or specialty coffee will go on the account as well and any shore excursions bought through the ship, any specialty dining you do. Those are the most likely charges you will incur, beyond that is anything you might buy, or spa services etc.

[cherylroslyn]

I do not have a "credit" card. (Don't want one.) I only use my debit card. I use it as "credit" sometimes, and debit other times.

I have heard that if you use a debit card on the ship for your account, it is "charged" a certain amount then you have to fuss over the total, etc. :confused:

How does this work on board the ship?? I don't want a hassle or problem once I get there.

Thanks!!!

This was a problem for me when I cruised last time. I am one of those people without a charge card as referenced by garycarla...I wish I would qualify but I messed up my credit a while ago and I am still living with the consequences. Be that as it may, I gave my debit card for purchases on the ship and at certain intervals "holds" were put against the balance of my checking account. The holds keep getting put on..but they were not taken off once I settled up the tab and paid my shipboard account in full. Therein lies the problem...my bill was paid in full for around 1400, but the various holds were not lifted. The holds totalled 1500 and they were not lifted for 10 days after I left the ship (buisiness days) Perhaps my bank at the time was slow..or NCL was slow...they both kept blaming each other. I would have used a prepurchesed gift card or cash if I had realized all that would be held....I definately didn't have that buffer the day I walked off the ship (sign of a good cruise) :)

[fieldmom35215]

DH and I have researched this question to the max it seems.

NCL, as well as our TA, has advised that IF you use a debit card OR cash the hold is $700 ($100 PER DAY). This includes the $12/day service charge. Leftover cash comes back to you upon departure, but when a debit card is used the hold stays a while before being released.

DH is a nut about using credit cards so, at the advice of our TA and a NCL rep, DH has purchased a pre-paid Visa from Walmart for $3. So, there are LOTS of options for folks who either don't have a credit card or don't want to use one.

[blindrid]

This was a problem for me when I cruised last time. I am one of those people without a charge card as referenced by garycarla...I wish I would qualify but I messed up my credit a while ago and I am still living with the consequences. Be that as it may, I gave my debit card for purchases on the ship and at certain intervals "holds" were put against the balance of my checking account. The holds keep getting put on..but they were not taken off once I settled up the tab and paid my shipboard account in full. Therein lies the problem...my bill was paid in full for around 1400, but the various holds were not lifted. The holds totalled 1500 and they were not lifted for 10 days after I left the ship (buisiness days) Perhaps my bank at the time was slow..or NCL was slow...they both kept blaming each other. I would have used a prepurchesed gift card or cash if I had realized all that would be held....I definately didn't have that buffer the day I walked off the ship (sign of a good cruise) :)

 

I work at a bank and these issues happen frequently. When a card is charged, the amount is subtracted rom your available cash balance. Then, if a corresponding charge (of the same amount) comes through, they are run through such as a check in real time. When another charge comes through that does not "match up" with the prior hold, the system thinks it's another charge thus a lesser available balance. The hold then falls off eventually (no-one actually "releases" it). A few of the major gas stations here put a $100 hold on debit card purchases so when you actually purchase gas, the hold stays on for 10 days and then falls off. MORAL OF THE STORY: Debit cards are a PITA when used for items such as cruises, rental cars when holds are involved. That's even before issues of theft, unauthorized use etc. which opens up a new world of PITA.

 

Use either cash or credit cards.

[negn]

This is actually about using debit or credit cards while on vacation. We used our debit in St Marten ,no problem. Next day tried to use it for a purchase in St Thomas and kept being declined Could not understand why. Come to find out, there was a fraud alert as the card was being used in various locations. I was able to call and straighten it out before the end of our cruise but next vacation I will be alerting my bank to where and when I'm going

[terrymtex01]

Since I'm not planning on using all that much on-board credit, maybe I'll just go the CASH route and that way they don't even have my card at all. That works for me. I wasn't sure you could do that.

 

Thanks!!

 

From all the years of reading about this here on CC, I could not recommend strongly enough that you use cash instead of a debit card. As other have said, you can always use the onboard ATM's to withdraw more and add it if you need to. Yes, the ATMs do charge you around $5.00 I believe, but well worth it not to have to worry about all the nightmares I have read on here about people using their debit cards.

 

There are a few things I wanted to make you aware of if using cash.

 

Whatever you give them, cash wise, is theirs until the end of the cruise. You can not make withdrawls from it in the Casino at the main cashiers window and you can not make withdrawls from it at the front desk. Make sure whatever you give them cash wise is what you can do without until the end of your cruise. Be sure and save some back or plan on taking some out of the ATM onboard for what you will need in ports. I would not recommend getting off at any port without some cash. Also, I would again recommend using the onboard ATMs rather than ones onshore as I have heard nightmares about that as well.

 

One last thing, and I hope it isn't insulting that I am mentioning this, but since this is your first cruise I just want to make sure you are aware that ALL onboard purchases, be it drinks, something in the gift shop, excursions, or anything else, is charged to your onboard account and no place onboard will take cash or credit cards. The only place cash is good onboard the ship is if you give extra tips out (ie. for if you order room service or feel someone just went way out of the way to make your vacation extra special,etc.) or cash is also good in the casino for gambling.

 

I do hope you have a great cruise. I personally would never give anyone that much direct access to our checking accounts as leaving my debit card as a deposit. Please, if you can, come back and tell us all about your cruise, including what you end up doing for your deposit and how it works out for you.

[*Wink*]

Great post, Terry.. :)

 

Good information, Gary.. You may want to copy and save that for future threads.

 

OP.. You can even "buy" onboard credit through the Bon Voyage Dept. in increments of $25. This is advisable only if you have trouble "saving" for a cruise, and want to be sure that the money is on your account. Whatever you don't use will be refunded to you.

[renalrn]

Does anyone use travelers checks anymore?

I know that Amex still sells them, but I haven't seen one in use for years.

[deb63]

Great post, Terry.. :)

 

Good information, Gary.. You may want to copy and save that for future threads.

 

OP.. You can even "buy" onboard credit through the Bon Voyage Dept. in increments of $25. This is advisable only if you have trouble "saving" for a cruise, and want to be sure that the money is on your account. Whatever you don't use will be refunded to you.

 

Can you explain what the Bon Voyage Dept is? And how do you use it?

[*Wink*]

Can you explain what the Bon Voyage Dept is? And how do you use it?

Sure.. at NCL.com you'll see "onboard activities and events" near the top of the page. The pull down menu shows "bon voyage gifts." Here is the link tho:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=BonVoyageGifts

 

You'll see "onboard credit/casino gift credits." Click on that, and it will show your options. You can order as much as you wish. There's no limit. So if you want to put $1,000 towards your onboard charges, you'd order 10 of #603.

 

You can fax in the order after printing out an order sheet, but my advice is to call the main NCL number and ask for the "bon voyage dept." and then order what you want. They'll ask for your credit card number and charge it right then. You'll receive an emailed receipt shortly after doing so.

 

Keep that receipt with your papers and take it with you in the rare case an issue arises.

 

renalrn ~ We've taken traveler's cheques in the past, and they've always been able to accommodate us by cashing them. They're also acceptable as a "cash" deposit for your onboard charges, but remember, you cannot "withdraw" any of that deposit.

[deb63]

Sure.. at NCL.com you'll see "onboard activities and events" near the top of the page. The pull down menu shows "bon voyage gifts." Here is the link tho:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=BonVoyageGifts

 

You'll see "onboard credit/casino gift credits." Click on that, and it will show your options. You can order as much as you wish. There's no limit. So if you want to put $1,000 towards your onboard charges, you'd order 10 of #603.

 

You can fax in the order after printing out an order sheet, but my advice is to call the main NCL number and ask for the "bon voyage dept." and then order what you want. They'll ask for your credit card number and charge it right then. You'll receive an emailed receipt shortly after doing so.

 

Keep that receipt with your papers and take it with you in the rare case an issue arises.

 

renalrn ~ We've taken traveler's cheques in the past, and they've always been able to accommodate us by cashing them. They're also acceptable as a "cash" deposit for your onboard charges, but remember, you cannot "withdraw" any of that deposit.

 

That is too cool. Thank you.

[garycarla]

Though not many have problems, it has happened with advance OBC purchases. Personally, I do not like giving somebody else my money. What is cruise cancels, you cancel, who knows what.

 

Yes, a few still use Travelers checks.... but why not just take cash?

 

(assuming you do not have a credit card, or a debit card with lots of credit line or cash behind it)

[terrymtex01]

DH and I have researched this question to the max it seems.

NCL, as well as our TA, has advised that IF you use a debit card OR cash the hold is $700 ($100 PER DAY). This includes the $12/day service charge. Leftover cash comes back to you upon departure, but when a debit card is used the hold stays a while before being released.

DH is a nut about using credit cards so, at the advice of our TA and a NCL rep, DH has purchased a pre-paid Visa from Walmart for $3. So, there are LOTS of options for folks who either don't have a credit card or don't want to use one.

 

 

Fieldmom.. PLEASE call NCL back and ask to speak to a supervisor. I have always read on here that NCL will NOT accept a pre-paid Visa/Mastercard. I can not tell you why they will not, but I have read that for years on here. Please call them and verify with a supervisor because I do not want you to have any issues when you go to check on at the terminal with a pre-paid credit card.

[*Wink*]

Fieldmom.. PLEASE call NCL back and ask to speak to a supervisor. I have always read on here that NCL will NOT accept a pre-paid Visa/Mastercard. I can not tell you why they will not, but I have read that for years on here. Please call them and verify with a supervisor because I do not want you to have any issues when you go to check on at the terminal with a pre-paid credit card.

I've read that too, Terry.. Here's the NCL website FAQ statement:

 

How do I pay for onboard expenses?

 

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to NCL's special onboard credit program. Sign up on the first day of your cruise, by establishing your method of payment with Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, Diners Club®,travelers checks or cash. If you choose to settle your account with cash, a deposit will be required in advance. You may also use your debit card; however, please be advised that NCL obtains pre-authorization which some banks may hold for up to 30 days.

[garycarla]

A prepaid credit card has a limit. And, moments after you show it to the cruiseline, you could go somewhere and spend ALL THE LIMIT on that card, meaning the cruiseline is standing there holding nothing!

 

The best way to handle your onboard account is:

 

1 - Credit Card

 

2 - Cash - always works

 

3 - Debit card if you have a large balance or line of credit

 

4 - Normal Debit card - meaning you have a chance of being over your limit, bouncing checks, etc.

[Ms belp]

I do not have a "credit" card. (Don't want one.) I only use my debit card. I use it as "credit" sometimes, and debit other times.

 

I have heard that if you use a debit card on the ship for your account, it is "charged" a certain amount then you have to fuss over the total, etc. :confused:

 

How does this work on board the ship?? I don't want a hassle or problem once I get there.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Without confusing the subject with other people's posts, I'll respond based on my experience. I use a debit/credit card. I have cruised since 2006. I have never had a problem. I call the card holder company before I cruise, let them know where I am going so as they do not wonder..."is that the card holder?" Again, never had a problem in 3 years.

[The_kid2k1]

DH and I have researched this question to the max it seems.

NCL, as well as our TA, has advised that IF you use a debit card OR cash the hold is $700 ($100 PER DAY). This includes the $12/day service charge. Leftover cash comes back to you upon departure, but when a debit card is used the hold stays a while before being released.

DH is a nut about using credit cards so, at the advice of our TA and a NCL rep, DH has purchased a pre-paid Visa from Walmart for $3. So, there are LOTS of options for folks who either don't have a credit card or don't want to use one.

 

 

Is this $700(100 per day) per person? Or per cabin? Also i just want to verify that if you choose credit card(Not Debit Card) that there are no hold on the card. IE...if you spend $300, at the end of the cruise you are billed $300 on your credit card. Then you go on your merry way?