On board account pay with cash?

[Bigmamma31]

I was wondering is it possible to do your on board account in cash instead of credit cards. If anyone has done this in cash how much did you bring?

 

With the economy the way it is DH and I don't like using plastic unless we have to, plus using cash keeps me from over spending.

[uppitycats]

I was wondering is it possible to do your on board account in cash instead of credit cards. If anyone has done this in cash how much did you bring?

 

With the economy the way it is DH and I don't like using plastic unless we have to, plus using cash keeps me from over spending.

 

 

Whether or not you can do this depends on the cruise line. If it is possible, then some of them require a cash deposit when you check in. Youd have to check with your cruise line.

 

How much to bring will depend of course on how much they'll require for a deposit .. amounts I've heard have been in the $300 - $500 range. And then only you would know how much you might drink, or use the spa services, or eat in specialty restaurants that have extra charges, or want to go on excursions.

 

I'd not want to bring that much cash with me. Could you simply bill it to your credit card, see how much your total is at the end of the cruise, and when you get home, write a check to your credit card company immediately to cover the charges? That way you'd not have to pay any interest on the card.

[cb at sea]

I think, for a 7 nighter, you'll most likely need around $500 to "hold" your account...if you run low, they will call you to put more cash on your account to charge against. Everything you purchase on the ship is charged to your room, just like in a hotel. You could do as the above poster suggested, and just pay off the card ASAP when you get home, or, if you bring cash, go to the desk on the last night and pay it off. It's just easier to give the the credit card to "hold" your account...nothing is actually charged until the last day.

[collegecruiser346]

I used cash to hold my account when I sailed on Princess. It was a HUGE hassle. I had initially put down $300. Once I reached $200, they deactivated my SeaPass. It could still be used as a key, but I could not buy anything with it. The problem with this is that they don't tell you they are deactivating it. I went to use it at a bar, and the bar tender told me it was turned off. He still sold me the drinks, and I had to sign a paper that they would run through the system later. I went to the pursers desk, and asked them why it was turned off. He said that once it gets close to your deposit, you have to make another deposit. (Apperently $100 is too close to comfort) Now I just use a credit card to hold it, and then go to the desk and pay it off with cash so I don't get billed for it.

[ATL2LAS]

There should be a place on your cruiselines website that will tell you the minimum amount for a cash deposit. You are correct that it keeps you to a budget, but you might want to try to prepay for as many things as you can. Gratuities, tours and things like that can be prepaid. That way you have more cash. Stick to your budget and enjoy your cruise.

[AlanAllyn]

But, once you are on the ship, the only way to pay for anything is to use the ship's charge card (except for the casino). You can check your account whenever you want. So, if you want to watch your budget, you have to watch that credit card.

 

Unless you already have a balance on your credit card and these new charges would add interest, you are better off backing your shipboard account with the credit card instead of cash.