Cruise payments

[Kazal]

Having booked our first cruise I have been told (by people that have been on them)that we need to hand over our credit card at the beginning of the cruise which is checked and a card issued for making purchases,drinks etc which is marked with the amount and the bill is paid automatically at the end of the cruise.However we do not have a credit card. I have been told we can take cash or Visa debit card. How will this work. Do not feel inclined to hand over a debit card at the beginning of cruise. Please help

[yogasun]

It's not a problem, honestly. Which cruise co. is it?
I'm sure they all do it. We went for a cruise with P & O for first time last year. Don't know how it works with cash.

[sddsddean]

If you haven't got a CC, you can pay in cash, but the company wants a card (debit or credit) so that if you run off without paying they can still get their money. If you use a credit or debit card, no money will be taken until the end of the cruise and you 'settle up'. If you choose to use cash just go to Guest Realtions or Pursers or whatever they call it and settle your bill. If we have got foreign currency left (say we've been to the US and got $'s) I always settle as much in cash as I can as its better then using an exchange rate on a card. If you do use a card, make sure you ask for your card issuer to do the exchange rate, not the cruise company. This is because the cruises exchange rate is cr@p and your cards rate will be better. You will get your bill on probably the last night of your cruise. Check it!!! It is not unknown for things to be added. For the same reason, make sure you keep all your receipt slips on the ship. All ships run a on a cashless basis. You will sign for drinks (or whatever) and these will be added to your account at the end of the cruise. Can advise a bit more if you say where you are going and on what cruise line.

[auntiebertie]

If you pay with Cash they will need a float up front of around $500 and when you have spent that they will call you and ask you to provide a top up. Why can you not get a creditcard - I cannot imagine life without one. Some ships like RCI will not accept debit cards officially, but if they have a Visa sign on them then the Americans don;t realise the difference and they do get accepted.
What line and what itinerary are you on? The site you need that will answer all your questions is http://boards.cruisecritic.com/. There is info under each line and the ports of call section is worth it's weight in gold!

[kira000]

I would be slightly wary of giving a debit card, as what happens with a credit card is they put a "reserve" amount on it, say $500, not fully processing it, but a bit like a deposit to make sure you have some money. At the end when you get their bill, they cancel the hold, and charge you the proper amount. Immediate and straightforward.

If you use a debit card, they cant do that, and have to actually take the $500 fully, then process it as a refund when your final bill is known, and the the refund can take a week or so to do, plus the actual amount you are billed. Lots more room for problems.

So in my opinion (for what its worth!), either a credit card or cash is the best bet, or possibly get one of the loadable credit cards, which you buy, then add a balance to, then use like a credit card.

[theonlyone]

Can you use traveller cheques ?

[craft1948]

do you not have the cruise brochure - it gives details of all payment methods in the back....

[Andyvon]

I know several people who have been on cruises and they all say that you can't buy anything on board a cruise ship with cash. All expenses are put on a bill which is paid at the end of the cruise. The prices are all extortionate of course as you are a captive market. Also, each passenger is expected to pay a considerable amount on top as a 'service charge' which makes up part of the crews' pay. I believe the amount is an extra 10% - 15% on top of the original bill.

I would check with the cruise company kazal. They only really welcome passengers who are financially secure enough to have credit cards. They can then charge what they like and the financially secure customer won't cause any fuss as they just wave it away.

They like to make out there's no discrimination today kazal - but you just say you don't have any money and seen how you get treated.

[Dee Sa]

the only reason I wont go on a cruise is because you never really know how much the bill is going to be at the end ! instead of leaving the cruise with happy memories you moan all the way home about how they have fleeced you and theres nowt you can do about it.

[yogasun]

Sorry to highjack post (in a way)
To Dee Sa
We thought the drinks would be an extortionate price. Always see how much J2O's are as my husband doesn't drink---were amazed. Can't actually remember but they were the same as our local pub on the only cruise we have been on. Most other things are included. Agreed if you buy ant-sickness tabs, etc. they are a rip-off price, but actually apart from drinks you don't NEED to spend much else...just our limited experience.

[auntiebertie]

Having been on some 15+ cruises I can say there are people out there who do not spend one single penny (or cent) when on board. They drink the free tea, coffee,w ater, iced tea or lemonade with all meals. They don't gamble. they don't buy any duty free perfume, they do their own shore excursions.......final balance = Zero.
We , however are not such tight-wads and estimate to spend around $100pd when on a cruise, however our last 12night cruise we only spent $800. I do not think this is expensive.
And DeeSa you know exactly how much you are spending because using simple maths you add up your receipts each evening, or being even lazier you check your balance on the TV in your room.

[craft1948]

I regularly go on cruises with P&O and think them good value for money. If you want a drink the prices are around those of pubs back home and if you smoke the cigarettes are at duty free prices. If you wish to know how much your bill is you can ask for an interim statement at any time. Tips on my last cruise for the cabin steward and restaurant waiters were recommended to be about �6 in total per night and nowhere near 10% of the bill. The rip-off, if there is one, is on the excursions which after a couple od cruises I never went on again, preferring instead to make my own arrangements.

[flipflop104]

I always pay cash - although my partner does put her credit card down for me as I don't have one. But all you do is pay as you go along if you want to pay cash - nothing has to be taken off the card.

You can get a statement at any time - I tend to go pay it every time it gets up to about �100.

[Stevesw]

Went on the Independance of the seas with Royal Caribean when it was new and it was a great experience. Cant remember if I actually had to hand over my card or just let them take the details. Our cabin key doubled as our on board payment card and the prices werent too bad. we could check our tab at any time on the wide screen tv in the cabin. We didnt go too mad but had a good time.