Cash or Credit Card?

For an onboard account, am I able to strictly use cash or Cruise Cash (though non -refundable or transferable)? I would prefer not to use my credit card if I don't need to.

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I find it easier to use a credit card, but I know many cruise lines will allow you to pay your on-board account in cash. They ask for a certain amount to be paid as a deposit upfront and will flag your account (preventing you from purchasing anything else) if your deposited amount runs low. If there's any money left at the end of the cruise, you'll receive a refund. The best place to check would be on the board for your specific cruise line.

Another option is to register a credit card for the sake of convenience and then to pay off the balance in cash before the last day.

I use a CC to register the onboard account then the last full day I pay any balance owing in cash

The easiest thing is to put a credit card to "hold" your account, and then pay it off on the last evening in cash. Nothing is actually CHARGED to the card until you leave the ship.

Or, depending on the line, you can put cash on the account, too....but that ties up your cash, so keep some out for spending.

Thank you very much!

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The easiest thing is to put a credit card to "hold" your account, and then pay it off on the last evening in cash. Nothing is actually CHARGED to the card until you leave the ship.

As far as I know, you MUST register a credit card to take the cruise. I am pretty certain they won't allow you on board unless they have a guarantee that they will get paid for any on board spending. You will have to give them the credit card number even if you set up a cash account, this in case you go over your cash reserve.

We always charge everything to our credit card - cruise, excursions, on board spending, etc. That way we get two benefits: points for dollars spent, and purchasing protections. For our next cruise, the points we will earn for all the cruise related purchases, including the cruise itself, the airfare to get there, pre or post visit hotels, etc., will earn us enough points that when converted to cash, will pay for all of our specialty restaurant meals on the cruise. That actually makes them free meals since we don't pay fees for our cards, and we always pay them off each month, so no interest is accrued either.

For an onboard account, am I able to strictly use cash or Cruise Cash (though non -refundable or transferable)? I would prefer not to use my credit card if I don't need to.

 

 

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If you've got any credit card that nets you some kind of points, why wouldn't you use it and pay the entire balance due at the next statement?

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As far as I know, you MUST register a credit card to take the cruise. I am pretty certain they won't allow you on board unless they have a guarantee that they will get paid for any on board spending. You will have to give them the credit card number even if you set up a cash account, this in case you go over your cash reserve.

 

We always charge everything to our credit card - cruise, excursions, on board spending, etc. That way we get two benefits: points for dollars spent, and purchasing protections. For our next cruise, the points we will earn for all the cruise related purchases, including the cruise itself, the airfare to get there, pre or post visit hotels, etc., will earn us enough points that when converted to cash, will pay for all of our specialty restaurant meals on the cruise. That actually makes them free meals since we don't pay fees for our cards, and we always pay them off each month, so no interest is accrued either.

I know with Royal you can complete your online registration without a credit card. In fact, as soon as you board, you can charge up to a certain amount (can't remember if it's $200 or $300) before you have to go to Guest Services and put money down.

This is what my sister did on our last cruise....

Im not sure who you're cruising with next, but I can say that Norwegian you don't have to register a CC and can give GS cash for your account. Once that amount has been used, charging privileges are shut off until more cash is given toward your account.

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If you've got any credit card that nets you some kind of points, why wouldn't you use it and pay the entire balance due at the next statement?

 

 

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Ditto. If someone has the cash and a credit card, there is no reason not to use the card and then pay it off when billed. Not only will you get whatever points may be available, you will save yourself the risk/inconvenience of carrying a large amount of cash, and you will enhance your credit rating by demonstrating ability to pay debts.

If you're using cash, I would check into what happens if you don't use all that you deposited. This is my first cruise, but I have been researching the cruise line website and these forums about everything under the sun. On Carnival, at least, it stated that you can open an onboard account using cash, but that if you don't spend all of what you put into it, you would have to wait for them to send you a check for the unspent balance. Might want to just look into that a little bit.

If you're using cash, I would check into what happens if you don't use all that you deposited. This is my first cruise, but I have been researching the cruise line website and these forums about everything under the sun. On Carnival, at least, it stated that you can open an onboard account using cash, but that if you don't spend all of what you put into it, you would have to wait for them to send you a check for the unspent balance. Might want to just look into that a little bit.

Or on Carnival (and NCL) you could load what's left onto your players card at the casino and then cash it out. You might lose 3% (on NCL) but it's better than waiting 6 weeks for a check.

Or on Carnival (and NCL) you could load what's left onto your players card at the casino and then cash it out. You might lose 3% (on NCL) but it's better than waiting 6 weeks for a check.

Thanks! I would not have known this, but it is great to know for those of our guests who will not have a credit card!

Or on Carnival (and NCL) you could load what's left onto your players card at the casino and then cash it out. You might lose 3% (on NCL) but it's better than waiting 6 weeks for a check.

Say you are talking about $1,000. That 3% hit comes to $30. If you deposited the net $970 in a savings account for those six weeks, you would have to find an account paying 25% interest (annual rate) to earn just $27.96 in the six weeks you mentioned. "Better" ?

Generally, most people depositing cash onto their onboard account won't have $1000 remaining at the end of their cruise. You can had small increments through the week, as you feel you need it.

If they are so concerned about waiting the 6 weeks or so for a refund to be processed and a check to be sent to them, it may be worth the 3% to them. And again, not all lines charge you that. I would think of it as a "convenience charge".

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I've done Royal, Norwegian and Carnival with cash accounts. Usually I'll deposit $200 to start with and add during the week if I need to. Most of the time I break even. I find that it's way too easy to just swipe a card so I prefer to go cash :o.

I use a CC to register the onboard account then the last full day I pay any balance owing in cash

Same here. Just makes it easier.

As far as I know, you MUST register a credit card to take the cruise. I am pretty certain they won't allow you on board unless they have a guarantee that they will get paid for any on board spending. You will have to give them the credit card number even if you set up a cash account, this in case you go over your cash reserve.

 

We always charge everything to our credit card - cruise, excursions, on board spending, etc. That way we get two benefits: points for dollars spent, and purchasing protections. For our next cruise, the points we will earn for all the cruise related purchases, including the cruise itself, the airfare to get there, pre or post visit hotels, etc., will earn us enough points that when converted to cash, will pay for all of our specialty restaurant meals on the cruise. That actually makes them free meals since we don't pay fees for our cards, and we always pay them off each month, so no interest is accrued either.

Cruised RC, Disney & NCL none were must have CC but you did have to deposit cash on boarding.