Questions about putting Cash on your Seapass

[Rmunson72906]

So my husband and I just switched our sea pass from credit to cash, for our Freedom of the seas cruise this sunday. I thought that you gave some one at the desk your money upfront to put on your card, however when i called and asked customer service they said you pay nothing till the last night. This seems like an odd way to have an account.

 

Questions:

 

So basically you run a tab on your sea pass card and then pay correct?

 

Can you keep track of your account on your room tv like when you had credit?

 

NOT i repeat NOT that I am planning on doing this but what happens if you "charge" $500 and you only have $400 on you? do they just bill you later? again I will not be doing this and am def. bringing more than 400, just curious as how they know they'll be safe by letting people use the cash system this way.

 

Quick answers appreciated since we fly to orlando on Saturday. Thanks!!

[lala1978]

I just got off of Freedom last Sunday and I will tell you that you CAN put cash on it as soon as you board. Just so you know, you can still charge if you have no "cash" on the account so it is your responsibility to keep track of it on a daily basis to make sure you don't run over. You can look at your account on your TV in your stateroom. I hope that helps. :)

[cb at sea]

The easiest way is to give them your credit card (they don't actually CHARGE anything to it until the end of the cruise) and just pay it off in cash the last night....

Or, you can give them a couple hundred when you check in, without giving them the credit card.

Basically, everything is charged to your room (like in most hotels), and then "cashed out" on the day you leave.

On some ships, you can access your account on the TV...we've never bothered, but some folks feel the need to check daily!

Yes, they do have some sort of "credit" thing, should you charge more than you can afford....but that's a MAJOR hassle and embarassement! Don't do that!!!

[tmoret]

I always go right away when we get on the ship and give them $500. I can then check the tv and make sure i have enough on there. At the end of the cruise you will get any cash back that you did not use.

[Slowboat2]

I believe you have to give them a credit card or cash up front. If you use cash, that will be the limit you can spend on your account. You won't be able to charge any more on your SeaPass card until you give them more cash. If you use a credit card you can keep charging till the cruise is over, then they will bill your card. (By the way, they do put a freeze on your credit card till the charge is approved)

[lcguy]

I would just recommend providing them the credit card, keeping track of your charges to stay on budget and settle up in cash on the last night. Much easier IMHO.

[clarkie138]

I've always given them my credit card info, and then paid it off in cash the last night. Worked for me. Lines might be long but it's fine.

[mtchg]

The easiest way is to give them your credit card (they don't actually CHARGE anything to it until the end of the cruise) and just pay it off in cash the last night....

Or, you can give them a couple hundred when you check in, without giving them the credit card.

Basically, everything is charged to your room (like in most hotels), and then "cashed out" on the day you leave.

On some ships, you can access your account on the TV...we've never bothered, but some folks feel the need to check daily!

Yes, they do have some sort of "credit" thing, should you charge more than you can afford....but that's a MAJOR hassle and embarassement! Don't do that!!!

 

 

Yep; give them your Credit Card AND some cash right away. Also, anytime you can go to the pursers/info desk and put more cash on the account during the cruise (I do that if I have a good night at the casino; not that it happens much :) )

 

Mitch

[jayslea]

We just got off FOS on Sunday and we used cash for our SeaPass. When we checked in we were asked if we wanted to switch to a card a we said no and we also didn't bother to leave any cash at that time. On the last night when we went to settle our bill the gentleman asked again if we would like to switch to a card and we said nope cash will do and it was a simple and painless process. As for limits, I read another thread that stated that you can charge up to $500 before you are asked for a payment toward your seapass account, how true that is I don't know, but it does sound reasonable.

[mtchg]

We just got off FOS on Sunday and we used cash for our SeaPass. When we checked in we were asked if we wanted to switch to a card a we said no and we also didn't bother to leave any cash at that time. On the last night when we went to settle our bill the gentleman asked again if we would like to switch to a card and we said nope cash will do and it was a simple and painless process. As for limits, I read another thread that stated that you can charge up to $500 before you are asked for a payment toward your seapass account, how true that is I don't know, but it does sound reasonable.

 

This is very reasonable (even charitable) compared to Carnival. On CCL cash only accounts, an upfront cash deposit is required (I believe 300) if there is no plastic presented. Then the passenger is notified immediately if the charges on board are about to exceed the deposit. I assume if charges continue without more cash or alternative plastic presented, that the on board card/key is made inoperable for purchases. In this cost cutting era, it does (pleasantly) suprise me that RCI trusts the passenger to make good for at least $500.

 

 

Mitch

[Slowboat2]

This is from RCL site

Onward Travel Plans Onboard Expense Account Information (i.e credit card and the reservation information that is authorized to charge against the account) You will also need to establish an Onboard Expense Account via either credit card or cash.

 

I don't think you can run up an account without a cash deposit or credit card.

On our second cruise there was a mistake made by the agent at the pier, she didn't post my credit card to my SeaPass account. By the time we got into our cabin, there was a message on the phone to come down to Guest Relations Desk and post a credit card or cash deposit for the account.

[dsheamac]

If I make reservations for my family with my credit card to use for our seapass can I exclude the kids cards and put a set amount of cash for their seapass so they can't charge more than the amount set on their card or can you set a limit on their cards?? thanks

[libertylover]

I've used cash each time I cruise. After you get on board go on to Customer Relations and put the cash on your account. The night before you disembark go back to Customer Relations and get any $$$ back from your account that you did not use.

 

I was told by the lady at the desk where you check in that I had to do it prior to charging anything to my SeaPass. I mean, you could probably buy a drink or two before they refused to serve you any longer because you had no money on your account.

[mtchg]

This is from RCL site

Onward Travel Plans Onboard Expense Account Information (i.e credit card and the reservation information that is authorized to charge against the account) You will also need to establish an Onboard Expense Account via either credit card or cash.

 

I don't think you can run up an account without a cash deposit or credit card.

On our second cruise there was a mistake made by the agent at the pier, she didn't post my credit card to my SeaPass account. By the time we got into our cabin, there was a message on the phone to come down to Guest Relations Desk and post a credit card or cash deposit for the account.

 

That makes more sense; apparentlly the post I originally responded to was inaccurate.

 

Mitch

[papajak]

Is there any way to add $$$ to your OB account before you sail?

[gatorellis]

Not sure how RCI does it, but this past Feb we sailed with Disney and prior to that had put money on my sister's account(doesn't have a CC and was afraid she would misplace the $$$) Well, they didn't spend it and it took:eek: 2 wks to get it returned to my account:confused:. It sure didn't take that long for them to take it from my checking account, like 5 minutes. If you give them cash upon sailing, will you get the money back before you disembark?:)

[Slowboat2]

If I make reservations for my family with my credit card to use for our seapass can I exclude the kids cards and put a set amount of cash for their seapass so they can't charge more than the amount set on their card or can you set a limit on their cards?? thanks

 

I know you can set limits for children with cash on the account, I don't know about credit card. ( I would think that it would be possible )

[uksimonusa]

Is there any way to add $$$ to your OB account before you sail?

 

Yes, it's very easy, we do it all the time, when ever we have some spare money we buy OBC, call 800-722-5443, you will need the ship sail date and reservation number. Ask them to email you an Amenity Invoice, this will show your OBC. We always take the invoice with us but have never had any problems

[Delbankin]

Hi,

We are just back from NOS and although we registered a credit card we regularly asked for copies of our account (TV facility wasn't working properly) and masde payments to offset the balance (including overpayments) from time to time.

 

I always try to work out before the last day how much we will spend and pay any significant balance in cash during the last evening. At the end of our cruise we had a balance of around $15 dollars which was charged to my credit card.

 

I try to keep credit card balance to a minimum to avoid any currency conversion charges from £ to $. There are options on how to charge via credit card and if memory serves, one of them allows RCCL to charge a % handling (or similar) fee. Always be sure to avoid that one.

 

You can also pre-purchase OBC but you may be too close to sailing date to go for that option. We did it last year with Princess because they were giving us $2 to £1 which was excellent value.

D.

[jayslea]

That makes more sense; apparentlly the post I originally responded to was inaccurate.

 

Mitch

 

We didn't put a deposit on our account nor was it linked with a credit card. We settled our account on the last night with cash. Never got any messages or requests for a deposit. We just got off FOS on 5/9.

[jmf123]

Yes, it's very easy, we do it all the time, when ever we have some spare money we buy OBC, call 800-722-5443, you will need the ship sail date and reservation number. Ask them to email you an Amenity Invoice, this will show your OBC. We always take the invoice with us but have never had any problems

 

Also provide Royal Caribbean with the OBC Code #651 which makes it easier at times (depending on the rep you get!). :)

[debates2]

If you have kids linked to your card with spending privileges check your balance daily. My 12 year old discovered the joy of using his SeaPass card in the arcade...$5, $5, $5 over and over again. My 16 year old also discovered that although he could not order alcoholic drinks, he could buy virgin daiquiris for his new friends...all of them. check you balance.

 

Also, in the event that you have a shore excursion cancelled check your balance to ensure that are excursion are refunded. My four sons and I encountered an issue last year when our river tubing excursion in Belize was cancelled (low water level on the river), but only three excursions were refunded. It took me two day to get all five excursions refunded. None the less, we had a great cruise.

[NJnewbie]

If you have to settle your (cash) account the night before disembarkment, how do you use your sea pass for the rest of evening? (It would be my birthday-eve, so I'm planning on having a few that night ;))

[Bakincakes]

I know you can set limits for children with cash on the account, I don't know about credit card. ( I would think that it would be possible )

 

 

OMG!!! Is that fudge in that photo on your sig line??

 

It looks fabulous.:D Do you make it?

[mtchg]

If you have to settle your (cash) account the night before disembarkment, how do you use your sea pass for the rest of evening? (It would be my birthday-eve, so I'm planning on having a few that night ;))

 

Generally cash accounts should be settled the morning of disembark, for the reason you just gave above. If you don't have or prefer not to use plastic as a back up, that is the only pratical time to settle up if you want to party the last nite.

 

mitch