Unable to pay cruise bill?

[baggal]

:rolleyes: You are most fortunate that you have never had the - Life Happens - experience. As one person explained she had the money but no checks, a spouse gets carried away at the tables, you bring the wrong credit card, something bad happens while you're away to your debit card.

 

Life happens. But it goes beyond that - it's their choice, if they want to go into debt up to their eyeballs to pay for a cruise, car, shoes, house, etc. it is their business and the rest of us have no business telling them otherwise.

 

Sorry to go off on you, but I've read one to many smarmy replies like yours telling folks how they should manage their money, pay for their cruise, live their life, etc.

 

Stepping off my soap box now, have a great cruise.

 

Sorry - IMO a spouse getting carried away at the tables, spending too much money on booze, etc. is not a case of "life happens" but irresponsible behavior and worse.

 

And yes, we who live within our means and pay our bills on time, get to clean up their messes. We've been paying for it ever since the 2008 mortgage crisis hit the fan.

[MOSusan]

Another bad thing that can happen to a cc with a perfectly adequate balance - Operator Error. :o

 

A few months ago I was trying to pay for something online (of all things an internet security package) and kept putting in the wrong expiration date. I gave up and used another credit card. Fast forward a few days. DH mentions the cc wouldn't work at Walmart, few days later I'm trying to pay a very large vet bill with the same card and it won't go through. I had to use the alternative card. Called the cc company - seems there was some suspicious activity on the card with an internet purchase and there was a block on the card! :eek:

 

Your card might also be rejected because you are doing something outside of your normal pattern. The night that the new ipads were released, my husband was at Wal-Mart at 11:30 pm waiting for the ipad release at Midnight. He had my BOA card and it was rejected so he used his BOA card and it went through. He could have called BOA, but didn't want to lose his place in line.

 

I called BOA the next day and they said that I normally did not charge $900 at Wal-Mart after Midnight, so the charge was flagged. Now, they weren't really looking out after my interest but their own because if it had been stolen, my liability would have been far less than $900.

 

Please BOA, I don't need a Nanny!

[gmacruiser418]

I have also seen people who forget to tell thier CC company they are traveling outside the country. They try to use thier card and a fraud notice is triggered and the card is declined. Last year in Italy, I gave a restaurant a card I had not done that with, it looked like another card, and it was declined for that reason even with a zero balance. I realized my mistake and gave them the correct card. Lesson is let your CC company know where you are going so that you do not get declined, even with an available credit line.

I never thought about notifying the CC about traveling. We have received phone calls after our return to verify the charges we made in the islands, but we have never been declined. Guess we're just not spending enough, lol! usually under 1000.

[co2stay]

For our upcoming Med cruise, we got a new CC with no foreign transaction fees that is used only for foreign expenses. We will use a different CC for onboard expenses.

 

All of our CC are paid off each month so available limits isn't an issue for us. We save and save and use CC for points or mileage and always have available cash to pay it off or we don't get *stuff*. Sometimes, life does happen, major expenses, etc. but at this point in our lives, we have the savings fortunately.

 

While we have tried to teach that to our children, it doesn't work any better than it worked on us when my folks tried to teach us. But they will learn. Just as we did. And having a little more funds help to get ahead. When we were living paycheck to paycheck, floating checks (back when checks were used and took almost a week to clear generally), life was harder and life happens were truly hardships!

[RickinNYC]

If you can't pay your cruise tab then you shouldn't have gone cruising to begin with lol.

 

Personally, I've never had an issue. Be that as it may, what point are you trying to make beyond doing your best to make someone else feel like crap with your smarmy comment? Either answer the question, or contribute in an intelligent manner, or simply close the thread.

 

LOL, indeed.

[Lauriejl2]

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

[mikechass]

I can explain in a different situation how my case was dealt with. We left from our cruise Feb 10th, of this year... They charged someone else with my folio bill, which was $535 for one week. 6 weeks later, I got a letter on plain paper with the request to call a 1-888 number and pay my bill.

I refused to call the payment in over the phone, especially with a letter that has no RCCL logo, or any of the other things I have seen which always looked very professional. ( upcoming mail we have gotten, promotion letters, birthday wishes etc)

Regardless, it is JUNE 19th, and I JUST got the letter I requested from the cruise company on a satisfactory letter, with my reservation number, my expenses and a name and number for someone I can call with my correct VISA number. They weren't in ANY hurry to get my money, and it wasn't even my fault that the bill wasn't paid, as we were told the account was paid in full when we left the ship.

They complied with my request, I was fearful of just getting a random note asking for money, so they send me the correct paperwork and all was fixed but it took a while and they weren't in a rush.

I would imagine if you were legitimately unable to clear things up on the ship itself, they would be good to work with to get things figured out.

[RickinNYC]

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

 

We usually end up with a bill (not counting gambling) at the end of a week that amounts to about $850-1000 between the two of us. We did outdo ourselves a couple of years ago when we went onboard the Epic for a two week B2B. We were celebrating our 20th anniversary, so admittedly we weren't paying too much attention. Ended up with a bill closer to $3000. Ouch. But we had a great time and don't regret a penny spent!

 

I do know that's not even close to what others have and can spend, but it was a big sum to us!

[Familygoboston]

This happens all the time with many industries: When you pay for gas at the pump your card always gets initially authorized for a larger amount than you're probably going to put in -- possibly $75 or $100. I think it probably also happens at restaurants - so that you can leave money for a tip after they swipe your card and they know it will still go through. This is why those prepaid Visa cards you get (from a rebate, Christmas gift, etc.) don't always work at some places -- because they are trying to authorize your card for more than the balance that's on it.

 

That explains that! I got a few of these prepaid cards for free as sales come ons and once they've been partially used they almost always reject. On the rare occasions we are given one now, we use it for something more than its worth, because any balance is virtually worthless. It made me realize how many of these financial " tools" used primarily by the financially struggling, are such a rip off!

 

I have heard many people here say that it happens but I have NEVER had a hold put on my credit card while I was on a cruise. I check my account daily when we cruise to make sure that there are no suspicious charges. If a hold was there, it would show up on my account and there has never been one there.

 

It's unlikely if you have a low or no balance and a high limit. I'm sure they figure out quickly who they need to worry about. You are setting up a credit account with them, that probably gives them certain rights to look at your credit, and who knows which laws they are operating under.

 

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

 

My goodness, no! We never end up with a big bill- ( and coincidentally never get upgraded:rolleyes:).

 

You don't have to buy another thing once you are on board. If you don't gamble, drink, shop, or go to the spa, you won't spend an extra penny. Pools are included, bars entertainment is included ( they put a napkin down to indicate you aren't having a drink), entertainment is free, dining is free.

 

I do recommend that people think and plan honestly about what they might like to spend to enjoy their vacation. So you can say, we will spend $20 a day and either have a drink by the pool, or go to an upcharge restaurant, or buy a photo, or buy 2 items at the $10 dollar sale...whatever makes you happy and helps you enjoy your vacation. This way you have a budget in mind you know you can live with and still enjoy some extra things if you want. Everyone's daily budget may be different. People get in trouble when they say " hey I'm on vacation" and then haven't really put any brakes on based on their own financial situation.

[RoofingPrincess]

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

Of course it is possible to leave the ship without a huge bill, especially if you don't

gamble

buy alcohol or soda

buy souvenirs onboard

use spa services

purchase excursions onboard

eat at places other than the included restaurants.

 

Royal Caribbean is one of the few cruise lines that does NOT automatically add gratuities (for your cabin attendant and waitstaff) to your onboard account (but will do so if you request it). Please don't forget to budget for these as well, if you haven't already prepaid them.

[MOSusan]

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

 

You can take a cruise and have a very small bill at the end. Because we put our cruise expenses on our BOA card we charge our gratuities, winepackage, etc to our bill. Our largest balance was our last cruise It was almost $1000 which included tips for 4 ($326.20), a wine package (about $225), t-shirts from the shop (a tradition), family photos and drinks during the shows. Fortunately, I had $500 in OBC so it wasn't quite as painful. We're not huge drinkers which could really run up the tab.

 

If you don't want a tab at the end, it is completely doable.

[DebJ14]

I have heard many people here say that it happens but I have NEVER had a hold put on my credit card while I was on a cruise. I check my account daily when we cruise to make sure that there are no suspicious charges. If a hold was there, it would show up on my account and there has never been one there.

 

Not all credit card companies show the pending holds. My Chase MC just started doing it about 3 months ago and sent out a notice announcing the change. When I was on a Carnival cruise over Memorial Day I checked the credit card daily and each night there was a hold placed which was approximately equivalent to our onboard charges for the day. The day after the cruise there was a pending hold for the full amount of the onboard bill. So, at one point I had 8 pending holds from the cruise line. It took a week for the last one to drop off. They pending holds were deducted from the available credit. That is not an issue since we have very high credit limits and pay the bill in full each month. I can see how it can be a huge problem for someone with a low line of credit or someone using a debit card.

[Puffinater]

I have heard many people here say that it happens but I have NEVER had a hold put on my credit card while I was on a cruise. I check my account daily when we cruise to make sure that there are no suspicious charges. If a hold was there, it would show up on my account and there has never been one there.

 

Same here. I check my CC account daily and have never seen any type of hold.

[DebJ14]

I never thought about notifying the CC about traveling. We have received phone calls after our return to verify the charges we made in the islands, but we have never been declined. Guess we're just not spending enough, lol! usually under 1000.

 

Sometimes even if you notify the credit card they will require a call to verify a transaction. DH was buying me jewelry in St. Thomas. We notified the credit card in advance of the cruise, but when the merchant swiped the card they got instructions to call the credit card company. They did not want to place the call, so I called using my cell phone. I had to verify my identity and the amount of the transaction and the store I was making the purchase in. They then asked to speak to the merchant, got the merchant number from him and gave him the authorization number over the phone. It was a big hassle, but the jewelry was at a price too good to pass up.

[northcove]

I've noticed that my AMEX and BoA (but Bank of Americas' Amex card) are the only two that show pending holds. My Chase Visa, Citibank MC, Barclays MC etc, don't.

 

So yea, it's very normal for people to not know about it. But that doesn't mean it's not being done. In fact, if you've ever booked a hotel room, or got gas- you can be sure there was a pending hold.

 

Regarding notifying your CC company when you travel, do it!

Chase cut me off on a ski trip in nothern italy. Barclays won't authroize anything unless i call in and give them my itinerary (i never use them anymore due to this). Citibank is a 50/50 shot outside of the U.S.

 

The only one that never questions us is AMEX. I can use them today in NY, tomorrow in Croatia, the day after in Hong Kong and never get denied.

Totally my card of choice when I travel.

[gmacruiser418]

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

 

I think most RCCL ships have interactive tv that can show you your charge balance so that you can monitor it. That's what we do. We use our RCCL card so we charge our tips to get the double points. sometimes we pre-pay so that our total bill isn't so high when we cruise. I like to spread the bill out so that we can budget our expenses.

[TBone2K]

I am often surprised that places where you charge things to your seapass card use paper slips. I am assuming somewhere during the transaction, the information is entereed into the computer. However, I wonder why they don't use wireless machines similar to the credit/debit machines in restaurants?

 

As for a preset limit, I should add the when DW's mom came with us on a cruise, she had a cash-only account against her seapass card and they never limited her anywhere except the casino.

[Booking It]

Not all credit card companies show the pending holds. My Chase MC just started doing it about 3 months ago and sent out a notice announcing the change.

 

All of my banking is through Chase, and they have always shown pending holds. There is a little section above the charges where they do this.

 

I doubt that credit limit or whatnot has anything to do with whether or not you get holds. While I don't have a limit like $30,000, I do have "comfortable" limit. On our last cruise, we had charges from our few days in Florida and the rest was free. We had small holds every day, and they all showed up in that section I mentioned. It's always been that way when we travel and the holds took FOREVER to fall off.

[Familygoboston]

Not all credit card companies show the pending holds. My Chase MC just started doing it about 3 months ago and sent out a notice announcing the change. When I was on a Carnival cruise over Memorial Day I checked the credit card daily and each night there was a hold placed which was approximately equivalent to our onboard charges for the day. The day after the cruise there was a pending hold for the full amount of the onboard bill. So, at one point I had 8 pending holds from the cruise line. It took a week for the last one to drop off. They pending holds were deducted from the available credit. That is not an issue since we have very high credit limits and pay the bill in full each month. I can see how it can be a huge problem for someone with a low line of credit or someone using a debit card.

 

Right, and those are the folks who post here because they get home and can't go grocery shopping.:eek: I had never experienced it, but know I've read about it here a bunch of times. I think those of us who don't suffer from this probably don't have credit issues in general, so it never really affects us.

 

I do have problems with the today-in-Rome-tomorrow-in-Paris thing though...we travel frequently for both business and pleasure, often times we are both charging on the same account in different countries. We don't spend a lot when we are home, so all of sudden the card is in two places at once racking up big charges and the card holder panics and shuts us down. Sometimes even calling before doesn't help. They just don't feel reassured till they hear your voice and the name of your first pet;)

[bighairtexan]

Through Chase the "pending holds" are actually pending transactions. Not a hold put on a card for possible purchases. They don't show up on the online banking pages for Chase accounts. Or Capital One accounts. The cruise lines are requesting holds, not actual real time transactions, which normally don't go through until the end of the cruise. "HOLDS" are not "funded" like a pending transaction will be.

 

As far as telling your CC company, I used a different card from the one I had put the out of country alert on. I was buying a fairly expensive ring in the Caymans. The CC company called my home but guess what... I wasn't THERE. SO they called the number I had used in previous years and they got my ex-husband. They questioned him about a large purchase in the Caymans and evidently he OK'd it. I found out about this from my daughter. Evidently he said "glad the alimony is going to such a good cause." ;-)

[barbgazz]

Another bad thing that can happen to a cc with a perfectly adequate balance - Operator Error. :o

 

A few months ago I was trying to pay for something online (of all things an internet security package) and kept putting in the wrong expiration date. I gave up and used another credit card. Fast forward a few days. DH mentions the cc wouldn't work at Walmart, few days later I'm trying to pay a very large vet bill with the same card and it won't go through. I had to use the alternative card. Called the cc company - seems there was some suspicious activity on the card with an internet purchase and there was a block on the card! :eek:

 

When you kept putting in the wrong expiration date, you are the one who was causing the suspicious activity on the card, lol.

[TravelMadBrits]

On our very first cruise we flew from the UK to Miami for a week on Freedom. On about day 3 my husband went to sign for our drinks and he was told the account was frozen, much to his horror! Luckily my brother in law signed for the drinks :D. We went To guest services and they explained DH's credit card had been blocked. They were great about it, especially as we knew the card was new and on a zero balance with a decent limit. They even allowed us to use the ship's phone to call our bank in Blighty!

 

Apparently RCI had been putting through on hold small amounts but also from different locations. Even though we had pre-notified the cc company of the trip, it triggered a fraudulent use alert. Thankfully it was quickly sorted and we were up and running again, but it wasn't a nice feeling!

 

We aren't huge drinkers but pre-purchase our wine and gratuities. We do love a bit of fun in the casino but are aware how easily it can be to get carried away so we just take dollars with us, share it out for the week and when it's gone, it's gone. I think a week on Freedom with 3 kids came to about £500 and the exchange rate was nearly $2 to the £ so it was good value. If we have say $300 at home we'll put the cash on account then use our cc for back up. You can budget on a cruise but it does make it a lot easier if you plan ahead.

[FB]

Just so everyone knows the bank fraud alerts are automated by very sophisticated software. It's not like a rep is getting notified and then verifies your travel advisory. Some banks are smart enough to link the travel and fraud notice others are not. Some banks raise a flag and a call-out is sent to a call centre to verify the transaction. Some terminals will also say "Please call for Authorization"

 

So some banks computers "Freeze" the card and do not allow any more transactions until the card is verified by phone. Others have been known to outright "Cancel" the card and it must be destroyed and replaced along with updating any pre-auth's you have.

 

I do not have any inside knowledge on how AMEX works but it's probably similar.

 

So even if you notify your bank which you should there is still a good chance of being frozen and/or cancelled.

[morgan1312]

I have also seen people who forget to tell thier CC company they are traveling outside the country. They try to use thier card and a fraud notice is triggered and the card is declined. Last year in Italy, I gave a restaurant a card I had not done that with, it looked like another card, and it was declined for that reason even with a zero balance. I realized my mistake and gave them the correct card. Lesson is let your CC company know where you are going so that you do not get declined, even with an available credit line.

 

I've had something similar happen, when RCCL reserved an amount on my card (from fla I think) and I used my card in Boston the same day. Fraud unit blocked my card and I had to call them to get it straightened out before I could use the card again, they said fraud was triggered because I couldn't have been in fla and Boston near the same time making charges. Luckily we were on a Northeastern cruise where I could turn on my cellphone in the ports without being charged an arm & leg or I wouldn't have known about the block on my account till we got home.

[morgan1312]

Does everyone end up with a cruise bill /huge cruise bill at the end? Is it possible not too?? I mean if you dont gamble and plan to just drink the included drinks and only eat at the included restaurants. Planned and paid for excursions on your own not through the cruise. Are those things so tempting that everyone ends up with a huge bill??? Im kinda afraid after reading all these posts lol Decided to take a cruise because liked the all inclusive idea not really planning on the extras.

 

It's totally up to you, my SIL had a bill of less than $100 for a 9 night cruise, she bought the soda package and played bingo once. Our bill for 3 of us usually runs around $700 but I book excursions and play bingo, we're not big drinkers but there are usually a few of them on there too. I take cash for casino & tips so that doesn't go on the sea pass bill.