Paying cruise account earlier than disembarkation

[Lane40]

Am I allowed during my cruise to pay off balances as they come about? Let's say before I leave on my cruise, I calculate that my excursions will cost me $100 and the tips booked to my account are $200. Can I pay the $300 on the third day of a ten day cruise knowing also that additional charges (drinks, purchases, etc.) will probably hit during the cruise. Are you allowed to basically pre-pay cash any amount upon embarkation?

 

Can I on the first day of the cruise place $1000 on my account and then just use the money as a credit line towards any excursions, purchases, etc?

 

Sorry for the run of questions.

 

Thanks

 

Lane

[sunprincess]

You can pay toward your cruise card balance any time during the cruise. I do not think however they will allow you to place $1000 down & let the balance dwindle down.

[Mary Leslie]

We always pay as we go.......seems like we always overestimate the amount of traveler's checks and cash that we need. I also think it's a good idea to get a print-out of your bill every few days just to make sure there are no unexpected or erroneous charges.................Mary:rolleyes:

[Baxter]

I do not think however they will allow you to place $1000 down & let the balance dwindle down.

 

Why not? I thought they required a cash deposit for those who do not use a credit card, which would operate in the same way. And do credit cards not work in a similar way -- they secure a certain amount of money, and increase that as your spending increases. For some reason, I'm really curious about this.

[Dreamer333]

You can pay toward your cruise card balance any time during the cruise. I do not think however they will allow you to place $1000 down & let the balance dwindle down.

 

Sure you can. After I made the final payment on one of my cruises, I would have my TA charge my credit card each pay day, towards onboard credit.

I think that we had about $800 in shipboard credit when we boarded.

[Hello-Kitty]

great question, i always pre regester my credit card no fuss ! but if u want to pay it in cash at the end u can, just have to do it the night before!!!

[cruiserforlife]

Sure you can. After I made the final payment on one of my cruises, I would have my TA charge my credit card each pay day, towards onboard credit.

I think that we had about $800 in shipboard credit when we boarded.

 

Makes sense to me...who would say no to money...certainly not Princess!;)

[Lane40]

Thanks for the responses. The idea of paying a little every month and then having a shipboard credit is something new to me, but an idea I really like.

[lindberg]

I've done this. I estimate my onboard expenses and use travelers checks to prepay to my account the day I board. I also register a credit card. By the last day my bill is only a few dollars which I let hit the credit card. That way no big bill to pay when I get home.:D

[Lane40]

TA called today to let me know we will be given a $500 credit on our upcoming British Isles cruise. I asked her to have Princess place the $500 on my shipboard credit, so I basically have now done as Dreamer333 had suggested in an earlier post.

[Robroy]

I have frequently made cash payments during the cruise and paid down my account - particularly after profitable casino visits! It's fun to review your stateroom account at the end of the trip and notice the payments made at 2am on a particular day - brings back good memories!

The idea of making periodic shipboard account deposits in advance of one's trip though is a really painless way to squirrel away money for a terrific cause. Great idea - have to try it next time out!

 

Rob

[direfun2000]

I booked directly with Princess. Can I call them each payday and give them say $200.00 and tell them to add it to my shipboard credit?? Not sailling till Oct. 29 but could have a nice acct. that way!

[cruisequeen10]

If you are putting down money at the beginning of the cruise just make sure that you will get back what it is you don't use. They might have a minimum.

[Hate 2 W8t]

I booked directly with Princess. Can I call them each payday and give them say $200.00 and tell them to add it to my shipboard credit?? Not sailling till Oct. 29 but could have a nice acct. that way!

 

I am already past final payment. When I called to add credit to my shipboard account, it was basically purchasing a gift card that will be in my room when I arrive. It is just like if a friend wanted to send you a gift but sent it as on board credit instead of a spa certificate or similar.

 

I am assuming the on board credit gift cards can be used for any expense on your on board account. I asked the Princess rep this question, and he said yes. Of course, we all know you can get as many different answers to the same question as there are reps at Princess. :eek: Does anyone know if this is correct?

[jimneycrkit]

I have sent gifts in the form of money to guests on ships. They get a card in their room and it shows up as a credit on their final bill. So if you are sending it to yourself it would work the same way.

[kevinsac]

If you are putting down money at the beginning of the cruise just make sure that you will get back what it is you don't use. They might have a minimum.

 

Here is another example of different info from different CSRs. :rolleyes: When I called and asked about making periodic payments toward my on-board credit, I was told that I need to be careful in my estimates, because they would NOT refund any overage. HUH? :confused:

 

She told me that the only way I could accomplish this is if I pre-purchase casino chips, then once on board, cash them in, and then use that money towards my account.

 

Did not make sense.....but it's what they done told me! :eek: