Cash or Ship Credit?

[SEAEDP]

I'm going on my first cruise on May 3 to Alaska aboard the Westerdam. I got an email from Holland America with the lists of packages that I could buy. I noticed there were options to buy a Ship Credit. Is this the same as cash on the ship...for drinks, tips, incidentals, etc?

[nana51]

If you have shipboard credit, anything you spend on board including drinks, excursions, items from the store, they will subtract how ever much credit you have from your final bill. Let's say you have $200.00 in credit and you spend an extra $300.00 on excursions, photos, clothing, whatever, then you will only owe $100.00

[SEAEDP]

Thanks Nana...so, it seems to me that this is a good way to go instead of taking a lot of cash on board?

[SilvertoGold]

Thanks Nana...so, it seems to me that this is a good way to go instead of taking a lot of cash on board?

 

You can put the whole tab on your credit card. Seems that this is the standard practice with most pax.

 

If you want to pay with "cash" and not have to take a wad with you, buy yourself some ship board credit, BUT take the receipts on paper so you can prove you bought $x amount. The ships have been know to "lose" the info!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We prefer to pay our final bill with a credit card. For us that is AMEX Plat where we also collect points to use to get free hotel rooms.

[Hlitner]

HAL (and all the other major cruise lines) operate a cashless system onboard ships. Anything you buy onboard, including stuff at the shops, Bingo cards, drinks, etc. are simply charged to your onboard account. If you register a credit card at embarkation, then your final account of onboard charges will be automatically charged to your credit card and you will receive an itemized statement (in your cabin) on the last morning. If you do prefer to settle your bill by cash you can go to the Guest Relations Desk (generally on the last evening of the cruise) and pay your statement in cash.

 

The only time you really need cash onboard is in the Casino (although you can get credit and not use cash here) and if you want to give some small cash tips to certain crew members (most folks tip the room service steward $2 or $3 if you order room service items.

 

Hank

[richwmn]

HAL (and all the other major cruise lines) operate a cashless system onboard ships. Anything you buy onboard, including stuff at the shops, Bingo cards, drinks, etc. are simply charged to your onboard account. If you register a credit card at embarkation, then your final account of onboard charges will be automatically charged to your credit card and you will receive an itemized statement (in your cabin) on the last morning. If you do prefer to settle your bill by cash you can go to the Guest Relations Desk (generally on the last evening of the cruise) and pay your statement in cash.

 

The only time you really need cash onboard is in the Casino (although you can get credit and not use cash here) and if you want to give some small cash tips to certain crew members (most folks tip the room service steward $2 or $3 if you order room service items.

 

Hank

 

If you register a credit card and then chose to settle you account in cash, the highlighted information is correct.

 

If you don't wish to register a credit card you will be required to have cash deposited in your onboard account equal to the "hold" that would be placed on a credit card. That would be $60/day for cruises under 30 days. That deposit could be done by credit card and you would still get whatever points are available - sometimes more if you set up more cash than you spend. At the end of the cruise, any excess is refunded. In my experience the refund is in cash.

[AlohaPride]

We are planning the $60 per person per day for the two adults, but would rather just add the $11.50 per day for each of our girls. Does anyone know if HAL will let us do that? Our kids are only 6, 5, and 3. They don't drink soda and will not be purchasing anything.

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy

[jtl513]

Thanks Nana...so, it seems to me that this is a good way to go instead of taking a lot of cash on board?

Yes, and if you deposit more than you need for your final bill any excess will be refunded in cash. You probably noticed that the maximum amount listed for purchase is $100. You can buy multiples, and your emailed receipt will show "$100, quantity X" but when you then look at your detailed intinerary it will show just $100, not the quantity. Don't panic, it's there!

.

Edited March 10, 2014 by jtl513

[RuthC]

We are planning the $60 per person per day for the two adults, but would rather just add the $11.50 per day for each of our girls. Does anyone know if HAL will let us do that?

My understanding is that you can do that. You need to be sure that you've canceled spending privileges on the kids' cards. Take it up with the Front Desk to make sure it's set up the way you want.

Our kids are only 6, 5, and 3. They don't drink soda and will not be purchasing anything.

What??? :eek: No gemstones for their newest favorite auntie??? :eek: Well!

[magandab]

We prefer to pay our final bill with a credit card. For us that is AMEX Plat where we also collect points to use to get free hotel rooms.

 

It can work the other way too. I use my favorite credit card to buy my shipboard credit, and get lots of Amazon.com dollars!

[serendipity1499]

We are planning the $60 per person per day for the two adults, but would rather just add the $11.50 per day for each of our girls. Does anyone know if HAL will let us do that? Our kids are only 6, 5, and 3. They don't drink soda and will not be purchasing anything.

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy

I think HAL will only hold $60 per day for the adults..I doubt if they would hold anything for children 6 yrs & under..

Suggest you give HAL a call & ask them.. They may only issue a card for each, in order for you &/or your DH to take them on & off the ship, but believe while they are on-board they only need their wrist bands..Come to think about it & realize you will be required to pay the $11.50 per day for each of them so they may only put that amount on their cards..

 

I remember when you were taking your first HAL cruise & no little ones were around..BTW welcome back

 

Betty

Edited March 10, 2014 by serendipity1499

[Typhoon1]

It is good for any shipboard purchases. The amount would be applied to your ship board account.

[AlohaPride]

My understanding is that you can do that. You need to be sure that you've canceled spending privileges on the kids' cards. Take it up with the Front Desk to make sure it's set up the way you want.

 

What??? :eek: No gemstones for their newest favorite auntie??? :eek: Well!

 

LOL only with my supervision ;)

 

 

 

 

 

I think HAL will only hold $60 per day for the adults..I doubt if they would hold anything for children 6 yrs & under..

Suggest you give HAL a call & ask them.. They may only issue a card for each, in order for you &/or your DH to take them on & off the ship, but believe while they are on-board they only need their wrist bands..Come to think about it & realize you will be required to pay the $11.50 per day for each of them so they may only put that amount on their cards..

 

I remember when you were taking your first HAL cruise & no little ones were around..BTW welcome back

 

Betty

 

Weren't those the days? We cruised with our oldest but this will be a first for our youngest 2. They are all extremely excited. Uncle John (Copper) took them on a tour the last time he as here and they haven't stopped talking about the "big ship". Our daughter, Jackie, wants to meet some real life chefs LOL

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy

[Wastegirl]

I buy shipboard credit purely for budgeting purposes. Once I have booked a cruise, over the next few months I buy any tours, $250 drinks cards and several $100 lots of credit. That way I know when I get to the end of my cruise, if I have budgeted correctly I will either have a $0 bill or a credit back for unspent monies. I budget for drinks, the daily service charge, unlimited laundry, shore excursions, a bit of gambling, a couple of Pinnacle Grill or Caneletto dinners and some shop spending.

 

I have heard too many horror stories of people getting to the end of their cruise and facing HUGE bills. That's the reason I also pre buy 2 x $250 drinks vouchers, I can keep an eye on our alcohol spending. I also get my bill printed out mid cruise to see how my budget is going.

 

Do I sound a little OCD :D

[AlohaPride]

I buy shipboard credit purely for budgeting purposes. Once I have booked a cruise, over the next few months I buy any tours, $250 drinks cards and several $100 lots of credit. That way I know when I get to the end of my cruise, if I have budgeted correctly I will either have a $0 bill or a credit back for unspent monies. I budget for drinks, the daily service charge, unlimited laundry, shore excursions, a bit of gambling, a couple of Pinnacle Grill or Caneletto dinners and some shop spending.

 

I have heard too many horror stories of people getting to the end of their cruise and facing HUGE bills. That's the reason I also pre buy 2 x $250 drinks vouchers, I can keep an eye on our alcohol spending. I also get my bill printed out mid cruise to see how my budget is going.

 

Do I sound a little OCD :D

 

Not at all! I've been slowly adding funds to our on board credit. We're at $455 and I plan to add a few hundred more before we sail. It's most important to me to have the service charge, laundry, and excursions all paid for ahead of time.

 

Edit to add: It's rubbing off on my girls, too. They have a glass jar they are filling with any coins and money they receive to save up for their cruise. They are excited to have their OWN spending money while we are in port. At first I thought it would be too much for a 6 year old, 5 year old, and 3 year old to think about, but they have a good amount of money stashed away already. I'm really impressed, actually.

Edited March 11, 2014 by AlohaPride

[prescottbob]

I'm going on my first cruise on May 3 to Alaska aboard the Westerdam. I got an email from Holland America with the lists of packages that I could buy. I noticed there were options to buy a Ship Credit. Is this the same as cash on the ship...for drinks, tips, incidentals, etc?

 

Ahoy!

 

I all depends on your own personnal comfort level.

 

We prefer to wait until the end of the cruise to pay our bill with a credit card for many of the reasons mentioned (AL mileage, hotel rooms & various cash / rewards rebates).

 

With that said we do reserve PG reservations on the HAL site for specific days and times. Likewise, since the new wine policy has kicked in I have purchased some wine for our cabin room (if you do so always mark deliver at sea to avoid the local taxes).

 

Although we do not reserve HAL port tours much any more as a new cruiser you might do so for your upcoming trip to avoid being waitlisted if there is something you'd really enjoy doing.

 

My only other advise would be to go to the front desk at least once per week for longer cruises or mid way for shorter cruises for a print out of your charges. You can match up your receipts, etc. to avoid problems prior to debarking. It will make your final billing much easier.

 

It's always nice to have some cash for your ports of call but certainly a debit card, credit card will often do in established businesses. However, street vendors, cabs (& local buses) & luggage handlers prefer cash.

 

Have a Great Cruise!

 

Be well.

Bob

[mudscraper]

Not at all! I've been slowly adding funds to our on board credit. We're at $455 and I plan to add a few hundred more before we sail. It's most important to me to have the service charge, laundry, and excursions all paid for ahead of time.

 

Edit to add: It's rubbing off on my girls, too. They have a glass jar they are filling with any coins and money they receive to save up for their cruise. They are excited to have their OWN spending money while we are in port. At first I thought it would be too much for a 6 year old, 5 year old, and 3 year old to think about, but they have a good amount of money stashed away already. I'm really impressed, actually.

 

Teaching the little ones about saving money in a way that makes it fun is great. Good job mom.