Cash

[djms11504]

Does anyone know how the process works if you want to use cash on board when you don't have any credit cards? Or should I use my debit card?

[searoses]

Not good to use your debit card.....you can load cash onto your seapass card.....cash is not accepted as payment on board...just that magic card.....tho I have no casino exp so there may be something diff there...not sure how much cash you have to start with but sure others will...

[MarkSeattle]

You have to set up an onboard account with a credit/debit card or cash. You can't use cash or credit/debit cards for transactions onboard at the shops, bar, etc.

[djms11504]

Yes, sorry, perhaps I didn't word that right. I am aware that you don't actually use cash on board but I wanted to make sure that I can use it to pay the account.

[paul929207]

To use cash, you will need to leave a deposit when you check in. I think it is $300 per person for a 7 night cruise, but not sure. If you start burning thru the deposit, they will call and ask for more. The last night, you will need to go to the Passenger Services Desk to get any money that is left on your account.

[AZ Ocean Lover]

What I have done is use my credit card for my onboard account and then as I won in the casino I would use cash to pay off my onboard account expenses. Zero balance at the end of the cruise. Truth be told, this only happened once but what a great cruise that was.

[djms11504]

The thing is I don't have a credit card that has a very high limit so I'm nervous about doing that.

[JF - retired RRT]

The thing is I don't have a credit card that has a very high limit so I'm nervous about doing that.

 

Calculate how much you will spend ahead of time:

Gratuities ($11.50 or $12.00/person/day)

Drinks ($5 - 15 each? Don't drink, so not sure)

Specialty restaurant ($20-25 each depending on the restaurant)

Excursions (varies and totally up to you)

 

You can pay into your account ahead of time.

You can buy drink package/coffee card/excursions ahead of time

 

or you can go "cheap" and just pay gratuities, i.e. don't spend anything on the ship

 

The only $$$ you HAVE to spend is the gratuities, don't stiff the crew:rolleyes:

 

Debit card is NOT a good idea, the ship will "block" an estimated amount and you will be unable to use it for anything else. It could cause your checks to bounce.

 

Do you get OBC? Veterans, shareholders, TA, Princess?? All of that will go into your account to help pay the balance.

 

We have gone on 8 cruises and have never owed any $$ at the end and gotten a refund on several of our cruises.

 

Just plan ahead:D

[djms11504]

This was unexpected as sadly my card I was planning on using just had the credit limit dropped!!! So my anxiety is through the roof and we leave this weekend!!

 

Having been a crew member on board before i would never stiff the crew!! [emoji6]

[JF - retired RRT]

This was unexpected as sadly my card I was planning on using just had the credit limit dropped!!! So my anxiety is through the roof and we leave this weekend!!

 

Having been a crew member on board before i would never stiff the crew!! [emoji6]

 

You could change to a different card (if you have one)

[djms11504]

I just don't have one with a high enough credit level I think. Do they put a hold on your credit card too? The one I put into the Cruise Personalizer is the one who's limit dropped but I can't change it now as we are less than 5 days out.

Edited November 11, 2014 by djms11504

[James in SA]

I have friends who always fund their account with cash. Bring the amount of cash you think you will need and fund your account with that. Also bring your credit card just as a backup in case you run a little short. That way the credit limit shouldn't be a problem, if you have to use the card at all.

[marazad16]

Does Princess have gift cards that can be purchased prior to departure? Or can you buy an AX card and use that? If no to both I would do as said, leave a cash deposit when you board.

 

Just had a look - seems you can gift yourself credit.

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/onboard_credit/Index.jsp

Edited November 11, 2014 by marazad16

[arizonaperson]

Does anyone know how the process works if you want to use cash on board when you don't have any credit cards? Or should I use my debit card?

 

I would call Princess or your travel agent to discuss your situation to see if you get the same answer,that way you won't be surprised.

Yes, you can use cash at the passenger service desk to settle your account.

[paul929207]

I just don't have one with a high enough credit level I think. Do they put a hold on your credit card too? The one I put into the Cruise Personalizer is the one who's limit dropped but I can't change it now as we are less than 5 days out.

You can switch credit cards when you check in.

[paul929207]

Does Princess have gift cards that can be purchased prior to departure? Or can you buy an AX card and use that? If no to both I would do as said, leave a cash deposit when you board.

 

Just had a look - seems you can gift yourself credit.

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/onboard_credit/Index.jsp

I think there may be a problem using a gift card. I think any credit card must have your name on it. Check with your TA or Princess before you try to go this route.

[djms11504]

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. My stomach is just in knots!

[JF - retired RRT]

DJMS: I thought of another solution...put extra money on your credit card, so you have a positive balance.

On occasion, I have received refunds (or forgot that I already paid and paid again:o) thus giving me a credit balance on the card. If you have the cash, that might work, too.

[msmoger]

DJMS: I thought of another solution...put extra money on your credit card, so you have a positive balance.

On occasion, I have received refunds (or forgot that I already paid and paid again:o) thus giving me a credit balance on the card. If you have the cash, that might work, too.

 

I'm sure the policy varies from card to card, but I believe most credit cards won't let you pay more than your current balance. I know mine won't.

[Carolyn R]

The simplest way to handle this is to call Princess and gift yourself OBC using your debit card. Try to estimate how much you will need. When you check in, use your credit card. I do this all the time. Another tactic is to call Princess and gift yourself casino credit. You can then go to the cage in the casino and get cash. Do it now though as I am not sure when the cut-off is.

 

You will be fine. Have fun!

Edited November 11, 2014 by Carolyn R

[noddy54]

DJMS: I thought of another solution...put extra money on your credit card, so you have a positive balance.

On occasion, I have received refunds (or forgot that I already paid and paid again:o) thus giving me a credit balance on the card. If you have the cash, that might work, too.

 

I also do this on every cruise that we go on. I put extra money onto the credit card, so when the bill comes I am using my money not the banks.

Make sure your card has a NIL balance to start with otherwise it will take the balance owing first leaving you less money to play with

[candigirl41]

Calculate how much you will spend ahead of time:

Gratuities ($11.50 or $12.00/person/day)

Drinks ($5 - 15 each? Don't drink, so not sure)

Specialty restaurant ($20-25 each depending on the restaurant)

Excursions (varies and totally up to you)

 

You can pay into your account ahead of time.

You can buy drink package/coffee card/excursions ahead of time

 

or you can go "cheap" and just pay gratuities, i.e. don't spend anything on the ship

 

The only $$$ you HAVE to spend is the gratuities, don't stiff the crew:rolleyes:

 

Debit card is NOT a good idea, the ship will "block" an estimated amount and you will be unable to use it for anything else. It could cause your checks to bounce.

 

Do you get OBC? Veterans, shareholders, TA, Princess?? All of that will go into your account to help pay the balance.

 

We have gone on 8 cruises and have never owed any $$ at the end and gotten a refund on several of our cruises.

 

Just plan ahead:D

 

The last time I sailed was January 2014. I used my debit card and had no problem with them holding an amount. I think $300.00 is too high for a cash deposit since the only thing that goes on automatically is the tips. I would tell them I will come pay my tips daily and not purchase anything. I think it is wrong that in order to speed up boarding I have to use a credit card. I am using a credit card that does not have any available spending on it and calling the credit card company and telling them what I am doing so they don't let me go over my limit. I will tell them to decline any purchases and then I will pay cash as I go. Carnival lets you use cash as your payment choice and print boarding passes. Since Carnival owns Princess I don't know why this is a problem.

 

Candi

[paul929207]

The last time I sailed was January 2014. I used my debit card and had no problem with them holding an amount. I think $300.00 is too high for a cash deposit since the only thing that goes on automatically is the tips. I would tell them I will come pay my tips daily and not purchase anything. I think it is wrong that in order to speed up boarding I have to use a credit card. I am using a credit card that does not have any available spending on it and calling the credit card company and telling them what I am doing so they don't let me go over my limit. I will tell them to decline any purchases and then I will pay cash as I go. Carnival lets you use cash as your payment choice and print boarding passes. Since Carnival owns Princess I don't know why this is a problem.

 

Candi

Carnival Corp owns both Princess and Carnival Cruise Lines.

[huskerdan25]

On a couple of occasions I have put down cash for my onboard account instead of using a credit card. Both times I put $600 in the account and ended up getting money back at the end of the. cruise. When you check in, let them know you are putting cash into your account instead of using a credit card. You will direct you to go to the customer service desk onboard to put money in your account.

 

No need to stress.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[BroncoLvrs]

Call Princess and "gift" yourself OBC to cover all known expenses (as outlined previously). We've done this and checked in with our debit card and never had a deposit withdrawn when checking in.

 

Enjoy your cruise!