Epic on board expense account

[gazza999]

I have just booked for the Epic next January, heading out of Barcelona for Morocco and the Canary Islands.

 

I have sailed with Royal Caribbean previously, who allow you to create an expense account before boarding. NCL’s website mentions that you have to set the account up on first day of the cruise. Does this mean that you have to queue in Guest Services before doing anything to arrange this, or is there some way to do this before boarding ?

 

 

Cheers

[Demonyte]

I have sailed with Royal Caribbean previously, who allow you to create an expense account before boarding. NCL’s website mentions that you have to set the account up on first day of the cruise. Does this mean that you have to queue in Guest Services before doing anything to arrange this, or is there some way to do this before boarding ?

 

With NCL onboard accounts are created during the check-in in the terminal.

 

If you wish to have a cash account it'll be set up in the terminal and after that you need to deposit cash to the accoutn separately either at the table set up in the terminal (not always there) or after boarding at the Guest Services.

[negn]

You set up your account at the pier at the same time you get your key card (complete with picture) So if your thought ws to avoid a line, it wont work

[gazza999]

If you can do it while checking in, that’s fine. I just didn’t want to have to go to Guest Services to set it up after I board.

 

Thx for the replies :)

[garycarla]

If you can do it while checking in, that’s fine. I just didn’t want to have to go to Guest Services to set it up after I board.

 

Thx for the replies :)

 

They process a few thousand cabins as you board on every cruise. Normal process. Just hand them your credit card, they swipe it and you are set.

[evitacruiser]

There are six of us travelling on one booking. We want to pay extras for 3 and the other three are indivduals. Can we have four accounts set up?

[Georgina1505]

Hi All,

 

Sorry to barge in on your thread! I'm sailing on Epic in December and I don't have a credit card (only Debit) do you think I'm better off just using cash up front I think I've seen its $450pp, can they take the gratuities out of this or do I need to pay extra on top for that?

 

We already have a drink package so doubt we would use all this. Also are you able to use your account card to draw cash in the casino or do you need to take separate cash? :confused:

 

Thanks :)

[sparks1093]

There are six of us travelling on one booking. We want to pay extras for 3 and the other three are indivduals. Can we have four accounts set up?

 

I believe that you can set up different payments for each person.

[sparks1093]

Hi All,

 

Sorry to barge in on your thread! I'm sailing on Epic in December and I don't have a credit card (only Debit) do you think I'm better off just using cash up front I think I've seen its $450pp, can they take the gratuities out of this or do I need to pay extra on top for that?

 

We already have a drink package so doubt we would use all this. Also are you able to use your account card to draw cash in the casino or do you need to take separate cash? :confused:

 

Thanks :)

 

Most people would prefer to put cash on the account rather than deal with the holds put on the debit card. Our friend that sailed with us set up her account with $152, but services charges and excursions had been paid in advance. We were able to draw cash in the casino against our pre-purchased OBC for a 3% fee. Since they charge 3% it might be better to bring enough cash to avoid it.

[Georgina1505]

Ah ok, I don't really want holds on my debit cards around xmas time!

 

If I could use a card then I would pre-pay the service charges, our drinks are on the promo and we've pre-book private tours with other from the cruise that we've been speaking to on the roll call.

[sparks1093]

Ah ok, I don't really want holds on my debit cards around xmas time!

 

If I could use a card then I would pre-pay the service charges, our drinks are on the promo and we've pre-book private tours with other from the cruise that we've been speaking to on the roll call.

 

Using your debit card beforehand to pre-pay the service charges shouldn't be an issue- it's handled as a regular point of sale transaction with no holds put on the card. It's only when you are using it onboard to secure your account that holds are put on your debit card (they put an initial hold followed by other holds that keep pace with your onboard spending).

[Georgina1505]

Sorry I didn't make that part very clear - if I could use a debit card for our onboard account then I would pre-pay service charges now, the only reason why I'm thinking of leaving it is I don't think I will use the $450pp on board so they could take the service charges out of that to use it up.

 

I do have a debit card account I don't use often but I read somewhere they took the daily spend off the debit card each day and then the whole cruise worth on the last day and now the person is waiting for a $1000 re-fund!

 

Or do I just go and take out a credit card for the holiday :confused:

[sparks1093]

Sorry I didn't make that part very clear - if I could use a debit card for our onboard account then I would pre-pay service charges now, the only reason why I'm thinking of leaving it is I don't think I will use the $450pp on board so they could take the service charges out of that to use it up.

 

I do have a debit card account I don't use often but I read somewhere they took the daily spend off the debit card each day and then the whole cruise worth on the last day and now the person is waiting for a $1000 re-fund!

 

Or do I just go and take out a credit card for the holiday :confused:

 

Thing is if you pre-pay the service charges you don't have to worry about putting as much on your onboard account (the $450 is only a recommendation, the amount is actually up to you), just what you think you will spend (my friend who put $152 on her account ended up getting a $43 refund).

 

As I understand it they will put a hold on the the account when you board and then they will put another hold equal to your account balance as of the last night of the cruise, then running your card the next day for the actual balance. The holds should drop off quickly but that is really up to your bank.

 

Personally if I didn't have a credit card I would not get one just for vacation.

[Georgina1505]

Thing is if you pre-pay the service charges you don't have to worry about putting as much on your onboard account (the $450 is only a recommendation, the amount is actually up to you), just what you think you will spend (my friend who put $152 on her account ended up getting a $43 refund).

 

As I understand it they will put a hold on the the account when you board and then they will put another hold equal to your account balance as of the last night of the cruise, then running your card the next day for the actual balance. The holds should drop off quickly but that is really up to your bank.

 

Personally if I didn't have a credit card I would not get one just for vacation.

 

 

I've just found this on the ncl site -

If you prefer to pay by cash or traveller’s cheques, you’ll need to provide a minimum deposit of U.S.$ 300 per person (7 night cruise), U.S.$ 150 per person (cruise up to 6 nights) or U.S.$ 450 per person (cruise of 8 nights and more) at check-in (subject to change)”. Should the deposited amount be exceeded the account will be closed to further charges, until additional funds are submitted. Deposits can be made throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess. Details of your onboard folio are available on your TV in your stateroom. Cash (US $) can be used to settle the account at the end of the cruise. US Traveller’s Cheques can be cashed onboard without any fees and are the same as cash. Personal cheques will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed onboard.

[sparks1093]

Yes, that language is on the website but I've never heard of them actually insisting on it at check in. (And I am sure if you called customer service they would say that those amounts need to be paid, just another instance of the shore not knowing exaclty what the ship is doing.)

Edited September 1, 2015 by sparks1093

[Georgina1505]

ok, thanks for all your help & info. :)

[cb at sea]

Use cash instead of a DEBIT card.....same money from your account, but no "holds" on cash!

 

If you have a credit card, give that to them, then later in the week, switch over to cash, if you don't want to put anything on your card....nothing is actually CHARGED to your credit card until the cruise is over...so you can pay off the account in cash.

[Georgina1505]

Use cash instead of a DEBIT card.....same money from your account, but no "holds" on cash!

 

If you have a credit card, give that to them, then later in the week, switch over to cash, if you don't want to put anything on your card....nothing is actually CHARGED to your credit card until the cruise is over...so you can pay off the account in cash.

 

Thanks, I've decided to take 950$ traveller cheque as I don't own a credit card and don't want to carry so much cash on me :)

[cc_rider]

We area planing to sail on the Epic out of Barcelona next April. Does anyone know if they would accept pounds sterling instead of dollars from a US citizen for the onboard account? We have about 200 pounds left over from our last trip to Britain.

And would we get slaughtered using their exchange rate and fees?

Edited September 15, 2015 by cc_rider

[Nikkishock]

What does "holds on your credit card" mean.

[sparks1093]

What does "holds on your credit card" mean.

 

They pre-authorize your credit card for a specific amount, which reduces the available credit on that card until the hold is released. When we on the Gem the amount of the hold was $300.

[anniegb]

Thanks, I've decided to take 950$ traveller cheque as I don't own a credit card and don't want to carry so much cash on me :)

 

Hi Georgina

 

Can I jump on here?

 

As you are resident in the UK, may I suggest you visit the Martin Lewis site - he will suggest take out a Halifax Clarity cc - the best in the UK for foreign transactions. Excellent exchange rate and no exorbitant fees. Much easier than travellers cheques.

 

I onky use my cc when travelling. You can always cancel the card later.

 

Annie

[Number34]

Totally agree, Clarity card excellent.

Or have you thought about buying OBC in advance? Last time I cruised with NCL their exchange rate for £ to $ was very good. I put in $1200 and got a refund to my account, nothing taken from my card.

[Georgina1505]

Hi Both,

 

I've decided to use a debit card from an account I don't use often. We now have the UBP and will pay the gratuities up front. I've booked dinner, circus and Spa and paid that all up front, will also be taking dollars for the casino so I don't intend to spend to much more on board.

 

But I will have a look at the pre-paid onboard credit or gift cards.

 

:)

[Georgina1505]

Me again!

 

If I did buy the on board credit in advance and I get 300$ but only spent 200$ would they credit me the difference at the end of the cruise in cash, or would we loose it?