Cash and OBC

[Trevor Fountain]

Sorry, I know there are lots of threads dealing with this subject, but could someone please clarify this point, again.

I do notwish to use a cc on board. I was just going to deposit cash, but to save carrying so much cash, would it be acceptable to deposit enough purely for the dsc, and then purchase obc before I leave to top up the account?

[gwsster]

Sorry, I know there are lots of threads dealing with this subject, but could someone please clarify this point, again.

I do notwish to use a cc on board. I was just going to deposit cash, but to save carrying so much cash, would it be acceptable to deposit enough purely for the dsc, and then purchase obc before I leave to top up the account?

 

I have heard that some people buy a pre-paid Visa card and use that on board to deposit. They use this to stay in budget and for safety reasons. I have never done this, don't know if NCL will allow this. Thought I would pass this along.

[Trevor Fountain]

I have heard that some people buy a pre-paid Visa card and use that on board to deposit. They use this to stay in budget and for safety reasons. I have never done this, don't know if NCL will allow this. Thought I would pass this along.

 

Thanks. I thought of that, but then I heard NCL won't take them. i paid my balance with one and thought I might incur a 2.5% cc charge from my TA, but it went through as a debit card, thus no fee.

[Demonyte]

I have heard that some people buy a pre-paid Visa card and use that on board to deposit. They use this to stay in budget and for safety reasons. I have never done this, don't know if NCL will allow this. Thought I would pass this along.

 

Many prepaid cards state printed on the card that the card can not be used on cruise ships.

[cliffd64]

My wife did it a simpler way to keep our account from charging a large amount at the end.

 

She's kind of a type A person in this respect, so bear that in mind:

 

For simplicity we secured our account with a credit card.

 

Known items like the DSC were pre-paid in advance, so they were not on the account.

 

Being on the Getaway, we were able to check our balance at any time. Every so often, my wife would go to reception and place cash on the account to cover the previous day or two worth of charges (drinks, store purchases, etc).

 

Doing it that way, she kept the balance less than $100 when we left.

 

Could we have done it with OBC? Perhaps... Did we have to take cash? Well, yes, but we do anyway for things like money for on shore expenditures or cab fare, or casino etc.

[Nola26]

As another poster suggested prepay DSC.

 

Then you can simply put $100 cash on the account and add as you go. If you have specific known onboard purchase plans certainly you can buy OBC to cover those.

 

You used the phrase "all that cash". You can buy travelers checks and cash as needed, fee free onboard.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Nola26

[ashley_and_jason]

When boarding the ships, NCL requests your credit card for incidentals. If you decide to use cash, you would have to have NCL hold on to $300 USD per person in your stateroom. Quite frankly, I don't feel comfortable bringing that much cash on board with me. At least with credit cards you can dispute charges and god forbid something happens to your card, you can always get a new card and those charges back. Once cash is gone...its gone!! :eek:

[ashley_and_jason]

Here you go Trevor...

 

http://www.ncl.com/faq#onboard-expenses

Edited April 23, 2015 by ashley_and_jason

[Trevor Fountain]

Here you go Trevor...

 

http://www.ncl.com/faq#onboard-expenses

 

Thank you Ashley. The "rules" seem to be clear, but many on here have stated that you can deposit any amount, over and above the dsc. :confused:

[Demonyte]

Thank you Ashley. The "rules" seem to be clear, but many on here have stated that you can deposit any amount, over and above the dsc. :confused:

 

It is not a rule per se, as it says on the page "A cash deposit may be placed", not "must". Those are just suggestions that are meant to get people to spend at least that amount onboard.

[Trevor Fountain]

It is not a rule per se, as it says on the page "A cash deposit may be placed", not "must". Those are just suggestions that are meant to get people to spend at least that amount onboard.

 

That's good to hear. Do you know how I prepay the dsc? There is nowhere on the UK site that I can see to do this. I booked through a TA, would I need to contact them, or NCL?

[Demonyte]

That's good to hear. Do you know how I prepay the dsc? There is nowhere on the UK site that I can see to do this. I booked through a TA, would I need to contact them, or NCL?

 

Probably easiest (just in case) to do it through your TA. I know that some addons can be added by calling to NCL directly even when booked through a TA but service charges can be handled through the TA for sure.

[Trevor Fountain]

Probably easiest (just in case) to do it through your TA. I know that some addons can be added by calling to NCL directly even when booked through a TA but service charges can be handled through the TA for sure.

 

Cheers Demonyte. :cool:

[Trevor Fountain]

It is not a rule per se, as it says on the page "A cash deposit may be placed", not "must". Those are just suggestions that are meant to get people to spend at least that amount onboard.

 

They must have read this post. Another thing they seem to have changed. :(

 

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.

[Nola26]

They must have read this post. Another thing they seem to have changed. :(

 

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.

 

These are suggested amounts as many cruisers have deposited much less. If you pre pay DSC NCL really has no other automatic charges to place on your account. If you don't provide these minimal amounts would NCL really take your cruise payments and leave you at the departure port? I think not.

[Trevor Fountain]

These are suggested amounts as many cruisers have deposited much less. If you pre pay DSC NCL really has no other automatic charges to place on your account. If you don't provide these minimal amounts would NCL really take your cruise payments and leave you at the departure port? I think not.

 

But when they say "you'll need to deposit a minimum of xxxx", that hardly sounds like a suggested amount, though you are probably correct in what you say.

[Nola26]

But when they say "you'll need to deposit a minimum of xxxx", that hardly sounds like a suggested amount, though you are probably correct in what you say.

 

I've read people putting down $100 for the entire cabin. At the point when you're checking in you're already past the refund deadline so if $100 isn't enough do we really see NCL refusing to let passengers board? That would pretty much be the recourse if the $100 wasn't enough of a deposit.

 

Pay for your cruise, prepay your DSC and leave a cash deposit that realistically covers your ship board expenses. Back to your earlier question about OBC you can certainly buy some of that online pre cruise to cover expenses. However, I think some have said that wasn't always visible at check in, so some cash might still be needed upfront.

 

Personally I use my Visa as that is the best thing for me. That isn't a preference or option for everyone so I'm glad NCL offers a cash/TC method.

[Bluefox]

I don't understand why anyone would use cash. I mean, to each his own, but I don't get it. I hate traveling with much cash and you already need some for tips to room service etc. I'd much rather hand over a CC and just keep track of what's being charged to it everyday. At least you can dispute charges on your card...

[francina]

You do not have to deposit anything except the service charge. (I did it that way)

This is what I do to avoid charges at the end and using my cc.

Prepaid for all my excursion

Prepaid service charges

Brought obc (planning on buying two future cruise certificate).

Since I plan on coming home with a credit.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Bases5]

Just off the sky

Prepaid service charge

Prepaid udp

Prepaid ubp

Bought $100 OBC

We boarded without cash or cc

Bought 2 drinks each and our sail card was turned off

We went to guest service to ask why. They said I did

Provide a form of payment. I said I had OBC and every thing else

was pretty much paid for. They said they saw the OBC but it was

not available till later the first night.

Long story short they turned our account back on and every thing was fine

We never gave them a CC or cash

[kattlinx13]

Question about the $300 cash deposit per person.... I will have an adult (me) and my two children (ages 16 & 14) in my cabin with me. If I choose to go the cash route would I be required to give them a $900 deposit as I have 3 people in my room or would they settle for $300 as I am the only adult? We have the drink package and I am going to pre pay the daily service charge. We will also have a $50 per person onboard credit from our travel agent.

Thank you for any input.