Using cash on board and other newbie ??s

[LoisLane0]

Hi,

 

I read the Princess faq and as I understand it we can pay cash on board instead of charging to the room? Is this correct?

 

How about credit cards if you don't want to charge to the card associated with the room?

 

The reason I'm asking is the only other cruise I've been on was a Disney one some years ago. We went with my husband's parents, his brother and family. They didn't take cash so we had to sign to our rooms on my father in-law's dime. I tried to change the card on our room but he caught me! ;)

 

Fast forward some years and we're all going to Alaska in June. I don't want to make him pay for any cocktails I might indulge in, it just doesn't feel right doing that. It bugged me when I was on the Disney Cruise. This is such a generous thing he's doing for all of us already!

 

Also, I floated the Skagway train excursion by the group, but there isn't a lot of interest. I am going to see if it's okay if I peel off the group along with the kids (and husband if he's interested) and go. We have some room credit, so it won't be exorbitant if the 4 of us go. However, I'd like to charge the balance to my card not the card on file.

 

Can I do that on-line when reserving the excursion?

 

Thanks in advance and I'm sorry for what I know are probably foolish questions!

Edited May 11, 2015 by LoisLane0

[goofy559]

A couple of ideas.

 

You could book your excursion and prepay it yourself - taking him completely out of the equation (this is a relatively new option on Princess).

 

You could also pre-purchase on board credit to cover your cocktails and other things you wish to cover on your own.

 

Both of these allow him to leave his card on the room and you to have peace of mind.

[VTX-AL]

All transactions onboard Princess ships are "cashless" (except tips to service staff, which are over and above the automatic gratuities) and are charged to your shipboard account. However, you can use a credit card onboard at the pursers office to "top up" your onboard account, at any time.

 

...VTX-Al

[LoisLane0]

All transactions onboard Princess ships are "cashless" (except tips to service staff, which are over and above the automatic gratuities) and are charged to your shipboard account. However, you can use a credit card onboard at the pursers office to "top up" your onboard account, at any time.

 

...VTX-Al

 

Thank you!! For some reason I thought they took cash. I am so glad I asked.

[Illyria]

How about credit cards if you don't want to charge to the card associated with the room?

You will each get your own key card. You can go to Guest Services and have your card associated with your own credit card or cash account, you don't have to have everyone's keys charge to the person that's making the cruise reservation.

[LoisLane0]

You will each get your own key card. You can go to Guest Services and have your card associated with your own credit card or cash account, you don't have to have everyone's keys charge to the person that's making the cruise reservation.

 

Thank you! I can't change the room credit card because he'll catch that. I did that on the only other cruise I've been on (Disney), so he's on to me. However, this cash account sounds like the way to go. I don't want to hurt him yet I also don't feel right willy nilly spending on drinks and other things on his dime.

[LoisLane0]

A couple of ideas.

 

You could book your excursion and prepay it yourself - taking him completely out of the equation (this is a relatively new option on Princess).

 

You could also pre-purchase on board credit to cover your cocktails and other things you wish to cover on your own.

 

Both of these allow him to leave his card on the room and you to have peace of mind.

 

Thank you! This was very helpful. pre purchasing credit seems like the best option and then upping it as needed.

[skynight]

Hi,

 

I read the Princess faq and as I understand it we can pay cash on board instead of charging to the room? Is this correct?

 

How about credit cards if you don't want to charge to the card associated with the room?

 

The reason I'm asking is the only other cruise I've been on was a Disney one some years ago. We went with my husband's parents, his brother and family. They didn't take cash so we had to sign to our rooms on my father in-law's dime. I tried to change the card on our room but he caught me! ;)

 

Fast forward some years and we're all going to Alaska in June. I don't want to make him pay for any cocktails I might indulge in, it just doesn't feel right doing that. It bugged me when I was on the Disney Cruise. This is such a generous thing he's doing for all of us already!

 

Also, I floated the Skagway train excursion by the group, but there isn't a lot of interest. I am going to see if it's okay if I peel off the group along with the kids (and husband if he's interested) and go. We have some room credit, so it won't be exorbitant if the 4 of us go. However, I'd like to charge the balance to my card not the card on file.

 

Can I do that on-line when reserving the excursion?

 

Thanks in advance and I'm sorry for what I know are probably foolish questions!

I'm not quite sure I can follow what you are trying to say. Here is how on board passenger accounts work. The direct answer is you can not pay cash on board for individual purchases, but you can deposit cash to cover your folio expenses, or pay them off at the end of the cruise with cash.

 

Except for a cash option in the Casino ALL onboard purchases, including tours, photos, beverages, art, etc. are charged to your on board folio account. There isn't anyway around this. Each passenger, including children, has their own account. You can link them together. Remember each passenger, including children, are charged $11.50/day ($80.50pp for a 7 day cruise) hotel charge (auto-tip). The amount is $12/day if you are in a mini or full suite. This is posted each evening to each passenger's account.

 

You will not be able to print your boarding passes unless you enter all immigration information and a credit or debit card into the Princess Cruise Personilizer. After the boarding passes are printed you can go back and remove the credit/debit card information. If you do remove the credit card info you will be required to deposit cash after boarding.

 

If your Skagway excursion is a Princess excursion you book that on line. The actual charge will be posted to your on board account on the first day of the cruise for however many people you booked it for. If you book for 4 then your account will show 4x the $$ amount.

 

On the last day of the cruise Princess will bill your credit card for any balances due. If you don't want your credit card billed you have two options: 1) Call Princess and purchase Onboard Credit before you sail. They will charge your credit card at that time, or 2) Bring along a bunch of cash and deposit it at the Passenger Service desk. If you don't have enough on board credit or cash to cover all your expenses then Princess will bill any shortage to your credit/debit card. If you have too much Princess will refund the overage.

 

If you want Princess to charge a different credit card than the one on your account, visit the Passenger Service desk during the cruise and provide them with a new credit card number. Princess will change the no. on your account.

 

I hope this information helps.

[LoisLane0]

 

You will not be able to print your boarding passes unless you enter all immigration information and a credit or debit card into the Princess Cruise Personilizer.

 

Thanks! That is all taken care of (passport info, etc).

 

On the last day of the cruise Princess will bill your credit card for any balances due. If you don't want your credit card billed you have two options: 1) Call Princess and purchase Onboard Credit before you sail. They will charge your credit card at that time, or 2) Bring along a bunch of cash and deposit it at the Passenger Service desk.

 

This is very helpful, thank you

 

 

If you don't have enough on board credit or cash to cover all your expenses then Princess will bill any shortage to your credit/debit card. If you have too much Princess will refund the overage.

 

Got it! Thanks.

[Alexv500]

I was onboard the Ruby in March and I would charge stuff to my cruise card and would immediately head to guest services and pay off what I owed in cash and there was no problem with it. Very easy and simple!

[LoisLane0]

I was onboard the Ruby in March and I would charge stuff to my cruise card and would immediately head to guest services and pay off what I owed in cash and there was no problem with it. Very easy and simple!

 

Thank You!! That is good to know that I can do that. I really really appreciate all the responses here.

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you don't want your father-in-law to know what you buying on board, you'll need to either tie your cabin card to your credit card or put down enough cash (and keep doing so to cover your expenses).

 

That's because on the last night of the cruise, an accounting for each cabin card will be slipped under your door. If your FIL is checking what charges are on his card, he'll be able to see how much each person has charged (and he will have the right to see your folio if he's paying for your charges). I don't believe there's anyway for part of the charges to be charged to you and to him. You can always go to the Passenger Services Desk and put money against your account at any time of the cruise, but again, the folio will have the full set of charges on it -- paying off your drinks isn't going to erase the listing of your charges.

[caribill]

If you don't want your father-in-law to know what you buying on board' date=' you'll need to either tie your cabin card to your credit card or put down enough cash (and keep doing so to cover your expenses).

 

That's because on the last night of the cruise, an accounting for each cabin card will be slipped under your door. If your FIL is checking what charges are on his card, he'll be able to see how much each person has charged (and he will have the right to see your folio if he's paying for your charges). I don't believe there's anyway for part of the charges to be charged to you and to him. You can always go to the Passenger Services Desk and put money against your account at any time of the cruise, but again, the folio will have the full set of charges on it -- paying off your drinks isn't going to erase the listing of your charges.[/quote']

 

If the FIL does get to see the OPs account, it will show all purchases, even the ones that cash was given to the Purser's desk to cover. The charges do not disappear from the account printout once paid for.

[sseuorosal]

You could also pre-purchase on board credit to cover your cocktails and other things you wish to cover on your own.

[skynight]

If you don't want your father-in-law to know what you buying on board' date=' you'll need to either tie your cabin card to your credit card or put down enough cash (and keep doing so to cover your expenses).

 

[/quote']

 

You can not 'hide' daily purchases if your account is linked. If your account is linked to your father-in-laws then any intermediate print out he requests during the cruise, and the final statement will have a copy of every person's folio that is linked to his account with it. It will show an itemized list of every purchase made and every cash deposit. It is a daily running account of all your credits and debits. The only way to 'hide' this is to un-link the accounts.

Edited May 12, 2015 by sknight

[LoisLane0]

You can not 'hide' daily purchases if your account is linked. If your account is linked to your father-in-laws then any intermediate print out he requests during the cruise, and the final statement will have a copy of every person's folio that is linked to his account with it. It will show an itemized list of every purchase made and every cash deposit. It is a daily running account of all your credits and debits. The only way to 'hide' this is to un-link the accounts.

 

I was talking to Princess and realized that there is no way for him NOT to find out in the end.

 

I can't unlink the account, we did that on the only other cruise I've been on years ago and that didn't go over well and he changed it back. Paying cash though, even though he'll find out by seeing the expenses. is the best option because then the deed is done and can't be moved back over to another card. I would use that for unforeseen circumstances of overspending (which I don't think will happen, but I'm an obsessive planner).

 

We'll probably bring a few extra bottles of wine on board (beyond the one free per adult) and pay the corkage and limit any on board expenses because as I said above, the goal is to not take advantage of him. The kids agree. This is such a generous gift as it is, I just don't want to treat him like an ATM. :)

Edited May 12, 2015 by LoisLane0

[jagsfan]

Sounds to me like a great FIL with a great DIL!

[LoisLane0]

Sounds to me like a great FIL with a great DIL!

 

He is the best, as is my Mother in Law and my husband's brother's family. I am really so lucky! This is going to be a fun trip, we all live in different parts of the country (US) so having a week to just be together will be great.

[beg3yrs]

He is the best, as is my Mother in Law and my husband's brother's family. I am really so lucky! This is going to be a fun trip, we all live in different parts of the country (US) so having a week to just be together will be great.

 

You are truly blessed. Maybe you could convince your generous FIL to let you cover a family dinner at one of the specialty restaurants. It's a small gesture but if he's the special person he seems to be, he'll understand and graciously accept.

[LoisLane0]

You are truly blessed. Maybe you could convince your generous FIL to let you cover a family dinner at one of the specialty restaurants. It's a small gesture but if he's the special person he seems to be, he'll understand and graciously accept.

 

:D We surprised him with a whale watching excursion (Harv&Marv).

[A_Sea_Bugg]

He is the best, as is my Mother in Law and my husband's brother's family. I am really so lucky! This is going to be a fun trip, we all live in different parts of the country (US) so having a week to just be together will be great.

 

I am going to assume that you are not trying to hide purchases and that you don't care if your FIL knows what you buy. That being said. If I was you FIL it would wound me greatly if my DIL that I love and cared greatly about would not let me take care of their trip and purchases. This way I get to enjoy spending my money on them rather than letting them spend my money when I am dead and gone. I would not be looking for anything other than being able to spend time with my family and being able to do things for them while I am alive and able to enjoy it with them.

 

Personally I think you should honor his wishes and let him do that for you. You could on a sea day set up a lunch date just you two as a thank you. It is more about his giving than your taking. Let him have the honor of doing it. And yes it is sometimes harder to receive than give.

[LoisLane0]

I am going to assume that you are not trying to hide purchases and that you don't care if your FIL knows what you buy. That being said. If I was you FIL it would wound me greatly if my DIL that I love and cared greatly about would not let me take care of their trip and purchases. This way I get to enjoy spending my money on them rather than letting them spend my money when I am dead and gone. I would not be looking for anything other than being able to spend time with my family and being able to do things for them while I am alive and able to enjoy it with them.

 

Personally I think you should honor his wishes and let him do that for you. You could on a sea day set up a lunch date just you two as a thank you. It is more about his giving than your taking. Let him have the honor of doing it. And yes it is sometimes harder to receive than give.

 

You're right, I am not trying to hide anything.

 

I agree with you about honoring his wishes. However, I also feel there is a fine line between taking advantage and accepting such a generous gift.

 

I don't want to take advantage on his dime. This is an all inclusive gift for the whole family. I'm super conscious of that which is why I asked this question to begin with. I am less likely to buy a frivolous on board purchase knowing that it will get charged to him. My teenagers are too and will be mindful as well. This thread was very valuable for me because now I understand how finances work on board.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

Edited May 12, 2015 by LoisLane0

[LoisLane0]

I should clarify. I am extremely appreciative for this gift. I might not be the biggest fan of cruising (albeit I've only done it once before) but I am so excited to go to Alaska and this is going to be a blast with all the grandkids on my husband's side as well as brother in law, etc. We are all friends beyond the family ties.

 

I don't want to throw the gift in his face, which is why I would never unlink the rooms or take his card off our room. That would hurt him and I don't want to do that.

 

My concern is the nickle and dime stuff which in the grander scheme of things doesn't really add up to much but can walk the line of taking advantage.

 

For example, no, you don't really need that frivolous doodad from the gift shop that is going to get lost the minute you get home. And wait, how many drinks did we all sit around drinking that one night after the grandparents and grandkids went to sleep? Those kinds of things are what I'm concerned about.

 

Not of him finding out or anybody wants to hide anything, we're all over 50, but because I don't feel running up a tab is proper.

 

The idea of paying off by cash on certain nights is a good one. That way we wouldn't pay off anything like an excursion but just in case we all sat around ordering one more single malt, then there is the option to pay something incidental like that. Sure it's not a big deal really, but we don't want to treat this like a cash cow either.

Edited May 12, 2015 by LoisLane0

[capriccio]

:D We surprised him with a whale watching excursion (Harv&Marv).

 

That should be great -- we did that with my 3 siblings and spouses in 2012 and it really was a highlight of a wonderful trip.

[gooch47]

You do know that at the end of thecruise he will get an itemized bill showing all purchases and payments, don't you?