Sign and Sail. Does it HAVE to be linked to bank or credit card

[happyhippie14]

I am terrified of my information getting compromised and this is the part that makes me not want to cruise. Is there a way around this or can we use cash? Please help with suggestions.

[sail7seas]

You can deposit cash at the Front Office when you board. You can use your ship's card against that deposit. They will notify you if you are getting to a low balance and they want more money deposited.

[sail7seas]

On board is a cashless society (except for Casino) and you cannot simply pay for a drink. Everything must be charged to on On Board Account but the cash deposit I described above will offset your charges.

 

[Underwatr]

I don't really understand the fear. If your number is compromised you get a new number and fraudulent charges carry no liability.

 

Credit card fraud isn't the same thing as identity theft.

 

But as s7s observes, you can pay a cash deposit up front and apply your onboard charges against the cash deposit. If the amount of your deposit runs out you'll need to deposit more cash to keep spending.

[Essiesmom]

You can also buy yourself onboard credit ahead of time and have a head start on your cruise bill. EM

[fishywood]

You can also buy yourself onboard credit ahead of time and have a head start on your cruise bill. EM

 

But this still involves using a credit or debit card for the purchase. Though I suppose one could use cash to buy a gift card and then use that to buy OBC.

 

 

Unless you paid for your cruise with cash or a cashier's check in person at a brick-and-mortar travel agent, then the cruise line has your credit card or bank information already. Tens of thousands of us embark a cruise every week having entered our credit or debit card information into an online cruise personalizer with no ill effects upon our finances (other than having to actually pay the bill).

[Kamloops50]

The deposit for a cash account is about $1000 for a 14 night cruise.

They calculate the daily gratuity plus about $60 per person per day for extras ( tours , drinks , casino and shopping on board)

[LHT28]

Get a cc with a small limit ($1000) just for cruising or travel

then if compromised they might only spend up to the limit

 

If you spend close to the limit then just pay the cruiseline cash for your S & S card account

Edited September 6, 2015 by LHT28

[happyhippie14]

Okay thanks y'all. There are 17 of us going and the BIL is the one that handled getting our rooms and such. We paid him cash and he paid for all 4 rooms with his debit card. We've already gotten our room numbers and itinerary papers.

 

We were thinking that there'd be little for us to actually buy on board other than if we want a souvenir or such since food is included(certain things). My hubby said he will have a few drinks and he will put that money towards the card. We already knew about the tips being applied to the card. Other than that are there other charges that we should be aware of?

[sail7seas]

Okay thanks y'all. There are 17 of us going and the BIL is the one that handled getting our rooms and such. We paid him cash and he paid for all 4 rooms with his debit card. We've already gotten our room numbers and itinerary papers.

 

We were thinking that there'd be little for us to actually buy on board other than if we want a souvenir or such since food is included(certain things). My hubby said he will have a few drinks and he will put that money towards the card. We already knew about the tips being applied to the card. Other than that are there other charges that we should be aware of?

 

Seeing you seem to be traveling with a large family group, you likely will want to purchase a photo of all of you together. I can't imagine not bringing home a photo. Will you be booking any ship's excursions? Are you dining in any of the alternative restaurants that have a surcharge? Will you be using the spa or salon? Playing Bingo? Gambling?

 

All of those items would be charged to your on board account.

 

[NMLady]

Okay thanks y'all. There are 17 of us going and the BIL is the one that handled getting our rooms and such. We paid him cash and he paid for all 4 rooms with his debit card. We've already gotten our room numbers and itinerary papers.

 

We were thinking that there'd be little for us to actually buy on board other than if we want a souvenir or such since food is included(certain things). My hubby said he will have a few drinks and he will put that money towards the card. We already knew about the tips being applied to the card. Other than that are there other charges that we should be aware of?

 

Will any of you be using the internet onboard?

Will you be using the ship's laundry?

Will you be booking ship excursions while onboard?

Will any of you be drinking sodas?

 

All of those have charges.

[happyhippie14]

sail and sign not sign and sail. Blah I need sleep.

 

No we don't plan on doing any of that. We're traveling with young kids so it's a family trip. I've read this boat is loud and like a party boat so that scares me yet we trusted our BIL to book us since he's cruised before. All of this was his idea and we all agreed to give it a go.

 

I'm a photographer so yes I want a picture of all of us together. I'm taking my camera, a go pro and of course my phone to snap pictures for IG.

[happyhippie14]

Oh yes we're doing the internet package for our cruise. It's $15 for the trip since this trip is a 4 day one. It's $5 a day if we go that route but plan on just doing it for the whole trip.

 

We're not doing any excursions just visiting shops and the public beach area.

 

Also not intending on drinking soda but if so then of course we'll make sure that we put enough on the card to cover that.

 

We had originally thought about doing the prepaid card linked to it since we do that when we book our condos for vacation but wasn't sure if we could do it. Our trip is in October so we're all trying to figure this out.

[cb at sea]

You can certainly use cash, if you prefer.

 

The risk of your CC being compromised is low...probably less than if you use it at a store in your own town!

[Grandma Dazzles]

Would at least suggest taking a credit card with you. Assume you have purchased insurance. Accidents do happen - people get sick - if you need to use any medical facilities it is usually billed to your account, or on shore you would need a credit card. Even with insurance you often have to pay and then file a claim for reimbursement.

 

Even if you prefer not to use a credit card it is hard to travel without one. Hotels, car rental, etc. take the information even if you don't use.

[Baz23]

Would at least suggest taking a credit card with you. Assume you have purchased insurance. Accidents do happen - people get sick - if you need to use any medical facilities it is usually billed to your account, or on shore you would need a credit card. Even with insurance you often have to pay and then file a claim for reimbursement.

 

Even if you prefer not to use a credit card it is hard to travel without one. Hotels, car rental, etc. take the information even if you don't use.

 

Totally agree with you. I've always taken a credit card with myself on cruises. Had to use it twice due to emergencies. Wouldn't travel without one.

[Hlitner]

Paranoia about securing your info is certainly justified these days. But we would suggest that the OP is being illogical. So we would ask him/her, how did you purchase your cruise, airline tickets, etc? We assume a credit card was used. So the cruise line already has your credit card info. And when you go on a cruise they simply are asking for your credit card info to protect themselves, and make your onboard life a lot easier (no waiting in lines at Guest Relations, no messing with cash, etc).

 

And if you want to talk about security think about this. When you give cash to the cruise line they have the cash and what guarantee do you have that they will give you back any balance. But, if you give them a credit card you always have additional recourse which is to put any contested amount "under dispute" with the credit card company. If I call AMEX today, and put something under dispute the amount is immediately (today) credited back to my account until such time as the issue is resolved.

 

Hank

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I would be more concerned about carrying a large amount of cash than using my credit card on board. With a credit card my liability is limited, cash can be lost or stolen. I would not use my debit card or any card linked to my bank account.

Edited September 6, 2015 by CHEZMARYLOU

[SantaFeFan]

Paranoia about securing your info is certainly justified these days. But we would suggest that the OP is being illogical. So we would ask him/her, how did you purchase your cruise, airline tickets, etc? We assume a credit card was used. So the cruise line already has your credit card info.

 

OP mentioned that one person paid for all four rooms with a debit card and everyone else reimbursed him in cash for their share. No credit cards were harmed in any way. :D

Edited September 6, 2015 by SantaFeFan

[notalandlover]

I had loaded 1100 OBC before my 10 day cruise. I did register a credit card just in case. Will Princess use the OBC before charging my credit card?:confused:

[MCC retired]

I would be more concerned about carrying a large amount of cash than using my credit card on board. With a credit card my liability is limited, cash can be lost or stolen. I would not use my debit card or any card linked to my bank account.

 

Agree 100%

No protection against theft or loss carrying a lot of cash or Debit Card .

Waiting in line @ purser before and after your short cruise .

No Rewards points using cash.

Edited September 6, 2015 by MCC retired

[happyhippie14]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I didn't want to start anything or get rude remarks just a first time cruiser looking for answers. Only 1 person in our large group has ever cruised before and that was some years ago when he was a teenager. We simply let him handle everything since he was the one that said he'd do it for us. We are all learning this together and I've come here to look for answers so we aren't forgetting something and to get tips about this endeavor.

 

We have had our CC number stolen a few years back and coming from a small town it wasn't an easy task in getting that $600 back into our account. My hubby is deputy here and I know all too well how CC fraud is running rampant in our town and country. I was simply asking if there were alternatives to linking my sail and sign to our bank/dc/cc. Most of us in the group are very frugal minded people and have budgets that we've adhered to for years which is how we were able to save for this cruise. I am mindful of every cent that gets spent. There will be no crazy spending on junk souvenirs, going wild with casino or slot machines, probably not eating on the island or paying for Atlantis. My SIL and myself have our budget for the trip there and back including the gas to and from Cape Canaveral, breakfast and lunch down there, a little spending allotted for the ship(snacks that may not be included should the kids ask), some allotted for the island(souvenirs and/or extras), gratuities for the ship, gas back home and breakfast and/or lunch on the way back. None of us in the group have ever flown and hope we never have to. We're all pretty much grounded near our homes and don't "get out" on trips like you all. We usually vacation in Panama City Beach every year in a condo where we use a prepaid debit card to book everything and pay for meals. We will be bringing along a credit card should we need medical attention or something out of our control. We weren't planning on bringing thousands of $ in cash with us as that's not what I meant by this post.

 

Like I said this is all new to us and I was looking for ways to handle this. I've been scouring this site for tips and just want to be prepared as possible. If there's no way around this and linking my credit/debit card is secure then okay. Thanks again everyone. Any other tips and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[maryjaden]

If you do choose to use a prepaid debit or credit card for purchases, read the fine print. I recently purchased a prepaid debit card for my daughter to use online for her game site because I didn't want to use my cc. This was a VISA purchased at Wal-Mart.

 

As it turned out this card could not be used outside of the U.S. and her game company originated in Canada. Which got me to thinking about if someone purchased one of these to use on a cruise, it would not be valid in foreign ports.

[happyhippie14]

Thanks maryjaden. I had never thought of that but am going to be using my debit card/credit card linked to my account. I've been reassured enough that it's been done many times/almost all the time.

 

I also read somewhere, I think* it was on the Carnival site that the card you used to book your rooms has to be present when boarding the ship. Is this true?

[Swampbabe]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I didn't want to start anything or get rude remarks just a first time cruiser looking for answers. Only 1 person in our large group has ever cruised before and that was some years ago when he was a teenager. We simply let him handle everything since he was the one that said he'd do it for us. We are all learning this together and I've come here to look for answers so we aren't forgetting something and to get tips about this endeavor.

 

We have had our CC number stolen a few years back and coming from a small town it wasn't an easy task in getting that $600 back into our account. My hubby is deputy here and I know all too well how CC fraud is running rampant in our town and country. I was simply asking if there were alternatives to linking my sail and sign to our bank/dc/cc. Most of us in the group are very frugal minded people and have budgets that we've adhered to for years which is how we were able to save for this cruise. I am mindful of every cent that gets spent. There will be no crazy spending on junk souvenirs, going wild with casino or slot machines, probably not eating on the island or paying for Atlantis. My SIL and myself have our budget for the trip there and back including the gas to and from Cape Canaveral, breakfast and lunch down there, a little spending allotted for the ship(snacks that may not be included should the kids ask), some allotted for the island(souvenirs and/or extras), gratuities for the ship, gas back home and breakfast and/or lunch on the way back. None of us in the group have ever flown and hope we never have to. We're all pretty much grounded near our homes and don't "get out" on trips like you all. We usually vacation in Panama City Beach every year in a condo where we use a prepaid debit card to book everything and pay for meals. We will be bringing along a credit card should we need medical attention or something out of our control. We weren't planning on bringing thousands of $ in cash with us as that's not what I meant by this post.

 

Like I said this is all new to us and I was looking for ways to handle this. I've been scouring this site for tips and just want to be prepared as possible. If there's no way around this and linking my credit/debit card is secure then okay. Thanks again everyone. Any other tips and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds like your debit card was compromised, not a credit card. Any time our credit card has been compromised a quick call to the credit card company has cleared it up and a new card overnighted to us. One time our daughter's card was compromised and AMEX called her to report it and issue a new card.

 

I would never use a debit card in place of a credit card. I know some do but it's just not safe like a credit card.