Using Cash?

[Notquite50]

Wondering if you can use cash to pay your onboard account or does everything get charged directly to your credit card on file. I'd rather pay off as I go along - this way my DH won't be any wiser about my spending habits when I am on ratio with just the girls ;). After twenty five years of marriage - I know how to keep everyone happy!

[chrysalis]

Absolutely....cash to pay down your account.

[1025cruise]

You can pay off your account with cash, but anything you buy on board will be charged to your account.

[Notquite50]

Is it possible to add money to my OBC via Cash? Trust me - I am not taking about embezzling - but this cruise is already a luxury and already I feel a bit guilty about leaving him home to fend for himself. I would just rather not have my additional costs (drinks, spa services, etc.) show up. I'd rather use my crazy money that I have personally saved.

[cb at sea]

You can't use cash to pay in advance, unless you write a check......and that's fine! Put the cash in your account, and write a check to the cruise line.

 

Or...just take the cash with you and put it on your account. NOTHING is charged to anything until the end of the cruise, so you don't have to keep "paying it down" daily or anything! You don't even HAVE to put a credit card on file, if you don't want to!

[Pam in CA]

Is it possible to add money to my OBC via Cash? Trust me - I am not taking about embezzling - but this cruise is already a luxury and already I feel a bit guilty about leaving him home to fend for himself. I would just rather not have my additional costs (drinks, spa services, etc.) show up. I'd rather use my crazy money that I have personally saved.

Absolutely. You have options:

 

1. Send yourself a "gift" of OBC before boarding. As much as you want. The form is listed under "Gifts & Services" on the Princess website. You then start off the cruise with a credit and anything charged to your folio is deducted until you have a balance due.

 

2. Once onboard, bring your cash to the Passenger Services Desk and apply it to your folio. A hold won't be placed on your credit card as long as there's a credit and the final amount due won't be charged until the end of the cruise.

 

3. Make sure your TA is getting you the maximum OBC as well as discounting your cruise fare. Princess allows this although many don't. Depending on when you book and other factors, you can save 10-20% off the current fare on the Princess site.

 

4. If you own 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock, be sure to apply for the shareholder's benefit.

 

It's not unusual for passengers to start with $300-400 in OBC on a 7-day cruise.

[keithm]

Wondering if you can use cash to pay your onboard account or does everything get charged directly to your credit card on file. I'd rather pay off as I go along - this way my DH won't be any wiser about my spending habits when I am on ratio with just the girls ;). After twenty five years of marriage - I know how to keep everyone happy!

In most cases you can "settle" up with cash. They'll still have your card on file, however. You'll need to settle up before you leave the ship. Check VERY carefully! They can screw up. All the bills went onto my card & my partner wasn't charged for his payments. This has happened before & it's annoyance. That being said I don't like carrying that kind of $$ on board. By the time we're done(14 days)we usually have additional charges over $2000 in the following: Excursions/Alternative restaurants/Buying stuff on board & YES the Casino.

[SadieN]

Absolutely. You have options:

 

1. Send yourself a "gift" of OBC before boarding. As much as you want. The form is listed under "Gifts & Services" on the Princess website. You then start off the cruise with a credit and anything charged to your folio is deducted until you have a balance due.

 

2. Once onboard, bring your cash to the Passenger Services Desk and apply it to your folio. A hold won't be placed on your credit card as long as there's a credit and the final amount due won't be charged until the end of the cruise.

 

3. Make sure your TA is getting you the maximum OBC as well as discounting your cruise fare. Princess allows this although many don't. Depending on when you book and other factors, you can save 10-20% off the current fare on the Princess site.

 

4. If you own 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock, be sure to apply for the shareholder's benefit.

 

It's not unusual for passengers to start with $300-400 in OBC on a 7-day cruise.

 

 

Also military OBC

Edited March 12, 2016 by SadieN

[aaerobear]

It is not necessary to even have a card on file, just tell the check-in staff that you prefer to pay in cash. The staff will mark your account as "cash" and you will be required to leave a cash deposit (usually $300 per person) at the Reception desk (on board). If your spending goes over your deposit, you will be informed and then have to add $$ to your account.

 

Your account will NOT be activated until you pay the deposit, so do it right away on boarding.

[crochetcruise]

In most cases you can "settle" up with cash. They'll still have your card on file, however. You'll need to settle up before you leave the ship. Check VERY carefully! They can screw up. All the bills went onto my card & my partner wasn't charged for his payments. This has happened before & it's annoyance. That being said I don't like carrying that kind of $$ on board. By the time we're done(14 days)we usually have additional charges over $2000 in the following: Excursions/Alternative restaurants/Buying stuff on board & YES the Casino.

 

THANK YOU! I was wondering if I settle the account the morning of the final day, is it possible to pay the extra for known Cocktail consumption at the BOGO, and PES events-if they have them in Australia-that I'm not sure about? By the Saturday evening -sail Friday evening-I should have a fairly accurate idea about what alcoholic drink costs-only 3 nights so can't get the AIBP :( . I am gifting myself On Board Credit for planned Cocktail consumption, Souvenir shopping (what I can't pre-order through Gift Services), Culinary Delights, Casino and Spa Services. I will have cash with me, but would prefer to pay a bit extra when I settle the account, and know I can have this number of alcoholic drinks, then finish off the soda cans in my Suite and use the Soda and More Card I'm getting myself.

 

Newbie cruiser, so it's probably an extremely basic question for the more experienced cruisers.

 

My TA's warned me there's a FAR greater choice of souvenirs on board, than there is through Gift Services! I will be keeping a "running total" of what I spend on souvenirs, and understand about transferring money from On Board Credit to a Casino account, having a good play, then cashing out any extra, so I do have some leeway.

[Colo Cruiser]

You can't use cash to pay in advance, unless you write a check......and that's fine! Put the cash in your account, and write a check to the cruise line.

 

Or...just take the cash with you and put it on your account. NOTHING is charged to anything until the end of the cruise, so you don't have to keep "paying it down" daily or anything! You don't even HAVE to put a credit card on file, if you don't want to!

 

If I am not mistaken there are....

No checks alowed onboard.

[land lover]

Being one who has done this on my last several cruises(2 in February) This is my suggestion...the first day of your cruise go and deposit at pursers desk the cash you want to go towards your account. It will show as a credit immediately. Then on the last evening of the cruise pull out whatever cash is left over or if it is depleted any additional charges will go on your CC.

[land lover]

THANK YOU! I was wondering if I settle the account the morning of the final day, is it possible to pay the extra for known Cocktail consumption at the BOGO, and PES events-if they have them in Australia-that I'm not sure about? By the Saturday evening -sail Friday evening-I should have a fairly accurate idea about what alcoholic drink costs-only 3 nights so can't get the AIBP :( . I am gifting myself On Board Credit for planned Cocktail consumption, Souvenir shopping (what I can't pre-order through Gift Services), Culinary Delights, Casino and Spa Services. I will have cash with me, but would prefer to pay a bit extra when I settle the account, and know I can have this number of alcoholic drinks, then finish off the soda cans in my Suite and use the Soda and More Card I'm getting myself.

 

Newbie cruiser, so it's probably an extremely basic question for the more experienced cruisers.

 

My TA's warned me there's a FAR greater choice of souvenirs on board, than there is through Gift Services! I will be keeping a "running total" of what I spend on souvenirs, and understand about transferring money from On Board Credit to a Casino account, having a good play, then cashing out any extra, so I do have some leeway.

 

It does not have to be this complicated, refer to my post above.

[land lover]

It is not necessary to even have a card on file, just tell the check-in staff that you prefer to pay in cash. The staff will mark your account as "cash" and you will be required to leave a cash deposit (usually $300 per person) at the Reception desk (on board). If your spending goes over your deposit, you will be informed and then have to add $$ to your account.

 

Your account will NOT be activated until you pay the deposit, so do it right away on boarding.

 

When was the last time you cruised with Princess? I no longer think this option is available.