Pay with cash or credit cards....

[kayjay76]

Hi all again cause I have another question of the million I could ask lol

 

We know we will not be using our debit cards for anything having to do with cruise. So my question is this.... Should I transfer our saved cash to a major credit card to pay for everything having to deal with the ship? Then keep some cash for when we get off ship?

 

Any advice on how everyone pays for everything would be great!

 

Thank you!!

[sanger727]

I'm confused by the question. The point of having a credit card is to purchase items 'on credit', not to transfer money to them ahead of time. If you are using a reloadabld cash card, if your cash reserves are at all tight, I prob wouldn't use that and would just bring cash, the issue with any card you put down are the holds they put on though the cruise that will reduce your ability to use if. If you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit that you only charge $1,000-$2,000; it's fine, you have plenty of room for holds. But not if you are only allowed to charge up to the cash you have on it. Just use cash and there's no holds.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[BirdTravels]

Credit Card.

 

Not sure why you would transfer cash to a credit card, unless your card is max'ed out.

 

You can make a cash deposit when you check in. $300 per person at check-in, no credit card is required.

[kayjay76]

I'm confused by the question. The point of having a credit card is to purchase items 'on credit', not to transfer money to them ahead of time. If you are using a reloadabld cash card, if your cash reserves are at all tight, I prob wouldn't use that and would just bring cash, the issue with any card you put down are the holds they put on though the cruise that will reduce your ability to use if. If you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit that you only charge $1,000-$2,000; it's fine, you have plenty of room for holds. But not if you are only allowed to charge up to the cash you have on it. Just use cash and there's no holds.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thank you for the answer!

 

I thought they only put a hold on debit cards, not major credit cards?

 

No we are not strapped for cash, just would not like to have a large some of cash on persons but also would not like thousands held on our credit cards for a month.

[kayjay76]

Credit Card.

 

Not sure why you would transfer cash to a credit card, unless your card is max'ed out.

 

You can make a cash deposit when you check in. $300 per person at check-in, no credit card is required.

 

 

Hi, thanks for the answer!!

 

We have cash to pay for our cruise as I do not wish to run up interest on c/c

charges.

 

I think I might have worded my question wrong, which can happen with me loll. Basically, We have 1000 cash. Do I just pay everything with my c/c then throw that $$ back on card when we return home or just pay in cash.

[casofilia]

Hi, thanks for the answer!!

 

We have cash to pay for our cruise as I do not wish to run up interest on c/c

charges.

 

I think I might have worded my question wrong, which can happen with me loll. Basically, We have 1000 cash. Do I just pay everything with my c/c then throw that $$ back on card when we return home or just pay in cash.

 

Set up a Automatic Payment to pay off your credit card each month with the "cash" (I presume you have it in a bank account somewhere) that you are "holding".

[Moby0215]

They will not put big holds on your credit card. Usually just $300 to start and then once you spend the $300 there will be another. I would definitely use a card. It's less of a hassle.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

Thank you for the answer!

 

I thought they only put a hold on debit cards, not major credit cards?

 

No we are not strapped for cash, just would not like to have a large some of cash on persons but also would not like thousands held on our credit cards for a month.

 

Yes. They will place multiple holds on your credit card or debit card (gasp) if you use it for payment at check-in. Your bank, not NCL, determines how long that authorization stays on your account.

 

If you want to totally avoid additional credit card interest charges, you can put down the $300 pp cash at check-in. Once you hit your deposit, your account is frozen until you add more money, or put down your credit card for the remaining little bit.

 

Cash management is helped if you pre-pay as much as possible. Get the drinks package. Pre-pay your daily service charge. Then, you onboard spending will be very limited and you "know" when you swipe your card at a gift shop or the spa.

[sanger727]

Use the card and pay it when you get home. There won't be any interest charges unless you don't pay it off at your next statement. Yes, there will be holds on all cards... difference is the holds on your debit card tie up you money, you usually don't notice holds on the credit card unless you are close to maxing it out

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[kayjay76]

H anyone just purchased on board credit certificates thru ncl.com and used these to pay for any charges?

[seashells]

H anyone just purchased on board credit certificates thru ncl.com and used these to pay for any charges?

 

Yes. They will go towards your bill...

You will however pay a 3% interest charge if you try and transfer any to the casino.

Take cash for that purpose.

 

You can also purchase a prepaid CC and use that to pay your account and not use/give them your normal CC or debit card.

Edited January 7, 2017 by seashells

[Moby0215]

Yes. They will go towards your bill...

 

You will however pay a 3% interest charge if you try and transfer any to the casino.

 

Take cash for that purpose.

 

 

 

You can also purchase a prepaid CC and use that to pay your account and not use/give them your normal CC or debit card.

 

 

 

The prepaid CC will work just as debit cards. Better to use a real credit card.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Do as others have said. Use the card for your onboard account and pay it off when the first bill comes. No interest involved.

 

Or pay with your credit card and on the last night go to guest services and pay off your balance there.

 

Bill

[Flatbush Flyer]

Hi all again cause I have another question of the million I could ask lol

 

 

 

We know we will not be using our debit cards for anything having to do with cruise. So my question is this.... Should I transfer our saved cash to a major credit card to pay for everything having to deal with the ship? Then keep some cash for when we get off ship?

 

 

 

Any advice on how everyone pays for everything would be great!

 

 

 

Thank you!!

 

 

Huh? Use your credit card and pay it off (the entire balance) when you get the next credit card statement. Ergo, no interest charge.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[mugtech]

Huh? Use your credit card and pay it off (the entire balance) when you get the next credit card statement. Ergo, no interest charge.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

In addition, use a Norwegian Master Card and get a 3% Reward to use on future cruises or eventually get cash back. You leave 3% on the table by paying cash.

[Kate45]

Does anyone know for sure the hold put on the cc? We once went ashore (tendered) and wanted to make a $100 purchase and our card was denied. After phoning visa from shore, we were told there was a hold on the card from the cruise line. It was a 14 nite cruise, but we were not expecting that! Lesson learned the hard way.

[mugtech]

Does anyone know for sure the hold put on the cc? We once went ashore (tendered) and wanted to make a $100 purchase and our card was denied. After phoning visa from shore, we were told there was a hold on the card from the cruise line. It was a 14 nite cruise, but we were not expecting that! Lesson learned the hard way.

 

We always use a different card on shore, one that charges no foreign fees like Capital One, and use the Norwegian Master Card for the ship.

[wdsted]

I've always been confused about debit card drama. We use our debit cards for everything, including onboard cruise charges. Periodic small holds are put on during the cruise but on departure day the total amount due is deducted and all the holds are gone.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Cafedumonde]

We used cash last month. Just told them at check in and then later that day went to guest services and put a few hundred on the account. The night before the last day we went to guest services and got some cash back because we didn't spend it all. If you are worried at all about credit cards use cash. We find it easier.

[Sissaaaaaa]

You really shouldn't use a debit card for anything other than taking cash out of the bank. It is too easy, and too much of a hassle to correct, for someone to steal and clone your card.

 

As for credit cards and interest, we use our credit card for everything. We haven't paid for an airline ticket in years due to accumulated points. I haven't paid one cent in interest in a good 10 years, to any credit card company. Whatever you charge, pay off when the bill arrives and you will not pay interest. Now, if you're using a secured credit card, or one of those cards that rebuilds credit, it may very well be that they are charging you interest from the time of purchase. Those rules are different (and frankly, they are a rip off).

[wdsted]

You really shouldn't use a debit card for anything other than taking cash out of the bank. It is too easy, and too much of a hassle to correct, for someone to steal and clone your card.

 

As for credit cards and interest, we use our credit card for everything. We haven't paid for an airline ticket in years due to accumulated points. I haven't paid one cent in interest in a good 10 years, to any credit card company. Whatever you charge, pay off when the bill arrives and you will not pay interest. Now, if you're using a secured credit card, or one of those cards that rebuilds credit, it may very well be that they are charging you interest from the time of purchase. Those rules are different (and frankly, they are a rip off).

 

 

Our Debit cards, and I'm guessing most in the US, are Visa or MasterCard managed. Don't know how they are possibly easier to steal or clone. We receive the same anti-fraud and consumer protections as regular credit cards with no monthly bills, credit limits, interest pmts, or any other fees. Maybe some banks have restrictions ours doesn't.

[js]

Thanks for this theead. I have a question. I will be giving my credit card when I check in but want to pay off my account before leaving the ship. Can I just go to guest services prior to our last day and give them the cash to pay off our charges?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Flatbush Flyer]

Thanks for this theead. I have a question. I will be giving my credit card when I check in but want to pay off my account before leaving the ship. Can I just go to guest services prior to our last day and give them the cash to pay off our charges?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Sure you can. But, if you've got any kind of card with rewards, that would be like throwing money away. BTW, there are far better "rewards" credit cards for traveler's than the previously cited NCL Master Card. In fact, if you qualify and can handle the initial shock of a $450 annual fee, look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa. Get the perks by making the target qualified charges: 100K miles points, $300 travel purchase credit and far more. Effectively, for travelers, these first year signup benefits erase the $450 cost and still add value. If too rich for your blood, cancel in year two. One step down, look at regular Chase Sapphire Visa or United Explorer Visa, which gives you points applicable to all Star Alliance partner carriers (plus cruises, etc.). The proprietary cruise line cards pale in comparison.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Sissaaaaaa]

Our Debit cards, and I'm guessing most in the US, are Visa or MasterCard managed. Don't know how they are possibly easier to steal or clone. We receive the same anti-fraud and consumer protections as regular credit cards with no monthly bills, credit limits, interest pmts, or any other fees. Maybe some banks have restrictions ours doesn't.

 

The first time someone steals yours, will be the last. While a visa or mastercard is simply cut off and charges reversed, it is very different with a bank. You need a police report, and the money is not just "put back". It takes awhile. It is a nightmare that is easily avoided.

[sanger727]

Our Debit cards, and I'm guessing most in the US, are Visa or MasterCard managed. Don't know how they are possibly easier to steal or clone. We receive the same anti-fraud and consumer protections as regular credit cards with no monthly bills, credit limits, interest pmts, or any other fees. Maybe some banks have restrictions ours doesn't.

 

 

Sure, but all cards are easy to clone/steal. And no doubt you can get the fraudulent charges reversed. But when I make a purchase using my debit card 'as a credit card', as in I don't enter my pin. The amount still shows up as a deduction from my checking account. So if someone steals the card and makes several large transactions, my checking account will be empty and any regularly scheduled bill payments or checks I have written will bounce/not get paid. So now you have bounced check fees and late payment fees from other companies.

 

While I'm sure it will ultimately get fixed, it will be a much larger headache than a credit card. With a credit card the charges stay in a separate account and don't come out of my checking until I pay the bill. So if I get my statement and there's $5,000 in purchases I didn't make, can resolve that directly with the cc company, will never need that money to come out of my checking.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited January 7, 2017 by sanger727