Creating NO Onboard Account. Possible?

[B+S]

You said in the first post you wanted to pay your gratuities yourself (which would be difficult to do if you only had $1 in your pocket.) If that isn’t about the service charge, what is it about? Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

You've exactly pinpointed my confusion with this one post. I'm not new to cruising but am new to Norwegian. I really was not aware of the difference between the "Mandatory" service charge and auto tipping and/or tipping people myself as I have most often done while cruising. I actually bring a stack of 100 One's and start from there. Of course I would bring cash for shore excursions and so forth, so the question was primarily of a forced prepaid shipboard account.

 

 

I'm sure the boards are filled with people bemused, like me, with the concept of a little advertised "daily service charge" that does not even go (directly) to the people that serve me - the validity of that charge is not the question here as some have mistaken it to be, it's the idea of a requirement for handing either over a credit card or the $450.00 cash they say in the FAQ's is expected for 7-14 day cruises. It reminds me of when air lines were forced to include the government fees in ticket prices. I know... that discussion is for another board. Thanks for being polite, not all have been.

[grouchomarx]

When you check into a hotel, they swipe your credit card for any incidentals. Why should a cruise be any different?

[thetaro]

I still carry singles to tip even though I pay the service charge. The service charge is actually much better than any resort fee on land. At least some of it goes to a pool to the staffs. The service is also top notch even if you don't leave an extra cash tip.

The service charge itself isn't nickel and dimming. If you don't like any for-purchase item, just don't buy it. My Onboard account from my last cruise didn't have any other charge besides daily service charge and cruisenext credit that I bought. Nobody is going to force you to spend money on the ship.

 

Your issue is obviously with the service charge and you want to do tipping yourself with a lower amount. Your question would be easier to understand if you just say I don't want to pay the service charge and I want to tip myself. Can I get away with it if I don't provide a credit card and not setting up a cash account?

[dreadpirate3]

Interesting thread.

On our last cruise I gave the same credit card I've used for years at embarkation. No problem.

 

First sea day, I went to buy a watch and the sale was declined. The salesman told me to visit guest services. I did, and was told there was a block on my card (I had other cards with me, DH had cards and we had cash so I wasn't worried about being put off the ship).

 

Guest services gave me a courtesy call to the bank, and the bank said I didn't inform them I would be out of the country (this was the NY-Bahama itinerary). ???? I used this card on every single cruise, never informed the bank and never had a problem. Well, anyway, they unblocked the card and no more problem. (I did have a letter from guest services when I went back to my cabin.)

 

I wondered what would have happened if I didn't have another card or cash and for some reason couldn't clear it with the bank.

 

I guess the worst case scenario is that I couldn't put any expense on my account....and since the DSC is "optional" they can't make me pay for something optional.

 

You can't board the ship if your fare/port charges aren't paid in full. And they should being charging "extras" if there's no "method of payment" attached to the account. So, I'd think there wouldn't be a problem.

 

What I don't understand is why my card wasn't blocked at embarkation. Suppose I bought that watch the first evening?

Then whose fault is it that they accepted a "bad card"?

 

There is a thread on the RC boards about someone whose card was flagged and blocked. They had no other card to pay with, and were threatened with charges and not allowed to leave the ship. They finally managed to get the one card they had unblocked and use it to settle their account.

 

OP, I hope you enjoy your cruise. We only use our cc for travel, and have seen varying amounts charged initially and then settled sometimes up to two weeks after disembarking.

[B+S]

Your issue is obviously with the service charge and you want to do tipping yourself with a lower amount. Y

 

You can (obviously) think what you want, but as I've (repeatedly) stated, it's more with the requirement of creating a shipboard account by either handing over either the card or $450, and being unfamiliar with Norwegians "required" daily service fee.

[B+S]

. OP, I hope you enjoy your cruise. We only use our cc for travel, and have seen varying amounts charged initially and then settled sometimes up to two weeks after disembarking.

 

Thank you Gina and Chris.

[nissach]

When you check into a hotel, they swipe your credit card for any incidentals. Why should a cruise be any different?

 

Except on a cruise they are not swiping for 'incidentals', it is essentailly a 'cashless' system and they want all purchases made on your OB account. So you give them a credit card or put cash down on your OB account.

A hotel does not work that way. If you eat in the hotel restaurant, you pay cash or again give them your credit card. If you purchase something form the gift shop, same again.

[jackcat16]

You can (obviously) think what you want, but as I've (repeatedly) stated, it's more with the requirement of creating a shipboard account by either handing over either the card or $450, and being unfamiliar with Norwegians "required" daily service fee.

How did the other cruise lines handle service charges for you? Were you not required to set up an onboard account?

[tef43]

A hotel does not work that way. If you eat in the hotel restaurant, you pay cash or again give them your credit card. If you purchase something form the gift shop, same again.

I do not know what hotels you may have stayed at over the past twenty years, but every hotel I've stayed at that has on-site dining allows (and may even encourages) you to charge to your room. No additional presentation of your card required.

[grouchomarx]

Except on a cruise they are not swiping for 'incidentals', it is essentailly a 'cashless' system and they want all purchases made on your OB account. So you give them a credit card or put cash down on your OB account.

A hotel does not work that way. If you eat in the hotel restaurant, you pay cash or again give them your credit card. If you purchase something form the gift shop, same again.

 

I think you're missing my point. I am saying that much as a hotel needs a credit card in case you incur any charges not included in your room rate, they can charge you. Same with a cruise line, any expenses not included in your base cruise fare must be charged to your on board account, whether credit card or cash. I'm saying it doesn't seem logical that a cruise line would allow someone to not have an on board account of any kind. It's virtually impossible to check into a hotel without a credit card swipe. So why should a cruise be any different, except they make also allow cash accounts.

[chars]

A shipboard account needs to be created, but I'm sure if you spoke to Guest Services they would take less then the amount they specify. I would find it very difficult to have a zero balance, unless you have OBC, which would mean you already have a shipboard account. I remember getting charged tax on any drinks we ordered, (even with the UBP) in port before International waters.

[jackcat16]

A shipboard account needs to be created, but I'm sure if you spoke to Guest Services they would take less then the amount they specify. I would find it very difficult to have a zero balance, unless you have OBC, which would mean you already have a shipboard account. I remember getting charged tax on any drinks we ordered, (even with the UBP) in port before International waters.

Your absolutely right. This whole topic is silly. Could you imagine if they allowed this for everyone. Lol. We wouldn’t get off the ship. I can’t imagine any other cruise line doing this either.

[Moby0215]

You can (obviously) think what you want, but as I've (repeatedly) stated, it's more with the requirement of creating a shipboard account by either handing over either the card or $450, and being unfamiliar with Norwegians "required" daily service fee.

 

 

 

For what it’s worth... you don’t have to put down $450. You can put down whatever you want (although if it is less than what the DSC will amount to be then expect your card to stop working once it reaches that amount).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xriva]

You've exactly pinpointed my confusion with this one post. I'm not new to cruising but am new to Norwegian. I really was not aware of the difference between the "Mandatory" service charge and auto tipping and/or tipping people myself as I have most often done while cruising. I actually bring a stack of 100 One's and start from there. Of course I would bring cash for shore excursions and so forth, so the question was primarily of a forced prepaid shipboard account.

 

 

There are multiple names for the same concept and it has been argued to death on this board ... and every other board discussing a line that has a daily service charge (i. e. all the mass market lines.)

 

By paying the daily service charge, you are relieved of the requirement to tip the staff. Is it the same as a tip? Please see the pages and pages of arguments.

 

Is it hidden? Hardly. It’s in the contract, it’s in the FAQ, it’s listed as something that can be prepaid on MyNCL, it’s discussed constantly here.

 

It is not a secret.

 

Now, I have found an additional tip now and then can speed things along. So can a smile. It’s up to you.

 

That said, much like arguing you shouldn’t have to pay the “resort fee” at a crappy hotel because you never used the weight room is generally pointless, arguing against paying the service charge on a mass market cruise line is probably pointless, as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[zqvol]

The "Service Charge" is not mentioned in the cruise contract. How would they charge that if I don't have a shipboard credit card or cash again???

 

The service charge is specifically mentioned in the contract in Section 3 ©.

 

© Service Charges:

Certain members of Carrier’s crew are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that are funded in part by the service charge paid by each Guest. The charge which is automatically added to your onboard account and subject to adjustment at your discretion, is intended to reward service provided in all departments and job categories and is distributed to employees according to Carrier's evaluation of job performance. A portion of the service charge collected by Carrier is also used for fleet-wide crew welfare programs.

[myfuzzy]

So, If I prepay my service charge, or perhaps (Heaven forbid) remove them from my cabin. AND incur no additional charges, like maybe a drink.....I do not have to set up an account? Is this correct?

 

But, on MY side of the coin, am I going to deny myself a nice cold drink on a hot day. If I disembark am I NOT going to purchase any drinks at the port. IF so, what's the difference if I purchase a drink on board or at port. Limiting myself to the freebies, like coffee at meals or iced tea gets pretty sad after I spent all that money for the cruise.

[jackcat16]

So, If I prepay my service charge, or perhaps (Heaven forbid) remove them from my cabin. AND incur no additional charges, like maybe a drink.....I do not have to set up an account? Is this correct?

Incorrect. Everyone needs an account.

[deliver42]

Why are we even arguing this ridiculous post? It's just another "can we not tip"? thread.

[thetaro]

The discussion over the existence of onboard account is complete nonsense. Maybe OP should call IRS and tell them that he doesn't want an account, but he will pay his tax whenever he feels like.

[myfuzzy]

The discussion over the existence of onboard account is complete nonsense. Maybe OP should call IRS and tell them that he doesn't want an account, but he will pay his tax whenever he feels like.

 

"like" button......Gee, I was just wondering if I had been doing the "right" thing all these years of cruising....putting a credit card down

[hate2shop]

You can (obviously) think what you want, but as I've (repeatedly) stated, it's more with the requirement of creating a shipboard account by either handing over either the card or $450, and being unfamiliar with Norwegians "required" daily service fee.

 

All of the mainstream cruise lines have a required daily service fee. I'm not sure why you seem to think it's unique to Norwegian. It's also not "little advertised" as you've also stated. Even on a chartered cruise you are required to pay.

Edited January 16, 2018 by hate2shop
sp?

[rtkenmore]

Same as if you went to a restaurant; ordered food, and then refused to pay. Or jumping in a taxi and refusing to pay your fare. It’s theft. Can be criminally charged.

 

As far as the OPs questions; the service charge will be the issue. Until you request it to be removed (if you are set in doing that), it will be charged. So you can’t have ‘no’ account. You may or may not be able to get away with setting up a cash account with no deposit. But if you are, once they start charging the service charge you can expect to be hounded for cash.

 

If you don’t drink or plan to spend, that’s your choice. But do keep in mind that cash (outside of extra tips and the casino) and credit cards are not accepted at onboard. So something as simple a latte or cup of soda will require you to charge to your onboard account.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Also, if you dine at ANY specialty restaurant, you'll have to have a valid card for the surcharge to be processed. You can't walk up to Teppanyaki and pay cash for the dining charge. It doesn't work like that.

[rtkenmore]

You've exactly pinpointed my confusion with this one post. I'm not new to cruising but am new to Norwegian. I really was not aware of the difference between the "Mandatory" service charge and auto tipping and/or tipping people myself as I have most often done while cruising. I actually bring a stack of 100 One's and start from there. Of course I would bring cash for shore excursions and so forth, so the question was primarily of a forced prepaid shipboard account.

 

 

I'm sure the boards are filled with people bemused, like me, with the concept of a little advertised "daily service charge" that does not even go (directly) to the people that serve me - the validity of that charge is not the question here as some have mistaken it to be, it's the idea of a requirement for handing either over a credit card or the $450.00 cash they say in the FAQ's is expected for 7-14 day cruises. It reminds me of when air lines were forced to include the government fees in ticket prices. I know... that discussion is for another board. Thanks for being polite, not all have been.

 

 

What cruise lines have you been on before that don't charge a DSC? And btw, you can't pay cash for excursions you book onboard. They are charged to your room account... The account you are wanting to refuse setting up.

[rtkenmore]

Except on a cruise they are not swiping for 'incidentals', it is essentailly a 'cashless' system and they want all purchases made on your OB account. So you give them a credit card or put cash down on your OB account.

A hotel does not work that way. If you eat in the hotel restaurant, you pay cash or again give them your credit card. If you purchase something form the gift shop, same again.

 

Most ALL hotels that have a restaurant or gift shop inside the hotel allow you to make charges to your room the exact same way cruises do charges to your room. A lot of hotels, especially large resorts, are going to cashless systems like this as well as their preferred payment method while on property.

[KeithJenner]

ALL tips are paid directly by the passenger other than the 18% or 20% on packages. Wanting to pay tips in any manner has nothing to do with the DSC.

 

 

 

I was just using the words that the OP did. I really have no interest in your definitions.