Is there a charge for taking out left over cash from a Cruise account?

[Valiamo]

As the title asks. Mom is putting $500 on her cruise account, and at the end of the cruise wants the remainder back in cash, is it going to come with a service fee?

 

I am taking my elderly mother on a cruise next month, she ONLY uses cash (cheques) for her day to day activities. I finally got her to understand the ships cruise account, and that when she is on the ship she needs to use the cruise card to get into her cabin, and to buy things on the ship. Realistically if she spends $100 for the entire cruise, I would be flabbergastered.

 

She insists on taking $500 cash to put into her cruise account, and that will allow her to have use of her money for the duration of the cruise.

 

I am all for this but, I am wondering what will happen at the end of the cruise when she still has a sizeable amount left on the cruise account. Can this cash be taken back out or will there be a surcharge when she does so?

 

I was considering just putting my CC on her cruise account, holding her money, and giving her the difference at the end of the cruise, but when I told her, she had a fit thinking that she would not be paying her way as I would be using my credit card.

[moki'smommy]

For amounts of $25 or less, she can be refunded in cash at the end of the cruise. Amounts over $25 are refunded by check within a few weeks. There is no charge for getting her money back, but anything over $25 will require a wait.

 

Suggestion--maybe she could take $500 in cash with her, but only put $100 on her account initially. They will notify her when there is little or nothing remaining on the account. They she could take an appropriate amount from the safe and put it on the account.

[satxdiver]

Your mother will have to put down a cash deposit since she is not using a credit or debit card to secure her folio. I have heard it is around $200 or so required. Any money left at the end of the cruise will be refunded by a check sent to her several weeks after the cruise ends. The few times I have received money from refundable OBC not used, the check arrived 3 or so weeks later in a plain envelope that reminded me of junk mail. Only if the refund is less than $25 will they refund the money at PSD which sounds like not available in her case. I imagine that the cashless activity on the cruise is going to bother her a great deal.

[Valiamo]

[quote name=moki'smommy;56653320

 

Suggestion--maybe she could take $500 in cash with her' date=' but only put $100 on her account initially. They will notify her when there is little or nothing remaining on the account. Then she could take an appropriate amount from the safe and put it on the account.[/quote]

 

Thanks.... going to have to re-think how we work this.

 

"appropriate amount from the safe"... I can try that but, her idea of keeping her remaining cash safe, is keeping it in her purse.

[moki'smommy]

They ask for $200 for a 7 night cruise, but you/she do not need to put down that amount. She can choose to place only $100 on the account if that suits her.

 

Another thing, she can put money on her account and you can go to passenger services and place your credit card on it as a back up. They will use the cash first...but they won't notify her that more money needs to be deposited in that case. Still, she doesn't need to know that you put your card on it if you do it after boarding.

This doesn't sound like a fun experience for you!

[Valiamo]

They ask for $200 for a 7 night cruise' date=' but you/she do not need to put down that amount. She can choose to place only $100 on the account if that suits her.

 

Another thing, she can put money on her account and you can go to passenger services and place your credit card on it as a back up. They will use the cash first...but they won't notify her that more money needs to be deposited in that case. Still, she doesn't need to know that you put your card on it if you do it after boarding.

This doesn't sound like a fun experience for you![/quote']

 

I like this idea. My CC on her account and she can deposit small amounts to use as she pleases.

 

"doesn't sound like a fun experience" It is actually turning out to be a great experience. She is like a school girl waiting for a big date. She has already gone to the bank and pulled her money out and her suitcase is 1/2 filled (and we are 41 days out). I do expect that she will way overpack (no Mom you do not need to bring your make-up mirror, winter coat, housecoat, kitchen sink, life jacket, etc.)

 

We are looking forward to her coming along. I am sure it will be a blast, just looking for creative ideas to make sure she is taking care of. This will be her 2nd cruise, she was on the Pacific Princess - the Love Boat in the late 70's and that was one I could have gone on, but I turned my nose up at it.. (yuck a cruise with Mom and Dad.), do I ever regret that decision.

[Valiamo]

I imagine that the cashless activity on the cruise is going to bother her a great deal.

 

Thanks for the info. Yes, being cashless will be an interesting one for her.

[moki'smommy]

There are magnifying make up mirrors in the bathroom and she can have a robe in the cabin (request it on the personalizer). The rest, I can't be too critical. No matter how much I don't take, I always have things that I didn't wear or use.

 

Hope you have a great trip!

[JF - retired RRT]

I like this idea. My CC on her account and she can deposit small amounts to use as she pleases.

 

"doesn't sound like a fun experience" It is actually turning out to be a great experience. She is like a school girl waiting for a big date. She has already gone to the bank and pulled her money out and her suitcase is 1/2 filled (and we are 41 days out). I do expect that she will way overpack (no Mom you do not need to bring your make-up mirror, winter coat, housecoat, kitchen sink, life jacket, etc.)

Thanks for my daily giggle...too cute. I could picture my mother doing that.

I like the idea of using your CC as a back-up on her account. Do try to talk her out of carrying all that $$ around in her purse. :eek:

What will she do if she loses it or it's stolen at some point?

[land lover]

No, there is no surcharge.

 

 

And since everyone is responding with opinions...I will too.

 

 

If she wants to put in 500. let her...she will have grats....maybe a little gambling,shopping,drinks....wants to treat you to a specialty restaurant.

 

Other items let her pack them....and enjoy herself....

 

Have a wonderful cruise.....

Edited July 29, 2018 by land lover

[CantSwim63]

... just looking for creative ideas to make sure she is taking care of...

 

Some ideas...

• if she likes coffee (particularly specialty types), the coffee card is a must (assuming available, check Princess site)
  
• if she has been the person making breakfast for everyone, make a big deal about having breakfast delivered and checking everything she wants on the order card
  
• schedule a family portrait sitting, no purchase necessary, "fun" if she likes to dress up
  
• let your servers know if there is a special occasion a day in advance and discuss if there is any way a special dessert or drink can be brought
  
• ask your steward to make the towel animals on her bed (assuming yours is one who can create them)
  

Cheers!

Roehl

[LeeW]

Yikes!!!!

 

Nobody responding has noted that the OP (and presumably mother) are from Canada. Ship is going to use US currency, so her Canadian cash is going to be converted to US at a likely unfavorable rate. Then when she gets anything back it will be a check in US dollars and she is going to pay another conversion fee to convert what is left back to Canadian.

 

If she really has to use cash, gift herself before the cruise with OBC for the minimum amount needed onboard - gratuities. This assumes that the conversion rate when you bought the cruise is lower than at present, since Princess should use the original rate.

 

If there are additional charges use YOUR credit card or onboard account that should be set to do the currency conversion by the bank, NOT by Princess. Don't let her get hit with two conversion fees done by Princess. You can also have her charges billed to your account and let her pay you.

[Pierlesscruisers]

Your mother will have to put down a cash deposit since she is not using a credit or debit card to secure her folio. I have heard it is around $200 or so required. Any money left at the end of the cruise will be refunded by a check sent to her several weeks after the cruise ends. The few times I have received money from refundable OBC not used, the check arrived 3 or so weeks later in a plain envelope that reminded me of junk mail. Only if the refund is less than $25 will they refund the money at PSD which sounds like not available in her case. I imagine that the cashless activity on the cruise is going to bother her a great deal.

 

The amount is $350 per person. At least that is the amount on the 7 day Alaska cruises out of Seattle. It's probably more on a longer cruise. If it is, I'd guess on $70/day/person but that's just a guess based on the Alaska cruise amount.

 

Tom

[cdngrl]

If she really has to use cash, gift herself before the cruise with OBC for the minimum amount needed onboard - gratuities. This assumes that the conversion rate when you bought the cruise is lower than at present, since Princess should use the original rate.

this is smart advice!

princess' rate is less than the bank's at the moment. if there is any left over, it will be refunded in a US dollar cheque. your bank will convert back to $CAD.

i usually bring US cash to put on my account but with princess giving me a better deal than the bank, that's the route i'm taking lately.

[Valiamo]

Yikes!!!!

 

Nobody responding has noted that the OP (and presumably mother) are from Canada. Ship is going to use US currency, so her Canadian cash is going to be converted to US at a likely unfavorable rate. Then when she gets anything back it will be a check in US dollars and she is going to pay another conversion fee to convert what is left back to Canadian.

 

If she really has to use cash, gift herself before the cruise with OBC for the minimum amount needed onboard - gratuities. This assumes that the conversion rate when you bought the cruise is lower than at present, since Princess should use the original rate.

 

If there are additional charges use YOUR credit card or onboard account that should be set to do the currency conversion by the bank, NOT by Princess. Don't let her get hit with two conversion fees done by Princess. You can also have her charges billed to your account and let her pay you.

 

Hey LeeW, thanks for noticing!

 

We are fully covered. I use the Cdn rate from Princess up to the cruise date (booking fx rate was 1.25 and current fx rate is 1.32, so we win here) and then on the ship switch over to my US CC's and cash. She has her $500 US cash, plus her hidden Cdn cash.

 

I'll go with the put my CC on the account, and have her drop $100 onto the account for spending.

[Valiamo]

Some ideas...

• if she likes coffee (particularly specialty types), the coffee card is a must (assuming available, check Princess site)
  
• if she has been the person making breakfast for everyone, make a big deal about having breakfast delivered and checking everything she wants on the order card
  
• schedule a family portrait sitting, no purchase necessary, "fun" if she likes to dress up
  
• let your servers know if there is a special occasion a day in advance and discuss if there is any way a special dessert or drink can be brought
  
• ask your steward to make the towel animals on her bed (assuming yours is one who can create them)
  

Cheers!

Roehl

 

CantSwim63

 

 

Some very creative and interesting ideas! Going to have to use some of them. Thanks for responding.

[Valiamo]

 

If she wants to put in 500. let her...she will have grats....maybe a little gambling,shopping,drinks....wants to treat you to a specialty restaurant.

 

Other items let her pack them....and enjoy herself....

 

Have a wonderful cruise.....

 

land lover.....

 

I think you know my Mother! All of those will strike her fancy (tho she only drinks cola's). She is itching to hit the penny slot machines, afraid to tell her that they are the tightest slots ever.

 

As for packing.. She uses a walker so, I am the one that has to carry her bags.. so I really want her to pack a little lighter than normal

[ellie1145]

Hope you and your mum have a wonderful cruise. So glad she is excited about it. We've been on over 60 cruises and I still get butterflies when I know we are boarding. I'm sure she will have a fantastic time, especially with a lovely caring family to look after her.

 

Might I suggest that you make sure to take her for afternoon tea? It's a quintissentially British tradition, but very relaxing to be served delicious cake and scones with music playing I'm the background.

 

Bon voyage!

[dobiemom]

OP, can you tell mom you earn points using your credit card? Doesn't matter if you really do or not. She might feel better "helping" you.

[phabric]

land lover.....

 

I think you know my Mother! All of those will strike her fancy (tho she only drinks cola's). She is itching to hit the penny slot machines, afraid to tell her that they are the tightest slots ever.

 

As for packing.. She uses a walker so, I am the one that has to carry her bags.. so I really want her to pack a little lighter than normal

 

Since she plays the slots, she will have set up a casino account. If she has any OBC left over, transfer the left over OBC from her sail account to her casino account then cash out, take your sail card to the cashier and cash out her account. They will give you US$. No charge.

[CruiseGal999]

Thanks.... going to have to re-think how we work this.

 

"appropriate amount from the safe"... I can try that but, her idea of keeping her remaining cash safe, is keeping it in her purse.

 

Maybe you can have your mom ONLY bring $200 on the cruise. She puts $100 on her account in cash and she holds $100 in cash ... in the safe or in her purse. You can put your Credit Card on the account for anything over the $100 .... You seem to be pretty certain she won't go over her initial $100 or if she does go over, it won't be by much. DON"T tell her you're putting the CC # on the account. It will lessen her worries.

[phabric]

Remember there will be a charge each night for tips unless you have free tips.

[skynight]

I read through the postings.

How about this idea? Place your mother's account on your credit card. On the last evening pay off the account in cash at passenger services. Remember that for a 7 day cruise her account will be charged between US$94.50 to US$118.50, depending on cabin category, for the auto gratuity, unless gratuities were included as part of a promotion.

[CantSwim63]

CantSwim63

Some very creative and interesting ideas! Going to have to use some of them. Thanks for responding.

 

Welcome! My sons’ came up with some more ideas, which they have used when taking their lola on a cruise.

 

Flowers in the room, random day. Chef’s table or ships tour (latter probably not plausible if she uses a walker, but find out if bridge tour possible?). Similar to afternoon tea idea from previous poster, set one hour a day to have tea (or play cards or knit or watch the waves) and just chat.

 

Cheers! Roehl