Can you get onboard with a declined card?

[sanger727]

OP, as stated you will certainly be able to guarantee your account with cash and I would do that over a card that’s likely to be declined. But, it sounds as though you don’t have a credit card and are relying on a debit card. Two things. 1. I would never use a debit card in the Caribbean, I think scanners and fraud are more prevalent there. If you need cash onshore, I would pay the ATM fee to get it on he ship. And 2. I personally wouldn’t travel abroad without a credit card for emergencies. Almost certainly you will be able to secure and pay your account with cash and that will be the end of it. But, in the event you got hurt or sick and had to be treated in a foreign hospital, insurance works entirely differently there. Your health insurance may ultimately cover the bill or you may have travel insurance that ultimately covers the bill. But you will most likely have to provide funds upfront for treatment and seek insurance reimbursement later. And there, no payment = no treatment.

 

 

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[Breadman54]

When you check in at the terminal, just tell them that you are going to open a cash account once you get on board. Once on board just go to guest services and set it up. I'm about to go on my 32nd cruise and I have done this many many times! No worries! Have a great cruise!

[Doggielover68]

WOW, just WOW...going on a cruise vacation and limiting yourself to NOTHING. The saying goes, pack half as much and take twice as much money.

 

 

 

It is called having a budget. We rarely spend any money onboard other than gratuities which are usually prepaid.

 

 

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[CdrescherRBL152]

If you put that you will be using cash for your sail and sign account. You don't have to show the a credit card. We never use a credit card. Much easier to control our spending that way. Cause trust me once on board you will find things to spend money on.

 

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[maryred]

I originally used a debit card in the online checkin, but I plan to edit that to add about $200 in AARP rewards cards, and then add cash on the day we board. If we have both the cards and cash in the account, will they debit from the cards before they touch the cash? I'd rather not have to wait on them to send a card with balance owed, if they have taken the cash first.

The order funds are deducted from the S&S account are ...

Nonrefundable OBC including cruise cash

Refundable OBC including Carnival Gift Cards

Cash and traveler's cheques

Credit/Debit card on file from either online or physical check-in or placed on account at a kiosk or guest services.

At physical check-in a test charge is run, so edit out that card now (or once you have the GCs) to avoid having the bank keep a hold on the test charge.

 

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[myfuzzy]

It is called having a budget. We rarely spend any money onboard other than gratuities which are usually prepaid.

 

 

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One one of our upcoming cruises we have pre paid the grats, beverage, dinners and tours. Which is most of our expenses. IF we find something we want on board, or choose to book another excursion, it won't break the bank. We also have some OBC and casino credits too.

[LibratPDX]

Just an aside, I would recommend *NEVER* using a debit card for travel or anything online. On the cruise ship I think they put a $200 pending charge on your card and it doesn't disappear immediately if it's not used. Websites get hacked all the time!

[Joebucks]

I would strongly, strongly recommend having and responsibly using a credit card. Don't believe the victim statements out there that they ruin your life.

 

There are countless benefits from building credit, to zero fraud liability, to having purchasing power (especially in an emergency). Plus, you can earn rewards in your favor. As you can already see, it is an inconvenience to not have one here.

[stleda124]

Incorrect.

 

(and I've never understood why people think it's cute to post inaccurate information, especially to new cruisers)

 

Especially with the amount of posts this person has. It makes you think how many irreverent and incorrect posts have been made.

[DebJ14]

As mentioned numerous times, do not attach a card to your account that you know will be declined. Even if you don't charge anything or plan to, they will run holds against cards on account including preboarding. Just use cash.

 

They actually place the holds on the cards before you ever get to the pier. I get notifications from my credit card whenever there is any transaction involving my card. My phone was dinging at midnight the night before our cruise and it was a text alert from my bank that Carnival had placed a $400 hold on my credit card. (2 people on a 7 night cruise)

 

In the old days they did not get the holds until after they swiped the cards at check in. Now, they no longer do that on Carnival. RCCL still does it that way and the hold notification usually hits while we are sitting there waiting to board.

[DebJ14]

I would strongly, strongly recommend having and responsibly using a credit card. Don't believe the victim statements out there that they ruin your life.

 

There are countless benefits from building credit, to zero fraud liability, to having purchasing power (especially in an emergency). Plus, you can earn rewards in your favor. As you can already see, it is an inconvenience to not have one here.

 

I absolutely agree.

 

Heck, the miles from my United Mileage Plus Card just paid for our upcoming cruise! All travel goes on that card. And, I can use miles to pay the annual fee too.

 

We generally get $50-$75 a month cash back on our various cash back credit cards. We get at least 2% back, sometimes 5%.

 

We do not carry cash and keep minimal balances in our checking account and just transfer the money as needed to pay the credit card bills online.

 

Everything goes on credit cards - gas, groceries, electric, water, Direct TV, dentists, stamps, doctors, internet service, cell phone bill, hospital bills, car insurance, homeowners insurance, health insurance, car rentals, cruises, airline tickets and of course all internet purchases.

 

I wouldn't leave home without a high limit credit card, and especially would never leave the country without having notified the credit card company that we may use it outside the US.

[chasinraynbowz]

Op, IF you are still reading this thread, I have sailed with just cash also. When I first started cruising I didn't have a credit card. Everything was done in cash. I paid for everything in advance and put $200 down on my account (but I knew I would use it). Like others have said, do not use a debit card. I found that to be a problem.

 

When you get to the port, let them know you are putting cash on your account. You will be fine. You don't have to show a credit or debit card. If they can take the cash there, they will and will apply that balance to your account. If not, you can do it once you board the ship.

 

Have a great first cruise!!

[Joebucks]

I absolutely agree.

 

Heck, the miles from my United Mileage Plus Card just paid for our upcoming cruise! All travel goes on that card. And, I can use miles to pay the annual fee too.

 

We generally get $50-$75 a month cash back on our various cash back credit cards. We get at least 2% back, sometimes 5%.

 

We do not carry cash and keep minimal balances in our checking account and just transfer the money as needed to pay the credit card bills online.

 

Everything goes on credit cards - gas, groceries, electric, water, Direct TV, dentists, stamps, doctors, internet service, cell phone bill, hospital bills, car insurance, homeowners insurance, health insurance, car rentals, cruises, airline tickets and of course all internet purchases.

 

I wouldn't leave home without a high limit credit card, and especially would never leave the country without having notified the credit card company that we may use it outside the US.

 

It blows my mind sometimes. My upcoming cruise is completely paid for by points earned. Imagine the difference that could make in someone's budget.

 

I also could never leave the country without my card. No foreign transaction fees. No cash to lose.

[louanne93]

Ignore this response... it was given only to overinflate their cruise critic post count, was mean-spirited and entirely untrue.

 

Enjoy your cruise- you're going to have a blast!

 

Agree 100%

[rolloman]

I think that you've misread the OP completely, nowhere does she even hint that she won't be paying her gratuities.

 

OMG....where did I say that? The OP has paid for everything up front but does not have a credit card or cash day one for future onboard expenses...therefore the OP is concerned of being denied boarding. My thought is....get a refund for either drink package or excursions and then the OP will have money to start out an onboard cash account...….once the funds come in on day 2...take cash out of the ATM or Casino Cage and put money on the onboard account and THEN buy excursions and or drink package...….

[sparks1093]

OMG....where did I say that? The OP has paid for everything up front but does not have a credit card or cash day one for future onboard expenses...therefore the OP is concerned of being denied boarding. My thought is....get a refund for either drink package or excursions and then the OP will have money to start out an onboard cash account...….once the funds come in on day 2...take cash out of the ATM or Casino Cage and put money on the onboard account and THEN buy excursions and or drink package...….

 

Then I sincerely apologize for misreading your post. :( Now I understand what your point was.

[sparks1093]

It blows my mind sometimes. My upcoming cruise is completely paid for by points earned. Imagine the difference that could make in someone's budget.

 

I also could never leave the country without my card. No foreign transaction fees. No cash to lose.

 

A lot of people don't have the ability to do that, for a wide variety of reasons.

[CruiseGal999]

They actually place the holds on the cards before you ever get to the pier. I get notifications from my credit card whenever there is any transaction involving my card. My phone was dinging at midnight the night before our cruise and it was a text alert from my bank that Carnival had placed a $400 hold on my credit card. (2 people on a 7 night cruise)

 

In the old days they did not get the holds until after they swiped the cards at check in. Now, they no longer do that on Carnival. RCCL still does it that way and the hold notification usually hits while we are sitting there waiting to board.

 

Isn't it funny how fast the holds hit your card but how long it takes for them to release these holds/authorizations?

[DaytonCruiser]

It blows my mind sometimes. My upcoming cruise is completely paid for by points earned. Imagine the difference that could make in someone's budget.

 

 

 

I also could never leave the country without my card. No foreign transaction fees. No cash to lose.

 

 

 

Everyone has to figure out what’s best for them.

 

I try my best not to really worry about anyone else’s finances. But do realize that, there is also nothing wrong with alcohol,but many know it’s trouble if they consume it.

 

 

 

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[dave_k58]

I would definitely pre-pay the gratuities. It is a big convenience. Plus - I may be wrong, but if you have Anytime Dining you must pay grats in advance. I may be wrong, maybe it was Royal or Princess.

[DallasGuy75219]

Plus - I may be wrong, but if you have Anytime Dining you must pay grats in advance. I may be wrong, maybe it was Royal or Princess.

 

Not true for Carnival, except that all cruisers embarking in Barbados (for the "alternate" Southern Caribbean itinerary on the ship doing 7-day cruises out of San Juan) must prepay gratuities regardless of dining time. Has not been my experience on Royal with Anytime Dining, either.

[sparks1093]

Isn't it funny how fast the holds hit your card but how long it takes for them to release these holds/authorizations?

 

The release of holds is controlled more by the bank than by the merchant (at least as I've been told). When we got back from Pride in February it took about a week for the final charges to hit our credit card and by then the holds had fallen off.

[Expat Cruise]

The release of holds is controlled more by the bank than by the merchant (at least as I've been told). When we got back from Pride in February it took about a week for the final charges to hit our credit card and by then the holds had fallen off.

 

In most cases that is not true. I am US Merchant taking credit cards. If I authorize a charge I can hold in my account for 30 days. Or 14 days depending on which processing service I use. Or I cancel in my account and it will hit the same day. My guess is cruise companies do not cancel these authorization and just let it expire.

[Georgie562]

WOW, just WOW...going on a cruise vacation and limiting yourself to NOTHING. The saying goes, pack half as much and take twice as much money.

 

 

There are people who rather go on a cruise on a tight budget than to not go on a cruise at all.

There is nothing wrong with that. The OP said everything has already been pre-paid so whats the big deal? How much money one takes to extra spend on their vacation should be no ones business other than their own.

[PoppyandNana]

I would definitely pre-pay the gratuities. It is a big convenience. Plus - I may be wrong, but if you have Anytime Dining you must pay grats in advance. I may be wrong, maybe it was Royal or Princess.

 

Why is this a big convenience? Whether one pre-pays or has the daily amount charged to their account you are still paying the same amount.