Cash Deposit for Onboard Spending

[Phaedrus78]

I understand that it can be a bad idea to use a debit card to cover onboard expenses while on the ship, so I’m considering bringing a traveler’s check for deposit. My wife and I will be on a 10 day cruise, so I know that NCL will ask for $450 each. 

 

We’ve already paid for excursions, gratuities, the Cirque show, and the adult beverage package up front. We’re not really spa people or shoppers in general, and don’t plan to do much in the way of specialty dining. Put simply, I don’t think we’ll blow through that $900 during the trip. 

 

When would we be refunded any unused portion of the deposit?  Can we settle it up on the last night of the cruise with guest services?  

[casofilia]

Personally I lay down cash, I don't know that NCL will accept Travelers Cheques.   Then I, having carefully watched my folio every couple of days,  go to Customer Services on the last night and withdraw, in cash, what is left as a credit on my folio.   Never had a problem doing it this way.

[GUT2407]

2 minutes ago, casofilia said:

Personally I lay down cash, I don't know that NCL will accept Travelers Cheques.   Then I, having carefully watched my folio every couple of days,  go to Customer Services on the last night and withdraw, in cash, what is left as a credit on my folio.   Never had a problem doing it this way.

Dumb question, only one NCL cruise under my belt, how do you watch your folio balance, I couldn’t find a terminal or on my TV, but then I didn’t ask either as I’d pre paid pretty much everything and we didn’t spend much extra.

[casofilia]

You go to Customer Services and ask for a print out of your folio.   They are happy to do it as often as you want.

[Phaedrus78]

8 minutes ago, casofilia said:

Personally I lay down cash, I don't know that NCL will accept Travelers Cheques.   Then I, having carefully watched my folio every couple of days,  go to Customer Services on the last night and withdraw, in cash, what is left as a credit on my folio.   Never had a problem doing it this way.

 

I’m guessing they’ll accept travelers checks; on their FAQ they give the info about deposit amounts under a header of “Travelers Check/Cash Procedures”. But good call, I’ll contact NCL before leaving to make sure. I’d just rather not travel with $900 in cash on me if I don’t need to. I may be paranoid. 

 

That’s good to know that I can withdraw out any remaining funds on the last night, though. That would work nicely. 

 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, Phaedrus78 said:

I’d just rather not travel with $900 in cash on me if I don’t need to. 

 

You don't "need to" put down the recommend amounts. Put down whatever you want. If your DSC is already paid, you can do $100 and get back any leftover at the end of the cruise.

[shof515]

5 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Dumb question, only one NCL cruise under my belt, how do you watch your folio balance, I couldn’t find a terminal or on my TV, but then I didn’t ask either as I’d pre paid pretty much everything and we didn’t spend much extra.

various ways depending on the ship:
1)go to guest services and ask for a print out

2)using the Cruise Norwegian/iconcierge app

[newmexicoNita]

We keep a running account of our charges by going to the reception desk every day or so. And yes, at the end of the cruise you will be refunded anything that may be left, but remember the last day of the cruise and that night the reception desk will be packed with people. Be prepared to wait in a long line. I am not quite sure why you think it isn't a good idea to use your debit card? 

[shof515]

19 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

I am not quite sure why you think it isn't a good idea to use your debit card? 

Norwegian prefers you not use your debit card. In their FAQ page on their site they say:

Quote

 

Using your debit or ATM card

• Norwegian does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard folio.
• Please be advised that multiple holds will be placed on your debit card account based on your onboard purchases.
• After settling your onboard folio, these debit card holds may remain on your account up to 30 days after the cruise ends.
• To avoid overdraft charges from your bank, please make sure that you have enough available funds in your account during this hold period.
• Norwegian will not be responsible for overdraft charges resulting from holds placed on Debit Card accounts.

.

 

Edited December 29, 2018 by shof515

[newmexicoNita]

2 minutes ago, shof515 said:

Norwegian prefers you not use your debit card. In their FAQ page on their site they say:

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, shof515 said:

Norwegian prefers you not use your debit card. In their FAQ page on their site they say:

 

 

Thanks, our foster daughter and her partner always use their's and I am sure the bill isn't cheap, so I had no idea. We just use our Credit card, pay it off when we get home and are done with We learn something every day, and are never too old to learn. 

[sparks1093]

When we cruised on Gem our friend put down $152 on her on board account and had a balance at the end of the cruise that was mailed to her about 6 weeks after the cruise ended. The amount NCL recommends is only that and they will take whatever you put down (of course if you exceed that they will turn off your card until you deposit more).

[Jonslola]

On my last cruise I used cash, a total of $200 for 7 days for 2 people and we got most of that back (I went down the night before and got the remaining back in cash) I always prepay gratuities and I spend very little while on the ship. NCL does suggest a certain cash amount but it is not required. You can check you balance daily on the TV in your cabin.

 

[PTC DAWG]

Sounds like a lot of standing in line to me..I just use a CC.....let it ride. 

[casofilia]

Sounds like a lot of standing in line to me..

 

You walk past the desk many times every day and quite often there is no one there, ask then.

[shof515]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Sounds like a lot of standing in line to me..I just use a CC.....let it ride. 

 

depending on the time and day. If i have any issues that need guest service attention, i usually go around midnight or so..hardly no one there

Edited December 29, 2018 by shof515

[amelia3171]

I can't remember the last time I last used cash for anything - here in the UK and Ireland even the smallest, less them pound / euro or dollar equivalent, purchase can be paid for on a card - cash is messy and inconvenient, why would you even consider taking it on a cruise? Retailers love cards because cash is a major headache for them. And using a card means you have a record of all expenditure. 

 

 

[Noworkforme23]

Use the NCL app. I put down $800 on my NCL Bliss December 8th sailing. The entire cruise you can see immediately what your balance is on the app or the TV in your room. . I went to guest services on the day before disembarkation at around 9:00 am and got $145 back.  

We did room service breakfast the last day, but only continental breakfast because we had closed our account. 

[PTC DAWG]

On 12/29/2018 at 3:06 PM, amelia3171 said:

I can't remember the last time I last used cash for anything - here in the UK and Ireland even the smallest, less them pound / euro or dollar equivalent, purchase can be paid for on a card - cash is messy and inconvenient, why would you even consider taking it on a cruise? Retailers love cards because cash is a major headache for them. And using a card means you have a record of all expenditure. 

 

 

I carry a decent amount of CASH for the casino, and for messing around in ports, especially in the Caribbean..

 

always take at least a hundred in ones for tipping...

Edited December 31, 2018 by PTC DAWG

[draxnair101]

My wife and I prepay all gratuities and service charges and also have the beverage package and specialty dining package, so we just do a $100 cash deposit as we are not planning on spending much onboard.

[delaware32]

We too prepay gratuities . We put cash on account and back it up with a credit card . This is a habit we developed early on in cruising . We spend very little extra now because the number of available promotions when booking . Just personal choice as it's nice to come home with no bills to pay from a vacation . We clear the account on the last night and withdraw any remaining funds .

[CUTIEPYE]

You get your balance on your tv in your cabin

[GUT2407]

2 hours ago, CUTIEPYE said:

You get your balance on your tv in your cabin

Not on Jewel you couldn’t 

[Budget Queen]

Being  the "cash"  isn't  being spent, or very low amounts of it is.   I don't see the benefit of bothering with it?    Simply I just use a Credit Card   and check a few times during the cruise any charges.    I see hordes of people standing in lines the last day-  and I couldn't be bothered wasting time.    

[zqvol]

On 12/29/2018 at 1:29 AM, Phaedrus78 said:

I understand that it can be a bad idea to use a debit card to cover onboard expenses while on the ship, so I’m considering bringing a traveler’s check for deposit. My wife and I will be on a 10 day cruise, so I know that NCL will ask for $450 each. 

 

We’ve already paid for excursions, gratuities, the Cirque show, and the adult beverage package up front. We’re not really spa people or shoppers in general, and don’t plan to do much in the way of specialty dining. Put simply, I don’t think we’ll blow through that $900 during the trip. 

 

When would we be refunded any unused portion of the deposit?  Can we settle it up on the last night of the cruise with guest services?  

 

If you prepay your service charge, and have a bverage package and a dining package if you plan on dining at a specialty restaurant, then there is no need to put that much money on your account. A total of $100 will be enough. Bring the rest in cash and add to your account if you need to.