Questions on Onboard Account and "Cash Advance" pre cruise purchase?

[Arzeena]

I have some questions please:

 

In the "Enhance your Cruise" section I see option to buy "Cash Advance" for multiple denominations....$50, 100, 150, 200, 250.

**Is that MSC's version of Onboard Credit?
**Can you pay the $12.50 pp pd mandatory DSC from this?
**If yes, do you have to specify that to guest services on day1?

**If any "credit" is left over, how is that dealt with? Do they return the left ver in cash on the last day or it stays in your onboard account and you have to use it or loose it.

 

Onboard Account:
**Regarding   your options for setting up an onboard account: MSC mentions a "Prepaid Card". Can someone elaborate, what pre paid card? One with your name on it? one like a visa prepaid gift card?

**If one chooses "cash" option, how much do you have to deposit per person or per cabin with guest services?
Or is like Royal Caribbean where they let you charge upto $500 then you settle the bill and charging privilege opens up again?
**Does it have to be done with guest services on board after boarding the ship or with the check in personel at the port?

I prefer not to use a credit card onboard with MSC since they have been in the practice of charging my card two and three times for the same cruise every two days and almost maxxing it out.

 

Thank you in advance.