MSC DISCLAIMER: NO CASH SETTLEMENT

[morpheusofthesea]

Just got all the new documents and emails from MSC for this Saturday's sailing of the Seashore. Reading through found this tidbit. "All onboard expenses are charged to your personal cruise card which also acts as your cabin key. Cruise Card Activation points are available on board to register credit/debit/pre-paid cards. Payments in cash or debit/credit cards will NOT be accepted at the Guest Service Desk. Don't forget to bring your credit/debit card and PIN code and ensure your card is enabled for use abroad!" Especially this DISCLAIMER "DISCLAIMER: MSC Cruises SA implemented an Anti-Money Laundering System within its Code of Business conduct to comply with international regulations, which foresees an on board control over the cash management."

What happens in the casino? Does this hamper OBC cash refunds ?

[Sixtytwo]

Hmmm...In the casino on a recent NCL cruise, you can put cash into the machines but you get a paper "receipt' showing how much money you have on your casino account. This can then be taken to the cashier and redeemed for real money. But, I never saw any other transactions on the ship where cash was used. Everything was done on the sail and sign card. I will be interested to see how others interpret your question and address it.

[JT1962]

If that is new, it sounds like they may have been audited and their procedures for preventing money laundering were not strong enough. I can see someone bringing a large amount of cash on board and depositing it to their account, then getting most of it refunded at the end of the cruise and it appears that it is a legitimate transaction that they can deposit into their normal bank account.

[Hlitner]

My thought is that if you are not laundering money this is not an issue.  

 

Hank

[mscdivina2016]

16 hours ago, Sixtytwo said:

Hmmm...In the casino on a recent NCL cruise, you can put cash into the machines but you get a paper "receipt' showing how much money you have on your casino account. This can then be taken to the cashier and redeemed for real money. But, I never saw any other transactions on the ship where cash was used. Everything was done on the sail and sign card. I will be interested to see how others interpret your question and address it.

I personally pay the YC concierge at the end of a cruise in cash so as not to have it on my charge Card.

So with that said, I assume with the new rules, we are not to tip the staff extra then? Cash is a no no apparently.

[morpheusofthesea]

51 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Cash is a no no apparently.

Since when is tipping cash now a form of money laundering? But your point on paying your bill in cash so not to have it on your credit card is interesting.

Edited August 31, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[Nunagoras]

Once I'm retired from the financial industry's field, let me just to give my humble 2 cents:

 

While on one hand the cruise industry's massification has been wonderful to all of us cruise enthusiasts, on the other hand it has had its own growing pains and challenges, one of them being the income of some of the usual criminality one experiences everywhere on the society. From robberies to drug traffic, from sexual misconduct to all kinds or corruption, scams, and whatever else one can think about.

 

So now: Currently all the big business groups and banks are subject to the Basel III framework on Capital adequacy and other international or local related measures. That said they must comply with a set number of requirements, among others, on money laundry and avoiding terrorism financing. Those rules are always changing, generally becoming more strict. That said; they me required now to not accept live money deposits. As regarding to casinos, you'll may use money on the machines, but then you'll receive a paper ticket with your balance, and the cashier will give it to you, upon cruise card presentation, but the norm will one day to become cruise card only on machines. Either way. Phisical money is disappearing from society these days.

 

In summary: If you're not going on the cruise with those bad intentions, you have nothing to worry about, apart let the card you want to use to be international travel worthy.

[mscdivina2016]

22 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Since when is tipping cash now a form of money laundering? But your point on paying your bill in cash so not to have it on your credit card is interesting.

If they want no cash, then it should apply to every aspect on board, should it not?

 

 

I always shut my card off the day before and then I get notified to go see the desk.  This way I see all charges and can dispute right there and then if need be.

I then settle the bill and keep card locked.

[morpheusofthesea]

4 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

 

I always shut my card off the day before and then I get notified to go see the desk.

How does one shut ones card off ? It is a very good idea, but in practice? The ship will not discover those missing bathrobes until one is off the ship at 7:30 am.

 

4 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

If they want no cash, then it should apply to every aspect on board, should it not?

That sounds to me like 'cutting off ones nose to spite ones face' or the baby and the bathwater, or something?

[morpheusofthesea]

4 hours ago, Nunagoras said:

If you're not going on the cruise with those bad intentions,

My 'beef' is making sure my cash tip is going directly to my service provider and not pooled. If my service provider decides to pool, then that is their business. Nonrefundable OBC can be used to designate particular service providers, but there is nothing concrete that they will receive 100% of that designated.

[Nunagoras]

4 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

My 'beef' is making sure my cash tip is going directly to my service provider and not pooled. If my service provider decides to pool, then that is their business. Nonrefundable OBC can be used to designate particular service providers, but there is nothing concrete that they will receive 100% of that designated.

Understand it. Let's see: One thing is a small particular tip anyone gives away to a particular waiter elsewhere. MSC highly discourages it either way, but you may do it in discreet mode; another different thing is official tips or either way any type of payment you make to anyone business abroad. MSC is an European business subject not only to the US regulations, but EU ones that are usually higher and more rigid than US ones, hence that statement. Either way: I only pay hotels or other tourism providers with my credit card, tips here are mostly a physical money way of rounding. Surely; once well deserved I use to pay a little tip to my room steward, dining staff and tour guides, but that's it. Once I pay the already mandatory and now included on the base fare service charge where I live, I assume that at least a small part of it will go to the ones that served me and even to the ones that also served me but I would never see like galley and cleaning personnel. Have a nice day!...

[morpheusofthesea]

13 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

where I live,

I agree. "When in Rome..."

[mscdivina2016]

50 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

How does one shut ones card off ? It is a very good idea, but in practice? The ship will not discover those missing bathrobes until one is off the ship at 7:30 am.

 

That sounds to me like 'cutting off ones nose to spite ones face' or the baby and the bathwater, or something?

To shut the card off you go to the app under "card controls".  Then I get a text stating " card is locked".

Until I unlock it no charges can come in.

The authorization falls off after 3-5 days so they must recharge it.

But my balance is paid in full in cash.

 

 

Regarding cash onboard.....they want their cake and they want to eat it too.

No cash...but tips in cash and casino is ok?  How about their lottery or bingo cards?

Shops won't take cash?  Sorry I am not selling you that $3000 bracelet for cash? Lol.

Sorry you can't sail because you don't have a credit card? Stupid business model then.

Cash is legal tender in the USA!!

[Paphillyguy]

15 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

 

Sorry you can't sail because you don't have a credit card? Stupid business model then.

Cash is legal tender in the USA!!

A lot of these rules are put in place by their banking partners.  In some of this they do not have a say. 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Paphillyguy

[mscdivina2016]

36 minutes ago, Paphillyguy said:

A lot of these rules are put in place by their banking partners.  In some of this they do not have a say. 

That is sort of illegal.

 Not accepting cash is a form of discrimination and some states have laws about it.  

I know my old company in Massachusetts was required to take cash by law.

 

Not everyone has a credit card nor a bank account.  

 

The cashless system is promoted by credit card companies to earn bigger profits.

 

 

 

 

[Nunagoras]

40 minutes ago, Paphillyguy said:

A lot of these rules are put in place by their banking partners.  In some of this they do not have a say. 

Again: They're subject to the EU regulations on top of the US ones. Maybe their banking partners are requiring that, but it only needs to be their auditor requiring that for them to comply with the EU regulations, and that would more than suffix.

[cruiseguyinorl]

Just checked several clients documents for Seashore and Divina for upcoming sailings. That wording regarding no cash at Guest Services is not there and none of my contacts at MSC are aware of any changes.

 

"Cruise Card Activation Points are available on
board to register credit/debit/pre-paid cards. Bring your credit/debit
card and PIN code and ensure your card is enabled for use abroad. To
avoid issues with payment, advise your banking institution and credit
card providers of foreign travel prior to your cruise. Also, make sure
your contact information is current in the event your bank or credit
card provider needs to contact you to authorize charges."

Bret

[morpheusofthesea]

11 minutes ago, cruiseguyinorl said:

Just checked several clients documents for Seashore and Divina for upcoming sailings. That wording regarding no cash at Guest Services is not there and none of my contacts at MSC are aware of any changes.

Here is a copy and paste of our EMAIL. We're looking forward to welcoming you on board MSC Seashore in just one week! Here's some important information and advice that will ensure a perfect cruise.

Health and Safety measures

We've partnered with experts in the development of a comprehensive health and safety protocol to offer a safe and stress-free cruise vacation. Make sure to read our full plan to get ready for your upcoming cruise!   READ OUR PLAN

Onboard Payment Methods

All onboard expenses are charged to your personal cruise card which also acts as your cabin key. Cruise Card Activation points are available on board to register credit/debit/pre-paid cards. Payments in cash or debit/credit cards will not be accepted at the Guest Service Desk. Don't forget to bring your credit/debit card and PIN code and ensure your card is enabled for use abroad!   DISCOVER MORE

Discover the MSC for ME app

Download the free MSC for Me App before you leave home to make the most of your cruise experience. Use the app to make reservations for onboard experiences and avoid lines onboard.

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DISCLAIMER: MSC Cruises SA implemented an Anti-Money Laundering System within its Code of Business conduct to comply with international regulations, which foresees an on board control over the cash management.

[mscdivina2016]

21 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is a copy and paste of our EMAIL. We're looking forward to welcoming you on board MSC Seashore in just one week! Here's some important information and advice that will ensure a perfect cruise.

Health and Safety measures

We've partnered with experts in the development of a comprehensive health and safety protocol to offer a safe and stress-free cruise vacation. Make sure to read our full plan to get ready for your upcoming cruise!   READ OUR PLAN

Onboard Payment Methods

All onboard expenses are charged to your personal cruise card which also acts as your cabin key. Cruise Card Activation points are available on board to register credit/debit/pre-paid cards. Payments in cash or debit/credit cards will not be accepted at the Guest Service Desk. Don't forget to bring your credit/debit card and PIN code and ensure your card is enabled for use abroad!   DISCOVER MORE

Discover the MSC for ME app

Download the free MSC for Me App before you leave home to make the most of your cruise experience. Use the app to make reservations for onboard experiences and avoid lines onboard.

.

.

DISCLAIMER: MSC Cruises SA implemented an Anti-Money Laundering System within its Code of Business conduct to comply with international regulations, which foresees an on board control over the cash management.

Wow, I just forwarded it to the Massachusetts attorney general.

 

Will see what they say about that.

[morpheusofthesea]

32 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Wow, I just forwarded it to the Massachusetts attorney general.

 

Will see what they say about that.

Why just MA ?

[styles27]

Hmmm very interesting indeed. As someone mentioned above, not everyone has a credit card so what are those folks supposed to do? Write a check? 

[morpheusofthesea]

7 hours ago, styles27 said:

Write a check?

When one presses the link "Discover more" in the above email : 

Settling Your Final Bill

 

You can settle your final bill in any of the following three ways:

By credit card

The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Diners, JCB, Discover and American Express. If you choose to pay by credit card, your account will be closed automatically at the end of the cruise, so there is no need to go to the Reception – Guest Service.

By debit or prepaid card 

You should make sure that your debit/prepaid card is enabled for use abroad. The following debit cards are accepted: Maestro, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard debit Any amount debited to your card and not spent during your cruise will be reimbursed in cash at the Reception - Guest Service on the final morning before disembarkation.

Cash

Any amount deposited in cash and not spent during the cruise will be reimbursed in cash at the Reception - Guest Service on the final morning before disembarkation. Please note that personal checks are not accepted. For cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Antilles, Dubai, the Emirates and Oman, as well as MSC Grand Voyages departing from Europe, the onboard currency is the Euro (€). For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa, as well as MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia, the onboard currency is the US Dollar ($).

Europe: EC Regulation 1889/2005 states that: “Any natural person entering or leaving the Community and carrying cash of a value of Euro 10,000 or more shall declare that sum to the competent authorities of the Member state through which he is entering or leaving the Community in accordance with this Regulation”.

Please consult your travel agent and/or the relevant authorities (embassies, consulates or other local authorities) to find out whether there are any other restrictions to carrying cash on your itinerary.

[HipHipOnAShip]

I have settled up in cash by depositing it in the same machine that you do a credit card pre-authorization.  They will also happily take cash if you try to depart and for some reason your credit card (despite putting it in the machine) wasn't captured properly. I was personally "held up" getting off the boat for $19 once 🙂 

[BARNET]

We cruises on Virtuosa last week used euros to add cash to on-board account by putting into the machine by guest services. Last morning before disembarkation settle account and got the balance back from the machine in sterling.

[mscdivina2016]

13 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Why just MA ?

They have the toughest law on the books requiring you to accept cash.