Credit Cards on ship

[MikkiDawn]

I was just curious also , I know when you give them your credit card on ship for the SeaPass account they put a hold on it usually, but do you know how much of a balance you should have on your card ? Do you think $500 would be enough ? I was going to use our debit card but I would rather take cash for our island adventures and use my debit card sparingly. I will take cash for our tipping in envelopes to hand out at the end of the cruise instead of charging them to my seapass. That way I can come home pay off the credit card and not use it again, I HATE CREDIT CARDS !! BTW< dh doesn't drink at all and I might have a TOTAL of 4 girly girl foo-foo drinks on board, we want to go to Chops once and Johnny rockets once or twice.:)

[Treven]

Then that should be ample. On my first cruise I put down $200 and got some back. As the cruises have come along I've put down more (I generally use travelers checks) and for my upcoming Oct cruise I'll probably put down $1k.

[hdawson]

REMEMBER debit cards do not have the same protections as your credit card.

[MikkiDawn]

Do most places take Travelers Checks ? I have NEVER used them before. Or would cash be better ?

[wingawh]

Another suggestion would be to use your credit card if you have one when you check in to put on the account. As you use the SeaPass account onboard stop by the purser's desk and ask the apply some cash to the account. This way you could pay as you go and pay it off the night before you get off the ship. No charge on your card.

[cb at sea]

I didn't think you could use a debit card, unless you used it as a credit card. Maybe it was a check card I was thinking of--are they different?

[Cruise Gopher]

I didn't think you could use a debit card, unless you used it as a credit card. Maybe it was a check card I was thinking of--are they different?

 

Many people use the term debit card when they are talking about a check card.

 

Check Cards have the Visa/Mastercard Logo on them like a credit card. The money comes out of your checking account.

 

Debit cards usually are issued by smaller banks and do not have the Visa/Mastercard logo on them and are not accepted at as many places as a Visa or Mastercard check card. The money comes out of your bank account here also, like a check card.

[MikkiDawn]

Yes I actually meant check card with a Visa Logo. That was a good idea about adding cash to it as the cruise goes and paying it off. THANKS !!!

[Sheffie]

Do most places take Travelers Checks ? I have NEVER used them before. Or would cash be better ?

 

On the ship you will put everything on your seapass, which is linked to your credit card or cash that you have put down. Off the ship, we always take cash because we just use taxis to get us somewhere, or we buy a few inexpensive items. I don't know if small vendors would even take Travelers' Checks.

 

We have never used Travelers' Checks. If we find we need more cash, we go to the casino and get some - just go to the Cashier (?) there and ask for some. They will put it on your account. If they ask if you are gambling, tell them you need it for the slots. You can always gamble a $1 and you won't be lying!

 

We always make sure to take a lot of small bills for tips and taxis.

[Treven]

I didn't think you could use a debit card, unless you used it as a credit card. Maybe it was a check card I was thinking of--are they different?

As long as it has the VISA or MC logo, the debit card will work just fine.

[jdkey]

If you do take Traveler's Cheques you can cash them at guest relations desk on the ship. I have bought TC's in advance of the cruise then cashed them for spending money at ports & to pay the tips the last night. We save pocket change and usually have enough well in advance of the trip for any excursions and bar tab.

Debbie

[Alexis]

Do most places take Travelers Checks ? I have NEVER used them before. Or would cash be better ?

 

We take Travelers checks instead of cash. Usually the night before we get to a port, we will cash one or two of them at the pursers desk or the casino if we need cash. That way we are not carrying around large sums of money.

This way you are also secure in knowing that if you lose them, they can be replaced. Lose your cash and it is gone.

I have also used travelers checks on all of our many cruises in shops all over. We have never been refused. Unless the check was a large one for a small purchase, I can not see why they would not take it.