How do you pay for items on board?

[cruisingcouple07]

Hi there, I haven't cruised in about 15 years but I remember a system when you gave them a credit card and they gave you an onboard credit card that you just charged everything to. Do they still do that?. We were at Great Wolf Lodge last year where your "bracelet" charged everything to your credit card including your bracelet even opened your hotel door!.

Just curious...:rolleyes:

[Desdemona01]

Hi there, I haven't cruised in about 15 years but I remember a system when you gave them a credit card and they gave you an onboard credit card that you just charged everything to. Do they still do that?. We were at Great Wolf Lodge last year where your "bracelet" charged everything to your credit card including your bracelet even opened your hotel door!.

Just curious...:rolleyes:

 

yes, you provide a credit card, or prepay with cash, and you use your keycard to charge all purchases. I believe the only place where you can use cash onboard is in the casino. When they scan your keycard your picture appears on the monitor to insure that the card is being used by the correct person.

 

Welcome to the HAL boards and enjoy your cruise!

[noblepa]

Yes, during embarkation, you give them a credit card. You can use a debit card (as long as it has the Visa or MC logo), or even cash. Most people just use a credit card.

 

In return, they give you a card that serves as your room key, onboard charge card and boarding pass. Every person in your cabin, including children will get one.

 

The card is used for just about all onboard purchases. The only things you need cash for are the casino, tipping room service waiters and video games for the kids.

 

It is possible to tie each onboard card to a different credit card, or to restrict purchases for certain cards (think kids). Normally, however, all cards are charged to the same CC.

 

During embarkation, they will take a digital photograph of each passenger. That photo is stored in the onboard computer. When you go ashore, you swipe the card and the computer knows you are off the ship. When you return, the security people swipe the card again. This time, the photograph appears on their screen and the computer makes a note that you have returned.

 

BTW, when you go ashore, you need to take a government issued photo-id, such as a passport or drivers license. The ship's security dept. only cares about your boarding pass, but in many ports, the local police restrict access to the pier, so you need a seperate ID for them.

[cruisingcouple07]

Wow thanks everyone for the info!. Sounds like things have really progressed since I last sailed!. Do they automatically add 15 percent on the bills at the bar? or do you state how much to add for tip?

Also thanks for the tip to take our passports ashore. I wouldn't have thought to do that!

Wendy

[Desdemona01]

Wow thanks everyone for the info!. Sounds like things have really progressed since I last sailed!. Do they automatically add 15 percent on the bills at the bar? or do you state how much to add for tip?

Also thanks for the tip to take our passports ashore. I wouldn't have thought to do that!

Wendy

 

Yes, the 15% is automatically added to the bar bills. Also, you will have $10/pp per day added to your account for tips. These are put into a pool and divided between the various staff. We leave our auto tips in place and then give a little extra to our room steward, dining room staff, etc.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Auto tips:

 

$3.50 goes to the cabin steward

 

$3.50 goes to the dining room wait staff

 

The other $3 goes into a pool and is divided by many other people - cooks, laundry people, etc.

[O2B@C]

.... Also thanks for the tip to take our passports ashore. I wouldn't have thought to do that!

Wendy

 

There was a thread a while back about taking passports ashore. Some recommend doing it, others don't. The up side is that if you need it for some reason (e.g., you miss the ship and need to fly home, or you need a photo ID), you have it. The minus is that you could lose it, and also it's a pain to worry about it if you're going to the beach.

 

For me personally, the answer would vary according to the port you're visiting, and what you plan to do there. For example, for urban sightseeing in Europe, I'd go ahead and take it with me, but keep it in a VERY secure place (inner pocket, money belt, etc.), and leave a photocopy of it in my cabin. For a beach stop in the Caribbean, or in Alaska (where you're in the US the whole time), I'd take the photocopy with me, and leave the original passport on board; take my driver's license for ID; and be darn sure to make it back to the ship in time for sailaway. But I think everyone has to make this call for themselves.

 

In any event, it's a good idea to make two photocopies of your passport and leave one in your cabin (or take it with you if you leave the original), and the other with a friend or relative at home.