has anyone used 'cash onboard' option instead of cc

[socal4me]

I am not sure which credit card I wanted to list when completing the online check-in, I called HAL and the representative told me I could choose 'cash onboard' as an option and then when I get to port I can give them the card I would like to use.

My question is: has anyone used the 'cash onboard' option? if so, how does it work? I just read the other thread on how the cc hold works, so thank you to all of you knowledgable cc'ers in advance.

[RevNeal]

I am not sure which credit card I wanted to list when completing the online check-in, I called HAL and the representative told me I could choose 'cash onboard' as an option and then when I get to port I can give them the card I would like to use.

My question is: has anyone used the 'cash onboard' option? if so, how does it work? I just read the other thread on how the cc hold works, so thank you to all of you knowledgable cc'ers in advance.

 

I have used the "Cash Onboard" option on several occasions. When I check in and they ask for the credit card, I simply respond that I'm settling my account via cash aboard ship. After I'm aboard and, once things quiet down at the front desk (later in the evening of the first day aboard) I go to the front desk and make a cash deposit with them equal to the $60 pp/pd figure that they normally place as a hold on a card. If I find I'm getting close to that amount later on in the cruise, I'll go to the front desk and make a further deposit.

[photomikey]

the representative told me I could choose 'cash onboard' as an option and then when I get to port I can give them the card I would like to use.

You're essentially telling them for pre-registration that you'll pay cash when you come aboard, but when you get to the pier, you change your mind and register a credit card.

 

Personally, I don't get my credit card out at the grocery store when I arrive, I get it out when I'm in the checkout lane. Likewise, on a cruise ship, I don't give them my credit card three months ahead of time - I give it to them when I board. I realize there is a very small chance of anything going awry when I register my credit card online, but if I *don't* register my credit card online, that chance turns to zero.

 

To answer your question, this is how we always take care of things, and we've never had a problem.

[CoolChile]

You're essentially telling them for pre-registration that you'll pay cash when you come aboard, but when you get to the pier, you change your mind and register a credit card.

 

Personally, I don't get my credit card out at the grocery store when I arrive, I get it out when I'm in the checkout lane. Likewise, on a cruise ship, I don't give them my credit card three months ahead of time - I give it to them when I board. I realize there is a very small chance of anything going awry when I register my credit card online, but if I *don't* register my credit card online, that chance turns to zero.

 

It's all about reducing risk. I don't even give them my card at the pier, I do it on board. No problem.

[Juanita462]

Thanks for the tips - we always put down cash and give our credit card at the pier - but you are right, why not wait until onboard. I have spoken to people who have not given cash deposits in the amount of $60 per day and they have been told that is ok and to top up what they deposit when necessary.

 

Having watched a program yesterday on computer hacking and the stealing of credit card info I realize that we have to be even more careful. I don't even like our travel agency keeping our card no. on file.

 

do any of you ask them to delete your CC number from your file?

[Comptech]

Rev, That is a lot of cash to carry, I typically don't bring but about 50 per day for my wife and I to spend in the shops or casinos. I guess you probably use travelers cheques....

 

I have used the "Cash Onboard" option on several occasions. When I check in and they ask for the credit card, I simply respond that I'm settling my account via cash aboard ship. After I'm aboard and, once things quiet down at the front desk (later in the evening of the first day aboard) I go to the front desk and make a cash deposit with them equal to the $60 pp/pd figure that they normally place as a hold on a card. If I find I'm getting close to that amount later on in the cruise, I'll go to the front desk and make a further deposit.

[djhsolara]

I have found it to work two ways. We have used cash onboard for all three of our sailings. On the first sailing on Westerdam, once we were onboard we went to the desk and they asked for $250 cash to be put down. We ended up settling the final bill via debit card because then there would be no hold placed, just the charge.

 

On the second Westerdam sailing, when we went to the desk it was requested that we put down $60 per person per day, which we had along for that purpose. We did this, but then settled the difference (because we usually go a bit over this amount) via debit card as well.

 

The cash option works for us because we do not want to have a hold placed on our debit cards (we do not use credit cards).

 

I don't know if they have just gotten more strict or if it just depends on who helps you at the desk (re: the difference from one year on Westerdam to the next year on Westerdam)...but no matter what, the cash option works best for us and we have not had a problem with it.

 

I hope this helps...and I'd be happy to answer further if I can...

[RevNeal]

Thanks for the tips - we always put down cash and give our credit card at the pier - but you are right, why not wait until onboard. I have spoken to people who have not given cash deposits in the amount of $60 per day and they have been told that is ok and to top up what they deposit when necessary.

 

You CAN get away with not putting down a deposit equal to the $60 pp/pd figure, but only if what you deposit is a still a significant amount of money. For instance ... on an Hawaii cruise (15 days) I deposited just $600 upon boarding. I had to add an additional $90 toward the end of the cruise to cover the last of my account. One of the things that I do when settling on a cash-basis is I check my account every 2 or 3 days, just to make sure I'm "on track." If I see myself come within $100 of my total deposit (and it's not the last day of the cruise) I always add a little more.

[RevNeal]

Rev, That is a lot of cash to carry, I typically don't bring but about 50 per day for my wife and I to spend in the shops or casinos. I guess you probably use travelers cheques....

 

If covering my onboard account with a credit card (as I did this summer on the Eurodam Inaugurals) I usually bring just a few hundred dollars in cash for shore excursion purchases, cash tips, pre/post cruise expenses, etc., and I'll use ATMs for currency exchange.

 

If I'm settling my onboard account in cash, which is what I did most of the time until about 5 years ago, I bring the funds for my onboard account deposit in the form of Travelers Checks and I bring a few hundred extra in cash "just in case."

[RevNeal]

The cash option works for us because we do not want to have a hold placed on our debit cards (we do not use credit cards).

 

I don't know if they have just gotten more strict or if it just depends on who helps you at the desk (re: the difference from one year on Westerdam to the next year on Westerdam)...but no matter what, the cash option works best for us and we have not had a problem with it.

 

Whatever works for you in settling your account is what's best for you. Please, don't let anyone berate you for not using a credit card, nor should anyone suggest that deciding to settle in cash means that one shouldn't be cruising. People simply have different reasons for dealing with money the way they do, and all should work it however works for them. And the Line WILL work with you to ensure that they get their money. :)

[richwmn]

Don't forget you can also "gift" yourself with an onboard credit. This can be paid in advance with Credit Card, Debit Card or you can send a check or Money Order. This will be on you account when you board. I did this on my last cruise, and everything went just fine.

Rich

[RevNeal]

Don't forget you can also "gift" yourself with an onboard credit. This can be paid in advance with Credit Card, Debit Card or you can send a check or Money Order. This will be on you account when you board. I did this on my last cruise, and everything went just fine.

Rich

 

Excellent tip! Thanks! Yes, it's a nice way to reduce the "hit" at the end of the cruise. My congregations have always been very generous with me and have posted gift amounts to my onboard accounts before the last several cruises. I've also "gifted myself" on several occasions so-as to reduce the amount I have to pay at the end.

 

Which reminds me that I need to make some deposits to my mother's accounts for our Alaska Cruises next May. :) I want her to not have to worry about her onboard expenses. She made me promise to let her put her onboard expenses on her own credit card ... so, I will. But I'm going to fund her account pretty much all the way with pre-deposits. ;)

[UtterCaro]

Don't forget you can also "gift" yourself with an onboard credit. This can be paid in advance with Credit Card, Debit Card or you can send a check or Money Order. This will be on you account when you board. I did this on my last cruise, and everything went just fine.

Rich

 

That's what I do, and also haven't had any problems. It's especially nice because I don't have to add sticker shock to my disembarkation woes. ;)

 

Caro

[richwmn]

That's what I do, and also haven't had any problems. It's especially nice because I don't have to add sticker shock to my disembarkation woes. ;)

 

Caro

It was also nice to get enough money back on the last day to pay my expenses to drive home.

 

Rich

[cms2001]

I always use cash instead of a credit card. I plan on having the required $60/day to give to the front desk when I board. However, if you do not spend all of the money you deposited, you have to be in line at 6 am the last morning of the cruise to get your money back. They will not settle your account the evening before.

[airlink diva]

You CAN get away with not putting down a deposit equal to the $60 pp/pd figure, but only if what you deposit is a still a significant amount of money. For instance ... on an Hawaii cruise (15 days) I deposited just $600 upon boarding. I had to add an additional $90 toward the end of the cruise to cover the last of my account. One of the things that I do when settling on a cash-basis is I check my account every 2 or 3 days, just to make sure I'm "on track." If I see myself come within $100 of my total deposit (and it's not the last day of the cruise) I always add a little more.

I did this on the Maasdam. I deposit $700 for my 14 day cruise. My major purchase was the themal spa pass for the cruise and I purchased a memory card for my camera. I also purchased four drinks in the Crow's Nest, a bottle of rum in the gift shop and some internet time to check on flights.

I checked on my account every four days. I didn't spend all of my money that I placed on my account. In fact, the front desk called me to come by to cash out. It was a very simple process, I verified that the amount was correct and they gave me cash. I went down to the front desk around 7:30 a.m. to do this.

I didn't placed $60 per day on my account. When I checked in, the lady processing imformed me that I had to bring it to this amount, but I didn't

[RevNeal]

I didn't placed $60 per day on my account. When I checked in, the lady processing imformed me that I had to bring it to this amount, but I didn't

 

Oh, they will often try to tell you that, but when you go to the front desk you simply tell them that you don't intend to be spending that much (no shore excursions to buy or anything like that). if most of your purchases involve a few drinks during the evenings, a spa treatment of some kind, a bottle of wine or two, and a few internet minutes (or a package), you're probably not going to get close to the $60 pp/pd figure even after the gratuities are tacked on. If you've cruised before and you know about what you spend, use that as your basis and if they question you on it, tell them it's what you generally spend for that number of days. IF you find yourself getting close to it, or if you think you're going to do so before the end of the cruise, make sure you deposit more. They may not contact you until after you've run out of funds, and that can sometimes be embarrassing.

 

Personally, I find that pp/pd figure a good rule of thumb. I usually spend close to it, but don't normally go over unless I'm having to buy extra shore excursions (for whatever reason).