Lindsay1982 Posted January 14, 2009 #1 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I will be going on my first cruise 2/7-2/12/09 on the Carnival Fantasy. I do not have a major credit card, I only have a debit card. Do they freeze a certain amount on your card if you use your debit card? Or, should I just pay with cash and be notified before I run out? Also, I have been told that on the first day they will automatically take $120 for gratuities? I am very confused about that. Lastly, how can I find out how many nights we need to be dressed up (semi-formal) for dinner. Also, is a jacket necessary for men? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie05 Posted January 14, 2009 #2 Share Posted January 14, 2009 You will have a great time on the Fantasy. A five night cruise should have one formal night. There are lots of caper links available - it will be 2nd night on ship, first day at sea. So if there are only 2 people in your cabin then your tips will be $100. Why not put cash down if you are worried about your debit card? We just sailed 1-1 / 1-5 and had a great time. I think here is a link for last year - same date. http://www.zydecocruiser.com/Blog_2009/Index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VolzCruiser Posted January 14, 2009 #3 Share Posted January 14, 2009 If you use a Debit card yes they will hold a certain amount, I think it is like $300. If you perfer to use cash they will be glad to do that as well. There is at least one ATM on the ship but it has a tendency to run out of cash near the end of the cruise so you might want to think about that ahead of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted January 14, 2009 #4 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I always recommend that if someone is not using a credit card...that they simply put down cash. The holds on a debit card can get "interesting" depending on the bank..... and to avoid any of that confusion....I would just used cash. I am assuming that it will be you and another person in the cabin....so your tips will be $50.00 each for the entire cruise....total $100.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmorg Posted January 14, 2009 #5 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Might be a silly question, but don't most of the debit cards also work as a credit card? Mine can go either way, so I thought that was standard. If you use the debit/credit, maybe they run it through as debit and hold out a certain amount regardless? Our friends were just asking us about this, for their upcoming cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted January 14, 2009 #6 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Might be a silly question, but don't most of the debit cards also work as a credit card? Mine can go either way, so I thought that was standard. If you use the debit/credit, maybe they run it through as debit and hold out a certain amount regardless? Our friends were just asking us about this, for their upcoming cruise. Unfortunately I have no personal experience with "debit cards". The "difference" however that I have read about on these boards is that if you use your "debit card" ..... you are opening up your checking account to a depth of exposure that I would not be comfortable with. For example: If you go over your limit on a credit card (because of the hold), you pay a one time fee. If you use a debit card and over draw your checking account....(because of the holds) then you could potentially have checks bouncing which causes all kinds of headaches AND additional fees. I just would not want my checking account "exposed" like that....if I am understanding it correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay1982 Posted January 16, 2009 Author #7 Share Posted January 16, 2009 You will have a great time on the Fantasy. A five night cruise should have one formal night. There are lots of caper links available - it will be 2nd night on ship, first day at sea. So if there are only 2 people in your cabin then your tips will be $100. Why not put cash down if you are worried about your debit card? We just sailed 1-1 / 1-5 and had a great time. I think here is a link for last year - same date. http://www.zydecocruiser.com/Blog_2009/Index.htm what is a caper link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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