On Board Account

[mps69]

We are sailing on the Mariner of the Seas in early November and getting well excited about it. However I do have a little bit of a concern. Last year we sailed transatlantic on the Splendour and when we “checked in” we were asked to supply a credit card for our on board account. When I told them I didn’t have one this caused no end of problems for the young guy. I ended up uses my father in laws card, but asked if we could settle the account in cash. After a lot of humming and hawing they allowed this to happen, later while on the cruise they really messed up the account and the credit card had both mine and my father in laws purchases added to it.
After all this rambling, my question is do we really have to supply a credit card. I’m the kinda of person who likes to deal with cash only.
Thanks for any advice
Billy Steen

[mps69]

We are sailing on the Mariner of the Seas in early November and getting well excited about it. However I do have a little bit of a concern. Last year we sailed transatlantic on the Splendour and when we “checked in” we were asked to supply a credit card for our on board account. When I told them I didn’t have one this caused no end of problems for the young guy. I ended up uses my father in laws card, but asked if we could settle the account in cash. After a lot of humming and hawing they allowed this to happen, later while on the cruise they really messed up the account and the credit card had both mine and my father in laws purchases added to it.
After all this rambling, my question is do we really have to supply a credit card. I’m the kinda of person who likes to deal with cash only.
Thanks for any advice
Billy Steen

[Raoul Fiebig]

Hi Billy,

I'm with you regarding credit cards, and here in Europe few people have them. I usually use cash in my everyday life, but then if you do travel a lot, a credit card is the way to go.

Many cruise lines ask for a deposit from passengers who would like to settle their onboard account using cash or traveler's checks (a good alternative to cash as stolen traveler's checks will be replaced) and a credit card is much more convenient. I really don't like to carry large amounts of cash around in surroundings I am not familiar with (e.g. getting to the ship).

So, while I do agree with you that in everyday life you can get along very well without a credit card, you might want to consider getting one for "use on vacation".

Just my humble opinion, though.

[sie625]

I think that everyone should HAVE a credit card, even if you never use it. From traveling in general, and renting cars, and things like that. I use my credit card a decent amount, although i have never paid interest, i just pay it off every month.

That way, you can leave a credit card with them, then just settle with cash at the end of the cruise, also, if you get the RCCL credit card, and use it, so long as you know you can pay it off right away, DOUBLE POINTS.

But i would say just have one with you, but pay cash.

Steve

[Oggy Boy]

I just ordered a business checking debit card and keep a good amount of cash in the account when I travel. This seems to meet all of my needs including being able to access cash anywhere in the local currency from an ATM machine.

Just a thought, but it might make more sense to do this rather than a credit card if you want to pay cash.

Have a great cruise!

Tom

[Karen Knowlton]

I remember one cruise I was on, and a fellow passenger wanted to pay their bill in cash. The cruise line insisted they leave a cash deposit of $500 minimum! With a credit card, they would not have kept that large amount upfront. Perhaps the debit card is a good compromise.

[sie625]

A debit card is a great idea, although if you are going to pay in cash you may run into a problem. I think that with a debit card they check to see that you have a certain amount in your account(im probably totally wrong however, anyone know??) If this happens, you have to make sure you have that amount in your account, and then still carry that much cash with you if you still want to pay in cash. Just a thought, and the atm card is great for getting local currency, as Tom said.