Question about pp holds on credit card

[grannynurse]

Has HAL increased the per person credit card hold? This summer it was $50 pp/per day and $10 for gratuities making a total of $60 pp. I've been seeing several posts that say $70. Does anyone know for sure. If not I'll ask my TA but I kind of think that you all know something that I don't know.
Thanks
GN

[WindyCity]

I think the way HAL's site expresses it is confusing. It states there is a $60 per day pp hold on credit card and then later mentions the $10/pp/per day gratuity so I think a lot of people assume it is above and beyond the $60 - I am counting it as $70 so that I am prepared.

[localady]

All I can say is thank goodness for my American Express card!!:) As it has no limits if you have previously demonstrated an ability to pay. I use it on ship so that none of my other funds (especially my ATM card) get tied up. I personally think that a 70$ a day hold is ridiculous, for our 10 day cruise it will be a hold of $1400!!! We have never spent that much per day as we book our excursions ahead of time and don't drink much. With the AMEX I can enjoy my cruise and not freak about HAL putting a 1400$ hold on my ATM, which around Christmas time could be a disaster!:eek: :cool:

[elmorejj]

I know what you mean! On our 21 day repo cruise, they put a $2500 hold, and we had prepaid all of our tours, drinks for the room, wine for dinner etc and we were still paying tips the old way. I also am glad I use AMEX.....jean :cool:

[iluvcruzin]

I highly recommend bringing 2 credit cards for just-in-case. I saw many people at the front desk trying to settle mistakes made by their credit card company (including American Express which is one I use). Even though it was approved at check-in, part way through the cruise passengers were notified there were issues with their credit card. Better to be safe than be sorry.

Note - they wouldn't allow the passengers to call their credit card company from the ship to find out what the problems were. I felt sorry for Senior passengers who were having a hard time figuring out what was wrong and didn't have another card or cash.

[lknick]

For a recent discussion, see http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=100085

[ekerr19]

We just got back from a med cruise on the Noordam - I looked up my credit card statement while I was on board - only $480 was being held - and it should have been $540, I was surprised because it wasn't $50 and it wasn't $60 - I had no other outstanding authorizations as I had not used the card til we boarded... it equaled $53.33 per day - go figure...

The next time I checked, the $480 was released by the credit card company.

[Ziggy7]

they put a $70.00 hold on our card, per person! $140.00 a day! :)

[Toad]

This will be my 5th cruise with HAL. Am I just clueless..... can someone tell me what this is all about? HAL puts a "hold" on my credit card? What are we talking about here? Could someone please explain.

[ekerr19]

Toad-

HAL will ask you to "register" a credit card upon embarkation for the purpose of "charging" onboard items to your cabin. The amount they will "pre-authorize" is $60-$70, per person, each day. Example: 10-day Caribbean cruise = $700 per person "pre-authorized" or "held" against the available credit on the card you register. The final amount is settled the day of disembarkation, after all your cabin charges have been tallied. If you choose not to register your card, you will be required to submit some form of payment, ie.. traveler's checks or cash, at the rate of either $70 or $60, per person per day.

[kirkc]

Said it once and I'll say it again...

If $60 or $70 a day is a stretch for you...you have no business on this type of a cruise!

Not a popular sentiment I know, but still very true.

[Toad]

Thanks for clearing things up, I guess I have always just registered the credit card and not thought much about it from there...... I did not realize they were holding a certain amount per day until the end.

[grannynurse]

I was not asking for a comment on the status of my finances, I was only asking if HAL's policy had changed.
That is the kind of response that generates resentment on this board. Was it necessary to be unkind?
Grannynurse

[kygal]

If $60 or $70 a day is a stretch for you...you have no business on this type of a cruise!
I am wondering just "what" type of cruise this is..I will also be on one of "these" cruises..I choose NOT to charge my vacation...and I will pay them the $60-$70 in travelers checks...for a 15 day cruise !
Grannynurse.. I agree..there is no sense being unkind! I have found many friendly and helpful people on this board..and was just shocked when I read this post :(
I hope you have a great cruise..:)
~kygal:)

[grannynurse]

We just got off a 34 day transatlantic in July, We're not worried about an extra $10 pp per day. You are the first person that I've encountered on this board in 18 months that has really made me realize how some people enjoy sniping at others. It is totally unnecessary to make hurtful comments. Opinions are welcomed but not taunts demonstrating superior status.
Since I don't know you, i'll try to consider that perhaps I misinterpreted your remark and that it was not personal.
GN

[jhannah]

And besides ... I don't see the issue as being the money itself. I truly believe most of us book a cruise knowing full well what it will cost us. The issue is the hold on the card vis-a-vis one's revolving credit line. Knowing of this hold amount is important to save embarassment to someone whose card is almost maxed out and they arrive at the pier only to be told their credit/debit card company has denied the hold. At that point, it's either pony up the cash or go back home.

[lknick]

The comment may be condescending but I fail to see what way it is unkind.

This board is populated by people who can't afford dress clothes, who complain violently about the cost of drinks and think they should be allowed to drag their 2 liter bottles of Sam's Club cola on board, etc. So maybe the comment was on point.

I have been told by my lady more than once when I grumble about costs that "If you can't afford it, don't do it."

[grannynurse]

I wasn't grumbling about costs, only asking about changes.
I have seen the lines at the front desk with people banging on the counter disputing charges. I agree with you over those points.
I just don't like being second-guessed over my motive for asking a question.
GN

[marybeach]

I don't claim to be an internet geek, however, I do have access to look up my credit cards and checking accounts online. Even when I go to Wal-mart, they post a temp hold if I check my accounts online after a day of shopping. Same is true of gas station swipes. They put $1 on hold and then it gets processed for the full amount sometimes that night and sometimes over the weekend if I buy gas on Saturday. Hotels do the same thing when you check in, often holding the room charge and an additional night until you check out for incidentals, i.e., the restaurant or room service. I just don't carry much cash, for several reasons. The temporary hold is not charged to your account, they are just verifying that you have the ability to charge that amount. I know that a lot of people purposely keep low limits, for emergencies only.

Here is a suggestion: maybe call your credit card company and ask for a higher limit for this purpose, then have them drop it back after you come home. They will often do that. Ten days probably means no more than $700 per person, or $1,400. I'd rather do that an carry cash or lots of traveller's checks (which can get misplaced also). If you give them that much cash, it is cash they are holding. The authorization is just that. It is not an immediate charge. However, it will effect the ability to go over the amount if you make any purchases ashore.

This comes from someone who had her purse stolen in Paris some twenty years ago, just after arriving...all cash, traveller's checks, and credit cards, gone.... long story ...

Sorry I got windy, but, this has been an issue for me since that incident years ago....

[lknick]

Granny--I agree. Your question was straight forward.

Credit card holds are complicated and policy varies between card issuers as to the length of time the hold is left on. Don't forget that Mastercard and Visa are franchises purchased by the issuing bank so you cannot say there is a universal hold policy for these credit cards.

My understanding is that the hold is $70 pp per day in the Caribbean as HAL has been hurt on these itineraries more than other regions, and $60 on other itineraries.

[iluvcruzin]

Grannynurse.. I can see your consern if traveling for a month or more. This is why many use a CC without a limit like American Express. It is wise to call the credit card company to let them know there will be a lot of activity against the card so they don't become suspicious and freeze the card if you plan on making purchase onshore with the same card.

As far as the kirkc's comment. I have to laugh at that. HAL's clientel is not any different than the other lines as far as the average-joe cruiser. To think otherwise is hillarious. I found out many things posted on this board turned out to be more of a "dream like" situation than reality. Whatever "this type of cruise" is.. could just a figment of one's imagination.

[grannynurse]

Actually, I wasn't concerned about us, this is only an 11 day cruise, but my daughter and DIL are going with us and paying their own expenses on board and I wanted to alert them as to what to have available. I had told them $60 pp per day and suddenly I was seeing $70 and hadn't heard that HAL had changed the amount.
Thanks for your advice.
GN

[DFD1]

Grannynurse: I talked with a HAL employee in customer service a few days ago. She advised me that the total hold was $70.00 per person per day.( $l0 for tips, $60 for expected shipboard charges.)

Yours was a reasonable question. I know you weren't grumbling and I'm sure your finances are in superb condition. I wish mine were as good. LOL. Cheers!

[ruthiegirl]

Lighten up its a vacation not the budget deficit