Credit card Authorization

[Sueseb]

We have ust received our documentation for a 3/26 cruise on the Zaandam. In reading the booklet it says that our credit card will be pre-authorized for $60.00 per person per day. Fine. But, when you read the form it says "that your card will be charged for purchases PLUS $60..00 per day per person for the remaining days of the cruise.
I know that some days we will spend much more than $60.00 when we book tours etc. but somehow there seems to be something wrong with this picture.
I would appreciate anyone else's thoughts or explanation.
Thanks,
Sue

[Stevesan]

We have ust received our documentation for a 3/26 cruise on the Zaandam. In reading the booklet it says that our credit card will be pre-authorized for $60.00 per person per day. Fine. But, when you read the form it says "that your card will be charged for purchases PLUS $60..00 per day per person for the remaining days of the cruise.
I know that some days we will spend much more than $60.00 when we book tours etc. but somehow there seems to be something wrong with this picture.
I would appreciate anyone else's thoughts or explanation.
Thanks,
Sue

As I read the statement above, if we assume a six day cruise w/two people on the same card, on day one your card will have a hold for 2X60X10= 1200. If after day two you had accrued $100 in total charges, you're new charges plus remaining hold would be: 100+(2X60X8)= 1060.

[Sueseb]

Steve,
Thanks for replying but I think you misunderstood what the form says. It says nothing about subtracting your purchases from the preapproved amount but says" that you card will be charged for purchases PLUS $60.00 per day per person" for each day remaining on the cruise. This is what I am having trouble understanding.

[dakrewser]

You card isn't "charged" the $60/day - a hold is placed in that amount (just as at any other hotel). It does reduce the amount of funds available to you, but Stevesan's explanation covers what's actually happening.

[Ziggy7]

You card isn't "charged" the $60/day - a hold is placed in that amount (just as at any other hotel). It does reduce the amount of funds available to you, but Stevesan's explanation covers what's actually happening.Yep Dave is right, your card will not actually be charged till the day before the last day of your cruise, but they will put a hold on your card daily. :) So if you plan on using that card on shore make sure you have enough funds including the 60.00 daily holds :)

[Sueseb]

Sorry, but I don't think I am stupid and we have cruised many times before and certainly comprehend the hold on our credit card. Does any one really read the documentation prior to signing it? It says "you will be charged for purchases "PLUS" $60.00 per day per person for the remaining days of the cruise." Now, that doesn't sound like they will be deducting your purchases from the aforementioned preapproved amount on the credit card. Please again tell me what I am missing.

[K&RCurt]

Regardless of what it SAYS the actual charge doesn't take place until the end of the cruise. As a matter of fact, I check my CC activities on line and the charges for our Westerdam cruise which ended on 1/30/05 didn't show up until 2/3/05 yet the hold was lifted on 1/30.

And actually I believe with the new tipping policy the preauthorization is now $70.00 / day...$60.00 / day + $10.00/day for gratuities.

[jhannah]

Sueseb, Stevesan answered your question exactly. Maybe it just hasn't clicked with you yet ... but there's not much other way to put it.

[Sueseb]

Thanks to those who replied to my query. I still dislike the wording of the form which we must sign. HAL needs a new technical writer!

[CDRMark]

You are right, the wording is incorrect as applied in fact. It works out in the wash.
Cheers
MarkB

[southern_yarddog]

Thanks to those who replied to my query. I still dislike the wording of the form which we must sign. HAL needs a new technical writer!

I am like you on this deal. The first time I just gave them cash. the 2nd year I had them to explain it to me and they put it just the way these have on here. So I don't mind giving them my credit card now. There is nothing on your statement but whet you have bought. they don't add anything that you don't know about. I was looking over it again this year. still afraid to sign it but I do anyways..lol:rolleyes: . Yall have a good day and we will see ya in 7 weeks:D

[Stevesan]

FYI For first time cruisers: you can stop by the front desk at any time during the cruise and obtain a print out of your "to date" charges. However, that's really not necessary unless you have a doubt about a charge. The purser's staff distributes a preliminary copy on the next to last night, providing enough time to review and make any corrections.

[BF_Philly]

I'll be going on my first cruise in Feb06. Does every cruise line have the same policy?? I will be cruising with Carnival 7 days. How much available credit will I need on my card?

[dakrewser]

I'll be going on my first cruise in Feb06. Does every cruise line have the same policy?? I will be cruising with Carnival 7 days. How much available credit will I need on my card?

Just about every hotel has this policy. A cruise ship is just a hotel that moves every night while you're asleep! :rolleyes:

I don't know what hold Carnival places (HAL appears to be onne of the few organizations that publicize this practice), you might check with that line directly.

[Ziggy7]

I'll be going on my first cruise in Feb06. Does every cruise line have the same policy?? I will be cruising with Carnival 7 days. How much available credit will I need on my card?Yes, when we were on RCCL, they had the same policy. And if Holand has it I'm sure Carnival will too :)

[c4me]

My husband and I will be sailing on 3-06-05, we've not yet received our documents, and we are a little confused about the amount of money they charge on our credit card, would someone please enlighten us as to just how much we are to expect to be charged for tipping on a 7 night cruise, I've read a few threads that said 10.00 per day per person, and other threads that says 30.00 per day per person?????

[Ziggy7]

My husband and I will be sailing on 3-06-05, we've not yet received our documents, and we are a little confused about the amount of money they charge on our credit card, would someone please enlighten us as to just how much we are to expect to be charged for tipping on a 7 night cruise, I've read a few threads that said 10.00 per day per person, and other threads that says 30.00 per day per person?????They will charge at the end of your cruise 10.00 a day per person for tips plus any shipboard charges, but they will put a daily hold amount of 60.00 a day on your credit card, its not a charge it a hold.:) Hope this helps :)

[dinscoe68]

I know they charge gratuities for children, but is there an automatic hold of $60 for them as well? My 10 yo will not be given a card to wander about aimlessly purchasing/charging items to our account and I really hate to have that much more of a hold on our funds. We haven't decided whether or not to use a debit or credit card for that. Thanks for your reply!

[ekerr19]

I know they charge gratuities for children, but is there an automatic hold of $60 for them as well? My 10 yo will not be given a card to wander about aimlessly purchasing/charging items to our account and I really hate to have that much more of a hold on our funds. We haven't decided whether or not to use a debit or credit card for that. Thanks for your reply!

You do not have to allow your children the ability to charge to the shipboard account. We have found that they are able to charge small things to their cards - such as sodas or smoothies and candy from the shops.

My understanding is the gratuities are charged for all pax in the cabin - while you may not need to have this amount "pre-authorized" for your children, you should be prepared to pay it in the end.

If you choose to allow your child to charge to the shipboard account, $60 per day will be "pre-authorized" against your credit card for them.

You may want to check with your credit card company before deciding which card to use. One of our platinum cards releases any holds after 48 hours if the charge has not been submitted.

Hope this helps. :)

[JaniceB]

Thank you for asking the question. I agree that it is a confusing statement. I am just glad that I now understand how it works.

[dinscoe68]

Okay, so let me make sure I understand. If we don't have a shipboard card given to my child, only for myself and DH, that is all that they will put the hold on. Of course, in addition to the gratuities for the 3 of us, which I am fine with.

Is that right?

[ekerr19]

Okay, so let me make sure I understand. If we don't have a shipboard card given to my child, only for myself and DH, that is all that they will put the hold on. Of course, in addition to the gratuities for the 3 of us, which I am fine with.

Is that right?

Yes, that is correct. You child will have a ship card - this is used for ID purposes onboard as well as getting on and off the ship in ports. Your child may be able to charge up about $20 - $25 dollars on his/her card anyway, so make sure they are aware of that and let them know if it's ok with you or not.

Our kids found out from some other kids they could do this (and I didn't really have a problem with it) but I prefer being with my child if he/she was purchasing anything. Now that my son is 16, I don't worry so much.

We authorized our kids to charge on one occasion and our (then 14 yr old) son placed phone calls to his friends at home from his cabin. Ever since then, if they want something - they must ask us. :)

[dinscoe68]

Thanks a bunch!! I, too, want to be with my child when he purchases something. I don't plan on him being alone out on the ship since he is only 10 so there wouldn't be a need for him to charge anything.

[traveler111]

Know this is an old thread but have question. In the "Know before you go" booklet it says: Please inform your credit or debit card issuer in advance that your card will be used on a Holland America ship.

Do people actually do this? Have never called a credit card co. in similar situations. :)

[kimothy]

I think the reason HAL recommends you do that is so your credit card company doesn't place a security alert on your card because of "unusual activity."

The first time I travelled to NYC, after shopping for one day my Bank of America card had a "fraud alert"....was I surprised when I tried to use it the next day. I called the BofA, and after I verified who I was and that I was the person using the card, they cleared it. When my husband and I travelled outside the USA for the first time I made sure to call & let them know, and they put a note in my file. We subsequently didn't have any problems. Since I've been in a job now for awhile that requires regular travel, and my husband & I travel frequently for pleasure, I don't have to alert them anymore.

So, in summary, if you don't travel a lot, I'd recommend you contact the CC company in advance. Hope this helps!

[twinkletoes4445]

Know this is an old thread but have question. In the "Know before you go" booklet it says: Please inform your credit or debit card issuer in advance that your card will be used on a Holland America ship.

Do people actually do this? Have never called a credit card co. in similar situations. :)

We always notify our CC's when we are going to be on vacation...especially when we are out of the country. I never know how much I will spend, and I don't want them shutting me down (hubby would probably prefer they did). I suppose if you have a problem, you could call them (when and if it was denied).

[Navy_Chief]

When in doubt about something on a HAL Document, just call them. I'm sure they will answer your question.

With regard to shipboard accounts, I just apply Traveler's Checks when I get aboard in the amount I think I will spend. I don't use a Credit Card. I usually track daily receipts before I turn in at night just to track the balance. Of course, the crew will tell me if I need to apply more. It doesn't cut you off on the spot, but the crew will remind you. With regards to shore excursions, I generally pre-book them before we get on board. That way I don't have to worry about them later.:)

[trubey]

Besides credit cards, you might want to alert your long distance telephone card provider (the kind that charges calls to your home phone) if you will be out of the country. One time, our card was cancelled with a "fraud alert". When we got back they insisted that they had done this on our behalf and had really tried to contact us—too dumb to understand why we didn't answer their calls. susana.

[dakrewser]

Besides credit cards, you might want to alert your long distance telephone card provider (the kind that charges calls to your home phone) if you will be out of the country. One time, our card was cancelled with a "fraud alert". When we got back they insisted that they had done this on our behalf and had really tried to contact us—too dumb to understand why we didn't answer their calls. susana.

American Express did that to us some years ago, also. We were in Casablanca and making a substantial purchase in carpets. The charge was denied and when I called Amex they explained that they tried to contact us at the phone number listed on the acct, but "nobody answered"! We later got a lovely apology from them....

[peaches from georgia]

Same thing happened to us with AMEX when we tried to charge a large $$ amount in Mexico. There had been no problem at all in any of the Eastern Carib ports with the card until we got to Cozumel. We just used our MasterCard, but there was an answering machine message from AMEX when we got home telling us to call them if we really were in Mexico and they would approve the charge of course. Go figure.

I did call them and they said Mexico is a terrific problem with the use of fraudulent cards. I realize they are protecting us, but... I now call beforehand whenever we are going out of the country or even on a long U.S. trip.

[ekerr19]

I did call them and they said Mexico is a terrific problem with the use of fraudulent cards.

The same thing just happened to us, though we weren't in Mexico.... when I contacted Amex and MBNA I was told that they are really stepping up trying to prevent international fraud -

I was even warned by my bank (Wells Fargo) as I was getting cash to take with us on the 2/22 Noordam cruise, but really didn't think much of it as we'd never had a probelm.

I would urge anyone traveling to Mexico to contact their credit card issuer and advise of upcoming travel - I've heard it from the three I spoke with... :confused:

[AAAAmerican]

One of the best methods to help stop abuses are by calling the cc firms and alerting them where and when your going so that advis they know if any major purchases occur.. some firms as Discover Card a Morgan Stanley Firm...will give you special PIN Number(s) for those dates too to use so they know it is you doing the purchases...

Western Union a divison of First DATA HQ in CO now also has may methoids to help stop abuses... Western Union will be having an IPO soon.:D

Mexico is on everyones watch lists.... they have always not done well in security... but that too may be a very cultural thing...:eek:

[grannynurse]

I started calling my credit card company when we began our longer trips and have been doing it ever since. They usually ask us how long we'll be gone and where we are going. On board charges show up as "HAL Seattle". On shore charges appear as they would if you made a purchase anywhere; therefore we tell them that we'll be using the card on board a HAL ship, and how long we'll be out of the country.

I was surprised that when we got home after 35 days at sea the card had not been charged. It wasn't until we'd been home over a week. This is not the norm, however. It just took that long to show up on our account.

In my experience, $10 pp/pd is held for "tips and gratuities" and $50 pp/pd for other charges. As an example, we made sure that we had enough available to cover the duration of the voyage, and even set that card aside for "HAL charges" only.
35 days is way too long to try to keep track of. HAL gave us several mid-cruise statements and would have provided more if we asked. There was only one small error in 35 days.

Each person in a cabin is assigned a passenger number. 1,2, 3 etc. The charges are broken down by the pax number which appears on your card, and each passenger gets a separate listing of charges included in the statement. You will see this number designation when you do your online immigration form or book shore excursions online.
One suggestion, however, make sure you add the total charges of each passenger when you're checking your account, or you may get an unpleasant surprise later. Also, if you just tell them your cabin number, as in a lounge, and don't hand over the card, tell them your pax number. It matters to some people who charges what, especially if you're not using the same charge card but traveling together in the same cabin.
GN

[raadsel]

One more question about charging privileges for children. My two children will be 16 and 21. Since my son is 21 (though a student), I'm assuming that I will not have the option to not allow him to charge? Does anyone know if there is an age limit where the child is considered an "adult" as far as charging privileges and such?

[pmenefee]

Sorry, not that I'm really worried about HAL not letting me spend money on board, but would someone in slightly different terms explain the "hold" on your CC?
Do you mean HAL is reserving $60 of my spending limit on the CC?
Do you mean that HAL is capping my spending at $60 for the day on my CC?

As long as I have plenty of credit available on the CC this should create no problem, right? In other words HAL doesn't want my card to go over the limit while I'm on board so they have the CC company reserve that much of my limit up front and release the unused amount when I get off..........right?

So if your CC limit is low, this could impact your spending on land, but if it is high, then it should have no effect.

Sorry for the stupidity, but the wording had me confused.

Pete

[walnut99]

Pete,

You are right. HAL wants to insure that your card has a sufficient limit to pay for your charges on HAL. They will not limit you to 60.00 per day. They just want to make sure that at least 60.00 per day is available to them.

John

[raadsel]

My understanding is that it is not that HAL expects you to spend in the $60 range everyday, more that they have found that to be a good average that will cover all the charges the majority of people will spend. I believe they expect that you might spend $20 per person for the first couple of days but at some point you might make a large purchase from the gift shop or other larger expense.

To be sure you are clear, they are pre-authorizing your credit card for $60 x number of days in the cruise x number of passengers in your group. So, if you have a family of 4 on a 7 day cruise the amount pre-authorized at boarding is actually $60x7x4 which would be $1680.

[dakrewser]

The "hold" that HAL places on your account is the same as that placed by any hotel. It's nothing new or different, but seems to bring up lots of conversation.

[raadsel]

The "hold" that HAL places on your account is the same as that placed by any hotel. It's nothing new or different, but seems to bring up lots of conversation.

I partly agree. The reason it brings up so much conversation is that if I go to a hotel, the authorization is to make sure the room is paid for. Typically the authorization is for the cost of the room + maybe 10 or 20% to cover for small charges such as phone usage or a movie and I'm not charged extra per person.

The difference with the HAL pre-authorization is that the trip is paid for already, so for many people it is somewhat unexpected. Additionally, it is charged on a per day basis (like a hotel) but then also per person. While it has a valid purpose and the cash-less system seems to be a nice convenience, it's just something new to some of us and we want to make sure we understand it.

[RevNeal]

Thanks to those who replied to my query. I still dislike the wording of the form which we must sign.

Actually, you don't HAVE to sign it. If you don't want to authorize your onboard account with a credit card you can pay by cash. When you check in you tell the Red Coat that you're going to be going to the front desk upon boarding and arranging payment with them. Then, when you board -- sometime that first day (you can wait until later that night, when there won't be a line) -- you go to the Front desk and deposit travelers checks or cash with them. That becomes your spending limit. If you go over how much you've deposited they'll contact you and ask you to come down and either deposit more or put down a credit card for the remainder of the cruise.

One has another option which I discovered on a 21 day cruise. One can settle one's account WEEKLY. All one does is go to the front desk and tell them you want to settle your account ... i.e., have them charge your card for the amount currently on your shipboard bill. Then, you start over fresh. I've done this in the past when the cruise would be so long that I don't have sufficient charging privileges to cover the pre-authorization.

[Grumpy1]

Another explanation as to why it is different from other preauthorizations or "holds". If you stay in the hotel, they preauthorize what they expect your final bill to be based on the room charge and maybe a bit more. If you decide to host a party of 5 for dinner in their dining room, or spend a bundle in their gift shop and charge it to your room, no problem, they can process another preauth right then.

Now move your hotel out to sea. Based on their data, they estimate that you will spend x dollars, per person per day, so that is what they preauthorize. Suppose they only preauthorized for the amount of the tips. Everytime you made a purchase they would have to either process it through as a charge, preauthorize again, or accept the charge on the assumption that you have resources to cover it. Considering that there are times that there is no communications from ship to shore, it might not be possible to process or authorize the transaction right then and they aren't likely to make assumptions about your credit without some verification.

Can you imagine the fiasco at disembarkation if they did not preauthorize enough at the start? There would be many people being called to the desk to settle their bill in some other manner when the credit card company declined the charge on the last day, and nobody is leaving the ship until all of those passengers have been contacted.

For those of us with good credit or high limit cards, the rules may seem rediculous, but there are many people that cruise with very little credit available AND very little fiscal responsibility. I, for one, do not wish to see MY cruise costs increased to offset deadbeat losses. The "hold" goes a long way toward keeping deadbeat losses at a minimum.

[serendipity1499]

"We always alert the Credit Card Company & our Bank of our expected departure date, ship, entire itinerary, & return date..We take two Credit Cards & only one debit card for our smaller account..(have three accounts) The cards are kept in our cabin safe & we take only one card at a time ashore..

We photo copy our Credit Cards, Bank Cards, Passports & Visas, as well as Drivers License's & keep that in the cabin safe..On the photocopy we include all the phone numbers to call in the U.S. & also the International No.to call (usually can call collect) for each card as a precaution..

Have auto-pay from our checking account set up for all of our monthly bills....Those that are paid semi annually or annually, such as Taxes, Insurance, etc. will take care of ahead of time if need be..I don't pay bills on the Internet..Will be gone almost a month on our next cruise & we don't use the Internet while we are away..I'll keep a running account of each purchase & check the credit card purchases immediately on our return..."

Also understand that the Hold is now $70.00 per day per psgr..($60. plus $10 for the tip) Figure that HAL will put a $3500 hold on our credit card right in the beginning for my DH & me, in addition to our on-board charges for our 25 day "Prinsendam" cruise...Am I correct in assuming this amount is correct? And do you know if they will adjust the hold amount with the credit card company mid-cruise if we don't happen spend up to the $60.00 plus $10. tip per day? ..(Hey it could happen--I spend lots more off ship than on-ship...;))

For instance: After one week instead of our bill being $980.00 for the week, it's $400.00 for the week..Will they then adjust the hold each week with the Credit Card Company accordingly?

Oh getting so excited..Only 21 days to go!

[RevNeal]

For those of us with good credit or high limit cards, the rules may seem rediculous, but there are many people that cruise with very little credit available AND very little fiscal responsibility. I, for one, do not wish to see MY cruise costs increased to offset deadbeat losses. The "hold" goes a long way toward keeping deadbeat losses at a minimum.

Grumpy, please be a little more careful with your use of conjunctions. Yes, there are many people that cruise with very little credit available, and yes there are many people who have very little fiscal responsibility. They are not always one and the same ... I have limited credit, yet I am not fiscally irresponsible. So, please, watch the use of the conjunction "and." :)

[Grumpy1]

By placing emphasis on the "AND" I implied that the second was a subset of the first. I did not say or imply that ALL that have limited credit are irresponsible.

[RevNeal]

By placing emphasis on the "AND" I implied that the second was a subset of the first. I did not say or imply that ALL that have limited credit are irresponsible.

Gotcha, Grumpy. Thanks :D