avoiding CC hold?

[gte937k]

I'm traveling with an infant and am doing the online check-in right now. Is there a way to avoid having a hold or paying a cash deposit for his on-board expenses?

If not, my CC can handle the extra $420, but it seems overkill for a baby.

[IRL_Joanie]

I'm traveling with an infant and am doing the online check-in right now. Is there a way to avoid having a hold or paying a cash deposit for his on-board expenses?

If not, my CC can handle the extra $420, but it seems overkill for a baby.

This is not meant to sound mean, so I hope you take it as kindly as I hope to be:)

Your infant will have dirty diapers, which will need to be disposed of by the stewards. Your infant will use bedding (even if they sleep in your bed(. Your infant will use towels, soap, shampoo, your infant will make a mess (if they are of crawling age or cracker/cookie eating age, etc...

So, no you will not be able to avoid the charge for the baby.

I understand the way this feels, having to pay the same for an adult, but that is the way it is.....

Joanie

[pms4104]

This is not meant to sound mean, so I hope you take it as kindly as I hope to be:)

Your infant will have dirty diapers, which will need to be disposed of by the stewards. Your infant will use bedding (even if they sleep in your bed(. Your infant will use towels, soap, shampoo, your infant will make a mess (if they are of crawling age or cracker/cookie eating age, etc...

So, no you will not be able to avoid the charge for the baby.

I understand the way this feels, having to pay the same for an adult, but that is the way it is.....

Joanie
The OP's question dealt with the credit card hold of $60/day for the infant ... it had nothing to do with the Hotel Service Charge of $11/day (or whatever it now is).

[diamondgirl54]

I feel it is totally up to you on what you wish to tip for an infant. Half of the service charge is for cabin service and the other half is for dinning.

[OVgirl]

During your online checkin I would put the credit card in for any adults and then just mark cash for the baby. When you are at the port you might be able to just put enough cash for the baby to cover the hotel service charge, since there probably won't be any other charges.

[pms4104]

I'm traveling with an infant and am doing the online check-in right now. Is there a way to avoid having a hold or paying a cash deposit for his on-board expenses?

If not, my CC can handle the extra $420, but it seems overkill for a baby.
Quite a while ago this subject was discussed, but I truly do not recall the mechanics of how it was resolved ... but people posted that they were successful in not having the hold for the wee ones.

I suspect that you can indicate on your online checkin that you will pay a cash amount for the baby's daily hold. Once onboard, I surmise you would go to the Front Office and arrange (1) for the Hotel Service Charge to be put on your account, and (2) for the infant's keycard to have no charging privileges. Hopefully, someone who has done this will chime in if I'm incorrect.

[gte937k]

The OP's question dealt with the credit card hold of $60/day for the infant ... it had nothing to do with the Hotel Service Charge of $11/day (or whatever it now is).
You are correct. I was referring to the $60/day hold on my credit card, not the auto-tipping.

[gte937k]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I marked "cash" during online check-in for the baby and will discuss it with HAL when we arrive. If they insist, I'll just use the card.

I surmise you would go to the Front Office and arrange (1) for the Hotel Service Charge to be put on your account, and (2) for the infant's keycard to have no charging privileges. Hopefully, someone who has done this will chime in if I'm incorrect.

Having charging privileges on his keycard is actually what I'd like to avoid more than the hold. Maybe I'm paranoid, but since he doesn't need the feature, I'd like to avoid any risk that it get used by someone else, or a mix up in their system where he gets charged for others' purchases. Again, I might be paranoid, but if he doesn't need it, I'd rather have the option turned off.

[RevNeal]

When you arrive at check-in they will direct you to visit the Front Desk aboard ship at your earliest convenience to arrange payment for your baby's onboard bill. My suggestion would be, when you go to the front desk, that you ask them to add your baby's $11 pp/pd hotel service charge to your account ... and that's it. It's not like the infant is going to go shopping aboard ship, or playing in the casino, or ordering booze in the lounges, or wine at dinner, or eating in the Pinnacle. However, your stewards will to clean up after her, etc., hence the onboard service charge is a reasonable expense for her. I can't imagine that the front desk would argue this arrangement.

[localady]

Another way to deal with the hold is to use an American Express card.:D

They don't seem to hold your funds hostage they way Visa and Mastercard do! ;)

[gte937k]

Another way to deal with the hold is to use an American Express card.:D

They don't seem to hold your funds hostage they way Visa and Mastercard do! ;)
That's interesting to know. I am planning to use my AMEX card since I get cash back for travel. :-)

[gte937k]

When you arrive at check-in they will direct you to visit the Front Desk aboard ship at your earliest convenience to arrange payment for your baby's onboard bill. My suggestion would be, when you go to the front desk, that you ask them to add your baby's $11 pp/pd hotel service charge to your account ... and that's it. It's not like the infant is going to go shopping aboard ship, or playing in the casino, or ordering booze in the lounges, or wine at dinner, or eating in the Pinnacle. However, your stewards will to clean up after her, etc., hence the onboard service charge is a reasonable expense for her. I can't imagine that the front desk would argue this arrangement.
I agree, this sounds reasonable. So, I'll mark "cash" and just ask them to add the hotel charge only with no roomkey charging option.

Thanks. :-)

[jtl513]

Another way to deal with the hold is to use an American Express card.:D

They don't seem to hold your funds hostage they way Visa and Mastercard do! ;)It's just a hold - a temporary lowering of your credit limit for off-ship spending - and it isn't placed until embarkation day. No one is keeping your money hostage at any time no matter what credit card is used. Now if you use a debit card or cash they truly are keeping your money.

[1of4]

I asked this same question about 6 months ago as we are leaving next week with 2 kids for Alaska. Although my kids are older, (10 and 7) we have/had the same concern. We do not want either to be able to charge anything. They will either be with us or in Club Hal so any charges will go on either DH or my account. They will each have a non-alcoholic drink card.

We were told (and I hope correctly) that to mark "cash" during on-line check in for the kids. Then when we get to the pier in Vancouver to tell them that the cards for the kids should have no charging ability.

We have put enough mony in our on board account to cover the hotel service charge of $11/day for both of them. Unlike you, we would have issues if HAL insists on still charging them the $60/day as we would have been travelling for a week already and we booked this cruise long before the current economic situation that has me worried about loosing my job.

We get back August 31 so I will post and let you know if it worked....

[Boytjie]

Having charging privileges on his keycard is actually what I'd like to avoid more than the hold. Maybe I'm paranoid, but since he doesn't need the feature, I'd like to avoid any risk that it get used by someone else, or a mix up in their system where he gets charged for others' purchases. Again, I might be paranoid, but if he doesn't need it, I'd rather have the option turned off.

And the exact same things could happen to your card. ;)

I am sure your infant won't be walking around with the card, so it can't get lost and it can be marked to not have charging privileges anyway.

[gte937k]

And the exact same things could happen to your card. ;)

I am sure your infant won't be walking around with the card, so it can't get lost and it can be marked to not have charging privileges anyway.
I agree... it can happen to any card. The adults would like the ability to charge drinks, etc and therefore be willing to take the small risk of mishap. The baby won't be charging anything, so I see it as unnecessary risk.

[jhannah]

It's not like the infant is going to go shopping aboard ship, or playing in the casino, or ordering booze in the lounges, or wine at dinner, or eating in the Pinnacle.
How do you know? You never can tell these days!

202941

:D :D

[Diving Rabbit]

How do you know? You never can tell these days!

202941

:D :D


HA HA HAAAA!!! "Apparently, it is frowned upon to go shopping or order booze around here. What? You couldn't give a warning bark?"

I love it!!!

[lorekauf]

How do you know? You never can tell these days!

202941

:D :D
Too funny:D.

[igraf]

You are not being charge $60 a day. It is a hold to protect HAL from people who would charge for services and then run off without paying. It is not enough to just cover the service charges as most people charge quite a bit more.

Most of have gone through good times and bad (I was recently out of work myself), but we still have to pay for our luxury vacations.

If you really want to avoid all of this then just pay for the whole trip in advance like we do. I for one will not be returning home to a lot of vacation bills.

igraf




..We have put enough mony in our on board account to cover the hotel service charge of $11/day for both of them. Unlike you, we would have issues if HAL insists on still charging them the $60/day as we would have been travelling for a week already and we booked this cruise long before the current economic situation that has me worried about loosing my job.

We get back August 31 so I will post and let you know if it worked....

[localady]

It's just a hold - a temporary lowering of your credit limit for off-ship spending - and it isn't placed until embarkation day. No one is keeping your money hostage at any time no matter what credit card is used. Now if you use a debit card or cash they truly are keeping your money.

Exactly which is why I use my AMEX for the account. Others have had problems during the cruise using their credit cards on land because of the hold placed by HAL.....I avoid any problem by guaranteeing with my AMEX....;)

[catl331]

Exactly which is why I use my AMEX for the account. Others have had problems during the cruise using their credit cards on land because of the hold placed by HAL.....I avoid any problem by guaranteeing with my AMEX....;)The point jtl513 is making is that no credit card is holding a dime of your money "hostage" as you said. The people who have problems using credit cards on land because they are at the top of their limit are precisely the reason the hold is done, so they don't over spend and can't pay HAL's bill. We "avoid any problem" by not using up that much of our credit limit.

[Hawaiidan]

Worried that they lock your funds.... its just a hold to see if you have the funds available and are solvent enough to take the cruise..
You do not get money taken out till you charge./ Hotels do this all sorts of companise do without asking you.. At least Holland is up front

Parinoid that your account may get a charge other than yours against the card? Well the card gives you insurance against any fraudlent or not authorized charges. Cash...nope. its gone

Credit cards offer the best protection way more than cash or debt cards and pay dividends too in points as miles. Not only that they give an excellent tax record of your finances for use at income tax..

Final,y it helps your credit rating because if you have a history of using your card and paying it according to schedule then it ups your personal limit and score. Example, If you have a 25,000 credit limit on you card and only charge less than $1000 a month it is seen as a poor sign.

But if everynow and them you charge $5000 and pay it off then that is seen as very responsible and a better credit risk. Use it or loose it so to speak

Cash is today an unwise tool for travel.

[1of4]

You are not being charge $60 a day. It is a hold to protect HAL from people who would charge for services and then run off without paying. It is not enough to just cover the service charges as most people charge quite a bit more.

Most of have gone through good times and bad (I was recently out of work myself), but we still have to pay for our luxury vacations.

If you really want to avoid all of this then just pay for the whole trip in advance like we do. I for one will not be returning home to a lot of vacation bills.

igraf

I was only speaking about the children having the $60 hold, not the adults. I understand why and I am not debating that. I do not understand how you can prepay your $60/day hold:confused:

Speaking for myself only I will never get near $60/day as I do not drink alcohol, do not gamble and do not smoke so I guess rather boring. On the other hand my 7 year old is susceptible to peer pressure and if, by chance, there was a strong willed and obinionated boy with him in Club Hal and he had the ability to charge he may be persuaded to charge things for this other kid. Why chance incurring charges when we can avoid it altogether by not have a child able to charge to the room? Why should a child have the right to charge to the room when they don't have the same right at home? He will have a drink card and that is enough and if he is not in Club Hal then he will be with his parents.

This is our first cruise so we don't know the ins and outs of the details like shipboard accounts and charging to the room. I am very happy that you are in a position to take a luxury vacation and pay 100% up front. I don't need to feel bad and more pressure as we are not in the same financial situation. We wanted our children to see Alaska and this was the best way for us. It is our first vacation in years.

For the record we would never charge anything that we couldn't pay for!

[localady]

The point jtl513 is making is that no credit card is holding a dime of your money "hostage" as you said. The people who have problems using credit cards on land because they are at the top of their limit are precisely the reason the hold is done, so they don't over spend and can't pay HAL's bill. We "avoid any problem" by not using up that much of our credit limit.

I totally understand what you are saying. Not everyone has the credit limits you possess and yes, they too enjoy cruising. :rolleyes:

For a family of 4 on a 14 day cruise the on-board hold would be $3360. :eek: The reality is that many folks don't have huge credit limits anymore. This does cause distress when folks are unable to use their credit while on the cruise because the cruise line has a huge hold on your money.

It is easy to get around if you don't have huge lines of credit like you do, by using another credit card, an AMEX.

[localady]

I was only speaking about the children having the $60 hold, not the adults. I understand why and I am not debating that. I do not understand how you can prepay your $60/day hold:confused:


This is our first cruise so we don't know the ins and outs of the details like shipboard accounts and charging to the room. I am very happy that you are in a position to take a luxury vacation and pay 100% up front. I don't need to feel bad and more pressure as we are not in the same financial situation. We wanted our children to see Alaska and this was the best way for us. It is our first vacation in years.

For the record we would never charge anything that we couldn't pay for!

I am mortified at the attitudes you have witnessed by posting this.:eek:

I am saddened that many around here seem to see your question as a chance to preach economic responsibility and make you feel inferior with their "wealth". It's a damn shame and I see this high handedness too often on this board. :o

I hope my tip re using an AMEX helps. Please remember that the folks here are not your average HAL cruiser and many have nothing better to do with their time than to berate others.

Have a great cruise and please don't let this deter you!!!! :D :D

[catl331]

It is easy to get around if you don't have huge lines of credit like you do, by using another credit card, an AMEX.
Yes, it's easy to get around by using another credit card. ANY credit card. One for the hold and a different one for other purchases.

BTW not eveyone can get an AmEx card.

[localady]

Yes, it's easy to get around by using another credit card. ANY credit card. One for the hold and a different one for other purchases.

BTW not eveyone can get an AmEx card.

You win.....:rolleyes:

Fact is, I don't want a multitude of credit cards when I am on a trip. I take one or two and primarily use my AMEX for all of it so I can pay it in full when I get home.

Sorry for the input, I will refrain in the future......:o

[1of4]

I am mortified at the attitudes you have witnessed by posting this.:eek:

I am saddened that many around here seem to see your question as a chance to preach economic responsibility and make you feel inferior with their "wealth". It's a damn shame and I see this high handedness too often on this board. :o

I hope my tip re using an AMEX helps. Please remember that the folks here are not your average HAL cruiser and many have nothing better with their time than to berate others.

Have a great cruise and please don't let this deter you!!!! :D :D

Thank you so much for this. I was feeling bad and regreatful that we had booked this vacation. I am stressed that we would get to the pier and be turned away.... that won't happen but I have had nightmares about it.

We will use your AMEX tip and we thank you so much for sharing it as we wouldn't have chosen our AMEX card for the shipboard. Of course we only have a $1,000 limit on our (Platinum) card by my choice, so it will only do for DH and I. This is another reason why I don't want to incur the $60/day per child for a hold that will never be used.

For the record, we are very excited about our upcoming trip and have been reading everything we can to ensure we can enjoy the less expensive side of the ports.

Thanks again for your kind and supportive words.

[kazu]

Back to the op - it was my understanding that you could choose for your child not to have a card that could be charged. (in other words, their room key card does not work as a charge card on the ship).

I would talk to HAL, I'm quite sure this can be done and, if this is the case, there is no need for a hold on your child's account.

My ds did not permit charges for her daughters' accounts years ago. She does now of course as they know the importance.

I hope this helps a bit. by the way, HAL has a nice chat button on their web site, might be worth a chat to make sure this is still the case but I am quite certain that no underage persons can charge on their card unless you agree to it.

[localady]

Thank you so much for this. I was feeling bad and regreatful that we had booked this vacation. I am stressed that we would get to the pier and be turned away.... that won't happen but I have had nightmares about it.

We will use your AMEX tip and we thank you so much for sharing it as we wouldn't have chosen our AMEX card for the shipboard. Of course we only have a $1,000 limit on our (Platinum) card by my choice, so it will only do for DH and I. This is another reason why I don't want to incur the $60/day per child for a hold that will never be used.

For the record, we are very excited about our upcoming trip and have been reading everything we can to ensure we can enjoy the less expensive side of the ports.

Thanks again for your kind and supportive words.

Enjoy your trip and don't worry, it will all work out. :D I have travelled with my family and have been able to set the level of charges ($100 per child) I allowed for both of the kids while on HAL. My kids are older and I didn't want a surprise bar or cologne bill on my dime.... ;)

The ports section of Cruise Critic has some excellent suggestions in each port as to reasonably-priced touring. Generally, you can see more and save a lot if you do the research up front about each port. I love doing this before each cruise.....:D

[Bobblsc]

It appears that you have good and complete advice above.

I am now an old guy, veteran of the Korean War, but I wonder why anyone would want to cruise with the heavy responsibility of taking care of an infant 24 hours a day on a cruise ship. But I must also assume that you have good reason for doing this. :)

Just never put the child in one of the swimming pools. :eek:

Bob :cool:

[gte937k]

It appears that you have good and complete advice above.

I am now an old guy, veteran of the Korean War, but I wonder why anyone would want to cruise with the heavy responsibility of taking care of an infant 24 hours a day on a cruise ship. But I must also assume that you have good reason for doing this. :)

Just never put the child in one of the swimming pools. :eek:

Bob :cool:
We have to take care of the baby 24/7 whether we cruise or not. At least on the cruise ship, we don't have to cook, clean, go to work (one of us), run errands etc. It'll allow us to relax and enjoy family time. :-)

[igraf]

Again, you are not being charged the hold. There is no actual $60/day charge. It is just a credit hold. It is simply a means of reserving space on your credit for any actual charges. You wil only be charged actual expenses. They don't want people using a credit card that is already close to the limit.

I am in a financial position to pay in advance, but then I was also unemployed for 10 months last year. Prudent spending (no credit card debt) and the ability to weather a hardship go hand in hand.

Hey, when I was young our idea of a family vacation was to go camping in tents!

igraf




I was only speaking about the children having the $60 hold, not the adults. I understand why and I am not debating that. I do not understand how you can prepay your $60/day hold:confused:

Speaking for myself only I will never get near $60/day as I do not drink alcohol, do not gamble and do not smoke so I guess rather boring. On the other hand my 7 year old is susceptible to peer pressure and if, by chance, there was a strong willed and obinionated boy with him in Club Hal and he had the ability to charge he may be persuaded to charge things for this other kid. Why chance incurring charges when we can avoid it altogether by not have a child able to charge to the room? Why should a child have the right to charge to the room when they don't have the same right at home? He will have a drink card and that is enough and if he is not in Club Hal then he will be with his parents.

This is our first cruise so we don't know the ins and outs of the details like shipboard accounts and charging to the room. I am very happy that you are in a position to take a luxury vacation and pay 100% up front. I don't need to feel bad and more pressure as we are not in the same financial situation. We wanted our children to see Alaska and this was the best way for us. It is our first vacation in years.

For the record we would never charge anything that we couldn't pay for!

[jtl513]

Final,y it helps your credit rating because if you have a history of using your card and paying it according to schedule then it ups your personal limit and score. Example, If you have a 25,000 credit limit on you card and only charge less than $1000 a month it is seen as a poor sign. That sounds contradictory to an article I read about a month ago. It said that if you regularly pay your bill off in full every month, it's better to pay most (but not all) of it a few days early, so that the balance reported to the credit agencies on the billing date is very low, while still showing that the account is active. Then the pay the rest shortly after the bill date.

Kazu: didn't you say not long ago that you're a former financial planner? What's your opinion on this?

[sapper1]

If a couple purposely keep a credit limit of only a few thousand dollars they should think long and hard about taking the family away on a vacation.

What if an accident or illness should delay your return home? Costs have to be paid up front and submitted for insurance payment after the fact.
If the family has to stay in a hotel because someone is in hospital, the hotel will put a hold on the credit card. If you have to rent a car the rental company will secure payment with a hold and you can be sure the hospital will want something up front. If flights have to be changed that is another expense. Did I mention restaurant meals during your delay in coming home?


With the above scenerio you would be in a real pickle. It is easy to say that won't happen, but accidents are never planned in advance.

I am not trying to be unkind but you really have to think it through and make sure you have a generous credit limit before travelling----especially with your family. If an emergency happens HAL's hold would be the least of your problems.

[jhannah]

If a couple purposely keep a credit limit of only a few thousand dollars they should think long and hard about taking the family away on a vacation. [snip] If an emergency happens HAL's hold would be the least of your problems. That's very true, and is certainly something to think about. Trying to get an increase in your credit line is the last thing you want to be doing while you're trying to get treated, arrangements made, etc.

[kazu]

That sounds contradictory to an article I read about a month ago. It said that if you regularly pay your bill off in full every month, it's better to pay most (but not all) of it a few days early, so that the balance reported to the credit agencies on the billing date is very low, while still showing that the account is active. Then the pay the rest shortly after the bill date.

Kazu: didn't you say not long ago that you're a former financial planner? What's your opinion on this?

Well, you have to remember I am Canadian, and yes in banking and financial stuff more for many years, however, I doubt if things are that much different in the U.S. - at the risk of getting flamed................

It's always wise to pay your balance off in full each month to avoid paying interest. Credit scores show the high and low balance. It also shows last months balance - so need to carry a balance if it is going to cost you interest. It also shows how many months active. Always wise to keep your oldest card for credit score purposes:)

people with high limits get them because they are good credit risks. If you are a good credit risk (at least in Canada), limits are not reduced because you do not use it all. But if you cruise, you can't help but use some of this part of the time;) did I answer your question?

[jtl513]

... did I answer your question?Ummm ... not really. ;) Hawaiidan said:

Example, If you have a 25,000 credit limit on you card and only charge less than $1000 a month it is seen as a poor sign.

But if everynow and them you charge $5000 and pay it off then that is seen as very responsible and a better credit risk. Use it or loose it so to speak.

I've always believed that the lower you keep your usage/limit ratio the better. Since the high/low monthly balances that appear in a credit report are the amounts that exist on the billing dates (not every instantaneous peak or valley), the article I read said if you habitually pay off the balance every month (we do!) then it's better for your score to pay it off a few days early so that the reported amount is low even though you had a high balance at some point during the month. But - you shouldn't pay it all off early because then the reported balance would be zero on the bill date and it would look like you're not using your credit at all.

So is Hawaiidan right that a 1000/25000 ratio is a "poor sign", and it's good to once in a while show a high balance at the end of a month, or is the article right that always keeping a 100/25000 ratio is a good sign, and if you owe 5000 in a given month then you should pay off 4900 before the billing date?

I'll accept an "I don't know" and stop bothering you. :D

[kazu]

Ummm ... not really. ;) Hawaiidan said:



I've always believed that the lower you keep your usage/limit ratio the better. Since the high/low monthly balances that appear in a credit report are the amounts that exist on the billing dates (not every instantaneous peak or valley), the article I read said if you habitually pay off the balance every month (we do!) then it's better for your score to pay it off a few days early so that the reported amount is low even though you had a high balance at some point during the month. But - you shouldn't pay it all off early because then the reported balance would be zero on the bill date and it would look like you're not using your credit at all.

So is Hawaiidan right that a 1000/25000 ratio is a "poor sign", and it's good to once in a while show a high balance at the end of a month, or is the article right that always keeping a 100/25000 ratio is a good sign, and if you owe 5000 in a given month then you should pay off 4900 before the billing date?

I'll accept an "I don't know" and stop bothering you. :D

Ok John, I'll try again. It's always good to have a high charge on your credit card once in a while. Cruisers usually do when final payment goes through. Hawaiidan's example is a bit odd since having a 1000/25000 is first of unlikely. Most people who that credit limit of $25,000 charge more than $1000 a month a some stage.

Banks just don't hand out $25,000 limits if all you charge is $1000/mo (at least, not in Canada).

but 1000/25000 is not a poor sign IMO - if it's paid off monthly.

I'm not sure of the article you read - so I will volunteer an I don't know in the US but in Canada, carrying a balance makes no difference to your credit rating and it costs YOU money. If you leave a small balance unpaid by the due date, then you will be charged interest on the entire balance.

Most of the credit scoring companies now encompass both US and Canada.
To the best of my knowledge there is no benefit to carrying the balance, the high of your credit card shows on your credit rating and your credit score.

So, I will say I'm not sure as you are in the US, but the best way to keep a good credit score is pay on time, pay off if you can and don't have a lot of credit inquiries. help, but no help:D

[jtl513]

Thanks Jacqui. I've had a usage/limit ratio around 0.2 a couple of times, like the month we made our Nieuw A final payment, but now I'm going to try to keep it around 0.01 on the billing date (not the due date) by paying early, and see what effect if any it has on my FICO score.

[m steve]

Holds only limit your spending if you are near maxing your card. The best way to handle this is to contact the CC company and request an increase in your limit to cover the hold. If you have a good history there isn't a problem. I can't believe they are putting a hold on a card for an infant. If so, call HAL and request it be removed as they aren't able to charge anything since they can't sign the receipt Do they even get a room card?

[gte937k]

they aren't able to charge anything since they can't sign the receipt

He can point and give an affirming grunt. I think that might be enough these days. :p

[jtl513]

I can't believe they are putting a hold on a card for an infant ... as they aren't able to charge anything since they can't sign the receipt.They still need to pay the $11 HSC, but a $60 hold is too much.

[RevNeal]

He can point and give an affirming grunt. I think that might be enough these days. :p

Infants? Heck, I've seen youth do less than that and buy something!

[3rdGenCunarder]

Enjoy your trip and don't worry, it will all work out. :D I have travelled with my family and have been able to set the level of charges ($100 per child) I allowed for both of the kids while on HAL. My kids are older and I didn't want a surprise bar or cologne bill on my dime.... ;)

The ports section of Cruise Critic has some excellent suggestions in each port as to reasonably-priced touring. Generally, you can see more and save a lot if you do the research up front about each port. I love doing this before each cruise.....:D

That takes me back to a cruise we did with my inlaws. My niece wanted to buy her mother a present, but didn't want it to show up on their bill. The gift was for a time shortly after the cruise, and she wanted it to be a suprise. The onboard shop didn't take cash, so I put the gift on my account and my niece paid me.

[RevNeal]

Holds only limit your spending if you are near maxing your card. The best way to handle this is to contact the CC company and request an increase in your limit to cover the hold. If you have a good history there isn't a problem.

Even if you have a good history, these days the CC companies are not always willing to extend credit lines ... even temporarily. I've run into that problem myself, and yet I pay my credit card bills in full (or nearly-so) every month, haven't missed a payment or even been a day late in over 5 years, and have an Excellent credit score with all 3 rating agencies (above 720). The Bank's excuse? (1) My annual income level is too low relative to my credit capacity, and (2) the length of my credit history. I can kind of understand the first reason -- I'm clergy, after all, and hence my regular annual income is lower than one might think. However, I do have several sources of self-employement income other than my church pay check, including book royalties, the speaking circuit, and investment income. They don't seem to take that into consideration, even if its reported to them.

Thankfully, AMEX doesn't play that stupid game.