Sea Pass Account

Am I the only one who finds the process for paying on board a little archaic? I get the sea pass account. But it amazes me that every time, they need to run your card, print up a slip and have you sign it. Even more amazing they always print out a customer copy every time. I for one never save my copies. Heck, I'm sitting on the pool deck in a swim suit drinking a pina colada, I don't want a receipt.

For all the technology on board, I'm amazed they don't have handheld devices- swipe them right at your table, chair, barstool, whatever. They could even let you enter in an additional tip, if you so chose. Perhaps either a digital signature, or a pin number for authorization. Of course, if you wanted a printed receipt, they could always give you one. But what a waste of time and paper!

Who's with me?

I here ya, and I absolutely agree. I've actually seen those machines at places like Walmart. When you go in to return an item, they scan it with a hand-held device that prints a receipt for you to take to their Customer Service dept. I'm sure if Walmart has that technology, cruise lines should definitely invest in it.

They do have those machines - in Labadee. I'm not sure why they don't have them on the ship. Maybe it's not worth the cost when the servers can just walk to the bar.

Allure had a lot of those machines. We used them for drinks by the pool.

I for one, (perhaps I am one of the few??) really like the receipts. Every cruise I have ever been on, there is always a problem with at least one charge on my sea pass account. I bring out all the receipts, as I do with my monthly charge account at home, and check each charge against the final bill.

When I find the error....I go to the front desk and ask to see the receipt that I signed for (that is non exist). When they can't find it..... ummmm...well.... :rolleyes:

Bogus charge credited back to my account.

But I am just like that. Don't like just paying the bill as billed. Just funny like that I guess..... :rolleyes:

We actually keep (and check!) every receipt, just as we do with credit card receipts. We've had instances of incorrect amounts being billed to our account (credit cards, not sea pass) but with the receipt in hand, we were able to get it resolved easily and quickly.

I've never had a mistake on our account...and if I don't have a reciept...how does that prove I didn't make the charge?????

Generally, if you make enough fuss...they will remove almost any "suspect" charge.

I've never had a mistake on our account...and if I don't have a reciept...how does that prove I didn't make the charge?????

 

Generally, if you make enough fuss...they will remove almost any "suspect" charge.

I was referring to incorrect amounts, not totally bogus charges. Obviously having or not having a receipt will do nothing for that!:D

There is a reason for signing If you lose your card and don't report it as lost the person that finds it will have a field day and you will be SOOL and hard pressed to prove it was not you:(

I was referring to incorrect amounts, not totally bogus charges. Obviously having or not having a receipt will do nothing for that!:D

Sure it can.

Say that I order a Jack and Coke every day.

One day there are three beers on there.

I have a very persuasive argument that I don't drink beer.

or if the charges are made at the same time in different bars.

There are any number of scenarios in which having SOME receipts but not the one for the incorrect charge is a good indication of THEIR mistake.

Personally I don't like having all those receipts either but I do keep them until the final bill arrives. Back in 2000, they used to let you buy a drink card......I think maybe 10 or 12 drinks were on the card and the bartender would punch a hole in it each time you bought a drink. I loved using the cards.......buy a card and get 1 receipt. When you needed another card, buy it and get another receipt. Having 2 receipts again instead of 20 or 24 would make me happy. Wish they would bring the drink cards back.

Am I the only one who finds the process for paying on board a little archaic? I get the sea pass account. But it amazes me that every time, they need to run your card, print up a slip and have you sign it. Even more amazing they always print out a customer copy every time. I for one never save my copies. Heck, I'm sitting on the pool deck in a swim suit drinking a pina colada, I don't want a receipt.

 

For all the technology on board, I'm amazed they don't have handheld devices- swipe them right at your table, chair, barstool, whatever. They could even let you enter in an additional tip, if you so chose. Perhaps either a digital signature, or a pin number for authorization. Of course, if you wanted a printed receipt, they could always give you one. But what a waste of time and paper!

 

Who's with me?

MGG42:

Hey there I'm with ya! I think they should use a scanable mini card like Visa and Discover or the customer care cards like the grocery store!

I don't understand the people who respond by saying "I always check my receipts!" good for you! But that's not the point.

Like the OP said, you can always choose to have a receipt. But the fact that they keep printing them for every transaction seems crazy.

And, to the person who says they must sign so someone else can't use the card. You ever see them check the signature? Me neither. Also, you could always sign electronically, or use a pin number.

I for one HATE signing credit card receipts at all. I wish there was a box I could check on a credit card application that said "I'm not an incompetent Oaf! I will shoulder the responsibility for not having this card stolen or losing it. And I will report it ASAP if it goes missing. But don't make me sign this garbage. I don't sign when I pay cash either!"

Am I the only one who finds the process for paying on board a little archaic? I get the sea pass account. But it amazes me that every time, they need to run your card, print up a slip and have you sign it. Even more amazing they always print out a customer copy every time. I for one never save my copies. Heck, I'm sitting on the pool deck in a swim suit drinking a pina colada, I don't want a receipt.

 

For all the technology on board, I'm amazed they don't have handheld devices- swipe them right at your table, chair, barstool, whatever. They could even let you enter in an additional tip, if you so chose. Perhaps either a digital signature, or a pin number for authorization. Of course, if you wanted a printed receipt, they could always give you one. But what a waste of time and paper!

 

Who's with me?

You're free to trash your receipt, but the server/bartender needs it for audit. If a transaction is disputed, they have to find that receipt, so they can prove or disprove whether or not you made the purchase.

A PIN might work, but then you have to hope that everyone remembers their PIN. Wouldn't you hate to be at the bar and unable to order because you couldn't remember it? :eek:

Don't keep the receipts but do check the account balance on the TV on ships where it is available. We pretty much know where and how much we spend so if something strange shows up we question it.

My DH keeps all receipts and during the last few days of our cruise, will get a printed statement of all charges and compares them to make sure there are no errors. I do however agree the hand held device would be much better.

You're free to trash your receipt, but the server/bartender needs it for audit. If a transaction is disputed, they have to find that receipt, so they can prove or disprove whether or not you made the purchase.

Yeah, the bartender needs it for audit only because that is the system they have CHOSEN to use. I'm sure there could be a paperless system that would work just as well or better.

A PIN might work, but then you have to hope that everyone remembers their PIN. Wouldn't you hate to be at the bar and unable to order because you couldn't remember it? :eek:

Everybody has PIN numbers now. I would be surprised if someone couldn't remember theirs. But for the sake of argument, maybe you could have the option of pin or signature.

All I know is that I'm with the OP. Given a choice, I would like to board the ship, and never have to sign anything, and not get bombarded with receipts every time I get a drink.

I wonder if it has more to do with the amount of server (computer) capability on board the ship than with their desire to move forward technologically speaking.

With the number of transactions going on at all times on the ship in the many bars and restaurants it would use much more computing power than a typical restaurant.

I wonder if it has more to do with the amount of server (computer) capability on board the ship than with their desire to move forward technologically speaking.

 

With the number of transactions going on at all times on the ship in the many bars and restaurants it would use much more computing power than a typical restaurant.

I'm not an IT specialist, but I don't think that holds water. They already have the entire system computerized. They aren't pulling these receipts off cash registers.

I suppose they don't do the hand held thing because they have to walk back to the bar to get your drink anyways. Unless this new device can conjure up the drink also!

I wonder if it has more to do with the amount of server (computer) capability on board the ship than with their desire to move forward technologically speaking.

 

With the number of transactions going on at all times on the ship in the many bars and restaurants it would use much more computing power than a typical restaurant.

The system is already networked, and with the addition of being able to check your SeaPass account from your stateroom TV, the database can likely handle the increased transaction rate.

As others pointed out, if they have to go back and get your drink made anyway, it's just additional equipment to carry. However, for those who carry premade drinks or shooters it could be ideal, and that would add minimal extra devices and overhead on the system.