Pre-paying Shipboard credit???

Is it possible to pre-pay shipboard credit? We will be guaranteeing with either cash or a debit card. I'm thinking paying ahead (as in now...4 weeks before our sailing date) may be a good idea. Is this a possibility?

Thanks in advance for your input!:)

Chantal

DO NOT USE YOUR DEBIT CARD!!! They will put holds on your account and that will effect the balance of your checking account.

We usually put about $500 in travellers checks on our acct to start and check it every other day or so.

Let me ammend that: Carnival had put holds on my account. I am assuming that NCL would do the same

DO NOT USE YOUR DEBIT CARD!!! They will put holds on your account and that will effect the balance of your checking account.

 

We usually put about $500 in travellers checks on our acct to start and check it every other day or so.

 

Let me ammend that: Carnival had put holds on my account. I am assuming that NCL would do the same

If you wish to pay in advance, you may push a cash deposit on your account at the start of the cruise. You really cannot do this weeks in advance because you do not officially have a shipboard account until you actually check in. Just hold onto your cash before you arrive and apply it to your account at the credit desk.

If you wish to pay in advance, you may push a cash deposit on your account at the start of the cruise. You really cannot do this weeks in advance because you do not officially have a shipboard account until you actually check in. Just hold onto your cash before you arrive and apply it to your account at the credit desk.

You can buy yourself an on board credit as a gift but then you will need a debit or credit card to order it. I think there is a limit of one per passenger.

On-Board Credit Certificates

* Pricing is subject to change without notice

Item #600 - $25.00

Item #601 - $50.00

Item #602 - $75.00

Item #603 - $100.00

http://www.ncl.com/more/bon_voyage_list.htm#certificates

Why would you want to do this? I also wonder why not use a CC. Especially one that gives you points or cash back? We use our Discover card and get 1% cash back, and pay it off when we get the bill. Plus, you basically get an extra 30 days on your money. I know cash is King, but when someone is wanting to give you free money, why not take it?

Chantal, I think I know where you're coming from with wanting it safely tucked away:)

I set up a free savings account at a separate bank from where I normally do my banking. I did not get a debit card, and I have not set up online access, so to actually get my money, I have to go inside and get it :-) So far, it's working in that I can stash the money I'm saving for the trip, and it's less accessible than just going online and transfering it into my checking account... out of sight out of mind...

Other than following shoreguys advice, I don't think you can actually deposit money for your shipboard account in advance, but maybe call them ans see if they can suggest anything?

Good luck :)

How much cash do they want up front if you plan on paying with cash? How much of a hold to place on your debit card? I have used my Visa Check card on cruises before and never had a problem.

I'd be carefult not to use a debit card unless it was absolutely necessary.

Isn't it funny how you can buy a stick of gum with a debit (or credit) card and it affects your available balance is seconds but when a business (like a creuise ship) puts a hold on an amount it can take weeks to b released.

I don't remember what cash deposit the ship wanted when we cruised NCL but it was a possibility.

If you have a credit card and you want to pay cash I would do what we did: (1) Use a credit card to guarantee your room charges when you board. (2) Take sufficient cash or traveler's checks to pay your account. (3) Go to the reception desk the last evening of your cruise and pay your account off.

What could be simpler?

We did exactly what gregincharlotte did on our Alaskan cruise. We knew that with our pricey shore excursions the tab was going to be large and we really wanted to pay for the trip before we went. So, a few months prior to sailing, I started buying travelers checks. We get them free at our bank which helped. We secured our shipboard account with a credit card and then went the night before and paid our account with travelers checks. It was great! I only ended up with a charge for pictures that I bought at the last minute. I just hate going on vacation then coming home to a large credit card bill. We plan on doing this again for our next cruise.

I know exactly where Chantal is coming from...our solution was to set up a pre-paid american express travel card. It works like travelers checks, but less paper to carry. Drawback: one has to start at $300.00.

Why would you want to do this? I also wonder why not use a CC. Especially one that gives you points or cash back? We use our Discover card and get 1% cash back, and pay it off when we get the bill. Plus, you basically get an extra 30 days on your money. I know cash is King, but when someone is wanting to give you free money, why not take it?

Unfortunately, no CC to use. I do like the ideas posted by others-as in buy traveler's checks, onboard gift certificates, and a pre-paid credit card.

Thanks so much for the input! I really enjoy reading the posts and getting advice from those with more experience!

Chantal

I'd be carefult not to use a debit card unless it was absolutely necessary.

 

Isn't it funny how you can buy a stick of gum with a debit (or credit) card and it affects your available balance is seconds but when a business (like a creuise ship) puts a hold on an amount it can take weeks to b released.

 

I don't remember what cash deposit the ship wanted when we cruised NCL but it was a possibility.

 

If you have a credit card and you want to pay cash I would do what we did: (1) Use a credit card to guarantee your room charges when you board. (2) Take sufficient cash or traveler's checks to pay your account. (3) Go to the reception desk the last evening of your cruise and pay your account off.

 

What could be simpler?

So, if we guarantee with cash or travelers checks or pre-paid traveler's card, we don't have to worry about a "hold" on our debit card...right? What is the minimum deposit for these methods?

Also, what if we pay our balance at the end with a debit card? (i.e., start with cash deposit and settle with debit). Is this possible?

Thanks again everyone!

Chantal

So, if we guarantee with cash or travelers checks or pre-paid traveler's card, we don't have to worry about a "hold" on our debit card...right? What is the minimum deposit for these methods?

Also, what if we pay our balance at the end with a debit card? (i.e., start with cash deposit and settle with debit). Is this possible?

 

If you put cash (traveler check) as deposit you won't need your debit card. Carnival required a minimum of $250/cabin when we did it with them last year.

I'm sure you can exchange out with the debit card if you want to. The problem I have with hotels, cruise ships and rental car companies is the amount of the "hold" they put on your card and the length of time it takes for them to remove it.

I'm not crazy about using my debit card outside of the US. While there is some protection, remember, it is a direct link to the funds in your checking account. Although you can dispute items, you still don't have access to your cash during the dispute.

There was a recent thread on this subject, and I think the final outcome was someon posting language from the Prepay American Express that specifically stated it couldn't be used for onboard cruise charges... why? I have no idea, but you want to check into that before you get one for this purpose...

I'm in the same boat... pun intended;)

We'll be moving funds from the prepaid AMEX card to traveler's checks!

Thanks so much for pointing this out for us!!!!

American Express PrePay Travel card should NOT be used for cruise onboard accounts....see below....this is copied direct for the AMEX web site

Usage Limitations

TravelFunds Cards are prepaid cards. They are not intended for use in certain industries. You are NOT permitted to use the TravelFunds Cards:

• To reserve a rental car, or when picking up a rental car. However, at the end of a car rental, you can use your Card to pay for the rental.
  
• To reserve a hotel/motel room, or when checking into a hotel/motel or other lodging establishment. However, at the end of your stay, you can use your Card to pay for your stay.
  
• To pay for gasoline/petrol “at the pump” through automated terminals. However, you can use your Card to pay for gasoline by presenting the card in the station or to a service station attendant.
  
• To pay for “person-to-person” internet payment products such as “Paypal”, “YahooDirect” and “C2it”. ......
  
• .......
  
• To pay for internet electronic services including electronic mail, internet service provider, internet telecom, etc.
  
• To pay for personal services such as escort agencies, introduction services, massage parlors.
  
• To pay for wholesale goods.
  
• To pay for on-board cruise charges.
  
• To pay for gambling.