Do you have to provide a credit card onboard?

[loopyloo33]

I don't have a credit card (don't believe in them) Can I just load cash into my onboard account? If so do you get the cash back if you don;t spend it all?

[tenpin]

I don't have a credit card (don't believe in them) Can I just load cash into my onboard account? If so do you get the cash back if you don;t spend it all?

 

A cash deposit is required, this can indeed be any amount you care to leave.

If you don't register a credit card you will have to deposit cash each time you reach your limit, also you have to join lines on final day to settle your account, even if you are in credit.

 

You can check your ship board account, in your cabin by typing your number into the televison.

 

So if you wish to get exactly the right amount, then check on line on last night, then go into casino and put any remaining credit into slots, then cash out.

 

This is not fool proof, but has worked for others, make sure all charges are included, specially the last days service charge.

 

You may still be called to reception before disembarkation, but you then go to different desk to sort it out.

[Goldryder]

I only use Euro travellers cheques for on board accounts with Costa...never had any problems doing so, minimum is €150 to kick the account off. On Far Eastern cruises they allow you to open the account the say after boarding....and when the cruise ends they cancel your on board card on the last night at midnight but allow you to buy drinks with cash Euro's until you disembark the ship...which for the Far East can be as late as 8pm (it was for me on Allegra in June 2008).

[loopyloo33]

Thanks for your help sounds easy enough with cash

[G.M.T.]

A cash deposit is required, this can indeed be any amount you care to leave.

 

Guests who choose not to use a credit card for payment of their onboard charges must provide a cash deposit to cover their onboard expenses within 48 hours of embarkation. This deposit must be a minimum of 150 euros /150 USD per person, according to onboard currency. If the onboard expenses exceed the amount deposited a new cash deposit will be required. At the end of the cruise any remaining funds will be returned in cash to the guests.

 

From Costa US Web Site.

 

Ron

[tenpin]

Yeah thanks Blu,

 

I guess I thought she would understand there was a minimum amount and was just asking how much she could put up.

[MartyC]

Information right out of the Today Program from the December 19 cruise.

 

Credit Card Registration or Cash Deposit

 

Credit Card Registration: In order to keep the Costa Card activated it is necessary to choose within 48 hours from embarkation, the method of payment of the on board account.

- For cash payment it is requested a deposit of $150 per person, to be raised depending on the on board expenses. The cash deposit can be done: today in the Paparazzi loung, deck 3 from 9 am to Noon.

 

 

NOTE: I did walk by the Paparazzi lounge on the 2nd day and there was nobody in their only the crew member taking the deposit. Depending on line you may want to wait until 2nd day.

[loopyloo33]

Information right out of the Today Program from the December 19 cruise.

 

Credit Card Registration or Cash Deposit

 

Credit Card Registration: In order to keep the Costa Card activated it is necessary to choose within 48 hours from embarkation, the method of payment of the on board account.

- For cash payment it is requested a deposit of $150 per person, to be raised depending on the on board expenses. The cash deposit can be done: today in the Paparazzi loung, deck 3 from 9 am to Noon.

 

 

NOTE: I did walk by the Paparazzi lounge on the 2nd day and there was nobody in their only the crew member taking the deposit. Depending on line you may want to wait until 2nd day.

 

Great to hear thanks for this..

[tjandluke]

I used Euro travellers cheques on the Classica in Asia Oct 09. The deposit was quick and easy- no lines. I deliberately put too much on the account (knowing at the end that I would get a cash refund). This worked well for me as it allowed me to leave the ship with Euro cash and negated the need to cash travellers cheques and avoided the fees associated in port of disembarkation. The return of the cash at the end of the cruse was also quick and fuss free. I did find on board that as I had left a cash deposit that I could not use the Costa Card to play the casino? I was not quite sure why but they said that only customers who had pre registered a credit card could do this. The Casino did however cash a Euro travellers cheque for no fee. I think that to cash a cheque at Customer Service there was a fee included. I cashed a 50 euro cheque no drama, no fee, just a straight swap.

[peabody99]

can you register a card before embarking on line? or do you have to wait until you board? I have tried to log on to the costa site a few times but it has said the function is not operating when I try.

[G.M.T.]

can you register a card before embarking on line? or do you have to wait until you board? I have tried to log on to the costa site a few times but it has said the function is not operating when I try.

You cannot, simply as that. You can only register the credit card at embarcation time as Costa will "reserve" a certain amount against your card.

 

Ron