On board account - cash?

[Cruisingboyo]

Hi,

 

I'm sure I've read on here somewhere that MSC require you to put a certain amount of cash down to set up an on board account? I've done it before on other cruise lines but don't remember having a minimum to place down.

 

There are 4 of us In a cabin (tight fit I know!) can we have an account each on MSC or one for the whole cabin? Other lines again I've been able to have separate accounts.

 

Thank for any help given :)

[Skier52]

Hi,

 

I'm sure I've read on here somewhere that MSC require you to put a certain amount of cash down to set up an on board account? I've done it before on other cruise lines but don't remember having a minimum to place down.

 

There are 4 of us In a cabin (tight fit I know!) can we have an account each on MSC or one for the whole cabin? Other lines again I've been able to have separate accounts.

 

Thank for any help given :)

You can certainly set up four accounts for four guests in one cabin. As for using cash for an on board account I think it is a much poorer way of doing it than registering a credit card. You'll spend a long time in a queue on disembarkation day waiting to settle your account. If you do set up an account with cash the initial ppayment required in Europe is 250 euros and you run the risk of being refused drinks, or purchases if your account gets low. That can be quite embrassing if you are buying a round or in a queue in the shops.

I suggest you use modern technology and have a credit card for the cruise. i have one that I only use for cruises and for no other purpose , just in case there are problems with (so far there haven't been any.)

it is perfectly possible to pay most of your account (even when set up with a crdit card), or all of it if you can stick to no purchases at all, the night before you disembark ( I've done it myself with spare on shore spending money.)There is the issue of the daily Service Charge which gets added to your account and will have to be allowed for with cash payments.

 

So use a credit card and save an awful lot of hassle

 

 

Pete

Edited September 7, 2013 by Skier52

[Worm61]

I use cash as i don't have a credit card ( because i don't want one ) & i remember reading on a forum once not to use a debit card on the ship so i won't use that either , we will put 300 euro up front 150 euro each this time as i also have £60 credit as well so we have plenty to more than cover anything i may buy on the last day ,i have a drinks package so the 360 euro is just there to pay the gratuites really & on the day of disembarkation they will give me some money back ( towards my next cruise ) so i don't mind queuing if there is one ...i won't go with some cruise lines because they don't use cash & if i was doing a lot more days i will put up a lot more cash up front especially if i didn't have a drinks package ...:)

[MotownVoice]

I hate credit cards and everything that credit and banks represent. But if you want to cruise, book a hotel, or rent a car they've successfully made it a necessary evil. And the emergence of the visa or mastercard endorsed debit card has exorcised a little of that evil.

 

Fortunately the kinds of problems most people have with credit cards don't rear their ugly heads in situations like a cruise account. There's only so much damage you can do to it on the deck of a ship (drinks, merchandise, maybe spa packages, etc) ... the real danger for some is in the casino. But in the long run you're better off with the credit buffer that a credit or debit card can offer versus binding yourself to the mizzenmast with a pledge to only use cash.

 

I'm with Skier on this one. You're on a cruise, not standing in line in a soup kitchen. Allow yourself to enjoy it, even if you are frugal.

Edited September 8, 2013 by MotownVoice

[Skier52]

I use cash as i don't have a credit card ( because i don't want one ) & i remember reading on a forum once not to use a debit card on the ship so i won't use that either , we will put 300 euro up front 150 euro each this time as i also have £60 credit as well so we have plenty to more than cover anything i may buy on the last day ,i have a drinks package so the 360 euro is just there to pay the gratuites really & on the day of disembarkation they will give me some money back ( towards my next cruise ) so i don't mind queuing if there is one ...i won't go with some cruise lines because they don't use cash & if i was doing a lot more days i will put up a lot more cash up front especially if i didn't have a drinks package ...:)

It isn't possible to use a debit card on a cruise ship as the cruise lines won't accept them, simply for the reason you could empty your bank account whilst ashore during the cruise and they will be refused payment when the time comes to settle the account. Credit card payments are pre-authorised at the time of embarkation so the cruise line have very little risk of not getting their money.

 

Yo've made a good choice by having the drinks package, I certainly benefited on my last cruise.

 

Have a good cruise and I hope that any queues you have to join are short.

 

 

 

Pete

 

PS

I still think it worth considering having a credit card, And you can ask for a low limit, and use it soley for cruises. then put it in the back of your wardrobe, or in your jacket you use for formal nights (just so you remeber where it is when packing again) until the next cruise.

[tigger89]

If you plan on getting a card and live in the UK the post office credit card is good as they don't charge for using it abroad. I have used this one for the past 7 years no problems.

 

Judith

Edited September 8, 2013 by tigger89

[Cruisingboyo]

Thanks for the replies.. I don't agree with suggesting people take out credit cards for cruising! I'm a travel agent and would never advise my passengers to do this. I've always used cash and never had a problem taking back any used on the last day of the cruise. I get staff rates on foreign exchange and prefer to know what I'm spending, rather than what the cruise line or bank may exchange at.

 

I do have a credit card, but this is purely for any unforeseen emergencies at home or abroad ,not to whack my cruise bill onto.

 

I've got the drinks package booked so don't plan on spending much at all. Have some trips booked through a separate company and just the service charge, so cash will fine for us.

 

Thanks again for the replies, I do appreciate that what you are suggesting would make things easier, but its just not for me.

[Skipper Tim]

Thanks for the replies.. I don't agree with suggesting people take out credit cards for cruising! I'm a travel agent and would never advise my passengers to do this. I've always used cash and never had a problem taking back any used on the last day of the cruise. I get staff rates on foreign exchange and prefer to know what I'm spending, rather than what the cruise line or bank may exchange at.

 

I do have a credit card, but this is purely for any unforeseen emergencies at home or abroad ,not to whack my cruise bill onto.

 

I've got the drinks package booked so don't plan on spending much at all. Have some trips booked through a separate company and just the service charge, so cash will fine for us.

 

Thanks again for the replies, I do appreciate that what you are suggesting would make things easier, but its just not for me.

 

Where do I start?

 

Firstly, if you register a debit card rather than a credit card, it is not you who decides how much will be charged but the cruise line. They will charge ahead of your predicted expenditure. Unlike with a credit card, this will be always ahead of your actual expenditure. You are not in control with a debit card.

 

With cash, you will queue and pay appalling exchange rates. The line may offer to charge you in your own currency but at their appalling exchange rate.

 

Then there are so many benefits, usually multiplied, for paying foreign denominated on credit cards: free travel and purchase insurance and free flights amongst them if you choose your cards wisely.

 

Look at your actually achieved exchange rate with cash vs. card rates, look at your lost benefits. Using cash is the least preferred option of any spending. It is always best avoided unless a calculated better deal depends upon it.

[Cruisingboyo]

I have my EUR cash.. Bought at my staff rate.. I then give them EUR to MSC for my onboard account. Any EUR left over will be handed back to me. I'm not sure how I'm going to lose out on the cruise lines appalling exchange rates.

 

This way works for me.. Credit cards work for you guys.

[AmoMondo]

An alternative to consider is a forex currency card - I've started using the Caxton one. It's a great way to load up sterling and withdraw in currency. You can preload before you leave and/or top up at anytime.

 

I also agree that the Post Office MasterCard has a great charging structure for overseas use.

[cruisingcanadian]

I have a question for those not having/using credit cards: how do you book and pay for your flights and cruises/other kind of vacations? You cannot do it online:confused:.You probably must go to a "brick and mortar" travel agency,is that right?

[maryann2]

I have a question for those not having/using credit cards: how do you book and pay for your flights and cruises/other kind of vacations? You cannot do it online:confused:.You probably must go to a "brick and mortar" travel agency,is that right?

 

I know a lot of people in the UK use debit cards. Of course if the company or airline goes bankrupt they have no recourse as counted as cash.

 

I use several credit cards and get air miles on absolutely everything I purchase. Pay them off every month so no interest and get many free flights. My favourite one is the Amex Starwood card. Starpoints can be transferred to Advantage miles. 20,000 points becomes 25,000 Advantage miles. One way flights from Vancouver to anywhere in Europe is 20,000miles plus tax of course. I avoid BA if I can as their taxes and fees are very high. There is an annual fee for this card but so worth it.

[Skipper Tim]

I know a lot of people in the UK use debit cards. Of course if the company or airline goes bankrupt they have no recourse as counted as cash.

 

I use several credit cards and get air miles on absolutely everything I purchase. Pay them off every month so no interest and get many free flights. My favourite one is the Amex Starwood card. Starpoints can be transferred to Advantage miles. 20,000 points becomes 25,000 Advantage miles. One way flights from Vancouver to anywhere in Europe is 20,000miles plus tax of course. I avoid BA if I can as their taxes and fees are very high. There is an annual fee for this card but so worth it.

 

There have been recent court rulings establishing the same or similar rights of protection for Visa and Mastercard debit cards purchases as credit card purchases.

 

Secondly, agree with the generosity of the Amex programmes and with extortionate BA taxes, except with reward flight saver rates on short-medium haul redemptions. For those of us on this side of the pond, Iberia have very low taxes on long-haul Avios redemptions, e.g. £60 one-way in business class to South America - great for MSC repositionings.

 

I also agree with Amomondo, a prepaid FX card can often give the best effective exchange rates and can be very handy when you don't quite trust the merchants or even ATMs of some ports of call - at least you have a defined lowish cap on what they can take.

 

There is a card for every occasion and a hierarchy of cards of preference - use the first that carries no charge: Amex (to max-out points), credit card (free insurances, some points, interest-free period), debit card (some protection), pre-paid debit card (last resort to avoid transaction charges or for potentially suspect transactions).

[MotownVoice]

It isn't possible to use a debit card on a cruise ship as the cruise lines won't accept them, ...

 

It is if it is endorsed by Visa or Mastercard. Debit cards with those logos are treated as a charge card. I've used them on every cruise I've taken.

[AmoMondo]

I could not use mine on Mdc in Spring 2012. Rules may have changed now. It was a debit Visa

[Skier52]

It is if it is endorsed by Visa or Mastercard. Debit cards with those logos are treated as a charge card. I've used them on every cruise I've taken.

 

I stand by my original statement that they don't accept DEBIT cards (as defined in the UK). Here is the wording from the UK 2013/14 online brochure.

It says CREDIT CARDS or CASH. No mention of DEBIT cards.

 

I take that to mean Credit card or cash ONLY, especially as it specifies no personal cheques. Debit Cards operate in a similar way to cheques in that they are only honoured if there are sufficient funds at the time of presentation, unlike credit cards which are third party transactions

 

 

 

 

Pete

[icat2000]

I'm also going to just take some Euro and stick on the cruise card. I too have a debit Visa card and its worked on Celebrity and Princess.

 

MSC took my debit visa card for my cruise payment so can't see why it wouldn't work on the ship either. Nevertheless. Cash is best for me.

Edited September 14, 2013 by icat2000

[Skier52]

I'm also going to just take some Euro and stick on the cruise card. I too have a debit Visa card and its worked on Celebrity and Princess.

 

MSC took my debit visa card for my cruise payment so can't see why it wouldn't work on the ship either. Nevertheless. Cash is best for me.

A debit card works for the deposit because there is an instant money transaction,

however you can't pre-authorise a debit card , as you can a credit card, so there is no guarantee of payment for the cruise line as there may be no funds available at the time the account has to be settled.

If you present your card on day one there is no guarantee that payments to other people (direct debits) , e.g. mortgage, utility bills won't have used all the available funds by the time the end of your cruise.

A credit card works on an entirely different basis in that you purchase your goods from a third party and the cruise line are guaranteed payment, and it's up to the credit card issuer to get their payment from you.

 

So there is no risk to the cruise line from using a crdit card (they just pay the commission) whereas they have all the risk , of bad debt, with a debit card.

 

Pete

[AmoMondo]

I'm also going to just take some Euro and stick on the cruise card. I too have a debit Visa card and its worked on Celebrity and Princess.

 

MSC took my debit visa card for my cruise payment so can't see why it wouldn't work on the ship either. Nevertheless. Cash is best for me.

 

I've paid both deposits and final balance with my debit visa but could not use it for my onboard expenses, as Skier52 has explained. If you're planning on using euros onboard that's fine, just don't think you'll be Ble to use the debit card.

[Cruisingboyo]

Just for anyone else who wants to know the answer to the original question... just on the opera waiting to depart Southampton.. its €150 pp min.. and there was no problem setting this up.

[icat2000]

I've paid both deposits and final balance with my debit visa but could not use it for my onboard expenses, as Skier52 has explained. If you're planning on using euros onboard that's fine, just don't think you'll be Ble to use the debit card.

Thanks for the info. I just normally take cash and set up an onboard account.

 

Cruisingboyo - thanks for the update on the min amount to put cash on the account.

[waster666]

I'm just back from an amazing cruise on msc divina. I opened a cash account on my second day of the cruise. I was asked for a cash deposit of €150 but I added more to pay for all the excursions I was planning on booking. My boyfriend and I opened separate cash accounts. My account always had a bit of money in it, but my boyfriend owed €50 by the last day and he had no problem buying duty free on his card the final evening even though he owed money. On the final morning we had to wait about 20 minutes in the accounting queue to clear our accounts by paying the balance in cash.. From my experience I would definitely recomment using a cash account if you don't have a credit card!

[Cruzinbabe06]

Thanks for the question finally getting answered.:D

 

I was also wondering how much euros to put down for our cruise. I'm not using my debit card and want everything paid in cash.

 

Just to get this correct.

 

The minimum I can put down is 150 euros per person.

 

I am on the 8 day Poesia Med. sailing. Does it go by cruise length? Will it be more for an 8 day cruise?

 

Also, can someone tell me how much for tipping per day on MSC? Will this come out daily or will they take it out all at once at the start of the cruise?

 

Thanks in advance, dealing in euros is a first for me.:)

[AmoMondo]

Thanks for the question finally getting answered.:D

 

I was also wondering how much euros to put down for our cruise. I'm not using my debit card and want everything paid in cash.

 

Just to get this correct.

 

The minimum I can put down is 150 euros per person.

 

I am on the 8 day Poesia Med. sailing. Does it go by cruise length? Will it be more for an 8 day cruise?

 

Also, can someone tell me how much for tipping per day on MSC? Will this come out daily or will they take it out all at once at the start of the cruise?

 

Thanks in advance, dealing in euros is a first for me.:)

 

Service charge is €7 pp per day and is charged daily to your account. They will also at some point charge €1 for the UNICEF donation. It can be increased or removed at the Accounting Desk.

[Cruzinbabe06]

Service charge is €7 pp per day and is charged daily to your account. They will also at some point charge €1 for the UNICEF donation. It can be increased or removed at the Accounting Desk.

 

 

Thank you very much for answering.:D