On board account - cash?

[travelady65]

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.

 

I was on the MSC Divina October 4, 2014 sailing... I opened up an account with my Credit Card...Before i sailed, i had notified my bank that i was sailing on the MSC Divina for a seven night cruise, and also told them this is an European Cruise Line, that is based out of Italy, and that they do not deal with an american bank....that the bank that they do deal with is in France... They told me that i would have no problem using my card, and that there would be no international transactions fees... They took a hold of $150 on my card upon check in... I had charged some items on the account...and was reaching the limit of $150...I had wanted to purchase another item, but went down to guest services to ask the policy once i had reached the $150 that i had already had on my card... they told me that they automatically put another authorization hold of $150 on my card.... I went and purchased the other item which amounted out to be $46.00.... the transaction went through.. the next day when i went to disemark the ship they detained me...and i had to go to guest relations...the lady then told me that my other authorization hold of $150 didn't go through, and i either had to pay up or return the item... unfortunately i just bought a minimal amount of cash to spend while on the islands.... I explained that to her, and she then told me pay up or return the item...and that were her exact words... at this point i was so distraught, i told her i would return the purchase...but did ask her why the authorization did not go through.... she was very kurt and arrogant with me, and said Madam, this is not our fault, it is your bank's fault, that i had not suffient amount of funds on my card, which was a damn lie...I made sure that my card was completely paid off before presenting it to the check in agent at the pier... to make a long story short, i had called my bank when i reached FFL airport.... They told me that they autorized the first hold of $150 but not the second hold, as they felt that the merchant was putting fraudulent charges on my credit card, and said that they were at risk...

 

I enjoyed my cruise very much, love MSC Cruise Lines, and the Divina, and yes i will sail the line again....but to avoid embarrasement .....and i know that it was my bank who made the problem, but as i said when i sail the Divina again, i would not open up a credit card account again, i definitely willl open up CASH ACCOUNT..... I do not want to go through what i went through again.... It was a complete embarrasement.... and as far as guest relations go, yes i believe that these people need more training on how to speak to their guests...because the way she spoke to me was completely uncalled for.... I work in the public eye, and if i were to ever to a guest, the way she spoke to me i would be terminated right on the spot.....

[mrstrod]

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.

 

For someone who has supposedly cruised so much, you really have your information wrong! But I will clear this up since I am speaking from experience.

 

You absolutely CAN use your debit card for cruise on-board accounts. I have done so on all of my cruises with MSC as well as NCL, RCCL, Norwegian & Costa!

 

If a person chooses to use a debit card, the cruise line will place an initial hold on funds (MSC held $300 when if was 2 in our cabin and $500 when we had four). This initial hold will stay on your account for 5-7 days so, NO you will not be "empty the bank account." As you spend money on-board, if you get close to the initial hold amount, they will automatically place a hold on more money - usually a couple of hundred dollars. They will do this each time you get close to your hold amount.

 

Now, here is where debit cards can be tricky for SOME people. When the cruise line closes out your account on the last night, they will now charge the WHOLE amount of your on-board account. But they do not release the holds on the original amounts - instead they just let the holds expire. So if your account amount was say $800. The day you get off the ship, you could technically have $1600 in your bank account that is tied up. Within a few days, the holds will be released and the charge will clear. Since every bank has different HOLD times on preauthorizations, it would be smart to call your bank and just ask them how long their hold time is so that you can plan ahead for the inconvenience.

[mrstrod]

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

 

Again, you have your information WRONG. However perhaps it is because you are not from America?

Here in America, debit cards are accepted ANYWHERE that credit cards are accepted. It is actually a law - merchants HAVE to accept them. So when we see anything that says credit cards we know that it also means debit cards. When I travel, and I have traveled all over the world, my debit card is accepted EVRYWHERE I go.

 

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

 

This is completely incorrect. Merchants can indeed place holds (pre-authorizations) on funds from a debit card. These holds automatically expire after a certain amount of time because the merchant (cruiseline) has to send the bank the customers signature or PIN in order to receive the funds.

Again, like I said before, maybe you are not American and debit card laws are different for you. But you can not arbitrarily state a fact that is not true for everyone.

[bridgetjonesni]

Just re the whole debit card thing, Visa Electron is on the list pictured above. Visa Electron is only a debit card, never a credit card, which would indicate that debit cards are indeed accepted, so I think it's just poor wording on MSC's part.

 

I think people are reluctant to use debit cards for the reason mrstrod gave above regarding holds making funds unavailable, rather than because debit cards are not accepted. Hotels tend to do this as well, which can be very inconvenient if you're reliant on a debit card while you're travelling, and is one of the main reasons I got myself a credit card in the end.

 

Regardless, I think people just have to do what feels right for them. I've also had problems in the past with my bank stopping my credit card due to potential fraud (even in spite of advising them in advance about my upcoming cruise) but a quick phonecall sorted it out and I wouldn't let that stop me using my credit card with its lovely perfect exchange rate again in future. That doesn't mean I think anyone who wouldn't be willing to take that chance again is overreacting. Whatever keeps you relaxed during your cruise is the right choice for you.

[AmoMondo]

For someone who has supposedly cruised so much, you really have your information wrong! But I will clear this up since I am speaking from experience.

 

You absolutely CAN use your debit card for cruise on-board accounts. I have done so on all of my cruises with MSC as well as NCL, RCCL, Norwegian & Costa!

 

If a person chooses to use a debit card, the cruise line will place an initial hold on funds (MSC held $300 when if was 2 in our cabin and $500 when we had four). This initial hold will stay on your account for 5-7 days so, NO you will not be "empty the bank account." As you spend money on-board, if you get close to the initial hold amount, they will automatically place a hold on more money - usually a couple of hundred dollars. They will do this each time you get close to your hold amount.

 

Now, here is where debit cards can be tricky for SOME people. When the cruise line closes out your account on the last night, they will now charge the WHOLE amount of your on-board account. But they do not release the holds on the original amounts - instead they just let the holds expire. So if your account amount was say $800. The day you get off the ship, you could technically have $1600 in your bank account that is tied up. Within a few days, the holds will be released and the charge will clear. Since every bank has different HOLD times on preauthorizations, it would be smart to call your bank and just ask them how long their hold time is so that you can plan ahead for the inconvenience.

 

Defending Pete here.

There is a difference between UK's and US debit cards. He is correct you absolutely cannot use a UK debit card on MSC.

 

Bit uncalled for to make the crack about him supposedly having cruised so much. Both of us areBlack Card members so I think that confirms we both know MSC well.

 

I'm pleased US citizens can use a debit card issued by a US Bank. We cannot.

[bridgetjonesni]

Defending Pete here.

There is a difference between UK's and US debit cards. He is correct you absolutely cannot use a UK debit card on MSC.

 

Bit uncalled for to make the crack about him supposedly having cruised so much. Both of us areBlack Card members so I think that confirms we both know MSC well.

 

I'm pleased US citizens can use a debit card issued by a US Bank. We cannot.

 

But that isn't true either. I'm from the UK and my e-ticket for my upcoming cruise states (with my emphasis):

 

c) After the document check, passengers will receive a Cruise Card.

This is a magnetic card used for onboard payment of excursions, bar bills, laundry, in−cabin service, hairdresser, beauty centre, duty−free shops, photographer and service charge. To activate the Cruise Card, passengers must either register their credit card or leave a specified cash sum as deposit. Personal cheques are not accepted. In the on board casinos, guests may gamble up to a maximum of €2,000 ($2,000 North America, Caribbean, South America, South Africa) if they have activated their Cruise Card by registering a credit card. Guests who choose to activate their Cruise Card with a cash deposit, on the other hand, may gamble up to the amount available on the Cruise Card. The following credit cards can be registered onboard: Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Diners, JCB and American Express. This CASHLESS SYSTEM is valid on all ships.

 

Visa Electron is a debit card, never a credit card. Therefore to say that UK citizens cannot use debit cards is inaccurate. Whether both debit and credit versions of cards are accepted for Mastercard, Visa (not Electron), etc, I'm not sure, but certainly the presence of Electron in that list gives at least one option for use of a debit card.

[mrstrod]

But that isn't true either. I'm from the UK and my e-ticket for my upcoming cruise states (with my emphasis):

 

 

 

Visa Electron is a debit card, never a credit card. Therefore to say that UK citizens cannot use debit cards is inaccurate. Whether both debit and credit versions of cards are accepted for Mastercard, Visa (not Electron), etc, I'm not sure, but certainly the presence of Electron in that list gives at least one option for use of a debit card.

 

And that is my point exactly - people like to post answers as if they are absolutes but the fact is that there are a lot of different answers to this question and to state unequivocally that debit cards are not accepted is foolish as well as ignorant.

[mrstrod]

Defending Pete here.

There is a difference between UK's and US debit cards. He is correct you absolutely cannot use a UK debit card on MSC.

 

Bit uncalled for to make the crack about him supposedly having cruised so much. Both of us areBlack Card members so I think that confirms we both know MSC well.

 

I'm pleased US citizens can use a debit card issued by a US Bank. We cannot.

 

I state supposedly because for someone who has cruised so much, his answer was VERY wrong.

 

And yes it is supposedly - because anyone can place any list of cruises in their signature. I don't know you so by looking at your signature all I can say is that you have supposedly cruised with MSC a lot. There is no insult there unless, just fact.

[AmoMondo]

But that isn't true either. I'm from the UK and my e-ticket for my upcoming cruise states (with my emphasis):

 

 

 

Visa Electron is a debit card, never a credit card. Therefore to say that UK citizens cannot use debit cards is inaccurate. Whether both debit and credit versions of cards are accepted for Mastercard, Visa (not Electron), etc, I'm not sure, but certainly the presence of Electron in that list gives at least one option for use of a debit card.

 

Well all I can say is good luck with that and have a different card with you just in case.

 

Believe me I have tried using a Visa Debit card onboard and they would not accept it. So has Pete.

 

Now they may have recently changed their policy or maybe it is the usual classic MSC their policy days one thing and practice onboard is something different.

 

Believe me when I say I'm not arguing the point to be contentious. Merely want to make UK passengers aware they may not be able to use a debit card onboard and have a back up card.

 

As a Chartered banker I fully understand the differences in debit and credit cards issued by UK banks and their similarities.

 

You've had 2 experienced MSC UK passengers advise/warn of issues having them accept debit cards onboard. Heed us or ignore us, completely your choice what you do with our input.

[sofsolnanny]

Sailed on Magnifica 8/10/14 Southampton round trip.

 

Took Euro for my onboard account,thought I read somewhere that 300 Euro was needed to set up the account ,so thats what I handed over. Good job I did as my bill came to 290 Euro.lol. Did have credit card with me just in case.Staff quick in setting up account and just as quick to pay it.

 

Di

[travelady65]

Again, you have your information WRONG. However perhaps it is because you are not from America?

Here in America, debit cards are accepted ANYWHERE that credit cards are accepted. It is actually a law - merchants HAVE to accept them. So when we see anything that says credit cards we know that it also means debit cards. When I travel, and I have traveled all over the world, my debit card is accepted EVRYWHERE I go.

 

 

 

This is completely incorrect. Merchants can indeed place holds (pre-authorizations) on funds from a debit card. These holds automatically expire after a certain amount of time because the merchant (cruiseline) has to send the bank the customers signature or PIN in order to receive the funds.

Again, like I said before, maybe you are not American and debit card laws are different for you. But you can not arbitrarily state a fact that is not true for everyone.

 

Hi my post is post #26....I was not using a Debit Card .... I was using a Visa Credit Card.... My bank told me because the merchant was from France, that a red flag came up and they told me the merchant was at risk, and said that there were fraudulent charges on my credit card...That is why they did not authorize the second credit card hold.... After that cruise i did sail on Carnival for five nights and i was very apprehendsive about using the card, but i did. They put a $100 hold on the card, and told me if i went over the $100 hold and if i wanted to purchase something, all they do is charge for the purchase on my credit card, that there is not another authorization hold... They told me that credit card companies are very careful these days with the credit cards due to some much fraud, and being as the bank came from france, and they did not recognize the merchant, they thought something funny was going on with the card. Also alot of credit cards do not like you using their card overseas....To make a long story short, they never heard of the Bank, and that they do have the right to refuse authorization holds. So as i said, i definitely would sail MSC Divina again, but i would open up a Cash Account.... I cannot fight with my bank, as they are only doing their job and watching out and protecting my card from fraud.

[AmoMondo]

Talking of Bank's blocking credit cards when overseas transactions appear, have to say I'm reLly impressed with Virgin's system. You simpy text them the name of the country and they day you are going. Then the word return and the day you come back if more than 2 weeks. You get an immediate acknowledgement. Even got a text from them the morning before I was leaving for Hong Kong to let me know they were expecting transactions there.

 

Manages the risk of fraud for them and gives me the convenience of axing by card when overseas. Ended up leaving a different card at home because I gave up trying to tell me as I went through one menu after another and never getting a person to speak to or an option to tell them.

[kelseys nan]

I have used debit Cards on MSC but beware they authorise so much a day. The last time I used a debit card at the end of the cruise they debited the final total but it took 2 weeks to get the pre authorisations released on my bank account. Now I put cash down which I will be doing on Sunday on my cruise on Splendida as I have on my last cruise with no problem. Ok so you have you to queue on your last day. Just keep an eye on your spend and don't put to much down at a time

[cruiseguyinorl]

Skier52 and AmoMondo,

 

I was just on the Oct 18th sailing of the Divina. Friends were in another cabin and registered a DEBIT card for onboard purchases. Yes they took it and no, there were no issues. Obviously other than MSC placing holds for extra amounts on the account which was expected.

 

Maybe the no debit card rule is enforced in the UK but not US. Just FYI....

 

Bret