No Credit Card?

[Keiserwulf]

Hello- Beginner here. Is it true that if I don't own a credit card I must give a $200 deposit per person? Thank you in advance!

[CruiserBruce]

The deposit required will vary by the cruise line, and length of cruise. Best to ask the cruise line involved.

[Keiserwulf]

The deposit required will vary by the cruise line, and length of cruise. Best to ask the cruise line involved.

 

 

My bad, I forgot to add that. Royal Caribbean 7-day cruise March 8 2014

 

No info available online nor in the contract.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[CruiserBruce]

Again, for the best answer, call RCI.

[spookwife]

Hello- Beginner here. Is it true that if I don't own a credit card I must give a $200 deposit per person? Thank you in advance!

depending on the cruise line the per person per day deposit can be as high as $100 each. so for a 7 day crusie you can easily have to fork over $1400 or more in cash or traveler's checks up front. anything you do not use is refunded at the end.

 

some lines like Royal, allow you to spend up to $250(total for all people in the cabin) before you have to go down to guest services and pay any money.

[Keiserwulf]

depending on the cruise line the per person per day deposit can be as high as $100 each. so for a 7 day crusie you can easily have to fork over $1400 or more in cash or traveler's checks up front. anything you do not use is refunded at the end.

 

some lines like Royal, allow you to spend up to $250(total for all people in the cabin) before you have to go down to guest services and pay any money.

 

 

Well that sounds better. Thank You spookwife!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[sharpasice]

Hello- Beginner here. Is it true that if I don't own a credit card I must give a $200 deposit per person? Thank you in advance!

 

We were on the Oasis for the Halloween cruise. When I filled out my pre cruise paperwork..I checked off "cash acct". We had NO problems. No deposit was required. When the bill got close to $500 I went to guest services to pay the bill and close to the end of the cruise, I think the day before returning, I paid the rest of the bill with a credit card. No money was held on my credit card only the actual charge appeared.

[sharpasice]

I should add that they told us we were allowed $500 in charges before they'd contact us for payment. We never actually got any notice..I went down to pay when the bill was about $460.

[alexspepa]

Hello- Beginner here. Is it true that if I don't own a credit card I must give a $200 deposit per person? Thank you in advance!

 

yes...most likely

Edited January 28, 2014 by alexspepa

[Keiserwulf]

I should add that they told us we were allowed $500 in charges before they'd contact us for payment. We never actually got any notice..I went down to pay when the bill was about $460.

 

 

Interesting. I guess it makes no sense to hold cash from cruisers when they could be spending it around. At least in my opinion.

Now, you said Oasis, I wonder how does it work on Vision of the Seas? We will be sailing to ABC islands and Cartagena this March.

 

Thank You sharpasice!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Kartgv]

Keep in mind that there's another problem with having no credit card - if some problem comes up in a foreign port (such as an accident/major illness or getting left behind in a port!), you have to get yourself home. That could be very difficult in a foreign country with no credit card. Make sure you have a backup plan, such as a prepaid card that you keep for emergencies or someone to call should you need help.

[Keiserwulf]

Keep in mind that there's another problem with having no credit card - if some problem comes up in a foreign port (such as an accident/major illness or getting left behind in a port!), you have to get yourself home. That could be very difficult in a foreign country with no credit card. Make sure you have a backup plan, such as a prepaid card that you keep for emergencies or someone to call should you need help.

 

 

I'm fully aware and I'm working on it. Thank you Kartgv!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[siestakeys04]

Hello- Beginner here. Is it true that if I don't own a credit card I must give a $200 deposit per person? Thank you in advance!

 

I don't use CC either I sail carnival I just put gratuity and like 100 more we don't spend that much

 

Sent from my PantechP9070 using Tapatalk 2

[spookwife]

Interesting. I guess it makes no sense to hold cash from cruisers when they could be spending it around. At least in my opinion.

Now, you said Oasis, I wonder how does it work on Vision of the Seas? We will be sailing to ABC islands and Cartagena this March.

 

Thank You sharpasice!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

all transactions on board are through your on board account NO cash other than additional tips( room service) and maybe the Casino chips.

[BlueRiband]

Hello- Beginner here. Is it true that if I don't own a credit card I must give a $200 deposit per person? Thank you in advance!

 

Every cruise line has its own standards for cash accounts. You likely will have to pay a deposit and typically your account must have a positive balance at all times. If you use a debit card a "hold" will be placed on it for a specific amount. The web site of your cruise line will have details on their policy.

 

Please don't assume you can use traveler's checks. Some lines (Cunard for one) will no longer take them. So in general no credit card, no problem, but the cruise line will want to make sure that passengers can pay their on board account.

[cb at sea]

RCI doesn't require a deposit until you hit $500...and they DO take traveler's checks...although few use them, nowadays.

 

Bring cash...there's a safe in your cabin to store what you don't need to carry around with you.

[OscarMom]

Keep in mind that there's another problem with having no credit card - if some problem comes up in a foreign port (such as an accident/major illness or getting left behind in a port!), you have to get yourself home. That could be very difficult in a foreign country with no credit card. Make sure you have a backup plan, such as a prepaid card that you keep for emergencies or someone to call should you need help.

 

We purchased insurance through travel guard for our cruise. It was reasonably price ($113 for 3 people). It covers us in the case of medical emergency, etc. A friend highly recommended it. Her father had a medical issue while cruising out of the country, and travel guard flew him and his wife home with no out of pocket expenses on their part. I don't think it covers you if you miss the boat though....

[Philob]

We purchased insurance through travel guard for our cruise. It was reasonably price ($113 for 3 people). It covers us in the case of medical emergency, etc. A friend highly recommended it. Her father had a medical issue while cruising out of the country, and travel guard flew him and his wife home with no out of pocket expenses on their part. I don't think it covers you if you miss the boat though....

 

Unlike here in the US, some places will not begin treatment until $$ or credit card is produced regardless if you have insurance or not. The fine print in some insurance policies will indemnify you (pay you back) for your medical expenses.

[ducklite]

We purchased insurance through travel guard for our cruise. It was reasonably price ($113 for 3 people). It covers us in the case of medical emergency, etc. A friend highly recommended it. Her father had a medical issue while cruising out of the country, and travel guard flew him and his wife home with no out of pocket expenses on their part. I don't think it covers you if you miss the boat though....

 

 

Actually that's not quite the way it happened. Because it was obviously a catastrophic medical emergency, the carrier/hospital agreed to accept the insurer's direct pay authorization. This will not happen if you fall and sprain your ankle on the ship, or come down with a sinus infection, etc. You will be expected to pay out of pocket for the medical facility and then be reimbursed by the insurance. This could range from $100 to over $1000. Additionally, the medical facility and or carrier are not obligated to accept any sort of direct bill/pay authorization, and generally do require a deposit equivalent to the expected charges in advance.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[Hlitner]

I think it might be helpful to explain, that if you have no credit card you are going to find it's a bit of a hassle on any cruise line. You will need to maintain a sufficient balance in your onboard account in order to use your cruise card to purchase anything onboard. The hassle is that you will have to go to Guest Relations counter, wait in line (this can vary from fast to a very long wait) every time you need to replenish your onboard account. Cruise ships are designed as cashless systems and work best if you can simply register a credit card with the ship (done at embarkation). Even if you do register a card, you can still settle your account in cash (usually done the last evening of the cruise) in order to avoid having anything charged to your card. One issue with some folks is that each cruise line will put a "credit hold" on any registered account and the amount of this hold varies and can be a problem for those with a small credit limit. For example, HAL actually puts a $60 per passenger/day hold on shorter cruises (each cruise line has their own policy).

 

The reality of modern travel is that it is becoming increasingly difficult (and often impossible) to travel without having a credit card. In some cases it can be nearly impossible to rent a car, check into hotels, purchase an airline ticket, etc. Most of us who do a lot of travel carry multiple credit and debit cards so that we have sufficient back-up in case we lose a card (or have one stolen) or have an issue with a particular card.

 

Those without the necessary credit rating to get most cards can still usually qualify for certain types of pre-paid cards or cards linked to specified bank accounts. Anyone expecting to take a trip would be wise to explore the various options.

 

Hank

[sharpasice]

Interesting. I guess it makes no sense to hold cash from cruisers when they could be spending it around. At least in my opinion.

Now, you said Oasis, I wonder how does it work on Vision of the Seas? We will be sailing to ABC islands and Cartagena this March.

 

Thank You sharpasice!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

So sorry it took me so long to respond..have been pretty sick..think I got Noro just by reading about it! LOL I honestly don't know how it is on the other ships but I would imagine it is the same policy within the whole of Royal Caribbean.

Edited February 1, 2014 by sharpasice
mispelled

[sharpasice]

I'm fully aware and I'm working on it. Thank you Kartgv!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Keiserwulf, perhaps you have a debit/check card connected to your checking acct? That'll work too but I would go with the cash acct until you get close to the $500 limit (per room). Then use either cash or the debit card ..I used a debit card once before on RCCLfrom the beginning of the cruise and they never put a hold on the card but with a debit card it is possible that the person recording that card could tie up your funds..if you are careful use the cash acct, keep your spending low and pay toward the end of the cruise ..usually no hold at that point as the exact amt will go on the card.

 

Also if you have a cash account and pay the balance say on the 3rd day for example. Your $500 limit is renewed...and you can again pay with cash a few days later..

[Hawaiidan]

In todays credit world and travel world cash and debt cards do not cut it.

They can be compromise , stolen , hacked ( Target to Neiman Marcus) CAR rental and hotels can put hunderds in not thousands of your money on a up to 30 day hold.. Too you have really no insurance on fraud charges...thiefs can steal you blind in before you ever know it.....NO DEBT or CHECK card.

 

This is the same with Cruise lines you could find your entire account locked up and take weeks to a month to get it released

A car company will lock $500 for a days rental and many without a card will not rent to you at all.

 

To travel international or anywhere... You need a passport and a credit card that is good god for a min of $5000, with $10,000 being better. Or don't lave in a trip.....its that important If you can afford a I-pod gizmo then you should have a credit card

 

Personally I like and use a card with a $30,000 limit. keep it a zero balance but have it like an insurance. Second spending cash which earns you nothing in travel rewards, hotel airline, cash back, is , well foolish when the same money could be giving you a return.

 

Also the credit card is insurance, you get 10,000 pp travel insurance when you use your card to pay. Buy something or get ripped off....your only libel for $50. So product insurance. Need to charge in a foreign currency...many cards have no fee for that and you get it for the bankers million unit rate.

[boogs]

We were on the Oasis for the Halloween cruise. When I filled out my pre cruise paperwork..I checked off "cash acct". We had NO problems. No deposit was required. When the bill got close to $500 I went to guest services to pay the bill and close to the end of the cruise, I think the day before returning, I paid the rest of the bill with a credit card. No money was held on my credit card only the actual charge appeared.

 

We always list our card number when finalizing the booking process. The cruise lines will not place a hold on your credit card until the end of the cruise and you have approved payment. Like any other business, this "hold" is only until they receive into their business account any money's owed to them, which is usually only a couple of days. This duration is dependent on how efficient your credit card company is in paying off the charge. Since you used your card, you have agreed to let them secure a hold on your account for what you own them. This is fair.

Edited February 1, 2014 by boogs

[donaldsc]

We purchased insurance through travel guard for our cruise. It was reasonably price ($113 for 3 people). It covers us in the case of medical emergency, etc. A friend highly recommended it. Her father had a medical issue while cruising out of the country, and travel guard flew him and his wife home with no out of pocket expenses on their part. I don't think it covers you if you miss the boat though....

 

You will get reimbursed for your medical bills eventually. However, insurance does not mean that you do not have to pay for your treatment when it occurs and file for reimbursement later. That is what happened when I had an accident on a trip to Australia and had to visit the outpatient treatment room twice.

 

On the same trip, my wife was in the hospital for 3 days. They verified that she was covered and she did not have to pay in advance. So I guess it depends upon the location and treatment required.

 

I would get a credit card even if it is a low limit prepaid credit card.

 

DON