Settling on board fees?

[Gilby1989]

Hi everyone!

 

First time cruiser!

 

We are going on the celebrity solstice next month and I'm curious about the payment at the end. Im going to give them my credit card details at the start and am taking Australian dollars with me. My question is if I have Australian dollars left over from my trip can I use them to help pay off any excursions or purchases iv made on the ship?

 

For example if my bill is $600 could I use $400 off the credit card and $200 I have left over from Australia dollars.

 

Im really fretting about this as I'm from the UK and don't have a credit card yet so was going to use a debit card but people on here have said they put a hold on your card? If anyone can help me figure out the best way of paying for things, people with more experience than me that'd be great. Iv only ever took money out with me when iv gone abroad and now there seems to be so many options of travellers cheques and cash cards :(

[vulcan1971]

Hi everyone!

 

First time cruiser!

 

We are going on the celebrity solstice next month and I'm curious about the payment at the end. Im going to give them my credit card details at the start and am taking Australian dollars with me. My question is if I have Australian dollars left over from my trip can I use them to help pay off any excursions or purchases iv made on the ship?

 

For example if my bill is $600 could I use $400 off the credit card and $200 I have left over from Australia dollars.

 

Im really fretting about this as I'm from the UK and don't have a credit card yet so was going to use a debit card but people on here have said they put a hold on your card? If anyone can help me figure out the best way of paying for things, people with more experience than me that'd be great. Iv only ever took money out with me when iv gone abroad and now there seems to be so many options of travellers cheques and cash cards :(

 

The currency used on-board on Celebrity ships is the U.S.A. dollar. Therefore, your bill to be paid at the end of the cruise would be tallied up in U.S. dollars and that is the currency you need to use to pay off that balance you have accrued. When you arrive to check in, you will be given a form to fill out/sign for any foreign (non-U.S.) bank cards. The form is regarding whether you want your bank/financial institution or Celebrity to do the currency conversion.

 

I cannot speak for what is best or makes the most sense for you situation. I am aware that you can do a cash account (in lieu of a credit card), but I don't have any specifics to provide you.

 

You are best to call Celebrity and inquire with them.

Edited January 27, 2015 by vulcan1971

[SixOneTwo]

If you don't have a credit card and are worried about using a debit card or obtaining US$, you could also pre-purchase onboard credits via the celebrity website. This is located under "Already Booked > Gifts by Celebrity > Gifts Delivered Onboard."

 

Any amount you don't use will be refunded to you. Assuming you can use a debit card to purchase these credits via the website, but you could also ask your travel agent to help you, or call Celebrity.

 

Your purchase of credits is in US $.

Edited January 27, 2015 by SixOneTwo

[SixOneTwo]

Oh, one more thing. You are SO LUCKY to be going on your first cruise. Get ready to have your life changed.

[miched]

USa currency is what they use as the base. I think they accept foreign currency but discount it at a rate posted by customer relations desk. I don't know how close it is to the true rate of exchange.

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[Hlitner]

USa currency is what they use as the base. I think they accept foreign currency but discount it at a rate posted by customer relations desk. I don't know how close it is to the true rate of exchange.

 

happy cruising

 

Any foreign exchange done onboard is at much less then favorable rates :(

 

Hank

[Project_gal]

Gilby1989

 

Please understand that, if you do wish to pay your on board account in Australian dollars, it will be very bad value. You will have already exchanged your pounds for Australian. On board, they will need to convert your Australian dollars to US dollars. At each exchange you will lose some money. Even when there is no commission, you "pay" for the conversion in the exchange rate used. The exchange rate offered on board will not even be a very good one.

 

The suggestion to purchase On Board Credits is an very good one. At the moment, Celebrity are offering an exceptionally good rate if you purchase this in the UK. Telephone Celebrity [rather than doing it online as suggested - the process is better]. You will need to use your debit card to purchase if you do not have a credit card.

 

If you use a credit card or a debit card when you set up your on board account, there will be a holding charge put on your card. This is no different to when you use a card at a hotel anywhere in the world. It is nothing sinister but you need to be aware that it is there and may be for some time after you have paid your final bill. If you take out a new credit card, your credit limit may be relatively low and you could find that the hold takes up a large percentage of that limit. However, if you use your debit card, you would need to have enough money in your current account to cover it.

 

The biggest problem you have as a first time cruiser, I think, is not knowing in advance how much you will spend on board.

 

My advice would be to sit down and try to work out a budget for on the ship and on land. Hard I know but worth it. I break it down by day and what we expect to be doing each day and how much that will cost. If you can do that, you may understand how much Australian and how much US you will need.

 

You say you are cruising next month. This advice is specific to travelling very soon because it is based on current exchange rates:

• Because Celebrity are offering a great rate for OBC at present [and the rate you will get if you purchase US$ is not good at the moment], try to purchase the right amount of on board credit for your on board account. You WILL spend more than you think!
  
• Because [from what I am reading on Cruise Critic] I believe you should get a reasonable rate when you purchase Australian dollars, purchase Australian dollars only for what you expect to spend on shore.
  
• Then use your new credit card only for anything above what you expect to spend.
  

 

Hope that helps a little!

[morbihan]

I took 1000 $ and if we hadn't booked another cruise and got on board credit, we would have spent it all.

 

We were the lucky ones with no 'free gifts' when we booked:mad:

 

We know now. What a shame I didn't know about the helpful people on here until too late.

 

This bill included the gratuities for two and really, the minimum of drink but it rose like a pheasant! I am not mean but blimey.

 

I paid in cash on the last evening on board. Then, of course, we had a cocktail and I was phoned to make sure I paid up!

[shoreham01]

We have always taken out dollars over here in UK to take with us. We have always given details of a credit card too as they ask for it. Not sure if you can just give cash as they need the cover of having a card incase you try and get off the ship without paying. On the form they give you to fill in at the docks it will ask if you want them to exchange the dollars charged to your card. Tick no, you are better to let your bank do it.

 

Most important......keep checking your account and take a little notebook with you to write in everything you spend on board. You can check the account on the TV in your state room. They do make errors quite often. If you do notice an error go immediately to Guest Relations and ask them to sort it out.

 

If you have any OBC/Drink Package/Free Gratuities always check that Guest Relations have the correct amount on their records. Go there the first day to confirm all is well. We have experienced problems when they have not got all our OBC listed. Always take copies of all documentation, especially print outs of OBC and any tours you have paid for. Mistakes are made and it is much easier if you can plonk a printout in front of them. Always smile and be polite with them, you will get far better service. Actually always smile and be polite to all the lovely people who will be looking after you.

 

Have a wonderfull time.

[SixOneTwo]

I just want to add this:

 

If you are thinking of buying the onboard credits, there is sometimes a cut-off date for placing the order. Since it sounds like you're a month away from cruising, you should find out what that date is by calling Celebrity.

 

I know when I purchase gifts for cruising friends for delivery on board, there's a deadline for getting my order in prior to the sail date. The OBC option is on the gifts menu. It may have a similar restriction, which assures the accounting is done before you sail.

 

Also, look for drink menus and spa menus here on Cruise Critic to help you determine what kind of spending you might do on board. (e.g. if you know you're going to have 2 beers every night, a bottle of wine with dinner and 1 specialty coffee every morning, you can figure out your daily drink total...don't forget to add 15% gratuity.) Pre-purchase your shore excursions now, too.

[Project_gal]

I just want to add this:

 

If you are thinking of buying the onboard credits, there is sometimes a cut-off date for placing the order. Since it sounds like you're a month away from cruising, you should find out what that date is by calling Celebrity.

 

I know when I purchase gifts for cruising friends for delivery on board, there's a deadline for getting my order in prior to the sail date. The OBC option is on the gifts menu. It may have a similar restriction, which assures the accounting is done before you sail.

 

Very true, but in the OP's case I would act more urgently. Celebrity's rate is currently so good and they are selling so much OBC that the rate may change at any time!

[We're The Groupnors]

You can pre-pay your daily gratuities (if you haven't already), pre-purchase specialty dining and shore excursions. Also, if you think it's worth it you can pre-purchase drink packages. For any other extras you think you may buy on board, such as spa treatments or photos, pre-purchase an OBC, as another poster has suggested. This should leave you with very little, if anything, to pay for with a debit or credit card at the end of the sailing.

 

Enjoy your furst cruise!

[Lsimon]

Hi everyone!

 

First time cruiser!

 

We are going on the celebrity solstice next month and I'm curious about the payment at the end. Im going to give them my credit card details at the start and am taking Australian dollars with me. My question is if I have Australian dollars left over from my trip can I use them to help pay off any excursions or purchases iv made on the ship?

 

For example if my bill is $600 could I use $400 off the credit card and $200 I have left over from Australia dollars.

 

Im really fretting about this as I'm from the UK and don't have a credit card yet so was going to use a debit card but people on here have said they put a hold on your card? If anyone can help me figure out the best way of paying for things, people with more experience than me that'd be great. Iv only ever took money out with me when iv gone abroad and now there seems to be so many options of travellers cheques and cash cards :(

 

First the answer is yes. You can pay down your account with Australian dollars and put the balance on a credit card. The rate you get on your Australian dollars might not be the best so don't get extra currency just to use for paying your account. If you do that then get US$ for that purpose before you board. Or, if you are from the UK just use GBP to pay down the account - the rate might not be best but if you buy AU$ and use that you'll be paying foreign exchange rates twice. On our TA cruises from Europe to the USA we always take my left over Euros to guest relations and have them apply them to our account. Do be aware that you'll need to do this before disembarkation day and maybe before a certain time the day before. If you're waiting until the last minute then ask about the cut off time for this earlier in the cruise.

 

As for debit cards: They will absolutely put holds on your debit card causing portions of your bank account to be frozen. Sometimes it all releases quickly or properly offsets charges to holds, but I've read reports of times it does not and ties up money for days after the cruise. If you have lots of extra money in your bank account then there is no harm done, but if not then: I recommend you do not check in with your debit card. Instead tell them you want a cash account on board. From what I've read they may or may not ask for a deposit. They'll also ask you to pay down the account on board periodically during the cruise if the balance exceeds a threshold they'll set. I think you can then do the on-board pay downs using your debit card without incurring holds like you'd get if it was posted as a standing credit card on the account, or use your currency to pay down the account.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Lsimon

[Gilby1989]

Hi and thanks everyone for the responses.

 

Would people recommend obc for the casino on board? How is the casino done? Is it cash or added on to your final fee?

 

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[Lsimon]

...Would people recommend obc for the casino on board? How is the casino done? Is it cash or added on to your final fee? ...

 

Casino is normally cash. They'll give you an advance from your on board account but charge a 5% fee for doing that.

[Project_gal]

Hi and thanks everyone for the responses.

 

Would people recommend obc for the casino on board? How is the casino done? Is it cash or added on to your final fee?

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

 

The Casino requires cash. You can get cash against your on board account but, as Lsimon said, your will be charged a 5% surcharge. However, provided the rate has not changed overnight, it is still better value to purchase OBC for this than purchasing US$ in the UK.