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What the Purser's Desk told me about the Seapass...check card vs. cash account

Cinci_Rachel

By Cinci_Rachel,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Cinci_Rachel

Cinci_Rachel

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We sailed Explorer on 9/11 (wonderful cruise destinations!) and I wanted to hear straight from the "Purser's" mouth what they say about the infamous SeaPass question regarding check cards vs. a cash account.

 

1) Cash accounts: No deposit of cash needed, but you do get a $500 limit to spend.

 

2) Check cards (i.e. Visa Check Card): They preauthorize your check card EVERY NIGHT for the amount you spent that day. Now, what that means to your bank could be different for each bank. But, this was interesting.

 

So if you had a choice between the two, and were not going to use a real credit card, I myself would opt for the cash account and bring some extra money just in case!

 

Rachel

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Cinci_Rachel

Cinci_Rachel

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I cannot tell you how much grief this one question was causing me pre-cruise!! Everyone tells you something different. I called RCCL twice and did NOT get that answer either time!

 

I think the purser's desk is the best person to ask, even the RCCL customer service person recommended doing that.

 

Have fun on the cruise....this was my 5th and the food was outstanding!! Best ever on a cruise. They have seriously improved the food quality!

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MizzCard

MizzCard

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My seapass account is paid for even before I cruise. I limit our spending to approx $1,000...Although I usually average about $800. When the credit card bill comes in, I pay it off with the $$ that's been sitting in the savings account especially for the cruise. Using a credit card is so much easier than cash, and handy if there are any disputes. JMO :rolleyes:

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curlyjbs

curlyjbs

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We sailed Explorer on 9/11 (wonderful cruise destinations!) and I wanted to hear straight from the "Purser's" mouth what they say about the infamous SeaPass question regarding check cards vs. a cash account.

 

1) Cash accounts: No deposit of cash needed, but you do get a $500 limit to spend.

 

2) Check cards (i.e. Visa Check Card): They preauthorize your check card EVERY NIGHT for the amount you spent that day. Now, what that means to your bank could be different for each bank. But, this was interesting.

 

So if you had a choice between the two, and were not going to use a real credit card, I myself would opt for the cash account and bring some extra money just in case!

 

Rachel

 

I want to put $$ on my kids accounts BUT I don't want them to have cart blanche with a $500 limit. :eek: Can I authorize a lower limit and can I add $ daily or every other day? I don't want the kids to overspend and have to pay just because RCCL will "let" them spend up to $500. Do I have any control over the max. limit amount???

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Nliedel

Nliedel

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I had a huge problem with my seapass a few years ago using a debit card. They overdrew me by a HUGE amount. Now it is cash, cash, cash. I just give them a grand up front and it is no problem. I do have the kids on my account and I just threatened them with a logn swim off a short pier if they spend one dime! Same threats for eating the cashews in the room (7 bucks a pop).

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CCCCreg

CCCCreg

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I just got off the AOS out of San Juan and backed up my Seapass with a Credit card. When I returned home and checked my credit card online there was a large discrepancy between my balance and available credit. After investigating, RCCL put a hold on the card at for the amount charged during the previuos 24 hours at the end of each day and then turned around and charged the total bill on the final day with a new authorization. The "holds' will not roll off the credit card for up to 21 days. It didn't cause me a problem but if I had tried to make a large purchase on the way home it could have been embarassing :mad: and I would not be happy if had been my debit card. Just an FYI.

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Flossie

Flossie

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I know that everyone has there own opinon on this and very stronge views as to what to do . But we opt for the Cash , it works out so much better for us, there is no room for that ol' well go ahead and get it, we will pay that off next month. Anyway we usually start with an amount then we can add to it, they have atm's on the ships now and so we just get more out of our account and add it to the sea pass.This way we are not carring money or travelers checks with us. We have never had a problem with this and on the big ships you can view your account on the tv in your room, this is very handy.

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AFT_LOVER

AFT_LOVER

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we have no hold put on our card, just the temp charge from last day & the final charge which is the same amount within 2 days. Then I pay it all off & have my -0- balance. I pay off my card every Friday in auto pay, so I am usually -0-. Same with AMEX. Too bad my miles & cruise points don't post immediately but the day after statement date.

 

I usually use my American Express card...no credit limit and they will deal with any

discrepancies.

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atlcple2

atlcple2

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I personally prefer to use a credit card for final payment on board. It is easier to dispute something if there is an issue on your bill and if you pay it off in 30 days, there is no interest on the charges. Food for thought. I realize that not everyone uses credit cards or may not have one and in those cases, it sounds like paying cash is the best option. We usually spend around $1000.00 as well, however our last cruise we only had our gratuities and an additional $150!!! We really just relaxed on the ship and didn't drink very much...we were very rested when we got back home and were thrilled our bill was only about $300! : )

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AerynSun_JohnCrighton

AerynSun_JohnCrighton

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I have a 1,000 limit a day to spending... I do NOT plan to spend more than 300, cuz it's just little ol me.

 

So... what your saying is on the debits, they charge it the amount you spend every night? And then at the end, they charge the full amount? Say you spend 50 one day, that charge that and at the end of the cruise you've spent 300, they charge 300? Is that what ya'll are saying?

 

Do they take it off your accont? Give it back the extra they charged? Or do you have to call your bank, then call them..etc..etc..?

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CCCCreg

CCCCreg

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In our case we used my Costco American Express(3% rebate:D ) as the card to use for the Seapass account. We had a zero balance with $5000.00 available credit. Our final bill was a little over $1400.00(many cocktails later:p ). This would normally leave us with an available balance of $3600.00). However we I got home I checked my account online just out of caution and my available balance was only $2400.00. But the $1400.00 charge was posted correctly. I was initailly afraid a mistaken or fraudulent charge was on the account and hadn't posted yet, so I called AMEX and they stated that Royal Carobbean had placed "holds" or "Authorizations" each day and these amounts matched my Seapass puchases each day, then they got a new authorization for the total final bill and processed it. Amex stated that Royal Caribbean would have to call and release the holds or I would have to wait 21 days and the authorizations would be released in no actual charges we processed. Royal Caribbean was not interested in doing this and just stated the charges would "drop" or "roll off" in a few days. No real problem for me, but since I was unaware, had I used a card with a smaller limit or made a large purchase(like Jewelry for the wife), It could have been a problem. I hope I explained this in a somewhat coherent manner. I just felt it was something to be aware of.

 

RCCL customer servie was very nice but were definitely not worried about it. However, I was charged $20.00 for the new American Airlines check in service which for whatever reason they could not complete, and they Customer service rep issued an immediate $20.00 refund that posted in <24 hours with no questions asked.

 

Sorry for the long post. I hope someone finds it useful.

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chrisnsteph1022

chrisnsteph1022

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Another thing to watch out for-the charges from the ship show up as international charges and CC companies watch that for you. We didn't realize this and we got rejected at the casino. When we went to the purser's desk, they said Visa had noticed some unusual charges and put a hold on the card, preventing use until we called to clear it. It was embarassing at first, since I KNEW we were nowhere close to our limit, but once I realized what was going on, it was nice to know they were looking out for me!

 

BTW, the RC CC is great. I bought art on board, so I got LOTS of double points for that. I've taken 2 buy one get one free cruises so far.

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