Do I still need to place creddit card on file and do they put a hold

[Travelbug1978]

If it was me I would not add $350. to my onboard account as OBC.

 

I would register my CC which would allow me to checkin and board the ship.

 

During the cruise I would keep track of my expenses (this is easy via the Princess smartphone app) and stop by guest services to keep the running balance paid up. At the end of the cruise I would have a zero balance (if I didn't overspend) and would not have to wait several weeks on a check for any difference. And no charges would be added to my CC account.

 

By going every day and paying the balance how does that avoid the charges

[Been There, Planning That]

Travelbug,

 

I think you're getting quite different answers from non Canadians who do not need the benefit of a dollar exchange.

 

But I believe they're still correct that it could take some time to release a hold on your cc which I really don't think you can avoid. Even with refunds due it was some time before the hold was released.

[skynight]

What hotel charges.

Hotel Charges are the daily auto-tip. It is posted daily to your account as "Hotel Gratuity." Since you already say you pre-paid the gratuity, you will not have any further charges. I can confirm that you will have to provide a credit or debit card when you check in, if one is not already on your account. It is just the way it is if you wish to go on cruises.

[thinfool]

Further research indicates that it is possible to use cash only for a Princess sailing. No credit or debit card involved.

 

This discussion is very helpful.... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2455903

[Alaska Newbie]

I am buying OBC before we go since exchange rate is better. I will have about 500. 150 came with the cruise and another 350 I will put on. Do I still need to have a cc on file. Do they put a hold on it. Also is it best to cash out at casino if there us some left or do they put it back onto the cc.

 

What was the rate for US money from Princess?

[Been There, Planning That]

What was the rate for US money from Princess?

 

As I understand, it is determined by the rate at the time your deposit was made. For us that $1.30 Cdn for $1.00 US -- a bit better than current bank rates. I'm sure a phone call would confirm your rate.

 

We always recheck amount to be charged to our Cdn credit card before purchasing OBC.

 

Ruth

[Alaska Newbie]

Thank you!

[Baystate]

Will they accept a debit card?

 

Personally, I would never use a debit card. First, your debit card doesn't have the same protections as your credit card. If your information is ever compromised so is your bank account, and banks do NOT work as quickly to rectify things as credit card companies. Second, is the fact when the cruise company places a hold on your debit card, you had better have more than enough to cover any transactions that normally go through your bank account. Otherwise, you will be overdrawn and will incur bank fees. I know all of this because I had worked at a bank for years.

 

 

Credit card or cash is the way to go. If that isn't an option for you for whatever reason open a statement savings account and obtain a debit card for that account.

 

 

I highly discourage anyone in using a debit card attached to a checking account.

[KristyMisty14]

Yes we have a small cc and don't want it to drain all our money..I wish we didn't need to leave one since we have significant obc

 

Yes but they don't know you don't plan to buy too much against your account.... so they have to protect themselves in that all of a sudden you might go wild at the art auction and buy a $2000 painting or something, this is why they pre-auth your card so they know you have $$$ if you do charge a whole bunch of stuff

[Pierlesscruisers]

Personally, I would never use a debit card. First, your debit card doesn't have the same protections as your credit card. If your information is ever compromised so is your bank account, and banks do NOT work as quickly to rectify things as credit card companies. Second, is the fact when the cruise company places a hold on your debit card, you had better have more than enough to cover any transactions that normally go through your bank account. Otherwise, you will be overdrawn and will incur bank fees. I know all of this because I had worked at a bank for years.

 

Credit card or cash is the way to go. If that isn't an option for you for whatever reason open a statement savings account and obtain a debit card for that account.

 

I highly discourage anyone in using a debit card attached to a checking account.

 

Your points are definitely valid. But I would argue your statement about using cash as a "way to go" since always using a debit card or cash does not help build a good credit rating as does using a credit card and paying off the balance in full every month. That said, however, some people need, or maybe just want, help in managing their spending. Of course we're wandering off subject if we get off into discussions of finances, I guess. :D In the end, whatever works for the individual(s) involved, right?

 

Tom

[Baystate]

Your points are definitely valid. But I would argue your statement about using cash as a "way to go" since always using a debit card or cash does not help build a good credit rating as does using a credit card and paying off the balance in full every month. That said, however, some people need, or maybe just want, help in managing their spending. Of course we're wandering off subject if we get off into discussions of finances, I guess. :D In the end, whatever works for the individual(s) involved, right?

 

Tom

That's why I added this:

Originally posted by Baystate Personally, I would never use a debit card. First, your debit card doesn't have the same protections as your credit card. If your information is ever compromised so is your bank account, and banks do NOT work as quickly to rectify things as credit card companies. Second, is the fact when the cruise company places a hold on your debit card, you had better have more than enough to cover any transactions that normally go through your bank account. Otherwise, you will be overdrawn and will incur bank fees. I know all of this because I had worked at a bank for years.

 

Credit card or cash is the way to go. If that isn't an option for you for whatever reason open a statement savings account and obtain a debit card for that account.

I highly discourage anyone in using a debit card attached to a checking account.

[cb at sea]

If your card is a DEBIT, do NOT use it for your check in card! Simply bring cash and put it on your account. You don't HAVE TO HAVE a credit card to cruise, but you do need to put money on your account. Debit cards incur long holds....credit cards do not. Neither does cash! The "holds" on a debit are from your bank..not the cruise line, and they can last for 10 days after the cruise, and can totally mess with your bank account. Just withdraw cash and bring it, or use a real credit card.

[crochetcruise]

I prepay as much as possible-Soda and More Package; Canapes; On Board Credit for Cocktails, Souvenirs (carefully costed) and Gaming and allow for the purchase of Future Cruise Deposits or booking another cruise. :D

 

I do use a Debit Card that is a TOTALLY separate account to my normal banking. Have had no trouble. HTH.

[Travelbug1978]

What was the rate for US money from Princess?

 

Our rate was a 1.30 for 1 usd

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

On Princess' own FAQ it states that if you want to settle with cash or traveler's check you can but you would leave a deposit with the purser's desk instead of a credit card. It doesn't say how much the deposit is...probably varies depending on length and/or location of the cruise.

 

So that seems to contradict everything being said here about "MUST" leave a card.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Personally, I would never use a debit card. First, your debit card doesn't have the same protections as your credit card. If your information is ever compromised so is your bank account, and banks do NOT work as quickly to rectify things as credit card companies. Second, is the fact when the cruise company places a hold on your debit card, you had better have more than enough to cover any transactions that normally go through your bank account. Otherwise, you will be overdrawn and will incur bank fees. I know all of this because I had worked at a bank for years.

 

 

Credit card or cash is the way to go. If that isn't an option for you for whatever reason open a statement savings account and obtain a debit card for that account.

 

 

I highly discourage anyone in using a debit card attached to a checking account.

 

I don't know where you are located or what banks you use, but the banks I use and have used (Chase, Bank of America, and Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) - actually those are order from present to past) have always acted immediately - freezing the account, issuing a new card, crediting my account for the disputed charges, and investigating and following-up. Every bit as quick as the credit cards my dad has had compromised before.

[Pierlesscruisers]

On Princess' own FAQ it states that if you want to settle with cash or traveler's check you can but you would leave a deposit with the purser's desk instead of a credit card. It doesn't say how much the deposit is...probably varies depending on length and/or location of the cruise.

 

So that seems to contradict everything being said here about "MUST" leave a card.

 

On the cruises to Alaska out of Seattle, the amount of the deposit for those wishing to use cash is $300 per person.

 

Tom

[Travelbug1978]

On the cruises to Alaska out of Seattle, the amount of the deposit for those wishing to use cash is $300 per person.

 

Tom

 

Ouch that is a lot of money I would have to leave 1500

[Pierlesscruisers]

Ouch that is a lot of money I would have to leave 1500

 

If some of your party are young children, I believe that you can deposit smaller amounts for them or even zero amounts. Not sure about that but I believe that is the case.

 

Tom

[rbt001]

To the OP-

 

If I've read all your comments correctly, you intend to spend "very little," and you have pre-paid your gratuities and excursions.

 

Have you estimated what your on-board spending might be for the duration of the cruise?

 

If it's only "a drink here and there," as you stated, will that at least consume your $150 non-refundable OBC?

 

Also, with respect to a refund of the refundable $350 OBC, which other posters have indicated will arrive as a check, drawn on a US Bank, do you have a means of depositing that "foreign" check in your local account at home? Or do you know how much that will cost?

 

If you don't, then I suggest you inquire and do some math because I've read a post in another thread awhile back about frustrations post-cruise surrounding a Princess refund check and personal bank charges to negotiate it through the "special collections" process.

 

Lastly, I gather that this all has to do with the favorable "locked-in-when-you-booked" USD-CAD rate of $1.30.

 

As of my posting the USD-CAD rate is $1.3288 for a difference of $0.0288. What's in play here is the $350 OBC and applying the difference is $10.08.

 

Have you taken into consideration the lost opportunity cost which may weigh more than a $10 CAD savings?

 

And as for your initial question, I doubt Princess would take an authorization against your credit card other than an initial $1.00 for the simple purposes of verifying the card remains valid. Your folio (as it's called) will start with a credit balance of $500.00 at least. Perhaps someone else who has pre-paid gratuities can confirm whether that pre-payment also shows up as an initial credit against which the nightly gratuity posts; this would provide you with an accounting of the daily charges.

 

Your on board spending will reduce that credit balance. And as someone else has posted, until you fully consume your credit balance, they won't take an additional authorization.

[Baystate]

I don't know where you are located or what banks you use, but the banks I use and have used (Chase, Bank of America, and Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) - actually those are order from present to past) have always acted immediately - freezing the account, issuing a new card, crediting my account for the disputed charges, and investigating and following-up. Every bit as quick as the credit cards my dad has had compromised before.

 

I am in Massachusetts. The banks that you mention are major national banks and that may be a different story than the average local bank. Disputed charges would not be credited immediately, but investigated. With a debit card that is attached to your checking account that may mean not being able to make your mortgage payment, etc. And, I have witnessed problems that bank customers have had when their debit card that is attached to their checking account is compromised. Not only is it a matter of freezing an account and issuing a new card (which EVERY bank would do), but notifying all of the places that have automatic withdrawals, dealing and explaining what happened to companies that you may have bounced a check on, etc. It is an incredible hassle. Now, obviously, to each his own. I was just trying to help.

[riclop]

Yes and yes.

[Travelbug1978]

To the OP-

 

If I've read all your comments correctly, you intend to spend "very little," and you have pre-paid your gratuities and excursions.

 

Have you estimated what your on-board spending might be for the duration of the cruise?

 

If it's only "a drink here and there," as you stated, will that at least consume your $150 non-refundable OBC?

 

Also, with respect to a refund of the refundable $350 OBC, which other posters have indicated will arrive as a check, drawn on a US Bank, do you have a means of depositing that "foreign" check in your local account at home? Or do you know how much that will cost?

 

If you don't, then I suggest you inquire and do some math because I've read a post in another thread awhile back about frustrations post-cruise surrounding a Princess refund check and personal bank charges to negotiate it through the "special collections" process.

 

Lastly, I gather that this all has to do with the favorable "locked-in-when-you-booked" USD-CAD rate of $1.30.

 

As of my posting the USD-CAD rate is $1.3288 for a difference of $0.0288. What's in play here is the $350 OBC and applying the difference is $10.08.

 

Have you taken into consideration the lost opportunity cost which may weigh more than a $10 CAD savings?

 

And as for your initial question, I doubt Princess would take an authorization against your credit card other than an initial $1.00 for the simple purposes of verifying the card remains valid. Your folio (as it's called) will start with a credit balance of $500.00 at least. Perhaps someone else who has pre-paid gratuities can confirm whether that pre-payment also shows up as an initial credit against which the nightly gratuity posts; this would provide you with an accounting of the daily charges.

 

Your on board spending will reduce that credit balance. And as someone else has posted, until you fully consume your credit balance, they won't take an additional authorization.

 

Not sure how things work I the use but that posted rate is not what we would get. Banks and credit cards have a higher rate due to fees and foreign exchange fees. I am looking at roughly 1.39.

My mother in law is taking care of all gratutites. She is the one taking our family and sister in laws families and has paid all these fees. It's not a problem for me to open a usd account and deposit a cheque.

[Thrak]

Give them a credit card for the booking. Switch to all cash after you board. They will watch your account and let you know if you are getting low. Since you are purchasing a bunch of OBC that will automagically be part of your folio. You should be fine. I agree with the others here who say do not use a debit card. There have been too many posts here on CC where people did that and it totally screwed up their banking.

 

Hope you have a fantastic cruise.

[luckyinpa]

what is the amount of hold on a 5 nite cruise? i want to use cap 1 for when i'm not in the USA due to the lack of fees but i probably dont have enough on it for excursions / tshirts etc PLUS something like a 500 hold.