Out of money

[indygirl76]

That's a big "if" for someone who went flat broke on a cruise.

I think it just depends on the person and the situation. For ex, I would absolutely help out a reliable friend who had a card company tech fail like the one in this thread. "Derp, I spent too much in the casino, help meeee??" is more likely to get a "So sorry, my own cards are maxed out. Wish I could help!" reply.

[BallFour4]

On a couple of cruises we found ourselves in the lobby area on Deck 3 around Guest Services the last sea day. We've seen couples sitting with a member of the cruise staff going over documents, credit cards in hand. We've also seen people walk out of the offices close by with papers in hand.

Last year we rode the elevator back to the lido with a couple that had just come from that area and they were discussing the agreement they signed as described above as a promissory note. They had 90 days to make the note good.

An example of one, but at least an observation...

.

[Keys2Heaven]

And THAT is why a credit card is the best choice, and the ONLY choice I’ve ever used on any of my cruises. I don’t understand why people mess around putting cash on an account. Just pay your charge bill when you get home. I have no idea how much I’m going to spend on a cruise. My hubby and I often will buy a nice Citizen watch when onboard, so we could go over what we thought we’d spend. Charge card (NEVER a debit card) is the best choice.

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We do cruise cash and it works out great for us. I like to have a set budget. But, we have a card that we attach to our folio once onboard as well.

[CruiseGal999]

That's a big "if" for someone who went flat broke on a cruise.

 

 

I don't think the OP is talking about being flat broke. It's about putting a set amount of cash on your account and spending THAT amount of money and more than what was in the account. And seemingly, having no more cash with them to put on the account or any cards (debit or credit) to cover the purchases.

[Keys2Heaven]

I don't think the OP is talking about being flat broke. It's about putting a set amount of cash on your account and spending THAT amount of money and more than what was in the account. And seemingly, having no more cash with them to put on the account or any cards (debit or credit) to cover the purchases.

 

We had cruise cash a couple of years ago. We we were close to our limit, and a purchase my wife was trying to make would have put us over the limit. Their system wouldn't allow the purchase to be made until I attached a CC to our folio.

[cb at sea]

They will have you sign a promissory note, if you have no way to pay on the ship....and I'm sure there are fees and interest charged along with that! Best not to over-spend if you can't cover your purchases!

[serene56]

I wondered about this too. We always use a cash account but we have credit cards and debit cards on hand.

 

We put 500 on when we first get on board and then load more as needed.

 

Our last cruise we were behind a couple at the kiosk asking each other how they only had 15.00 left. It was the second day. I was like damn, lol

 

 

some people dont know about the auto tips.

 

and you can not get off the ship before your account is cleared. THe machine sounds an alarm. I was sooo embarrassed one cruise when those machines went off on me. They said because my passport information was wrong. Cruise lines say they do not hold information but they used information from a passport that was notified of being lost. Needless to say I was pissed that they could embarrass me like that

[sfaaa]

some people dont know about the auto tips.

 

You mean the ones that line up at guest service and whine on last sea day? Not sure why DSC is such a surprise to them or their budget.

Edited May 4, 2018 by sfaaa

[packedandready]

Several years ago while we were waiting to debark a couple was loudly complaining because they had been called to guest services. Seems they had over spent their cash account and carnival was wanting them to pay up. They were insisting that since carnival “Let” them go over their deposit they weren’t responsible for the balance. You can guess who won that argument 🤣

 

 

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[HeidiHo]

This wasn't on Carnival but Royal Caribbean. I know someone who boarded a cruise with only a debit card that had no money on it. She thought that it would be fine as long as her paycheck on the last Friday of the 7 night cruise was deposited into her account. She didn't realize that she needed to have the money on the card when she boarded so that the cruise line could put a hold on a certain amount. She couldn't buy or do anything that wasn't included in the cruise fare the whole week. By the time she got paid on Friday and the money was in her account, the cruise was almost over.

[grandmarnnurse]

This wasn't on Carnival but Royal Caribbean. I know someone who boarded a cruise with only a debit card that had no money on it. She thought that it would be fine as long as her paycheck on the last Friday of the 7 night cruise was deposited into her account. She didn't realize that she needed to have the money on the card when she boarded so that the cruise line could put a hold on a certain amount. She couldn't buy or do anything that wasn't included in the cruise fare the whole week. By the time she got paid on Friday and the money was in her account, the cruise was almost over.

Never, ever, ever use a debit card! Way too risky, and they put a hold on your account. I don’t know why there is so much reluctance on people to use a credit card? It is 100% easier than putting cash on your account, having to wait in line, add more cash, wait in line, cash out/settle up for the week. Just put it on your credit card, and no worry. Just pay it off after cruise once you get your bill. Not to mention, most credit cards earn you rewards. I have a Carnival card, and I recieve double points using it onboard.

[salty dingo]

She couldn't buy or do anything that wasn't included in the cruise fare the whole week.

She had to suffer through a week of eating in the MDR, watching shows, and soaking up sun with ONLY tea and ice water to drink? Say it ain't so!

[April42749]

I've used the same cc on cruises for years. All cruises are out of NY....to Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda.

 

On one cruise (NCL) last year I went to purchase a watch on the first sea day. Declined! Told to visit guest services....where I was informed that "just because you use it to check in, the card isn't actually processed at that time."

 

I was allowed a courtesy call to the bank. "The bank" told me that I didn't inform them that I was leaving the country. Huh...I never inform them that I'll be on a cruise. In any case, is sailing out of NY, and back to NY, as far as spending really "leaving the country?" They allowed the credit and now I call multiple cards "just in case".

 

I had DH with me, and several other cards between us, but I had wondered what would have happened if they didn't let me call the bank.

[TEXASMUNK]

Just an FYI. If it gets to the point of signing a promissory note, they will pursue you to the ends of the earth to collect and hey will use every legal step required. Jut plan ahead, be sure you have sufficient cash, or room on your credit card or debit card.

[Elustriah]

some people dont know about the auto tips.

 

and you can not get off the ship before your account is cleared. THe machine sounds an alarm. I was sooo embarrassed one cruise when those machines went off on me. They said because my passport information was wrong. Cruise lines say they do not hold information but they used information from a passport that was notified of being lost. Needless to say I was pissed that they could embarrass me like that

 

Good Point on tips, I always pre pay mine! But I could see see that.

 

And I don't blame you on the buzzer!

[Get your fat pants on]

C

 

 

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[torcruise]

I always put cash on my card. When I run out of money my card got declined and I had to put more money on. I was not able to over spend. I prefer this so that I just don't spend mindlessly and get a shock at the end of the cruise

Edited May 5, 2018 by torcruise

[sparks1093]

Never, ever, ever use a debit card! Way too risky, and they put a hold on your account. I don’t know why there is so much reluctance on people to use a credit card? It is 100% easier than putting cash on your account, having to wait in line, add more cash, wait in line, cash out/settle up for the week. Just put it on your credit card, and no worry. Just pay it off after cruise once you get your bill. Not to mention, most credit cards earn you rewards. I have a Carnival card, and I recieve double points using it onboard.

 

Different strokes for different folks. The fraud protection for a debit card is not quite so robust as it is with a credit card, but that's the only risk. Yes, they put holds on the account, but they do the same with credit cards and as long as one has the funds to cover both the hold and the final charge there is no problem. (And it's that last bit that gets most people into trouble.)

[jayowl]

I've used the same cc on cruises for years. All cruises are out of NY....to Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda.

 

 

 

On one cruise (NCL) last year I went to purchase a watch on the first sea day. Declined! Told to visit guest services....where I was informed that "just because you use it to check in, the card isn't actually processed at that time."

 

 

 

I was allowed a courtesy call to the bank. "The bank" told me that I didn't inform them that I was leaving the country. Huh...I never inform them that I'll be on a cruise. In any case, is sailing out of NY, and back to NY, as far as spending really "leaving the country?" They allowed the credit and now I call multiple cards "just in case".

 

 

 

I had DH with me, and several other cards between us, but I had wondered what would have happened if they didn't let me call the bank.

 

 

 

It happened last year my bank put a stop on the card. Because suspicion of theft. Carnival gave me a cell phone that can call out free of charge to make my call in private to the bank. Whoever says they won’t let you call out is crazy. They’ll let you call whoever to get you to spend more money. Long story short it was corrected in 5 minutes just had to let them know I was on a ship and also what island I was visiting.

 

 

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[SkyPiglet]

It happened last year my bank put a stop on the card. Because suspicion of theft. Carnival gave me a cell phone that can call out free of charge to make my call in private to the bank. Whoever says they won’t let you call out is crazy. They’ll let you call whoever to get you to spend more money. Long story short it was corrected in 5 minutes just had to let them know I was on a ship and also what island I was visiting.

 

 

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It was on Carnival Liberty, and at Guest Services, when I had specifically asked if we could call the 1-800 number for my credit card to sort out what was wrong with my card, they specifically told me that they do not offer a courtesy phone. We didn't want to use the room phone, because we did not know how long such a call would take, how much it would cost, and it could have put us over the top. Maybe the rep at guest services was wrong, maybe their policies have changed since then, maybe it varies depending on each ship's management, but on this particular instance, they did NOT allow me to make that call.

[jayowl]

It was on Carnival Liberty, and at Guest Services, when I had specifically asked if we could call the 1-800 number for my credit card to sort out what was wrong with my card, they specifically told me that they do not offer a courtesy phone. We didn't want to use the room phone, because we did not know how long such a call would take, how much it would cost, and it could have put us over the top. Maybe the rep at guest services was wrong, maybe their policies have changed since then, maybe it varies depending on each ship's management, but on this particular instance, they did NOT allow me to make that call.

 

 

 

If this ever happens again. Which I hope it doesn’t for anyone. Just ask to speak to the purser officer they’re in charge of the financial transactions on the ship and is in charge of guest services. Ask to speak to them I’m sure you’ll get better results. There is always a bigger fish to ask.

 

 

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[Organized Chaos]

It was on Carnival Liberty, and at Guest Services, when I had specifically asked if we could call the 1-800 number for my credit card to sort out what was wrong with my card, they specifically told me that they do not offer a courtesy phone. We didn't want to use the room phone, because we did not know how long such a call would take, how much it would cost, and it could have put us over the top. Maybe the rep at guest services was wrong, maybe their policies have changed since then, maybe it varies depending on each ship's management, but on this particular instance, they did NOT allow me to make that call.

No matter what the issue, they're kind of notorious for giving their customers difference answers depending on who you talk to...from customer service reps to crew members, and sometimes varies by ship.

 

To the person who said their card was stopped due to suspicion of theft, it's always best to notify the issuing bank that you'll be traveling to prevent that from happening. Especially when you'll be out of the country.

[Drazil65]

Charge card (NEVER a debit card) is the best choice.

For you it is, but that is not the case for others. Those that choose other methods may run into issues if they do not preplan. Obviously, if you use cash you will need to have enough available and probably prepay all the add on's like gratuities etc.

Personally, in my opinion, if you use cash and do not have enough, then you are either clueless as to what you are spending (no reason for this), irresponsible in the ways of finances (probably) or maybe cannot really afford to be on a cruise or vacation to begin with (hmmmm). If you are using cash then you are completely aware of what your limitations are and should act accordingly.

[missholly24]

I don't know how it turned out, but the girl in front of me couldn't leave the ship. When they scanned her card for debarkation they directed her to guest services (which was set up right by the door) instead of the exit. They said "she had to settle her account". She was asking people in her party if they had "any cash on them"...:o

[sparks1093]

It was on Carnival Liberty, and at Guest Services, when I had specifically asked if we could call the 1-800 number for my credit card to sort out what was wrong with my card, they specifically told me that they do not offer a courtesy phone. We didn't want to use the room phone, because we did not know how long such a call would take, how much it would cost, and it could have put us over the top. Maybe the rep at guest services was wrong, maybe their policies have changed since then, maybe it varies depending on each ship's management, but on this particular instance, they did NOT allow me to make that call.

 

You weren't in a position where your card had been declined and you needed to find out so you could rectify the issue, you were just trying to figure out what your balance was. I believe that is why they declined to let you make the call (I was also in a position where my card was declined and the cruise line, not CCL, allowed me to call my card issuer which resolved the issue).