Credit Card/Spending Availability

[soontobemrsL]

How much, on average, is recommended to have available on your credit card for a cruise? is there a suggested amount per day?

 

We are traveling in a group/family vacation, and some question has come up with “how much should I bring?” Having cruised before, I know there are a lot of variables that go into that. all of the adults did purchase the bar package, and it is not likely we will do any fancy restaurants or spa treatments other than what we paid for already. 

 

Im just looking to see if there is an average allowance one could project. BTW - we are going on the 11-night So. Caribbean Cruise in a couple weeks.

[Cruiser_1977]

That is hard to say. I have put $0 cash on my sail & sign account and not linked to a credit card. Using only OBC for tips and such. It is possible to pay $0 above what is spent before embarkation. I usually bring $120 cash. Tips, taxis, souvenirs, etc.

 

However, what if something happens and you need to Medivac or stay in a port at a hotel or fly home. Insurance (if you decide upon it) kicks in after receipts are submitted, the money has been spent. Please make sure that those traveling on a budget are aware they need to have cash/credit available to cover such emergency items. 

 

FWIW, if I didn't have access to at least $5K emergency funds, I wouldn't be vacationing outside of the US.

[klfrodo]

How much available to spend on and off the ship is not really the question.

The real question is how much available credit do you have for the unplanned emergency. Up front availability for unforeseen medical emergency.  I missed the ship. late for flights and need additional hotel and meals.

[ScottVV]

26 minutes ago, soontobemrsL said:

How much, on average, is recommended to have available on your credit card for a cruise? is there a suggested amount per day?

 

We are traveling in a group/family vacation, and some question has come up with “how much should I bring?” Having cruised before, I know there are a lot of variables that go into that. all of the adults did purchase the bar package, and it is not likely we will do any fancy restaurants or spa treatments other than what we paid for already. 

 

Im just looking to see if there is an average allowance one could project. BTW - we are going on the 11-night So. Caribbean Cruise in a couple weeks.

 

You also have to take into consideration your daily gratuities per day, for each traveler and depending on the stateroom you're in:  "The automatic service gratuity is $14.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $17.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest’s SeaPass account on a daily basis. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and stateroom categories."  So, at $14.50 per person, per day at the lowest rate, you're at $159.50 already for 11 days...   There are a few different ways to pay for these, so visit Guest Services if you'd like to pay with another form of payment - other than the CC you linked to your SeaPass account - as it's mandatory to link a card at the time of check-in.

 

The hard part to answer your question is due to the fact we don't know what you're going to do, buy, gamble (if you hit the ATM on board, and yes, they have ATMs in the casino), etc., whilst onboard, so I'd do some research on what things cost and go from there.... Then add a bit more for the "Impulse Purchases.".  And when you're not using real money on board and charging everything to your account, it's easy to purchase more than you expect.

 

Happy Sailing!

Edited March 11, 2019 by ScottVV
Made a boo boo

[vacationlover_mn]

I suggest at least $1000 per person

[steveru621]

12 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

How much available to spend on and off the ship is not really the question.

The real question is how much available credit do you have for the unplanned emergency. Up front availability for unforeseen medical emergency.  I missed the ship. late for flights and need additional hotel and meals.

 

Very true.  We carry at least one high credit line card for emergencies.  $20K +

 

If you carry a balance on your credit card, your remaining credit line will be reduced by the amount you spend each day while on-board.  Daily spending will include daily gratuities, spa, drinks, casino, shops, excursions, etc...

 

I would say at least $100/day + your gratuities.

 

YMMV

Edited March 11, 2019 by steveru621

[soontobemrsL]

Ok, thanks all.  As long as I have an "idea".  The last cruise I was on was in 2008, so I know things have changed.  Like I said, we did opt for drink package, which is the MOST IMPORTANT because it's one less recurring charge I have to worry about.  lol.

[mom2two2]

So here is a related question that the OP may need to have answered to pass the info to the rest of the group. It has been years since we sailed so I don't know the answer to this but someone else might.

 

When they all board will there be a hold on each of their credit cards like there would be at check in at a hotel?  What amount is that normally?

[ONECRUISER]

On 3/11/2019 at 12:39 PM, JennyB1977 said:

That is hard to say. I have put $0 cash on my sail & sign account and not linked to a credit card. Using only OBC for tips and such. It is possible to pay $0 above what is spent before embarkation. I usually bring $120 cash. Tips, taxis, souvenirs, etc.

 

However, what if something happens and you need to Medivac or stay in a port at a hotel or fly home. Insurance (if you decide upon it) kicks in after receipts are submitted, the money has been spent. Please make sure that those traveling on a budget are aware they need to have cash/credit available to cover such emergency items. 

 

FWIW, if I didn't have access to at least $5K emergency funds, I wouldn't be vacationing outside of the US.

Well said. Never know since what if need an Emergency Dentist or if get so sick get put off in a Port Hospital. Me, always bring Cash, a Credit Card and like carry a Prepaid Card for travels. Amazing as many places won't even take cash anymore...

[LeeW]

You don't have to link a credit card at all to your onboard account.  Royal will let you charge up to around $500 on a cash account before calling you down to Guest Services to pay the balance down.  The advantage of having a credit card on file is that you don't have to visit Guest Services on the last night. 

 

As ScottVV said your basic onboard charge for this cruise is around $160 per person.  Since you have drink packages all that is left is shop purchases, arcade, spa, bingo, casino, and specialty charges like Starbucks, Ben and Jerrys, or Johnny Rockets.  If you exceed the limit of a drink (typically $12-14) on your package you pay the difference plus 18%.  If you don't do any of these optional things you can wait til the last night and settle up with Guest Services using pretty much any form of payment.

[steveru621]

2 hours ago, mom2two2 said:

So here is a related question that the OP may need to have answered to pass the info to the rest of the group. It has been years since we sailed so I don't know the answer to this but someone else might.

 

When they all board will there be a hold on each of their credit cards like there would be at check in at a hotel?  What amount is that normally?

 

An authorization that should result in a hold will be placed each night for the amount spent that day.

[chrisnjo]

Not sure if its just people from the UK, but every time I put my card on the room account, they take a 'hold' amount every day, then take the total at the end, leaving the 'hold' money in limbo! I only had 300 dollars spent this time, so, if I have 600 on my card, 300 is taken and 300 put on hold, which usually takes about 2 weeks to be credited. So for the remainder of our holiday we are unable to use to extra 300 dollars. Hope that makes sense. RCI blame the bank, and the bank blames RCI. Cash for me next time I think

Edited March 12, 2019 by chrisnjo
spelling mistake

[steveru621]

2 minutes ago, chrisnjo said:

Not sure if its just people from the UK, but every time I put my card on the room account, they take a 'hold' amount every day, then take the total at the end, leaving the 'hold' money in limbo! I only had 300 dollars spent this time, so, if I have 600 on my card, 300 is taken and 300 put on hold, which usually takes about 2 weeks to be credited. So for the remainder of our holiday we are unable to use to extra 300 dollars. Hope that makes sense. RCL blame the bank, and the bank blames RCL. Cash for me next time I think

 

It's only up to the bank on how long the hold will last.  RCI has nothing to do with the number of days.

[LeeW]

Have never had any holds visible on any of our credit cards.  Not going to try using debit, though.  Credit union debit hold tends to last 4-5 days. for us.

[grandgeezer]

3 hours ago, steveru621 said:

 

An authorization that should result in a hold will be placed each night for the amount spent that day.

 

Over 450 days at sea and have never seen a hold put on my credit card for daily spends. Just for the total at the end of the cruise.

[Mikew0805]

7 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

 

Over 450 days at sea and have never seen a hold put on my credit card for daily spends. Just for the total at the end of the cruise.

That is odd. Your credit card company does not remove the amount of an authorizations from your credit limit? 

[steveru621]

12 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

 

Over 450 days at sea and have never seen a hold put on my credit card for daily spends. Just for the total at the end of the cruise.

 

It's up to your bank on how, or if, credit line holds are placed.  

 

RCI sends a pre-authorization each day to your bank.  If approved, your bank has promised to pay RCI that amount and your available credit line is reduced by that amount.  Not all bank Credit cards will display a pending charge online.   The Royal Caribbean card from BofA will list online the daily pending RCI charges which are in effect for 7 days.

 

My question to you, do you look at your credit card account online during the cruise?

[steveru621]

14 hours ago, LeeW said:

Have never had any holds visible on any of our credit cards.  Not going to try using debit, though.  Credit union debit hold tends to last 4-5 days. for us.

 

It's a hold on your credit line that will show up as a pending charge during your cruise.