No credit card? No cruise?

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speedboatermama

Guest
My sister will be going with us on cruise and just told me she does not have a credit card! dont you have to have one to secure your sail and sign account? how will she pay for things onboard? do they take debit cards straight from your bank account? not sure what she will need to do??? help
 
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speedboatermama

Guest
well duh, lol. i should have known that i guess.
thanks a lot guys. smiles ;)
 
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iluvcruzin

Guest
They won't let her use the card until she puts money down on it. If it's a 7-day cruise, the first $70 they take off for tips. Anything else she puts on it can be used for shipboard purchases.
 
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speedboatermama

Guest
cool. we might just let her use ours and then pay us in cash. will be easier i think.
thanks again to all of you for your advice.
happy sailings
=docdance
 
G

Gayle V

Guest
Hello Speedboatermama,

Unless they've changed the rules lately, they do allow you to use debit cards. You need to ask the indiviual cruise line about their specific policy.

But anyone who uses one for a cruise needs to be aware that the cruise line will put a hold on a portion of the funds in that account. Here's a clip and paste from the Cruise Addict's Cruise and Travel Tips page, talking about it:

"Life onboard: Beware of using a debit card for opening your shipboard account. When you use a debit card to activate your sign and sail card, they may put a "hold" of as much as several hundred dollars on your account. (The amount varies with the cruise line, and length of cruise.) You may only intend to spend 100 dollars but they will hold significantly more. If this comprises most of the balance in your account, it could interfere with checks coming in to be cashed at your bank, and end up with them being bounced. "
 
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NiteStar

Guest
I have always used my VISA debit card (on Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean) and they have never put a hold on my funds. I also don't use credit cards and use my VISA debit card for everything.
 
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speedboatermama

Guest
cool, i told her and now we are all relieved. you guys are the greatest ! =docdance
 
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truancy

Guest
HELLO,

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT USE A DEBIT CARD. On my second cruise I used my debit card. I thought once they had finalized everything on my day of departure that was it. Nevertheless, once I arrived at home I called the bank and low and behold Carnival Cruise Line had charged my account twice for all of the same purchases.

While your on the ship the money is taken off as if your doing a transaction in the store, it admittedly comes out of your account. Once off the ship, the same amount that they charged you for is the same amount that is put on hold. For example, my total purchase on the ship came to $278.50,when I called my bank two transactions were showing on my account with the same amount. One was noted paid, while the other had a hold on it to be released within three to five business days.

I have learned, always bring cash for your sail and sign account. Due credit or debit on shore it's so much easer.
 
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Sophie

Guest
put down cash then she gets a check slid under her door for what she doesnt spend the morning of departure. or if she goes over in cash they cut her off! lol
 
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Mbandy

Guest
=yeah

When I was on Celebration I was so close to the amount I put down I got a check for $1.27. I still have it.
 
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Sophie

Guest
Mbandy said:
=yeah

When I was on Celebration I was so close to the amount I put down I got a check for $1.27. I still have it.
Click to expand...



THAT is sooo funny! We used cash once years ago, and had to add to the funds several times lmao
 
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