What happens if you don't want to use a card?

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Hi - our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter are going on their first cruise ever in October. My son doesn't want to use a credit/debit card and I know this has been addressed already, but what would he do? Would he give them a sum of money and keep track of his spending each day? Or would he have to have a card to use? He'd prefer not to, if he can help it. Does Disney allow you to do it this way? Thanks in advance for any info.

[tiptoen]

I'm not sure of an answers for him but I will tell this.
I tried to set up an account or even a limit for my DS, but they said it is all or nothing. Meaning I had to use a credit card to guarantee any charges. I counld't pay in advance.
Tip

[Dave_from_Marietta]

From what I understand, they will be able to charge items to their room until their stateroom account reaches a certain balance (perhaps $400?). At that point, their charging privileges would be cut off until they pay down the balance.

[mouseclick1]

We have gone on 2 cruises and have paid cash each time. They do only allow $300 to accumulate. This must be paid back down before you can charge again. It was actually very easy for us to control and we never got caught off guard. I gave guest services $200 right away, so we could have actually gone to $500 before they cut us off. You just need to keep track of your spending and visit guest services if you need to pay off some of your balance.

[Wonderwoman1982]

Yes, our friends who went with us gave guest services some cash ( I'm not certain of the amount) and they were allowed $400 "credit line", and when it got to their limit, they had to go and pay it off. They used cash or travelers checks the entire time- they don't even HAVE a credit card. But if you intend doing any of your own sightseeing off the boat that involves renting a car or anything like THAT, you have to have one for deposit in case you wreck the car, or comething bad happens. Just so you know, it's a VERY good idea to go settle your account either day BEFORE you disembark, or the Thursday evening. You will find all sorts of people who wait until the last day to pay up and the LINES. Wow. Do yourself a favor, tell your son to pay up ahead of time.

[BethC1952]

I don't have any credit cards (I don't believe in them), but I wasn't asked to post a cash deposit. I charged under $200 to my room during my four night cruise, and I simply paid cash at the end. I'm pretty sure that they do limit you to around $400, and then they ask you to pay it down.

Beth

Edited 5/7/02 to add this comment:

I went to guest services on the final morning to settle my bill. I was there about 5 minutes after they opened at 6AM, prepared to wait a while. I was the only person there! It took less than fifteen minutes for me to walk downstairs from my room on deck 6, get my bill, pay, and walk back up the stairs again.

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Thank you all very much for this information. My son will be very happy to hear he doesn't have to use a card. He planned on using cash and Traveler's checks for everything so this will be good news to him. He had planned on a $500 limit but $400 will be ok too. Thanks again.