Prepaying cash instead of cc for onboard acct

[tvguy]

Thanks - Rewards money, meaning? Your cc's reward program? I use Amex and their rewards program isn't that great.
I only use it when renting cars (their insurance is pretty good) or when paying cash is a hassle (hotels, online purchases, etc)
When possible, I like paying cash - I've become pretty militant about cc's once I was fortunate enough to become cc-debt free a couple of years ago. It used to be like a drug for me and I'm happy I'm a recovered credit-holic so I like to pay cash whenever possible.

In this case, I will put $1K once onboard at GS, and see how it goes. Paying cash also has a psychological effect on me to be more careful with expenses.

Yeah I am a cash guy too. But I'm not stupid. If I have the money to buy something, and I can get 2% back, I just put it on the credit card and transfer the money over when I get home from the store. I never thought I'm be using a credit card for groceries, but I figure I'm getting $100+ back a year just there. We're just back from Spring Training, and I charged the hotel, the car, the airline tickets and the baseball tickets. I figure I'll get $60 back just there, enough to pay for the expensive dinner we had at Phoenix Airport last night.

 

[DisneYE]

So I never commented as to what I did in the end on this issue.
Sailed the Fantasy on mid March
When I boarded I went to GS, gave $1,000 in cash toward my account
I ended up saving lots as I was way more mindful of the expenses - I also gave them a cc where I had about $500 credit in my favor.
Still did port adventures in every port (but the 'cheaper' ones), still did tastings, bingo, ordered drinks, popcorn, etc. But I was much more controlled feeling it was cold hard cash I was spending.
Previous 7-night cruises where I just gave a cc were way over $2K, sometimes over $4K - it was just depressing coming back home and see the cc bill.
My total onboard bill this cruise was a little over $1,300 - wanted to stick to the 1K but it just wasn't possible.
So, this strategy is totally recommended for those who (like me) don't have self control when you just give a cc and see what happens.

 

[Xalthon]

So, I could contact DCL and use a Disney Gift Card to charge say $900 as a credit for my OBC, right? If for some reason we only spend $750 (wishful thinking I know), the remaining $150 will just be put back on the gift card?

 

[Sytrace]

In past cruises I just gave my cc at check in and that was that.
Often my bill at the end would run up upwards of $2K or more (I use internet plans a lot due to my business, plus drinks, tips, gifts etc... it gets there real quick)
A real pain when coming back home and seeing that cc bill that needs to be paid.

I want to see if I can cut my expenses in half this time by prepaying an x amount and stick to cash

When I checked in online for my upcoming cruise I gave my cc, but I want it removed and have the cash used for expenses.

- Do I give the cash at the port check-in desk or guest services on the ship?
- Can I have my cc removed from my acct and have them use the cash only?
- What happens when the cash is close to run out and don't have a cc attached to the account? do they call you to ask for one or they just block your account?

TIA

Go back to onboard account area and switch to cash. Once on the ship go to GS and give them the cash you want to place. Yes, when you run out of funds on your account they do not allow you to charge more.

 

[Sytrace]

So, I could contact DCL and use a Disney Gift Card to charge say $900 as a credit for my OBC, right? If for some reason we only spend $750 (wishful thinking I know), the remaining $150 will just be put back on the gift card?

Yes, hang onto the gift card until after the cruise is completed as refunds will be issued to the card they were paid from.

 

[Xalthon]

Yes, hang onto the gift card until after the cruise is completed as refunds will be issued to the card they were paid from.

Great, but DCL won't need the physical card to issue the refund, right? I'm guessing I could just leave it at home, and the money would be put back on it after the cruise.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

So, I could contact DCL and use a Disney Gift Card to charge say $900 as a credit for my OBC, right? If for some reason we only spend $750 (wishful thinking I know), the remaining $150 will just be put back on the gift card?

I've read on here (and plan on trying it) that if you use the gift card to purchase OBC via gifts and amenities, but sign up for a credit card based account, then anything left over will go to your credit card, not the gift card. But, I would hold onto the gift card, anyway... just in case.

I think it was @Dug720 who posted this? (hoping for a confirmation from you.... hoping I didn't get that wrong)

 

[bumbershoot]

As someone who prefers paying cash when I can, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd leave it on the credit card. OP if you are running up $2,000 in charges you are leaving a lot of rewards money on the table by paying cash.

Not everyone has a rewards card.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

This is interesting... So I can call Gift and Amenities and add pre-purchased OBC? Is there a limit? If I buy gift cards, can I use that to buy the OBC?

Yes, you can. We've done this for the past 6 cruises

 

[Dug720]

I've read on here (and plan on trying it) that if you use the gift card to purchase OBC via gifts and amenities, but sign up for a credit card based account, then anything left over will go to your credit card, not the gift card. But, I would hold onto the gift card, anyway... just in case.

I think it was @Dug720 who posted this? (hoping for a confirmation from you.... hoping I didn't get that wrong)

That is what happened with me in February.

I guess because pre-purchasing it is viewed as a gift since anyone could purchase it for you. Whereas you putting it on yourself at Guest Services is not a gift.

 

[Geomom]

So I never commented as to what I did in the end on this issue.
Sailed the Fantasy on mid March
When I boarded I went to GS, gave $1,000 in cash toward my account
I ended up saving lots as I was way more mindful of the expenses - I also gave them a cc where I had about $500 credit in my favor.
Still did port adventures in every port (but the 'cheaper' ones), still did tastings, bingo, ordered drinks, popcorn, etc. But I was much more controlled feeling it was cold hard cash I was spending.
Previous 7-night cruises where I just gave a cc were way over $2K, sometimes over $4K - it was just depressing coming back home and see the cc bill.
My total onboard bill this cruise was a little over $1,300 - wanted to stick to the 1K but it just wasn't possible.
So, this strategy is totally recommended for those who (like me) don't have self control when you just give a cc and see what happens.

I'm glad this system worked for you to keep your expenses under control! I'm all for maximizing credit card rewards when you're able to pay off balances monthly and can control your spending habits--but if you can't--do whatever works for you so you don't have a big bill that you're coming home to!

 

[lds0191]

When you do the online checkin and choose cash it will tell you what the threshold is before you need to add more cash at guest services (or at least it used to). I am not sure but it's possible that the checkin page gives you the same information regarding using a credit card. My memory is so bad that I cant remember.

 

[Minnie222]

We will be cruising this May, and I just copied the cash payment arrangement directly from the online check in website:
Hope this helps.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cash Account Agreement

You have chosen to settle your account on a cash basis. You may place cash on your account any time during the cruise by visiting the Guest Services Desk on Deck 3, Mid-ship. Your onboard credit limit has been established based upon the length of your sailing.

• 2-5 days = onboard credit limit of $300.00
• 6-9 days = onboard credit limit of $500.00
• 10 days or greater = onboard credit limit of $700.00

Please note that we will automatically disable the charging privileges on your Key to the World card once you exceed the onboard credit limit. This will also disable the charging privileges of any persons authorized by you to charge to your onboard account.

To avoid suspension of charging privileges, we request that you stop by the Guest Services Desk and apply payment prior to exceeding the onboard credit limit. Also, on the final morning of your cruise, we kindly request that you settle any remaining cash account balances prior to 7:00 a.m.

Express Checkout is a convenient way to have your onboard account automatically settled on the final morning of the cruise with a copy of your charges delivered directly to your stateroom. If you wish to utilize our Express Checkout service, you may do so by presenting your credit card to Guest Services.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[DisneYE]

I'm glad this system worked for you to keep your expenses under control! I'm all for maximizing credit card rewards when you're able to pay off balances monthly and can control your spending habits--but if you can't--do whatever works for you so you don't have a big bill that you're coming home to!

Thanks.
My biggest reward is not having cc debt.
It took me a lot of sweat and tears to achieve this goal so I pay cash whenever possible.
Happy cruisin' !

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Yes same here. We only glance at it quick to make sure there isn't anything we don't recognize
I think the cc charge happens every time you reach $xxx dollars swiped thru your kttw, rather than days/time.

Yes, the credit card gets charged when the accumulated charges on the KTTW card less any OBC, applied gift cards, etc. exceed a pre-set threshold. Usually, we have not reached that level except on longer transatlantic or Panama Canal cruises. On our first Panama Canal cruise in fall 2017, the credit card was charged when we hit $850. On the transatlantic in May 2018, we got the first cc charge at $1000. For our most recent Panama Canal cruise this year, I prepaid $500 plus had a $200 OBC, so we didn’t get any charges to the credit card until the end of the cruise, since these were below whatever threshold was being used. On our 7-night and shorter cruises, we usually just see a single credit card post at the end of the cruise. Over 17 cruises, we seem to spend about $100 per day on average each time. Whenever I think we’ll get by for less, DW seems to find something that pushes us back up to that level. How she manages that I’ll never know.

 

[DisneYE]

Yes, the credit card gets charged when the accumulated charges on the KTTW card less any OBC, applied gift cards, etc. exceed a pre-set threshold. Usually, we have not reached that level except on longer transatlantic or Panama Canal cruises. On our first Panama Canal cruise in fall 2017, the credit card was charged when we hit $850. On the transatlantic in May 2018, we got the first cc charge at $1000. For our most recent Panama Canal cruise this year, I prepaid $500 plus had a $200 OBC, so we didn’t get any charges to the credit card until the end of the cruise, since these were below whatever threshold was being used. On our 7-night and shorter cruises, we usually just see a single credit card post at the end of the cruise. Over 17 cruises, we seem to spend about $100 per day on average each time. Whenever I think we’ll get by for less, DW seems to find something that pushes us back up to that level. How she manages that I’ll never know.

yeah its a mystery lol... DCL is a money making machine, like a casino but without the slots/tables... its so hard to stay on budget and limit yourself and/or your family to xx dollars...
I once read on here years ago about ppl that spend very little or nothing at all on DCL. Any person that spends less than $500 on a 7 night+ is a master of self control or a consummate cheapskate.

 

[curias]

I always pay cash on DCL. I am Canadian and get US$ cheques from Google and Share-A-Sale. I cash these out directly for US cash. The exchange rate if I was to put purchases on my CC is really high. However, I have now sailed on all 4 ships and have learned they all do things differently. Most ships don't charge your excursions until you have done them. On our Alaska Cruise they charged all of the excursions day 1 - and then refunded us the ones that got cancelled. I had gone to GS to put money on my account when we got on the ship and wasn't given this information. This mis-information caused me becoming friends with the Chief Financial Officer. Many phone calls and hassles. So, my lesson learned is put as much money as you can day 1 to cover everything you plan on doing and if you have money left over they will give it back to you in cash form.

 

[DisneYE]

I always pay cash on DCL. I am Canadian and get US$ cheques from Google and Share-A-Sale. I cash these out directly for US cash. The exchange rate if I was to put purchases on my CC is really high. However, I have now sailed on all 4 ships and have learned they all do things differently. Most ships don't charge your excursions until you have done them. On our Alaska Cruise they charged all of the excursions day 1 - and then refunded us the ones that got cancelled. I had gone to GS to put money on my account when we got on the ship and wasn't given this information. This mis-information caused me becoming friends with the Chief Financial Officer. Many phone calls and hassles. So, my lesson learned is put as much money as you can day 1 to cover everything you plan on doing and if you have money left over they will give it back to you in cash form.

Cool...well done... this is me now, from a few months ago and hopefully going fwd.
But you can only take so much in $, for security reasons and what not.
I now travel with 3 figure cash amounts and deposit 3-4 figures in a disposable/cash mastercard, depending on the length and type of the trip.
I wonder if DCL would accept such a card. Will call them before our next cruise.
Happy cruisin'

 

[Husker Mike]

yeah its a mystery lol... DCL is a money making machine, like a casino but without the slots/tables... its so hard to stay on budget and limit yourself and/or your family to xx dollars...
I once read on here years ago about ppl that spend very little or nothing at all on DCL. Any person that spends less than $500 on a 7 night+ is a master of self control or a consummate cheapskate.

We're planning our first cruise, and the idea that we wouldn't be able to control on-board spending to $500 seems outrageous to me, as a newbie, though we're only taking a 7 night cruise.

What spending would rack up these types of charges? The tips? Alcoholic beverages? Spas and excursions? Souvenirs? We're only taking a four night cruise, but I've always thought that cruises were mostly inclusive. When we went to Disney World, we purposely didn't let the kids have charging privileges on their Magic Bands, so there were no surprises there either.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We're planning our first cruise, and the idea that we wouldn't be able to control on-board spending to $500 seems outrageous to me, as a newbie, though we're only taking a 7 night cruise.

What spending would rack up these types of charges? The tips? Alcoholic beverages? Spas and excursions? Souvenirs? We're only taking a four night cruise, but I've always thought that cruises were mostly inclusive. When we went to Disney World, we purposely didn't let the kids have charging privileges on their Magic Bands, so there were no surprises there either.

Tips are $13 and change per person per day (I’d have to look up the exact). For us, that’s a big chunk.
Alcohol: we figure 2 drinks per adult per day at $10 per drink (easy math this way and close enough)
Spending: $50/kid
Any port adventures purchased through DCL
Other possibilities: spa appointments, port adventures, up charge dining

This is just what we’d charge to our on board account. In addition, cash for tips (on board and in port).