advise on room charges

[ilovecraigandcooper]

We have an upcoming royal Caribbean cruise followed by a couple days at Disney. I know for both places you can put up credit cards and charge things to your account using your room card and magic band. I don't have a credit card with a high limit that doesn't already have stuff charged on it. I don't really want to use my debit card because don't they put a "hold" on a certain amount of your funds regardless of you charge anything or not? It's just going to be tricky doing the cruise and Disney back to back. Would putting down cash be my best option?

 

[leebee]

I would just use my debit card or cash to pay for transactions as they occur.

 

[mblondie0509]

I can only speak to the Disney side, but when I went in 2014 I used my debit card and no hold was placed. The amount you can charge back to the room before your card is ran is based upon the level of resort you are staying at.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would just use my debit card or cash to pay for transactions as they occur.

I would absolutely go this route. It's easy and it helps keep track of the spending as it occurs vs getting a nasty surprise at check-out.

 

[DisneyHardin]

At Disney I use a CC to set up the room charges, but we pay all the charges off with gift cards before we leave.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

So just pay for items with cash on the spot.

 

[wilkeliza]

At Disney resorts they do not put a hold on any card you put down. You are not required to put a card down so if you are worried about staying on budget then just don't put one down. The cruise may be a little harder.

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with wilkeliza for the WDW portion -- no need to put anything down to activate room-charging at Disney. I know it's pushed with the MB and all, but we never put our credit or debit card down for charging back to our resort room; we just pay as we go with cash, gift card or credit card at the time of purchase. It helps keep the spending in check.

The cruise... that may require something down, at least cash. But I've never cruised RCL so not sure what their policy requires.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ilovecraigandcooper]

That is great to know about Disney!!! I was thinking you DID have to put down some type of payment source!!! On the cruise you do have to set up an account because it is the only way you can buy anything. So I just have to figure out if they put a hold on a certain amount! You guys are great! Doing a back to back vacay is just a little trickier than doing a single one but I'm getting there!! Logistics!!

 

[Indee96]

We're doing a RCCL cruise in April and then 6 nights in Disney. I completely agree that it's tricky! Plus it's our first family vacation so I'm already overwhelmed! But I think it's going to be amazing! Happy planning!