Cruising without a credit cardI

[brookity]

I need some advice about cruising without a credit card. Last night DD and I decided to take our first ever cruise and we set sail next Sunday! We can't wait. My issue is that I don't have a credit card in my name. I used my moms card to pay for them cruise and I paid it off right away. I would prefer to not carry a ton of cash on me and I don't want to use my debit card since it is tied to my bank account. It has been compromised so many times in the past year that I'm on my 6th card! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to pay for incidentals and gratuities?

 

[wilkeliza]

Perhaps get a visa or amazon prepaid card? Not sure if you can put those down but it is worth looking into. I believe they have a small fee.

 

[ktate82]

You could buy Disney Gift Cards and put them on your account. You can merge them and have up to $1000 on each. The problem is if you don't use it all, you would have the balance left over on the card (which you could use for a future trip so might not be a problem). You might also be able to get a prepaid visa credit card and load money onto there if you didn't want to carry cash. Make sure to bring some cash though. I underestimated how many $1's and $5's I would need for tips the first time.

 

[MUN]

I need some advice about cruising without a credit card. Last night DD and I decided to take our first ever cruise and we set sail next Sunday! We can't wait. My issue is that I don't have a credit card in my name. I used my moms card to pay for them cruise and I paid it off right away. I would prefer to not carry a ton of cash on me and I don't want to use my debit card since it is tied to my bank account. It has been compromised so many times in the past year that I'm on my 6th card! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to pay for incidentals and gratuities?

Yes, my suggestion is you get a credit card. Much easier and safer than carrying around cash.

MUN

 

[FigmentSpark]

If you are adamant about not having a credit card, consider talking to your bank and opening up another account with a separate debit card. Then just put in the money you are willing to spend. Don't link it to any other account, unless you anticipate having to add funds partway through your trip.

 

[Steelers0854]

Credit Cards IMO are like a form of insurance when traveling abroad. Keep in mind if you were to have any kind of medical emergency while overseas, even with most types of travel insurance, you will most likely need to prepay before treatment. This can be expensive and there will be some kind of a wait time, even if you do have insurance, before you are reimbursed. In most cases you can apply for a good no annual fee credit card and have them rush the delivery so you would have it before you sail. Even if you never use it and only have it for emergencies I would highly recommend it. Plus if you are traveling and your cash is stolen or debit card compromised and closed this emergency credit card if kept on board the ship can be a lifesaver.

If credit issues are a concern for being able to obtain a credit card look into a secured credit card. They place your money into a savings account and issue you a credit card with a limit based on the amount deposited. His acts just like a normal credit card, placing none of your money "at risk" due to unauthorized charges.

 

[SuperDry]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to pay for incidentals and gratuities?

If you are asking about on-board charges, then there's nothing to worry about. Although the ships are "cashless," that's true only at the point of sale. Each passenger gets their own on-board account. You can, but do not have to, register a credit or debit card to cover these charges. If you don't, then they just extend you a credit line of a few hundred dollars, the exact amount depending on the length of your cruise. You charge all on-board expenses using your room key just like everyone else, then before you get off the ship at the end of the cruise (or the night before), you go to Guest Services and settle your account in cash.

 

[Steelers0854]

If you are asking about on-board charges, then there's nothing to worry about. Although the ships are "cashless," that's true only at the point of sale. Each passenger gets their own on-board account. You can, but do not have to, register a credit or debit card to cover these charges. If you don't, then they just extend you a credit line of a few hundred dollars, the exact amount depending on the length of your cruise. You charge all on-board expenses using your room key just like everyone else, then before you get off the ship at the end of the cruise (or the night before), you go to Guest Services and settle your account in cash.

Or even better, buy a Disney Gift Card at a discount from places like Target or Sam's Club and pay with that!

 

[brookity]

Well my credit is shot due to a 15 year marriage with a man who was both controlling and terrible with money. Since he is no longer in the picture I have been slowly rebuilding but no one will give me a unsecured card right now. I will probably do a secured credit card in the future but unfortunately I don't have time for this right now. We are leaving home in 3 days as we have a few stops to make before we have to be in port on Sunday. This is such a last minute trip that I haven't had time to plan for this kind of thing. Luckily, paying for it all isn't an issue its just figuring out how to pay that I'm concerned with. I will probably just do a combination of Disney gift cards and a prepaid visa and of course some cash. Thanks for all the ideas!

 

[Jennifer777]

Well my credit is shot due to a 15 year marriage with a man who was both controlling and terrible with money. Since he is no longer in the picture I have been slowly rebuilding but no one will give me a unsecured card right now. I will probably do a secured credit card in the future but unfortunately I don't have time for this right now. We are leaving home in 3 days as we have a few stops to make before we have to be in port on Sunday. This is such a last minute trip that I haven't had time to plan for this kind of thing. Luckily, paying for it all isn't an issue its just figuring out how to pay that I'm concerned with. I will probably just do a combination of Disney gift cards and a prepaid visa and of course some cash. Thanks for all the ideas!

As someone who faced similar circumstances many, many years ago, I can very much sympathize. It gets better. Call DCL and double check with them on this but in your case I would suggest figuring out what your tips will be and a very, very high estimate of how much you will spend on board. Make a similar arrangement with your mother to use her card to pre-purchase an on board credit to cover all your tips and expenses. In this case (unless things have changed) any left over on board credit will be refunded to her card, which she can then reimburse you. If you use Disney gift cards, any refunds would go back on the gift card. If you're planning on cruising again or going to WDW, this may not be of concern to you, but if you would rather just get your money back, the on board credit would probably be the best way to go. Good luck!

 

[brookity]

Good idea to use my moms card for onboard expenses and tips. I hadn't thought about that option!

 

[Steelers0854]

Not sure how DCL is, as we have our first cruise booked for Jan, but on Princess you can "gift" yourself on board credit prior to the cruise and any left over will be credited back to the credit card after the cruise.

 

[tink1970]

I just came back from a 3 night cruise and used gift cards. The only caveat I'd give is that there are spending limits based on the length of cruise (I think for the 3 day cruise it was $300). So after gratuities, we had only about $200 to play with which was okay for us since we didn't much (ie, I had a Rainforest Room day pass and we bought about $30 worth of stuff...quite easy to do!). After tipping the concierge, it was very close to our $300 limit. I think I received about $20 back on a card so if you want to do excursions, dine at Palo, drink alcohol, etc you might want to consider borrowing your mother's credit card (per PP) and paying her back.

PS-I had a close relative steal my identity and ruin my credit (I found out when applying for my Disney Visa-and they declined me then-thanks Disney for letting me know!!!). It takes time to recover but it's possible. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

You could buy Disney Gift Cards and put them on your account.

I NEVER use a credit card while cruising and we have been on 5 cruises and will be going on our 6th in November. We purchase Disney Gift Cards. I only put $100 on our Key to the world card and add more as needed. The only thing I would HIGHLY suggest is do NOT use the gift cards in the shops, some of the staff does not know how to take them off and next thing you know they are adding it to your account. Luckly, I had all my receipts and took them to guest services and they were able to take the charges off. We don't drink and don't but specialty drinks (smoothies, milk shakes, special coffee's, etc..) so all we purchase is things in the gift shops or excursions. For three of us, I normally purchase around $400 or $500 in gift cards and then take cash (I don't want to be stuck with a bunch of gift cards afterwards). While in the ports, I take a little cash, but I am not into purchasing a bunch of cheap t-shirts or expensive jewelry. I would say that one of the biggest expenses on the cruise ships, with the exception of alcohol is purchasing the pictures. I have spent over $200 on those, and have seen some people spending more. I know you can pre-purchase them before the cruise, but I believe you have to do it so many days prior. Maybe someone can answer that for you. But you can go on a cruise without ever using your credit card.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

Well my credit is shot due to a 15 year marriage with a man who was both controlling and terrible with money. Since he is no longer in the picture I have been slowly rebuilding but no one will give me a unsecured card right now. I will probably do a secured credit card in the future but unfortunately I don't have time for this right now. We are leaving home in 3 days as we have a few stops to make before we have to be in port on Sunday. This is such a last minute trip that I haven't had time to plan for this kind of thing. Luckily, paying for it all isn't an issue its just figuring out how to pay that I'm concerned with. I will probably just do a combination of Disney gift cards and a prepaid visa and of course some cash. Thanks for all the ideas!

There is a credit card you can get from your bank, we did this with our daughter for her first and only credit card. You apply like $1000 on it and that is your credit line. So basically you are building up credit plus your borrowing the money and paying it back to yourself. I forget what it is called, but my sister in law works at a bank and told us about this for my daughter. She only has a $500 limit, but it has taught her responsibility using a credit card. Plus, it is protected against fraud.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

You can prepay your gratuities in advance. We have already paid for our November cruise.

 

[professorandmom]

Some folks do not utilize credit cards based on a specific financial philosophy...this thread may offer more tips http://www.disboards.com/threads/easiest-way-to-add-on-board-credit.3504462/
Have a great cruise

 

[KristiMc]

Call DCL and add a credit to your stateroom account using your moms CC and pay her cash. Whatever you don't use will be refunded back to the CC.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We always just pay our stateroom with cash. Although there is a limit you can pay it off daily if you like and start again. We have had our credit card details stolen so many times we are more selective about it now.

 

[1 Minnie & 3 Mickeys]

My suggestion would be to prepay your gratuities and estimate an onboard credit using the same card you used to pay the balance of the cruise. If you don't use the entire onboard credit it goes back to the card.

And bring a reasonable amount of cash for tips and spending also. I always take $100 in small bills for tips...$30 in singles $30 in fives and $40 in tens. Tips for room service, luggage handlers and any "extra" you may want to tip your dining servers and room hostess.

Have fun!!