DCL Folio Charges

[EddieK76]

Does anyone know the method of charges that DCL does on the folio balance? For example at WDW they hold $100 (I know DCL doesn't hold anything) and then every time you go over $100 they charge another $100 plus the overage amount.

 

[Clarkson U]

If you use a credit card usually no hold on the folio. They usually charge your card once the total balance hits $300 or so (someone else may know the exact amount). If paying by cash the thresholds are lower and they do restrict your ability to charge more if paying by cash until your settle your bill.

 

[tvguy]

Used to be they charged every time your balance hit $400 but that was 20 years ago.

 

[happycamper47]

Used to be they charged every time your balance hit $400 but that was 20 years ago.

That is much better than RCCL which runs the charges daily... Absolutely stupid. They must get stiffed a lot with people going over their card limit is all I can figure

 

[tvguy]

That is much better than RCCL which runs the charges daily... Absolutely stupid. They must get stiffed a lot with people going over their card limit is all I can figure

When I got on the DIS 20 years ago I was astonished how many people here said they were going on cruises with little to no credit available on their card or cards. So I can see that could be a problem for cruise lines.
If I was in that position, I sure wouldn't be taking a cruise.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

That is much better than RCCL which runs the charges daily... Absolutely stupid. They must get stiffed a lot with people going over their card limit is all I can figure

I think that the WDW resorts are now authorizing the credit card on file whenever the balance exceeds $100. If you routinely dine at any of the signature restaurants, that means daily for all practical purposes. They don’t actually post the charges until the end of the stay. DCL seems to use a higher threshold, perhaps $300?

 

[JWelch62]

On our last cruise in May '22 the charges appeared after $750 or so.

 

[happycamper47]

I think that the WDW resorts are now authorizing the credit card on file whenever the balance exceeds $100.

Much better than RCCL and $2.63.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Kwami]

I just looked at my folio from my cruise last November. I was charged every time I crossed $500.

 

[lanejudy]

I think that the WDW resorts are now authorizing the credit card on file whenever the balance exceeds $100. If you routinely dine at any of the signature restaurants, that means daily for all practical purposes. They don’t actually post the charges until the end of the stay. DCL seems to use a higher threshold, perhaps $300?

WDW handles it different than DCL. If you want to be able to charge to your WDW resort account, WDW puts through a hold of $100 when you check-in, then whenever your balance goes over the "pending" amount they put through another hold to essentially always hold $100 over your current charges. WDW requires a credit or debit card for room charging though you can stop at the front desk and pay it down using cash or gift cards.

On DCL if you use a credit card to back your onboard account they don't put the charges through until about $400 or $500. If you use cash or gift card to back the account, once you reach about $300 DCL will shut off your charging privileges until you go to Guest Services to put more down.

 

[EddieK76]

I just looked at my folio from my cruise last November. I was charged every time I crossed $500.

What was the length of sail?

 

[cvjw]

My last 2 cruises (October and January), my card was charged the first day. All the excursions were charged.

 

[Kwami]

What was the length of sail?

It was a 7-night cruise.

 

[Clarkson U]

My last 2 cruises (October and January), my card was charged the first day. All the excursions were charged.

I think excursions are handled differently than other charges such as pictures, shopping, drinks, specialty dining, items purchased from room service etc.

 

[OKW Lover]

That is much better than RCCL which runs the charges daily... Absolutely stupid. They must get stiffed a lot with people going over their card limit is all I can figure

Or they just like the accelerated cash flow

 

[happycamper47]

Or they just like the accelerated cash flow

They don't get the money since it is only an authorization hold, they still send the total charge when you get off. That is why it is so stupid.

 

[cvjw]

I think excursions are handled differently than other charges such as pictures, shopping, drinks, specialty dining, items purchased from room service etc.

It was excursions, drinks, rain forest passes, wine package, 3 new Dooney’s. Lots of stuff. Charged the first day.

 

[cvjw]

They don't get the money since it is only an authorization hold, they still send the total charge when you get off. That is why it is so stupid.

They actually charged my card the first day on our last 2 cruises. Once was about $1000. The other about $700 the first day. Then, the remainder was charged the last night.

 

[Mommb]

I think excursions are handled differently than other charges such as pictures, shopping, drinks, specialty dining, items purchased from room service etc.

Excursions may be charged to your room account the first day.

Other activities that are booked in advance, such as adult dining, spa treatments, beverage tastings, and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique visits are not charged to your account until after they occur. One difference from excursions is that you receive a bill to sign for these activities, meaning you can choose to add a gratuity. You also have the option of upcharges in the restaurants and spa, so it's in DCL's interest to wait to charge you until you're present.

I think that physical items purchased in advance, such as photo packages and room decorations, are charged at the time you purchase them -- if not, they will be charged to your account on the first day.

Obviously, anything purchased onboard gets charged to your room when you purchase it.

As mentioned above, when your onboard account reaches a certain level, your credit card will be charged or you will get a request to put more money on the account if you're not using a credit card. I think that level on my recent 7-night cruise was $500 or $700. To my knowledge, DCL does not pre-authorize any amounts beyond what you have already been billed.