No Credit Card?

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

This may be a very silly question but I need to know -

What happens if you DON'T have a credit card?

I know some people that just don't believe in having credit cards - what would they do on DCL? Would they have to put cash / traveler's checks down on their stateroom account? How would this work for someone that does not have a credit card?

Thanks for the insight.


Lisa

 

[invaderzim]

On our last cruise in November 2002, we didn't want to eat up a credit card with that much of a charge, so we paid several ways: Put some cash and traveler's checks onto our account when we boarded; then on Thursday, I went down and paid that balance with a personal check. Yes, they take personal checks (at least back then they did). It was great because it saved the rest of our credit cards for the balance at the end of the cruise. That way, we didn't have to go down on the last morning to pay anything else -- they just charged the small remaining balance.

If you don't have any credit card, just put money and/or write a check for a sum to go onto your account and just feed off of that balance for the week. When you see it running out or think you may have more charges before Saturday's debarkation, go down Friday and pay the balance. If you don't charge anything else to your room that night or the next morning, you'll be done.

 

[ericamanda01]

I feel the same way and don't have any credit cards. We were able to use our debit card. This time we will be using it as well as disney dollars and travelers checks. You don't have to prepay to use your stateroom card, just at the end of the cruise.

 

[moinab]

We put $100 cash down on our stateroom account. I visited guest services once, to put additional cash down, and then again at the end of the cruise for the balance. No big deal.

 

[SueEllen]

You don't have to leave a deposit with the guest services desk with a cash/check account--you will however have to go to the guest services desk to make a payment when you hit a certain balance (I think it was $500) Disney makes it very easy for you.

Sue Ellen

 

[dizprincess27]

I hope this isn't too stupid of a question, but if the cruise is paid for entirely and you tip everyone at the end of the cruise, what is the down payment for? I thought you just pay cash for alcoholic drinks as you order them and that all the rest of the food and drink is included in the price excluding unlimited soda? I'm confused now As a matter of fact, I read this in the information my TA sent me, but she wasn't aware that Disney asked for $500.00 on a credit card. I don't mind using my credit card or cash actually but I'm curious as to what it's for. I will be buying some souveniors, but I thought I'd use Disney Dollars and/or cash or credit. Sorry for going on . . . .

 

[KAMLEM]

You cannot use cash or Disney dollars on board - you have to use your KTTW card.

 

[dizprincess27]

So your saying you pay either cash or just use credit for the KTTW card? I'm a bit confused but I still have reading to do in the passporter

 

[RickW]

Here is a quote from the DCL website:

Any purchases on the ship, including beverage services, spa, salon services, photography, medical and laundry services, purchases from our retail shops, gratuities and any item or service of a personal nature must be charged to your room. All charges must be settled before your Resort departure and debarkation from the ship by cash, travelers checks, Disney Dollars or by the credit cards mentioned above.

Basically, everything gets charged to your onboard account (using your KTTW card) and then DCL is more than happy to take your money in just about any form that you can give it to them to settle your account.

 

[scrapperjill]

We didn't want to load our credit cards up either with trip related things...so last week I went down to Wells Fargo...started a free checking account with the "Visa" debit card...That way we have a "Visa" card but it is comming directly out of our money that is set aside just for the trip... The way I see it is...we will have the visa logo which so many places will accept...our money that is just for the trip is totally seperate from our other money...so no worrie of spending our house payment ...and we will be able to keep a good record of what was spent and where. Just got our "Visa" debit card in the mail yesterday.

So for those who don't have "credit" cards...you can still have a Visa "debit" card to be used the same way...except no monthly payments for years and years to come.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[days-going-so-slow!!]

We just got off the 7 day western on May 29 and we did not use a credit card at all. When we checked in at the terminal, the agent told us to go straight to guest services as soon as we boarded. Of course, we didn't. So after dinner we went down and added another $200 to our ONBOARD account. Added (?) you say? Yes, added. A few months prior to the cruise I would call the gift # and have an onboard credit added so that the money would be there when we got there. Just gave them my checkcard number and it was debited from my checking account. So when we got there, there was already money waiting for us to spend. We checked into guest services often to keep current on the account. We were able to use cash, disney dollars, and travelers checks with no problem. One idea though is to go to guest services in the late evening or early morning when you know most people are asleep. That way you know there will be no line. AND remember, you CAN add your tips to your account on the very first day and pay them cash. Then they give you little slips of paper to put in the envelopes at the end of the week. It was much easier that way. I knew the tips were taken care of before I spent the tip money on something else.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

The credit limit that DCL gives you without a credit card is $200. When you reach that amount you must pay it off before you can charge further with your KTTW. They even call and leave a message on your stateroom phone to remind you that you are getting close to the limit. Or at least they did with us. Personal checks are accepted. It's kinda cool, they just pick up the phone and make a call and then approve your check. This year we plan on using our debit card so we won't have to carry much cash or the checkbook around.

 

[scrapperjill]

days-going-so-slow...Quick question...when you say..."We were able to use cash, disney dollars, and travelers checks with no problem" do you mean to add to your account or pay towards your account...or do you mean directly for each purchase.

 

[jfs9900]

Does Disney put a hold on a credit card when you use it with a KTTW card? I know some other cruise lines require a 250 hold per person etc....

 

[tvguy]

The ship is your hotel, and like most hotels, they allow you to charge things to your room, thus you need a credit card.
Don't know how anyone in this day and age gets around without a credit card. I only have one, but with online purchases and stuff, I'd be dead without mine.
My cousin and her family from Canada met us at Disneyland, and all they brought was a debit card, no credit card, no cash and no travelers checks. What a pain, their card has the wrong "symbol" on it, so every cash withdrawal cost them $1.50, and they were limited to withdrawing $100 per day cash. They have 4 kids, it's tough to feed 6 people in Disneyland on $100 a day. Thank god for McDonalds in California Adventure.

 

[KAMLEM]

Originally posted by scrapperjill
days-going-so-slow...Quick question...when you say..."We were able to use cash, disney dollars, and travelers checks with no problem" do you mean to add to your account or pay towards your account...or do you mean directly for each purchase.

You can only use your KTTW card for purchases-that is all that they will accept. Cash, Disney Dollars and travelers checks can be applied to your onboard account.

 

[KAMLEM]

Originally posted by days-going-so-slow!!
AND remember, you CAN add your tips to your account on the very first day and pay them cash. Then they give you little slips of paper to put in the envelopes at the end of the week. It was much easier that way. I knew the tips were taken care of before I spent the tip money on something else.

How do you know what to tip at that point (unless you just tip the recommended amount)? We tip based on service so we don't know how much we want to tip until the end of the week.

 

[invaderzim]

KAMLEM:

Here's what we've done on our cruises -- they give you a recommended minimum for each person for the cruise. Believe me, every attendant we have had has at least earned their minimum!

We go to guest services in the first couple of days and charge all the minimums right away. They give you a "receipt" that you put in the tip envelopes. Put those receipts in your safe.

On the last night of the cruise, we put the receipts PLUS whatever extra cash we want into the tip envelopes. That way, we don't have the mad last minute rush to charge our tips at Guest Services. It is done and out of the way. Just be sure to have some extra cash on hand. I always bring that in a separate envelope and just put it in the safe. (all rooms have a safe).

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I took my parents on a 4-night Wonder cruise this past January. My parents have never had a credit card, they don't believe in them (nor do they have a checking account ) so what we did was allow them the use of one of OUR credit cards (with no balance on prior to the trip) for the trip. Then, when the bill came, they paid us and I paid the credit card company. They could have paid cash/traveler's checks right up front, but we thought it would be less hassle just for them to use one of our cards instead.

 

[KAMLEM]

Invaderzim-

That's a great way to do it. We have always done it at the end but I never thought of handling it that way. I think I'll try that next time!