Onboard Account Charges

[kmix78]

I thought there was a recent thread about this, but I cannot find it.

When are onboard activities and port adventures charged? Is it upon boarding, or the day of?

Also, I am considering a "cash" account, but I don't really carry cash. Can I used my debit card to make a deposit on my onboard account, or does it truly have to be cash? or can I set up limits on the card, say no more than 300 in charges per day? Basically I want total control of how much money can be accessed on a given day.

 

[bumbershoot]

A cash account does mean that you are putting cash down.

I've never heard of being able to put daily limits when using a card.

 

[Dug720]

A cash account does mean that you are putting cash down.

I've never heard of being able to put daily limits when using a card.

Unless things have changed radically, a cash account does NOT require a deposit. However after a certain amount (depends on the cruise length - I want to say it's between $300 and $500 but it could be $500 and $700) they will "freeze" your account and require a payment. You can do that via cash or card.

I've also not heard of limits.

If you live close to a Disney Store (or you can order them online) you could purchase gift cards for $300 for each day of the cruise. Leave the account as cash and each day go and put a gift card on there. That will NOT stop charging after your self-imposed limit though. Well, unless the cash account limit on your cruise is $300 - then just wait until the following morning to put the card on.

 

[Otimon]

We have always had a cash account on our cruises and was never required to put down any actual cash upon boarding. Our limit for the 3 and 4 night cruises was $300.

If we purchased anything during the day we would settle up the amount at Guest Services that evening which meant that for the next day the cash account was back to $300 again. Same for the following day, etc.

While actual cash for this account was brought with me onboard, it remained in the room safe until settled at Guest Services and then returned to the room safe. For us personally, this was the best way to keep control and avoid sticker shock at the end of the cruise.

 

[Dug720]

We have always had a cash account on our cruises and was never required to put down any actual cash upon boarding. Our limit for the 3 and 4 night cruises was $300.

If we purchased anything during the day we would settle up the amount at Guest Services that evening which meant that for the next day the cash account was back to $300 again. Same for the following day, etc.

While actual cash for this account was brought with me onboard, it remained in the room safe until settled at Guest Services and then returned to the room safe. For us personally, this was the best way to keep control and avoid sticker shock at the end of the cruise.

Thanks. I was thinking it was $300 for the shorter cruises. Must be $500 for the longer ones - maybe up to $700 depending on the length.

 

[kmix78]

Ok thank you. So the cash thing doesn't work the way I thought it did. Lol

Does anyone know about when they charge port adventures, reserved spa bookings, and adult dining to the account? I have reservations for all three and I wonder if that means those charges will appear as soon as I board, or the day of the activity.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok thank you. So the cash thing doesn't work the way I thought it did. Lol

Does anyone know about when they charge port adventures, reserved spa bookings, and adult dining to the account? I have reservations for all three and I wonder if that means those charges will appear as soon as I board, or the day of the activity.

All extra cost excursion/spa/adult dining reservations are charged to your onboard account on the first day of the cruise.

Used to be charged the day the activity actually happened, but that's changed.

 

[bumbershoot]

I get that "putting cash down" could easily be taken to mean a deposit. Fwiw it's not how I meant it. I just meant giving cash to the guest services people. At whatever time they needed it.

I quite like a cash account, though I haven't done it on DCL (we don't have many extra costs on Disney). I don't normally carry that much cash either, but it's nice to be in control.

 

[SillyInventor]

You can even leave your account "cash" and make payments at guest services using a credit card without linking the card to your stateroom-account. This way you won't be surprised either and you won't have to carry so much cash with you.

Additionally you can ask for a copy of your account anytime during the cruise. If you wish even several times a day to stay informed.