professorandmom
My favorite girls!
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2002
- Messages
- 2,158
I took my first cruise in 2003 and have enjoyed endless hours on these boards dreaming, researching and planning. I just disembarked the July 29 Wonder and had a challenging experience with my shipboard account I thought I would share. Perhaps it is a one-in-a-million error but certainly was something I never expected. [note: happy ending]
My family of seven (all adults) was spread over 4 cabins. One son is less "financially stable" than the other folks in our group. After boarding, I learned he applied his debit card to his shipboard account.
I worried he'd run out of money so I decided on the first night to visit Guest Services and ask that his charges be added to my card, without his knowledge. This way, I thought, he could avoid embarrassment and yet might keep spending levels reasonable, thinking it was his funds.
Several days went by and my son received a note on his fish that explained that a payment of $1500 was declined and he needed to visit Guest Services immediately. Turns out that instead of adding his card to my account, the CM moved my expenses to his debit card. One $1500 charge had already been posted (I paid for all alcohol/brunch/etc for the entire group and did some jewelry shopping at EFFY) but when the second $1500 charge tried to post, it was denied. Yes, you read that correct: $1500 was already withdrawn from his tiny checking account balance. Oh, and this was August 1 so his rent check needed to clear.
I ran to guest services, freaked out. The CM immediately posted the credit but of course, we all know that the banks can take their sweet time posting credits. When I tried to explain the potential bounced checks, the CM promised to call the apartment rental office in the morning to explain. I thought it was funny that the CM thought that a call from Disney could pixie dust a bounced rent check. At this point it was 6 pm, 10 pm in Indiana so no hope of doing anything that night. My son was very angry for both the huge debit to his account and the embarrassment that now "everyone" knew exactly how much money he had in his bank account. The CM suggested I check back in the morning. No pixie dust that night although Guest Services did agree this was their error.
Next day we were in port and could check the checking account balance on the phone. Whew, the rent did not bounce. No $1500 credit yet of course but no other large expenses looming. I visited Guest Services and told them that we would be able to manage for the few days until the credit was posted. Good news: we were offered complementary Palo fees for the group. Later, my son and I each received a bottle of wine. And, my son eventually forgave me.
Long story...lesson learned: check to be sure that charges are pulling from the account you intended! I did see the debit in my ap under "account" but didn't inspect carefully to be sure it was the last four digits of my credit card. This is CRITICAL if a debit card is connected to the group.
Appreciate all the advice I've received...hope I might save someone else some financial angst...
My family of seven (all adults) was spread over 4 cabins. One son is less "financially stable" than the other folks in our group. After boarding, I learned he applied his debit card to his shipboard account.
I worried he'd run out of money so I decided on the first night to visit Guest Services and ask that his charges be added to my card, without his knowledge. This way, I thought, he could avoid embarrassment and yet might keep spending levels reasonable, thinking it was his funds.
Several days went by and my son received a note on his fish that explained that a payment of $1500 was declined and he needed to visit Guest Services immediately. Turns out that instead of adding his card to my account, the CM moved my expenses to his debit card. One $1500 charge had already been posted (I paid for all alcohol/brunch/etc for the entire group and did some jewelry shopping at EFFY) but when the second $1500 charge tried to post, it was denied. Yes, you read that correct: $1500 was already withdrawn from his tiny checking account balance. Oh, and this was August 1 so his rent check needed to clear.
I ran to guest services, freaked out. The CM immediately posted the credit but of course, we all know that the banks can take their sweet time posting credits. When I tried to explain the potential bounced checks, the CM promised to call the apartment rental office in the morning to explain. I thought it was funny that the CM thought that a call from Disney could pixie dust a bounced rent check. At this point it was 6 pm, 10 pm in Indiana so no hope of doing anything that night. My son was very angry for both the huge debit to his account and the embarrassment that now "everyone" knew exactly how much money he had in his bank account. The CM suggested I check back in the morning. No pixie dust that night although Guest Services did agree this was their error.
Next day we were in port and could check the checking account balance on the phone. Whew, the rent did not bounce. No $1500 credit yet of course but no other large expenses looming. I visited Guest Services and told them that we would be able to manage for the few days until the credit was posted. Good news: we were offered complementary Palo fees for the group. Later, my son and I each received a bottle of wine. And, my son eventually forgave me.
Long story...lesson learned: check to be sure that charges are pulling from the account you intended! I did see the debit in my ap under "account" but didn't inspect carefully to be sure it was the last four digits of my credit card. This is CRITICAL if a debit card is connected to the group.
Appreciate all the advice I've received...hope I might save someone else some financial angst...
I applaud you!
