Question about Cash Account

[Meredisney]

Hi there. We've sailed on quite a few Disney Cruises, but we've always established our on-board account with a CC. This time, we opted for the Cash Account Agreement. We are sailing on the 3 night cruise, so my understanding is that our on-board credit limit will be $300.

Do we just give the $300 to the person who checks us in at the Port?

We also have an on-board credit from our Travel Agent that is already applied to our account. Will that be factored into the $300 or is that in addition to the $300? So for example, let's say the on-board credit is $50, do I give $250 at check-in or do I still give the $300. I also have some gift cards that I want to apply to our account from my Disney Rewards Visa.

 

[SuperDry]

Hi there. We've sailed on quite a few Disney Cruises, but we've always established our on-board account with a CC. This time, we opted for the Cash Account Agreement. We are sailing on the 3 night cruise, so my understanding is that our on-board credit limit will be $300.

Do we just give the $300 to the person who checks us in at the Port?

No. You don't pay anything upon check-in. The $300 credit limit means they'll let you charge up to $300 to your stateroom based on your signature on the check-in document. You have to settle your account to $0 before getting off the ship on the final day. You do this at Guest Services on the ship, and can use cash or a credit card to do so.

We also have an on-board credit from our Travel Agent that is already applied to our account. Will that be factored into the $300 or is that in addition to the $300? So for example, let's say the on-board credit is $50, do I give $250 at check-in or do I still give the $300.

You give nothing at check-in. Upon boarding, your account will have a negative $50 balance, which will be applied to your first $50 of charges. Once that is used up, the next $300 will accrue to your cash account. If your balance reaches $300, then your charging privileges will stop. You can pay down your balance at any time with cash, gift cards, or a credit card. Before getting off the ship on the final day, you have to pay down your balance to $0.

 

[Bishoparc]

You don't give the money to the people at the port. Basically the way it works is that you can spend up to $300 and then you have to settle up with guest services onboard before you can buy any more. Your onboard credits will be used first.

Basically the biggest thing is that if you try to get off the ship on the last day without having paid, you will get turned around to go pay your remaining balance at guest services. Most people settle the last night so they don't have to fool with it on debarkation day.

Fyi, in the shops onboard you can also pay with your gift cards vs carrying them to guest services.

 

[Meredisney]

No. You don't pay anything upon check-in. The $300 credit limit means they'll let you charge up to $300 to your stateroom based on your signature on the check-in document. You have to settle your account to $0 before getting off the ship on the final day. You do this at Guest Services on the ship, and can use cash or a credit card to do so.



You give nothing at check-in. Upon boarding, your account will have a negative $50 balance, which will be applied to your first $50 of charges. Once that is used up, the next $300 will accrue to your cash account. If your balance reaches $300, then your charging privileges will stop. You can pay down your balance at any time with cash, gift cards, or a credit card. Before getting off the ship on the final day, you have to pay down your balance to $0.

Thank you. THIS makes total sense now.

 

[bumbershoot]

Fyi, in the shops onboard you can also pay with your gift cards vs carrying them to guest services.

Just wanted to separate that out to be sure the OP sees it.

 

[keishashadow]

Just wanted to separate that out to be sure the OP sees it.

Didn't know that either.

Booked a short 3 day in May on Fantasy, double dip CC & no kids along = little charged back to room. Had thought to use GC.

OP hopping on here, hope u don't mind - if u put down a $500 GC and spend less, do you have to stop back @ GS last night or will the remainder be automatically available on the GC?

 

[Dug720]

I have gone down to close out, but it always pops back automatically.

 

[Meredisney]

Just wanted to separate that out to be sure the OP sees it.

Thanks. I knew this, but I actually call ahead of time and put the gift card on my account. That way I don't have to wait in the Guest Services line.

 

[Meredisney]

Didn't know that either.

Booked a short 3 day in May on Fantasy, double dip CC & no kids along = little charged back to room. Had thought to use GC.

OP hopping on here, hope u don't mind - if u put down a $500 GC and spend less, do you have to stop back @ GS last night or will the remainder be automatically available on the GC?

In my experience, whatever you do not use gets put back onto the card. no need to go to Guest Services to have it done.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Thanks. I knew this, but I actually call ahead of time and put the gift card on my account. That way I don't have to wait in the Guest Services line.

The only two times I saw a line at Guest services was the afternoon of the first day, and the morning of the last day. Most of the rest of the time, there was a most a person or two in front of me. So just add on gift cards some time when you walk by and see a short line. Plus, GS is open 24-hours, so if you are up early, or up late, you can stop by without a problem. They have a bell if no one is visible at the desk. Someone is still on duty and will come right away when you ring the bell. So friendly and helpful.

 

[lbus42]

You can also use the Disney Vacation Account to save up for and ore-fund your account.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

You can also use the Disney Vacation Account to save up for and ore-fund your account.

Question--can you use the DVA for on board credits? If we sign up now we will not be at 120 days for our paid in full deadline but we would make it to 120 before embarkation. So if we are able to get the 2% gift cards and apply the savings for onboard expenditures, it might still be worth it. What do you think?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We also did the cash account last cruise and I think the suggested amount was $500 for a 7 night cruise but we put down $800. You can check on your stateroom television how much is left and can always top up.
I think we will do this again, it was nice to know ahead of time what we spent on board and not having to deal with the credit card bill later.

 

[Dug720]

Bottom line is you do NOT have to put a "deposit" on like on other lines. They will just cut off your charging to your account after a certain point (dependent on cruise length) until you pay it down.