Shipboard Credit - a few questions

[mjstaceyuofm]

First - yes, I did scour the internet a bit and these forums, but couldn't find the exact answers there so asking them here in this forum. OK - on to a few questions:

I have a bunch of Disney Visa reward dollars that I want to pre-load onto our shipboard credit account. We are using DUT so I'll be going through their portal. Is there any way to check your shipboard credit prior to getting on the ship? Is it just a matter of calling DCL or is there another way to check other than just "trusting" things will work?

Also, we are cruising with my adult son and his fiance who are in separate cabins. Oure reservations are connected but they will be using their own credit card for ship charges. The 4 of us are going to Remy one night and we'd like to pick up their dinner. Is there any way to just have the Remy meal charged to our account? Asking as this will influence how much we pre-load onto our shipboard credit.

Lastly, I have a spreadsheet worked up for all our assumed onboard charges from excursions to the Remy meal, to spa treatments booked, to drink tastings, drink allowances, Cove Cafe, etc. I've totaled those costs and plan to load that amount ahead of time. If for whatever reason I don't spend that much, can the pre-loaded shipboard credit be put back onto my card, or is it treated like onboard credit - use it or lose it?

I plan on using my Disney Visa when doing the online check-in to capture the discounts associated with it, so I'm thinking it might be best to "short" the amount I pre-load with the rewards dollars in the event anything happens (like an excursion being cancelled, etc.).

Any thoughts / knowledge / information would be appreciated. Thanks people!

 

[auntlynne]

I “give” myself an Onboard credit to cover expenses. Disney VISA rewards, gift cards…. Last cruise, I ended up charging just $2 at the end to cover what the remaining balance.

You should be able to do this without going through the travel agent (because anyone can make an online gift).

And you could make a gift to your son’s cabin to cover their Remy meal.

Unused funds will go back to funding source. Ship-issued OBC is the first used (since it is non refundable). You won’t be out your own money. Keep your rewards # or gift card info until it is completely spent.

I do a screen grab for each gift I make (overkill), because I get an email acknowledging it. Once Onboard, you get a notification on paper in your cabin and it will show up on your cabin folio (viewable on app and TV screen).

 

[disneyfaninaz]

In my experience with Disney Rewards, I just go to Guest Services and have the rewards put on my onboard account after I get on the ship. I've never had any rewards left, but any OBC left would be put back on the original payment, i.e. gift card, credit card, rewards card, etc.)

As far as I know, you can ask Remy to charge everything to your account.

 

[Calantha]

I usually add Disney Rewards directly to the room through an on-board gift. I would also pre-pay directly to my family's room the amount for Remy (although if you can ask Remy staff to redirect it, I guess that's fine too).

You get an email as @auntlynne mentioned, so you should know, and if you don't, you can call and they will resend you the email with the amount of credit purchased. I had to do that with one once.

I always go over because I don't factor in shopping/random drinks, but I do hold on to the gift cards I use just in case.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

I usually add Disney Rewards directly to the room through an on-board gift. I would also pre-pay directly to my family's room the amount for Remy (although if you can ask Remy staff to redirect it, I guess that's fine too).

You get an email as @auntlynne mentioned, so you should know, and if you don't, you can call and they will resend you the email with the amount of credit purchased. I had to do that with one once.

I always go over because I don't factor in shopping/random drinks, but I do hold on to the gift cards I use just in case.

Rookie question (even though this is my 3rd DCL cruise) - what do you mean by "on-board gift"? and how do I do that vs. going through the Dreams Unlimited payment portal?

 

[sponica]

Rookie question (even though this is my 3rd DCL cruise) - what do you mean by "on-board gift"? and how do I do that vs. going through the Dreams Unlimited payment portal?

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/link-reservation


You locate the reservation and then



I don't think you're prohibited from doing it this way even if you have a travel agent

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

I don't think you're prohibited from doing it this way even if you have a travel agent

Thank you! I have done on-board gifts before as I've ordered the wine packages on this and previous cruises, but I never saw the "onboard credit" category before. I will log-in and investigate if that option is there for me.

There is a reason I like this board so much. So much information and so helpful. Thanks again!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

For the Remy meal charges, you should be able to have your server put all of the charges on your room account rather than charging to separate accounts. It’s just like any restaurant where you might have the option of separate checks or all charges together on a single check. This actually simplifies things for the server. There’s an autogratuity in any case, and you can choose to add additional gratuity at the time you settle the dining check.