What is the best way to convert Disney Vacation Account to Onboard Credit?

[PellaPods]

We are taking our very first cruise in December and new to everything about cruises. I would like to use my Disney vacation account to get onboard credit.
I'm traveling with a group of 3 families.
I'm not even sure in what way onboard credit can be used.
Any blog or insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lanejudy]

to the DISboards!

"Onboard credit" is simply a way of indicating that you (or someone else) pre-paid a dollar figure into your stateroom account before the cruise began. All charges onboard are charged to your stateroom account, there is no cash or credit cards accepted onboard (well, limited cc use at shops and the future bookings desk). So typical onboard charges might include the auto-gratuity tips, adult dining, port excursions, spa services, specialty drinks, arcade charges, nursery charges, photo purchases, etc.

Now, I don't have a DVA but believe I have read it is possible to call DCL in advance, using the phone number provided by your DVA, to pre-pay funds from the DVA to your onboard account. I know this can be done using other payment methods; I think the trick with DVA is to call the right phone number, which should be the same you use for making payment towards your cruise.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[anricat]

It's very simple. You can just call DCL at 800-951-3532 (unless you booked with a travel agent, then it's a different number which is 800-511-9333) and tell them you want to apply money from your DVA to your onboard account on the ship. You can give them your account number and they will apply it to your room reservation and give you a confirmation number for the transaction (then you should see it disappear from your account). If I remember correctly, you can only apply whole dollars (not cents).

You can get your DVA number by logging into your account and then click "View account details" from there you can click on "View Account Number" on the left side of the page. You have to enter your password again and then you can send yourself an email with the account number.

 

[southerngirl528]

Great information, Anricat! I do have a DVA but am waiting until the 120 day mark to use any monies in order to get the $20 gift card per $1000 spent. The main reason I started the account was to have $$ to pre-apply to my onboard account for our Hawaii cruise next month.

 

[PellaPods]

Do you know if the wristband will work for the cruise for the kids so they can charge things to the room?

 

[lanejudy]

Do you know if the wristband will work for the cruise for the kids so they can charge things to the room?

The kids can charge by using their KTTW card. The wristband is only for use related to the Club/Lab -- essentially, sign-in/sign-out and knowing where the kids are within the Club/Lab. It does not work for charging.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[pillow]

You might also want to write down your DVA account # and bring it onboard with you. If you find you have a balance at the end of the cruise (even after pre-paying), you can charge the balance to your DVA account. However, Guest Services onboard must call shoreside to do this. Note that shoreside is not open on Sundays. If you over-pay, the extra funds will automatically go back to your DVA.

Jodie