Paying for On-board Spending on a Cruise

Bob++

Cruise ships are cashless. You are required to open a tab with a credit card at the beginning and all on board spending is charged to it at the end of the cruise.

The problem is, that it seems to be common practice for them to add further charges later on, and it can be time consuming to challenge them.

Does anyone have suggestions on the BEST way of paying for on-board spending.

• A low cost credit card is an option but suffers from the problem above.
• Travellers Cheques is an alternative but are subject to hidden costs and charges.
• Cash is a security risk.
• A prepaid cash card may well not be acceptable and also has charges.

luci

We have never had additional charges added in a dozen cruises with varius cruise lines.

You can ask for a statement at any time and you usually get one half way through a 14 night cruise and another during the early hours of the morning you leave. Then you can query any transactions.

Bob++

Lucy; The "problem" is not during the cruise but after. You have authorised the cruise line to take money from your account and it doesnt stop when you leave the ship. I have seen reported instances where charges, $10 to £200 being added to the card weeks after the cruise with no explanation. When challenged they are refunded it seems, but that requires vigilance and effort.

luci

As I said, I have never had a problem with anything additional being added, and that includes after the cruise has finished.

lisyloo

I've been on dozens of cruises and never had this issue.
If the cruiseline are going to be dishonest then you cannot avoid this with a credit card.

Why don't you load your account in advance? with less than you expect to spend, then settle your account in cash.

Every ship I've ever been on has had a safe in each cabin so cash is a limited risk.
My DH has a wallet on a chain attached to his clothing and the wallet goes inside his clothing. Similarly you can get belts that go inside your clothing so a pick pocket can't get to it (unless you don't notice someone sticking their hand inside your clothing :eek:)

I think your problem should be relatively easy to avoid by either prepay or cash.
We've never had anything stolen through being careful, but have certainly witnessed other's being robbed because they were innattentive.
So leave it in the safe when not required and be careful and attentive when it's on your person.