Hi again everyone!!! This is pertaining to a Norwegian Dawn cruise.

1. Does anyone know if you need to use ONE credit card when you are signing up for your onboard account? In other words, what if we wanted to use two cards, split up the difference. Has anyone ever done that?

2. Do they just ask you what card you are going to use and how much you want your account to be, or do you just have an unlimited account? How is that set up?

3. Do you pay at the end of the cruise or do you get a bill in the mail?

4. Has anyone had any experience using a bank card?

I know there are a lot of questions here, please bear with me. My DH asked me last night and I had no idea. I just knew we needed to set up the onboard account. Thanks so much!!!!

Can'twait-

I can't answer per "The Dawn" but the credit card usage does not change ship to ship. (And is similar if not the same cruise line to cruise line)

Never tried splitting up the charges on two cards. We did try to have the kids' account's set up with a limit and that really threw the check in gal for a loop, so we just gave up and had them put on the charge like us so we could get on the ship. I'm not sure if that couldn't be done or if it was just the agent we got at check in. They were having computer issues (just got new software) too, so that may have been it. We will try again next week, I can let you know how it went when we get back if your cruise is not until after we get back.

As for your other questions, you can use whatever credit card you want. That is used for all of your charges to your on board account. (you don't use the credit card on the ship, your on board account card is used for any purchases) You can use a debit card to back you account too, but they will put a hold on your checking account for a large amount (varies from line to line) and you may not want this, so be careful. Its less hassle to just use a credit card. You may also want to contact your card company to let them know you are going abroad so that they know what to expect.

And yes, you can pay off (with cash) any balance on your sailing account at the end of the cruise (or anytime for that matter) and they just charge the balance to the card you gave them at the begining of the cruise (as a purchase, not cash advance, even if you get "cash" with your card in the casino)

Hope that answers things for you.

Thanks so much Jim! That was very helpful info. I will show it to my hubby later so he can see for himself. We are cruising in 2 weeks. Have a wonderful time on your cruise! Fill us in when you get back!

can'twaittocruise,
You and your husband could each use a different credit card. You just have to fill out separate onboard account forms. It would be no different than two friends in the same cabin. They would each have their own account. You cannot use two different cards on one account in the same name because your onboard account has a port folio number assigned to it. Your port folio number is how they know where to charge your onboard purchases. Your onboard account card will only have one port folio number on it.

Hey Can't Wait,

I think we're on the same cruise? Dawn on the 15th? DH and I will be kicking back celebrating our 20th. I was wondering the same thing about the credit cards since we'll be doing a cruise with 4 grown kids in January on RCI's Voyager of the Seas. Now that 3 of the kids are 21+, I'm a little concerned about them ordering pricy cocktails. I've been trying to figure out how to hold them accountable for on board charges when it will all come back to my account?

Susan

Hey Susan!

Yes, we are on the same cruise. My DH and I are kicking back and celebrating our 10th! So Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby! I don't know about RCI - this is actually our first cruise but I am sure one of the more experienced cruisers will chime in about that. Are you guys going solo for this cruise? Where are you guys traveling from?

Cruise Fanatic - (and everyone else) thanks for that info. I think we figured our our onboard account situation. It's just hard when you get so many different responses with different information. I tried calling NCL but the wait was a killer. Someone mentioned that they hold $100 a day for each day of your cruise ( - $700 for a 7 day) and someone else said that they got a pamphlet in the mail that they will be holding $300 for their 7 day cruise, yet another person told me you could tell them how much you want your account to be. Anyone ever play telephone??? LOL!

Hi Can't Wait,

Yes, no kids on this trip. Even though they're grown, drama still seems to find its way home. We'll be starting out in the Denver area, then flying into NYC. After the cruise, we're going to spend 3 days in NYC before heading back. How 'bout you guys?

Susan

Susan - - as to your kids' accounts, why not set them up with their own accounts using cash. They can check their balances and see how much is left. Then you can tell them, "when it's gone, it's gone". This way they can splurge on pricey cocktails or use it for something else. This way it's their responsibility as to how their account is spent.