How to Pay For Extras On a Cruise

If you've ever taken a cruise, you already know that everything “extra” on a cruise (such as cocktails, shore excursions, items in the gift shops and tipping) is not paid for by cash. Some of the more expensive or luxury lines include extras within the price of the cruise. For the most part, though, you'll pay extra for these items and services--but not with cash.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide how you'll pay for your extras on your cruise. Options include debit card, credit card or with a cash deposit. Remember, if you use a credit card and don't pay the amount in full, you're adding 14-23 percent interest to the cost of the extras you purchased on your cruise.
2. Make a budget before you go. Figure out most of the extras that you'll be buying, such as adult drinks, wine, soda, ice cream (on most ships), tipping, shore excursions, items in the gift shops, services in the spa or salon and special fees for dining at the alternative restaurants. By doing this, you'll avoid a surprise at the end of the trip. Be sure your credit card or debit card has a high enough limit to handle your expenditures.
3. Check with the staff while you're boarding to see how and when you can open your shipboard account. It's usually done at the purser's office (similar to a hotel registration desk), but some ships have desks set out in the boarding area so you can take care of this while you're waiting in line.
4. Read through all of your documentation when you receive your tickets. Many cruise lines include forms for you to fill out with your credit card or debit card information. Then, when you board, all you have to do is get it to the correct person or office.
5. Save your receipts as you're paying for drinks, services and items onboard the ship. It's a good idea to keep them in chronological order in an envelope.
6. Verify all of the charges on your itemized invoice with the receipts that you have gathered throughout the trip. You usually get this invoice the day before the cruise ends. Call the accounting office (often the purser's office) with any discrepancy or questions that you may have. They might be able to solve the problem immediately or set up steps you'll both need to do to correct any discrepancies. If the charges are all correct, there is no need to contact the staff; the charges will show up as a single item on your credit card or debit card statement. If you left a cash deposit, check with the accounting office to see how you can obtain whatever refund is due you.
7. Decide how much you'll tip your cabin steward and dining room staff. Some cruise lines now automatically charge a set percentage for tipping, and this will appear on your itemized invoice. You can change this by adding or subtracting amounts for each staff person. If you prefer, you can also take along envelopes and pay these people in cash the morning of the last day.