Cruise Talk: Onboard spending cards

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Topic: Onboard spending cards

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 12-27-2000 06:16 PM

In my experience on cruises whenever making any purchases, all passengers have to present their card, which doubles as a boarding card. I also hear on many newer ships it serves as a room key too. But in recent posting it seems that many lines simply require your cabin number, i.e. "The swim-up bar " and "QE2 whinge whinge whinge". What is your general experience? Having read Vickies QE2 posting about people charging to other cabins, surely it is a much safer idead to present this swipe card with all your info and signature on it to prevent fraud.

Whaddya'll think?
Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 12-27-2000 06:51 PM

Paddy; I have only had to give my room # probabally 95% of the time but after reading the post about what happened on the QE2 I will be ever more quiet and watchful.

I am sure it is possible we bought drinks for some lower class citizen stealing our # but not any purchases in the ships stores.
We are about 23 days away from the white sand and beautiful water.
Kevin and Kathy

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 12-27-2000 07:52 PM

On some of the older ships (Norway, QE2), I had to give my room number, but on the newer ships (Triumph, Victory), I used a swipe card. It's much easier using a swipe card, but it's also more of a hassle, especially out by the pool.

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 12-27-2000 09:20 PM

On the Sunbird the other week, the system required the card to be swiped to record a purchase from any bar.
(The cards now have photos too, which make them much more appropriate for boarding etc.)
While many staff got to know me by name, which was nice, I would be worried if they just relied on memory to bill things to my account.

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

juddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1610

posted 12-28-2000 05:39 AM

cruise cards or cash cards have been common
on P&O ships in Australia for years. I find
it the best way to buy goods or drinks
on board . With your wallet safely locked in
your room safe, and your card around your neck with your room keys on it. all you have
to do is grab your towel and sun block , and
your ready for the day. plus you get a bill
slip (receipt) with your purchase on it , plus what ever your current balance .

Posts: 24 | From: sydney australia | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

juddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1610

posted 12-28-2000 05:46 AM

Posts: 24 | From: sydney australia | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

bostom
First Class Passenger
Member # 1628

posted 12-28-2000 07:05 AM

On QE2 last year (and per Vickie still) and CARONIA last month, one signs a slip for every purchase (shops, drinks, tours) with last name, cabin # and a signature. CARONIA did have photo ID's this year but it was used only for boarding and disembarkation by scanning the bar code on the card at the gangway.

In light of Vickie's experience, it would seem they need to at least look at the card to see that the person signing is *indeed* the person signing.

Posts: 93 | From: Boston, MA USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 12-28-2000 07:06 AM

I always signed for drinks on the Norway. We just gave them our cabin number.

On HAL, we signed also, but the bartender/waitress always kept a running tab for us all night.

Cards were not swiped. We never had a problem with our bill. My hubby checked all the receipts agaist our bill. It was much easier on HAL, since we did not have tons of receipts.
I do not think I would like giving someone my card everytime I bought a drink. If you are at the pool, I assume the waiter would have to take your card back to the bar to swipe it each time.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 12-28-2000 10:25 AM

As juddy juddy says says says, carrying a card is much safer than a wallet, and photo-ID makes it as secure as possible.

It's hardly an inconvenience for us passengers ... plus, having your card swiped each time removes any possibility of the waiter/ess being accused of making mistakes.

So I'm with juddy on this one ... it was worth saying three times!

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 12-28-2000 02:35 PM

I would very uncomfortable with a situation such as just giving them your room number.
RCCL always asks for the card and then we sign. I don't want to wait in line at the pursers desk ironing out bill problems on the last night. Do you?

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 12-28-2000 04:24 PM

One step has been omitted from some of these descriptions....passenger writes their cabin number but also their last name. Cashier enters the number, and the computer displays the names on that account. No match; no margarita. I SUPPOSE some deadbeat could watch the cashier's fingers work the number keys and memorize the name that flashes on the screen...but really!

Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Vickie
First Class Passenger
Member # 466

posted 12-28-2000 04:32 PM

I do like the "cashless" systems that ships use, but I think the key to making it work is that the cruise lines have to enforce their own policies. That is...ship's personnel MUST ask for the passenger's last name and then check that against the computer's cabin #/passenger list. If a passenger carries their card with them (which I do - I automatically put it in my tote bag or pocket), then that eliminates the problem of people overhearing your cabin #. Even QE2 now puts a photo on the "cashless" cards, so the ship's employees should be required to match faces & signatures. For those who don't like to carry the card, providing their cabin # and last name still allows the ship some measure of security IF they ensure they match.

Some other lines are vigilant in asking for last names and I'm sure this prevents most problems. (Sure, some nogoodnik could eavesdrop to hear the cabin # and person's name and could trot over to the bar and order drinks on their tab...but that really takes some nerve!! But, requiring passengers to show their card would take care of that too!)

Posts: 29 | From: Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

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