Norwegian cruise lines has a ‘cash free’ system in place while you’re on board the ship. This helps make everything smooth while you’re sailing. It does have a few drawbacks as well. If you are considering using Norwegian cruise lines for your next vacation cruise, here are some important things you should know.
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Onboard Credit Program
When you board the cruise ship, you’ll need to set up a credit account with Norwegian cruise lines at the time of check in. If you choose, you can do this online before you travel. Everything you purchase on the ship will be billed to this account. This includes anything from alcohol with dinners, specialty meals, items in gift shops, and certain services. Some of the services do run independently of the cruise line, but you’ll still be billed for them on your expense account. To set this up you can use a major credit card. Debit cards and cash are also accepted. If you choose to use a credit card, make sure it’s one with a decent amount of available credit. If Norwegian bills the account at the end of the cruise and you don’t have available credit, the credit card company may hit you with over limit fees and an increased interest rate. Also be aware that if you use a debit card, a hold will be placed on the account. The hold amount can vary, but in most cases is around $50 per day per person. At the end of the cruise the actual amount you’ve spent will be submitted. It can take some banks as long as 30 days to drop the authorization hold. Because of this it may be better to pay cash if a credit card isn’t an option. To set up your Norwegian cruise lines account with cash you’ll need to place a deposit on the account. The deposit amount required will vary based on the length of the cruise, but in general you can expect the same $50 per day minimum. You can add cash in to your account if you start to run short. Cash has become a preferred option for many on cruise vacations because it allows you to keep track of what you’re spending.
Tipping on Norwegian Cruise Lines
Gratuity is never an absolute, but it is appreciated. If you want to reward a staff member aboard the ship for going above and beyond, you are welcome to tip them cash. Spa services, bartenders, and other services that are charged as needed should be tipped. For instance, you only pay for spa services when you want them, and those staff members are paid based on the number of services performed. It’s a nice gesture to tip these Norwegian cruise lines staff members.
Currency and Conversions
Since you won’t need cash on the actual ship, you won’t need to worry about currency while cruising. However, at the various ports you stop at during your cruise, you may want to carry some of the local currency on you. Most of the shops and restaurants you encounter will accept major credit cards, if you want to shop at smaller boutiques or bazaars, you will want cash. You can take travelers checks with you and exchange them at the going rates at the Reception desk aboard any of the Norwegian cruise lines ships. Larger ports you visit on your Norwegian cruise vacation package will have banks that are happy to exchange money for you.
Excursion Packages
Excursion packages book quickly, and need to be prepaid. Some of the luxury cruises will include a couple smaller excursions as part of all inclusive cruise packages. The excursions are typically announced 6 months prior to the departure date. You can sign up for the excursions online at the NCL Norwegian cruise lines website. If you aren’t sure if you want to take one, you can wait until the ship leaves. Sometimes you can book these at the last minute depending on the number of available slots there are. Don’t count on this though. You may have to be waitlisted, and you could miss out on some of the excursions offered through Norwegian cruise lines if you don’t sign up early.
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