Before You Sail: Credit Cards and Onboard Billing for Casino Players

Casino players going on a cruise: before you sail, ask your casino host about possible credit card issues onboard and how billing works on a cruise ship. Here is why it matters.

How onboard billing works

On a cruise, everything, including casino play, drinks, dining, spa, and excursions, is charged to your onboard account. At the end of the cruise, that balance is automatically charged to the credit card on file.

What can go wrong

• Your card may be declined by fraud protection or because of international charges.
• Some banks block cruise ship or offshore transactions.
• Daily limits may be lower than you expect.
• If the card declines and you do not have a backup, it becomes a problem fast.

If you can't pay your invoice

• You may not be allowed to disembark until it is resolved.
• Your casino account could be restricted.
• Future cruise offers or casino comps may be affected.
• The last day of your vacation can turn into a headache.

What we recommend

• Always have more than one card on file.
• Notify your bank before you sail.
• Know your credit limits.
• Ask your casino host or the cruise line in advance how they handle declines.

A quick conversation before the cruise can save you a big problem at the end. Have questions? Ask your ECT casino host. That is what we are here for.

Have a question for a casino host? Ask it in our Ask the Ca$ino Host group on Facebook.