Does Royal Caribbean take authorisation holds for Onboard Guest Accounts? Yes, Royal Caribbean takes a temporary daily authorisation hold for each credit or debit card used for Onboard Guest Accounts. Credit cards may incur up to a 10 day hold and debit or Travel Money cards may incur up to 30 day holds.

Yes, Royal Caribbean typically places a hold (also called an “authorization” or “pre-authorization”) on both debit and credit cards when you check in for your cruise.

This is a standard practice across the entire cruise industry and many hotels and car rental companies. Here’s what you need to know specifically about Royal Caribbean’s policy:

How It Works:

1. At Online Check-in: You must register a credit or debit card for your onboard expense account (SeaPass account).
2. The Initial Hold: Upon boarding, Royal Caribbean will place a pre-authorization hold on your card. This is not an actual charge, but a temporary hold to ensure the card is valid and has funds/credit available.
3. Hold Amount: The amount varies, but it’s commonly $100 per person, per day of the cruise. For a 7-day cruise for two people, this could be a hold of $1,400. Some reports indicate it may start at $200-$300 per cabin and increase as you spend.
4. Throughout the Cruise: As you make purchases (drinks, excursions, spa, gifts, etc.), the hold amount is incrementally increased to cover your accumulating charges.
5. Final Settlement: At the end of your cruise, the actual total of your charges is posted as a final transaction. The temporary holds then fall off your account, typically within 1-10 business days (depending on your bank’s policy).

CRITICAL WARNING FOR DEBIT CARD USERS:

Using a debit card is strongly discouraged by both Royal Caribbean and experienced travelers. Here