Ahoy, Maryssa! You ask a great question, and I am happy to share what I found out.
When completing Online Check-In, you can
enter a credit card or select the option to pay with cash. All of your onboard purchases will be charged to your stateroom folio. I checked with a Disney Cruise Line agent who shared that no hold is placed on your credit card. Instead, the card on file is charged whenever your balance reaches a certain amount—currently $300 for a 5-night cruise. Keep in mind that this amount can change. If you’d rather pay with cash, just stop by Guest Services when your balance reaches the spending limit.
Whenever I have a little extra money, I like to gift myself stateroom credit. This way, my purchases are deducted from that amount before charging my card. Visit the
Disney Cruise Line website and look for Onboard Gifts under the Already Booked tab. Once you enter your reservation details, hover over the arrow next to Shop by Category, then select Onboard Credit and enter the payment information. The credit is applied to everyone in the stateroom. You don't need to gift everyone individually. This is a great way to budget for our trips.
If you have any more questions, just let us know—we’re here to help make your planning as smooth and magical as possible!
SEAS the adventure!
Tracie