Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Amanda!
How thrilling that your countdown is now under three months until your high seas adventure! I am so excited for you to sail with Captain Mickey this summer.
Typically, I have always used a credit card on file so my account is automatically settled at the conclusion of the cruise. This also saves time on the night before debarkation, so I can enjoy the final evening and avoid the line at Guest Services.
If prior to your sailing you book
Port Adventures or any services in
Senses Spa and Salon, these charges will appear on your stateroom account at the time of your sailing. You can settle these charges anytime up until the last evening of your cruise if you are using cash and do not place a credit card on your account. Any additional charges you make while onboard (drinks or gifts for example) would require immediate payment at Guest Services (Deck 3, Midship).
One option that may work well for you to pay your onboard expenses in cash would be to utilize Disney Gift Cards. You could purchase the gift cards in the amount of your pre-booked activities and then
contact Disney Cruise Line to add these gift card balances to your onboard account prior to sailing. You would then be able to make charges to your stateroom account without exceeding the charge limit and avoid having to go to pay for every charge at Guest Services.