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Planning a cruise involves more than choosing a ship and itinerary. You also need to know how you will pay for your reservation, pre-cruise extras, and purchases during the voyage. Understanding the available Celebrity Cruises payment methods can help you avoid payment problems and unexpected card holds.
Celebrity Cruises accepts several electronic payment options, with the exact choices depending on the type of purchase and the market where the booking is made. Its current payment terms list major card networks including American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, JCB, and Visa, as well as Apple Pay for eligible purchases.
For onboard spending, Celebrity uses a SeaPass-linked onboard account rather than requiring guests to pay separately every time they buy a drink, visit a specialty restaurant, shop, or book an onboard service.
Celebrity Cruises accepts several payment methods, but availability can depend on the purchase and booking location.
Common options include:
Celebrity's current global purchase terms specifically list American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, JCB, Visa, and Apple Pay among accepted methods for purchases.
Yes. Credit cards are one of the main payment methods accepted by Celebrity Cruises.
For onboard accounts, guests are required to add a credit card during check-in. Celebrity says the payment method can subsequently be changed through the Celebrity Cruises app, online, at the check-in counter on sailing day, or at Guest Relations onboard.
Major card networks listed by Celebrity include:
The exact cards available for a particular booking can depend on the country or market.
Debit cards may be associated with an onboard account, but travelers should understand how authorization holds work before using one.
Celebrity's current FAQ information explains that pending authorizations can be placed on credit or debit cards during a cruise to verify available funds. These holds are not necessarily completed charges and can remain visible after the cruise depending on the bank or financial institution.
Some regional Celebrity booking conditions specifically warn that debit-card authorizations can remain pending longer than credit-card authorizations. For example, Celebrity's New Zealand terms state that some debit-card holds can remain for up to 30 days and recommend against using debit cards for this reason.
For this reason, check your bank's policy before relying on a debit card for onboard spending.
Yes. Celebrity's current global purchase terms list Apple Pay as an accepted payment method for purchases.
However, Apple Pay availability can depend on the particular transaction and checkout environment. If Apple Pay does not appear at checkout, use one of the payment methods displayed for that transaction.
It is also sensible to carry a physical payment card as a backup, especially when traveling internationally.
Yes. Celebrity Cruises offers eGift cards that can be used toward eligible cruise-related payments.
According to Celebrity's current FAQ, its eGift cards can be used for:
To use a gift card toward an onboard expense account, Celebrity says guests must be onboard and visit Guest Services.
Celebrity also states that its eGift cards are currently digital and that international purchases of the gift cards are not available; the gift card currency is restricted to U.S. dollars.
Yes. Onboard credit (OBC) can be used toward many eligible purchases during a Celebrity Cruises sailing.
Celebrity lists examples such as:
Once onboard credit is posted to the account, it is automatically applied toward eligible purchases.
However, onboard credit is not the same as cash. Celebrity states that onboard credit has no cash value and unused credit can expire at the end of the cruise.
If the onboard credit does not cover the entire cost of a purchase, another accepted payment method may be required.
Celebrity uses a SeaPass and onboard account system.
Instead of paying separately with a credit card every time you make a purchase, eligible expenses are charged to your onboard account using your SeaPass.
You can use your SeaPass for purchases at locations such as:
Your onboard spending can be viewed through the Celebrity Cruises app, on the in-room television where available, or at Guest Relations.
The payment card connected to your onboard account is then used to settle the account.
Celebrity says guests must add a credit card to complete check-in for an onboard expense account. After check-in, the payment method can be changed through the app, online, at the terminal, or at Guest Relations.
This means you should have an eligible payment method available before boarding.
Yes. Temporary authorization holds can appear on your card.
Celebrity explains that guests can initially see a $100 pending authorization on a credit card when establishing an onboard account. Additional holds can occur when purchases exceed that amount. These authorizations are intended to secure funds for anticipated onboard spending and are not necessarily completed charges.
Celebrity also explains that the time required for a hold to disappear is controlled by the bank or financial institution rather than Celebrity Cruises. Some holds can take considerably longer to disappear after the cruise.
If your available credit is limited, temporary authorizations can reduce the amount you have available even though the money has not ultimately been charged.
For example, a traveler with a low available credit limit could see a temporary authorization and mistakenly believe that an additional purchase has been permanently charged.
Checking your card account regularly can help you distinguish pending authorizations from completed transactions.
Yes.
Celebrity says guests can change the payment method connected to their onboard expense account:
If you need to replace a card during your cruise, contact Guest Relations rather than waiting until the end of the voyage.
Yes, if you booked directly with Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity's current guidance says guests who book directly can access their reservation through their Guest Account and make payments toward the remaining balance. Direct-booking customers can also make payments through the Celebrity mobile app.
If you booked through a travel advisor, Celebrity says you generally need to contact the original travel advisor to make payments or change the booking.
This can depend on how the booking was made and which payment system is being used.
Celebrity currently states that its Guest Account system cannot accommodate changing the credit card used for an initial payment when making the final payment. In that situation, Celebrity advises customers to contact its Customer Care team.
Therefore, do not assume that the card used for your deposit can automatically be replaced online later.
Payment-plan availability depends on the booking market and the specific Celebrity product.
For example, Celebrity currently describes Affirm as a payment option for eligible U.S. bookings, allowing qualified customers to pay in four interest-free payments or through fixed monthly installments, subject to the terms of the financing agreement.
Because financing availability can vary by location, itinerary, booking type, and eligibility, check the payment options displayed during checkout.
Yes. Celebrity Cruises accepts bookings made through authorized travel advisors.
When a cruise is booked through a travel advisor, payment arrangements can be handled through that advisor rather than directly through Celebrity's online Guest Account. Celebrity's booking information explains that customers who book through an advisor should contact the original booking agent for payments or booking changes.
This is especially important if you need to make a balance payment close to the final payment deadline.
Celebrity's regional booking terms state that the onboard currency is U.S. dollars. For example, Celebrity's current New Zealand terms state that onboard accounts are payable in U.S. dollars.
If your card is issued in another country, your bank may apply currency-conversion or foreign-transaction fees.
Celebrity's booking conditions for other locations also warn that payments made directly by credit or debit card may be processed through a U.S. bank, potentially resulting in a foreign-processing fee from the card issuer.
Check your card issuer's international transaction policy before traveling.
Celebrity's current onboard system is primarily cashless, with onboard purchases charged through the SeaPass account.
The exact settlement options can vary by regional terms. For example, Celebrity's New Zealand terms describe a cashless onboard system and require a credit card to be registered at check-in.
Because payment rules can vary by market and sailing, passengers should check the specific terms for their booking rather than assuming that cash will be accepted in every circumstance.
Cash should not be treated as a replacement for the payment card required during check-in.
A practical approach is to travel with:
A credit card with sufficient available credit can be particularly useful because temporary authorization holds may reduce your available credit during the voyage.
Make sure your card is active and has enough available credit for both your planned spending and possible authorization holds.
Depending on your bank's policies, international cruise transactions may trigger security checks or foreign-transaction fees.
A backup card can be useful if your primary card is declined, lost, blocked, or affected by a temporary authorization.
Celebrity allows guests to review onboard purchases through its app, in-room television where available, or Guest Relations.
Checking the account during the cruise makes it easier to identify an unfamiliar transaction.
Authorization holds can temporarily reduce your available credit without representing a completed purchase.
Payment methods and terms can differ between countries and regions. Always check the conditions applicable to your particular reservation.
| Payment method | Where it may be used | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | Cruise and eligible purchases | Major card accepted |
| MasterCard | Cruise and eligible purchases | Major card accepted |
| American Express | Cruise and eligible purchases | Listed by Celebrity |
| Discover | Eligible purchases | Listed in Celebrity's purchase terms |
| Diners Club | Eligible purchases | Listed in Celebrity's purchase terms |
| JCB | Eligible purchases | Listed in Celebrity's purchase terms |
| Apple Pay | Eligible online purchases | Availability depends on transaction |
| Celebrity eGift Card | Cruise, pre-cruise and onboard account | Current gift-card restrictions apply |
| Onboard Credit | Eligible onboard purchases | Cannot be exchanged for cash |
| Affirm | Eligible bookings | Availability and eligibility vary |
| Travel advisor payment | Bookings through an advisor | Contact the original advisor for payment changes |
Celebrity's current purchase terms list the major card networks and Apple Pay, while its FAQ separately confirms gift-card and onboard-credit options.
Yes. Visa is among the card networks listed in Celebrity Cruises' current payment terms.
Yes. MasterCard is listed as an accepted payment method in Celebrity's current purchase terms.
Yes. American Express is listed among Celebrity's accepted payment methods.
Yes, Celebrity's current global purchase terms list Apple Pay among accepted payment methods for purchases. Whether it appears for a particular transaction can depend on the checkout process.
Yes. Celebrity says its eGift cards can be redeemed toward eligible Celebrity cruise bookings and can also be applied toward an onboard expense account.
Yes. Celebrity states that onboard credit can be used for eligible purchases including beverages and shore excursions.
Celebrity states that a credit card must be added to complete check-in for an onboard expense account.
Yes. Celebrity says you can change the payment method through the app, online, at the sailing-day check-in counter, or at Guest Relations onboard.
Yes. Celebrity says an initial $100 pending authorization may appear, with additional holds possible as onboard spending increases. These are authorization holds rather than necessarily completed charges.
If you booked directly with Celebrity, you can generally make payments through your Guest Account and the Celebrity mobile app. If you booked through a travel advisor, you should contact that advisor for payment assistance.
Payment-plan availability depends on the booking. Celebrity currently describes Affirm as an option for eligible bookings, subject to qualification and applicable terms.
Celebrity Cruises supports several payment methods, with major credit cards and Apple Pay among the options listed in its current purchase terms. Gift cards and onboard credit can also be useful for eligible cruise and onboard expenses.
For onboard spending, the key point is that Celebrity uses a SeaPass-linked onboard account. Guests generally connect a payment method to that account, use their SeaPass for purchases, and settle the resulting balance through the payment method on file.
Before sailing, check the payment rules that apply to your country and reservation, keep a backup payment card available, and remember that temporary authorization holds can affect your available credit during and after the cruise.
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