On board payment

You can settle your final bill in any of the following three ways:

By credit card

The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Diners, JCB, Discover and American Express. If you choose to pay by credit card, your account will be closed automatically at the end of the cruise, so there is no need to go to the Reception – Guest Service.

By debit or prepaid card 

You should make sure that your debit/prepaid card is enabled for use abroad. The following debit cards are accepted: Maestro, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard debit Any amount debited to your card and not spent during your cruise will be reimbursed in cash at the Reception - Guest Service on the final morning before disembarkation.

In cash

Any amount deposited in cash and not spent during the cruise will be reimbursed in cash at the Reception - Guest Service on the final morning before disembarkation. Please note that personal cheques are not accepted. For cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Antilles, Dubai, the Emirates and Oman, as well as MSC Grand Voyages departing from Europe, the onboard currency is the Euro (€). For cruises in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada & New England, South America and South Africa, as well as MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia, the onboard currency is the US Dollar ($). The onboard currency for cruises departing from Southampton will be the British Pound (£).

Europe: EC Regulation 1889/2005 states that: “Any natural person entering or leaving the Community and carrying cash of a value of Euro 10,000 or more shall declare that sum to the competent authorities of the Member state through which he is entering or leaving the Community in accordance with this Regulation”.

Please consult your travel agent and/or the relevant authorities (embassies, consulates or other local authorities) to find out whether there are any other restrictions to carrying cash on your itinerary.

The prices on board are not more expensive than those on land. In fact the special operating environment that regulates the maritime sector means that many products (such as alcohol, tobacco and fragrances) can be sold duty free, bringing reductions of up to 30% off retail prices on land.

*Depending on the itineraries and subject to applicable legislation.

All on board purchases can be made with the personal cruise card, eliminating the need to carry cash. A cash in advance service is available before departing and can be booked in your personal area. Book your cruise credit now so you’re ready to go as soon as you board. This credit can be used on board for shopping, relaxation or any other activity for the whole duration of your cruise.

In alternative, the service is available by registering a credit card on board account. This can only be done in the on board currency (euro or US dollars, depending on the itinerary), for a fee, set according to the itinerary.

What is the onboard account statement?

The onboard account statement is a summary of all expenses made during your cruise using your cruise card.


How can I have a copy of my onboard account statement?

ON BOARD

If you are responsible for settling the onboard expenses, you can view and download your onboard account statement at any time during your cruise using the MSC for Me app. We recommend downloading a copy before disembarkation, as the statement will no longer be accessible once you leave the ship.

AFTER YOUR CRUISE

If you did not download your onboard account statement while on board, you can request a copy by contacting our Customer Service team. For privacy reasons, the request must be made by the Guest who paid for the expenses. Please ensure to include your booking number when making your request to facilitate processing.


What details are included in my onboard account statement?

Your onboard account statement provides a breakdown of all expenses charged to your cruise card during your cruise. This includes purchases such as specialty dining, beverages, spa treatments, excursions, onboard shopping, internet and any additional services. The statement will display the date of each charge, the amount charged in the onboard currency, any applied onboard credits, the total balance and payment details.

The onboard account statement is not an itemized receipt and does now show the details of specific items bought. Additionally, some charges are grouped into categories such as:

“Excursions” includes shore excursions and transport services such as shuttle buses from the port to the city center.

“Photo Shop” covers any photo-related purchases.

“Entertainment” includes expenses for onboard entertainment, including casino fiches.

“Internet” reflects any internet packages purchased.

Please note that certain onboard shops offer the option to make direct payments using your credit or debit card, instead of charging the expenses to your cruise card. Important: Any purchases paid directly with your credit or debit card will not appear on your onboard account statement. Instead, these payments are processed separately, and a receipt is provided at the point of purchase for your reference.

Why do I see holds on my credit card?

If you registered a credit card for onboard expenses, you may notice pre-authorizations on your credit card statement. These are temporary holds placed by your bank to reserve funds for potential charges during your cruise. They are not actual charges but may temporarily reduce your available credit.

When will the holds be released?

Pre-authorizations are usually released after your final bill is settled upon disembarkation. However, depending on your bank’s policy, these holds may remain visible for some time. In most cases, they expire within 30 days, but the exact timeframe varies depending on the Guest’s bank policy. MSC Cruises does not control how long these holds remain on your account and cannot expedite their release. The release of pre-authorizations is entirely managed by your bank. If you experience delays in the removal of pre-authorizations, we recommend contacting your bank directly for assistance.