I am about to book 2 holland's cruises , and read on their website that before boarding they make you a lock on your credit card ($ 30 person / night)
Can anyone tell me that this is a secure system? Has anyone had problems with this block?

They never did that block me in my other cruises... just pay with my card at the end, having to agree with all charges.

Thanks!

Ithink that this is na common practice. Most hotels do it, and most gasoline stations do it. I think it is to assure that there are still funds available when they want to collect, and also to cover unexoected charges they may want to make - like when the curstomers makes off with the towels. You are not typically aware of it. Try following your account daily and see all the transactions.

Yes, HA does put a block on your account just to ensure that you do have the funds to pay for your cruise. As suggested you can monitor your daily account to see what is going on. It is not a big deal doing this. You have to pay either way. Have a great 2 cruises.

Yes, this is common, and yes this is safe. Restaurants do it when you pay by credit card until you write in a tip amount. Hotels typically do it when you check in.

But the block isn't put on your credit card until you check in for the cruise. You aren't going to have a hold put on any amount by HAL now just because you've made a deposit for a cruise in 2012, for example.

It is common to do this and CCs are quite secure

In fact they have all the liability and you have none

any bogus charge you dispute they will investingate/reverse

charge so no risk just be sure you are not close to your limit

Unlike Debit card which you have all the liability.

Good luck!

I made reservation for my father on Holland for 15 days, the "hold" will be $900 per person - it's $60 per day, not $30 - maybe different amount for different cruises?

I doubt that the hold differs per cruiser, but it might very well differ by cruise. Longer itineraries in more expensive places like Europe could very well have different holds since the holds would go toward covering shore excursions as well as other onboard charges.