Tier 1 Quality Cruise Line Merchant Account
A cruise line merchant account is a type of merchant account designed specifically to meet the unique requirements of cruise line businesses. It allows cruise lines to accept payments from customers for booking cruises, purchasing onboard amenities, and other related services. A cruise line merchant account comes with features like high transaction volume, integrated booking systems, fast settlements, and multi-currency processing.
Cruise line customers seek memorable experiences across oceans and seas. Travelers prefer using digital payment methods, including credit and debit cards, for onboard purchases and booking cruise line tickets. With a dedicated cruise line merchant account, companies can offer a stress-free travel experience to customers.
However, it’s important to note that cruise line companies cannot use regular low-risk merchant accounts due to various reasons. The industry classifies cruise lines as high-risk, and only specialized payment processing companies can support this type of business.
QuadraPay offers domestic and offshore credit card processing accounts for cruise line companies. Our solutions are powered by some of the best payment processing companies worldwide. Contact us to learn how we can add value to your payment processing activities for your cruise line.
Cruise Industry is high risk for many credit card payment processors.
Cruise businesses are categorized as high-risk by acquiring banks due to various factors, including delayed service delivery, strict no-cancellation policies, potential customer dissatisfaction, high-value transactions, seasonal operations, irregular billing, high chargeback rates, online reservations, and advanced scheduling.
Some banks refuse to work with cruise lines simply because they lack experience with similar merchants, leading to a general misunderstanding of the cruise line industry’s needs and operations.
Additional factors contributing to a cruise line’s high-risk status include complex tax requirements, safety regulations, and logistical challenges, making it challenging to secure an account with a low-risk credit card processor. However, cruise lines can find greater success with specialized high-risk merchant accounts tailored to their industry, offered by payment processors with extensive experience supporting merchants in various high-risk sectors, including travel, tour operators, airlines, and the cruise industry.
These payment processors closely monitor merchant account activity to ensure accounts remain in good standing and merchants do not encounter issues. Additionally, processing companies employ various tools and measures to reduce fraud and chargebacks, enhancing the security and stability of merchant accounts in the cruise industry.
Why QuadraPay For Cruise Line Merchant Processing?
QuadraPay offers dedicated credit card payment processing solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of the cruise line industry. Our solutions ensure quick and highly efficient transaction processing for passengers. We provide specialized payment gateways that efficiently accept payments through various credit and debit cards, as well as alternative payment methods.
Our cruise line high-risk merchant accounts are provided by payment processors and acquiring banks that have experience in handling large-volume accounts similar to those of cruise liners. We excel in high-risk merchant accounts, leveraging our extensive network of banking partners as the foundation for providing these services.
With our omni-channel cruise line high-risk merchant accounts, companies can accept payments over websites, phones, in-person, and also onboard. These solutions offer multidimensional transaction processing capabilities to cruise companies.
Types of Cruise Line Merchant Account
Online Credit Card Processing for Cruise Liners
With this solution, cruise liners can accept payments from customers via credit and debit cards through online platforms. This may include the website of the cruise liner company or the website of any safari aggregator. With an online E-Commerce merchant account for cruise line businesses, customers can make bookings, purchase amenities, or pay for services related to cruise trips through their credit and debit cards over the internet. Cruise liners integrate the online payment gateway into their website, mobile app, or booking portal, allowing customers to conveniently complete electronic transactions without worrying about carrying cash when they travel.
ACH Processing for Cruise Liners
With ACH payment processing, cruise liners can accept electronic transfers of funds between bank accounts through the ACH network. This provides a convenient way of making payments to the cruise liners for those customers who do not have access to credit or debit cards. Passengers authorize transactions through online forms or signed agreements. Once authorized, the cruise liner initiates the transaction by providing the payment details to the ACH provider.
The ACH network then routes the transaction to the customer’s bank for verification and fund transfer. Once approved, the funds are transferred from the customer’s bank account to the cruise line company’s business bank account, and both parties receive notification of the transaction. ACH transactions for cruise liners can be very economical and also come with the ability to automate recurring payments.
Online Virtual Terminal for Cruise Liners
An online virtual terminal plays an important role for a cruise liner. A VT allows cruise liner employees to accept manual credit and debit card transactions. Cruise liner staff can access the virtual terminal from any location, including the office or onboard the ship, and process transactions based on passengers’ requirements. The virtual terminal comes with advanced features that help validate transactions and prevent fraudulent activity.
Retail Credit Card Terminal for Cruise Liners Booking Office
With a retail credit card terminal, cruise line companies can easily process payments for ticket reservations at the booking office. These brand-new terminals come with advanced features suitable for the unique requirements of cruise liners. Some of the most important features of these specialized credit card terminals include rugged construction to withstand the maritime environment. Along with that, these terminals are compatible with various payment methods, including chip cards, contactless payments, and QR code payments. A detailed reporting system helps cruise liners access detailed snapshots of transactions on demand.
Onboard Credit Card Processing for Cruise Liners
Now, cruise liners have the ability to accept credit card payments while passengers are onboard the cruise ship. This service allows passengers to make purchases during their voyage, such as for onboard amenities, dining experiences, souvenirs, bar purchases, restaurant purchases, spa services, and shopping at onboard stores, by using their cards. Portable terminals, as well as mobile payment solutions, facilitate onboard transactions. These terminals are integrated with onboard point-of-sale systems designed to operate even in remote maritime environments. With onboard credit card processing, cruise liner customers do not have to worry about carrying cash while they are having an amazing travel experience. Cruise line companies can track onboard spending and manage transactions in real-time.
Rates and Fees For Cruise line merchant services
For any cruise line company, the most important factor to consider when choosing a credit card processor is the quality of service, followed closely by pricing. The cruise line industry operates with high costs, making it crucial to access low-cost credit card processing accounts that are hassle-free and affordable. Providers should be transparent and honest in their dealings.
QuadraPay offers low-cost interchange-based credit card processing solutions for cruise liners in association with our merchant service partners. We leverage our extensive network of US-based acquiring banks and payment processors to provide you with a low-cost merchant account.
The final fees are established after reviewing the complete profile of the cruise line company. However, irrespective of the fees, there are some items that will be listed in your merchant account statement.
The merchant discount rate is a fixed percentage that a cruise line company pays on every transaction. This rate may also include a fixed transaction fee, generally less than 20 cents.
A chargeback fee is applied when the cruise line company loses a chargeback or dispute. The company may have to return the amount taken from the customer as well as pay the chargeback fee.
There may also be a high-risk registration fee. Certain card brands may require the merchant to register before allowing them to accept credit and debit card payments.
Along with the above fees, there can be additional charges based on the unique structure of the company.
Features of Cruise Line Merchant Account
24/7 US-Based Support: All of our Cruise liner Credit Card processing solutions are powered by US-based payment processing companies. Merchants get 24/7 US-based support for accounts, transactions, and technical assistance.
3D Secure Filter: Offers an additional layer of transaction verification. Without 3D verification, which includes either a one-time password over email or SMS, the transaction will not complete.
ACH & eChecks Processing: Along with credit and debit card processing, we also offer ACH and e-check payment gateways to cruise line companies. Passengers that do not have access to regular credit or debit cards can use these payment modes.
Chargeback Prevention and Management: With our solutions, you get the ability to add a chargeback alert service to your merchant account, allowing you to receive a notification when a dispute is raised by the merchant.
API, Plugin, and Mobile SDK Integration: Our solutions come with a comprehensive set of integration modules that can be used by cruise line merchants based on their unique requirements. A detailed API document will be provided for your reference. Ready-to-use plugins for well-known content management systems will make the integration super easy. If you wish to add the payment solution to your mobile application, you will also have access to a mobile SDK.
Fast and Easy Application Process: Although the actual timeline for the approval of a cruise line merchant account depends on various factors, in most cases, merchants can get accounts approved within 7 days.
High Approval Rate: Since we have multiple payment processing partners that are interested in onboarding merchants from the cruise line industry, we can offer very high approval rates.
KYC for Cruise Line Merchant Accounts
To obtain a merchant account, cruise line businesses must provide a set of documents to the underwriting team. These documents include:
- Merchant account application
- Identification proof of the directors
- Bank account information
- Company incorporation certificate
- Previous processing statements
- Any state or national licenses that may be required for the business
- Domain ownership proof
Additionally, the underwriting team may request additional documents based on the merchant’s profile. Once the merchant submits all the documents, the underwriting team commences the underwriting process.
Underwriting & Approval of Cruise Line Merchant Account
The application process for a cruise line merchant services account is simple. The first step is to send us the KYC documents, which will be forwarded to the acquiring institution for review. This process typically takes 2 to 3 business days. After that, you will receive feedback about your application. The processing company may require additional documents or may give you approval. In general, approvals come within a week for domestic cruise line merchant services accounts.
Keep in mind that the approval of the account is based on various factors, including the merchant’s previous payment processing experience and chargeback history. The payment processor will also evaluate the requested monthly sales volume, as well as the average and maximum ticket size. Additionally, the processing company may run your record on databases for background checks.
If, in the worst case, a domestic bank or payment processor does not approve your merchant account, then we take your application to an offshore merchant account provider. This kind of solution may be slightly more expensive than a domestic solution but has a bigger chance of approval.
