Cruise cash is digital as well you dont actually get a card. Once you purchase it will automatically show up on your account as Credit when your oboard. Not before. I usually only buy like 100 cruise cash for my kid's spending money onboard so they know how much they can spend. It is use it or lose it but you can take out the balance in the Casino so its not a big thing to worry about unless you forget. Also, It is limited to 500 dollars so if your wanting more than 500 i would buy the AARP cards. Ive never used the AARP cards cause they dont sell them in Canada but i understand you just go to Guest services once onboard with the printout of the numbers and they will add them to your account whenever you like. You can also use them before you board to pay off your cruise or to pay off items you want to purchase before your cruise so again better than the cruise cash in that regard.