Always Wondered

[1sttimer2009]

There are some who put everything on their SS I try to prepay everything I can. What happens if you run up your bill and can't pay? I have seen this question and did search no answer. I would never do this but I saw on my first cruise they were searching for a lady who owed a bill but she was nowhere to be found. Do they send it in the mail or what?

[awhcruiser]

She walked the plank....never to be seen again.

 

:D

[Socref124]

There are some who put everything on their SS I try to prepay everything I can. What happens if you run up your bill and can't pay? I have seen this question and did search no answer. I would never do this but I saw on my first cruise they were searching for a lady who owed a bill but she was nowhere to be found. Do they send it in the mail or what?

 

Actually, One must put a credit card, check or cash up at embarkation. If it is a check or cash, once you reach that amount your charging priveleges are discontinued until you go to the pursers desk and give them some more cash or another check. If it is a credit card, I believe Carnival puts a hold with the credit card company on your available credit. Once you get to the amount Carnival has a hold on, your charging priveleges are suspended until you produce another credit card. The cruise lines cover themselves before they allow you to charge anything on your S&S card. Now, this is the way it was explained to me. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me. Hope this helps.:)

[conchead]

I get confused over it and keep going back to the Carnival FAQ's

Here is what it says:

What is Sail & Sign?Sail & Sign is Carnival's onboard cashless credit program which allows you to charge, at your convenience, all your services and purchases paid throughout the cruise. All locations onboard will accept your Sail & Sign card for payment, casino will also accept cash.

 

How can I register for Sail & Sign?

Registration for Sail & Sign will take place during embarkation or at anytime onboard at Guest Services.

 

What forms of payment are accepted for Sail & Sign account?

 

Credit Cards:

Visa

MasterCard

Discover®

American Express

Diner's

JCB (Japanese Credit Bureau)

SeaMiles MasterCard

Visa and MasterCard Prepaid Gift Card

 

 

 

Note:

• The American Express "Persona Select" is not an acceptable credit card.
  
• Regular ATM debit cards are not acceptable.
  
• Guests may use a checking account debit card as long as it is a registered MasterCard or Visa card.
  
• A guest traveling without his/her parents cannot use the parents' credit card even with the parents' written permission
  
• The cardholding guest must be an authorized signer by the card issuing bank.
  
• Upon completion of the Sail & Sign Application Form, the cardholder agrees to pay for the individuals indicated on the form; it is not necessary for these individuals to be booked in the same room as the cardholder.
  

Can I add additional credit cards to my Sail & Sign account?

Guest Services throughout your cruise will be able to assist you with any changes required to your account, including references, additional credit cards or cash deposits and setting spending limits.

 

How is my credit card charged?

During embarkation, when your credit card is swiped, an initial approval of $50 is obtained. Throughout the voyage incremental holds will be obtained. This will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card or restrict the availability of cash in the checking /debit account. Authorization hold releases to your account is entirely up to your issuing bank.

 

All charges will be automatically billed at the end of the voyage. On the final morning of the cruise, a statement detailing all purchases made with your Sail & Sign card will be delivered to your stateroom. If you put down a cash deposit and there is an overpayment at the end of the cruise, you will receive the overpayment in the form of a check, attached to the detailed statement on the final morning of the cruise.

 

Cash Deposit:

U.S. Currency and Traveler's Checks are accepted as a form of deposit to open a Sail & Sign Account at the start of the cruise. As the guest approaches the deposit limit, the Information Desk will notify the guest that additional money must be deposited.

"Recommended" deposits per duration of the voyage are as follows:

2-4 day cruises: $100 deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 deposit pp

9+ day cruises: $350 deposit pp

 

Where can I view my Sail & Sign account?

Guest Services can provide a balance throughout the cruise and you can also view the statement via your stateroom TV; just follow the options for folio review.

 

Any Sail & Sign account inquiries made during the cruise should be made at Guest Services.

 

Any Sail & Sign account inquiries made after the cruise should be referred to our Guest Care department, extension 83133.

 

Uses for the Sail & Sign Card

The Sail & Sign Card must be utilized for the following; cash will not be an accepted form of payment:

Beverage purchases: A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to the bill which the guest may adjust appropriate to the service received.

Shore excursion tours

In-room calling charges

Medical Center charges

Valet laundry charges

Photo purchases: On debarkation day, cash is only accepted.

Video service

Gift Shops

Steiner's spa and salon

Formality Shop (flowers; tuxedo; chocolates)

European Cafe (specialty coffees and pastries)

Steakhouse

Camp Carnival babysitting fees

Gratuities for shipboard staff

Casino: to purchase chips for the tables and coins for the slot machines.

Note: Cash is also accepted in the casino.

 

BOARDING CARD

Your Sail & Sign Card will serve as your Boarding Card. This card identifies you as a Carnival guest and must be carried with you along with picture identification when you go ashore. Because the ship is closed to the public while docked at the various ports-of-call, you’ll have to show your Sail & Sign Card and picture I.D. to the officer on duty in order to return on board.

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[helicopter]

Never heard of being able to use a check;)

[packedandready]

There are some who put everything on their SS I try to prepay everything I can. What happens if you run up your bill and can't pay? I have seen this question and did search no answer. I would never do this but I saw on my first cruise they were searching for a lady who owed a bill but she was nowhere to be found. Do they send it in the mail or what?

 

 

Those are the ones that "fell" overboard:D

[Quampapetet]

I don't know if Carnival does it differently than Royal Caribbean or not, but I know somebody that happened to on Royal Caribbean. BTW, just because they call the name several times does not mean they didn't find the person, it could just be the person has to keep going back to the desk to work the situation out, as that's what happened with the person I know (even though we were sitting just to the side of the line of the desk, they called her on the PA system each time, LOL).

 

Anyway, she had overspent onboard the ship (having gone to the salon twice for updos for both formal nights and all) and couldn't pay it off at the end of the cruise. I think her credit card denied the amount of it and other stuff - they tried working it out several ways. In the end, she had to sign a promisary note that she would pay the cruiseline what she owed (I assume within a certain amount of time).

[lindasuej]

How do you put the cash down on your account. When you check in they usually ask for a credit card. If you don't have one do you then give them cash? How does this work?

 

Linda

[BBigfoot613]

How do you put the cash down on your account. When you check in they usually ask for a credit card. If you don't have one do you then give them cash? How does this work?

 

Linda

 

It's rather simple. You tell them you are using a cash deposit for the S&S and they will tell you to make sure you stop at the pursars/info desk. If you arrive early enough to board you can do that as soon as you board and will have little or no line to wait in. It's rather painles and helps to get it out of the way fast. Also, if you are unsure of how much you'll use you can deposit part of the money and then go back later on the cruise to add more. Whatever you don't use will be given back on the last night in the form of a check. You can cash that check the final morning if you want at the pursars desk or take it home and to the bank. On our last cruise I went to the desk and settled our account before going to bed. They gave me cash back and all was well. I got a printout of all the charges to the S&S the next morning I believe.

[BBigfoot613]

It's rather simple. You tell them you are using a cash deposit for the S&S and they will tell you to make sure you stop at the pursars/info desk. If you arrive early enough to board you can do that as soon as you board and will have little or no line to wait in. It's rather painles and helps to get it out of the way fast. Also, if you are unsure of how much you'll use you can deposit part of the money and then go back later on the cruise to add more. Whatever you don't use will be given back on the last night in the form of a check. You can cash that check the final morning if you want at the pursars desk or take it home and to the bank. On our last cruise I went to the desk and settled our account before going to bed. They gave me cash back and all was well. I got a printout of all the charges to the S&S the next morning I believe.

 

Oh and I wanted to add that you can also call and purchase funship dollars ahead of time and have them applied to your S&S over the phone. We did that on the triumph and when we checked in we told them we were using cash and OBC and never had to go to the info/pursars desk. It sometimes takes a few days for the amount to show up online but you will get an email reciept almost instantly. I printed that out incase there was any problems but all was well. It appeared on the TV about an hour or so after sail away and I was able to use the card for purchases as soon as I boarded the ship (3-4 hours before sail away). Let me see if I can find he # for funship dollars if you are interested.

[BBigfoot613]

Ok I found what I believe is the number 1-800-906-7603

 

Or some will tell you to visit this site http://www.carnival.com/BonVoyage/AddToCart.aspx?cat=GiftCertificates&pid=FSD

 

And put in "OBC" for your address and your booking number. Myself I called the 800 number and was more at ease talking to a live person rather than trusting the electronic age :D

[LemurCat]

I don't know if Carnival does it differently than Royal Caribbean or not, but I know somebody that happened to on Royal Caribbean. BTW, just because they call the name several times does not mean they didn't find the person, it could just be the person has to keep going back to the desk to work the situation out, as that's what happened with the person I know (even though we were sitting just to the side of the line of the desk, they called her on the PA system each time, LOL).

 

Anyway, she had overspent onboard the ship (having gone to the salon twice for updos for both formal nights and all) and couldn't pay it off at the end of the cruise. I think her credit card denied the amount of it and other stuff - they tried working it out several ways. In the end, she had to sign a promisary note that she would pay the cruiseline what she owed (I assume within a certain amount of time).

 

Similar story on NCL. The guy had put down his Amex card (which usually has no limit on it) for him and his family. Between the beers, the booze, the rented tuxes he and his son tore the arms off of, the jewelry "to shut his wife up" plus the spending in port, Amex cut him off. He was escorted by ship's security to the Western Union office across the street from the port, where his brother wired him the cash to cover what Amex wouldn't.

[lindasuej]

Thanks everyone.

 

Linda

[gtalum]

I don't know if Carnival does it differently than Royal Caribbean or not, but I know somebody that happened to on Royal Caribbean. BTW, just because they call the name several times does not mean they didn't find the person, it could just be the person has to keep going back to the desk to work the situation out, as that's what happened with the person I know (even though we were sitting just to the side of the line of the desk, they called her on the PA system each time, LOL).

 

Anyway, she had overspent onboard the ship (having gone to the salon twice for updos for both formal nights and all) and couldn't pay it off at the end of the cruise. I think her credit card denied the amount of it and other stuff - they tried working it out several ways. In the end, she had to sign a promisary note that she would pay the cruiseline what she owed (I assume within a certain amount of time).

 

Similar story on NCL. The guy had put down his Amex card (which usually has no limit on it) for him and his family. Between the beers, the booze, the rented tuxes he and his son tore the arms off of, the jewelry "to shut his wife up" plus the spending in port, Amex cut him off. He was escorted by ship's security to the Western Union office across the street from the port, where his brother wired him the cash to cover what Amex wouldn't.

 

If this ever happens to you, just leave. They cannot keep you aboard against your will once they are cleared by customs. If they actually touch you to try and stop you, then call the police and press charges against the involved employees for false imprisonment and/or assault (and call an attorney soon after to file suit against the cruise line). As soon as you tell them you're calling the police they'll let you walk off. Do not sign a promissory note or otherwise further increase your liability to them. If you have an unpaid on-board account for whatever reason, it is no different than any other form of legal debt.

[newlife_2010]

Oh and I wanted to add that you can also call and purchase funship dollars ahead of time and have them applied to your S&S over the phone. We did that on the triumph and when we checked in we told them we were using cash and OBC and never had to go to the info/pursars desk. It sometimes takes a few days for the amount to show up online but you will get an email reciept almost instantly. I printed that out incase there was any problems but all was well. It appeared on the TV about an hour or so after sail away and I was able to use the card for purchases as soon as I boarded the ship (3-4 hours before sail away). Let me see if I can find he # for funship dollars if you are interested.

 

I just called this morning and purchased fun ship dollars as OBC. The process took about 10 minutes (painless). I now have peace of mind knowing I will have to use my CC. I will only use it in an emergency.

[Earthworm Jim]

If this ever happens to you, just leave.

 

Great advice there. Tell them to just blow off the debt they've run up so that the rest of us can pay for the deadbeats that do so via increased costs to cover Carnival's losses.

[newlife_2010]

This is why I never put a CC imprint at Disney or a cruise. It gives you too much liberty to spend money. With cash, you know where you financially stand all the time.

[gtalum]

Great advice there. Tell them to just blow off the debt they've run up so that the rest of us can pay for the deadbeats that do so via increased costs to cover Carnival's losses.

 

Hey it's sound advice. I'm not saying don't ever pay the bill. I'm just saying don't let them bully you or detain you. Debtors have rights.

[serene56]

If this ever happens to you, just leave. They cannot keep you aboard against your will once they are cleared by customs. .

 

BUT-- most times customs will not clear the ship if monies are still due.

This is why you hear the same names being called over and over in the morning of debarkation.

[Socref124]

Similar story on NCL. The guy had put down his Amex card (which usually has no limit on it) for him and his family. Between the beers, the booze, the rented tuxes he and his son tore the arms off of, the jewelry "to shut his wife up" plus the spending in port, Amex cut him off. He was escorted by ship's security to the Western Union office across the street from the port, where his brother wired him the cash to cover what Amex wouldn't.

 

OMG, how embarassing.:eek:

[Quampapetet]

Similar story on NCL. The guy had put down his Amex card (which usually has no limit on it) for him and his family. Between the beers, the booze, the rented tuxes he and his son tore the arms off of, the jewelry "to shut his wife up" plus the spending in port, Amex cut him off. He was escorted by ship's security to the Western Union office across the street from the port, where his brother wired him the cash to cover what Amex wouldn't.

 

:eek: What a story!! I hope NCL put this family on their no-cruise list after that trip.

[Quampapetet]

Hey it's sound advice. I'm not saying don't ever pay the bill. I'm just saying don't let them bully you or detain you. Debtors have rights.

 

They don't let ppl off the ship until everybody has paid up (or made other arrangements to pay off their bill), so that won't work. Not to mention it is stupid not to pay what you owe or make arrangements to get it paid in the future before you leave the ship.

 

They didn't bully my friend, they worked with her to get everything worked out, but I can see why the guy in the other person's story was taken to get wired money since he caused damage to the cruiseline's property, spent so much that an AmEx card was denied, etc.

[1sttimer2009]

Thanks for the responses! That's why I take cash I don't have a cc and you having worked for a bank you never know how they are feeling LOL!