No credit card

[Eva65]

I do not want to use a credit card or my debit card for the sail and sea card. How much case do you have to put down for a 7 night cruise?

[KroozLov'r]

$200.00 per person.

[boaterette]

My MIL puts down cash and they only require an amount to cover the tips. But if you call they will tell you different.

[Crusin6]

May I suggest...since you will have to put down cash anyway and obviously you will have to have the greenbacks in hand......why don't you just prepay your credit card before you sail?

 

 

That is what I am doing from now on...since I do tend to pay it off each month....I am planning on paying about $1000 extra right before our next cruise. Giving me a $1000 credit balance prior to cruise that will be zero once the S & S comes in. This will all be within 30 days of the cruise so no worries about Visa sending me back an overpayment check.

 

 

That way when the charge comes in the following month I don't have to be concerned about a large bill because it will be a wash.

 

Since you said you don't want to use your cards on the ship I can assume you have them or I wouldn't suggest this plan....of course I don't know if you have any other issues with them.

 

I just don't give people my cash if I don't have to...and since CCL is not giving you any discount for paying the S & S in cash...I wouldn't give them cash...I would use my card and earn the points!:)

 

Of course it is wise to use different cards for the ship and ports...if you have 2 cards that is.

[Angeleyes1382]

There is not a set amount. Only a recommended amount. We prepaid tips (it was included in our fare). We put down $300 for 3 people (1 being a small child) for a 7 day cruise. We brought back a check for $123. You can go to the Purser's desk at any time to add cash if needed. I honestly think cash is the best way to go because you can't overspend cash.

[boaterette]

May I suggest...since you will have to put down cash anyway and obviously you will have to have the greenbacks in hand......why don't you just prepay your credit card before you sail?

 

 

That is what I am doing from now on...since I do tend to pay it off each month....I am planning on paying about $1000 extra right before our next cruise. Giving me a $1000 credit balance prior to cruise that will be zero once the S & S comes in. This will all be within 30 days of the cruise so no worries about Visa sending me back an overpayment check.

 

 

That way when the charge comes in the following month I don't have to be concerned about a large bill because it will be a wash.

 

Since you said you don't want to use your cards on the ship I can assume you have them or I wouldn't suggest this plan....of course I don't know if you have any other issues with them.

 

I just don't give people my cash if I don't have to...and since CCL is not giving you any discount for paying the S & S in cash...I wouldn't give them cash...I would use my card and earn the points!:)

 

Of course it is wise to use different cards for the ship and ports...if you have 2 cards that is.

 

 

Good plan. I like it.

[newcruiser452]

That suggest an amount when putting up cash but they really do not say anything if you put up less. You will have to put more on your account as you spend down if you plan on spending/purchasing onboard. Such as there are 6 of us in our family but I will not be allowing my childern to have a balance on thier cards

[PoofyTheCat]

I wouldn't want to tie any credit card or debit card number to a S&S card. I'm sure Carnival does a great job, but that "what if" would always be in the back of my mind.

 

1. What if there is a glitch and they charge 1,000 instead of 100 (for example) and then I'm left stranded without cash to get a taxi for the airport. (I'm just using round numbers for ease).

 

2. What if someone steals my S&S card? I'm sure Carnival probably offers protection, but I just don't trust anyone but myself.

 

3. Someone gets out of hand at the casino (me or the better half on our S&S card) and our entire life savings goes down the drain (Ok, that's my BIGGEST fear since it's the most likely to occur!).

 

So my question, since I don't feel like walking around with a few hundred (or more?) in cash, can I get a prepaid Visa/MC card and use that to secure my S&S card? I'm sure the answer is yes, but I don't want to bother with the hassle of getting a prepaid Visa or MC if it's useless on the ship.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

[scchasgal]

I wouldn't want to tie any credit card or debit card number to a S&S card. I'm sure Carnival does a great job, but that "what if" would always be in the back of my mind.

 

1. What if there is a glitch and they charge 1,000 instead of 100 (for example) and then I'm left stranded without cash to get a taxi for the airport. (I'm just using round numbers for ease).

 

2. What if someone steals my S&S card? I'm sure Carnival probably offers protection, but I just don't trust anyone but myself.

 

3. Someone gets out of hand at the casino (me or the better half on our S&S card) and our entire life savings goes down the drain (Ok, that's my BIGGEST fear since it's the most likely to occur!).

 

So my question, since I don't feel like walking around with a few hundred (or more?) in cash, can I get a prepaid Visa/MC card and use that to secure my S&S card? I'm sure the answer is yes, but I don't want to bother with the hassle of getting a prepaid Visa or MC if it's useless on the ship.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

You can't use a prepaid credit card since your name is not on the card so Carnival won't accept it.

[tiyana4]

Travelers cheques are still a safe way to travel with large amounts of cash. You can cash them in onboard at the purser's desk as you need to or use them as deposits. I always use AMEX cheques for shore excursions, and my AMEX for my sign and sail account. The cheques don't expire and can be returned to your bank for cash.

[PoofyTheCat]

Travelers cheques are still a safe way to travel with large amounts of cash. You can cash them in onboard at the purser's desk as you need to or use them as deposits. I always use AMEX cheques for shore excursions, and my AMEX for my sign and sail account. The cheques don't expire and can be returned to your bank for cash.

 

 

Wow, those still exist? Excellent. That's the route I'll go. thank you!

 

scchasgal... oh, I had no idea. I just see the advertisements for prepaid cards. Thanks for the heads up!

[scchasgal]

Wow, those still exist? Excellent. That's the route I'll go. thank you!

 

scchasgal... oh, I had no idea. I just see the advertisements for prepaid cards. Thanks for the heads up!

 

You're welcome and give poofy a scratch from me

[remharri]

I have a question about this...I'm using cash this time as well. How long is that line right when you get on board? I've always walked past it and it looked pretty long at the pursers desk. Do you have to go right away or can you wait like till that night to give them cash????

[PoofyTheCat]

You're welcome and give poofy a scratch from me

 

Hee hee, ok, I'll spoil her on your behalf. She'll be very appreciative! :)

[SueG]

I have two checking accounts each with a debit card. One I use for everything, the other I use for vacations. I never have money in that account unless I am on vacation. That way if they do get that number, they are not getting much and would not be such a bother to cancel it. I use only cash on shore.

 

And yes, I have had to cancel one of my vacation cards. It was months after I returned back from a cruise, someone in California tried getting me for a lot of money. I only had 17 dollars in that account. :)

[lovestotravel22]

I have a question about this...I'm using cash this time as well. How long is that line right when you get on board? I've always walked past it and it looked pretty long at the pursers desk. Do you have to go right away or can you wait like till that night to give them cash????

 

We were in line for about 30 minutes, but we didn't go as soon as we got onboard. We walked around a bit, went to the room, and then went down to put money on the account.

[lovestotravel22]

We put down $1000 (2 adults, 2 small children with no spending privileges) and by night 5 we still had $400 on the account. After this point we did charge a dolphin excursion to the account, had the kids in the Camp one additional late night, and had bar charges. We went home with a check for just under $40.

[firefly333]

I just don't give people my cash if I don't have to...and since CCL is not giving you any discount for paying the S & S in cash...I wouldn't give them cash...I would use my card and earn the points!:)

 

One advantage of a credit card. RCL gives me double points if I am billed by RCL on my VISA card. Id expect the Carnival card to work similar.

[Kurbanfan]

One advantage of a credit card. RCL gives me double points if I am billed by RCL on my VISA card. Id expect the Carnival card to work similar.

 

Yep I get double on my Carnival card.....

[ryoku]

I have a question about this...I'm using cash this time as well. How long is that line right when you get on board? I've always walked past it and it looked pretty long at the pursers desk. Do you have to go right away or can you wait like till that night to give them cash????

 

THis may vary from port to port but on our last cruise for the Dream, we opened our cash account before boarding. They had a desk set up and there was no line. It was around 1130 in the morning and there was also no line to register.

 

We have always used cash. You can open the account with any amount you wish however they charge your tips if you didn't prepay. We figure out what we think we will spend and always come back with extra money.

[megmno]

You can't use a prepaid credit card since your name is not on the card so Carnival won't accept it.

 

Sorry to contradict, but I just got my two teenagers prepaid cards which do have their names on them. The way it works is that you purchase a card (available at convenience stores etc) and pay the money at that point. When you take it home you call the 800 number for the card and register it. The company then sends you a card with the registered user's name.

 

The big downside is that there is a $5/month service fee. Once my big kid turns 18 I'm going to have him get a secured card for students from our bank that has better fees. (The younger one is just using it as emergency money during a summer program she'll be attending this summer.

 

I have no idea if Carnival would accept these cards, but they do seem to be treated the same as regular credit cards by merchants.

[comeon530]

Pre-paid cards will work fine. The OP is asking about how much cash to put down and is getting a dissertation on how to use plastic.

To the OP: You basically decide how much to put down. They recommend $200 per person, but you can put less or much more. Since my son doesn't charge much (he is given a pre-set limit) we allow about $50 for him. Then take in consideration the gratuities, how much you think you will spend on alcohol and pictures, and shore excursions and estimate. You can always add more cash during your cruise.

 

If you don't spend it all, you'll get it back as a check your last night which you can cash at the purser's desk.

 

We wait a little while until the line dies down at the Purser's desk. They will allow you to purchase a few drinks and what-not until you fund your account.

[Sargent_Schultz]

If you use cash for your S&S, it is highly unlikely you will ever find a surprise last minute charge on your credit card. ;)

[remharri]

THis may vary from port to port but on our last cruise for the Dream, we opened our cash account before boarding. They had a desk set up and there was no line. It was around 1130 in the morning and there was also no line to register.

 

We have always used cash. You can open the account with any amount you wish however they charge your tips if you didn't prepay. We figure out what we think we will spend and always come back with extra money.

 

 

So was this desk setup outside when you were on the Dream by where you get your sail and sign card and stuff? Just asking because we will be on the Dream in November. We always get to the port early but I've never noticed a stand or line outside where they are taking cash...

[remharri]

 

We wait a little while until the line dies down at the Purser's desk. They will allow you to purchase a few drinks and what-not until you fund your account.

 

 

This is good to know, because I always like to get my DOD right when I step foot on the Lido deck :p