Sail and Sign Account?

[timsgrl]

Can someone please explain to me in detail what exactly the sign and sail account is. Do we put money onto it or does it add up and then we pay? How much money do you recommend putting on it? Can we use cash on the ship, or do we have to have a sail and sign account? Also it says that gratuities are included...does that mean each time we use the card it takes out gratuities or does it take out an exact amount each day? Can we change the amount of gratuities it takes out? I'm really confused as to how exactly this card works. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest Time2gocruzn]

Can someone please explain to me in detail what exactly the sign and sail account is. Do we put money onto it or does it add up and then we pay? How much money do you recommend putting on it? Can we use cash on the ship, or do we have to have a sail and sign account? Also it says that gratuities are included...does that mean each time we use the card it takes out gratuities or does it take out an exact amount each day? Can we change the amount of gratuities it takes out? I'm really confused as to how exactly this card works. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

 

When you get your docs, there is a page in there to fill out with a cc #. You give them this info at embarkation are then given a plastic "credit card" type card. Tips are charged to your account the first day ($10 pp per day). You are allowed to adjust the amount of your tips up or down, or take them off all together and tip in cash. All onboard PURCHASES will be made with your card, and yes you have to have one. This card also serves as a room key. It is also used everytime you leave the ship and re-board, that way they can keep track of everyone. On the last night of the cruise you will get a statement of all your charges. However, on some ships you can check your balance whenever you want on the TV. That amount is then charged to the CC# you provided. If you leave the auto tip on your S&S account, the only time you would use cash is if you want to tip your steward extra or room service. When you buy drinks I believe a 15% tip is added to the price of the drink.

 

You can do a cash deposit at the beginning rather than giving a CC# but I am not sure of the specifics when using cash. HTH!:)

 

It is like running a tab and the card is their way of keeping track of how much you owe them, lol.

[GoinCruisin]

Your S&S card will serve as your room key on the newer ships... you can use credit card or cash to secure your account. If using cash there is a minimum amount you put down, depending on the length of the cruise. Most of your purchases onboard require your S&S card... there are some instances you can use cash (for instance, the casino, bingo...) but for the most part, everything is on your card. During the course of the week, on the newer ships you can check your balance on your TV.. otherwise they will slip a recap under your door halfway through the cruise. they take your picture when you board, this is on your card to verify identity. Gratuities can be prepaid, or they will add them automatically when you board. You can adjust these if you wish. When you order a drink from the bar, a 15% gratuity is automatically added.

[KenMo]

Hi Timsgrl!

 

You will be issued a Sail and Sign account upon boarding. You will use this for all onboard purchases (except things like the casino and bingo, where you'll use cash).

 

You can either use a credit card or cash for your deposit on the S&S. The minimum amount needed depends on the length of your cruise. If you use your credit card....upon leaving the ship, you can either do nothing, they will bill the total amount of charges to your credit card. Or.....you can pay the total charges in cash before you leave the ship. If you use cash.....any amount left that you don't spend (hahahaha!!!) will be given to you in the form of a check. I believe you can stand in line with hundreds of others at the purser's desk and cash the check....or, just take it to your bank when you get home.

 

Gratuities: $10 pp/per day will be deducted from your S&S all at once at the beginning of the cruise. You may adjust this amount up or down, as you see fit. You may also give cash tips to individuals if you want. Anytime you buy a drink, an additional 15% tip is added to the bar bill.

 

Hope that answers some of your questions! BTW....when are you cruising??? Have a great cruise!

[Cruising89143]

If you choose to use cash the information regarding the amount that you must put down will be in your "Welcome Aboard" brochure that comes with your cruise documents. It varies by length of cruise.

[Guest Time2gocruzn]

Oh, wanted to add that everytime you make a purchase it is immediately on your S&S account, but I don't think they actually charge your CREDIT CARD until the cruise is over. They will be charging your credit card one lump sum at the end.

[folashade]

Think of it as onboard prepaid credit card. If your onboard charges will be billed to a credit card at the time you board you will give over your credit card and they will put a "hold" on a set amount of money I think between 200-400 dollars to ensure you have funds on your credit card to cover any charges you make while on board i.e. drinks, photos, shore excursions. If you are paying cash they ask for an upfront min amount (deposit) of around $200 to cover initial charges. You go to the pursurs desk to add additional funds to your account you then use your "sail and sign" card (cash only) for all charges while on board the ship (you do not use cash while on board except in the casino). Gratuties of $10 per person per day will be added to your account. You can adjust this amount upwards or down at your discretion.

[Cheeky]

... but for the moment, here you go:

 

Your Sail & Sign card is the same size/shape/plastic as a credit card. It has your name and Folio number on it.

 

When you get in line to get on the ship, they ask you which credit card you would like to hook up onto this card. Let's say you give them your Mastercard number, any purchases made on the ship will be deducted from your Mastercard on the last day.

 

I believe for a 7-day cruise, Carnival "reserves" $200 on your card. They don't debit your credit card, but they put a hold on it, to make sure people don't spend more money than they have.

 

Some people don't like using their credit card (or don't have one), so they deposit cash into their Sail & Sign account. This puts their account "in credit" of whatever amount. And they can now use that card up until the amount they've credited it.

 

You never use cash on the ship. Only your Sail & Sign (except for maybe the casino and laundry).

 

The gratuities on drinks at the bar are calculated and added when you sign for them. So the amount you're signing for includes the tip.

 

The gratuities for everything else (Room Steward, Dining Staff etc.) have been calculated at $9.50 a day (I think), and will come off automatically from your Sail & Sign card at the end of your trip. If you don't like the idea of that, you can go to the pursor's desk and get them to remove it. Most people think it's easier like that.

 

Your Sail & Sign card is also your room key. So never walk out of your room without it, as the doors close on a spring automatically.

 

The day you first get on the ship, they take your picture, which doesn't show on the card but is hooked up to it. You'll need your Sail & Sign card to debark/embark at your ports of call. The security there makes you swipe your card and they make sure your face matches the picture on the card.

 

The night before the end of your cruise, they slip an itemized/detailed account of everything you've spent on your card, under your door. If there is a discrepency, you can go to the Pursor's desk to have it sorted out. (You wouldn't believe how many people don't remember buying "all of those" drinks!)

 

In the meantime, you can also check out your balance on the TV in your room, by entering the Folio number.

 

Like I said ... I'm sure I missed a few things, but that'll get you started. Somebody will be along to point out what I've missed.

 

Have a great time!

Cheeky

 

LOL! In the time it took to write that, I see many people have already responded. I knew they'd come to the rescue! :D

[Cruising89143]

One more thing. If you use room service then you will need to tip the person that brings your order in cash. The amount to tip is up to you depending on the size of the order. Usually a couple of bucks will do it.