Has anyone used the new gift cards yet?

[cruise_pirate]

If so did you spend the whole amout?

 

If not did you cash out the balance at the casino, or did they refund your un-used monies? Just curious to hear what you thought..:)

[DTC]

I received a gift card for Christmas and used to it book my December 2013 cruises. No issues!!

[cruise_pirate]

Good to hear. Planning on buying $500.00 to use as obc but not sure if I should get them in $100.00 amounts and add them as needed. I do not want to surrender non spent obc:)

[bbohbbneedacruise]

Good to hear. Planning on buying $500.00 to use as obc but not sure if I should get them in $100.00 amounts and add them as needed. I do not want to surrender non spent obc:)

 

That is what I did. I figured it is better to have 5 $100 cards then 1 $500 card.

 

** The only thing I have read is where a cruiser had an issue on Dream with the e-card. Guest Services did not know how to apply it manually with just the numbers. It took a rep through her overnight shift to figure it out but she finally got it posted on the S&S by morning.

 

It's somewhere in these threads I'll see if I can find it.

 

Here is the post ...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=36435860&postcount=10

[cruise_pirate]

That is what I did. I figured it is better to have 5 $100 cards then 1 $500 card.

 

That is how I see it too!

[reerun25]

You can just still call and get OBC without buying the gift cards. I asked, and below is the response form CCL..

 

 

Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.

You can absolutely still call in to Carnival and apply money on to you sail and sign account! We used to offer Fun ship dollars, and the gift card is basically taking over the Fun Ship dollars. However, if you would rather call in to our Bon Voyage Department every so often and put so much money down on your account you most certainly can do that. If you choose to do the gift card idea instead, and want to make sure that you would get the money refunded though, you don't need to worry about that either, we have a way that we track which money is refundable or if it is non refundable because you had it applied from an Early Saver reprice. I hope that this helps and that you have a GREAT day!

Thank you for choosing Carnival.

[dbrucern]

You can just still call and get OBC without buying the gift cards. I asked, and below is the response form CCL..

 

Funny! I just called yesterday and was told that the only way to apply OBC was to buy the gift card which by the way you are charged .95 for shipping.

[cruise_pirate]

Funny! I just called yesterday and was told that the only way to apply OBC was to buy the gift card which by the way you are charged .95 for shipping.

 

But if you buy more than one it is still the same shipping cost of .95. I thought of just getting the email version but would rather have cards in hand

 

 

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[bbohbbneedacruise]

But if you buy more than one it is still the same shipping cost of .95. I thought of just getting the email version but would rather have cards in hand

 

 

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Yes it is only $0.95 per order 1-5 cards. My cards arrived in 2 envelopes but I only paid 1 shipping charge.

[Frank12]

I have not been on here in a while. So these new gift cards are replacing the Funship Dollars?

[klmorg]

I have not been on here in a while. So these new gift cards are replacing the Funship Dollars?

 

Yes, my friend.:D

 

Info here, check out the FAQ link at the bottom, too.

http://www.carnivalgiftcards.com/

[bguppies]

Just a heads up.

 

The crew onboard are not up to speed on the new e-cards.

 

DW got one from an office mate for our Dream cruise last week.

 

Was a huge PITA to deal with.

 

Stick with the physical cards until the e-cards have been out long enough for the guest services people to understand how to credit them without 5 or 6 calls to Miami and an hour of your time waiting for this. (and still not get it resolved.)

 

Bill

[TakeMeAway1001]

If you wanted to avoid the .95 fee you could choose the email option. I chose that method for my in-laws Christmas gift and they loved it~ I received the actual gift card as a gift from someone and had it applied to my existing balance which other than the rude rep was quite easy :)

[lisa e]

If you wanted to avoid the .95 fee you could choose the email option. I chose that method for my in-laws Christmas gift and they loved it~ I received the actual gift card as a gift from someone and had it applied to my existing balance which other than the rude rep was quite easy :)

Do the gift cards have to be applied to the sail and sign on board or can they actually be used in the shops, casino etc..My husband is also a Marine 21 years and counting :) Happy New Year!!

[BamaCruiser20]

Do the gift cards have to be applied to the sail and sign on board or can they actually be used in the shops, casino etc..My husband is also a Marine 21 years and counting :) Happy New Year!!

 

 

Since everything you buy in the shops goes on the sign and sail, it would only make sense to apply the gift card to the sign and sail.

[lisa e]

Since everything you buy in the shops goes on the sign and sail, it would only make sense to apply the gift card to the sign and sail.

Thanks I thought maybe of giving them to my children. I have two 9 year olds. It is always fun to have your own gift card!

[BamaCruiser20]

Thanks I thought maybe of giving them to my children. I have two 9 year olds. It is always fun to have your own gift card!

 

 

Ahh..I see! They do love to spend "their" money!

 

However, I don't think they would be able to use the actual gift card in the shops b/c they are set up to run all purchases thru the guests folio number. But, maybe you could let them go to Guest Services and have your kids give the card to the purser to have the money credited to their own sign & sail card which they could use to purchase items.

[lisa e]

Ahh..I see! They do love to spend "their" money!

 

However, I don't think they would be able to use the actual gift card in the shops b/c they are set up to run all purchases thru the guests folio number. But, maybe you could let them go to Guest Services and have your kids give the card to the purser to have the money credited to their own sign & sail card which they could use to purchase items.

Great idea!!! Thanks so much...

[sbnuggie]

You can just still call and get OBC without buying the gift cards. I asked, and below is the response form CCL..

 

Who do you call? Bon Voyage?

 

I've been buying the Email Gift Cards in small increments for now and printing the email out until we get some answers on how they are going to handle this whole building up on board credit prior to a cruise issue.

[lissa42886]

this is good for me to know. i dont know how i didnt realize this before! my friend is HORRIBLE at saving $$ for vaca so she likes to be able to pre pay for gift cards so she is sure to have $$ ( we did this with Disney and it was great ) now i can tell her she can buy OBC or the GC through out the year :) or someone said you can call and ad $$ to your account...

[sunny227]

You can just still call and get OBC without buying the gift cards. I asked, and below is the response form CCL..

 

Please, do tell what number you called. I called about an hour ago and was told it could not be done. That my only option was to purchase a gift card which I did, online. (I bought the ecard.)

 

So annoying that what works for one person doesn't work for another, due to Carnival employees being "confused". :mad:

[sunny227]

Funny! I just called yesterday and was told that the only way to apply OBC was to buy the gift card which by the way you are charged .95 for shipping.

 

I was told this an hour ago when I called to add "onboard credit" to my booking!

[RuthlessBoss]

If so did you spend the whole amout?

 

If not did you cash out the balance at the casino, or did they refund your un-used monies? Just curious to hear what you thought..:)

The OP wants to know what happens to money not spent, not if it worked during booking, how it was sjipped or not shipped etc.

[cruise_pirate]

I will know in about 3 weeks :). Then will give the answer LOL

 

 

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[RuthlessBoss]

I will know in about 3 weeks :). Then will give the answer LOL

 

 

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It would be nice if someone answered the question. By now, people must have used them and know if the balance was given back or if the balance was lost.