Cruise Cash Bar?

[xostacylee]

I went back into the Carnival store and discovered "Cruise Cash Bar" -- it's basically an onboard credit JUST for alcohol purchases at the various bars onboard. Has anyone done this? Would you recommend it (stash a little money aside before I even go on the trip)?

 

http://www.carnival.com/FunShops/item/D24/cruise-cash-bar

[wranglerguy]

That's new. Maybe I'll try it.

 

 

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OIIIO

[rkacruiser]

I like the idea!

[bobsfamily]

I find it funny that on the same page you can buy cruise cash that is good for ALL purchases made onboard. The Bar cash is only for bar purchases... I would go with the cruise cash as it would include bar purchases AND anything else.

[rollissaria]

I would be interested to know how this works...with Carnival's Wedding Registry, even though you specify what gifts are for (drinks, pictures, shore excursion, spa, etc), it really just gets deposited onto your account in one lump sum to be used for anything, and is refundable at the end.

 

I do know with the cash you buy through Fun Shops, it is use it or lose it. I've read on here elsewhere that it's better to buy yourself gift cards, because you can use that later on. But what I haven't learned yet is if you have to use the bar cash for the bar, photo cash for pictures and so on, or is it like the registry where it gets lump summed into your OBC.

[xostacylee]

Not sure if this is use it or lose it.. but it isn't transferrable to another cruise. It's only good for the cruise you pay for.

[bobsfamily]

But what I haven't learned yet is if you have to use the bar cash for the bar, photo cash for pictures and so on, or is it like the registry where it gets lump summed into your OBC.

Bar cash is ONLY for bar, Photo is only for Photos, Cruise cash is the only one that is for ALL purchases...

[Jenner9]

So why not purchase Cruise Cash Bar instead of the Cheers program? You could buy what you would spend on Cheers in Bar Cash and not have to deal with the 15 drink limit, correct? Are there any advantages of Cheers over Cruise Cash Bar?

[serene56]

I would be interested to know how this works...with Carnival's Wedding Registry, even though you specify what gifts are for (drinks, pictures, shore excursion, spa, etc), it really just gets deposited onto your account in one lump sum to be used for anything, and is refundable at the end.

 

I do know with the cash you buy through Fun Shops, it is use it or lose it. I've read on here elsewhere that it's better to buy yourself gift cards, because you can use that later on. But what I haven't learned yet is if you have to use the bar cash for the bar, photo cash for pictures and so on, or is it like the registry where it gets lump summed into your OBC.

 

you better look into this. they used to have funship dollars wgich was good for anything.. and you got any remaining back in a check at the end. withthe cruise cash if there is any left over it goes back to the card that it came from. bar cash is used for bar dri ks, photo cash is used for photos only. when you make a purchase from THAT venue--it comes off that card. you have tomplace the card'on your account...you do not use the card as spending money on the ship

[Frank12]

I'm pretty sure this is non-refundable. Use it or lose it.

[laurenfl15]

So why not purchase Cruise Cash Bar instead of the Cheers program? You could buy what you would spend on Cheers in Bar Cash and not have to deal with the 15 drink limit, correct? Are there any advantages of Cheers over Cruise Cash Bar?

 

Because if you drink more than approximately 6 drinks a day cheers is cheaper?

 

Buying cruise cash bar simply allows you to pay ahead for full price drinks...

Cheers allows you to pay in full for all drinks ( up to 15 per day.)

 

If you enjoy many drinks on vacation cheers is a no brainer

[Jenner9]

Because if you drink more than approximately 6 drinks a day cheers is cheaper?

 

Buying cruise cash bar simply allows you to pay ahead for full price drinks...

Cheers allows you to pay in full for all drinks ( up to 15 per day.)

 

If you enjoy many drinks on vacation cheers is a no brainer

 

Got it! Thanks, that makes sense...

[Karysa]

I think putting money in your bank account to cover your credit card on board purchases makes the most sense. This way set a budget and if you get ill and cant drink as much as you planned on or if you don't like the portraits then you won't have the money tied up and you can just keep it for the next time.

[2 cruzen]

I think putting money in your bank account to cover your credit card on board purchases makes the most sense. This way set a budget and if you get ill and cant drink as much as you planned on or if you don't like the portraits then you won't have the money tied up and you can just keep it for the next time.

 

Totally agree...don't want to lose any of my money just cuz I didn't feel like buying more. Or you can get lucky like my DD and win the Casino bingo or pull tab credit for up to $500.00 off your bar tab like she did. :D :D

Then no need for bar credit....

[n6uqqq]

All you are doing when you buy cruise cash, bar, etc. is giving Carnival an interest free loan. I would recommend none of the above. Make your money work for you, not against you. Charge it on your sail and sign and then pay with a credit card that offers rewards. The caveat here is that you need to pay your balance off in full to make it worthwhile.

[n6uqqq]

Not sure if this is use it or lose it.. but it isn't transferrable to another cruise. It's only good for the cruise you pay for.

 

You answered your question in the same sentence. It cannot be carried over to another cruise and is therefore use it or lose it. They will not refund unused cruise cash/bar/photo. SO you are not only lending Carnival money at zero interest, you stand the chance of forfeiting any unused cruise cash/bar/photo. Sounds like a lousy deal to me!

[cruizinisthebest]

I'm pretty sure this is non-refundable. Use it or lose it.

 

All of that stuff- cruise cash, photo cash, bar cash is use it or lose it. But there's a way around that if you don't use all the cruise cash. Just go to the casino, insert your s&s card in a slot machine. Play a round or two, sign up for a casino card which you can do right at the slot machine, then cash it out. At least that's what I've read on here numerous times. You don't have to lose your money. I would just buy cruise cash or carnival gift cards. Forget getting the specific ones.

[narrow56]

What would be the benefit of using this over just paying your bill?

[Hanzo]

Ok I didn't get Cruise Cash or why you'd go through the extra trouble of cashing it out in the casino if you didn't use it all so you wouldn't lose it....and now there is an even more limiting option? No thanks.

[Cyber Kat]

I have a carnival MC and I have points for my cruise. If I redeem them for regular OBC it's 12,500 points for $100. If I get Cruise Cash Bar - which is good also for water, soda, juice and coffee bar purchases - it's only 10,000 points for $100. I was able to get $150 in Cruise Cash Bar. And I'll easily use the $150 - especially since it's also good for coffee (wish they'd do that with the Cheers). So this worked out well for me, but I really don't see any reason to get this otherwise.

 

Save your money in a savings account - why give it to Carnival so they get the interest?

[cruizinisthebest]

What would be the benefit of using this over just paying your bill?

 

I guess you can put money toward your onboard account over a period time. But to me it makes more sense to just save money on your own.

 

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[maggieworkman]

All of that stuff- cruise cash, photo cash, bar cash is use it or lose it. But there's a way around that if you don't use all the cruise cash. Just go to the casino, insert your s&s card in a slot machine. Play a round or two, sign up for a casino card which you can do right at the slot machine, then cash it out. At least that's what I've read on here numerous times. You don't have to lose your money. I would just buy cruise cash or carnival gift cards. Forget getting the specific ones.

 

There are reports you can't do this with the new program. I haven't tried myself, so can't confirm.

 

There was a thread awhile ago when this first came out that CCLMichelle stated it was use it or lose it.

 

Maggie

[robtx100]

Thank you all for this great information. I was looking at cashing in some points on my Mastercard and say the Cruise Cash Bar as the best option.

[DebJ14]

Bar cash is just the replacement for the old drink coupons. Instead of having to deal with coupons and worry about the cost of the drink that you can use a coupon for they apply the credit to your account and you can spend away.

[craftykitty]

So why not purchase Cruise Cash Bar instead of the Cheers program? You could buy what you would spend on Cheers in Bar Cash and not have to deal with the 15 drink limit, correct? Are there any advantages of Cheers over Cruise Cash Bar?

 

Yes, my DH does not drink anything with alcohol, I do. Using Cruse Bar Cash I can pre-purchase a few drinks and my DH does not have to sign up for the Cheers Program that he will not make use of.

 

Although I will be honest and say I've pre-purchased Cruise Cash so I can us it on anything.