Using cash on the Sign and Sail Account

[2-laner]

Trying to decide how much cash to put on the account when we board the ship. How much trouble (if any) is it to get the cash left on it at the end of the cruise?

[hartsnvt]

We usually put $300 on and check it periodically. Keep the rest of our cash in the safe. AT the end , I can go to guest services or a Kiosk and get it back in cash. Or if I owe, I use the Kiosk to pay the balance due. (7 night cruise). For a shorter cruise just a couple hundred works just fine.

[2-laner]

Thank you for replying back so quickly. We leave in a few days and I am trying to dot my i's and cross my t's at this point. :) I was hoping we could retrieve the money back easily on the last day. We will be spending a few extra days on vacation after we get off the ship and didn't want our money tied up and unable to be used on the rest of our trip.

[ginka]

can you do both? example.. put 300.00 cash on and a credit card and if the cash is depleted, have them switch to the credit card? Also, we opt'd not to pre-pay gratuities when we booked the cruise, but since the cruise is not all paid for and we dont sail until February, is there a way to pre-pay the gratuities now, or do we have to wait until they are automatically added to our sign and sail account? I have looked on my booking and am not finding an option anywhere to do that.

[dettlja]

We set up our sail and sign on a credit card. We then add cash via the kiosk. If we deplete the cash then the balance goes on the card.

 

You can call carnival to prepay the gratuity if you didn't add them to your original booking.

 

Jaimse

[cb at sea]

Cash out any unused funds on the last night...don't wait till the last morning unless you have GOBS of time!

[2-laner]

Thank you cb !! Will make a BIG note-to-self to go down on the last night and close out the account. I really do not want to be waiting in line that morning we leave the ship.

[salinator]

My take on the cash option is put everything you can on your sign and sail account. Keep only the cash in your safe that you think you need at ports. You can always get it back at the end of the cruise, and I agree with the previous commenter, do it the night before and do not wait for the final morning. Also remember to keep money for tips for your cabin steward, or wait staff in the dining room.

Edited December 31, 2014 by salinator

[CruiseHealing]

I usually make, on average, $200 at the casino during my most recent cruises (Blackjack). I take my winnings to guest Services and pay down my bill. I have also included extra cash that I won't need when we get home.

[RWolver672]

can you do both? example.. put 300.00 cash on and a credit card and if the cash is depleted, have them switch to the credit card? Also, we opt'd not to pre-pay gratuities when we booked the cruise, but since the cruise is not all paid for and we dont sail until February, is there a way to pre-pay the gratuities now, or do we have to wait until they are automatically added to our sign and sail account? I have looked on my booking and am not finding an option anywhere to do that.

 

We set up our sail and sign on a credit card. We then add cash via the kiosk. If we deplete the cash then the balance goes on the card.

 

You can call carnival to prepay the gratuity if you didn't add them to your original booking.

 

Jaimse

 

If I'm not mistaken, if you booked through a Travel Agent, you have to do it through them though. Carnival usually won't do anything with a booking if you did it through a TA.

[GTO-Girl]

We set up our account with a credit card.....then on the morning of the last day we go to Guest Services and pay off our account with cash. If we have a couple of drinks on the last night we just let that small amount go on our credit card.

 

Much easier for us than trying to keep up with how much we have on a cash account.

 

Happy Sailing!!!

[dwightnwynonia]

On our last couple cruises I set my account up with a credit card but had bought cruise cash to cover expenses (cheers program) and a small amount for the casino . By the end of the cruise the hold on my card had been lifted and o donated my $3 credit to st judes so worked great for us

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

[lunagirl]

Yes, you can pay by cash. We put $1000 on our account on the first day, not expecting to use that large of an amount. This allowed us not to carry a chunk of cash on us or leave it in the room or safe. Using the kiosk to withdraw the cash on the two days that we had shore excursions that were not prepaid was super easy and we saw no lines. However, make a note that you aren't just dealing with crowds to withdraw if you wait until the last day. The kiosks were closed on departure day and you actually had to wait in the crazy line at guest services to withdraw any remaining funds. We were super excited that we had done it before bed on the last night. It saved us from ATM fees and we were able to track our expenses on the cabin television. Cash worked GREAT for us!

[sbdanny]

If I use cash do I have to put a credit card/debit as well?

[dave_k58]

can you do both? example.. put 300.00 cash on and a credit card and if the cash is depleted, have them switch to the credit card? Also, we opt'd not to pre-pay gratuities when we booked the cruise, but since the cruise is not all paid for and we dont sail until February, is there a way to pre-pay the gratuities now, or do we have to wait until they are automatically added to our sign and sail account? I have looked on my booking and am not finding an option anywhere to do that.

We always prepay gratuities. It's the easiest way to go. They never show up on the S&S card because they are already prepaid. No surprises at the end of the cruise.

[dave_k58]

THere may be a long line, however, on debarkation day. There are lots of people who owe money, and also those that realized they spent more than they planned and have to take off their gratuities. Should be no major problem for you, though.

[dave_k58]

Yes, you can pay by cash. We put $1000 on our account on the first day, not expecting to use that large of an amount. This allowed us not to carry a chunk of cash on us or leave it in the room or safe. Using the kiosk to withdraw the cash on the two days that we had shore excursions that were not prepaid was super easy and we saw no lines. However, make a note that you aren't just dealing with crowds to withdraw if you wait until the last day. The kiosks were closed on departure day and you actually had to wait in the crazy line at guest services to withdraw any remaining funds. We were super excited that we had done it before bed on the last night. It saved us from ATM fees and we were able to track our expenses on the cabin television. Cash worked GREAT for us!

 

excellent post

[newlife_2010]

How much cash do i need to put on my 5 day cruise? I do not want to put a credit card.

[dave_k58]

How many people in your group? I think so called " experts" recommend $200pp/per day. I personally think that's a bit steep and is assuming that you will gamble a lot, buy tons of souveniers and drink like a fish.

[ggirl003]

On Carnival's website, they state that $100 is the recommended amount to put on your Cash S&S. I have booked a cruise for myself and 3 of my adult children. I have prepaid gratuities and will buy drink packages for all of us on my S&S account. I have told my children that they are responsible for funding their S&S accounts. We all already have OBCs. Two of my children put their cc's on their S&S accounts, but one of my children is planning to use cash. He does not expect to spend more while on the cruise than he already has in OBCs. Will Carnival make him put a certain amount on his S&S account anyway?

Edited January 18, 2016 by ggirl003

[firemanbobswife]

On Carnival's website, they state that $100 is the recommended amount to put on your Cash S&S. I have booked a cruise for myself and 3 of my adult children. I have prepaid gratuities and will buy drink packages for all of us on my S&S account. I have told my children that they are responsible for funding their S&S accounts. We all already have OBCs. Two of my children put their cc's on their S&S accounts, but one of my children is planning to use cash. He does not expect to spend more while on the cruise than he already has in OBCs. Will Carnival make him put a certain amount on his S&S account anyway?

 

No. If he runs out of cash, he won't be allowed to charge anything else. They may allow him to go over slightly, but he will receive a bill or be contacted by GS to settle his account before he leaves.

[GUT2407]

When I've used cash, I still put down a card, then last night go down and settle the account in cash.

 

That way, no need to go down and top it up, when Mrs Gut goes on a spree, no need to try and go down in disembark day to either pay the last little bit (it can go on the card) or collect a refund.

 

In my opinion by far the best way if paying cash.

[ggirl003]

Thank you, Firemanbobswife. That is good to know. I was concerned that we would get to the port and be told that he HAD to deposit money which he didn't bring with him and I would have to pony up for it. I love and trust all of my children, but just prefer not to be put in that situation if possible.

Edited January 18, 2016 by ggirl003

[firemanbobswife]

Thank you. That is good to know. I was concerned that we would get to the port and be told that he HAD to deposit money which he didn't bring with him and I would have to pony up for it. I love and trust all of my children, but just prefer not to be put in that situation if possible.

 

I always do a cash account and don't give them a cc at all. Don't have to worry about erroneous charges and fighting them after the fact. Plus this way my budget is set and that is that. If he decides he wants to add some, he can use the self service kiosks or go to GS. Just make sure he (or you) checks his account the last night to make sure it's squared away or it will delay your getting off the ship.

[ggirl003]

I always do a cash account and don't give them a cc at all. Don't have to worry about erroneous charges and fighting them after the fact. Plus this way my budget is set and that is that. If he decides he wants to add some, he can use the self service kiosks or go to GS. Just make sure he (or you) checks his account the last night to make sure it's squared away or it will delay your getting off the ship.

I see your reasoning. I had encouraged my kids to put their cc's on their S&S accounts because I thought that would be easier to dispute if there were an erroneous charge, but have you actually found the opposite to be true?

I will definitely be sure my child using cash checks his S&S account the night before we debark for any unpaid charges. I had assumed he would not be allowed to charge anything that wasn't on his account which I would have preferred. I guess each payment method has its cons.