Redeem Carnival Gift Cards for S&S at Guest Services?

[violetsmile]

We typically purchase Carnival gift cards ahead of our cruise for on board expenses. On our last cruise, we applied all of the gift cards to S&S card up front at check in. We didn't spend all the money. In the end, it was fine because we used what we had to buy another Carnival gift card in the Fun Shops to use as a deposit for a future cruise booked on board.

 

I'm wondering if this time it might not be smarter to use multiple gift cards, and put some on at the start, and add more as/if needed at Guest Services so we don't have to worry about a balance at the end. Will Guest Services apply gift cards to the S&S card?

[crookedhalo]

Yes, they should be able to. On my last trip, I tried to use the kiosk to put a gift card on, but it didn't work so I had to have GS do the transaction. But hold on to the cards as you apply them because I have heard tell that they refund the difference/left over money to the gift card (I'm sure someone who has experienced having left over money will correct me if I've mis-spoken :p)

[fuddrules]

If you have money left over and leave it on your account, Carnival will mail to your home address, a check or another gift card. How they determine if they're going to mail you a check or gift card is a mystery. Seems like a lot of people claim they get a check, but, either way, you'll get your leftover money back.

[violetsmile]

Thanks! I know that no matter what you'll get your money back (I think they told me to keep the gift cards last year), but it would be just as simple to add as we go so that we don't end up with gift cards with $0.17 on them. Probably just a matter of personal preference, since it's not like I'd lose money either way.

[firemanbobswife]

You can add more at GS or by using the self service kiosks. I always use gift cards.

[plane2port]

I didn't know you could buy gift cards on board ship in the Fun Shop. This would be a way to get immediate access to your on board credit. For example if you wanted to book another cruise immediately once you returned. You wouldn't have to wait for a check or a new gift card!

[firemanbobswife]

I didn't know you could buy gift cards on board ship in the Fun Shop. This would be a way to get immediate access to your on board credit. For example if you wanted to book another cruise immediately once you returned. You wouldn't have to wait for a check or a new gift card!

 

 

They have them in Cherry On Top at the register. They may be in other places as well but I haven't seen them.

[NCTribeFan]

Of course they'll apply them at the service desk. It's not a 1-time-only chance to apply it to your account.

 

I have never been able to get mine to work at the kiosk. Last cruise, the girl at the service desk told us that doesn't work, but I read over and over here how some do it, so who knows? Typical Carnival. No consistency across the fleet. I'm Platinum, no rarely any wait at the service desk, so I just let them do it.

 

First time, I applied a $500 card and didn't use it all. Got a check within a week.

 

Now, I usually take $100 cards and apply as I go. I just prefer to do it that way and only use them as needed.

[erinmarie424]

You can also cash out any overage at the casino by "moving" it to your players account.

 

 

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Edited February 6, 2016 by erinmarie424

[youagain]

Last night of cruise 01/02/2016 on Sunshine I cashed out at guest services. All in cash no gift card. I had saved my gift cards and they gave me cash. over 200.00.

[uprivermama]

On the Freedom last week, we applied our gift cards at the kiosk a little at a time--we have another cruise booked in a few months and just figured we'd keep the cards for the future if we didn't use it all. We were able to apply them and then cash out right at the kiosk. It was almost like using an ATM machine--quick and painless.

[Elaine5715]

Officially, the line is that unused portion of a gift card is supposed to be credited back to the original gif card. I have gotten both cash back immediately and a check later.

[firemanbobswife]

Officially, the line is that unused portion of a gift card is supposed to be credited back to the original gif card. I have gotten both cash back immediately and a check later.

 

 

Actually they cannot be put back to the original gift card as they are not reloadable. They are supposed to be issued in the form of a new gift card. As we all know YMMV.

[jc4me]

You can also cash out any overage at the casino by "moving" it to your players account.

 

 

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OK, I'm not a gambler, so I have never used the casino on the ship. Can someone please explain to me how this works? I suspect that I may have more in onboard credit and gift cards than we will use and would love to be able to get the cash back as we don't have plans for another cruise any time soon. Is there a minimum that you need to spend in the casino to make this work? Thanks in advance!

[erinmarie424]

OK, I'm not a gambler, so I have never used the casino on the ship. Can someone please explain to me how this works? I suspect that I may have more in onboard credit and gift cards than we will use and would love to be able to get the cash back as we don't have plans for another cruise any time soon. Is there a minimum that you need to spend in the casino to make this work? Thanks in advance!

 

 

Pick a slot machine and put in your S&S card. Your player balance starts at 0 so it will ask you how much you want to transfer from your S&S account. (I believe there is a range from $10-$500) you enter the amount and your S&S account is debited and the machine you are on is credited that amount. Cash out from the machine to your players bank. Then take your card to the cashier and tell them you want to cash out. You will slide your card in their machine and they'll give you the cash.

 

It has been a year since I did this so if I did not state anything correctly someone please clarify.

 

 

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[elainmir]

Our last cruise we applied a 500 AND 100 gc...I know I'm going to use 1/4 of that for grats...and the other for casino and incidentals...I had 37 bucks left after buying wings,etc on the last day...they cashed me out at the GS desk that last night. I did not keep my cards..the lady who applied them the first day threw them away...(I'll keep them next time just in case)

[jc4me]

Pick a slot machine and put in your S&S card. Your player balance starts at 0 so it will ask you how much you want to transfer from your S&S account. (I believe there is a range from $10-$500) you enter the amount and your S&S account is debited and the machine you are on is credited that amount. Cash out from the machine to your players bank. Then take your card to the cashier and tell them you want to cash out. You will slide your card in their machine and they'll give you the cash.

 

It has been a year since I did this so if I did not state anything correctly someone please clarify.

 

 

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Thanks!

[dioxide45]

On our Elation cruise last fall, they wouldn't cash out the gift card at GS. Had to use the slot machine trick. Though you have to load your casino account in $5 increments I believe. So I had to have a small balance to charge to the credit card on file in order to empty the account.

 

I did have problems trying to swipe a physical gift card at the kiosk, but was able to apply them by entering the card number manually.Tried to apply some at checkin one time and they weren't applied. Good thing I kept the paper work (egift cards), as I was able to apply it at GS after they confirmed there was still a balance on them.