Cruise Cash / Sign and Sail

[pryncesshell]

Hello! I'm taking my daughter (17) on our first cruise this summer as a birthday/graduation gift. I've read quite a bit about the holds that would be put on my debit or debit cards, and so I prefer to use cash. I've bought over $300 in Carnival Cruise Cash to put toward the Sign and Sail card. However, I can't seem to find anything that says that the cruise cash can be used instead of actual cash. My question is, if I purchase $500-800 in cruise cash for our sign and sail cards, will I still need to put a bunch of cash down as well? If so, I'll probably want to stop buying the cruise cash :-). I do plan on taking several hundred dollars in cash as well, but I thought this might be a good way to avoid both card holds and too much cash on hand.

I've read so, so, so many helpful posts for first time cruisers both in the Carnival forum and in the general New Cruiser forums. Thank you to all of you who post. I feel a lot more prepared after spending so much time reading your helpful tips.

[cb at sea]

You can't use "cash" on the ship to pay for anything...whatever form of account you have ...cash, credit, etc....will be linked to your cabin key. You will charge EVERYTHING to your cabin. You can certainly use cash to "secure" your account. Nothing is actually CHARGED to whatever form of payment you choose until the END of the cruise!

 

If you have $500-800 in "cruise cash"..you're fine! No additional cash will be needed, unless you exceed that amount! Don't buy anymore...just bring some cash...store it in your cabin safe! Carnival sucks with this prepayment stuff...because some of it is NON REFUNDABLE.....so don't put TOO much "down"!

[Taylorcast]

You can't use "cash" on the ship to pay for anything...whatever form of account you have ...cash, credit, etc....will be linked to your cabin key. You will charge EVERYTHING to your cabin. You can certainly use cash to "secure" your account. Nothing is actually CHARGED to whatever form of payment you choose until the END of the cruise!

 

If you have $500-800 in "cruise cash"..you're fine! No additional cash will be needed, unless you exceed that amount! Don't buy anymore...just bring some cash...store it in your cabin safe! Carnival sucks with this prepayment stuff...because some of it is NON REFUNDABLE.....so don't put TOO much "down"!

Look at carnival website for more info, there may be a limit to the max cruise cash applied before you are on board.

 

If you are worried about carrying that much cash on board or in your cabin safe, you can buy carnival gift cards (with a 10% discount if you are a Verizon wireless customer or sign up for a free account on aarp- there are many threads about this on cruise critic to reference for more info) and take those to load to your sail and sign account once on board (either at a kiosk in the lobby or at guest services desk).

 

Just be aware, if you have gift cards, to apply them all to your sail and sign during your cruise if you don't want to be stuck with them at the end of the cruise. If you have credit remaining on your s&s having used cash and not a linked credit/debit card, you can withdraw the remaining cash at the same kiosk or a check will be sent to you after the cruise

 

If you have credit remaining less than $10 and don't withdraw it on board, it will be donated to st. Jude

[singlerail]

Hello! I'm taking my daughter (17) on our first cruise this summer as a birthday/graduation gift. I've read quite a bit about the holds that would be put on my debit or debit cards, and so I prefer to use cash. I've bought over $300 in Carnival Cruise Cash to put toward the Sign and Sail card. However, I can't seem to find anything that says that the cruise cash can be used instead of actual cash. My question is, if I purchase $500-800 in cruise cash for our sign and sail cards, will I still need to put a bunch of cash down as well? If so, I'll probably want to stop buying the cruise cash :-). I do plan on taking several hundred dollars in cash as well, but I thought this might be a good way to avoid both card holds and too much cash on hand.

I've read so, so, so many helpful posts for first time cruisers both in the Carnival forum and in the general New Cruiser forums. Thank you to all of you who post. I feel a lot more prepared after spending so much time reading your helpful tips.

 

 

just remember the tips, alot of people seem to forget that...

I buy cruise cash, and I also add cash to my account as the cruise progresses as needed... and u can use cash in the casino slot machines too.

I don;t use a debit card, or credit card

[tennboy1981]

If you must pre pay, I would stay away from cruise cash because any leftover funds at the end, you LOSE. Buy gift cards. You can apply them when boarding and anything you dont use, you at least get to keep on the gift card for your next cruise. I would just bring cash that way you can get any balance refunded back to you in cash. There are ways around it though, such as withdrawing at the casino. Look at other threads. You can find carnival gift cards at a discount and find loopholes around getting cash out of your credits.

 

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[louanne93]

I always purchase cruise cash! The max per cabin is $500. I like to have my cruise paid off before I leave. If you have leftover (which I never do!) you can cash out at the casino. No problem :D

[pryncesshell]

Thanks for all of your advice! I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to use the cruise cash as the cash deposit for the Sign and Sail cards, but it seems that is not an issue. I do want to pay off as much of the cruise as possible before we board. I think I'll end up doing the full $500 in cruise cash, plus the extra money I'll bring in cash. For a 7 day cruise, that is definitely not an unreasonable amount for us to spend. I plan on us spending an average of $100 a day, but have budgeted significantly more, just in case we get crazy with the shopping. I don't drink, so that cost is not a concern. I purchased Bottomless Bubbles for her, and since I don't drink soda either, tea, water and coffee are perfect for me. I did do the pre-paid gratuity, but I have also factored in additional tips, including cash tips for everyone else I've read should be tipped (porters, room service, etc). I think with the $500 cruise cash and the additional cash I'll bring, we should be fine. I'll have my cards to fall back on if needed.

[singlerail]

Thanks for all of your advice! I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to use the cruise cash as the cash deposit for the Sign and Sail cards, but it seems that is not an issue. I do want to pay off as much of the cruise as possible before we board. I think I'll end up doing the full $500 in cruise cash, plus the extra money I'll bring in cash. For a 7 day cruise, that is definitely not an unreasonable amount for us to spend. I plan on us spending an average of $100 a day, but have budgeted significantly more, just in case we get crazy with the shopping. I don't drink, so that cost is not a concern. I purchased Bottomless Bubbles for her, and since I don't drink soda either, tea, water and coffee are perfect for me. I did do the pre-paid gratuity, but I have also factored in additional tips, including cash tips for everyone else I've read should be tipped (porters, room service, etc). I think with the $500 cruise cash and the additional cash I'll bring, we should be fine. I'll have my cards to fall back on if needed.

 

you got this well planned out...

[Keys2Heaven]

You can't use "cash" on the ship to pay for anything...whatever form of account you have ...cash, credit, etc....will be linked to your cabin key. You will charge EVERYTHING to your cabin. You can certainly use cash to "secure" your account. Nothing is actually CHARGED to whatever form of payment you choose until the END of the cruise!

 

If you have $500-800 in "cruise cash"..you're fine! No additional cash will be needed, unless you exceed that amount! Don't buy anymore...just bring some cash...store it in your cabin safe! Carnival sucks with this prepayment stuff...because some of it is NON REFUNDABLE.....so don't put TOO much "down"!

 

You can go to the Casino and cash out with your S&S card, if you have a positive balance at the end of the cruise.

[Little Mary Sunshine]

just remember the tips, alot of people seem to forget that...

I buy cruise cash, and I also add cash to my account as the cruise progresses as needed... and u can use cash in the casino slot machines too.

I don;t use a debit card, or credit card

 

 

what's the difference between cruise cash and the S&S card? can cruise cash be applied to the S&S card?

[Keys2Heaven]

what's the difference between cruise cash and the S&S card? can cruise cash be applied to the S&S card?

 

Cruise cash is a fancy way of saying onboard credit that YOU pay for in advance. While a PVP can grant you OBC from a price drop or a TA can extend you OBC as a "thank you", cruise cash is something you purchase via the FunShops and have it applied to your account as a credit when you board.

 

And cruise cash has a few different categories if you want to apportion your spending to certain areas, like bar purchases or photos.

 

EVERY purchase onboard is attached to your S&S card. I believe the order of precedence for your account balance is OBC is used first then CruiseCash, and then credit card if applied.

[rosalindpheasant]

I just want to make sure I understand correctly.. I currently have $500.00 in Carnival gift cards (getting them at a discounted rated) and plan to purchase more for our upcoming cruise in October.... I would rather have too much than not enough... Can I cash out at the casino the last night if using gift cards? I understand you can if using cash...

[sturderick]

I just want to make sure I understand correctly.. I currently have $500.00 in Carnival gift cards (getting them at a discounted rated) and plan to purchase more for our upcoming cruise in October.... I would rather have too much than not enough... Can I cash out at the casino the last night if using gift cards? I understand you can if using cash...

 

Yes!

[Live to Dream]

You can use cash on your sign and sail card and cash it out in the casino the night before you disembark.

 

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[Keys2Heaven]

I just want to make sure I understand correctly.. I currently have $500.00 in Carnival gift cards (getting them at a discounted rated) and plan to purchase more for our upcoming cruise in October.... I would rather have too much than not enough... Can I cash out at the casino the last night if using gift cards? I understand you can if using cash...

 

I just got my discounted gift cards on Tuesday. Took about a week to receive them. Very easy to apply to account.

 

Only thing to note is that there is a scratch off area at the top of the back of the card which hides the PIN. You'll need the PIN when applying each card(s) as payment towards your FunShop purchase of CruiseCash.

[MaureenNC]

If I have Cruise Cash on my account (or onboard credit- I believe they work exactly the same- correct me if I'm wrong), and I have NOT done prepaid tips, my Cruise Cash (or OBC) will be applied to tips on day 2.... is that correct?

[maryred]

If I have Cruise Cash on my account (or onboard credit- I believe they work exactly the same- correct me if I'm wrong), and I have NOT done prepaid tips, my Cruise Cash (or OBC) will be applied to tips on day 2.... is that correct?

 

This is basically correct, but the devil is in the details. First off the gratuities may not be posted on day 2 but can appear anytime till the mid-way point of the cruise. Be aware the daily auto-gratuities for the entire cabin can come off the primary passenger's S&S account. Fine if you are traveling solo or with family, but if with friends each paying their own way you may want to monitor your account closely.

 

The order that funds are applied to on board purchases and service charges:

1) Non-refundable OBC, including Cruise Cash

2) Refundable OBC

3) Carnival Gift cards

4) Cash and Traveler's Cheques

5) Credit and debit cards

[isaiahsnana]

Be sure that you cash out early enough on the last night. The Cruise cash that may be remaining is NON Refundable. Gift cards used are refundable, but are sometimes put back on the original card - so don't lose them just in case!!