christyran1228 Posted July 24, 2018 #1 Share Posted July 24, 2018 The new check-in procedure sounds pretty efficient at speeding things along, but are you still able to put cash down on your account at any point pre-boarding? Since it's non-refundable, I don't want to buy too much cruise cash. We are using a cash account only, and I bought a little cruise cash to cover a few boarding Fun Ship Specials :), but are hoping to avoid the kiosk or guest services the on the first day to put down cash for the rest of the trip because, lines. We will be sailing on the Vista out of Galveston if it makes any difference. TIA :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sid_9169 Posted July 24, 2018 #2 Share Posted July 24, 2018 On my Vista cruise, I was able to open a cash account at the terminal prior to boarding... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christyran1228 Posted July 24, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Great, thank you! I was worried that they quit doing that, but that's great to know. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted July 24, 2018 #4 Share Posted July 24, 2018 That’s what I do. Cash account with some cruise cash and skip the other line. No problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purvis1231 Posted July 25, 2018 #5 Share Posted July 25, 2018 You can buy up to $500.00 Cruise Cash and this should cover you for a day or two (unless you buy Cheers or hit the casino hard.) Do not worry about it being non-refundable since you will spend it. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teague38 Posted July 25, 2018 #6 Share Posted July 25, 2018 I have never tried because I never have any left but everybody says you can do the casino trick and cash out what is left of your cruise cash therefore making it refundable. My last cruise I bought $400 in cruise cash and was getting really low with a couple days left and just went to guest services and added my credit card for the remainder of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1AL Posted July 25, 2018 #7 Share Posted July 25, 2018 You can buy up to $500.00 Cruise Cash and this should cover you for a day or two (unless you buy Cheers or hit the casino hard.) Do not worry about it being non-refundable since you will spend it. Enjoy. Man, you spend $250 to $500 daily on the ship? What are you doing cruising on Walmart? ;p;p;p:p:p:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarimaJ Posted July 25, 2018 #8 Share Posted July 25, 2018 What’s the casino trick? We are cruising Carnival for the first time. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teague38 Posted July 25, 2018 #9 Share Posted July 25, 2018 What’s the casino trick? We are cruising Carnival for the first time. Sent from my iPhone using Forums I'm sure you can find more info on here somewhere that can better explain it than me since I have actually never done it but from what I gather is on the last night go to Casino and load your balance on your card to play slot machine, pull once or twice and then cash out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted July 25, 2018 #10 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Consider that tips are 90+ for the week pp If you have money left over you go to the slot machines and start transferring it to the casino side of your card-- play a few rounds then take your card to the cage and get your money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudyard Posted July 25, 2018 #11 Share Posted July 25, 2018 If you want to move quickly through check-in, do the cruise cash like you mentioned. Just keep it to an amount that you know will get you through the first day, then add cash at the kiosks the next day when they are likely to be less crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewynn9 Posted July 25, 2018 #12 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Wait, wait. A cash account is non refundable or "Cruise cash" is non refundable? When we last cruised in 2016, we had a cash account that we funded during check in and we withdrew the balance during the final night of the cruise. Has that changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keys2Heaven Posted July 25, 2018 #13 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Why would anyone buy more cruise cash than they know they will spend? I believe the max is $500 cruise cash (general) on an account, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christyran1228 Posted July 25, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Wait, wait. A cash account is non refundable or "Cruise cash" is non refundable? When we last cruised in 2016, we had a cash account that we funded during check in and we withdrew the balance during the final night of the cruise. Has that changed? Cruise Cash is non-refundable is what I read, although I forgot about the casino thing. Thank you all for all of the replies ... since we aren't going to get FTTF (or try, anyway lol), I REALLY didn't want to have to stand in those long first-day lines..or make them any longer! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottacruises Posted July 25, 2018 #15 Share Posted July 25, 2018 They accept cash in the terminal in Galveston up until I think 2:00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottacruises Posted July 25, 2018 #16 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Any cash you apply is refundable, cruise cash I am not familiar with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsvarp Posted July 26, 2018 #17 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Can I add my gift cards to my sign and sail at check-in? I can't remember...I know the last 2 cruises the kiosks didn't accept them for some reason and I ended up in line at guest services.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purvis1231 Posted July 26, 2018 #18 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Man, you spend $250 to $500 daily on the ship?What are you doing cruising on Walmart? ;p;p;p:p:p:p No, I was saying the total amount you can buy is $500 and that should last at least a few days. In most case people will spend the amount of cruise cash they have. On our last cruise we put down $300 in gift cards and got a $86 refund after the cruise. Some people do spend a lot. People do not get free drinks in the casino for dropping a few coins in the slot. On one cruise I spoke to a guy that had a $1500 bar tab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drose716 Posted July 26, 2018 #19 Share Posted July 26, 2018 On our Vista cruise my boyfriend did a cash account while I used a credit card. They directed him to a line to set up his account in the terminal & directed me to a seat to wait for boarding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottacruises Posted July 26, 2018 #20 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Can I add my gift cards to my sign and sail at check-in? I can't remember...I know the last 2 cruises the kiosks didn't accept them for some reason and I ended up in line at guest services.. You can, but keep in mind they apply the whole amount of the gift card. The kiosk is hit or miss, you sometimes have to try several times but I have found it eventually will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindyWebb Posted July 26, 2018 #21 Share Posted July 26, 2018 I never worry about going on the first day. They don't charge your credit card when you make a purchase they charge your account. I usually go down day two and pay my balance in cash. Then ask them when they will charge the card. It's usually the day before debarment unless the account is getting really high. I just go down from time to time on non peak times and pay the balance. Then at the end my credit card has no charges unless I buy something after I pay off the balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted July 26, 2018 #22 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Can I add my gift cards to my sign and sail at check-in? I can't remember...I know the last 2 cruises the kiosks didn't accept them for some reason and I ended up in line at guest services.. carnival gift cards? they do not accept visa type gift cards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising maniac Posted July 26, 2018 #23 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Can I add my gift cards to my sign and sail at check-in? I can't remember...I know the last 2 cruises the kiosks didn't accept them for some reason and I ended up in line at guest services.. Yes, you can add gift cards at sign in at the port. However, I bought cruise cash with my gift cards so I did not have a longer check in. I have a few more gift cards that I will add at a kiosk one day during the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsvarp Posted July 26, 2018 #24 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Yes, you can add gift cards at sign in at the port. However, I bought cruise cash with my gift cards so I did not have a longer check in. I have a few more gift cards that I will add at a kiosk one day during the cruise.I'm trying to avoid the hassle and tying up lines. So is my best option to buy cruise cash with my carnival gift cards prior to sailing? I'm a bit confused from previous posts, am i limited in how much cruise cash I can purchase? If I don't spend all the cruise cash, can I cash out in the casino like I typically do with my gift cards applied to my account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted July 26, 2018 #25 Share Posted July 26, 2018 I'm trying to avoid the hassle and tying up lines. So is my best option to buy cruise cash with my carnival gift cards prior to sailing? I'm a bit confused from previous posts, am i limited in how much cruise cash I can purchase? If I don't spend all the cruise cash, can I cash out in the casino like I typically do with my gift cards applied to my account? That’s what I do. $500. Yes as long at its regular Cruise Cash and not Bar or Photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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