Tell me about Cruise Cash

[new_cruiser_75]

Ok, so I tried searching here, but I still just don't really feel like I understand "cruise cash".  I even tried going on Carnival's site, but when I click on that tab nothing happens (if I click on the internet tab the 3 plans pop right up so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong).  Can you tell me what it is; why might I want to purchase it; is it better/different than just buying gift cards?  I've been on several other cruises without it... what am I missing?

 

Thanks for your help

[cruisingguy007]

It's essentially credit with carnival. You can do everything with it. It acts a a debit account for expenditures.  When the cruise is over you can go to the casino and cash it out. Most people would be served better by a credit card but for those who want to "pre-budget" or have poor credit, it acts as a substitute for an open account. 

[mafiadon]

4 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

It's essentially credit with carnival. You can do everything with it. It acts a a debit account for expenditures.  When the cruise is over you can go to the casino and cash it out. Most people would be served better by a credit card but for those who want to "pre-budget" or have poor credit, it acts as a substitute for an open account. 

There you go again saying people with poor credit have to use cruise cash. You haven't got a clue why people use it. I have excellent credit and I use cruise case, and I find your comment very condescending and rude

Edited December 14, 2019 by mafiadon

[cruisingguy007]

13 minutes ago, mafiadon said:

There you go again saying people with poor credit have to use cruise cash. You haven't got a clue why people use it. I have excellent credit and I use cruise case, and I find your comment very condescending and rude

 

Sorry you were triggered but I had no Intention to offend. I was simply stating my opinion. I have a ridiculous amount of credit and I bought some cruise cash as well since I got a discount on it. I apologize if I offended you as I had zero intention of doing that. I'm also not sure what "there you go again" means as I have never commented on this particular subject. I think you may be reading more into it than it is. 😕   

Edited December 14, 2019 by cruisingguy007

[sc4125]

People buy cruise cash for different reasons. 

 

Sometimes family or friends of the cruiser purchase cruise cash as a gift - in which case there will be a card in the cabin giving the amount of cruise cash and who it was from.

 

Sometimes the cruiser purchases cruise cash him/herself.  I purchase it prior to some of my cruises - most of the time it's because I have a little extra cash that I would normally place in savings, and instead if I have a cruise coming up, I'll purchase cruise cash.  It just gives me a head start.  

 

The maximum amount of cruise cash that can be purchased is $500 per cabin.  It is non-refundable - you "lose" what you don't use.  However, many people will go to a slot machine, get money from their Sail and Sign, play a little and cash out the rest at the casino cashier.  I spend a lot of time in the casino and never have to worry about not using it all (lol).

 

Hope this helps.

[cruizergal70]

I have excellent credit.  I buy cruise cash in order to put credit on my account a little at a time over several months. It pays for gratuities, a few days of internet,  room service charges, laundry,  Cherry on Top, etc. Maybe about $200-$300.

 

I don't care to play the credit card points game for such a small amount.  I also avoid accumulating credit card debt even if I can pay it off at the end of the trip. I  hate bills period.

 

It works for me.  

Edited December 14, 2019 by cruizergal70

[ray98]

It is Carnival's version of Monopoly money.  They will gladly take your hard earned cash and turn it into a certificate good only for them with several important restrictions.

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

9 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Sorry you were triggered but I had no Intention to offend. I was simply stating my opinion. I have a ridiculous amount of credit and I bought some cruise cash as well since I got a discount on it. I apologize if I offended you as I had zero intention of doing that. I'm also not sure what "there you go again" means as I have never commented on this particular subject. I think you may be reading more into it than it is. 😕   

No you knew exactly what you were doing. 

[rufflesmom]

Some people buy cruise cash as a way of budgeting for the cruise.  I have purchased cruise cash in the past but not always.  I never purchase more than I think I will use.  I don't really want to go to all the trouble of going to the casino and cashing out.  I try to avoid the casino whenever possible. 

 

[cruizergal70]

4 hours ago, ray98 said:

It is Carnival's version of Monopoly money.  They will gladly take your hard earned cash and turn it into a certificate good only for them with several important restrictions.

I've worked in finance. Yep, this doesn't bother me at all. We are fund others investments in one way or another. 

 

To each, their own. Personally,  I find buying the Cheers package to be sheer lunacy. 

Edited December 14, 2019 by cruizergal70

[Purvis1231]

6 hours ago, ray98 said:

It is Carnival's version of Monopoly money.  They will gladly take your hard earned cash and turn it into a certificate good only for them with several important restrictions.

Cruise Cash is a marketing program designed to make the cruise line money. They know most people who buy Cruise Cash will spend every penny of it and probably more.  Cruise Cash is also a means of someone not cruising buying a gift for who is cruising. I have done that for friends who were cruising.  But with that said, I buy Cruise Cash for our cruises too as a means of funding on board spending.  

Edited December 14, 2019 by Purvis1231
typo

[jdemps]

We book about 18 months out and buy items as the time ticks down.  We always get $500 cruise cash that I buy with discounted carnival gift cards.  I also add gift cards to the account since you can only get $500 per cabin.  We use it in the casino, restaurants, shopping, etc.  We always buy the generic cruise cash one, not bar or whatever the other one is.  

Have a great cruise!

[cruizergal70]

4 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

Cruise Cash is a marketing program designed to make the cruise line money. 

Everything the cruise line does is designed to make money.  It's a business.

[Purvis1231]

1 hour ago, cruizergal70 said:

Everything the cruise line does is designed to make money.  It's a business.

Right, I am glad since I am a stock holder.

[sparks1093]

21 hours ago, ray98 said:

It is Carnival's version of Monopoly money.  They will gladly take your hard earned cash and turn it into a certificate good only for them with several important restrictions.

The gift cards are similar, the only difference being there are a few more things that gift cards may be used for. 

[jdemps]

2 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

The gift cards are similar, the only difference being there are a few more things that gift cards may be used for. 

What are the items you can't pay for with cruise cash?  I didn't know it didn't cover everything.

[sparks1093]

7 hours ago, jdemps said:

What are the items you can't pay for with cruise cash?  I didn't know it didn't cover everything.

I meant that you have to use the cruise cash onboard, the gift cards can be used to book a cruise or to buy things online but you can't get your cash back from them and you can't use them with anyone else other than Carnival.

[reeinaz]

I bought cruise cash with Carnival gift cards that I bought at a discount. The reason I bought the cruise cash was so that the money would be on my sign and sail card when I boarded instead of having to stop somewhere and have my gift cards added.

[2wheelin]

There are four of us in one cabin, each on their own account (credit card). If I purchase cruise cash, will I be able to apply it to others expenses—say pay all gratuities, or some of their drinks? Or does it only apply to those allowed to charge on my account?

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

14 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

There are four of us in one cabin, each on their own account (credit card). If I purchase cruise cash, will I be able to apply it to others expenses—say pay all gratuities, or some of their drinks? Or does it only apply to those allowed to charge on my account?

 

Applies to the room as a whole. 

[2wheelin]

10 hours ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

 

Applies to the room as a whole. 

Thanks. Will do that then instead of adding gift card at checkin.

[tiff0728]

wow at some of the comments. To be honest no matter how "rich" or "poor" you are cruise cash has nothing to do with that. Some people are budgeters and planners. Me I buy cruise cash for my kids. When they get on the ship they each have $200 on their sail and sign card to use as they place, don't come back asking mama for more once that runs out.

 

There is nothing wrong with being financially prepared for your vacation. Last year I purchased $500 in cruise cash and I am so happy I did. I had stake house dinner, was able to do a bar crawl, purchased pictures I wanted. Was able to buy spirits to bring back home with me etc. I didn't end up spending any money on my credit card or bank cards.

[pacruise804]

On 12/14/2019 at 1:07 AM, new_cruiser_75 said:

Ok, so I tried searching here, but I still just don't really feel like I understand "cruise cash".  I even tried going on Carnival's site, but when I click on that tab nothing happens (if I click on the internet tab the 3 plans pop right up so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong).  Can you tell me what it is; why might I want to purchase it; is it better/different than just buying gift cards?  I've been on several other cruises without it... what am I missing?

 

Thanks for your help

 

Cruise Cash is simply paid for, nonrefundable onboard credit (versus included from travel agent or booking promotion).  You may want to purchase it if you: want to gift a friend or family member with some OBC; don't want to risk forgetting a gift card (or the minimal hassle of applying a GC to your account); or want to purchase a small amount, or multiple small amounts over time, rather than the larger minimum for GCs.  

 

It is different than gift cards in several ways, but it will depend on the user if it is better.  CC starts at $25 while GC usually start at $100.  There is no limit to gift cards, but there is a $500 per type/per cabin limit on Cruise Cash.  There are different types of Cruise Cash, so if Grandma wants a family picture she can gift $25 Cruise Photo Cash if there is concern the money would be all used at the bar otherwise 😉; if you know Cheers doesn't work for your group (one drinks, one doesn't) but you are concerned about a large beverage tab then you can get Cruise Bar Cash as your own "Cheers Lite" program - it's still non refundable like Cheers but would at most be $500 instead of $800 for a 7 day cruise (approx.).  Any Cruise Cash not used on that sailing is forfeit (barring use in the casino), while gift card balances in excess of $10 are refunded in the form of a new gift card (which is still only usable for a future Carnival cruise).

 

I've never bought it, and you might not need it either.  We don't purchase most of the optional add-on's, although we do get a case of water for excursions and the drive home.

 

On 12/14/2019 at 10:01 AM, ray98 said:

It is Carnival's version of Monopoly money.  They will gladly take your hard earned cash and turn it into a certificate good only for them with several important restrictions.

They will also take your hard earned cash and turn it into a Cheers package, shore excursion, specialty dining, spa services, etc. - all things that can be purchased with said "Monopoly" money.