a different s&s question

[TracersQQ]

We're leaving, in the morning, for our cruise on the Victory for 7 days. I know that you need a credit, debit or cash deposit of atleast $200. The other people I'm cruising with are all past guest (I am not), but they said that you don't need that much of a deposit and I showed them what it says in the info that came with our documents. They were all on the Gory (for 7 days) 14 months ago and said they did not put that much money down as a deposit. Therefore none of these people are going to count on having to put this money down. I hope this is making sense, lol. Anyway, I am totally prepared, for this (thanks to this board : ) .) Now for my question, is it possible, during embarkation, to get this deposit amount reduced? I am not worried about myself, since I'm prepared, I just don't want these other people be in for a very rude awakening.

[truecruiser]

double. sorry.

[truecruiser]

not trying to sound mean, but do they not tip? or do they tip and not buy a single thing (including a drink) on board?

[pba20493]

Sure, anything is possible. But if the others you are traveling with get this awakening, its their fault. The Carnival website clearly states how much is required for the deposit. Honestly, I wouldnt worry about it. Do what you intended to do. Better safe than sorry.

 

 

 

 

Tim

[truecruiser]

yeah, and i'm just thinking that maybe they say we want to pay our own tips so we'll only leave $50.00 for drinks, and you can decline my S&S when it runs out and i'll add more?

 

is that even a possibility (though i don't know why anyone wld ever go to all of that trouble:confused: )

 

are they going w/ the argument that carnival can't force them to pay tips, so they don't have to leave a deposit to cover them?

[cruisindoggie]

I say let them get the answer when they check in and se the expressions on thier faces.

[buddyjo143]

Unless they pre-paid their tips and the amount can be reduced....

 

Post after your return and let us know how it goes.

 

 

Have fun.

[RSW]

Did they prepay the tips? We did that on our first cruise.

[Grits53]

Did they prepay the tips? We did that on our first cruise.

Yes, that's what I was thinking. If they prepaid their tips, I'm sure the required deposit will be lower. Anyway, it's their problem, not yours. Just go and enjoy your cruise, and be glad that you have sense enough to read the "rules"! (And don't you dare loan them money to bail their dumb butts out!!)

[happy cruzin]

We're leaving, in the morning, for our cruise on the Victory for 7 days. I know that you need a credit, debit or cash deposit of atleast $200. The other people I'm cruising with are all past guest (I am not), but they said that you don't need that much of a deposit and I showed them what it says in the info that came with our documents. They were all on the Gory (for 7 days) 14 months ago and said they did not put that much money down as a deposit. Therefore none of these people are going to count on having to put this money down. I hope this is making sense, lol. Anyway, I am totally prepared, for this (thanks to this board : ) .) Now for my question, is it possible, during embarkation, to get this deposit amount reduced? I am not worried about myself, since I'm prepared, I just don't want these other people be in for a very rude awakening.

 

I think the amounts of the deposits or holds are pretty standard and published by Carnival. Is it possible that they used a credit card the last time? Technically they would not have put down anything for the deposit because it was a "hold" on their account that they never really saw?

 

Yes you can have the tips removed but that would not change the deposit - cash or credit card hold - required for the account.

 

Look at it this way...you are prepared and that is all that really matters.

[Darlipoo]

We are going on our first Carnival cruise in June. I don't understand what this $200.00 deposit on credit card you are discussing refers to. We paid a $200.00pp deposit on the cruise itself, but this post sounds like they are charging $200.00 to your S&S card before you even sail. Please enlighten me.

[TracersQQ]

Sorry, I didn't mention that everyone has prepaid the tips. Your all right, it is their fault and since I am prepared, I will go and have a good time. The only way it effects me is in port. If I want to do anything, I guess I'll be doing it on my own. We do have one excursion booked, but it's not through Carnival, so it's not paid for yet, we just have a deposit on it. As far as on the ship, Nobody really drinks alcoholic drinks (maybe just a couple the entire cruise), So other than that I don't think any of us would need too much on our S&S cards - but I thought since it is Carnivals rule, you have to abide by it. I was just curious if they would be able to put less of a deposit down. I guess I'll find out Sunday.

[happy cruzin]

We are going on our first Carnival cruise in June. I don't understand what this $200.00 deposit on credit card you are discussing refers to. We paid a $200.00pp deposit on the cruise itself, but this post sounds like they are charging $200.00 to your S&S card before you even sail. Please enlighten me.

 

When you "check-in" they take your credit card info. Later that day they will put a "hold" on the credit card of 200.00/pp to cover the potential charges to your S&S account. When you get near charges of 200.00 they will get another hold for another 200.00.

 

The actual charges are applied to the credit card the day you disembark - not before.

 

This does not have anything to do with the deposit that you paid when you booked. This is only to make sure that you are able to pay the balance on the S&S card.

[smashley]

does the $200 hold cover the cost of the tips? I'm still confused by this!

[happy cruzin]

does the $200 hold cover the cost of the tips? I'm still confused by this!

 

More than enough to cover the tips. The tips are 10.00 per day per person. So that is only 140.00 for a couple on a 7 day cruise. I don't know why they use the 200.00 figure - but I am sure that there is a reason.

[smashley]

my boyfriend and I are in the same room, do we HAVE to use the same account or can we have two different ones? that would mean we both need a $200 hold right?

[happy cruzin]

my boyfriend and I are in the same room, do we HAVE to use the same account or can we have two different ones? that would mean we both need a $200 hold right?

 

You can keep the S&S accounts seperate. Just list a seperate credit card for each of you.

 

Yes they will charge the deposit for each of you - but they would do that anyway. Even if you were paying for the accounts with the same credit card - because it is a per person hold I am pretty sure.

[ihavecandy123]

More than enough to cover the tips. The tips are 10.00 per day per person. So that is only 140.00 for a couple on a 7 day cruise. I don't know why they use the 200.00 figure - but I am sure that there is a reason.

 

I think the deposit also covers things like damage to your cabin or things missing from your cabin, like the robe, towels, etc???? That's what I always thought it was for. I could be wrong though.

[guntheros]

Correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't been on my first cruise yet, but I think the person asking about the $200.00 hold when you board the ship is still not getting the info they're asking for. I was very confused about this at first also. So really... correct anything I say if it's wrong.

This is my understanding:

1. The $200.00 hold is IN CASE you charge things to your sign and sail card

2. On the ship- you don't pay cash for much of anything except tips?, so everything has to be charged to your account- the sign and sail card that you put the $200 on

3. You only get charged what you spend- so even though you put down $200 (or a hold on your credit card) if you only charge say $100 on drinks, pictures, gifts on the ship, spa, etc. you only get $100 charged to the credit card for your sign and sail card

Sorry if I made that more confusing- hope it helps though.

Nicole

[pba20493]

Its very simple.

 

The $200 you put down for your sign and sail card account is for all ON-BOARD purchases. That is anything in the gift shop, drinks at the bar, shore tours, bingo, cash advances in the casino ( add 3% ) ect.

 

As another poster asked is that the same as the deposit you paid for the actual cruise fare.....No.

 

For the b/f-g/f in the same cabin. If you want, you can only activate 1 of the cards. This would mean that only 1 of you could purchase things while on board. I have done this on my last 2 cruises because Im the one who usually goes and gets the stuff.

 

My advice. USE CASH! It is much easier. No holds on credit cards to worry about. Besides if you dont use all the cash, they will cut you a check which you can cash before you leave the ship.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Tim

[smashley]

I think I will be going the cash route. The only thing that worried me about this was that I would be carrying hundreds of dollars with me... if anything happened to it, I would be in big trouble. But I guess that goes for anything -- credit cards, travelers checks... if they're lost, not much you can do about it!! Plus I think it will be nice to get the extra back in a check.

[smashley]

this is weird.... I posted a reply and it says I did, but my reply is nowhere to be found :rolleyes:

[smashley]

aha.. there it is! don't know what that was all about!

[happy cruzin]

Its very simple.

 

The $200 you put down for your sign and sail card account is for all ON-BOARD purchases. That is anything in the gift shop, drinks at the bar, shore tours, bingo, cash advances in the casino ( add 3% ) ect.

 

As another poster asked is that the same as the deposit you paid for the actual cruise fare.....No.

 

For the b/f-g/f in the same cabin. If you want, you can only activate 1 of the cards. This would mean that only 1 of you could purchase things while on board. I have done this on my last 2 cruises because Im the one who usually goes and gets the stuff.

 

My advice. USE CASH! It is much easier. No holds on credit cards to worry about. Besides if you dont use all the cash, they will cut you a check which you can cash before you leave the ship.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Tim

 

I agree with it all - except the "USE CASH! It is much easier".

 

If you put down 400.00 on the account in cash (200 per person) and you get close to using that - you will be paged to the pursers desk to put more money on the account. Everyone on board knows what those folks are paged for :o - me I want no parts of that. If you use a credit card they will just put another hold on for x.xx dollars.

 

If you do not have any on board purchases - the hold is meaningless. The hold is only a way for Carnival to make sure you can pay the bill. The actual charges do not post to the account until the cruise is over.

 

I think the hold term scares people. But it is just like when you go to out to eat - they bring your bill and you pay with your credit card. They run the credit card and get approval from the card company for the cost of the dinner plus 20% for a tip. That amount you never see anywhere because what you actually paid and signed for is all that shows on the final bill. The S&S account works exactly the same way. They get preapproval for the first 200.00 of on board purchases and additonal approvals as needed.

 

If using a credit card is a concern because of the balance at the end- plan ahead...save the amount you expect to spend - or would have taken in cash and then pay off the bill as soon as it arrives.

 

I would not want to travel with all cash - or travelers checks - it is just too risky - at least there is some protection if the card is lost or stolen. But that's just my take on it. Either system works fine - Carnival could care less as long as they get paid :rolleyes: .

[Crusin Karen]

I agree with Happy Cruzin. We went on a cruise years ago with a friend and he put $x cash down on his account and was overdrawn and called down to put more $ down which he didn't have with him. If you give them your cc info, you don't have to worry about anything. Also, you can put cash on your S&S account any time you want. Say you win $100 at the casino and you have $150 charged to your S&S account. Go to the purser's desk and give them the cash and they'll credit your account.