Using Debit Card for Sign & Sail ?

[parrotthead]

Hey.

Remember this is my first Carnival Cruise.

Does anyone know how much of a 'hold' they place on your Card for S&S. I called Carnival and in true form I got 3 different answers when I called 3 differnt times. The first guy told me there is no hold. (I dont believe him)

The 2nd told me " I think maybe, 50 or something "

The 3rd (a gal) told me they hold $50pp at the begining and then raise the hold amount with each purches (OMG, who keeps up with that, I can tell you they'd be busy with my spending habits ;) ) and the total would be 'run' on the day we return to homeport. ~I admit this one sounds most correct of all three.

So, does anyone have an answer. This is the same card we are planning on using in Cozumel, so its kinda improtant that I at least know.

OR should we just do the S&S in Cash, how much would we put down (there are 2 of us)

Help.

[rudegirlie13]

A hold will be placed on the credit card or checking account debit card at the beginning of the cruise as a deposit for an onboard purchases. This will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card or restrict the availability of cash in the checking account. The hold will be released and actual charges will be billed at the end of the cruise.

The following dollar amounts, per guest, are used as a deposit and placed as a hold on the credit card when the Sail & Sign Account is opened:

 

2-4 day cruises: $100 deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 deposit pp

9 + day cruises: $350 deposit pp

 

 

 

 

http://carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Sail_And_Sign_On_Board_Account.aspx

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I personally wouldn't use my debit card for S&S. Too risky with checking account. If anything happens and they don't release funds timely or there is an error that needs to be disputed, you have to wait it out. I personally don't have a bank roll in my checking account so I really don't want to risk my bill money for that. I put it all on a credit card and pay it off as soon as I get home & check my statement online. Just my preference.

[DreadPirateRobert]

Not too sure exactly how much they hold but I've never had a problem using my debit card for my S & S account. There's never been too much taken out and it has never interfered with auto draft payments.

Knowing it is real money coming out of our checking account as opposed to a credit card helps keep us from overspending. Everyone's different but it works for us.

[parrotthead]

Thanks to both.

Lisa that would be a good idea, unfortantly I only have the debit cards. No 'real' credit card anymore. What about putting Cash down? Any experience with this? Anyone?

[deborahjo]

We used debit card on our first cruise and will never do it again. It seemed like we were being double charged sometimes but was due to the holds put on our checking account.

 

We used cash this last cruise then when we needed to add more money we just put a credit card down. So much easier for us anyway.

[parrotthead]

Thanks deb. How much cash did you put down?

[woohoo4ue]

On my cruise in October (8 days), the initial hold was $50 then they charged the rest as I went. When I got home they charged the full amount then it took about 7 days for all the individual holds to fall off. Hope this helps!

[parrotthead]

Thanks woohoo. That is what the (3rd) girl I spoke with at Carnival told me too.

{cute doggie,what kind is it--hard to tell in the small pic}

[fllady61]

I use my debit card with the visa logo. I do not put cash down because if you use it too fast, and you tips unless pre paid take up most of it, they you are stuck with no drinks, no soda, unless you have purchased the soda card, and nothing else for the rest of the week. At least if I use my debit card, I don't have to wait in line to pay your bill at the end of the cruise.

 

as far as the double charge feeling, I have my end of the week statement, and know that when I get home, on MONDAY i check it out. Usually by then, all the charges have been done. I have never had a problem.

[parrotthead]

Good point fllady. I know what I spent on my other cruises (all RCI) but, dont know what to really expect on Carnival.

(and I *dont even want to think about* how much I spent on my Alaska cruise on my seapass) ;) :eek:

[fllady61]

Good point fllady. I know what I spent on my other cruises (all RCI) but, dont know what to really expect on Carnival.

(and I *dont even want to think about* how much I spent on my Alaska cruise on my seapass) ;) :eek:

 

 

On our last cruise, I prepaid tips/gratuities. so we had 300 to spend. we spent 350. NOT bad. And we really did not do much except 200 of it was to the casino. Just remember it is the alcoholic drinks that run your bill up. We don't drink that much. First day a few foo foo welcome aboard drinks, and then a special cup drink later in the week. I have 2 of the coconut monkeys that they serve mid cruise. at 16$ a pop. We usually get the soda card for my DD, and believe me, she got her moneys worth on our last cruise. Gift shop chocolates cost a lot 3$ for a normal candy bar. If you have a tendency to get chocolate cravings, I would take some small bags of candy on board with you.

 

Have fun. If you keep all receipts, you can keep tabs on what is going on your bill. Also you can check on the TV how much you have spent.

 

If you have not prepaid your tips, call your PVP and ask him/ or your TA about paying them before hand. Might be better for you.

[vacruizer]

A hold will be placed on the credit card or checking account debit card at the beginning of the cruise as a deposit for an onboard purchases. This will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card or restrict the availability of cash in the checking account. The hold will be released and actual charges will be billed at the end of the cruise.

The following dollar amounts, per guest, are used as a deposit and placed as a hold on the credit card when the Sail & Sign Account is opened:

 

2-4 day cruises: $100 deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 deposit pp

9 + day cruises: $350 deposit pp

 

 

 

 

http://carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Sail_And_Sign_On_Board_Account.aspx

 

The problem is that while they will charge you for your bill at the end - that hold may take up to a week to fall of effectively tying up double your money. As long as you are aware and have the extra balance to cover it - no problem.

[fllady61]

The problem is that while they will charge you for your bill at the end - that hold may take up to a week to fall of effectively tying up double your money. As long as you are aware and have the extra balance to cover it - no problem.

 

 

we have 2 checking accounts. One for bills, and one for other things. we use the other things account for the cruise. that way our bill money is not crompromised.

[mrlddst]

I have been thinking about this issue for a while. I used my Wachovia Debit card on RCL and even though I had more than enough money to cover all of my expenses, my bank thought they were suspicious and would not allow them. Luckily, I had brought a credit card and had the charges placed there. The women at our table put cash on their accounts including their gratuity to help budget themselves. I thought this was a great idea to help manage your money. This time I will place the hold on my credit card but pay all of the debt off with my debit card the day before the ship docks. I am trying not to go beyond my budget. Is it too late to get one of those pre-paid visa cards from Wal-mart or a place that issues them?

[dommer573]

i always use my debit card and have never had a problem. I would say use whatever method you feel most comfortable with and keep track of your expenditures.:p

[beccadoby]

I agree with fllady who said to prepay the tips.

 

We are a family of 5 plus my Mom always sails with us. So, gratuities add up. Then add in there the "hold" they put on the account per person.

 

You are going to pay it anyway, why not go ahead and that is one last thing you need to think about.

 

my downfall is those DARN pictures! Can we protest those prices? If they didn't have the photographers onboard, I could cruise cheap! Sorry, kinda got of subject- had to vent:o

[dmhtc1]

My brother in law used cash. He put down $250 and added to it when needed. You can access your account on the TV anytime!;)

[Trotkim]

We have used this method the last 3-4 cruises. Once on board we go establish a cash account. We paid our gratuities at the time of final payment to get that out of the way. So, we give them the amount of cash that we think we may spend. If it runs out, they notify us and we go leave more cash, or if we know we are going to make a big purchase in the gift shop we put more cash on the account before hand. At the end of the cruise we go back and get a refund for any unused cash. That way it is not on a credit card and my debit card is not compromised by holds. Good luck, it may sound time consuming, but honestly its not.

[mugsybear]

I just got back from a cruise last week. I believe they put a hold on your credit card or in your case debit card. I was gone Monday to Friday and I think it was a 200.00 hold. You can put cash down on your account so you don't have so much to pay at the end, That's what I did so it wrack up so fast I put cash down. Makes it easy!! Prices do add up fast, do remember they add your gratuities to your s & s and tips are added onto your drinks automatically! A beer is 5.75 I believe. I didn't realize you could pre pay your gratuities guess you learn something new for next time. ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!

[DiN2cruzagain]

I to have a second account with a visa debit card. Before I leave for the cruise I just transfer $$ into it and tell my bank where I'll be and I have never had any problems. If there are charges that aren't correct, you can dispute them with your bank. I check all of my charges daily on the TV monitor so that if there is a problem, it could be taken care of right away. I always spend to much on the pictures, but they are wonderful memories of all the fun we have. I always say I'm gonna cut back, but I think I keep spending more.......not sure why that is!

 

 

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[bakechef]

Please Please rethink using your debit card in a foreign country. YOU DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS AS A CREDIT CARD even if it has the VISA/Mastercard logo on it, you have some but not all.

 

If you have no other choice maybe a prepaid debit card for the foreign ports, that way if it compromised you don't risk losing all of your bill/living money.

 

What I did when I had no credit cards was, I kept 2 checking accounts one for everyday, one for vacations. I put money in the vacation account and only used that card, I felt safer than having my bill money at risk.

 

just a suggestion, you can have the convenience of plastic, with the benefits of staying on budget.

 

MAC

[colk12]

So if I am understanding correctly when you use a credit/debit card to setup S&S it auto places a hold for the amount stated on the website depending on how many days the cruise is. However if tips are prepaid will the hold be as big or not. I have prepaid tips for my upcoming cruise and as its 4 days I have already budgeted for $200 (double the deposit from carnvial.com) would it be better to do it on visa debit card or withdraw the cash and do the pursers desk thing. I would prefer just to board and party asap:cool: I do not have another credit card availble so I would have to do it on my debit card.

[jw4jg1mg2eg1]

We've always used our debit card & take cash with us.(Please don't flame me for this because it has worked out fine for us. The cash is kept locked up at all times.) With the convenience of checking our account everyday on our cabin TV, we can run some cash down to the pursers desk if we've gone over our budget. Last year I was lucky on the slots & paid my S&S account off on Friday & so the only thing we had to pay out of our debit card was what we charged for pictures on Sat. Which by the way is the best advice I have got off of these boards. WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK TO PURCHASE PICTURES! We also prepay our gratuities so there really isn't much that comes out of our checking account. I hope you have a wonderful & funfilled cruise!

[deborahjo]

Thanks deb. How much cash did you put down?

 

We put 400.00 down totally. 200.00 pp. We did not even need to add more

money til thursday. We were on the 8 day Liberty and had 8 free drink coupons and 100.00 OBC. This really helped with out money lasting alot longer.