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I'm going on my first cruise over the Thanksgiving weekend, to Nassau from Miami. The person booking the cruise already included the gratuities in the payment, and I guess meals onboard (for the most part) are included. So my question is this: I don't want to give Carnival my debit/credit card for incidentals during the short trip because of the $100 hold they immediately take from you. There's no way I'm going to be spending that kind of money for myself (not a drinker or gambler). So....can I just give them $50 CASH to get a "Sail & Sign" account that way?
Also, what is the difference between a S&S account and "Cruise Cash?" Are they basically the same thing?
What the big deal about $100 hold especially if the buyer already paid for your tips? You won't spend 100 bucks on a trip? Why not buy the nice buyer something onboard with it?
I think the cash is also $100, not $50. The hold of $100 on your credit card would just be pending and not post on your account. As long as you watch your spending, then you will be fine. Be prepare to know your way around on Carnival cruise ship because you are on your own most of the time unless you are VIP, which I don't think you are.
What the big deal about $100 hold especially if the buyer already paid for your tips? You won't spend 100 bucks on a trip? Why not buy the nice buyer something onboard with it?
Because I have one credit card and it's at the limit, not that's it's any of your business. Plus my brother may have covered my tips, but this isn't a "free" trip for me. I'm reimbursing him for everything.
Ships are "cash less". In general if you spend part of the $100 you will be asked to add more cash. I think the same would happen if used part of your cc cards 100. Since you have time I would try and pay down a couple of hundred on the cc and use that.
I'm going on my first cruise over the Thanksgiving weekend, to Nassau from Miami. The person booking the cruise already included the gratuities in the payment, and I guess meals onboard (for the most part) are included. So my question is this: I don't want to give Carnival my debit/credit card for incidentals during the short trip because of the $100 hold they immediately take from you. There's no way I'm going to be spending that kind of money for myself (not a drinker or gambler). So....can I just give them $50 CASH to get a "Sail & Sign" account that way?
Also, what is the difference between a S&S account and "Cruise Cash?" Are they basically the same thing?
Thanks!
I've been on Carnival four times. Cruise Cash is just money used on the ship that you PRE-pay. This way, you'll know that you've taken care of any extra purchases you may make before you get the final bill. The S & S account is just your running list of extra purchases you make on the ship. The ship is cashless. So, if you get a drink, they will swipe your S&S card. You buy a premium latte coffee drink at the fancy coffee bar and they will swipe your S&S card. You buy something from the gift shops, and they swipe your S&S card. At the end of the trip, you will be presented with the bill for all the extra things you've purchased.
You can buy Cruise Cash ahead of time so that you'll have money already on your account. Or, when you check in, you can indicate that you want to use cash onboard. You'll have to give them the cash.
If you want to remove the credit card from the S&S card, you can put down cash when you board at the customer desk. We went on our first cruise last Christmas (OMG, SO MUCH FUN). We went on Carnival from Long Beach to Catalina to Ensenada and back. We didn't understand the cash thing either...the post above sums it up pretty well.
You may not drink or gamble but you might see a knick knack you like at one of the stores, or maybe something at the candy shop - whatever it is, it's there if you want it. Also, at the end of the cruise, if your balance is over, say $10 (can't remember), they'll send you that money back. If it's under, you either spend it or donate it to some charity. Believe me, I spent it and then some - we went a little nuts with "stuff" and drinks. We never drink, truly, but something about fruity drinks on Christmas day was just too much fun.
Anyway, hope you have a great experience - it's the attitude you have going in that makes your trip great!
When you do the online check-in, you can select using cash for your onboard account. You might be able to add the cash to your account at check-in while still on shore, or you can go to the Guest services desk on board the first day to add cash to your account. You might need to put more that $50 into the account, though, but since it is only a 3 day cruise you might get by. If you plan on buying drinks while on board, $50 may not go far.
You can go to the guest services desk the last morning just before you get off and get any cash back that is still in your account.
Have a good time on the cruise.
If you want to save 10% on your cash account, you can go to "AARP Rewards for Good" online, join(do not have to be 55yo), and collect points. For every 1000 points you can buy a $100 gift card for Carnival that will only cost you $90. Then you can go to guest services with the card. Downside is, you might not get cash back at the end. Any funds left over will get sent to you with another card that can be used on another cruise. A way around that is to go to the casino and transfer money from your S&S account into a casino account, gamble a little and cash out. It will take about 10 days to get the card in the mail.
When you do the online check-in, you can select using cash for your onboard account. You might be able to add the cash to your account at check-in while still on shore, or you can go to the Guest services desk on board the first day to add cash to your account. You might need to put more that $50 into the account, though, but since it is only a 3 day cruise you might get by. If you plan on buying drinks while on board, $50 may not go far.
You can go to the guest services desk the last morning just before you get off and get any cash back that is still in your account.
Have a good time on the cruise.
If you want to save 10% on your cash account, you can go to "AARP Rewards for Good" online, join(do not have to be 55yo), and collect points. For every 1000 points you can buy a $100 gift card for Carnival that will only cost you $90. Then you can go to guest services with the card. Downside is, you might not get cash back at the end. Any funds left over will get sent to you with another card that can be used on another cruise. A way around that is to go to the casino and transfer money from your S&S account into a casino account, gamble a little and cash out. It will take about 10 days to get the card in the mail.
Be advised that there may be 100 people ahead of you in that line, disputing charges or getting money back. If you go this route, get down to the desk EARLY. I've seen the guest services desk on the last day look like the mall on Black Friday.
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