polphi

I just purchased casino chips using AARP cards, and found a limit of $1,000 per transaction, and $1,500 for our overall booking. I hadn't seen data points anywhere else discussing these limits. I wonder if limits per booking vary?

Thank you Real and Mary! I got the gift card option after the "complete transaction" prompt, which is a bit unusual, but it worked. Oddly, I can't seem to get the gift card option to stick when trying to pre-pay gratuities. It showed up briefly for a second, but went away upon refresh, allowing only a credit card. Have others been able to pay this with gift cards? I'm guessing a glitch on my end. Edited to add: when I try to add a beverage package, it lets me "apply gift card". But it won't let me check out without paying a $50 balance due because of a name change. Then when I remove beverage package and add the pre-paid gratuities, it removes the "pay $50 balance" AND the option for gift card payments.

I did. There it lets you purchase OBC with a credit card. But there is nothing about depositing / applying gift cards...?

Thanks, but I can't see where it can be done from the "managing your cruise" page...would someone kindly elaborate? TIA!

Does anyone know what the cutoff time is (if any) for depositing these AARP gift cards into your OBC before sailing? I called HAL and even their supervisor wasn't sure. We're sailing on Sunday Sept 3, hoping it isn't too late. TIA.

Interesting Eliane. Have you (or others) seen any data points or company statements indicating a shift on this? TIA.

Thank you for the welcome, and the thoughtful replies! This community is a great resource. This is helpful. Nic6318 makes a fair point too: the cruise was indeed offered to me, not my family member, and they could make the argument that I was trying to transfer the offer. Of course I have documentation attesting to the family emergency which is causing me to miss the trip--but they may not care, and the T&C certainly don't require them to. Will keep monitoring this thread closely, and will certainly follow up with whatever we end up doing so others can benefit however possible. Thanks again, everyone!

Greetings All, I am scheduled to take a 6-day Carnival cruise next Saturday with a family member (same last name). I can no longer attend, and am about to contact my cabin mate to advise him I cannot go, and of his remaining options. -The cruise was booked in my name, on my account, at a promotional rate (taxes, deposit, and fees only). -He may want to take the cruise and occupy the cabin without me. -He may prefer to have another family member accompany him. -I also have friends who live at the port of departure who may go in our stead. -I do not have trip insurance. -I last sailed on Carnival 20 years ago, and have no idea how much good a personal appeal might do. Reading through Carnival's policies, it's clear (and understandable) that we are not eligible for a refund. Accordingly, I am willing to eat the cost of the cruise if it comes to that. However, I would love to give my family member the option of inviting someone else, which *seems* like it should be within policy, since one of the two folks originally booking the cruise will still go (apologies if I missed something!) Any advice or suggestions on how to best handle this situation would be most appreciated. Thank you for your time!