Cash or Credit? Newbie here!

[Willbe]

Sailing on the Inspiration out of tampa on March 8th for 6 days. Have read several threads, hear alot about drink coupons, S&S cards, etc.... great information on here about cruises!

 

Question is, should I use cash or credit on board? I will be drinking per the spring break trip, most likely alot. What would you say is the most logical way to pay for drinks (beer, mixed drinks, etc). Also dont want to worry about losing something like my Credit card in case someone decides they want to use it, but also losing cash is equally as bad.

 

Advice for a first time cruiser?

[osiebosie]

Everything on board the ship will be on your sail/sign card except for tips for room service and drinks and if you tip extra at the end for staff.

 

I put my s/s on my credit card. It's easy; but you can set up your s/s with cash also. If you are worried about having cash on the ship, there is a safe in your cabin.

 

Have fun on your cruise,

 

Shay

[PetElf]

It's my understanding you pay for your drinks with your S & S card. That way you don't have to worry about carrying cash or credit around.

 

When you embark, they swipe your credit card and put a balance onto the S & S card. Or, you can take cash to the purser's desk and pay cash to create the balance on your S & S card.

 

I'm booked on the Dream, but haven't sailed yet, so I'm not positive of the amounts, etc. But I know the savvy posters here will correct me if I'm wrong. ;)

[Tbay-eh]

Like others say every thing goes on to your s&s card except tipping for room service. Keep a small stash of $1 for those. i use a credit card for my ss card that way I don't have to worry about running out of cash. Drinks automatically add 15% tip on it but the occasional tip thrown the waiters way ensures he/she will be back regularily. You autotips are also put on your ss card so make sure you remember that - I prepay mine so I don't have to worry about that later. Have an awesome cruise

[Willbe]

ok wow thanks alot guys! again u have all been great help! didn't know that about the ships. If i prepay the card with cash, i am allowed to replenish the amount im sure, but will you get a receipt with a remaining balance if prepaid?

[Tbay-eh]

ok wow thanks alot guys! again u have all been great help! didn't know that about the ships. If i prepay the card with cash, i am allowed to replenish the amount im sure, but will you get a receipt with a remaining balance if prepaid?

 

Just remember is you use cash you must have a minimum amount - your autotips (if two of you on a 7 days cruise will per $70 per person = $140 plus $250.00 but can add on and replenish when you are low (they will let you know) and any balance at the end will be refunded by cheque.

[h_blond2]

You pay for everything on the ship using your sail and sign card. The only time you will need cash if for tips and for use in the casinos. I recommend setting up your S&S card using a credit card. That way you won't have to worry about putting more money on the card.

[Willbe]

hmm. i have a debit/credit card. can be used as credit also, so ok that will be the way to go. and ill have some 1's and 5's for tips.

[In2why]

Sailing on the Inspiration out of tampa on March 8th for 6 days. Have read several threads, hear alot about drink coupons, S&S cards, etc.... great information on here about cruises!

 

Question is, should I use cash or credit on board? I will be drinking per the spring break trip, most likely alot. What would you say is the most logical way to pay for drinks (beer, mixed drinks, etc). Also dont want to worry about losing something like my Credit card in case someone decides they want to use it, but also losing cash is equally as bad.

 

Advice for a first time cruiser?

 

 

My son went on his first cruise last year at the wonderful age of 25. They had a blast.....and when he called me afterwards in Miami, I told him to look in a certain part of his suitcase where I had tucked away some cash. He was beyond thrilled, because even though he still had a little bit of money for the road trip back home to VA with his friends, it probably would have meant eating off the dollar menu at McD's. :D

So my advice is to count on spending more money than you think you will, and budget and pace your drinking. Prepay your tips so that you aren't so screwed that you need to be a schmuck and take them off. Other than that, have fun, or as I tell my adult kids....have fun but not too much fun, and if you need bail you are Chit out of luck.

[Willbe]

haha well i am actually 25 also going on my first cruise. and it so happens to be spring break so, i do have high expectation which i do need to drop. and in terms of pacing my drinking, i get it, and do pace myself, but truth be told, i can drink from 11am till 5am, steadily drinking. and its a problem bc of my high tolerence so my bar tabs are usually alot higher then most. hell, drinking from 10pm-2am are often $150. thats the reason im curious if bringing cash would limit me to a certain amt each day, but since it will be S&S card i know i will find myself beating myself up after the cruise. but, being spring break i feel that any money spent will be worth it, regardless of the price (i am on a budget mind you- but budgets are made to be overspent- atleast in my eyes haha).

 

and just to follow up, what happens if, lets say i were to lose my S&S card? someone else can obviously use it, but can it be cancelled retaining the balance to transfer to another? i mean it is spring break and can only imagine 20% of the guests will @ 1 point lose this card..........

[Quampapetet]

I set my cruise cards (and hotel cards) up with a credit card. On the Carnival cruise I was just on, on the last evening I had a bit of cash left over from what I'd brought to use in the ports, so I went to the Guest Services desk and paid off some of my bill with that cash. The rest went on my credit card automatically.

[Cruisertommyboy]

Willbe - First of all if you lose your S&S card just go to Guest Services Desk and they will cancel the old and issue you a new one. Read on one review that the young lady went through 6 in 1 week.

 

Last year I used my Debit Card for my S&S card. You need to be very careful though because they will place holds on your card throughout the week and then at the end put your entire amount through. Depending on your financial institution of how long they keep the holds on your account. Even if it is a Debit/Credit card. This cruise I am putting plenty of cash on my S&S at the beginning and have cash for the casino, tips and buying stuff at the ports. If you have left over money they will slip a check under your door the last night and if you owe money they will make sure you visit GSD before you get off the ship. I was also concerned about bringing a large amount of cash so they get travelers checks this time

 

Have an awesome cruise and really enjoy yourself

 

Tom

[G&TQ]

You can limit you S&S card. Go to the purser and tell them that you want to limit to x amount. If you hit your limit staff will let you know. next day swing by the pursurs desk and tell them to limit it to x+x and so on. DH and I just set a amount for each of us each day. We will say $50 each each day and then one of us will swing by the pursurs desk for a copy of our bill just to make sure we are in balance. I think on some ships you can check you balance on your tv. Just think of how much you want to spend and budget it like you would do on land and then there is no real shocker at the end of the cruise.

We use our credit card, which we do with everything anyway, but we track what we spend and pay it off when the cc bill comes. If you can't pay the cc bill when it comes I would recomend cash.

[All4fun&fun4all]

I intend on using cash for my deposit. I used a debit card last time and my bank kept the holds on there for wayyy too long. :eek:

So, I see everyone is saying to go to the purser's desk to put cash on your S&S card. However, while checking in, can I put the cash down before I get on the ship? If I recall correctly you have to establish your monies before they let you on, right?

[RWolver672]

I intend on using cash for my deposit. I used a debit card last time and my bank kept the holds on there for wayyy too long. :eek:

So, I see everyone is saying to go to the purser's desk to put cash on your S&S card. However, while checking in, can I put the cash down before I get on the ship? If I recall correctly you have to establish your monies before they let you on, right?

 

You can only set up your S&S account with a credit card prior to boarding. If you are going to back it up with cash, you have to do it after you board at the Purser's Desk.

[All4fun&fun4all]

You can only set up your S&S account with a credit card prior to boarding. If you are going to back it up with cash, you have to do it after you board at the Purser's Desk.

 

Wow, that stinks. What about people who dont have credit cards? Just curious. I dont have any credit cards but I do have a debit card. But what if someone has neither? :confused:

[crzndeb]

Willbe,

 

If you are that big of a drinker, I would suggest you pre-purchase alcohol from the Bon Voyage Dept, that you can pre-pay and will be waiting for you, in your room, when you arrive.

 

While the costs per liter are a bit high ($40-65), it will save you in the long run from buying the drinks at the bar with the additional 15% gratuity added on. Somebody probably has the list and phone number handy they can add to this thread....

 

Here's the 800 number and recent price list

 

BonVoyage – 800-522-7648

Price List as of 2/22/10

__________________________________________________ __

Rums:

Capt Morgan Spiced, Gosling, Appleton VX, Bacardi $40.

Malibu $55

__________________________

Vodkas:

Absolute Citron, Stoli , Skye and Finlandia $40

Grey Goose, and 3 olives $60

__________________________

Gin:

Beefeater $40

Slow Gin $40

Bombay Sapphire $55

__________________________

Canadian Whiskeys:

Canadian Club and Seagram’s 7 $38

Crown Royal and Jamison $55

___________________________

Scotch:

Dewar’s $60

Chivas Regal $60

Johnny Walker/Black $70

___________________________

Bourbon:

Jack Daniels $65

Maker’s Mark $60

Jim Beam $38

___________________________

Tequila:

1800 - $55

Margaritaville $40

Salsa Hornitas (Sp) $60

Patron Silver $70

___________________________

After Dinner:

Raspberry Liquor $40

Frangelico $45

Jagermeister $60

Chambord $60

Limoncello $60

___________________________

Amaretto:

Disaronna $45

___________________________

Brandy

Courvoisier $55

Apricot, Blackberry, and Cherry $40

[smileyrnc]

Just went on my first cruise 1 1/2 weeks ago! We set up a cash account because I was concerned about the holds on our debit card. It was super easy. When you do your fun pass info on the computer just click for a cash account. When you go to check in, they will ask to see the credit card you used for your fun pass, just tell them you want to set up a cash account(guy looked at our info and was like "oh yes I see that, just stop by guest relations after you board), we boarded early so when we wnt to the desk , the woman told us to return in about 30mins because they were still clearing the previous sailings accounts. We went and got a drink, used our Sign and Sail card, no problem(woman at guest relations said we could still use the card) when to guest relations after our drink and set up our account. When ever we wanted we checked our balance and added more cash if needed! Best thing is no credit card bill! I plan on using cash again next time we sail!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Just went on my first cruise 1 1/2 weeks ago! We set up a cash account because I was concerned about the holds on our debit card. It was super easy. When you do your fun pass info on the computer just click for a cash account. When you go to check in, they will ask to see the credit card you used for your fun pass, just tell them you want to set up a cash account(guy looked at our info and was like "oh yes I see that, just stop by guest relations after you board), we boarded early so when we wnt to the desk , the woman told us to return in about 30mins because they were still clearing the previous sailings accounts. We went and got a drink, used our Sign and Sail card, no problem(woman at guest relations said we could still use the card) when to guest relations after our drink and set up our account. When ever we wanted we checked our balance and added more cash if needed! Best thing is no credit card bill! I plan on using cash again next time we sail!

AWESOME! Thanks Smiley! I was wondering how to set this up! ;)

[RWolver672]

Wow, that stinks. What about people who dont have credit cards? Just curious. I dont have any credit cards but I do have a debit card. But what if someone has neither? :confused:

 

You can use a debit card. If you don't have either a debit or credit card, you put cash down after you board the ship at the Purser's Desk.