sign and sail accnt CASH ONLY

[crusingluver2009]

under our sign and sail account we intend on using cash only. i understand this is on carnivals website somewhere but i cant seem to find it. so my question is how much of our cash is going to go towards the deposit, and with it being a deposit will the funds be held and given back at the end of the cruise? EXAMPLE

 

we take 1,500.00 cash for spending on our cruise. how much of that are we going to actually be able to spend on the cruise, or will some be witheld for deposit purposes and returned aftercruise, or will all of the money be available forthe whole cruise?

 

also, how much money do you think is acceptable to bring for spending in ports on a 7 night cruise? i dont want to be having lot of cash in our safe, but i want to be sure we are prepared if we find something in ports we really want.

 

thanks

[Justsyd]

I believe on a 7 day cruise Carnival asks for $200.00 per person. You can put $400.00 down, and add more as needed, or if you don't use it all, Carnival will refund it to you at the end of the cruise.

 

I think you're bringing a good amount for your cruise. That's about what we bring for two people for a 7 day.

[itchin2cruz]

I have always used cash. They may recommend $200 but you can put $50 down if you want and you can spend it down to the last penny.. I'm not sure if tips affect that because I have always prepaid tips.

[girlscruise2011]

I've always done cash on my S&S card. Started last year with $200 and put more down as needed. I don't bring cash though. I use travelers cheques. The other thing to consider is if you put down all that cash, they don't let you "withdraw" from it if you need money in ports. Some have said you can get cash in the casino's from the slot machines but I also read that they are starting to limit the amount. I don't know for sure on that, I've never done it myself. You can always go to the desk and cash travelers cheques for the ports if you need. As far as the amount...my and my DH gamble so we usually bring that amount for a 4/5 night cruise but anything on the S&S card left over, we have received a check for when the cruise was over.

[marshhawk]

On the Legend, DH got a seperate S&S card with Cash for his gambling, the night before disembarkment he received a check from Carnival. His winnings that he didn't claim from our last cruise came to him in a check several months ago.

 

As far as how much to put on the card? Well if you did not prepay gratuities, it's 10 dollars a day per person-then figure how many drinks you may order, including soda pop. Will you gamble, put that on the card, will you buy some family photographs, put that on the card. Will you get an onboard massage, play Bingo? Take specialty gym classes? Yes, put that on the card. Using a specialty restaurant like Chef's table or Steakhouse, put that on the card. Coffee from the coffee shop? Put that on the card. What yo do not use, you will get back in check form, not cash.

/FONT]

 

Heads up on travelers checks-since they can now be forged less businesses are accepting them. Just FYI.

[*Mach*]

When you look at Carnival.com all of the amounts listed are recommended... not mandatory... and all of that money is available, none of it is held back. So, if you put $1000 on your Sail & Sign account you have $1000 available to spend on the ship as you wish.

:)

From Carnival:

Cash Deposit:

U.S. Currency and Traveler's Checks may be used to open your Sail & Sign Account. Once on board, please visit our Guest Services Desk who will gladly assist you in opening your account. Throughout the cruise, as you approach the deposit limit, our Guest Services Desk will notify you that additional money must be deposited.

 

"Recommended" deposits per sailing duration:

2-4 day cruises: $100 deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 deposit pp

9+ day cruises: $350 deposit pp

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/faq/default.aspx?icid=CC_Header_466#q-544999

[chasinraynbowz]

It really depends.

 

I plan $100 per day. We don't use nearly that amount, but its there. If you are taking $1500, I would put part of that towards your sign and sail and the rest in your safe and use it when you are in port. Have you paid for your excursions yet? If not and if you are going to be doing ships excursions, have enough money for those on your S&S too.

 

For us, we don't drink. We may have one or two, but thats it. We do gamble (with cash, not our S&S) and we do buy a picture or two. We also purchase a few things in the shops on board. So for us, $100 a day is quite sufficient.

 

Also remember, if you get close to the end of your money on your S&S account, you can deposit more.

[cruznduo]

Do you put the cash on your account right when you check in for the cruise? Also, if you decide you want to use your credit card after you have sailed, can you change to that instead of cash? We have always used our credit card, so just wondering.

[bar1068]

Related to this, as I've organized a "group" cruise on the Pride next month, I've a few folks interested in using cash. What options are there for making the "cash deposits" towards the S&S account?

 

I understand it can be done at guest services on the ship, but how about when checking in during embarkation at the port, in our case the port in Baltimore? Can we establish the S&S account in port and give them cash?? Would be a better choice if it can be done, avoids any "delays" once on board, but can't seem find out for sure what options there are for using cash for establishing the S&S account.

[GTO-Girl]

We always give them a credit card number BUT we go down to the Purser's desk the evening before we get off the ship and pay the whole account off with cash.

 

That way we have no credit card charges, and were able to hold on to our money until then just in case we had found something during the cruise we just "couldn't live without".......LOL

[itchin2cruz]

I have always went to the purser's desk right after getting on the ship. Out of 3 cruises so far, I have never had to wait more than 2 or 3 minutes. It isn't that much of an inconvenience lol. I wait in line at walmart alot longer than that. I put a few hundred dollars on it and then just add to it when I start getting low on funds. At the end of the cruise, you will receive a check for the balance and can take it to the purser's desk and have it cashed.

[girlscruise2011]

Related to this, as I've organized a "group" cruise on the Pride next month, I've a few folks interested in using cash. What options are there for making the "cash deposits" towards the S&S account?

 

I understand it can be done at guest services on the ship, but how about when checking in during embarkation at the port, in our case the port in Baltimore? Can we establish the S&S account in port and give them cash?? Would be a better choice if it can be done, avoids any "delays" once on board, but can't seem find out for sure what options there are for using cash for establishing the S&S account.

 

Everyone can call before hand and buy "fun ship dollars" to apply to their account as OBCs and just go to the pursers desk when the line is short to add more if need be. Thats how I did it in November, very convenient and added more the next day when there wasn't a line at the desk. Got me through the embarkation quicker too. Had my card handed to me and off I went.

[DES07]

We always use cash now on our S&S cards, and the night before we arrive home we go to the customer service desk and close our account and they refund us the money that is left on the card in cash. But, if you do any gambling make sure you close that account first other wise you lose the winnings on your card. It's like you have two different accounts on one card.

[bar1068]

Everyone can call before hand and buy "fun ship dollars" to apply to their account as OBCs and just go to the pursers desk when the line is short to add more if need be. Thats how I did it in November, very convenient and added more the next day when there wasn't a line at the desk. Got me through the embarkation quicker too. Had my card handed to me and off I went.

 

Hmmm...I think I heard this once before....Mind giving me a quick "how does that work" run down? Thanks.

[girlscruise2011]

Hmmm...I think I heard this once before....Mind giving me a quick "how does that work" run down? Thanks.

 

I just called the Bon Voyage Department and gave them my credit card # over the phone and they automatically applied it to my account. You can also buy them online but make sure they fill them out with their booking # in the address section and to put "apply as on board credit" or else they will be mailed to them. I'm not sure if I can put the link here for you but if you just search "carnival fun ship dollars" it comes right up with the link.

 

I think its easier to take the 10 minutes to call. Here is the number and hours

 

toll free, at 1-800-906-7603 during the following hours:

 

Monday - Saturday 8:00am - 8:30pm, Eastern Time

Phone orders are accepted up to one week prior to sailing. Visa, MasterCard, Discover® Network and American Express accepted.

[bar1068]

I just called the Bon Voyage Department and gave them my credit card # over the phone and they automatically applied it to my account. You can also buy them online but make sure they fill them out with their booking # in the address section and to put "apply as on board credit" or else they will be mailed to them. I'm not sure if I can put the link here for you but if you just search "carnival fun ship dollars" it comes right up with the link.

 

I think its easier to take the 10 minutes to call. Here is the number and hours

 

toll free, at 1-800-906-7603 during the following hours:

 

Monday - Saturday 8:00am - 8:30pm, Eastern Time

Phone orders are accepted up to one week prior to sailing. Visa, MasterCard, Discover® Network and American Express accepted.

 

Thanks for posting this girlscruise, we kind of like this option and will be looking into it!!

[firstcruiseoct11]

This thread was very helpful. I am going on my first cruise in October and we plan on using cash only for our S&S acct. I had got mixed answers in the past about them still requiring a CC to open the acct.

[chasinraynbowz]

We have used cash on all but one cruise and its never been an issue.

 

We go directly to the Guest Services desk as soon as we get on the ship. There usually isn't a line (or if there is, there is only one or two people). Once we make our deposit, we head up to the Lido deck.

 

On the last night of the cruise, usually right before or right after dinner, we go close our our account and get whatever is left over in cash.

[Granny1]

If I buy OBC or funship dollars before I cruise will I be able to enjoy my first drink of the day without stopping at the pursers desk..;)

[itchin2cruz]

This thread was very helpful. I am going on my first cruise in October and we plan on using cash only for our S&S acct. I had got mixed answers in the past about them still requiring a CC to open the acct.

 

This will be my 4th cruise using cash. It's a good thing they don't require a cc or debit card because I wouldn't be cruising. I don't have either.

[dclark]

There is no reason to use cash instead of CC. If you lack the credit to get a credit card, then rather than cruise, you should focus on shoring up your credit and get your financial house in order.

[girlscruise2011]

If I buy OBC or funship dollars before I cruise will I be able to enjoy my first drink of the day without stopping at the pursers desk..;)

 

Granny...when you get to check in you have to have something on your S&S, be it OBC, Cash or a Credit Card linked to it so either way you will be able to have that first DOD as soon as you board. I was only suggesting that if you are planning on doing cash, to buy the Fun Ship Dollars before your sail to get through the embarkment process quicker and then add money throughout the cruise as needed...have one of those DODs for me please :D

[girlscruise2011]

Thanks for posting this girlscruise, we kind of like this option and will be looking into it!!

 

Your very welcome...this is what I plan on doing before my cruise in October. The faster I get on the ship and get that first DOD, the better :D

[girlscruise2011]

There is no reason to use cash instead of CC. If you lack the credit to get a credit card, then rather than cruise, you should focus on shoring up your credit and get your financial house in order.

 

I have a credit card with plenty of availability on it. I just prefer to use cash. This way once I leave the boat I don't have to worry about mysterious charges showing up on my card. Some people choose not to have credit cards, doesn't mean they have financial issues.

[bar1068]

If I buy OBC or funship dollars before I cruise will I be able to enjoy my first drink of the day without stopping at the pursers desk..;)

 

Thats what were talking about Granny!!!