sign and sail accnt CASH ONLY

[MissDiva1]

There are many reasons people use cash instead of credit. Some people use cash because they have no credit or have bad credit. Some people use cash because they don't want to be in debt. Some people use credit because they have no cash. It is a personal decision and really isn't anyone's business. Yes, some people just prefer to use cash. The benefits of using a credit card to one person may not be beneficial to another. It's all a matter of personal opinion.

 

Some people may have excellent protection using their credit cards. What about the people who have been a victim of identity theft? Getting that mess cleared up on your credit card is only a small precentage of the problem. Have you ever had the pleasant experience of trying to get your credit straightened out with credit bureau's? It is a long, time-consuming pain in the butt!

 

I really don't think it's right for someone to down another for using cash. Their are advantages and disadvantages to both.

 

 

All credit cards are insured and protected....you get a statement once a month, if you see something unusual you call and they take care of it.....

[bar1068]

It is just freaken amazing how far from the original topic these "discussions" get, and then how some hijack threads like this and push their own agenda's or opinions that are not totaly related to the original topic.

 

This topic started out with the OP asking questions about using cash to establish their cruise on board spending account. I asked follow on questions about options for establishing an on board account, with cash, but without having to stop by the pursers or customer service desk once on board to do so. I have 2 youg people in my family cruising with us next month, who will of course need to have their on board accounts set up, who are going to do so WITH CASH because they do not yet have credit cards, or established credit and are at a point in their lives where they do not yet need credit cards and any perceived or any other benefits that come with them. Period, end of story. No need here to be lectured on the pros' of using CC's why it's "sensless" or ignorant to use cash, or the use of cash denotes a credit problem needing resolution before cruising. None of that applies here. Credit vs. cash, why some do or don't or won't or prefer to use one or the other WAS NOT WHAT was asked about here. Same with "Fun Ship Dollars" which can be used to fund the on board expense account in the form of OBC, accomplishes the same thing. If you don't get it, don't need it fine, no need to "discuss" it then.

 

For those that prefer using credit cards and the "perks" they they get from them, fine, enjoy them, use them to their fullest for what they provide you. But telling others why their decision that THEY CHOOSE to use cash is wrong or is a flawed financial decision does not apply here.

[itchin2cruz]

It is just freaken amazing how far from the original topic these "discussions" get, and then how some hijack threads like this and push their own agenda's or opinions that are not totaly related to the original topic.

 

This topic started out with the OP asking questions about using cash to establish their cruise on board spending account. I asked follow on questions about options for establishing an on board account, with cash, but without having to stop by the pursers or customer service desk once on board to do so. I have 2 youg people in my family cruising with us next month, who will of course need to have their on board accounts set up, who are going to do so WITH CASH because they do not yet have credit cards, or established credit and are at a point in their lives where they do not yet need credit cards and any perceived or any other benefits that come with them. Period, end of story. No need here to be lectured on the pros' of using CC's why it's "sensless" or ignorant to use cash, or the use of cash denotes a credit problem needing resolution before cruising. None of that applies here. Credit vs. cash, why some do or don't or won't or prefer to use one or the other WAS NOT WHAT was asked about here.

 

For those that prefer using credit cards and the "perks" they they get from them, fine, enjoy them, use them to their fullest for what they provide you. But stop telling others why their decision that THEY CHOOSE to use cash is wrong or is a flawed financial decision. None of that applies here.

 

Thank you

[girlscruise2011]

I was told once by someone that I have prestine credit. My husbands score is in the low 800s and mine is in the 790s. I have a credit card with ample availability. I have a house with lots of equity. I choose to use cash on my S&S card for my own reasons. Its what works best for me. If people choose to use their credit cards for points, OBCs, whatevery reason and its works for them...good for them. Niether one is better then the other. Its what we all choose. Just because people use cash and not credit cards doesn't mean they are a financial wreck. Even if it is...its their business, not yours! So do as you want and let us people with "cash flow" do what we want.

[girlscruise2011]

It is just freaken amazing how far from the original topic these "discussions" get, and then how some hijack threads like this and push their own agenda's or opinions that are not totaly related to the original topic.

 

This topic started out with the OP asking questions about using cash to establish their cruise on board spending account. I asked follow on questions about options for establishing an on board account, with cash, but without having to stop by the pursers or customer service desk once on board to do so. I have 2 youg people in my family cruising with us next month, who will of course need to have their on board accounts set up, who are going to do so WITH CASH because they do not yet have credit cards, or established credit and are at a point in their lives where they do not yet need credit cards and any perceived or any other benefits that come with them. Period, end of story. No need here to be lectured on the pros' of using CC's why it's "sensless" or ignorant to use cash, or the use of cash denotes a credit problem needing resolution before cruising. None of that applies here. Credit vs. cash, why some do or don't or won't or prefer to use one or the other WAS NOT WHAT was asked about here. Same with "Fun Ship Dollars" which can be used to fund the on board expense account in the form of OBC, accomplishes the same thing. If you don't get it, don't need it fine, no need to "discuss" it then.

 

For those that prefer using credit cards and the "perks" they they get from them, fine, enjoy them, use them to their fullest for what they provide you. But telling others why their decision that THEY CHOOSE to use cash is wrong or is a flawed financial decision does not apply here.

 

 

Well Said ;)

[dclark]

. Its what works best for me. If people choose to use their credit cards for points, OBCs, whatevery reason and its works for them...good for them. Niether one is better then the other. Its what we all choose. .

 

No one has yet posted the advantage of bringing large sums of cash on board or purchasing travelors cheques- why is that? I posted the adavantages of using a credit card.

If you are afraid of spending too much $ and that is why you bring cash, then that really is a personal problem.

Saying "neither one is better" is totally incorrect. As I pointed out, CC is safer and allows accumulation of points. What's wrong with saving $1,000's of dollars on your vacation? Are you so rich that you walk around with large white bags of money with an "$" printed on the side?

[Scrapenthusiast]

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 about this!!! You are the first person on CC that I've seen talk about this option! Sounds good to me! :D:D

[Scrapenthusiast]

What the heck kind of BS statement/reply is this? Where did you get off making assumptions about anyones financial status. This thread is discussing options for opening an onboard Sign and Sail account, using cash or credit cards. IF folks like the young folks traveling with us choose to use cash instead of a CC, that's their choice and has no bearing on their credit status or whether they should cruise or not. And not that it's any of your freaken business, but I paid for these folks to cruise and am helping them setup their S&S on board accounts, with cash and looking at options.

 

I know right?! Why oh why must folks flame every single discussion:(....the nerve of some people! I'm glad you set that person straight! ;):D

[Scrapenthusiast]

No one has yet posted the advantage of bringing large sums of cash on board or purchasing travelors cheques- why is that? I posted the adavantages of using a credit card.

If you are afraid of spending too much $ and that is why you bring cash, then that really is a personal problem.

Saying "neither one is better" is totally incorrect. As I pointed out, CC is safer and allows accumulation of points. What's wrong with saving $1,000's of dollars on your vacation? Are you so rich that you walk around with large white bags of money with an "$" printed on the side?

 

The bottom line is who cares?! This thread was about USING CASH!

[MissDiva1]

The bottom line is who cares?! This thread was about USING CASH!

 

It just very well could be that some people are not aware of the perks of using a cc.......

[deena26]

So since I've been making deposits to my S & S card through Guest Relations, do I just leave the Credit Card info blank on the questionairre, then when I board the ship my card will be handed to me loaded with the funds?? That does sound way too easy.

[Fishon28]

People have their own reasons for using cash or credit. We shouldn't judge them for those reasons.

 

I have used only credit cards for S&S accounts so far but this is the first cruise I will be using cash. I actually saved up 2K in cash over three months in a safe so I feel like bringing just cash with my credit card in case of emergency. If there were any time of savings or points to earn I would use the credit card.

[girlscruise2011]

No one has yet posted the advantage of bringing large sums of cash on board or purchasing travelors cheques- why is that? I posted the adavantages of using a credit card.

If you are afraid of spending too much $ and that is why you bring cash, then that really is a personal problem.

Saying "neither one is better" is totally incorrect. As I pointed out, CC is safer and allows accumulation of points. What's wrong with saving $1,000's of dollars on your vacation? Are you so rich that you walk around with large white bags of money with an "$" printed on the side?

 

Maybe I am that rich and don't care about saving $1000s of dollars. Again, my business. As far as the money bags...they are hidden with my rum runners :D

[girlscruise2011]

Thanks for posting about this!!! You are the first person on CC that I've seen talk about this option! Sounds good to me! :D:D

 

Your very welcome. Just giving info based on the original question of the thread.

[girlscruise2011]

So since I've been making deposits to my S & S card through Guest Relations, do I just leave the Credit Card info blank on the questionairre, then when I board the ship my card will be handed to me loaded with the funds?? That does sound way too easy.

 

Where you set up your Expense account, you would just click "cash account". They should know you have the OBCs on your S&S when you board but if your asked just tell them and I'm sure they can look it up. When I did it in November I just remember being handed my card but not 100% sure.

[feeallen]

what happens if you use funship dollars on your s&s account and have money left over?

[itchin2cruz]

maybe i am that rich and don't care about saving $1000s of dollars. Again, my business. As far as the money bags...they are hidden with my rum runners :d

 

love it!

[girlscruise2011]

what happens if you use funship dollars on your s&s account and have money left over?

 

Funship Dollars are refundable. They will cut you a check for the balance. What I usually do is on the last night I go to the pursers desk and close out my account. You wont be able to charge anything else. They give you a check and then they will cash it for you. If you don't do it the last night, they will put a check under your door the morning of disembarkment. Usually the line at the pursers desk is long so if you have any questions of charges, be prepared to wait. That is one reason why I do it the night before. If you have an account in the casino, that is totally seperate. Make sure you cash that out on the last night also.

[Martini Mom]

Thanks everyone for the great info on cash S&S accounts :D. Very helpful! Regarding the troublemaker, I don't feel the need to state my personal reasons for using cash. Bottom line, it works for us. :)

[cdamion]

No one has yet posted the advantage of bringing large sums of cash on board or purchasing travelors cheques- why is that? I posted the adavantages of using a credit card.

If you are afraid of spending too much $ and that is why you bring cash, then that really is a personal problem.

Saying "neither one is better" is totally incorrect. As I pointed out, CC is safer and allows accumulation of points. What's wrong with saving $1,000's of dollars on your vacation? Are you so rich that you walk around with large white bags of money with an "$" printed on the side?

 

Here's a good reason - from personal experience a month ago. I embarked on my last cruise on June 3, 2011. On June 2, 2011 at 4:30pm I discovered my card had been compromised and had over $1000 of fraudulent charges. I had to cancel the card. No way for me to get a replacement by the time I had to get my 5am flight to MIA the next morning.

 

Luckily for the 1st time ever, I prepaid for all of my shore excursions in the weeks preceding the cruise, plus I put several hundred dollars on my on board account (on RCI). Luckily I had another card to use for bag fees, rental cars, hotels, food in MIA, etc. It worked out well just to have everything prepaid and with my prepaid OBC, I still knew that I had plenty of room on my other card in case of emergency.

[twylla29]

im going with cash. i heard that they put holds on your credit cards. so i am purchasing funship dollars ahead of time to use as OBC thanks girls for the great advice.

[LUVMYGSDOG]

im going with cash. i heard that they put holds on your credit cards. so i am purchasing funship dollars ahead of time to use as OBC thanks girls for the great advice.

 

 

I'm going this route too.

[mumtopugs]

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 disagree. I was able to get my financial house in order by switching to cash only systems. Instead of swiping blindly, or managing balances in my head, I know exactly where I stand at all times. I consider myself much more financially successful than most Americans and cannot remember the last time I swiped a credit card. It also makes it so that my teens can't mismanage their S&S.

[RuthlessBoss]

I disagree. I was able to get my financial house in order by switching to cash only systems. Instead of swiping blindly, or managing balances in my head, I know exactly where I stand at all times. I consider myself much more financially successful than most Americans and cannot remember the last time I swiped a credit card. It also makes it so that my teens can't mismanage their S&S.

To me, cash on a cruise so there's no hold on the debit card. The amount of the hold varies according to what they see as spending habits. I didn't know this till one cruise I immediately put a large amount on my S&S card as soon as I embarked. I guess they assumed I would continue to spend that way. Last 2 cruises were almost back to back when I discovered this unusual hold. That would interfere with cruise #2, so I used cash option starting at the kiosk. Now, I'll always use cash option and add money as needed.

[imnance]

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

 

 

This.^ No way am I running back and forth to the purser's desk all cruise.