Sign & Sail linked to debit card

[Gold Mine Gal]

I think holds depend on your bank. We used our debit card once and different holds came through reducing our checking balance, then Carnival posted the balance due and that was deducted from checking balance. In essence, double charges. About 5-6 days later the holds came off and our checking balance was finally correct. Don't know if it took Carnival that long to clear our account or if it took that long for the bank to correct. I can see those who do not have enough to cover twice the charges could end up with extra charges through no fault of their own.

 

We now only use a CC for our cruises.:)

[Gold Mine Gal]

I think holds depend on your bank. We used our debit card once and different holds came through reducing our checking balance, then Carnival posted the balance due and that was deducted from checking balance. In essence, double charges. About 5-6 days later the holds came off and our checking balance was finally correct. Don't know if it took Carnival that long to clear our account or if it took that long for the bank to correct. I can see those who do not have enough to cover twice the charges could end up with extra charges through no fault of their own.

 

We now only use a CC for our cruises.:)

 

Forgot to mention, during the 5-6 days of waiting, other expenses, bills, etc. were posted. We carry sufficient balance so were not worried. Safe side, use cash or CC.

[RuthlessBoss]

The merchant places the "Hold" or "Pending".

The financial institution "guarantees" those funds.

 

The financial institution has the final say as to whether you as a customer see those Holds or Pendings whether it's a credit card or a debit card. Just because you didn't see the hold, doesn't mean it wasn't there. It's also the financial institutions decision as to when those holds or pendings are removed and your available credit or cash is given back for you to use.

 

I use cash now, but previously used a debit card. Yes, there is generally a hold or pending on your account for a few days after a cruise. That hold can mess you up if your funds are low and you want to make purchases or pay a bill.

[Seago2]

I have always used a debit card with Carnival. In my experience they have put a series of $200 holds as my onboard account has climbed. My bank balance changes for the first 24-48 hours after debarkation as the actual charges come in and the holds are released. I don't use credit cards, if I did I would have ten cruises booked right now :D. Cash seems like too much of a pain in the neck. I've never had a problem and have used a debit card with every single cruise I've taken with the exception of Cunard, when I was a lucky kid and my parents were paying...

[bajangoddess82]

I use cash now, but previously used a debit card. Yes, there is generally a hold or pending on your account for a few days after a cruise. That hold can mess you up if your funds are low and you want to make purchases or pay a bill.

 

^^^ Me too! On my first cruise I used my debit card for my S&S account. I really don't remember if there was ever a hold on it. I don't want to risk the fees anymore so now I just use cash. It must just depend on which bank you have...

[deborahjo]

We have used a Cash Account for several cruises. No big deal. Last year we bought the Carnival Gift Cards. When we boarded we went to the Kiosk and put x amount from the gift cards. As we got low we just added more money thru the gift cards. The next to the last night we just loaded all of the gift cards we had left. We then went to the casino on the last night and cashed out. No problem Very easy for us.

 

Used our debit card once and it was nothing but trouble. For us it was trouble so we never used it again. Even carrying a large balance when we returned home we still had over $800 in holds on our account. Of course the bank blames Carnival and Carnival blames the bank. Take your choice.

 

Decide what will be best for you and use that method.

[frayedend]

When I was on Dream last year we did it a strange way but were able to use a debit without the hold issue. We had a credit card that was used originally but we didn't want all the money charged to that. I'm sure they put a hold on that for some amount. But then I went to guest services with my debit and said I'd like to add $300 to my account from the debit. They charged my debit $300, and my account had a surplus of $300. No hold put on the card, but $300 debited. If I got close to spending the $300 I just went and added more from my debit. I think you can use your debit as a cash account if you know how much you want to spend from it.

 

A hold is usually used when the final billed amount is not yet known, and as people mentioned, it can be an issue if they don't remove the hold immediately. But if you give them the actual amount to charge it shouldn't be a hold.

 

I recommend getting rid of your bank, finding a good credit union. My checking has no fees, has a $2000 overdraft protection that is basically credit. I don't get fees for using it, except interest if it's not paid. But it negates the worrying about holds.

[RubyGold]

Where I work (hotel) we use the cc to pre-authorize a transaction. When it is time to make the charge we will find the authorization number (Always on the receipt from the initial pre-auth) and complete the same transaction. That way there is no hold/final bill discrepancy unless the guest wishes to pay by another method. I understand Carnival does a similar thing, and this is why most guests only see the one transaction on the account.

 

Last year I got a pre-paid debit card to use while traveling, and used it at a gas station. They placed a hold that exceeded the limit on the card so it blocked the card immediately. lol

 

That was a pretty tough conversation to have with the gas station attendant in the middle of nowhere!