surf and sail cards on carnival Freedom

[bj'sfirstcruise]

Hello...we are going on our first cruise ever in July and I am totally confused about the surf and sail cards. I guess I am concerned as to how the card works in the casino. If I use the card and then pay at the end of the cruise...does my credit card charge that as a cash advance or just as a regular charge? Are we even able to actually use cash in the casino?

[LHT28]

You can ask on the Carnival forum

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=215

 

someone might know what a surf & sail card is :confused:

[bakersdozen12]

I think he or she means Sign & Sail cards. It's your cabin key/card to pay everything with on Carnival ships.

[Bonnie J.]

Cruise ships are now really cash free. You use your sign 'n sail card (which is also your cabin key) to buy anything on the ship. This is for drinks, gift shop, tours and it can be put in any slot machine. We've never played at tables in the casino so don't know how that works but I am sure its with your sign'n sail card. Everything will go on your account. There are machines where you can get a print out of what you've spent so far or, ask for a copy at Guest Services or on some ships pull it up on your cabin TV. You will also find a final copy under your cabin door the last morning before you get off the ship.

 

I tell 1st timers to sit down before they look at it. If you're not sitting down, you'll fall over when you see how much it is!

[Hawaiifrank]

When we were on Carnival Magic in March this year, you could still put cash money (bills) into the slot machines. You could insert your Sail & Sign card and use it like a casino loyalty card to track your play and earn a free drinks, free cruise or other comps. You can also transfer money from your ship account to the slot machine. You cash out by collecting a ticket to take to the cashier.

 

If you started your ship account with cash or gift cards or have (refundable) OBC, I'm pretty sure there's no fee for transferring money to a slot machine then immediately cashing it out or playing it, if you feel lucky.

:thumbup:

 

If have a credit card securing the ship account, I have read that there is a cash advance fee. I believe at one time there was no fee, but when it became widely know, too many utilizes the trick and the cruise line started charging. I have never done this myself so I can't speak from experience, only what I've read here on Cruise Critic.

 

There have been several threads recently on the different sub-forums about using a slot machine to turn OBC into cash in hand. Try a search.

[Hawaiifrank]

I probably should have elaborated more on the Sail & Sign card since that was your original Q.

 

Basically, the S&S card is your ID, your cabin key and your credit card while on the ship. That's all you really need to carry while roaming the ship.

 

Bartenders will swipe the card into their terminals to to charge your account. They also can verify you're 21 for alcohol purchases, and can see your picture (not visible on the card, but attached to the card in their computer) to be sure it's you. That's the picture they take as you board the ship.

 

The card also has part of your cabin number, your loyalty level, maybe a Coke logo if you have the soda package, maybe a sticker for Cheers if you bought the drink package.

 

Your shipboard "folio" number, aka account number, is on there so you can buy things (like bingo cards and drinks from walk-around waiters) even if there is no register terminal available. They just write down the number and enter it later. For this reason, I recommend checking your account regularly for accuracy. You can use either the interactive TV or an account manager kiosk near guest services to monitor your charges.

[cb at sea]

I recommmend CASH for the casino....bring what you're willing to lose...when it's gone (the usual outcome) you stop gambling!

[redstapler7]

I recommmend CASH for the casino....bring what you're willing to lose...when it's gone (the usual outcome) you stop gambling!

 

I totally agree. Casino chips are bad enough with making you feel like you aren't blowing through cash... A plastic card would be even worse!