Cash account deposit and tips

[designer-mommy]

We're taking our first cruise on Monday--yay! It's a 4 day Baja Mexico cruise on the Inspiration. I have a few questions about cash accounts, tips, deposits, etc.

 

So, I didn't prepay gratuities when I booked. I definitely plan on tipping at least the recommended $12.95 per person/per day. If I'm using a cash account, do I have to prepay those gratuities on the first day of the cruise? I was hoping to pay them on Friday before we left the ship, but I heard that I would have to put that cash on my account the very first day of the cruise. To add to my confusion, a Carnival rep told me that it's recommended that I put $100 deposit per cabin but it's not required. Well, our total gratuities are going to be $103.60 for one cabin and $207.20 for the other. If it's true that I have to prepay my gratuities the first day, is that $100 extra on top of that?

 

We had some unforeseen circumstances happen the last few weeks that have totally ate into our cruise fund, so much so that it's making me nervous. I have quite a bit of money coming in while we're on the ship (some on Tuesday and some on Thursday night), but as far as having a ton of extra when we board the ship...not likely. I'll make it happen if it's absolutely necessary that we prepay, but a huge weight would be lifted off my shoulders if I could wait. I'm hoping I won't have to spend a TON of money while on the ship. We don't drink alcohol, don't gamble, etc. So hopefully it won't be too much extra!

 

Thanks!

Edited October 13, 2016 by designer-mommy

[Je Souhaite]

We're taking our first cruise on Monday--yay! It's a 4 day Baja Mexico cruise on the Inspiration. I have a few questions about cash accounts, tips, deposits, etc.

 

So, I didn't prepay gratuities when I booked. I definitely plan on tipping at least the recommended $12.95 per person/per day. If I'm using a cash account, do I have to prepay those gratuities on the first day of the cruise? I was hoping to pay them on Friday before we left the ship, but I heard that I would have to put that cash on my account the very first day of the cruise. To add to my confusion, a Carnival rep told me that it's recommended that I put $100 deposit per cabin but it's not required. Well, our total gratuities are going to be $103.60 for one cabin and $207.20 for the other. If it's true that I have to prepay my gratuities the first day, is that $100 extra on top of that?

 

We had some unforeseen circumstances happen the last few weeks that have totally ate into our cruise fund, so much so that it's making me nervous. I have quite a bit of money coming in while we're on the ship (some on Tuesday and some on Thursday night), but as far as having a ton of extra when we board the ship...not likely. I'll make it happen if it's absolutely necessary that we prepay, but a huge weight would be lifted off my shoulders if I could wait. I'm hoping I won't have to spend a TON of money while on the ship. We don't drink alcohol, don't gamble, etc. So hopefully it won't be too much extra!

 

Thanks!

 

They will require you to have a minimum balance on your account. They will also add tips to your account early in the week, but you can have them removed as soon as they show up, and then pay your tips in cash as you like.

[designer-mommy]

Thanks!

 

And I just realized that my post sounds a little confusing. I don't mean that I want to do the whole cash-in-envelope tipping thing. I would like to just pay them in cash whenever we settle our account and have them distribute them how they usually do.

Edited October 13, 2016 by designer-mommy

[silverpenguin]

I've never done cash to fund my sail & sign, but I THINK you have to have the cash on your account up front or they will lock your card. You will need to put amount of tips plus any spending (I'd go with the recommended $100, and don't forget that sodas are extra if you don't have bottomless bubbles). So, that would be a total of $203 on your sail & sign at check in. Keep in mind ANY spending you do on the ship (gift shops, coffee, candy, desserts, spa, etc...) will be charged to your sail & sign. There's a lot of "upcharges" but not spending any extra on the ship is entirely possible.

[lizardhowson]

Not sure if Carnival will add your tips back in once you have them removed - IMHO not a good idea.

 

If you have a credit card (NOT a debit card) use the credit card to "open" the account, then just put the cash on the account prior to the last night of the cruise when Carnival finalizes the accounts.

[woodman]

I would go with Lizardhowson's idea. I'm sure that would work just fine for you. Carnival will charge your card right off but if paid in cash it will be removed. The Inspiration was our favorite ship when it was in Florida. We must have sailed on her 4 or 5 times over the years. Hope you have a great cruise and be careful cruising in very addictive. Happy cruising.

Edited October 13, 2016 by woodman

[Buckimion]

I need advice on this topic...

 

I have gift cards for most of my deposit (Just shy of $400 for 2 passengers), but estimate I MAY need roughly $100 more for planned (and a few unplanned) expenses and have some issues.

 

My credit card will have less than $100 available balance at check in and I've heard they try to run this amount. This isn't going to work if this is true.

 

I have an automatic payment sent to my card company set for mid-cruise and will bring my credit card back comfortably early on day 4 of a 5 day cruise.

 

I'm not sure how I can juggle my account until day 4. I'm half counting on the tips NOT being processed until that day, but don't want to leave the account too short if they are tallied earlier in the cruise. I certainly have no intentions of stiffing anyone, including the behind the scenes employees.

[bingomamma19]

We're taking our first cruise on Monday--yay! It's a 4 day Baja Mexico cruise on the Inspiration. I have a few questions about cash accounts, tips, deposits, etc.

 

So, I didn't prepay gratuities when I booked. I definitely plan on tipping at least the recommended $12.95 per person/per day. If I'm using a cash account, do I have to prepay those gratuities on the first day of the cruise? I was hoping to pay them on Friday before we left the ship, but I heard that I would have to put that cash on my account the very first day of the cruise. To add to my confusion, a Carnival rep told me that it's recommended that I put $100 deposit per cabin but it's not required. Well, our total gratuities are going to be $103.60 for one cabin and $207.20 for the other. If it's true that I have to prepay my gratuities the first day, is that $100 extra on top of that?

 

We had some unforeseen circumstances happen the last few weeks that have totally ate into our cruise fund, so much so that it's making me nervous. I have quite a bit of money coming in while we're on the ship (some on Tuesday and some on Thursday night), but as far as having a ton of extra when we board the ship...not likely. I'll make it happen if it's absolutely necessary that we prepay, but a huge weight would be lifted off my shoulders if I could wait. I'm hoping I won't have to spend a TON of money while on the ship. We don't drink alcohol, don't gamble, etc. So hopefully it won't be too much extra!

 

Thanks!

 

You can open your cash account with the $100 dollars. The tips will be added in late into the 2nd day..you can then go down to guest services and remove them, so they are not going against your cash. Then you can add them back in the night before you debark and close out your account with paying cash.

[designer-mommy]

You can open your cash account with the $100 dollars. The tips will be added in late into the 2nd day..you can then go down to guest services and remove them, so they are not going against your cash. Then you can add them back in the night before you debark and close out your account with paying cash.

 

Thanks! So, if I'm using cash I won't have to prepay the gratuities? I can just put my $100 cash per cabin on our account in the beginning and then make sure the full $51.80 per person for gratuities is on the account the night before? That would be amazing if that's possible. I just don't want to mess with holds on my credit cards, etc. We're running super lean right now (money situation will be fixed mid cruise, thank God), so not tying up any money would be ideal LOL

Edited October 14, 2016 by designer-mommy

[tsutton]

They recommend to open with $100 but you do not have to add anything to your card at checkin. You will just not be able to purchase anything until you do so. I know this from experience. I never use CC always cash. My last cruise I didn't add anything until a couple days later because we simply didn't need to purchase anything.

 

There are kiosks available to add cash when needed. Enjoy!!

[designer-mommy]

They recommend to open with $100 but you do not have to add anything to your card at checkin. You will just not be able to purchase anything until you do so. I know this from experience. I never use CC always cash. My last cruise I didn't add anything until a couple days later because we simply didn't need to purchase anything.

 

There are kiosks available to add cash when needed. Enjoy!!

 

Thanks so much! I feel a TON better now :)

[ruachsm]

I always use cash as well as I buy very little on the ship but spend way to much in the Casino. During Check in they ask how much I want to place on my account and I simply reply, "I will add cash on the ship." I never add a minimum amount. Actually I very rarely add any cash seeing that I prepay gratuities.

 

 

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[wantocruisemore]

I have a $500 carnival gift card to use for my onboard expenses. I've heard some will let you add that to your account at check in at the port, and others tell you to do it at kiosk or guest services. If I have to do this can I go directly to the kiosk or guest services as soon as I get on the ship? Will they b open?

I will have a cc too, but want it only for emergencies and not used to be charged when I check in.

[me-shel]

I have a $500 carnival gift card to use for my onboard expenses. I've heard some will let you add that to your account at check in at the port, and others tell you to do it at kiosk or guest services. If I have to do this can I go directly to the kiosk or guest services as soon as I get on the ship? Will they b open?

I will have a cc too, but want it only for emergencies and not used to be charged when I check in.

 

On our last cruise we gave them our gift cards at check-in while getting our Sign & Sail cards, and they applied them right there.

 

On the cruise before, I forgot about them until we got onboard. I went to guest services and they applied them. They were open when we got on... but there was quite a line so I waited until later in the day.

Edited October 14, 2016 by me-shel

[wantocruisemore]

Would it just be better to say cash to pay for things on my online check in docs rather than put a cc down?

[Florings]

I ALWAYS set it up for cash. They do put a certain percent of a hold on a credit or debit card.

 

Then I buy cruise cash, a little each month, then take money to round out the balance when we board.