Exactly how much $ does Carnival "hold" on your debit card for sail & sign cards?

[Nay Nay]

I'd prefer to use my debit card and was just curious as to the amount of money held each day and how long it takes to release unused funds. I'm doing the 5 day on Imagination.

 

TIA!

[jetskier]

On a 5-day, I believe it is $250. Once you get close to using it up they will place another one. This is only a hold on the account not an actual withdrawal. The problem you run into is that at the end of the cruise they will charge you say $498 for example and NOT release the $500 hold that has been placed previously on your account. So now they have $500 of your funds hostage until the hold expires 3-10 days later. So make sure you have enough available so you wont be having an NSF problem later.

Dave

[Nay Nay]

Thanks, jetskier! So what you're saying is they don't put the "hold" money toward your spending balance - they charge on top of the hold, right? I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to do a $$ account.... any opinions? I don't have a credit card so that's not an option, my only concern being I'll need that held money pretty quickly after the cruise.

[chrly]

Thanks, jetskier! So what you're saying is they don't put the "hold" money toward your spending balance - they charge on top of the hold, right? I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to do a $$ account.... any opinions? I don't have a credit card so that's not an option, my only concern being I'll need that held money pretty quickly after the cruise.

 

Both of the times that we have cruised we have used cash to pay for our Sail and Sign Cards. All you have to do is go to the pursers desk and request a cash account. Any funds that you do not use on your card at the end of the cruise they will give you a check for. It is much easier and a lot less stress. My Dh has one credit card that is used for emergency's only. Also, if you are going to use your debit card to make purchases out of the country make sure you let your bank know in advance when you are leaving, when you are returning and where you are going. This will avoid the bank placing your card on hold until they talk to you do to possible fraudulent charges. I hope this helps.

 

Charlyn

[tef43]

I'd prefer to use my debit card and was just curious as to the amount of money held each day and how long it takes to release unused funds.

Carnival will put an initial hold on your account, then will pre-authorize each day's onboard charges nightly. At the end of the cruise, they will process an actual debit for the total balance of your S&S account. But, they do *NOT* reverse the pre-authorizations when doing so. After 7-10 days (depending on your bank) the pre-authorizations expire on their own. The effect is that you have had double the amount of your charges frozen and inaccessible for a week after you return. Debit cards are a terrible idea for securing a S&S account for this reason.

[mojean]

Use the cash plan and near the end of the cruise just go to the Casino and get the cash there and it will be charged to your bill because otherwise I believe they will give you a check. What I did was ordered pictures and one last drink and that made me go over which I knew so I went and paid the balance due the last day. You can get a balance at any time, cause the tips for steward and etc go on first thing, so let it ride til the last day and go get the rest from the casino.

[jetskier]

So what you're saying is they don't put the "hold" money toward your spending balance - they charge on top of the hold, right? I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to do a $$ account.... any opinions? I don't have a credit card so that's not an option, my only concern being I'll need that held money pretty quickly after the cruise.

 

Nay Nay,

That is correct, the charge is on top of the hold. Yes, it is easier to do the cash route. If you go over, there will be a note in your cabin to go see the purser to refill the pot. If you need your money quickly, the debit card is not the route to go if there are limited funds.

Dave

[Valor2005]

I'm assuming traveller's checks would be considered cash for S&S purposes? I have a credit card, but some of the people travelling with us don't. I'd hate to have all their money tied up on a debit card.

[serene56]

With a debit card--- you need to call the bank and make sure there is not a daily limit. this is what causes the hold. I have a 200.00 daily limit. If I use the debit card on the ship and spend over 200 (easy to do with tips) then my account is now on hold until the funds clear up.

It can be a mess and can hold up your money for a long time.

 

Use cash, funship dollars , travelers checks or a credit card.

[stripes813]

this is news to me ... i've always used my debit card and all that Carnival has ever put on it was what was actually charged to my sail and sign ... there was never a double charge to include the "hold"

[coolestwife]

When you say "debit" card, does this mean strictly "ATM" cards? What about "Check Cards" (cards that have the Visa or Master Card logo) that are linked to your checking account?

[serene56]

When you say "debit" card, does this mean strictly "ATM" cards? What about "Check Cards" (cards that have the Visa or Master Card logo) that are linked to your checking account?

 

These may be the same thing--unless you mean the gift card-- like mastercard. You purchase these before you go and put an amount on the card-- I dont think cruiselines take these.

[tef43]

Cruiselines typically only accept V/MC branded debit cards tied to a checking account, as opposed to a bank-branded ATM card.

[tef43]

this is news to me ... i've always used my debit card and all that Carnival has ever put on it was what was actually charged to my sail and sign ... there was never a double charge to include the "hold"

You'll never see the "holds" on a statement, but they are clearly visible if you query "available funds" online. My online access shows *ALL* activity, whether posted or not.

[Ms_Pammy]

I have used cash all 4 cruises and yes you do get a check back early in the morning on the last day, unless on the last night you go down to the purser's desk and close your account out...they give you cash! So on the last night before I head off to bed I go down and close out my account.

[coolestwife]

Cruiselines typically only accept V/MC branded debit cards tied to a checking account, as opposed to a bank-branded ATM card.

 

thanks tef....