Cruise/ Bar cash useful info.

[LucyB.]

I like the cruise cash program. I've purchased both cruise & bar cash for our Oct. sailing.

I learned, from an awesome Fun Shop CSR, if you want a refund, prior to sailing, they'll give you one. I think up to 24 hours prior to sail away.

I purchased more bar cash than I thought we'd need. I was able to turn $100 of it into regular cruise cash. I still have some bar cash, but didn't want to be locked in to the amount I had. She said she can refund it to any card that is on file, like if you use multiple cards for purchases.

She also said it works like this on your SS acct. Cruise Cash comes off first, then ang gift cards on file, THEN your credit card you use to set up the SS account. She said, maybe the second day, to check our tab & make sure it's being spent in that order. Guest Service can fix it, if it's not.

Also, like many others have shared, if you still have cruise cash left toward the end of sailing, cash it out via the casino.

This program has really helped us budget, & purchase money, as our finances have allowed. We didn't pre pay tips, at booking, but plan to pay them w cruise cash at the end of sailing.

She said the cruise cash is linked to my name, Bc I'm the primary, so that's why I needed to check & make sure cruise cash for everyone else in our room comes from the same pot too. It should automatically, but sometimes glitches happen.

Hopefully, this helps someone needing clarification on how it works. I have no doubt we'll spend what we currently have on bar cash.

[lizardhowson]

And I can do the same budgeting by just sticking the cash into my desk drawer and taking it with me on cruise day.

 

All I have to do is stop by the kiosk one day near the end of my cruise and feed some in to cover my expenses, no need to ask for a refund, no need to go to guest services, no need to convert some of it to another type of card, no need to cash it out and never any glitches.

[bobandsherry]

I never understood why people buy cruise cash in advance, let alone bar cash which is much more restricted in it's use. I guess it could be good if there's a promo offered by credit card company as part of bonus cash back. Anything else is a interest free loan to Carnival.

 

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[tef43]

I never understood why people buy cruise cash in advance, let alone bar cash which is much more restricted in it's use. I guess it could be good if there's a promo offered by credit card company as part of bonus cash back. Anything else is a interest free loan to Carnival.

 

Ditto for the people who make any payments other than the required deposit prior to final payment date.

[StolidCruiser]

And I can do the same budgeting by just sticking the cash into my desk drawer and taking it with me on cruise day.

 

All I have to do is stop by the kiosk one day near the end of my cruise and feed some in to cover my expenses, no need to ask for a refund, no need to go to guest services, no need to convert some of it to another type of card, no need to cash it out and never any glitches.

 

While I understand the OP's perspective that Cruise Cash or Bar Cash works for them, I agree it's nothing more than a marketing gimmick to make guests feel they are getting something special above the use of actual cash (barring the offer of either at a discount).

 

If someone chooses to purchase and use it, no harm no foul as it is essentially the same as cash - just with a Carnival logo associated with it. That alone may give someone a much-needed thrill.

[meatloafsfan]

While I understand the OP's perspective that Cruise Cash or Bar Cash works for them, I agree it's nothing more than a marketing gimmick to make guests feel they are getting something special above the use of actual cash (barring the offer of either at a discount).

 

If someone chooses to purchase and use it, no harm no foul as it is essentially the same as cash - just with a Carnival logo associated with it. That alone may give someone a much-needed thrill.

I think the original intention was so others could gift cruise cash or bar cash or casino cash to someone they know who is cruising.

 

One year my team bought me drink tickets (back when they were available) for Christmas. If they wanted to do that now, they could give me bar cash.

 

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[dyin2cruz]

I am better at budgeting if I get the money out of my hot little hands. Therefore, I like paying as much up front as possible, prepaid grats, drink packages, excursions, etc. I know some people have better discipline. To each his own, AS LONG AS WE GET ON THAT SHIP!!!!

[easyboy]

Not keen either on cruise/bar cash. Cash on hand still better.

[LibratPDX]

I'd rather purchase the discounted Carnival gift cards (via Verizon, AARP, Citi, and Allstate I think?), it's just a better deal!

[ray98]

I agree with the above, converting cash into another form that has limitations and restrictions is an overall poor choice.

[Drazil65]

Everyone is different and I understand OP's need to budget, we only use cash to pay for and use with our S&S accounts. Having everything accounted for and in place is something that a lot of cash users do and it works well for us as well. It is OK to use different methods of payment for different people ;p.