Pre-paid gratuities on gift card?

[me-shel]

If we get a discounted gift card (ex: AARP), can we call in and pre-pay our gratuities across several rooms with the gift card? We're past final payment & our fare is fully paid.

 

And for anyone who'd question why we'd pre-pay gratuities: We're footing the bill x3 rooms, x7 pax this round and the less we have to keep track of while on vacation the better! ;p

[N7786W Flyer]

I've used gift cards many times to pay the gratuities.

 

However, my experience has been that I applied the gift cards to my account using the kiosks onboard. Never tried to call Carnival CS and apply them after the final payment date, but I don't see why it would be an issue.

 

Bottom line, you can use the gift cards to pay gratuities...even if you have to wait until you're onboard to do so.

 

Garnett

[joepeka]

I have read here that the only way to do something like that is to wait until you're on-board and then take the cards either to a kiosk and add them to your account or go to Guest Services and have them added. I also checked with our PVP to see if there was some way he could handle it via some internal means not available to passengers because I really wanted it handled pre-cruise but he said no, just on-board via the kiosk and GS. :(

Edited August 11, 2017 by joepeka

[me-shel]

Sounds like kiosks may be the way to go, with GC's purchased in smaller denominations so I can split them between rooms/accounts.

 

A twist on my own question: Can you apply a VISA gift card to your account?? DH is getting some as a spiff from work, if we can use them onboard we may just stash them away until departure. I'd be worried if we applied too much we wouldn't be able to cash out the difference, though.

[joepeka]

Sounds like kiosks may be the way to go, with GC's purchased in smaller denominations so I can split them between rooms/accounts.

 

A twist on my own question: Can you apply a VISA gift card to your account?? DH is getting some as a spiff from work, if we can use them onboard we may just stash them away until departure. I'd be worried if we applied too much we wouldn't be able to cash out the difference, though.

I have never tried that but I cannot imagine it would not work since Carnival is a Visa merchant.

[NJporkroll]

Make it easy on yourself. Log into your cruise profile and use the card to purchase "Cruise Ca$h". It will be on your account when you board. Just make sure you spend what you put on because any remainder is not transferable. Or, take the cash out in the casino against your account on the last night.

 

 

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[Schoifmom]

OP, you can certainly use Carnival gift cards for pre-paid grats. Simply call and add pre-paid grats to your rooms and use the cards for payment. Just like using them to pay for your cruise. No problem at all.

 

 

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[janjan3839]

We have also used the discounted cards to pay gratuities, both precruise and when added to the sign and sail card. I have paid to much money to my account and received checks in the mail after the cruise and also gift cards with the remaining balance. I always buy the cards when I can as I know I will use them eventually!

[firemanbobswife]

It's no problem to call Carnival and have them add prepaid gratuities after the fact. Then when they ask for form of payment, give them gift cards. It's no different than using a CC. I always use GCs for my cruise payments.

Edited August 12, 2017 by firemanbobswife

[firemanbobswife]

I have read here that the only way to do something like that is to wait until you're on-board and then take the cards either to a kiosk and add them to your account or go to Guest Services and have them added. I also checked with our PVP to see if there was some way he could handle it via some internal means not available to passengers because I really wanted it handled pre-cruise but he said no, just on-board via the kiosk and GS. :(

 

He can't add it to your account, but if you wanted to prepay gratuities no matter when in the process, he can take GCs as form of payment. If you want them pre loaded on your account, then order Cruise Cash through the Fun Shops and pay by GC.

[joepeka]

It's no problem to call Carnival and have them add prepaid gratuities after the fact. Then when they ask for form of payment, give them gift cards. It's no different than using a CC. I always use GCs for all my cruise payments.

This is good to know. For our next cruise, we had already included gratuities and paid in full but my question to our PVP was could we add the gift cards pre-cruise as OBC and the answer was no. I was thinking the OP was asking if they could add OBC via gift cards to be used toward gratuities. That's what I get for thinking?? :o

[firemanbobswife]

This is good to know. For our next cruise, we had already included gratuities and paid in full but my question to our PVP was could we add the gift cards pre-cruise as OBC and the answer was no. I was thinking the OP was asking if they could add OBC via gift cards to be used toward gratuities. That's what I get for thinking?? :o

There ya go again, Joe! They wanted to call and add prepaid gratuities and pay with GCs which can be done. I know it's easy to misread things. Sometimes I have to reread posts 3 and 4 times to fully get the gist of it.

 

Yeah, he can't add them to your S&S account, but you can get Cruise Cash instead as I mentioned. That's what I do now.

[NautiGirlGA]

I just added gratuities to my next sailing, after the cruise was paid for. I had booked the cruise myself on the Carnival site. I used a GC to pay the gratuities.

 

As for the prepaid Visa card, my guess is that it would be possible. However, we usually just buy a Carnival GC at the store (& earn fuel rewards) and pay for it with the prepaid credit card.

[lbkladybug]

I just used my aarp cards on my recent trip. I waited until almost the end of our trip and had our cards applied to our account.

 

 

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