Using cash on sail & sign

[Bazzybuggs]

I've just found out that instead of a credit/debit card you can use cash for your sail & sign account. Does anyone do this and what are the pros and cons?

 

 

Life is a disease with a 100% mortality rate

[jmcancruise]

We have always done this. Prefer not to go home with a credit card bill or unexpected holds. For us we found it very convenient. They do recommend you put a certain amount on your account up front. I believe it is 200 per person for a seven day cruise, but I don't think that # is set in stone. They just want you to have money on your account before you try to spend. Also don't forget if you haven't prepaid your tips they will show up about the second day.

[Bazzybuggs]

We have tips included in the cost of our cruise which is fine by me. But do they then add more? I just need to be prepared. We're newbies and setting sail in a fortnight

 

 

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[bury me at sea]

If you already paid your tips you will not be charged again. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

[Bazzybuggs]

Thanks. Looking forward to it so much [emoji41][emoji16]

 

 

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[Drazil65]

We have been doing this for many years and it works great! You can ALWAYS add more during the trip if you need to and you can cash out the last night on board at the casino cash window or GS...do it right before you go to bed so you do not need to use your card again. You will be fine using cash....;p

[maryred]

Cash account -

Pros:

1. No big surprise on how much you really spent
   
2. No holds, like with a debit card, tying up your checking or savings account.
   
3. Great for budget conscience persons or limiting the spending of a "dependent".
   

Cons :

1. Long lines at the Guest Services desk to make your deposit, or delays by malfunctioning kiosks. Try to make your deposit at the physical check-in at the cruise terminal to avoid this.
   
2. Account is limited to what is deposited.
   
3. Having to travel with large amounts of cash if planning on doing any large spending while on board. Try to prepay, like you have already for the auto-grats, any large purchases like shore excursions, beverage packages, or spa treatments to reduce the amount carried while traveling.
   
4. Large ATM or cash advance fees if you run out of currency. Even if you decide later on the cruise to put a debit card on file the hold will still be activated at the same rate as if the cruise was just beginning.
   
5. Long lines the last night to retrieve left over cash. Otherwise the cruise line will mail you a check to the address on record of the booking, but only if the account had $10 or more left in it. Amounts lower than $10 are donated to ST Judes Childrens Hospital.
   

 

 

Just remember with cash the S&S account is treated as a "debit" type of account. Except for the first day, you can only spend up to the amount deposited. Once you reach that point your S&S card will be denied for purchases. And if from embarkation day, where they allow you to to "overdraft" by $50 due to long lines, if you have not brought the account up to date they will constantly be paging you and will not let you off at the port till the account is made whole.

To "skip" the long lines on embarkation day, you can purchase Cruise Cash, non-refundable On Board Credits, in your cruise manager. A debit card can be used since it is a straight forward internet purchase no hold will be taken. Since it is non-refundable limit your purchase to between $25-100 per person, just enough for the first day or 2 that you can skip needing to go to the GS desk or kiosk till the lines are tamer.

[Bazzybuggs]

Very detailed. Thank you. I had been considering buying cruise cash prior as well, so I've got plenty of options

 

 

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[BoDidly]

Cash account -

Pros:

 

 

 

 

 

1. No big surprise on how much you really spent
   
2. No holds, like with a debit card, tying up your checking or savings account.
   
3. Great for budget conscience persons or limiting the spending of a "dependent".
   

Cons :

1. Long lines at the Guest Services desk to make your deposit, or delays by malfunctioning kiosks. Try to make your deposit at the physical check-in at the cruise terminal to avoid this.
   
2. Account is limited to what is deposited.
   
3. Having to travel with large amounts of cash if planning on doing any large spending while on board. Try to prepay, like you have already for the auto-grats, any large purchases like shore excursions, beverage packages, or spa treatments to reduce the amount carried while traveling.
   
4. Large ATM or cash advance fees if you run out of currency. Even if you decide later on the cruise to put a debit card on file the hold will still be activated at the same rate as if the cruise was just beginning.
   
5. Long lines the last night to retrieve left over cash. Otherwise the cruise line will mail you a check to the address on record of the booking, but only if the account had $10 or more left in it. Amounts lower than $10 are donated to ST Judes Childrens Hospital.
   

 

 

Just remember with cash the S&S account is treated as a "debit" type of account. Except for the first day, you can only spend up to the amount deposited. Once you reach that point your S&S card will be denied for purchases. And if from embarkation day, where they allow you to to "overdraft" by $50 due to long lines, if you have not brought the account up to date they will constantly be paging you and will not let you off at the port till the account is made whole.

To "skip" the long lines on embarkation day, you can purchase Cruise Cash, non-refundable On Board Credits, in your cruise manager. A debit card can be used since it is a straight forward internet purchase no hold will be taken. Since it is non-refundable limit your purchase to between $25-100 per person, just enough for the first day or 2 that you can skip needing to go to the GS desk or kiosk till the lines are tamer.

 

I have to disagree with the Cons.. Cash is all i ever use.

 

1 .Lines are limited at times where if your patient there will be only three or four people waiting.

 

2. Most people know what to deposit and are smart enough to deposit more cash when needed.

 

3. Again most people are smart enough to know what amount of cash will be needed ;) One person will not need to carry all the cash, split it up with someone. Not unless your solo.

 

4. If your a smart planner no reason to worry about ATM Fees :D

 

 

5. This resembles # 1. where you worried about lines again. :confused: Some people will even transfer their funds to their sail and sign card and then cash out the last night in the Casino . If your all that worried about lines cash out the night before ,leaving only a certain amount to cover yourself on the last night. If your a gambler and don't want to cash out in the Casino it's going to be a late night party for you ,never noticed long lines at three or four in the morning :cool:

 

If you don't want to bother The remains will be mailed to you.

Edited November 12, 2017 by BoDidly

[bury me at sea]

I too take issue with most of the listed cons. I check my account each evening before bed. There are many times daily with very small lines at Guest Services.

 

I put cash on my account the first day in the amount I anticipate spending and back it with a credit card. I have never had a problem getting unused cash reimbursed at the end of a cruise.

 

How to fund your account is a personal decision but using cash is about as easy as it gets.

[vinsheer]

Just be aware they will let you go over the amount you deposit on your cash account. Found this out the hard way on a cruise with my sister. We each had our own cash account and she went over $60.00 before we caught it by checking our balances at the kiosk. Probably at the casino or buying pictures. I settled her bill with guest services for her because I was afraid they wouldn't let her off! Yikes, lol. Actually what they suggested and I did was combine our accounts and took away her charging privileges. Also inadvertently happened on last cruise as well for $25 after my husband made a large purchase in gift shop. I hadn't added all of our carnival gift cards to account yet!! It does make me wonder how much over they would let you go before denying charging privileges and what would happen if a person didn't have it before debarkation. Important to do daily balance checks at kiosks or guest services. Also found a few small errors this way which were quickly taken care of :)

[CdrescherRBL152]

We always use cash. Biggest pro easier to control your spending on board. Con the need to stop and put more on your account if midway thru you find you start with too little.

 

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[BoDidly]

Just be aware they will let you go over the amount you deposit on your cash account. Found this out the hard way on a cruise with my sister. We each had our own cash account and she went over $60.00 before we caught it by checking our balances at the kiosk. Probably at the casino or buying pictures. I settled her bill with guest services for her because I was afraid they wouldn't let her off! Yikes, lol. Actually what they suggested and I did was combine our accounts and took away her charging privileges. Also inadvertently happened on last cruise as well for $25 after my husband made a large purchase in gift shop. I hadn't added all of our carnival gift cards to account yet!! It does make me wonder how much over they would let you go before denying charging privileges and what would happen if a person didn't have it before debarkation. Important to do daily balance checks at kiosks or guest services. Also found a few small errors this way which were quickly taken care of :)

We wont put your husband or sister down for #2 of my list :D. You were worried about them letting her get off the ship :loudcry: more than likely she would have to sign a paper stating she would be responsible for payment. . If that's all it took to remain on the ship quite a few people would take up residence . The hub app makes it all easier to check your balance.

[vinsheer]

We wont put your husband or sister down for #2 of my list :D. You were worried about them letting her get off the ship :loudcry: more than likely she would have to sign a paper stating she would be responsible for payment. . If that's all it took to remain on the ship quite a few people would take up residence . The hub app makes it all easier to check your balance.

Agree!:D

[maryred]

I have to disagree with the Cons.. Cash is all i ever use.

 

1 .Lines are limited at times where if your patient there will be only three or four people waiting.

 

2. Most people know what to deposit and are smart enough to deposit more cash when needed.

 

3. Again most people are smart enough to know what amount of cash will be needed ;) One person will not need to carry all the cash, split it up with someone. Not unless your solo.

 

4. If your a smart planner no reason to worry about ATM Fees :D

 

 

5. This resembles # 1. where you worried about lines again. :confused: Some people will even transfer their funds to their sail and sign card and then cash out the last night in the Casino . If your all that worried about lines cash out the night before ,leaving only a certain amount to cover yourself on the last night. If your a gambler and don't want to cash out in the Casino it's going to be a late night party for you ,never noticed long lines at three or four in the morning :cool:

 

If you don't want to bother The remains will be mailed to you.

 

 

I too take issue with most of the listed cons. I check my account each evening before bed. There are many times daily with very small lines at Guest Services.

 

I put cash on my account the first day in the amount I anticipate spending and back it with a credit card. I have never had a problem getting unused cash reimbursed at the end of a cruise.

 

How to fund your account is a personal decision but using cash is about as easy as it gets.

 

Both of you are experienced cruisers and have learned these preferences by either experience or through reading the boards. The OP does not indicate if this is their 1st or 21st cruise, so I'm just covering the bases as if they are a newbie (and for those first timers just lurking).

First timers may think it's like a hotel room expense account, and in many ways it does resemble that. But unlike some hotels you can not just settle up at the end of the stay or request only a certain amount be charged to a debit card to avoid holds or cash advance fees. Not can some one just find the nearest fee free ATM, as the ones on any cruise ship will charge a fee, and in many cases the ones in port do too.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

There are absolutely no cons for me and cash accounts is all I do. I have a preset budget in mind and stick to it. I fund it with 10% off Gift Cards which I turn around and purchase $200 in Cruise Cash. Eliminates lines although since I'm Platinum, that's usually not a big deal for me. Therefore, no need for large amounts of cash. I do bring some for additional tipping and for spending in port. My Gratuities, Internet, and Bottomless Bubbles are all paid for ahead of time.

 

There are no erroneous charges that can show up on your credit card this way when you get off the ship. And yes, it has happened to people and when they called they were told they didn't turn in towels or back when the mini fridges were full, that they consumed beverages (they are empty now so this is currently a non issue), or whatever else they supposedly bought. I do check my account daily (which you should do no matter what kind of account you have) and would rather spot a problem while on the ship and get it taken care of right then and there vs after I'm home and have a surprise charge automatically paid by my CC. On a cash account if there's no money once I leave the ship, they aren't getting a dime from me.

[BoDidly]

Both of you are experienced cruisers and have learned these preferences by either experience or through reading the boards. The OP does not indicate if this is their 1st or 21st cruise, so I'm just covering the bases as if they are a newbie (and for those first timers just lurking).

First timers may think it's like a hotel room expense account, and in many ways it does resemble that. But unlike some hotels you can not just settle up at the end of the stay or request only a certain amount be charged to a debit card to avoid holds or cash advance fees. Not can some one just find the nearest fee free ATM, as the ones on any cruise ship will charge a fee, and in many cases the ones in port do too.

 

 

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But of course the new cruiser can learn from the experienced cruisers post as well. This entire boards are about learning from experienced cruisers.

No reason or need to feel the need to defend your post. :cool: the're learning :D

[Elaine5715]

I can verify that if your cash account, debit card or credit card is out of whack for whatever reason, there will be a different tone when you try to exit the ship at port or debark. You will need to return to GS to fix. You must provide an alternative payment to settle your account at debark be it cash in full or someone else's credit/debit card. There is no paper to sign.,

[BoDidly]

I can verify that if your cash account, debit card or credit card is out of whack for whatever reason, there will be a different tone when you try to exit the ship at port or debark. You will need to return to GS to fix. You must provide an alternative payment to settle your account at debark be it cash in full or someone else's credit/debit card. There is no paper to sign.,

So your verifying that they make you stay on the ship :D. Last group cruise one of our members didn't have the amount of cash needed to defend his amount of spending ;p in the end he signed some kind of promissory note . That's been a few years back . So please verify your experience.

[vamartha]

I did a cruise 100% with gift cards week before last. And I had about double GC$$'s than I needed. Bought almost all of them through Verizon for $90/ea and cards were for $100/ea.

 

Cashed out the last night using the slot machine/casino method and put the balance (over $300) right back into my pocket.

 

They loaded all the gift cards at check in before we ever embarked. And we aren't talking just one or two gift cards either. A whole stack! I had FTTF but never had to visit Guest Services for a single thing during the cruise.

 

No hassle, no issues and a no brainer for me! I'll be doing that again!

[Elaine5715]

So your verifying that they make you stay on the ship :D. Last group cruise one of our members didn't have the amount of cash needed to defend his amount of spending ;p in the end he signed some kind of promissory note . That's been a few years back . So please verify your experience.

As of August 2017...accounts needed to be settled before being permitted to debark.

[BoDidly]

As of August 2017...accounts needed to be settled before being permitted to debark.

LOL ,they have said that for the past 10 years :D

[LasVegasSolo]

I like to put cruise cash in my account before I even go and it is paid off so I have no surprises. They have let me put up to $500 which is fine by me. I go and relax and have no spending (cash) or credit card surprises. If I do not use all of it i cash it out while playing in the casino.

[Drose716]

I always use a credit card. I just like not having to worry about depositing money & like having security if I go over budget (which is rare in 8 cruises).

 

My boyfriend lives by cash. He used a cash account on our last cruise with no issue. Short line for the ATM device on our first day to fill his account. He re-refilled once on our last day with no line. He did have a -$2.00 balance so who knows what would've happened if he didnt check, but overall, it really worked fine.

[Bazzybuggs]

The OP does not indicate if this is their 1st or 21st cruise, so I'm just covering the bases as if they are a newbie (and for those first timers just lurking).

 

 

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Yes, I'm a first timer! The information given has been very helpful from everyone. In fact, all the topics I've looked at have made a big difference to me by alleviating any concerns I've had. It means I can plan ahead and be excited rather than worried [emoji16]

 

 

Life is a disease with a 100% mortality rate