Liquor, Drinks Question

[dp@kim]

Can we pay cash for our liquor and sodas or do we have to put them on our sail and sign card?

[DigiPix71]

No cash except for the morning of debarkation; everything else goes on Sail and Sign.

[flashdog_1]

Although they will accept cash tips throughout the trip!

[Cotton]

Cash is not accepted for payment for anything on the ship. All purchases go on your S&S card. It's really a pretty good system. :)

[Safetyal]

Just remember to keep track of your S&S balance. It can grow quite high very quickly.

[msolberg]

Actually, the cash can be used in the casino for gambling, but drinks are still paid for on your sail & sign card.....

[dp@kim]

thanks to all that replied!

[Kittybork]

You can put cash on your sign and sail card. We heard a group behind us at check in who were doing that.

[Kittybork]

You can put cash on your sign and sail card. We heard a group behind us at check in who were doing that.

[Roscoe13]

You can put cash on your sign and sail card. We heard a group behind us at check in who were doing that.

 

Please explain this in more detail. If I can do that then is there a limit? Depending on the timing and my billing cycle with my credit card I could get an interest free loan for 30 days and make some small cash by doing this. For example, 30k in my money market checking account would pay me back about $60 to $70 in a month before I'd have to withdraw it to pay off my credit card balance.

[Kittybork]

Please explain this in more detail. If I can do that then is there a limit? Depending on the timing and my billing cycle with my credit card I could get an interest free loan for 30 days and make some small cash by doing this. For example, 30k in my money market checking account would pay me back about $60 to $70 in a month before I'd have to withdraw it to pay off my credit card balance.

 

I don't know the details; we used a credit card. I heard a group of women who were checking in at the next clerk. They each wanted to deposit cash onto their card and would have a declining balance as they spent the money. I'm sure there must be a minimum involved, but I don't know any of the particulars. I'm sure Carnival could give you all the information that you need.

 

If you can make money by doing it that way, I'd certainly consider it.

[Roscoe13]

I don't know the details; we used a credit card. I heard a group of women who were checking in at the next clerk. They each wanted to deposit cash onto their card and would have a declining balance as they spent the money. I'm sure there must be a minimum involved, but I don't know any of the particulars. I'm sure Carnival could give you all the information that you need.

 

If you can make money by doing it that way, I'd certainly consider it.

 

OK, I gotcha. I thought you were saying you could get cash by showing your sign and sail card, like at the pursers desk or something. Rather, I think you are saying you can load cash on your sign and sail card and charge against the cash balance.

[billvabeach]

When we cruised we paid about $200-$250pp cash t the start of the cruise.

 

I would never use a debit or credit card again. It has been a mixed bag having holds released on the card.

 

I had a hold on one card for over two weeks even though the cruise line already charged the account and it had shown up on my statement. That freezes that amount on your credit line (or bank account if you use debit card.)

 

This is not exclusive to cruise ship. I've had long holds on hotels and rental car companies too.

[NAGooner]

Carnival believes in a cashless society, everyone uses their sail and sign card for all purchase on board ship (drinks, Nick & Nora's, excursions, purchases from the shops, mandatory service gratuities, etc), except for the casino, where they still accept cash.

 

This makes it easier for the cruiser as we don't have to carry lots of cash with us, it also makes it easier for Carnival as we don't watch our spending habits so closely when we are not parting with our cash.

 

In order to overcome the problem of having a hold placed on my credit card for the sail and sign card, hotel booking, car rental, etc., and thereby reducing the amount of credit available to me, I use a different credit card for these transactions.

 

In this way my regular card, and avaiable credit is not affected, however.you do need to have more than one card in order to do this, and a reasonable line of credit.

 

In addition I let my card issuer know that I will be going on vacation so that they will not put a complete stop to all transactions because of unusual spending/buying pattens (to prevent possible fraudulent activities).

 

You can, of course, deposit funds to your sail and sign card rather than use a credit card. If you go to the Carnival web site and look under "Things to Know Before you Go" they will tell you that on a seven day cruise you will be required to deposit a minimum of US$200.00 per account.

 

It is a good thing to check you sail and sign account the night before you disembark to make sure that it is correct - you can do this on the interactive part of the TV - that way you can clear up any problems at your leisure and not have the hassle of doing so the next morning.

 

We also take some cash with us, in small denomination notes, for tips, either for on board ship or for the excursions.

 

N A Gooner

[serene56]

If you put a credit card down --you can get cash advances on that card from the casino... at a 3% charge.

 

(did you know that you can use your sign and sail card in a slot machine on Carnival-- I found that scarey and no one better tell me SO)

[JD75]

I've always used cash.. at the beginning of the cruise I'll deposit around $300-400 and then when it's running out I deposit more.. This is done at the Pursers desk. You can monitor your balance on TV in your room. Every time you make a purchase you're given a receipt which you can use to help monitor your spendings.

[jkubec]

Remember you could always call Carnival and buy Funship dollars and have a credit on your account. We use our debit card this way so we don't have a huge bill in the end (we spend...drink... a lot). You can always buy Liquor and Soda coupons before you go.

[GoinCruisin]

(did you know that you can use your sign and sail card in a slot machine on Carnival-- I found that scarey and no one better tell me SO)

 

Yup, it makes it REAL easy to go in the hole QUICK!!!!! I don't gamble much, but it is enticing and have found myself saying "just a little longer"... then kicking myself when I see my S&S bill!!

[serene56]

Just curious== did they have that in place for the Miracle cruise?? I really hope that Joe dont find that out..coz he wont leave..lol