cruise cash

[Llamabear]

I buy cruise cash ahead of time because I like to have as much paid for beforehand as possible. It's just less stress for me and makes it easier to make a budget and stick to it. Not sure why all the debating is happening. Let's play nice ppl! Everyone's opinions are valid, and on something like this there's not really a wrong opinion. Different strokes for different folks! ✌️

[ccowgirl5280]

thanks everyone for the input.  Guess there are many options and I'll have to decide on one of them!

[JennPVMX]

Please forgive a newbie question. Can someone give me insight about the AARP gift cards? Can anyone buy them? Is this the best (only?) place to buy discounted gift cards? Do you buy them and use them once on the cruise to pay for incidentals while on board, I’m assuming? Would they also work for gratuities?  Again, thanks for the insight!!

[JaxsMama]

I use my credit card for everything and then once a year cash out my rewards for my cruise spending money.  Just redeemed $1200 on Chase for the Conquest in 11 days!!!!

[auburneyes]

Cruise Cash is promoted as non-refundable.  My husband and I love putting $500 towards our cruise and not having to worry about a thing while we are cruising.  However, it’s very simple to check your balance the last night and see what you have left.  If you have $50 - go to the casino put $50 in your account and then cash out! We have done this for over 5 years and it works like a charm!

[Crazy4Camping]

7 hours ago, JennPVMX said:

Please forgive a newbie question. Can someone give me insight about the AARP gift cards? Can anyone buy them? Is this the best (only?) place to buy discounted gift cards? Do you buy them and use them once on the cruise to pay for incidentals while on board, I’m assuming? Would they also work for gratuities?  Again, thanks for the insight!!

I purchased several over the months and paid for my cruise using them.  Anyone can sign on at the AARP website and get them using points you get for answering a few quizzes.  As far as I know, they can be used for everything Carnival.  I'm debating on buying more to bring on the cruise or keep it to just cash.  Just don't want any left over.

[sarcasm01]

8 hours ago, JennPVMX said:

Please forgive a newbie question. Can someone give me insight about the AARP gift cards? Can anyone buy them? Is this the best (only?) place to buy discounted gift cards? Do you buy them and use them once on the cruise to pay for incidentals while on board, I’m assuming? Would they also work for gratuities?  Again, thanks for the insight!!

I had these same questions a couple days ago and have since found the answers so I'll share what I found.  Anyone can sign up for free at www.aarp.org/rewards-for-good.  Then you take quizzes to earn up to 5000 pts a day.

You can use the cards to pay online for anything you haven't paid for yet; cruise, excursions, drink package, etc.  Or you can take it with you on the ship and add them to your sign & sail account.  That will take care of any expenses you incur onboard.  Just keep in mind that if there's anything left over it will be given back to you in another gift card.  

[pacruise804]

On 1/15/2019 at 11:36 AM, ccowgirl5280 said:

 Is there a benefit to buying cruise cash? Better to buy pre boarding or once on the ship

 

Cruise cash is a nice option for someone who wants to gift sailing friends or family.  You can purchase $25 increments compared to $100 for gift cards.  There is no price difference pre-purchasing vs. on board (although if a gift and you aren't sailing, obviously would be pre-purchased).

 

Gift cards are technically non-refundable too, since any unused amount remains in the form of a gift card.  If you know you will cruise with Carnival again it's not an issue, but for a first time cruiser gift cards carry the risk of unused funds also.

 

On 1/15/2019 at 4:44 PM, coevan said:

Ask your bank, debit cards are not secure and not recommended for international travel. Capital One has a stellar fraud department. I honestly think anyone who uses debit cards does not trust they will pay the balance at the end of the month and accrue a debt and interest. But as you say it's your choice.

 

My debit card has the Visa logo on it and has all the security and protection of a Visa credit card.  My financial institution also has a stellar fraud department and I have never had issues with fraud with a debit card.  The only issue we have experienced is with rental cars.  Cruise purchases are domestic, so not international travel per se, but we also have not had issues in Canada or Mexico with purchases. 

 

If someone maintains a comfortable cushion in their checking account, holds are not an issue.  If someone has a low limit credit card (or at least low available credit), they can have the same issues with holds that a debit card holder would.

 

On 1/16/2019 at 3:33 AM, JennPVMX said:

Please forgive a newbie question. Can someone give me insight about the AARP gift cards? Can anyone buy them? Is this the best (only?) place to buy discounted gift cards? Do you buy them and use them once on the cruise to pay for incidentals while on board, I’m assuming? Would they also work for gratuities?  Again, thanks for the insight!!

 

Anyone can buy the discounted AARP cards.  I think Allstate also offers a discounted card, and possibly E-Bay a few times a year?  Verizon used to, but that has been discontinued.  Some grocery stores and gas stations also sell gift cards and while not at a discounted face value, you can get a discount on your groceries or gas.  Carnival gift cards are very flexible and can be used for online purchases plus any onboard expenses, including gratuities. 

 

The biggest negative to gift cards is the money is all allocated to Carnival at the time of purchase, and if you have left over funds they will be returned in the form of another gift card.  You can also use the casino work-around like with Cruise Cash if you do want to cash out.

[airlink diva]

On 1/15/2019 at 12:33 PM, coevan said:

 

 

it's even easier to use your S&S for everything and pay it with a credit card when you get home and get all those miles for a free flight

I don't fly enough for miles and same with credit card usage.  Very limited card usage

[Tjcalley]

I purchase cruise cash throughout the year so I don’t have to worry about it by the time i cruise. If any is left over I put that towards gratuities. I don’t see what the big deal is with doing that. I don’t want to come home to a $500 credit card bill. I get you can get rewards for that but some of us don’t have the cash readily available to pay that off at once