Paying tab with cash?

[MandaR]

 My family will be on our first cruise is in three weeks.  We are booked with Carnival.

 

  I've been reading and learning alot about basic ettiqute, fees, excursion, the ship and so on.

 

I understand they link my credit card to my account and any on ship purchases are processed directly through the ship card/my credit card.

 

  What I am wondering is whether I can bring cash, and pay that balance before it's charged on my C.C.?  I prefer travelling this way to keep me on a budget

Thanks

 

[1025cruise]

Of course you can.

[john watson]

Most cruise lines allow you to pay cash onto your cruise account reducing the bill. Visit reception as often as you like and hand money in.  Expenses get charged to your credit card on the last day of the cruise.  It is possible to monitor how your costs are going by visiting reception and asking for a statement, daily if you want.  Usually couples are on one credit card but the statement records cruise card holder 1 and 2 so you can determine who signed for things. An explicit description of each purchase and location where it was spent is recorded.

 

Regards John

Edited August 1, 2019 by john watson

[Philob]

Some people settle their account on the last night and let any subsequent charges go on their card.  This is to avoid the lines at the reception desk on the last morning or if you have to get off the ship asap.

[MandaR]

1 minute ago, Philob said:

Some people settle their account on the last night and let any subsequent charges go on their card.  This is to avoid the lines at the reception desk on the last morning or if you have to get off the ship asap.

Yes, this is what I was thinking as well. Bringing my cash and paying off what I owe the final night. If we've overspent, or decide to splurge that evening it will be the only extra charge on my C.C.

 

  They hold a $100 deposit at embarkation.  My hope is that is all we end up spending above my cash.

[Schoifmom]

1 hour ago, MandaR said:

 My family will be on our first cruise is in three weeks.  We are booked with Carnival.

 

  I've been reading and learning alot about basic ettiqute, fees, excursion, the ship and so on.

 

I understand they link my credit card to my account and any on ship purchases are processed directly through the ship card/my credit card.

 

  What I am wondering is whether I can bring cash, and pay that balance before it's charged on my C.C.?  I prefer travelling this way to keep me on a budget

Thanks

 

 

You have a few choices here (I always travel with a cash account on Carnival). 

1.  You can keep your credit card listed on your account AND apply cash at the time you embark.  Carnival will use the cash before processing charges to your credit card.  

2.  You can wait until later in the cruise and apply cash to your account either at Guest Services or using the kiosk.

Either method is totally up to you.  I normally only apply cash and then will add later in the cruise if it appears we are going to spend more than expected.

 

36 minutes ago, MandaR said:

Yes, this is what I was thinking as well. Bringing my cash and paying off what I owe the final night. If we've overspent, or decide to splurge that evening it will be the only extra charge on my C.C.

 

  They hold a $100 deposit at embarkation.  My hope is that is all we end up spending above my cash.

 

The hold Carnival places on your credit card is not a deposit, it is a hold.  The amount depends on the length of your cruise.  This hold will fall off sometime after you cruise, tying up your available balance for a period of time following the cruise.  This is why it is never recommended to use a debit card (not that you said you were, just as a point of reference).  You can avoid the hold altogether by simply using the cash on your account.  If you find that you may be going over your cash deposit, you can always go to GS or the kiosk and add the credit card (they will place a hold if you end up presenting it).

[Essiesmom]

You don't need to go to Guest Services to check your spending.  Download the Carnival Hub App to your phone and/or tablet now, fill in what you can.  It will activate when you board, and you can view your spending on it (no internet plan needed) as well as entertainment, menus, etc.  EM

Edited August 1, 2019 by Essiesmom

[MandaR]

3 hours ago, Schoifmom said:

 

You have a few choices here (I always travel with a cash account on Carnival). 

1.  You can keep your credit card listed on your account AND apply cash at the time you embark.  Carnival will use the cash before processing charges to your credit card.  

2.  You can wait until later in the cruise and apply cash to your account either at Guest Services or using the kiosk.

Either method is totally up to you.  I normally only apply cash and then will add later in the cruise if it appears we are going to spend more than expected.

 

 

The hold Carnival places on your credit card is not a deposit, it is a hold.  The amount depends on the length of your cruise.  This hold will fall off sometime after you cruise, tying up your available balance for a period of time following the cruise.  This is why it is never recommended to use a debit card (not that you said you were, just as a point of reference).  You can avoid the hold altogether by simply using the cash on your account.  If you find that you may be going over your cash deposit, you can always go to GS or the kiosk and add the credit card (they will place a hold if you end up presenting it).

Oh perfect.  So I may not need to link any C.C.?  Say I get on board and "deposit" $600 cash for our 5 day cruise. They simply use that till/if gone?  Than I can watch the account various ways, if I'm getting to higher than the $600 I link my card?

 

  What happens if I deposit the $600, but only spend $500? Is it the same ease to get the remaining funds back?

[Schoifmom]

22 minutes ago, MandaR said:

Oh perfect.  So I may not need to link any C.C.?  Say I get on board and "deposit" $600 cash for our 5 day cruise. They simply use that till/if gone?  Than I can watch the account various ways, if I'm getting to higher than the $600 I link my card?

 

  What happens if I deposit the $600, but only spend $500? Is it the same ease to get the remaining funds back?

 

Exactly!

 

You have a couple of options if you have money left on your account.  If it is more than $10, Carnival will mail you a check (anything less than $10 is donated to St. Jude's).  You can cash out your account on the last night using the kiosk or going to Guest Services, or in the casino.  Just make sure you are completely done spending.  When there is no money on your account (and it is not backed by a credit card) you cannot charge anything to your S&S account.

[navybankerteacher]

4 hours ago, MandaR said:

Yes, this is what I was thinking as well. Bringing my cash and paying off what I owe the final night. If we've overspent, or decide to splurge that evening it will be the only extra charge on my C.C.

 

  They hold a $100 deposit at embarkation.  My hope is that is all we end up spending above my cash.

They will hold a lot more than $100 deposit on boarding if OP’s “my family” means the number of people it suggests. You do not “pay off...the final night”;  you put on advance deposit with them whatever amount is indicated - and they will cut off any and all on board spending when that deposit is exhausted.   There is no way they will let you run up a bill and hope to get it from you before you debark.

[jocap]

On occasion we have paid part of our bill in foreign currency we had for port days; eg, knowing we were unlikely to return to the Caribbean, we used up our dollars that way, and the same with other money in other lands ( we were expecting to use a cc card for the rest). It's never been a problem at reception.

[MandaR]

3 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

They will hold a lot more than $100 deposit on boarding if OP’s “my family” means the number of people it suggests. You do not “pay off...the final night”;  you put on advance deposit with them whatever amount is indicated - and they will cut off any and all on board spending when that deposit is exhausted.   There is no way they will let you run up a bill and hope to get it from you before you debark.

We are a family of 5. Three are children and I'm not giving them spending credit.

 

 From what I read it's a $100 hold per cabin for a five day trip.  Do they charge more because we have kids?

 

 If hubby and I spend $300 in drinks during our trip.  I go down the final night and pay that $300 off with cash, but have my card registered do they not just charge anything I spend that night on the card?

 

 To the reverse if I've already handed them $600 cash and we spent $550 as of the final night. I go to guest services, link my card and they charge anything above that remaining $50 on it?

 

 Now I'm confused, why do they say no cash only credit cards if I'm not allowed to run a 'tab' on that card? And why is it not ok to pay that tab off with cash prior to being charged on a card?

[navybankerteacher]

9 minutes ago, MandaR said:

We are a family of 5. Three are children and I'm not giving them spending credit.

 

 From what I read it's a $100 hold per cabin for a five day trip.  Do they charge more because we have kids?

 

 If hubby and I spend $300 in drinks during our trip.  I go down the final night and pay that $300 off with cash, but have my card registered do they not just charge anything I spend that night on the card?

 

 To the reverse if I've already handed them $600 cash and we spent $550 as of the final night. I go to guest services, link my card and they charge anything above that remaining $50 on it?

 

 Now I'm confused, why do they say no cash only credit cards if I'm not allowed to run a 'tab' on that card? And why is it not ok to pay that tab off with cash prior to being charged on a card?

I must have misunderstood you, I thought you wanted to only use cash - if you give them a credit card upon boarding, I do not think you need to put up any cash, and then on the last night go down and settle up with cash - probably leaving a bit more cash to cover any last minute expenses, and they will refund any unused portion.

 

I think they will apply a hold per person, not per cabin - because the tips are based per person, of course you can have then removed (hopefully for cause); but unless removed I believe they will be looking for a $12.50 per person/day - or $312.50 for the five days - unless you prepaid.

[chipmaster]

In the US and most US commercial places still accept cash, just be aware your settlement could be huge; doing tours, buying drinks and trinkets, doing special add ons?   Easily get a end bill of hundreds if not thousands / person, why would anyone do this in cash when you use a CC you can get points or up to 3% back, why throw away free money 😁

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

6 hours ago, MandaR said:

 My family will be on our first cruise is in three weeks.  We are booked with Carnival.

 

  I've been reading and learning alot about basic ettiqute, fees, excursion, the ship and so on.

 

I understand they link my credit card to my account and any on ship purchases are processed directly through the ship card/my credit card.

 

  What I am wondering is whether I can bring cash, and pay that balance before it's charged on my C.C.?  I prefer travelling this way to keep me on a budget

Thanks

 

Yes. But don't you have a card that give great travel perks?

[Schoifmom]

1 hour ago, MandaR said:

We are a family of 5. Three are children and I'm not giving them spending credit.

 

 From what I read it's a $100 hold per cabin for a five day trip.  Do they charge more because we have kids?

 

 If hubby and I spend $300 in drinks during our trip.  I go down the final night and pay that $300 off with cash, but have my card registered do they not just charge anything I spend that night on the card?

 

 To the reverse if I've already handed them $600 cash and we spent $550 as of the final night. I go to guest services, link my card and they charge anything above that remaining $50 on it?

 

 Now I'm confused, why do they say no cash only credit cards if I'm not allowed to run a 'tab' on that card? And why is it not ok to pay that tab off with cash prior to being charged on a card?

 

I think NavyBankerTeacher got a little off course here.  If you choose to back your S&S account with a credit card, they will place a $100 initial hold for a 2-6 day cruise (https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1138/~/sail-%26-sign-onboard-account).  Be aware that this hold will increase as you spend. 

 

You can back your S&S with a credit card and then go down and pay your balance in cash at the end or at any time during the cruise (as I stated before) or you can just open your account with cash.

 

If you put both cash and a credit card on your account, Carnival will place the initial $100 hold on your credit card and use up the cash before they begin increasing the hold on your card and making any charges to the card at the end.

 

Ignore the people who try to tell you how to manage your money.  You do you.  If you want to use cash, use cash.  If you want to use your credit card, use it.  Want to do both, go for it.

Edited August 1, 2019 by Schoifmom

[cb at sea]

Just give them your CC and on the last night, go down and pay it off in cash.  That way, there's no "deposit"....no nothing!  Any little item you MIGHT buy after you pay off your balance so far can go to the card.  Typically, folks don't have anything to buy on the last evening/morning.   Nothing is actually CHARGED to your CREDIT card until after the cruise has ended.  If you are planning to use a debit card....DON'T!  Holds will be placed on your card (by your bank)..and can take several days to drop off.....If all you have is a debit card, simply use cash to begin with.

[clo]

1 hour ago, twodaywonder said:

Yes. But don't you have a card that give great travel perks?

Our (new) Chase Sapphire Reserve card give us 3X for all travel and dining!  Now that's an incentive 🙂

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

4 minutes ago, clo said:

Our (new) Chase Sapphire Reserve card give us 3X for all travel and dining!  Now that's an incentive 🙂

👍

[John Bull]

7 hours ago, Philob said:

Some people settle their account on the last night and let any subsequent charges go on their card.  This is to avoid the lines at the reception desk on the last morning or if you have to get off the ship asap.

 

6 hours ago, Schoifmom said:

 

 

 

The hold Carnival places on your credit card is not a deposit, it is a hold.  The amount depends on the length of your cruise.  This hold will fall off sometime after you cruise, tying up your available balance for a period of time following the cruise.  This is why it is never recommended to use a debit card (not that you said you were, just as a point of reference).  You can avoid the hold altogether by simply using the cash on your account.  If you find that you may be going over your cash deposit, you can always go to GS or the kiosk and add the credit card (they will place a hold if you end up presenting it).

 

 

Two excellent posts. 

 

Philob's is self-explanatory, it avoids waiting in line behind folk who are querying their tabs, squaring any over or under cash payments, etc.

Were I to do that, I think I'd do it earlier that last full day, or even the previous evening.

 

Schoifmom's, about the "hold", is a less well-known matter. 

Even though you've paid all or most of the tab at the end of the cruise, that hold which the cruise line secures daily on funds within your available credit limit (credit card) or in your bank account (debit card) remains in place for about a week after your cruise. 

So you've effectively paid twice until that hold is released.

Cruise lines blame the banks for that delay, banks blame the cruise lines - but since the same happens with car rentals, some hotels, and other organisations which need a hold, I think we can all figure that the banking system is the culprit. 

Since it's only a hold & not a withdrawal it doesn't show on your card / bank statements.

So if you have a low credit limit or are close to maxing that limit (credit card) or run a low bank balance (debit card), you will not be able to access the amount of the hold until it's released.

Most folk use their credit cards only as a charge-card & pay it off in full each month rather than using it as a form of loan, so the hold is well within their credit limit and it doesn't affect them.

But those who run a low bank balance, and perhaps expect salary or pension payments to cover their household utility bills etc while they're away, can find those  payments dis-honoured and ATMs unwilling to dispense cash because of that hold. Hence Scholfmom's warning particularly about debit cards.

You can only avoid that hold by putting cash into your on-board account at the start instead of registering a card, and you'll be expected to keep your on-board account in credit by topping-up as necessary. Hence you'd join that last-day line to collect any credit remaining in your on-board account (though I think some cruise lines will return unused credit by post?? - not something I know about)

 

Hmmmm. I started this post to clarify the hold.

But I've probably just added confusion  

Never mind - brew a pot of coffee & read it through a few times 

 

JB 

[MandaR]

Thank you everyone I think of got a clear idea of what we are doing.  

[zqvol]

On 8/1/2019 at 10:06 AM, MandaR said:

 My family will be on our first cruise is in three weeks.  We are booked with Carnival.

 

  I've been reading and learning alot about basic ettiqute, fees, excursion, the ship and so on.

 

I understand they link my credit card to my account and any on ship purchases are processed directly through the ship card/my credit card.

 

  What I am wondering is whether I can bring cash, and pay that balance before it's charged on my C.C.?  I prefer travelling this way to keep me on a budget

Thanks

 

 

Yes, in addition you can make cash deposits at any time, so you can pay as you go.

[brillohead]

I'm not familiar with Carnival's system, but I know on Royal Caribbean that if you have a credit balance (excess cash on the account) and also have a credit card on the account, they simply credit any excess on the last day back to the card that they have on file. 

If Carnival does the same thing (hopefully someone familiar with Carnival could chime in on that?), you could put the $600 in cash AND a credit card on the account at embarkation. Then if you only spend $550, the extra $50 will go back onto your credit card on the last day as a credit/refund.  If you end up spending $675, the additional $75 in charges will get charged to your credit card.  And you never have to stand in line at Guest Services the entire week.

[Schoifmom]

On 8/3/2019 at 2:38 AM, brillohead said:

I'm not familiar with Carnival's system, but I know on Royal Caribbean that if you have a credit balance (excess cash on the account) and also have a credit card on the account, they simply credit any excess on the last day back to the card that they have on file. 

If Carnival does the same thing (hopefully someone familiar with Carnival could chime in on that?), you could put the $600 in cash AND a credit card on the account at embarkation. Then if you only spend $550, the extra $50 will go back onto your credit card on the last day as a credit/refund.  If you end up spending $675, the additional $75 in charges will get charged to your credit card.  And you never have to stand in line at Guest Services the entire week.

 

In your scenario, (putting $600 cash and backing with a cc), Carnival will use up the cash first.  If you only spend $550, the additional $50 will be refunded either by a check in the mail or by picking up the cash at GS.  They will not apply it to your credit card.

[brillohead]

2 hours ago, Schoifmom said:

 

In your scenario, (putting $600 cash and backing with a cc), Carnival will use up the cash first.  If you only spend $550, the additional $50 will be refunded either by a check in the mail or by picking up the cash at GS.  They will not apply it to your credit card.

That's a bummer that they won't refund it to the card on file.  Thanks for chiming in with the Carnival experience!