Carnival Sail & Sign Card?

[Cruisin' Chick]

I would imagine that this is how it works for most cruiselines: When you first check in at the port, you will be ask for a credit card for your account. If you want to use cash, there's usually a minimum amount (check with the cruiseline) you must put down. At a certain level of spending, you will be contacted to put down more money.

 

You will be given a card that doubles as your room key and your sign and sail card. As you are just getting on the ship, you will be asked to have a photo taken that gets embedded into that card. That is the photo that security officials will check every time you get on the ship. Even toddlers will be assigned a card, so make sure that everyone's card is taken off the ship. You'll see many passengers using a lanyard to carry their card (I used one with a plastic sleeve; others will get theirs hole-punched). Do not lose this card. If it gets demagnetized (ours did once on our last cruise), just go to the purser's desk.

 

On some cruiseships, even the casinos are becoming cashless (there's a way of setting up an account with a PIN number).

 

As for tips, some cruiselines put a daily tip or hotel charge on your account per person every day. Supposedly you can get it taken off or reduced, but usually that is not the best thing (on Princess, removing it and then giving cash directly to the crew members means they have to turn over the money to their supervisor for the tipping pool, which means the crew member actually gets less money). On other cruiselines, you get the envelopes to stuff on the last day. Personally I like the autotipping where it's done for us and we just concern ourselves with who we want to give extra tips too.

[SadieN]

Some credit card companies will issue temporary card numbers. They are used for online transactions and are good for a set amount and/or set period of time. Perhaps you can contact your customer service and ask about this?

 

It also may not work if the cruise needs to physically swipe the card. I noticed Carnival has it so that I can link my S&S card with a credit card from the website as part of my cruise check-in.

 

They will ask to swipe the card of record.

[jre2505]

Thanks to this thread... I've made my decision in what I will be giving them when boarding the ship (Carnival Dream 5/21).

 

& that's Cash.

 

1st time cruiser!

 

THANKS EVERYBODY!

Edited May 17, 2011 by jre2505

[Rosefloater]

They will ask to swipe the card of record.

 

You don't need to use the card that you entered for the Boarding Pass info. You can use a different card of record when checking in.

[near the beach]

You can check your sail & sign card balance daily. On some ships via the TV or you can call guest services or go to the guest services desk and get a print out of any purchases and charges.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Think of it as a credit card /room key

[GlendaleCruiser]

I prefer to use a credit card for two reasons:

1) they put a bigger hold on a debit card that I would like and my credit card has a high limit, so it is invisible.

 

2) If there is a problem with the charges, I can refute them more easily with credit and not have it affect the bills I am trying to pay monthly.

[Jo-Bob]

I didn't see it mentioned specifically here, but attempting to go on a cruise with 'maxxed' out CC is not going to work....if intending to use that particular card for your onboard account

 

Most cruiselines put a 'daily hold' on your credit, somewhere around A$50-60 per day. If going on a 10 day, that would require available credit of around $500.....if not spent, the the hold is released. Same as hotels, rental cars.....common practise.

 

But when you expect to use a card that has no available credit on it, you are asking for trouble, unless you are prepared to use cash for those HOLD amounts. These are not charges, but HOLDS...

 

I guess too many people have been unable to pay their bill at the end of the cruise, which has led to this practise. I guess they figure this represents the average spending one might do....and also assures them of have the daily service charge covered. (which some refer to as auto tipping).

 

I'm hoping someone with more specific info on this will chime in.

[dreamingtotravel04]

Regardless of what you do for your s&s card, remember where it is at all times. Do a mental checklist each and I do mean every time before leaving the room. You can easily change into something else or put it down so it doesn't fall out of your pocket when you in the bathroom and you can be locked out of your room. Thankfully if this does happen, your room cabin sterward can let you in- but they aren't always right by your cabin when you need them.:)

[Kandie12]

We have a pre-paid Visa for our vacation use & plan to use it on our upcoming cruise. It has our names embossed on it. Only took a week to get the "permanent" card in the mail. We don't like to charge anything & this is an easy option. You can google for a place in your area that offers them & decide which one fits your needs.

[PrettyHazardous]

Hey Guys

I'm probably gonna repeat a lot of what's been said but your S&S is your lifeline on the cruise. You don't wanna misplace it so on day 1 go to the casino have them give you (for free) a lanyard. They will punch a whole in the card and you are done. Just keep it around your neck.

 

My friend actually used a prepayed card on her S&S with no prob. My hubby and I use our bank card (however we have a special vacay acct and card specifically for the trip). Yes they put a $500 hold but it's no biggie bc it's off by the time you are off the ship (we tend to spend more than $500).

 

Yes you can take your pre payed tips off your card which we did on the last 2 cruises bc we rarely eat in the dining room (mainly supper club but we tip on our own) and we tip our room steward a lot on day 1 and a lot on the last day (we like to acknowledge good service and clearly go over the $10 a day rule). Also we tip our fav drink servers as well. Carnival has no problem with this at all and are actually fine with this (in our face at least).

 

Lastly it is fine to just put cash on you S&S from day one. If you are not planning to spend alot just put $300 and you'll be surprised at the end (we've never had that experience so tell me how it feels) but remember there are other thing to pay for on board like spa tx, pictures, supper club, choco covered strawberries lol etc.

[SadieN]

Hey Guys

I'm probably gonna repeat a lot of what's been said but your S&S is your lifeline on the cruise. You don't wanna misplace it so on day 1 go to the casino have them give you (for free) a lanyard. They will punch a whole in the card and you are done. Just keep it around your neck.

 

My friend actually used a prepayed card on her S&S with no prob. My hubby and I use our bank card (however we have a special vacay acct and card specifically for the trip). Yes they put a $500 hold but it's no biggie bc it's off by the time you are off the ship (we tend to spend more than $500).

 

Yes you can take your pre payed tips off your card which we did on the last 2 cruises bc we rarely eat in the dining room (mainly supper club but we tip on our own) and we tip our room steward a lot on day 1 and a lot on the last day (we like to acknowledge good service and clearly go over the $10 a day rule). Also we tip our fav drink servers as well. Carnival has no problem with this at all and are actually fine with this (in our face at least).

 

Lastly it is fine to just put cash on you S&S from day one. If you are not planning to spend alot just put $300 and you'll be surprised at the end (we've never had that experience so tell me how it feels) but remember there are other thing to pay for on board like spa tx, pictures, supper club, choco covered strawberries lol etc.

 

 

Where did you eat breakfast and lunch? The Steakhouse is only open at night. Tips also go to the buffet workers.

[Pepperw23]

I would not use my debit card. If you don't have a credit card that you want to use, just go online and pre-pay your account. That is what I have done for years now.

 

So if I were to prepay this would cover the whole sign and sail "problem"?

[gajaheck]

this is my first cruise who is going on july 2nd to bahammas

[serene56]

So if I were to prepay this would cover the whole sign and sail "problem"?

 

 

You can prepay by buying onboard credit-- and you will not need a cc when you are checking in--just tell them cash account. When it gets low they will ask for more

[gajaheck]

ok do yall hear me on here

[PartyAllDaTyme]

this is my first cruise who is going on july 2nd to bahammas

 

ok do yall hear me on here

 

Gajaheck, click this link to see my post for more info on how to use Cruise Critic--

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=29562516&postcount=15

Edited June 24, 2011 by PartyAllDaTyme

[jbellpower]

Thanks for clearing this up for me as well. Have been worried about option of paying in cash (prefer to do this.) So, do I still need to have extra cash to be left in envelopes for tips at end of cruise or do they put it on this account?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Susan

 

I always prepay my tips when I book the cruise. I do not give them a CC for my sail and sign, I always put cash on it usually about 100.00 per person. Any money that is left, they refund. If we spend it all, they will let you know LOL

[trader2340]

I have a question regarding this.

 

Since for Carnival, an adult is needed in each room, my sister and my grandma are going to be put together, and me and my mom are going to be put together. I am going to switch cards with my grandma so we have the other room. She likes to drink, so, since she has my card, will she not be allowed to drink? And when we leave the ship while in port, will they say something to us?

[jbellpower]

I have a question regarding this.

 

Since for Carnival, an adult is needed in each room, my sister and my grandma are going to be put together, and me and my mom are going to be put together. I am going to switch cards with my grandma so we have the other room. She likes to drink, so, since she has my card, will she not be allowed to drink? And when we leave the ship while in port, will they say something to us?

The sail and sign has your picture on file. So when you leave the ship, it shows your picture to the security persons. If your rooms are next door to each other or across the hall, they will allow your Mom to book it with the Mom and Grandma in one room and you and your sister in the other. I have booked a room with my children in the room next door to us and it was no problem. Call 1-800-819-3902 ext 85804 and speak to my Carnival PVS, Rene. He will help you out.

[XxlainaxX]

Do you think you can use a pre-paid credit card?

No Carnival Ships accept Prepaid Credit Cards, Or Credit Card Gift Cards.

[S&LMom]

You may have a seperate key card if you are on one of these ships.

 

On the following ships, the Sail & Sign card is also used to access your stateroom and serve as your boarding card to get on and off the ship while in the ports of call: Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic.

On these ships, in addition to the Sail & Sign card, our check-in agent will provide you with a stateroom key: Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination.

[Cruisinaround2012]

this is my first cruise who is going on july 2nd to bahammas

 

Thank you for that update, it's good to know! I hate the idea of running a 7 day tab . . .

[pulsipher2007]

You can buy the funship dollars by calling the Bon Voyage department. This is the number I found for them: 1-800-522-7648. When you call, you have to specify if you want them mailed to you or if you want them directly applied to your account so they show up as 'On Board Credit'.

 

 

 

 

 

You can only use a prepaid visa card only if it has your name embossed on it (I've never actually seen one of those but have heard they exist). You CAN use traveler's checks to secure your onboard account. You will provide those to Guest Services after getting on board. You can also do cash the same as the traveler's checks.

 

Good Luck!

If you use fun ship dollars..they are not refundable or transferable to another cruse, and if you don't use all the money you loose it. The only way to get CASH on your account is to walk on-board with the actual cash and hand it over to the service desk. According to the Carnival rep I just spoke to, there is no way to pre-pay any CASH.

[Sue Do-Over]

A 'hold' may be placed on your card when you board. This is primarily to ensure that the card you offer is a live, valid, active card (not one on an account that was closed or reported stolen).

 

This protects the cruise line somewhat... so that they don't get stuck with the balance. One big transaction is more efficient than lots of little ones, and gets them better merchant rates from the credit card companies.

 

The actual charge isn't made until the last night, all at once. You can check the balance any time on board at a kiosk that looks like an ATM, or at the service desk. You can pay off the balance, or part of it, with cash any time on board. Only the final remaining balance actually gets charged to your credit/debit card.

 

Some lucky people apply their casino winnings to their S&S balance, and leave the ship with no balance at all. The lucky ones!

 

If your card is declined, you'll get a note or phone call from guest services to come up with a different card, or pay cash. No idea what they do in the event that a guest doesn't have any other options. Cash advance loan? They have your address/ passport/ etc. so you probably can't just dine-and-dash.