Could someone tell me if you are required to put $$ on the S&S or if you pay as you go? I read somewhere that if you are going on a 5 day cruise, you are required to put $200 down. Thanks for your help!
Most people secure their S & S card with a credit card and then the amount accumulates as you spend money during the cruise. If you plan to use cash - then on a 5-8 day cruise Carnival requires a minimum deposit of $200. When (if) funds run low they will let you know that you must either put additional cash into the account or you will not be able to use your card for any onboard purchases. This is important because ship purchases can only be made by using your S&S card - cash is not accepted (with the exception of the casino).
Nancy
Originally posted by Anna81:
so, in other words, if I pay cash, I have to put forth $200. If I use a CC, I dont have to worry about it because I will just be billed at the end?
That is correct. At the end of the cruise - usually early on the last morning - a printout of all of your charges will be slid under your cabin door. If you agree with what was charged, then you need do nothing more. They will bill your credit card. On many ships these days, you can even keep track of your charges via your cabin TV.
Hello, One important thing they may have forgotten to tell you is that if you use your credit card and agree to all the charges on the bill you have nothing to do. If you put money on the sail and sign card you may have to stand on a line and settle a debt at the end of the cruise.
Also, keep in mind that your gratuities are charged to your ship board credit. On a 5 night cruise for 2 people an automatic $100.00 will come off the balance you placed on the card. Of course you can go to the information desk and opt out if you prefer to pay cash for your tips at the end of the cruise.
One other note, when usuing a debit card the cruiseline puts an automatic hold on a minimum amount from your bank account. So if you are planning on using that card, keep in mind that even if you only have a total of maybe $250.00 charged, the cruise line places a hold of approximately $200.00 up front, then they charge your card at the end of the cruise and will release the hold, it takes sometimes a few days to release the hold, this can tie up your funds if you don't have extra money in your account.
a. Put $200 up front, in cash on my S&S card
or I can
b. Give them my credit card #, in which case, they will automatically put a hold on $200 from my account?
Is it also possible to give them my CC # and then pay cash at the end?
Sorry so many questions, just trying to get it straight...
This is correct.. They especially put a hold on the money if you use your bank debit card. This can tie up your funds for a few days, especially if you alloted so much in your account that you are planning on using. You can also just put up the cash at the beginning of the cruise, and when you have used up what you placed on the card, then you will be notified to come to the information desk and add more money. If you have any money left at the end of the cruise you will be refunded it by check on the last night of the cruise. You can also put up your credit card, then settle with cash on the last night. Of course the lines can be horrible that last night.
On one of the cruises that we were on my husband won over $1200.00 in the casino on the slots, so instead of letting our charges ride on our credit card, we went the last night and cleared our bill with cash..no credit bill to worry about.
Just remember, you tips are automatically charged to your onboard account, which of course, you can opt out of, but again another wait in line.
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