Credit card vs Cash

[crazy4bears]

My husband and I are going on our first cruise in May. We paid for our cruise by cash. I have read on this post that that could be a bad thing. My husband does not belive in credit cards because of an earlier bad experience. We will be paying all our expenses in cash on board. Why is that bad? If we have all our receipts how can any thing go wrong?

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[tef43]

You are certainly entitled to pay with cash at the end of the cruise Just remember that you MUST use your Sign & Sail card onboard ship, and settle your account at the Purser's Desk at the end.

One advantage to using a credit card is that you have a line of defense in case something goes wrong. Disputing the charge through your credit card company forces the hand of the vendor. If you have paid in cash, the vendor really has no incentive to solve your problem.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

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Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
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[jleq]

For people who want to use cash, you set up an "account" at the pursers desk. Works sort of like a checking account.

You set up your account for $250 [I just picked a figure]. You have shipboard credit until the $250 is gone. Then you have a choice of adding more...or spending no more.

If you have money left in your "account" at the end of the cruise, Carnival will give you a check for that amount.

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[kajsb]

If you pay for your sign and sail care in cash, you get to stand in a long line to place your deposit and then another long line to settle your sign and sail card at the end of the cruise. If you use a credit card, you eliminate all the time in line. There's a lot of things I'd rather do on my cruise than waiting and waiting in long lines.

Kathy

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[c & k]

We're going to use our credit card for the sail and sign purchases on the ship, but on shore we will be using traveler's checks and some cash.

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[finoky]

We have always used cash for our sail and sign card and have never had to stand in the long lined that was mentioned above. As soon as we board we walk right up to the pursers desk to put down the cash and activate our account. At the end of the cruise we always have money left over so there is no settling up to do. Carnival simply slips us a check under the door which we take home with us to cash later. If you wish they will cash it at the pursers desk. This has always worked well for us and we aren't stuck with credit card bills to pay off later.

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Tony

2004 Legend March 28th
2003 Paradise
2002 Paradise
2000 Destiny
1999 Fascination
1998 Fantasy

[CruisinTXGal]

Like Tony we used cash on our cruise a week ago and we had absolutely no problems or long lines. We put cash in our account as soon as we boarded. It was a very simple and quick process and Saturday night we got a check slipped under the door for what was left on the account. We were instructed at the disembarkation talk that the purser's desk would even cash it for us if we so chose. Take cash and have a great cruise. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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[Mlkkc]

I agree with CARNIVALCRUISEJUNKIE just put your money up front at the purser's desk. So what if you have to stand in line. The line moves pretty fast and you don't have to worry about any unforseen charges later when you arrive home.No stress or headache later. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

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[kujobie]

Cash is fine for sail and sign. Credit card is best in ports if you plan on making any big purchases for the protection it offers and for the "Uh oh factor" like if you miss the ship and have to fly home or get injured while in port and need medical attention

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[marklodi]

The one option I haven't seen mentioned here is the one we're going to use on our first cruise: Debit Card

It's not credit - you can only spend what's in your checking account, and it's safer than cash because the purchases are guaranteed from Visa (at least ours is from BofA.)

You do have to have at least $500 available in your checking account for a 7-day Cruise for two people ($250 each), but it seems like the answer to all the reasons for and against that I've seen posted. We've saved up our money for our cruise, and are taking half in cash, while the other half will be in the checking account for the S&S card. They will also take the info just like a credit card, so there is no need to stand in line at the Purser's desk to activate or to settle.

The only thing you have to be careful of is spending more than you have available in your account. If you do, they'll notify you and you'll have to have another method of payment - such as cash or an alternate credit card.

Also - and this is important - they actually TAKE OUT the amount mentioned above. So even if you plan to settle in cash at the end, you have to have that much available on your card.

(Did I get all that right? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif )

Mark ºoº

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[crazy4bears]

Thank all of you for your thoughts on my matter. I feel much better now. My husband doesn't want any vacation bills to deal with after cruise. We will watch our time closely and not miss boat.

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[marklodi]

Boy, I just read what I wrote, and I even confused myself... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Here is how this all works, directly from Carnival's website:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>For your convenience, charges for most of your onboard purchases are made to your Sail & Sign® account. A required application form will be included with your documents. Registration for this program will occur at the time of embarkation. Carnival accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and cash for deposit on your account. A deposit (ranging from $100 to $350 depending on cruise duration) will be required for cash accounts.

If you are using a credit card or debit/check cashing card please be advised that there will be a hold placed on your account as a deposit for your onboard purchases. During your cruise additional holds will be added if your Sail & Sign® account exceeds the amount of deposit Carnival has on file. If you presented a credit card, this will reduce the amount available on your credit card for other purchases. If you presented a debit/check cashing card, the hold will restrict the available cash in your checking account. All charges will be billed to the credit card or debit/check cashing card at the end of the cruise.

BOARDING CARD

Your Sail & Sign Card will serve as your Boarding Card. This card identifies you as a Carnival guest and must be carried with you along with picture identification when you go ashore. Because the ship is closed to the public while docked at the various ports-of-call, you’ll have to show your Sail & Sign Card and picture I.D. to the officer on duty in order to return on board.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mark ºoº

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[dan40]

I'm amazed at the deep feelings about plastic. We haven't carried more than $100 in cash since the early 80's. Everything goes on a card, debit or credit. Then there is protection and records of all purchases. Writing this caused me to remember. About 6 months ago we bought a new pickup. After dickering and settling on the price, I asked if we could put the deposit on our Visa. "Sure," he says and goes away to finalize the papers [really a conference to see if they could bump us for a few more bucks.] When he came back and asked for the card, I said, "Put the whole thing on there and we're done." He got a little big eyed but did it. As we were leaving I caught a nasty look from the sales mgr. [closer]
First time I used a Visa to buy a vehicle.
Of course, credit cards MUST be paid off each month or they are a disaster. Better to think of them as convience cards instead of credit cards.

If you use cash for a S&S account remember that day one, $140.00 will be charged against your balance for tips on a 7 day cruise.
Dan

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[Boston6]

Really surprised they let you charge an entire vehicle to your credit card. Esp. since 4-5% of the purchase price is paid to the credit card company for fees. They obviously made a lot more than their credit card fee off of you.

Sovereign of the Seas (11/89)
Monarch of the Seas (8/99)
Norwegian Sea (7/02)
Carnival Glory (4/17/04)

[dan40]

Sticking them with the discount rate was the whole point. That's why I got the look from the mgr. And the salesman told me he caught holy hell for doing it before checking with anyone. I thought they would come back and complain about the discount rate, I'd let them say what the rate was then I'd split the rate with them and pay cash. But when they used the card, I just let it go. Anytime I escape from a car dealer with my pants still on, I feel like it was at least a tie.
Dan

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[tjevans]

Crazy,

Like your husband, I do not believe in credit cards. However, because I must often incur work-related expenses and later be reimbursed for them, I have a credit card for work expenses.

We're using that card on our cruise. We intend to "register" our S&S card on that credit card. We've already saved up what we think will be more than enough cash to cover our expenses while on the cruise.

This is what I would recommend for minimum hassle.

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Carnival Conquest 4/18/04

[CruiseFever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>My husband does not belive in credit cards <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Good for you!

You'll be far better off in the long run for sure.

You might want to consider a VISA or MasterCard debit or check card though. They work just like a credit card and and have all the security advantages you really don't have with cash. They're kind of like what travelers checks were 20 years ago and offer a level of security that's important when traveling.

Here's more on all that:
http://www.lifeiscruising.com/how_much_cash_

Again, good for you on paying cash!

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[crazy4bears]

We use a small town bank and they have a daily limit of $300 on a debit card. I will just use cash to pay for our sail account. Husband will not consider going to a larger bank becaue he loves the specail services we receive at our home town bank. He does't realize there are alot of disadvantages also. He also carrys extra cash for emergencys. So cash it will be. Thank all of you for your input.

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[kristy]

Has anyone ever used the card with a MC/VISA logo that YOU load with cash(kind of like a gift card?) I remember reading awhile back about something like that on here. I believe that it may be issued by Bank Of America?? I wonder if this would be a good alternative for those that don't like to use regular credit cards. Since it is backed by Visa or MC I would think it would have some safety measures like a normal CC.

*ETA*- here is a link for it prepaid credit card (http://www.bankofamerica.com/giftcard/)

We have used cash,debit and credit cards to cover our sail and sign in the past, but using a CC is by far the easiest for us.

Kristyhttp://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/haloslip.gif
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[gymbrat33]

I always deposit cash at the purser's and have never experienced any long lines to deposit money. There are always 2 or 3 people in front of me.

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Victory 3/04

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[smeyer418]

a couple of points here for general knowledge.
I do not believe in paying the exorbinant(sp) interest charges that the credit card companies charge so I pay my credit card off each month. There is no difference in my having cash and paying off the credit card in my view. If I lose the cash(robbed pickpocketed) the cash is gone if I loss the credit card, I lost some plastic and have to get it replaced(for free). If when the cc card is lost someone else uses it, it may be a hastle but I will get that off my credit card. This is not exactly the same for debit/check cards. There is less protection for these type of cards than pure credit cards. If you have a debit card/check card the money will be out of your account until you convince the bank it wasn't you. Of course there are some banks that will move faster than others. To get cash from a bank overseas or in any place else in the US, I use an ATM card without a visa or m/c logo. My bank(citibank) will issue one for me without that logo upon my request(it has the NYCE or other ATM sharing logos).
On the ship you can use a cc and then pay cash so it won't be used although a temporary hold is placed(so what). Finally I do not have any credit card that charges a yearly fee. I do get miles on some or cash back on others. I have an NCL credit card becasue that will allow me to get a FREE trip on NCL with money that I would have spent anyway. The Discover cash back is so small(less than 1% and with a yearly max) that the NCL card is better for me.
The NCL card also has the automobile rental coverage for free(with some limitations) that saves $10 per day when I rent a car. renting a car is a pain without a cc. I know that the NCL card has about the best policy for a cruise line card. The upside/downside(depending on how you look at it) of that is you have to travel on NCL.
I am not saying this is what you should do. This is what works for me but I thought you might like to have all the information that I used in setting my personal policy.

Proud charter member of the PPS-Passport Pusher Society

Mother's Day on the Dawn
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[CapnJackSparrow]

Wow, that pre-paid card sounds like something I could really go for!

We've included a "vacation" account in our weekly budget. So we vacation when we have money in that account. Everything is paid for up front before we leave. BUT, our sign and sail card we leave on a credit card - then when we get home the money saved in our "vacation" account pays off the rest of our cruise the first bill, and we earned points so I can go to Bath n Body Works free!
If you go to the purser's desk at odd hours - after everybody's left for shore - or 1/2 hr into the entertainment, ect -- there's never a line- Just have FUN !

Carnival Destiny 4/00
Carnival Victory 4/02
Carnival Legend 5/7/04

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