Can you put money in your on board account ahead of time?

We are sailing with the in laws. I was wanting to put some money into our onboard account ahead of time, to cover the costs of the soda card, excursions, etc... Is it possible to call Carnival and add it to the account, or do I need to purchase gift cards and use then once on board. We would prefer to pre pay for as much as possible, and not have to use our credit card much. Thanks!

When u get there go to the desk n put money on it

~Natasha

You can purchase cruise cash from the fun shops, it will be applied to your account before you board.

You can purchase cruise cash from the fun shops, it will be applied to your account before you board.

Thank you! We like to add a little bit to the account each month. Just works best for us.

Purchase your excursions ahead of time...

or just attach your debit card... same as cash.. and no need to do the annoying account settle at the end of the trip...

or just attach your debit card... same as cash.. and no need to do the annoying account settle at the end of the trip...

I've heard that using a debit card is a bad idea...is that not true?

I've heard that using a debit card is a bad idea...is that not true?

They will put a hold on your account, that is why we never use a debit card. I always buy gift cards. Remember if you buy cruise cash you need to use it or you will loose it - no refunds on any money leftover. Also if you buy cruise cash make sure that you print the receipt, it does not show up on your documents, you will have a letter when you get to your room showing that you have cruise cash.

There are a couple of ways. First there is Cruise Cash, but I have learned that it is "use it or lose it" so if you don't use it all, you lose it.

The other option is to purchase an e-gift card, which you can apply to your account once on board. From what I understand if you don't use it, the amount rolls over. I believe this to be much safer than using cruise cash and having a chance of losing some cash.

As far as debit cards go, the problem is that carnival places a series of holds on your card each day as the cruise progresses, then at the end of the day they again hold and charge the total amount, but they don't remove the earlier holds, so your cash is tied up for a few days until the previous holds fall off of your account.

Debit cards do not have the same protection against fraud as credit cards.... so be careful

Will be traveling on The Freedom in 3 weeks and 6 days, I have been buying cruise cash weekly, like stated before if you do not use it you lose it, therefore I buy a couple hundred dollars and enough to cover 1 carnival excursion about 600.00 total. I also prepay my gratuities and pay additional tipping as I go for good service. Another thing I do I pay for my hotels(2 nights) in advance with my debit card. This system works well for me and my wife. It makes her feel better that we never cruise on credit, strictly cash and carry. Have a great cruise.:):):):)

Will be traveling on The Freedom in 3 weeks and 6 days, I have been buying cruise cash weekly, like stated before if you do not use it you lose it, therefore I buy a couple hundred dollars and enough to cover 1 carnival excursion about 600.00 total. I also prepay my gratuities and pay additional tipping as I go for good service. Another thing I do I pay for my hotels(2 nights) in advance with my debit card. This system works well for me and my wife. It makes her feel better that we never cruise on credit, strictly cash and carry. Have a great cruise.:):):):)

That's exactly how we like to vacation. Everything. Paid for with cash and/or in advance.

Once book a cruise, we start an envelope up and keep adding cash to it. By the time we sail, we have plenty in there to allow to go right to the Purser's desk and put anywhere from $500-$700 down on our S&S account. We've done this for years and it sure makes that post-cruise credit card bill a lot easier (and smaller!!) to take. We usually have that amount plus tipping money and cash spending money by the time we sail.

You could get one of those prepaid VIsa cards and apply your money to the card and then use the card for your expenses on the ship. If you have any money left over, you can use the card back home.

You could get one of those prepaid VIsa cards and apply your money to the card and then use the card for your expenses on the ship. If you have any money left over, you can use the card back home.

Not an expert by any means on this topic....however, wouldn't that be the same as using your debit card from your bank? If carnival places a hold onto it each time your onboard account needs replenished and doesn't release the previous hold won't it just snowball until your account is maxed out?

You can buy cruise cash ahead of time. They are sold on the Carnival website. You can also book & pay for your excursion ahead of time. (You didn't mention it, but you can also pre-pay your tips.)

A prepaid debit card works similar to a regular debit card, however, the hills can take up to 30 days to be released.

Cruise cash is use it or lose it, again however, you can go to the casino the last night of the cruise and create a players account. Put any leftover money on it, play a round or 2 of slots the cash out.

I have used a debit card and not had an issue with holds. I have also done the Cruise Cash as stated above and did not have an issue.

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They will cost you $5 or so each but here is what I would do if cash makes you nervous......as you go through the next few months prepay your gratuities and excursions....save all your singles....then go to the grocery store and buy those prepaid DEBIT cards....with a pin....in $200 denominations and one in $500. When you get to check in put the $500 on your account. Then as you need to add more do it in $200 increments (or whatever you prefer). MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A PIN so they can be used in ATM's as well. They are also re-loadable after your cruise. Just a thought.

Dawn

Carrying cash doesn't make me nervous, so instead of playing the whole card roulette game I'm taking cash for my shipboard account. My question is, how do you know when you need to go add more cash to your account? I understand you can check your S&S account on your room TV. Is that the primary method of tracking it? Do they leave a message/bill in your room to let you know? What about at the end of the cruise? Just go to the purser's desk and cash out?

Then I would say just use the cash and the kiosk daily. You can cash out the night before. I always wait till I am through partying the last night and go cash out. The kiosk is SO easy to use. And if I am owed something I just got in line late night (hardly a line) and received a check. I think on my last one I even waited till the next morning and the line wasn't bad.

The pursers will let you know if you need to add money if you are getting low. They will send a message to your cabin. Or at least they used to.

Carrying cash doesn't make me nervous, so instead of playing the whole card roulette game I'm taking cash for my shipboard account. My question is, how do you know when you need to go add more cash to your account? I understand you can check your S&S account on your room TV. Is that the primary method of tracking it? Do they leave a message/bill in your room to let you know? What about at the end of the cruise? Just go to the purser's desk and cash out?

My last cruise I saw the bartender tell somebody they had to go to guest services before he could get them a drink. The passenger said something about adding more money.

My last cruise I saw the bartender tell somebody they had to go to guest services before he could get them a drink. The passenger said something about adding more money.

That would suck! However, we are getting the Cheers program and plan on bringing enough cash for that.

Curious, if you use cash to establish your S&S account upon check-in, can you go to the kiosk and use your debit card to add funds in increments? Or does that put you back in the account fund hold game?

If you are set on using cash on your cruise, set up your account to back it with a credit card and at the end of the cruise when you get your bill go pay with your cash. Then you will never have to worry about them contacting you if you don't have enough on the account. You can check how much you have spent anytime by checking at the kiosk or on your stateroom tv.

We like to charge our cruise expenses on the credit card because we have the Barclay card and get double points when using it on Carnival purchases. I always earn enough to at least pay tips and last cruise I had $200 OBC as well.