Pre Paying

[Poohbeck]

I am trying to get as much done and paid ahead of time. I want to call the Bon Voyage and puchase my kids Soda cards, put money on our account (OBC) and maybe pre-purchase some wine.

When we disembark, I am hoping the balance of what we will owe will be less of a hit because I am pre-paying. I will mail a check to the CC company the same day I order.

Questions, thoughts, concerns...

[pe4all]

Originally Posted by Poohbeck

I am trying to get as much done and paid ahead of time. I want to call the Bon Voyage and puchase my kids Soda cards, put money on our account (OBC) and maybe pre-purchase some wine.

When we disembark, I am hoping the balance of what we will owe will be less of a hit because I am pre-paying. I will mail a check to the CC company the same day I order.

Questions, thoughts, concerns...

Can't pre-pay soda card - must be done on board. If you wait till ship sails, you will pay less tax on it! You can pre-order wine, etc., thru bon voyage dept., and put money on your account by buying funship dollars. Just go to CCL site, and you will see how to purchase them. You have to pay by credit card - no checks accepted for bon voyage. I know the funship dollars were also billed to our credit card - but maybe they will accept a check. We usually buy drink coupons/soda coupons before we sail to lower our bill also!!

[Poohbeck]

Originally Posted by pe4all

Can't pre-pay soda card - must be done on board. If you wait till ship sails, you will pay less tax on it! You can pre-order wine, etc., thru bon voyage dept., and put money on your account by buying funship dollars. Just go to CCL site, and you will see how to purchase them. You have to pay by credit card - no checks accepted for bon voyage. I know the funship dollars were also billed to our credit card - but maybe they will accept a check. We usually buy drink coupons/soda coupons before we sail to lower our bill also!!

Bummer - I thought I'd read that you can pre-purchase Soda Cards. Thanks for letting me know.

As for the check, I meant pay by credit card and then immediatley by the credit card bill by check.

[ladyd11933]

I haven't done it myself, but I have read a few posts the past few months that talked about calling bon voyage and preordering a soda card. Might give them a call and see.

[cullensmom]

I haven't prepaid for the soda card but I have heard of others doing it. I prepay on my S&S card and prepay my gratuities and love being able to pay for my vacation before I go.

[idraconis]

I just purchased fun ship dollars. I called the number and they applied to my OBC. If you order on line they will send you the certificates, and then have to fill out the form (takes two secs) send back via certified mail. Trust me call. Have a great cruise.

[*Mach*]

Originally Posted by Poohbeck

I am trying to get as much done and paid ahead of time. I want to call the Bon Voyage and puchase my kids Soda cards, put money on our account (OBC) and maybe pre-purchase some wine.

When we disembark, I am hoping the balance of what we will owe will be less of a hit because I am pre-paying. I will mail a check to the CC company the same day I order.

Questions, thoughts, concerns...

I have yet to leave a ship in the red. I use cash for my Sail & Sign account. I put more on it than I anticipate spending as a 'just in case.' If something catches my eye I still have money for it.

I always leave the ship with a check of the money left over on my Sail and Sign account. Once is was $.86!!!

[moonandsun]

Originally Posted by idraconis

I just purchased fun ship dollars. I called the number and they applied to my OBC. If you order on line they will send you the certificates, and then have to fill out the form (takes two secs) send back via certified mail. Trust me call. Have a great cruise.

No.....if you order online, you put "On board credit" on address line #1 on address line #2 you put your booking number and then fill in all of the required information. We do it for every cruise. Works like a charm.

[mrscooney]

You can prepay for the soda card I do it every cruise... But it has to be by credit card

[helicopter]

I have also read on the board where a number of people prepaid for the coke sticker I would call Bon Voyage to find out for sure about that one.

[Drazil65]

We use a debit card right out of our checking account to purchase soda cards, wine from BV (with fruit and cheese) and to put money into our OBC account all ahead of time. By the time we sail we will have at least $500 to $800 in our account. We usually get a check back at the end (last time it was over $300) so that is always nice!

[pe4all]

While we usually get soda coupons (prefer cans over glasses of soda) I just did a search on the Bon Voyage price list - can't find the "Bottomless Bubbles" soda card listed anywhere. Guess they only sell it over the phone??? You learn something new every day!

[Cavners5]

What is "Bottomless Bubbles"?

[Appleton]

Bottomless Bubbles is what they're calling the unlimited soda program now. From the Carnival website:

Carnival Cruise Lines will offer all guests the option to purchase a “Bottomless Bubbles” unlimited soda program which will allow the guest unlimited soft drinks and juices for the duration of the cruise at a one-time purchase price. Prices are as follows – a 15% gratuity will be added.
Child Rate Per Day $4.50 (17 years of age and younger)
Adult Rate Per Day $6.00 (18 years of age and older)
Upon purchasing the “Bottomless Bubbles” unlimited soda program, a sticker will be placed on the guest’s Sail & Sign card. “Bottomless Bubbles” can be purchased at the ship’s Casino Bar and Pool Bar.
In all areas where beverage service is offered, guests may show the “Bottomless Bubbles” sticker and receive a glass of the carbonated soft drink of their choice. Juices may also be requested. One 16 ounce glass will be served at a time and only to the guest whose name appears on the Sail & Sign card with the “Bottomless Bubbles” sticker attached.

• The “Bottomless Bubbles” unlimited soda program is non-transferable and may not be shared. Guests or family members who would like to enjoy soft drinks through this program must purchase their own sticker.
• One beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time.
• Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces).
• The program cannot be used through room service or the Interactive TV system, where applicable, or the minibar, where applicable.

Note: The following beverages are available in the Lido Deck Restaurant, 24/7 and are complimentary: Coffee; Hot Tea; Hot Chocolate; Lemonade; Sweet Ice Tea.

I am going on my first cruise in October (too far away!). I purchased some of the pre-paid drink coupons as well as had $300 OBC added to my account by purchasing Fun Ship Dollars. I did what someone above suggested and ordered the FSD online, but requested it be added as OBC in the address lines. It worked fine, but it took about a week to show up. Of course, I've read cases where the credit took a week or more to show up even if the person called, so I guess that's okay.

I am also hoping to call and order a couple bottles of liquor from Bon Voyage, because I am sure that my pals and I will want to do quite a bit of drinking (but not enough to be cut off ). We all need this vacation!

[marshhawk]

Last time I checked on the bon Voyage page, you can buy a coupon card for sodas or drinks. If you want a "pop" and don't drink alot of soda, that might be a good choice. I rarely drink Coke, but every once in a while I enjoy having a ginger ale or sprite, and that was a great choice for me.

[fototaker]

I have come to a conclusion, especially in regard to prepaying grats, that is was the smartest thing I did on my last cruise! I did not want any surprises at the end of my cruise, and i was surprised! I think the entire staff knows who prepaid, and who did not! I have never had any complaints with service of the staff, However I fear this last cruise raised the bar... It seemed that they went above and beyond what was needed. I really had no problem giving extra cash tips to the wait staff, and to the room stewards.... I had also purchased drink coupons, and that saved roughly a dollar a drink! also purchased a bon voyage bucket of beer that came with a mug and cooler!

[idraconis]

Originally Posted by moonandsun

No.....if you order online, you put "On board credit" on address line #1 on address line #2 you put your booking number and then fill in all of the required information. We do it for every cruise. Works like a charm.

I'll try this tomorrow, hope it works.Thanks! How did you ever find out about it?

[deena26]

I prepaid the cruise, & the tips. Sent a check to the precruise hotel (since thats the only way to prepay at some hotels), and put money on our sail & sign as an OBC, in a few months I'll be ready to prepay excusrsions (do they let you???), and add more to the sail & sign. I've gone 'prepay' CRAZY.

[lax mom]

I haven't done it yet, but my sister pre-paid her soda cards for our cruise in April. She phoned Bon Voyage (same number that you order alcohol from) and charged it to her credit card. It is supposed to be in the room when they board.

[serene56]

I prepay as much as possible.
I make our final payment and two weeks later I will pre-pay the tips.
I buy the funship certificates each pay.
But I also have 320 days til my next cruise so those certificates will add up quickly by the time we sail.
$25.00 every other pay is easier for me to set aside then one big amount when I am ready to sail.
If there is anything left over at the end--i get a check.