Debit Card Authorizations

Other than the original one at check in, how often/for what amount does Carnival process any other ones during the cruise? Trying to figure out if we are going to use debit card or pay with cash? Thanks in advance.

Every transaction is pre-authorized. So every swipe for beer, soda, etc. If you plan on using your debit card while having it tied to your S&S card then ensure you know how much you're swiping with both cards. You won't be able with withdraw cash out of that particular account if the balance is all pre-authorized by your S&S card. I know from experience ;)

Other than the original one at check in, how often/for what amount does Carnival process any other ones during the cruise? Trying to figure out if we are going to use debit card or pay with cash? Thanks in advance.

Good question...what does one use?

:confused: Cash?

:confused: Traveler's Checks? (do they even exist any more?)

:confused: Debit card?

At home all I ever use is my Debit card. But on the ship, and at ports???

Every transaction is pre-authorized. So every swipe for beer, soda, etc. If you plan on using your debit card while having it tied to your S&S card then ensure you know how much you're swiping with both cards. You won't be able with withdraw cash out of that particular account if the balance is all pre-authorized by your S&S card. I know from experience ;)

Thanks, I was not aware of that, I was just assuming that they would do the first pre-auth for the $200 pp, and then once you charged up to near that amount, they would run another one. I had no idea that they run one on every single purchase.

On the ship, you'll always use your S&S card; minus cash for tips if desired. In port I've found it easy to use cash with vendors and my debit card only for large purchases. It's all a matter of preference once in port.

On the ship, you'll always use your S&S card; minus cash for tips if desired. In port I've found it easy to use cash with vendors and my debit card only for large purchases. It's all a matter of preference once in port.

Thanks for your help. I'm not a traveller...so these are some things I hadn't thought of...yet. o.O

Thanks, I was not aware of that, I was just assuming that they would do the first pre-auth for the $200 pp, and then once you charged up to near that amount, they would run another one. I had no idea that they run one on every single purchase.

I had no idea as well, then was referred to the website to read policy. Quite frustrated while preparing to enjoy my day in St. Thomas staring at the ATM dumbfounded, but I couldn't dwell... luckily I have back-up plans to my back-up plans. Lol

If you don't want to use a credit card, use cash. DO NOT use a debit card. Cash accounts are very easy to set up. Just let them know at check in that you are using cash and they will tell you exactly what to do. (Usually go to the Guest Services desk and deposit money).

Okay...so does everyone get a S&S card? and it is for $200? Like I said I am clueless about how this works.

Assuming my card is worth $200 then, as long as my on board purchases (like drinks) stay below $200 I am good to go? If I decide to buy something big in the gift shop LOL and use my Debit card...what should I expect? I don't quite understand the process of authorizing & pre-authorizing. *sorry*

Thanks in advance for your help!

If you don't want to use a credit card, use cash. DO NOT use a debit card. Cash accounts are very easy to set up. Just let them know at check in that you are using cash and they will tell you exactly what to do. (Usually go to the Guest Services desk and deposit money).

A "cash account"? Now that sounds like a plan! If anyone cares to share how that works, I'd appreciate it.

Also...why should we NOT use a debit card I wonder. I suppose something to do with those autorizations. Hmmm.

Also...why should we NOT use a debit card I wonder. I suppose something to do with those autorizations. Hmmm.[/color]

Yes, that's one reason....but there are other risks involved when using a debit card. If someone gets your number, you may (?) have no recourse and they can wipe out your account balance. With a credit card, you're usually only libel (and sometimes, not even then) for the first $50 of unauthorized use. AND you have the backing of the credit card co. if there is a dispute.

When we leave home we call and report that we'll be out of the country for a week and give them the dates. We've had no problems doing this.

Kinda unrelated but related

We use TD bank, the first day after we left I took money out of the ATM onboard.They turned my card off because they thought someone was trying to steal my identity

Once I got home and didnt know anything until I read the email all I had to do is call them.I explained what if all my excursions were being paid through my account she said just call next time and tell us you are on vacation( after being really mad I guess it was to protect us but it could have ruined our trip if everything was paid on my debit card)

We always use cash. If you feel uncomfortable about carrying cash use travlers checks. On one of our cruises we used debit/check card and it took a week for a hold to come off of it, even though the ship's purchases had cleared (we had a large S&S bill, and very large hold):eek: When you board the ship just go to the Purser's desk and put the cash down on your account. If you need to add more to the account you can do that at any time. At the end of the cruise if you have not spent all of the money you can go down late on the last night and close your account (they will give you back what you did not use, in cash):):) If you don't want to close the account, and are owed money, they will put a check under your door the last morning:D

We always use cash. If you feel uncomfortable about carrying cash use travlers checks. On one of our cruises we used debit/check card and it took a week for a hold to come off of it, even though the ship's purchases had cleared (we had a large S&S bill, and very large hold):eek: When you board the ship just go to the Purser's desk and put the cash down on your account. If you need to add more to the account you can do that at any time. At the end of the cruise if you have not spent all of the money you can go down late on the last night and close your account (they will give you back what you did not use, in cash):):) If you don't want to close the account, and are owed money, they will put a check under your door the last morning:D

Awesome! So sounds like I may use a cash account on board, and Travler's checks on shore then. Thanks!

(I don't do Credit Cards. They're waayyy too tempting!)

~Well...still not sure what that S&S card is, and if I will have one. o.O

On another somewhat related topic.....We always inform our bank, for debit/credit cards, that we will be traveling out of the country with dates and destinations. The account is noted that these transactions are good and not related to an identity theft or such.

After several cruises and several years of cruise vacations we have had no issues or problems with using either a debit or credit card. The cruise lines do, like in all other things, follow their policies on transaction holds etc. Don't be surprised or shocked!

What about using a Visa/Mastercard gift card?

I hear some people purchase those cards then just deposit money on them.

Awesome! So sounds like I may use a cash account on board, and Travler's checks on shore then. Thanks!

(I don't do Credit Cards. They're waayyy too tempting!)

 

~Well...still not sure what that S&S card is, and if I will have one. o.O

The S&S card is the sail and sign card. When you check in before leaving on the cruise Carnival will issue you one. You have to back that card up with either a credit card, cash, or debit card. When on the ship you will not use anything other than the S&S card.. Hope that helps..

We only used Cash on our last cruise and it worked beautifully for us :)

rjpolly - Just to make sure......You do not use Debit or Credit Card during the cruise - you set up your S&S Account with that card, and EVERYTHING is charged to your S&S Account and then to your Credit Card or Debit Card at the end of the Cruise. If you set-up your S&S Account by depositing cash, the Pursers officwe will notify you when you're running low and need to replenish. Be aware that unless you pre-paid your gratuities of $10 per day per person, they will be automatically charged to your S&S account, I believe the 2nd day or so. ken

I always put a credit card on my sail and sign and when i start to rack up a couple of hundard dollars I go and put on my account or if I win in the casino I usually take that money and put on account. Last time I paid my whole bill by winnings by the end, another time I put money and just left about 100 on there to charge to the actual credit card i put on my sail and sign

It works for me :)

What about using a Visa/Mastercard gift card?

 

I hear some people purchase those cards then just deposit money on them.

Most places will not accept the ones that are nameless.

Another way to get money for your account is to buy cruiseline gift certificates. Carnival has FunShip Dollars that can be placed on your account as OBC.

Most places will not accept the ones that are nameless.

 

Another way to get money for your account is to buy cruiseline gift certificates. Carnival has FunShip Dollars that can be placed on your account as OBC.

So how do you get the Funship Dollars? Do you have to call CCL or can you put OBC on your account online?

Most places will not accept the ones that are nameless.

 

Another way to get money for your account is to buy cruiseline gift certificates. Carnival has FunShip Dollars that can be placed on your account as OBC.

I ALWAYS buy 2 $500 Visa AMEX giftcards from a Simon mall. If I order them then they come with my name on them. If I run into the mall and buy it with cash, then they do not. I have never once had an issue using them to check in and use for S&S on Carnival. They swipe one and get the $200 preauth, then once you exceed that they get the other authorizations.

CC is being wonky. Double post

Good question...what does one use?

 

:confused: Cash?

:confused: Traveler's Checks? (do they even exist any more?)

:confused: Debit card?

 

At home all I ever use is my Debit card. But on the ship, and at ports???

I always use cash for the account. That way, there is no hold on the debit card, no credit card to worry about. If the account runs low, no worries, - they will send a note along or leave a message on your phone. Just add to it.

Traavelers checks are still around but why pay the fee?