Cruise Cash for Cheers?

[McDangerpants]

I'm sure this has been asked somewhere but I have scrolled and can't seem to find a thread about it...

 

So my question is... If we buy cruise cash can it be used towards Cheers or just for other on board things? I want to have our sign and sail account pretty much open for us to spend what we want aside from Cheers, so if its possible to use it towards Cheers, I would just go ahead and buy the amount we need for the Cheers program so that it is already taken care of.

 

Does this seem like a waste of time? We are fairly new to cruising, so I want to do this right...

[gfountain1]

While on this topic, what's the out the door price for a 7 day cruise for 2 on cheers?

[firemanbobswife]

There are specific types of Cruise Cash (Photo, Bar) as well as just General Cruise Cash. You have to use the specific type for exactly what it says, the non specified Cruise Cash can be used for anything.

 

I prefer to buy Gift Cards as I don't have to worry about it not showing up on my account in case of a snafu, I can use it for anything, and it isn't a "use it or lose it" deal like Cruise Cash is. If I don't feel like cashing it out at the casino (which you must do with any excess CC or have it gone forever), I can have the balance applied to another Gift Card. It takes no time at all to stop by GS or a self service kiosk to add the Gift Card and I am free to spend it how I wish.

 

But that is my personal preference.

[McDangerpants]

There are specific types of Cruise Cash (Photo, Bar) as well as just General Cruise Cash. You have to use the specific type for exactly what it says, the non specified Cruise Cash can be used for anything.

 

I prefer to buy Gift Cards as I don't have to worry about it not showing up on my account in case of a snafu, I can use it for anything, and it isn't a "use it or lose it" deal like Cruise Cash is. If I don't feel like cashing it out at the casino (which you must do with any excess CC or have it gone forever), I can have the balance applied to another Gift Card. It takes no time at all to stop by GS or a self service kiosk to add the Gift Card and I am free to spend it how I wish.

 

But that is my personal preference.

 

Are there specific gift cards to purchase or just the general AmEx or Visa or MC ones? Sorry if that is a silly question...

[firemanbobswife]

Are there specific gift cards to purchase or just the general AmEx or Visa or MC ones? Sorry if that is a silly question...

 

They are Carnival Gift Cards and can be purchased at various stores or online at:http://www.carnivalgiftcards.com/

 

I always choose the egift card option and it gets sent to my email almost immediately. I then print it out and bring it with.

 

If you have Verizon or Citi points, you can purchase them for a 10% discount through one of those companies.

[McDangerpants]

They are Carnival Gift Cards and can be purchased at various stores or online at:http://www.carnivalgiftcards.com/

 

I always choose the egift card option and it gets sent to my email almost immediately. I then print it out and bring it with.

 

If you have Verizon or Citi points, you can purchase them for a 10% discount through one of those companies.

 

Thank you! That helps! :)

[firemanbobswife]

Thank you! That helps! :)

 

You're very welcome! Have a great cruise!

[Rod in Az]

While on this topic, what's the out the door price for a 7 day cruise for 2 on cheers?

 

Here is your breakdown

 

7 Days X 49.95 = 349.65 X 2 (guests) = 699.30 + 15% (gratuity) = 804.20

 

Cheers will cost you $804.20 for a 7 day cruise for 2

Edited February 11, 2015 by Rod in Az

[bjd2]

We buy cruise cash to cover at least Cheers and gratuities (if I didn't pay them in advance). We like to walk on and right to a bar to get Cheers and start vacation rather than load a gift card. We may get some gift cards to load later but like to board with that money all ready to use and that does work with cruise cash.

[CruiseAM]

I also buy the gift cards. Buy them throughout the year a little at a time. Took them to GS on our cruise in January and it paid for our Cheers program. Now that our local Kroger sells them, it will be so easy to purchase. Plus I will get the fuel points!!

[McDangerpants]

We buy cruise cash to cover at least Cheers and gratuities (if I didn't pay them in advance). We like to walk on and right to a bar to get Cheers and start vacation rather than load a gift card. We may get some gift cards to load later but like to board with that money all ready to use and that does work with cruise cash.

 

 

So cruise cash gets put into our account before we board? If yes then we would basically just be prepaying our cheers. Is it just like OBC? I feel like a total newbie not knowing how this works.

[firemanbobswife]

We buy cruise cash to cover at least Cheers and gratuities (if I didn't pay them in advance). We like to walk on and right to a bar to get Cheers and start vacation rather than load a gift card. We may get some gift cards to load later but like to board with that money all ready to use and that does work with cruise cash.

 

You don't need to do it right away even if you have a cash account set up as they allow you to start charging a certain amount right off the bat. I know because I always do cash accounts now.

 

If you have a credit card tied to your S&S, you can purchase Cheers and then apply the Gift Card(s) later on in the night or whenever. They don't actually charge the card until the end of the cruise anyway, so no rush.

 

But it's really not that hard to grab a drink at the lobby bar upon boarding, and walk right over to GS with drink in hand and put your Gift Card on your account. Or go right to the one of 2 kiosks within eye shot of each other and get it taken care of.

[firemanbobswife]

So cruise cash gets put into our account before we board? If yes then we would basically just be prepaying our cheers. Is it just like OBC? I feel like a total newbie not knowing how this works.

 

Yes it gets automatically put on your account. However, if you end of canceling or changing dates, it is tied to that reservation number, so I'm not sure what they do in that case. Maybe refund it?

 

I just like the fact that with Gift Cards, there's no worrying if it's going to show up for sure or not, and I can use the gift cards for anything I want - including paying off my cruise, or reserving another one if plans change.

 

Who knows what the price of Cheers will be by your sailing date, anyway. They can't seem to make up their mind.

 

You may want to hold off doing anything right now, as your cruise is far away and last year they offered a deal for Father's Day on Gift Cards. You'll never get that with Cruise Cash. Just my $0.02.

[blarko]

I always buy the Cruise Cash. Like others have said, it's like prepaying for Cheers. I have never had an issue with the $$ showing up on my account. It is always on my S&S account when I board the ship. I know some prefer the gift cards, but the cruise cash has always worked for me. One less thing for me to do when I board the ship, plus I don't have to worry about forgetting gift cards at home!

 

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[Jkwoody04]

They are Carnival Gift Cards and can be purchased at various stores or online at:http://www.carnivalgiftcards.com/

 

I always choose the egift card option and it gets sent to my email almost immediately. I then print it out and bring it with.

 

If you have Verizon or Citi points, you can purchase them for a 10% discount through one of those companies.

 

verizon only has royal gc right now. I just bought the budget rental car ones though

[firemanbobswife]

verizon only has royal gc right now. I just bought the budget rental car ones though

 

 

Good to know. I don't have Verizon but had saw where people had said they ran out. I was surprised no one mentioned the Citi ones before. Now that I do have. Think I might have to get some of those before I go.