Carnival Gift Cards for use on board

[riviera]

I have several gift cards I would like to use toward "on-board expenses" What is the best way to put them on my account? Call ahead of the cruise or wait until on board and take them to guest services?

I know I can always find good advice and answers on Cruise Critic. Thanks everyone! :)

[StolidCruiser]

Personal preference.

 

Some like to do it ahead of time to have it done but it is relatively easy to do on board either at guest service s or with a self-service kiosk.

[Shaded Lady]

I had the same question and was told there was no way to add it to your account before you cruise! I was told that I could add the cards to my S&S card when I check in at the port, or I could do it once I'm on board. If I elect to do it on board, I could either go to Guest Services or use the kiosk.

 

If someone knows a way to add the gift cards before the cruise, please let me know!

[SusieCruises]

When I first booked my cruise I started buying one or two gift cards each month. By the time of final payment, I had $800 worth. I used $400 towards my final payment (with my PVP by phone) and took the remaining $400 with me. I took them to Guest Services on about the third day of the cruise......waited for a time when there were no long lines.......and they added them to my account. So, the $400 was applied to my Sign and Sail card. It covered my gratuities, bar bill, purchases in the gift shop, casino cash and photos. EASY PEASY and an (almost) painless way to save for my cruise. I have started doing it again for my next cruise! ;)

[LibratPDX]

On some ships you are able to apply them to your account when you check in on embarkation day, but on others you have to go to guest services to do it.

[doneinne]

Using the kiosks was really easy

 

 

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[riviera]

Thanks everyone! Forgot about the kiosks. That should be easy enough! [emoji106]

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

I had the same question and was told there was no way to add it to your account before you cruise! I was told that I could add the cards to my S&S card when I check in at the port, or I could do it once I'm on board. If I elect to do it on board, I could either go to Guest Services or use the kiosk.

 

 

 

If someone knows a way to add the gift cards before the cruise, please let me know!

 

 

As a Carnival Gift Card addict, I can tell you that there isn't. Every cruise within the past few years I have set up a cash account funded solely with gift cards. The only way I can see it as remotely feasible is to buy Cruise Cash with the GC as that is the only form of credit (besides OBC) that is applied precruise. I think it can be done now that you can pay for Fun Shop purchases with GCs but I haven't tried it.

 

I am not a fan of Cruise Cash as it's use it or lose it on that particular cruise. At least with GC if you don't use them all you can save them for later. True, you can cash out CC in the casino, but I would rather just stick with the GC. I'm comfortable with them.

[jdemps]

On the imagination last December we had a suite and asked the VIP check in gal to add our gift cards. She had never done it before but asked around and ended up learning something new that day...it took a few minutes longer but we were all set before we got on the ship.

 

Our parents tried to use the kiosk to add them and it would not work. We ended up at guest services to have them added and the guy at that desk said the kiosks don't work for the current style of gift cards.

 

Just our experience if it helps anyone to save a little time.

[lwhitlock1231@gmail.com]

I could have sworn I'd read posts where others have mentioned using the Carnival gift cards towards the final payment of their cruise. Is that incorrect or is my understanding restricted? Please advise. Thanks in advance!

[justbeachie]

You can pay your final bill with Carnival Gift Cards. You cannot add Gift Cards to your sign and sail account until you are on the ship. Also you cannot use Carnival Gift Cards to pay for Alcohol Package or Bottomless Bubbles before you sail.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

I could have sworn I'd read posts where others have mentioned using the Carnival gift cards towards the final payment of their cruise. Is that incorrect or is my understanding restricted? Please advise. Thanks in advance!

 

 

You can use them for deposits, final payments, excursions, Fun Shop purchases, anything cruise related.

[jdemps]

You can pay your final bill with Carnival Gift Cards. You cannot add Gift Cards to your sign and sail account until you are on the ship. Also you cannot use Carnival Gift Cards to pay for Alcohol Package or Bottomless Bubbles before you sail.

 

 

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You are able to add gift cards as payment for cheers now!

[firemanbobswife]

You can pay your final bill with Carnival Gift Cards. You cannot add Gift Cards to your sign and sail account until you are on the ship. Also you cannot use Carnival Gift Cards to pay for Alcohol Package or Bottomless Bubbles before you sail.

 

 

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As of a couple/few weeks ago you are able to buy BB/Cheers with Gift Cards but it has to be done online.

[justbeachie]

When I sailed last June I was unable to but just checked and you now can. Glad they changed it!

 

 

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[sjcruiser]

Gift cards can be used to pay for Cheer's now.

 

You can pay your final bill with Carnival Gift Cards. You cannot add Gift Cards to your sign and sail account until you are on the ship. Also you cannot use Carnival Gift Cards to pay for Alcohol Package or Bottomless Bubbles before you sail.

 

 

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[jackparts]

As a gift card junkie, I always pay for my cruise with gift cards via my TA. Once on board, I take cards to guest services as soon as there is no line. Also, you can add them by using the kiosk if the ship has any. I heard that Carnival has a limit of $500 per room. Also, do it fast as cruise lines charge your credit card as soon as the charges reach a certain point, I believe it's $500 per credit card

[firemanbobswife]

As a gift card junkie, I always pay for my cruise with gift cards via my TA. Once on board, I take cards to guest services as soon as there is no line. Also, you can add them by using the kiosk if the ship has any. I heard that Carnival has a limit of $500 per room. Also, do it fast as cruise lines charge your credit card as soon as the charges reach a certain point, I believe it's $500 per credit card

 

 

The $500 per room is wrong. I have put over $1000 on my account alone. The nice lady at check in asked if I was going to be doing a lot of gambling. She was the tiniest, cutest thing. Said she usually gets good Casino rates and she and her girlfriends go all the time. Since she's otherwise retired, it leaves a lot of free time to just hop on a ship and go. Must be nice!

[Schoifmom]

As a gift card junkie, I always pay for my cruise with gift cards via my TA. Once on board, I take cards to guest services as soon as there is no line. Also, you can add them by using the kiosk if the ship has any. I heard that Carnival has a limit of $500 per room. Also, do it fast as cruise lines charge your credit card as soon as the charges reach a certain point, I believe it's $500 per credit card

 

The limit of $500 per room is for Cruise Cash, not gift cards.

 

They will put a "hold" on your credit card, but the charges don't occur until the end of the cruise. Once you put the gift cards on your account, those will be used first, then your credit card will be used.

[eiloo]

I know this is an old thread... but hoping someone will know as I've been searching for my answer but have come up short so far.

 

I have already purchased Cruise Cash for the cabin in the amount that just covers the gratuities.  Let's say before the end of the cruise, I purchase $80 that has been charged to my cabin, can I use a physical Carnival gift card to apply just an $80 amount to my S&S account or do I have to do them in increments of $25, $50 or $100?

 

Can this be applied using the kiosks?

 

If it makes a difference, I will be sailing on the Horizon.

 

Thanks!

[bury me at sea]

You can apply just a portion of the funds, leaving a balance on the gift card.

[eiloo]

On 11/2/2018 at 8:00 PM, bury me at sea said:

You can apply just a portion of the funds, leaving a balance on the gift card.

Just to confirm, if I need to settle a balance of 15.93, that would be taken off the GC instead of the minimum cruise cash amount of $25?

[bury me at sea]

I'm not sure I understand your question.

 

If you put cruise cash on your account, that will be used first to apply against the charges you make.  When the cruise cash has been depleted you can use cash, a credit card, or a gift card to pay the balance due.