Cruise Cash?

[Gma&Gpa]

Can someone explain to me what "cruise cash" is?  Is it part of your "sign and sail" funds that you put onto your account?

 

[PortSideCruzan]

9 minutes ago, Gma&Gpa said:

 

Can someone explain to me what "cruise cash" is?  Is it part of your "sign and sail" funds that you put onto your account?

 

 

 

Hi Gma&Gpa ☺️

 

I'm going to drop some information below, I hope it helps. 

 

 

 

 

Above information located@: 

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3602/~/cruise-cash-program

 

 

 

🌴

[klfrodo]

Cruise cash is just you buying OBC for yourself. It is non-refundable though so don’t buy too much.

The original purpose was for your family or friends to buy you a gift so you could have some money to spend. I buy Cruise Cash for myself though. If I anticipate that my end of cruise will be abot $700, I’ll buy $500 cruise cash just to lessen my end of cruise bill.

[Sabalon]

This sounds like the Simpsons episode at Itch and Scratchy land, where they have Itchy  and Scratchy bucks - it's like money, but more fun.  Non-refundable, then they get inside the park and find no one takes it!   

 

Thanks for the more reasonable explanation of usage @klfrodo   But I am curious - is there any benefit to buying the cruise cash to lessen your bill other than just paying the bill?   Only advantage I could think of is if they let you buy the cruise cash with something other than what is backing your S&S card.  But in my case, it all comes from the same bank account 😞

[moondog73]

Just get discounted gift cards and forget the cruise cash.  Its main purpose was for gifting money to people on a cruise

Edited June 15, 2019 by moondog73

[klfrodo]

3 hours ago, Sabalon said:

This sounds like the Simpsons episode at Itch and Scratchy land, where they have Itchy  and Scratchy bucks - it's like money, but more fun.  Non-refundable, then they get inside the park and find no one takes it!   

 

Thanks for the more reasonable explanation of usage @klfrodo   But I am curious - is there any benefit to buying the cruise cash to lessen your bill other than just paying the bill?   Only advantage I could think of is if they let you buy the cruise cash with something other than what is backing your S&S card.  But in my case, it all comes from the same bank account 😞

is there any benefit?

Nope, not really. Just the psychological one of have a $200 end of cruise bill rather than a $700.

Edited June 15, 2019 by klfrodo

[mafiadon]

If you don't spend it all just go to the casino the last night and put it on your card like you are going to gamble and then just go to the cashier and cash it out.  No problem

[Purvis1231]

Cruise cash is a good marketing idea since Carnival know it is money spent. 

[Border Granny]

Our kids gifted us with a cruise for our 50th anniversary, and reserved the steakhouse for us. They gave us cruise cash to cover the cost of the Steakhouse since you can not pre pay for it. One example of a good use for it.

[Quilcruisers]

I would get carnival gift cards and have them loaded to your sign and sail Account. That way, if you buy too much, you do not lose it.  Cruise cash, IMO, is for someone to gift you with, and is useful for amounts that you are guaranteed to spend.  Example, you know your tips will be 100, unless you prepay them.  So a 100 cruise cash would not go unused.  Anything over what you know for sure you would spend, would be tricky.  

 

I love the thought of either gift cards or cruise cash, so the expenses can be taken care or beforehand, and eliminate any surprise balances at the end.  There is nothing like coming home with a small balance, which I have never personally experienced,  well maybe once or twice.  

[erlyvon]

If you have a combination of Cruise Cash, say $200, and OBC from other sources, say $300, which is credited first?  I assume OBC from other sources (ie Carnival, Travel Agent etc.) would be refundable if not used?

[maryred]

19 hours ago, erlyvon said:

If you have a combination of Cruise Cash, say $200, and OBC from other sources, say $300, which is credited first?  I assume OBC from other sources (ie Carnival, Travel Agent etc.) would be refundable if not used?

Basically funds are used in this order:

Non-refundable OBC that is department specific (like Bar Cruise Cash or Excursion Promo credits)

Non-refundable general OBC (including Cruise Cash and certain promo OBC)

Refundable OBC (including price protection OBC, reductions in port fees, and certain promo OBC)

Carnival Gift cards and e-certificates

Cash and travelers cheques

Debit and credit card(s) place on file

 

With that said TA and reservation website bonus OBC, when it is above and beyond whatever Carnival is currently offering, can come from various sources including the TA or website buying Cruise Cash out of their commission. More commonly though it's from blocking out an open group booking and using the group perks to "purchase" non-refundable OBC for their clients. Also to note many times these extra gifts will not show up on your on your Carnival cruise Manage my Booking pages nor the edocs.Your TA or the CS contact from the booking confirmation email should be able to clear up what type of OBC is being issue and also get a printout of the promise. Though Carnival Guest Services can't issue this 3rd party promised OBC they will allow you to call the TA office or CS rep free of charge (after day 2 on board) to inform them you have not receive what they promised.

While on the flipside of the coin, OBC issued as a promo by Carnival directly as part of one of their booking sales can be either non-refundable or refundable (as well as department specific or general) and that info is hidden in the terms of that specific offer, but will appear as to what type on your edocs somewhere around page 4 or 5 with prepaid gratuities, excursions, and spa appointments. OBC from ES price protection claims and fee adjustments is always refundable OBC. If you purchase Cruise Cash (or anything from the online Funshops) yourself you need to remember to opt-in for it to be listed on your edocs. Otherwise, even when bought yourself, Carnival will consider it to be a surprise gift and leave it off the edocs.

[Organized Chaos]

One of the big advantages of Cruise Cash is that it can be purchased prior to your cruise. Some people prefer to do that and have it waiting for them on their S&S account once they get on board rather than having to go to Guest Services and add gift cards.

 

On 6/15/2019 at 2:59 PM, Sabalon said:

 Thanks for the more reasonable explanation of usage @klfrodo   But I am curious - is there any benefit to buying the cruise cash to lessen your bill other than just paying the bill?   Only advantage I could think of is if they let you buy the cruise cash with something other than what is backing your S&S card.  But in my case, it all comes from the same bank account 😞

 

For those who purchase the 10% off Carnival gift cards from sources like AARP and Allstate, they can be used to buy Cruise Cash, so it's a 10% discount on the Cruise Cash itself. Use it to pay your final bill and you're saving money. Yeah, you can just add the discount gift cards straight to the S&S account to accomplish the same result, but like I said above, some people don't want to go to GS to deposit the gift cards first.

 

On 6/15/2019 at 6:59 PM, mafiadon said:

If you don't spend it all just go to the casino the last night and put it on your card like you are going to gamble and then just go to the cashier and cash it out.  No problem

 

If you're going to cash out in the casino, be sure to spin the slot once or twice. This can be done to cash out Cruise Cash and gift cards. Gift cards are technically refundable, but they're refunded as a new gift card. If you'd rather have the cash, use the casino "trick." Just spin once or twice because Carnival knows about this little trick and it's best to at least appear to be playing.

[purplephenom]

I like buying discounted Carnival gift cards, and then buying cruise cash.  That way it's on my account ready to go.  For me, I buy a certain amount as bar cash, because otherwise I talk myself out of drinking on the ship because it is more expensive than drinking in ports.  This way, I can enjoy a couple drinks, guilt free.  The rest, I buy as general- some goes to a photo or 2, some goes to  the arcade, some goes to drinks.  I like being able to tell myself yes to spending money on vacation, rather than talking myself out of purchases as I do at home.  

 

If you choose to just use gift cards loaded on your account, I think you can do that at the kiosks so you don't have to wait in the guest services line.  The one time I tried that, the kiosk wasn't working so I had to stand in the line anyhow- so back to cruise cash for me. 

[TerReuv]

On 6/19/2019 at 8:46 AM, purplephenom said:

I like buying discounted Carnival gift cards, and then buying cruise cash.  That way it's on my account ready to go.  For me, I buy a certain amount as bar cash, because otherwise I talk myself out of drinking on the ship because it is more expensive than drinking in ports.  This way, I can enjoy a couple drinks, guilt free.  The rest, I buy as general- some goes to a photo or 2, some goes to  the arcade, some goes to drinks.  I like being able to tell myself yes to spending money on vacation, rather than talking myself out of purchases as I do at home.  

 

If you choose to just use gift cards loaded on your account, I think you can do that at the kiosks so you don't have to wait in the guest services line.  The one time I tried that, the kiosk wasn't working so I had to stand in the line anyhow- so back to cruise cash for me. 

 

In your experience,  is the cruise cash on your account ready to be used when you check in or board?   The website says it can take up to 24 hours to show on your account.   Want to know if I need to be prepared to put some cash on there too. 

[purplephenom]

1 hour ago, TerReuv said:

 

In your experience,  is the cruise cash on your account ready to be used when you check in or board?   The website says it can take up to 24 hours to show on your account.   Want to know if I need to be prepared to put some cash on there too. 

 

 

Yup. If you use the kiosk it doesn’t show up as OBC. It’s a separate section but it’s on there. We saw it immediately 

[crochetcruise]

On ‎6‎/‎16‎/‎2019 at 9:29 AM, mafiadon said:

plastic If you don't spend it all just go to the casino the last night and put it on your card like you are going to gamble and then just go to the cashier and cash it out.  No problem

 

WOW! THAT is the VERY question I wanted to know the answer to! I had planned to purchase Cruise Cash for my November 2020 cruise on Carnival Splendour (spelling, I'm an Australian?) I will bring some 375ml cans or 600ml bottles-according to Carnival Australia's website, I may bring 12 x 600ml bottles with me upon boarding. I will be getting the Bottomless Bubbles package, but would like some soft drink in the stateroom for when I'm tired or wake during the night and want a drink without having to make myself decent and go to the nearest bar. I'm a compulsive Over-Budgeter, so usually have cash left over when I travel. Which is promptly used as the Foundation Savings for my next travelling. I do intend to explore the Casino, so will use this helpful information.

Edited June 26, 2019 by crochetcruise
Left out a word.

[Organized Chaos]

1 hour ago, crochetcruise said:

WOW! THAT is the VERY question I wanted to know the answer to! I had planned to purchase Cruise Cash for my November 2020 cruise on Carnival Splendour (spelling, I'm an Australian?)

 

Just know that if you're going to use this method to cash out things like Carnival gift cards or Cruise Cash, it's recommended to play the slot once or twice. I think the reasoning behind that is, Carnival is aware that people do this and if you play once or twice, at least it looks like you're actually gambling.

[crochetcruise]

On ‎6‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 11:34 PM, Organized Chaos said:

 

Just know that if you're going to use this method to cash out things like Carnival gift cards or Cruise Cash, it's recommended to play the slot once or twice. I think the reasoning behind that is, Carnival is aware that people do this and if you play once or twice, at least it looks like you're actually gambling.

 

THANK YOU! I do like playing the pokies-er I mean SLOTS! Whoops wrong term there. I intend to play a little every day within a budgeted amount.

[VelmaS]

First time Carnival cruiser. Cruising Mardis Gras 9/2020. Thank you all in advance. 

 

Re this topic. I'd like to buy the Carnival Gift Cards ahead of time. Can I simply walk on the ship and use them as cash or do I need to put them on my S&S? 

[TEXSUN46]

On 6/15/2019 at 8:32 PM, Purvis1231 said:

Cruise cash is a good marketing idea since Carnival know it is money spent. 

Simular idea to Cheers, most people don't break even with Carnival with Cheers, they are just prepaying for their alcohol so they don't get a surprise on their card at the end some come out ahead some don't. At least with Cruise Cash you can go cash it out using the casino if you see you will have some leftover. 

[Sailor Taylor]

When it breaks down to categories like that it is more limiting than obc for general use.

 

Unless there is a discount there is really no financial advantage to buy it for yourself.  

[pacruise804]

The category breakdown can be good for gift giving (Grandparents want pictures or to buy the bear, but don't want to buy drinks) or for those who need more than $500 per stateroom (ex: $500 drinks and $300 general).

 

I've done a gift card once, but there are the previously mentioned drawbacks.  I don't use Cruise Cash, but could see it being nice for those who want to set aside a little each month for their onboard spending (gift cards are usually $100-$500 vs $25 increments for Cruise Cash).

 

My husband and I are light to moderate drinkers.  Our bar bill has never been over $400 combined for a 7 day cruise, so Cheers (around $55/day X 7 days x 2 pax) at around $770 wouldn't make sense for us.  Purchasing $400 Cruise Cash would still give us the "unlimited" feel of Cheers without the limitations, and you don't get anything back from Cheers either if you don't use the full value.

[Organized Chaos]

3 hours ago, VelmaS said:

First time Carnival cruiser. Cruising Mardis Gras 9/2020. Thank you all in advance. 

 

Re this topic. I'd like to buy the Carnival Gift Cards ahead of time. Can I simply walk on the ship and use them as cash or do I need to put them on my S&S? 

 

You have to put gift cards on your S&S account first, either at Guest Services or one of the self-serve kiosks.

 

Any amount left over that was deposited to your S&S from a gift card will be refunded on a new gift card (unless you cash out in the casino).

[MRSG29]

You can get it refunded in the Casino. The only place that will do it but they don't tell you.