Carnival Gift Cards

[nb1005]

Is there a way to add a gift card balance to my sign and sail card before the cruise? Hate to have to stand in the line at guest services on day one.

Thanks

[TonyinMD]

I don't believe so.  I've brought gift cards twice and I had to load at guest services when I boarded.

[2wheelin]

I say cash account and then add them at check in. Seldom a line for that these days with the instant checkin if using cc. You can always add cc then too.

[rufflesmom]

You can always buy cruise cash with the gift cards and those will automatically be applied to your onboard account.  You don't have to do anything then.  But make sure that you will spend the amount that you buy because it is a use it or lose it thing.  If you have more than one gift card you can use only some of the gift cards to buy cruise cash and keep some.  You can always add to your account once onboard but at your convenience when the line at guest services isn't long.

 

[Green Boy]

I think you have to wait till on board,,, I put mine in my pocket and when I see the desk empty I go and have add it to my account.

 

[NCTribeFan]

No need to add them as soon as you board.  Wait until the lines decrease.  They're just going to be applied to your overall account anyway.  Or, you can always try to get one of the kiosks to accept them.  I've never had any luck doing that but others have, so you may be one of the lucky ones!

[Joe817]

As soon as I board, I went to Guest Services to put my gift cards on my S&S account. There was one person in front of me.

[Gypsywych]

I've used the kiosks on-board to add Gift Certificates to my S&S, but they do not always work.  Hit or miss kind of thing. 

[ULCajunCruiser]

You can do it while checking in, that's what i do.   After you go sit in the waiting area, I just go find an agent with no line and they'll add my gift cards to my S&S account

[Bookworm1985]

Just wait until there is no line. Early morning or late at night there is never anyone in line. And try not to wait until the last night/morning, because that is their busiest time.

[2wheelin]

1 hour ago, Green Boy said:

I think you have to wait till on board,,, I put mine in my pocket and when I see the desk empty I go and have add it to my account.

 

You can do it at checkin. Usually no lines either

[Bingobaby0]

I bought Cruise Cash with my gift cards so it would be on my account when I boarded and I didn't have to go to guest services.  Then if there is any left over on the last day of the cruise, I will go to the casino and cash it out so I don't lose it.

 

[n6uqqq]

4 hours ago, nb1005 said:

Is there a way to add a gift card balance to my sign and sail card before the cruise? Hate to have to stand in the line at guest services on day one.

Thanks

 

Sadly Carnival has not stepped into the 21st century regarding this issue. Would be so much easier if we could load gift cards onto sail and sign account when we create it.

[dani85bri06]

I have bought $300 in cruise cash ahead of time with my gift cards.  The trick with cruise cash is if you have money left over you go to the casino and add it to the slot machine play a few spins and cash out.  

[midcarolina]

5 hours ago, nb1005 said:

Is there a way to add a gift card balance to my sign and sail card before the cruise? Hate to have to stand in the line at guest services on day one.

Thanks

Here is what we do...I purchase 100 bucks of cruise cash from my CCL account, then when I catch gs  with no line I add gift card , then last night of cruise I transfer all of my SS to players bank in casino, play a little then cash out.....

[skridge]

My last cruise I just bought cruise cash on the website and it was on my account as credit when I boarded.

 

[nb1005]

All great suggestions...thank you

[tkportersat]

On 8/20/2019 at 10:39 AM, Gypsywych said:

I've used the kiosks on-board to add Gift Certificates to my S&S, but they do not always work.  Hit or miss kind of thing. 

Same here...Great when the kiosk works. 

[cmukid87]

The cruise cash is the best idea, in my opinion.  I would buy $200 in cruise cash that way I had wiggle room and didn't feel pressured to get the gift cards loaded on the room right away.  Then as I passed by guest services and the line was short I would stop in and load them.  I've tried the kiosk once but it didn't work and I swore against it.  Something about the machine messing up the card and the money being lost scares me.  

[cmichael1279]

When you do the online check-in before your cruise, add a credit card to your account.  During the cruise when the line at guest services is short, stop by and add the gift cards.  Never had a problem doing this.

[Warm Breezes]

26 minutes ago, cmichael1279 said:

When you do the online check-in before your cruise, add a credit card to your account.  During the cruise when the line at guest services is short, stop by and add the gift cards.  Never had a problem doing this.

I agree.  This is exactly what I do.