Using gift cards onboard

[fozzy]

I plan on using a gift card for onboard expenses. A couple of questions: Do I apply it at guest services once I board or when I check in at the port? Second, whatever is left over does it stay on the original gift card or do they issue a new one. Thanks

[mz-s]

What I would do is fund your S&S account with a credit card. Then once you're done charging things to your onboard account, stop by a kiosk or the guest services desk and apply the gift cards to your balance.

If you do it this way, let's say you end the cruise with $350 in charges but a $500 gift card. They'll leave $150 on your gift card and you can use it next time.

[fozzy]

12 minutes ago, mz-s said:

What I would do is fund your S&S account with a credit card. Then once you're done charging things to your onboard account, stop by a kiosk or the guest services desk and apply the gift cards to your balance.

If you do it this way, let's say you end the cruise with $350 in charges but a $500 gift card. They'll leave $150 on your gift card and you can use it next time.

Thanks, stopped using my credit cards and don't want to use my debit card. That's why I got the gift card. But it's a solid idea. 

[mz-s]

4 minutes ago, fozzy said:

Thanks, stopped using my credit cards and don't want to use my debit card. That's why I got the gift card. But it's a solid idea. 

 

Understood and totally valid. So what you'll have to do is feed gift cards into the machine as you go, it'll apply the full amount of the gift card to your onboard balance. At the end of the cruise any unused balance if under $10 will be donated to St Judes or if over $10 will be refunded to you as a new gift card. Usually they're sent via fedex a few weeks after the cruise.

Edited December 28, 2023 by mz-s

[fozzy]

Thanks

[Elaine5715]

54 minutes ago, mz-s said:

What I would do is fund your S&S account with a credit card. Then once you're done charging things to your onboard account, stop by a kiosk or the guest services desk and apply the gift cards to your balance.

If you do it this way, let's say you end the cruise with $350 in charges but a $500 gift card. They'll leave $150 on your gift card and you can use it next time.

This is what I do.  

[DallasGuy75219]

FWIW I've never found a kiosk that actually took my gift cards.  I've always had to go to Guest Services and have them apply the gift cards to my S&S.

[fozzy]

3 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

FWIW I've never found a kiosk that actually took my gift cards.  I've always had to go to Guest Services and have them apply the gift cards to my S&S.

Thanks, I actually don't have cards just e-card print out. So guest services it is.

[ngrund]

3 hours ago, fozzy said:

Thanks, I actually don't have cards just e-card print out. So guest services it is.

I've had no problems using the kiosk, so try, then if no luck go to guest services. If you dont want to apply the full value on the card, then you must go to guest services

[chasinraynbowz]

You can also get the balance in the casino.  Say you have $100 left on your account, go to the casino and download that $100 to your card, bet once or twice (minimum bet) and take your card to the cashier to cash out. 

[nascartim]

I always just get the printout of my gift cards, and I always use the kiosks at MY convenience, I don't wait in any guest services line. The kiosks can be a little getting used to, but with a little patience and ability to follow instructions I've always gotten the kiosk to work for me. 

[phoneman69]

On 12/28/2023 at 5:54 PM, fozzy said:

I plan on using a gift card for onboard expenses. A couple of questions: Do I apply it at guest services once I board or when I check in at the port? Second, whatever is left over does it stay on the original gift card or do they issue a new one. Thanks

Wife and i used a 450 dollar gift card last cruise. Went to guest services and they applied it to our sail and sign account. 3 days after we got home received an email from Carnival with a 121.19 dollars e gift card attached. Use for our next cruise. Ezy Pzy

[Jenner9]

I was able to apply my gift card at check in before we boarded. I used a printed copy that I purchased from AARP. 

[cfitch]

You can buy cruise cash prior to sailing using the gift cards. Works as OBC. 

[WhiteOptima]

On 12/29/2023 at 10:17 AM, chasinraynbowz said:

You can also get the balance in the casino.  Say you have $100 left on your account, go to the casino and download that $100 to your card, bet once or twice (minimum bet) and take your card to the cashier to cash out. 

I go to guest services and add cards as I go but if I have too much at the end or know I won’t be using any of my extra cards for a long time, then I cash out in the casino