Sail and sign - can you withdraw cash if you deposit more than you need?

[Rog18]

With the cash sail and sign account I understand you have to put deposit money on the first day of the cruise. Is there a way to withdraw money from it on the ship before the cruise ends if you deposit on too much? I know that Carnival will issue a check after the cruise if you have over $10 left, but as I'm from Europe cashing a check in USD will be problematic for me.

 

I could do credit card but will likely get charged extortionate fees with it being in USD so would prefer to do a cash account.

[Umwakichwa]

You can’t withdraw the money because the account “settles” the last night of the cruise. However, have you checked with your credit card company about fees? We are in the opposite situation often and my credit card companies actually adjusts to the best exchange rate for the billing cycle. Carnival will place “holds” from the sail and sign account then they back those charges out and push one “actual” charge after the cruise ends. So there’s only one “real” charge from carnival. I do wonder if anyone has used a prepaid (US) card to avoid foreign transaction fees, because that also may be something that you could do. 

[Rog18]

Thanks. If it's not possible to withdraw money, I'm probably better just using a credit card account as I think the fees charged would likely be less than the money I'd lose if I deposited too much cash and lost it.

 

The credit card company will use a set exchange rate on the day that Carnival processes the transaction (then apply a percentage fee of the transaction value).

[Rudyard]

You could also deposit cash as needed. Whenever I've done a cash account I'll usually start with a small amount like $200 and keep the rest of my cash in the safe. I'll monitor my account and when it gets low I'll go to the self serve kiosk and add some cash to my account. 

[kdr69]

Yes you can withdraw it in the casino before the end of the cruise if you havent spent it rather than wait for a check. Just transfer to your player bank then cash it out at the casino cage.

[kdr69]

3 hours ago, Rog18 said:

With the cash sail and sign account I understand you have to put deposit money on the first day of the cruise. Is there a way to withdraw money from it on the ship before the cruise ends if you deposit on too much? I know that Carnival will issue a check after the cruise if you have over $10 left, but as I'm from Europe cashing a check in USD will be problematic for me.

 

I could do credit card but will likely get charged extortionate fees with it being in USD so would prefer to do a cash account.

Some excerpts from Carnival site where you can find more information on Sail & Sign.

 

Acceptable Cards

Visa Card and Visa Gift Card

MasterCard and MasterCard Gift Card

An ATM/Debit Cashing Card may be used as long as it is a registered MasterCard or Visa Card.

The Discover Card and Discover Gift Card

American Express Card and the Carnival Corporation Reward Card from American Express

Diner's Club and Diner's Club Gift Card

JCB Card only

Note: Gift Cards may also be referred to as 'secured' or 'pre-loaded' credit cards or 'Travel Funds Card'.

Unacceptable Cards

Gift Cards and Travel Funds Cards issued by: American Express and Optima

Keychain (mini) credit cards

The American Express 'Persona Select'

ATM/Debit Cashing Card other than those registered by MasterCard or Visa Card.

 

Cash Deposits: If guests use cash for their Sail & Sign deposit, any refundable overages greater than $10 USD will be refunded via check mailed within 7 days after the cruise to the guest's home address on file. Overages less than $10 USD will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital® (excluding the Carnival Spirit® and Carnival Splendor® in Australia). This will be communicated on board during the Debarkation Talk and posted in the daily 'Fun Times'. If a guest wishes to have the full overage in cash, they may retrieve it from one of the Sail & Sign Kiosks or the Guest Services Desk. Refund checks will be reconciled by our shore side Refund Accounting team and distributed via PNC Bank (JPM Chase Bank for Carnival Spirit® and Carnival Splendor® Australia guests).  

[Rog18]

Thanks all for the replies. Good to know that I could withdraw it on the ship rather than wait for a check.

 

If at online check in I selected a cash sail and sign account, could I change it to a credit card account later at embarkation if I change my mind? Or is it once you've checked in that's it and it can't be changed?

[mz-s]

4 hours ago, Rog18 said:

Thanks all for the replies. Good to know that I could withdraw it on the ship rather than wait for a check.

 

If at online check in I selected a cash sail and sign account, could I change it to a credit card account later at embarkation if I change my mind? Or is it once you've checked in that's it and it can't be changed?

 

No you can change that at any time.

 

When you arrive at the pier they'll usually ask you to put some cash down to open your S&S account. You can just tell them then you would rather do a credit card and they can help you.

[dlphn501]

I'm curious...why don't you just use your credit card?  I saw some mention fees - I've never incurred any fees on my cc when used for my S&S.

[Rog18]

20 minutes ago, dlphn501 said:

I'm curious...why don't you just use your credit card?  I saw some mention fees - I've never incurred any fees on my cc when used for my S&S.

I'm not a US citizen so my credit is not in USD so any transactions in USD I get charged a foreign transaction fee.

[dlphn501]

3 minutes ago, Rog18 said:

I'm not a US citizen so my credit is not in USD so any transactions in USD I get charged a foreign transaction fee.

Ohh, okay.  I see.  Do any of your credit cards accumulate points?  Maybe that can help offset the fees.  Or is it too late to find and apply for a cc that doesn't have the foreign transaction fee?

[starstruck05]

You don't even need to do the casino thing. On the last night of the cruise, make sure your party is finished charging completely. Go to guest services and just ask them to cash out your balance. They will give you cash for the remainder that is left. I've done it several time. You may be able to do it debarkcation morning but I wouldn't risk it. 

[CheckersMidwest]

I have credit cards but almost always do a cash account. I prebudget everything and at the end of my cruise, it's all paid. I usually have cash left over & pull it out through the casino.

[TigerWoodsLibido]

Figured I would just use the casino for it. I have a bit that I was able to save up.

[carohs]

I would just use your CC. You can always go to guest services and deposit cash or a gift card to your account as you incur charges and lower the amount remaining to be charged to your cc. Not sure but they may even let you deposit exactly your balance. 

[mz-s]

Does your CC charge you foreign transaction fees for temporary holds, or just charges? I only get charged transaction fees for the actual charge, not the holds.

 

If they only charge you for the final transaction, you'll only get one charge at the end of the cruise.