Onboard expense account(Cash)

[WhoDatNation]

Is there a minimum you have to put on your account before boarding the ship? 

Edited May 27 by WhoDatNation

[jsparents]

Not sure what you mean, but most people just put a credit card on file and it gets billed at the end of the cruise with the balance owed.  You can also apply a gift card to your account if you have them.

[KarmaCruisers]

18 minutes ago, WhoDatNation said:

Is there a minimum you have to put on your account before boarding the ship? 

Yes $200.

[WhoDatNation]

7 minutes ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Edited May 27 by WhoDatNation

[Mike45LC]

Karma is correct.  If you are posting cash, the minimum is $200.  I suspect that this is per person, but I've never done it.  A credit card is much easier, if available.

 

The purser can demand additional cash during the cruise, if/when your cash deposit gets depleted.  Gratuities, drinks, internet, shore excursions, photos, store purchases, they all build up pretty quickly and the $200 cash deposit can become exhausted and might need to be replenished.  I am not sure what happens if the passenger declines to replenish the cash deposit, but I doubt it would be pretty!

[KarmaCruisers]

36 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

Karma is correct.  If you are posting cash, the minimum is $200.  I suspect that this is per person, but I've never done it.  A credit card is much easier, if available.

 

The purser can demand additional cash during the cruise, if/when your cash deposit gets depleted.  Gratuities, drinks, internet, shore excursions, photos, store purchases, they all build up pretty quickly and the $200 cash deposit can become exhausted and might need to be replenished.  I am not sure what happens if the passenger declines to replenish the cash deposit, but I doubt it would be pretty!

You just can’t spend anymore. I’ve tapped out a credit card in the casino and the “charging ability” on your card gets disabled…you’re broooooooke.

[Cruisin_Mo]

No there is no minimum. Last cruise I had $100 on board credit, I selected cash during check in, and I added nothing more to my account. My nephew added cash whenever he was about to buy something, but it was never $200.

[Purvis1231]

Carnival doesn't require a minimum amount but make sure you have enough to cover your purchases and an emergency that might arise. I found that backing the account up with a credit card is the best for my family. 

[WhoDatNation]

6 hours ago, Cruisin_Mo said:

No there is no minimum. Last cruise I had $100 on board credit, I selected cash during check in, and I added nothing more to my account. My nephew added cash whenever he was about to buy something, but it was never $200.

Thank you!!! This answers my question 

[pinklucky61]

7 hours ago, Cruisin_Mo said:

No there is no minimum. Last cruise I had $100 on board credit, I selected cash during check in, and I added nothing more to my account. My nephew added cash whenever he was about to buy something, but it was never $200.

I've used cash before and I believe CCL merely suggests certain amounts you may want to add to your account.

[n6uqqq]

3 hours ago, pinklucky61 said:

I've used cash before and I believe CCL merely suggests certain amounts you may want to add to your account.

Winner winner chicken dinner! It's not like you will be called to guest services, they can just make your sail and sign card just not work for purchases! If you use a CC then they will put a hold of 100 dollars for 3-6 day cruises and anything longer will be a 200 dollar hold.

Edited May 28 by n6uqqq

[dallasdan]

I always say I will add cash once on board.  If I have on board credit I use that up before I add cash.  No minimum amount.  Years ago they would make you put $200 when you checked in prior to boarding.  

[lostsoulcruiser]

From the Carnival FAQ section regarding cash in account:

 

• Guests must deposit cash (USD currency only) or Traveler's Checks (USD currency only) at Guest Services on the first day of the cruise. The following minimum cash deposits are recommended:
  • 2 - 4 day cruise: $100 USD per person
  • 5 - 8 day cruise: $200 USD per person
  • 9 days or longer: $350 USD per person

 

Note use of the word recommended.

  

[CookieShip]

Can confirm no minimum for a cash account. I set my parents with a cash account and prepaid their gratuities, nothing was due at check in. I did end up booking some excursions for them, the first went thru but then said I needed to bring my account current before booking the next excursions. I was able to load some money (about $100) on to their account at the kiosk

[staceyglow]

So, what happens when they add the gratuities towards the end of the cruise?  Do they make those low cash people either add money or remove the tips?  That might explain the lines at Guest Services.

[mz-s]

9 hours ago, staceyglow said:

So, what happens when they add the gratuities towards the end of the cruise?  Do they make those low cash people either add money or remove the tips?  That might explain the lines at Guest Services.

 

You won't be able to get off the ship until your balance is satisfied.

[ladysail2]

On 5/28/2024 at 9:27 PM, staceyglow said:

So, what happens when they add the gratuities towards the end of the cruise?  Do they make those low cash people either add money or remove the tips?  That might explain the lines at Guest Services.

I  Believe the gratuities are deducted daily from one’s account…the people you see at GS at the end of the cruise are those just paying off a balance due to purchases..drinks, merchandise. I was one of them..I owed 31 cents!!  Reminder: keep your paid invoice in case Carnival tries to tell you that you owe on your account…2 weeks after the cruise ends. Ask me why…..😊

[Illbcruzn4life]

14 minutes ago, ladysail2 said:

I  Believe the gratuities are deducted daily from one’s account…the people you see at GS at the end of the cruise are those just paying off a balance due to purchases..drinks, merchandise. I was one of them..I owed 31 cents!!  Reminder: keep your paid invoice in case Carnival tries to tell you that you owe on your account…2 weeks after the cruise ends. Ask me why…..😊

always had my gratuities added in one lump sum on CCL. 

[ladysail2]

10 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

always had my gratuities added in one lump sum on CCL. 

At the end of the cruise?

[mz-s]

1 hour ago, ladysail2 said:

At the end of the cruise?

 

I don't recall exactly when they post, but yes they do post in a single lump sum.

[ladysail2]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

I don't recall exactly when they post, but yes they do post in a single lump sum.

I’m mistaken then. I must be thinking of another cruise line.  Thanks for the update!

[VentureMan_2000]

2 hours ago, ladysail2 said:

At the end of the cruise?

 

yes, at the end for us.  we had a credit card on file.

[ladysail2]

2 minutes ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

 

yes, at the end for us.  we had a credit card on file.

Okay, thanks for confirming. I always pre-pay the gratuities and didn’t realize that they are handled differently by the cruise lines. 😊

[Elaine5715]

Grats are added second to last day at 2 pm.  Line forms at 2:05 pm

[VentureMan_2000]

10 hours ago, ladysail2 said:

Okay, thanks for confirming. I always pre-pay the gratuities and didn’t realize that they are handled differently by the cruise lines. 😊

I used to pre-pay, but now wait until Carnival adds the gratuities to my card.  I enjoy the float of the credit card - not having to pay for 30 - 60 days.  Just pay it later instead of early.