Carnival Sail & Sign Card?

[LaurAshBay]

Hi all----I really don't understand the whole Sail & Sign card; do you really need one? I kind of wanted to just bring cash and no credit card (card is almost to the limit ha ha ha) Is it ok to pass on it? Thanks in advance, obviously first time Cruiser here :D

[WeBeGone]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. You'll find tons of useful information. We were all first timers once upon a time.

 

All cruiselines are "cashless" - that means that no cash is used on the ship except for the casino. All other purchases- soda, alcohol, tee shirts, jewelry, make-up, tips, whatever - go on your cruise card. The "Sign and Sail" card is just one name for it. This card also doubles as your cabin key so don't lose it. When you check in, you'll be asked for a credit card you want your charges to go to. If you want to use cash, you can give the ticket agent $500 for your on board account instead of having charges go to a credit card.

Edited January 13, 2009 by WeBeGone

[LaurAshBay]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. You'll find tons of useful information. We were all first timers once upon a time.

 

All cruiselines are "cashless" - that means that no cash is used on the ship except for the casino. All other purchases- soda, alcohol, tee shirts, jewelry, make-up, tips, whatever - go on your cruise card. The "Sign and Sail" card is just one name for it. This card also doubles as your cabin key so don't lose it. When you check in, you'll be asked for a credit card you want your charges to go to. If you want to use cash, you can give the ticket agent $500 for your on board account instead of having charges go to a credit card.

 

Oh so it's a necessary thing that I need to have? Thanks for your input!

[Suebee42]

It's your LIFE on board. Hang on to it like you would your underwear... unless, of course, you prefer commando... LOL!

 

Welcome! :D

[Essiesmom]

Your Sail and Sign card is your 'house key' on the ship. It opens your cabin door. All expenses are 'charged' to it, to be paid by your credit card or cash. But most important, whenever you leave the ship you scan it at the gangway and it clocks you off the ship. When you come back to the ship, you 'clock in' and the attendant looks at the picture that pops up on her screen and verifies that the card holder is really you. In this way, the ship staff know when someone has not returned to the ship. EM

[silentbob007]

Yup you have to have it ... and it unfortunately does make it easier to spend money (not doling out the cash for each drink) even if you put down a cash deposit. There's a reason that it's also known as the "drink and sink" card.

[LaurAshBay]

Yup you have to have it ... and it unfortunately does make it easier to spend money (not doling out the cash for each drink) even if you put down a cash deposit. There's a reason that it's also known as the "drink and sink" card.

Ok, so I still need it then even if I am not going to charge anything? What if you don't charge a thing, they don't try and sneak charges on your card do they? My card is almost to it's limit (bad I know) and I'm a blonde who is terrible with money! All I know is I like to have it ha ha

[GTO-Girl]

Ok, so I still need it then even if I am not going to charge anything? What if you don't charge a thing, they don't try and sneak charges on your card do they? My card is almost to it's limit (bad I know) and I'm a blonde who is terrible with money! All I know is I like to have it ha ha

 

Someone correct me here if I'm wrong, but I believe they do put a certain $$$ amt hold on the credit card you want to use. I'm sure to be sure they will get their money......so you may not be able to give them a card that's maxed out.

 

If that's the case you may want to give them a cash deposit when you check in...

[SmerkyGrl]

Gratuities are automatically charged to the card on the first day. You will need to put money on it one way or another. You can use a CC or cash but there is no option to not have it.

[myrtle0116]

Thanks for clearing this up for me as well. Have been worried about option of paying in cash (prefer to do this.) So, do I still need to have extra cash to be left in envelopes for tips at end of cruise or do they put it on this account?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Susan

[krogerlady]

I think I have asked this before, but going to run it thru again. It must bother me to not remember the answers and have to ask again. Can you use a debit card for your Sail and Sign account? i have a special savings account set up for payroll deductions and I want to get a debit card on that account so I know how much is there, and thats it. Of course, I will bring a back up credit card too, but i have gotten quite use to using a debit card. What do you all think?

[Suebee42]

I think I have asked this before, but going to run it thru again. It must bother me to not remember the answers and have to ask again. Can you use a debit card for your Sail and Sign account? i have a special savings account set up for payroll deductions and I want to get a debit card on that account so I know how much is there, and thats it. Of course, I will bring a back up credit card too, but i have gotten quite use to using a debit card. What do you all think?

 

You're going to get differing opinions on that one... some people have no problems, others have had their accounts get seriously screwed up because of the "holds" they put on them.

 

Personally, I wouldn't use my debit card.

 

I'm just going to put some extra money on my credit card with my next two paychecks to cover my expenses. I'm not a drinker (not even soda) or a gambler, so it won't be too bad. :D

[krystalkruzer]

I think I have asked this before, but going to run it thru again. It must bother me to not remember the answers and have to ask again. Can you use a debit card for your Sail and Sign account? i have a special savings account set up for payroll deductions and I want to get a debit card on that account so I know how much is there, and thats it. Of course, I will bring a back up credit card too, but i have gotten quite use to using a debit card. What do you all think?

 

Yes, provided it has a Visa or MC logo on it.

[krystalkruzer]

Thanks for clearing this up for me as well. Have been worried about option of paying in cash (prefer to do this.) So, do I still need to have extra cash to be left in envelopes for tips at end of cruise or do they put it on this account?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Susan

 

No other than any extra tipping you might want to do.

[earlethepearl]

I would not use my debit card. If you don't have a credit card that you want to use, just go online and pre-pay your account. That is what I have done for years now.

[serene56]

you can use a debit card== as long as there is no daily limit.

 

I have a debit card with a 200 daily limit. If I used that on a cruise my account could be frozen for a few days til the limits clear.

 

Last cruise we put a cash deposit on the room of 300.00 total for both of us./ We got a check on the last night for monies not spent.

 

If you put cash down-== any amount-- you spend it til its almost gone you will get a note in your cabin to vist the pursers desk.

Edited January 30, 2009 by serene56

[MedicKen]

And you still have to go to the muster drill

[JSQ01]

I used my debit card on my last cruise and had no issues, though the cruise line did put a $500 hold on it that dropped off about 24 hours after the end of the cruise.

 

When hubby and I went on the ecstasy we had also had a room key, so we had to keep up with our S&S cards and our key (which was a big white thing with holes in it...very strange.) Most of the ships you just use your S&S card though. Sometimes you can also check your S&S card balance in your room or you can always go to the guest services desk and ask for a copy of your current charges if you are concerned about it.

 

After the cruise on the Valor I included my S&S card in my scrapbook...:D

Edited February 10, 2009 by JSQ01

[Roadtripster]

Do you think you can use a pre-paid credit card?

[RoofingPrincess]

When hubby and I went on the ecstasy we had also had a room key, so we had to keep up with our S&S cards and our key (which was a big white thing with holes in it...very strange.)

Either Ecstasy has changed over since your cruise on her, or you were in a higher class of cabin than I was, because in Sept 08, my S&S card was my room key... :)

[serene56]

Do you think you can use a pre-paid credit card?

 

not for your sign and sail card for onboard spending. The credit card MUST be tied to a bank.

If no card-- use cash--or buy the funship dollars.

Edited February 22, 2009 by serene56

[steventina]

ok, so we've been burned before on scam with our credit card and have become very leary as to who has this info, so here's my question, can you buy a prepaid visa card with 5 or6 hundred on it and use that for your sign and sail account? how about using travelers checks? is that possible? buying booze from bv so shouldnt be charging much in drinks, just looking for others input and i guess i should call carnival too. thanks in advance for your time and have a great day tina

[steventina]

where do you buy the funship dollars at, didnt see it on the carnival site anywhere thanks for your info

[flormija]

where do you buy the funship dollars at, didnt see it on the carnival site anywhere thanks for your info

 

 

You can buy the funship dollars by calling the Bon Voyage department. This is the number I found for them: 1-800-522-7648. When you call, you have to specify if you want them mailed to you or if you want them directly applied to your account so they show up as 'On Board Credit'.

 

 

ok, so we've been burned before on scam with our credit card and have become very leary as to who has this info, so here's my question, can you buy a prepaid visa card with 5 or6 hundred on it and use that for your sign and sail account? how about using travelers checks? is that possible? buying booze from bv so shouldnt be charging much in drinks, just looking for others input and i guess i should call carnival too. thanks in advance for your time and have a great day tina

 

 

You can only use a prepaid visa card only if it has your name embossed on it (I've never actually seen one of those but have heard they exist). You CAN use traveler's checks to secure your onboard account. You will provide those to Guest Services after getting on board. You can also do cash the same as the traveler's checks.

 

Good Luck!

[Gig103]

Some credit card companies will issue temporary card numbers. They are used for online transactions and are good for a set amount and/or set period of time. Perhaps you can contact your customer service and ask about this?

 

It also may not work if the cruise needs to physically swipe the card. I noticed Carnival has it so that I can link my S&S card with a credit card from the website as part of my cruise check-in.