Carnival Cruise Line Cashes Out Onboard Payment Rumor
Cruise passengers are required to arrange a payment method for onboard expenses before they set sail, whether they choose to link a credit card to their account or prefer to pay in cash.
One rumor has begun to circulate that cash will no longer be king for onboard accounts, however, but Carnival Cruise Line has been quick to debunk that potentially expensive mistake.
A concerned guest contacted John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, for confirmation. It is always best to reach out to the experts rather than rely on social media rumors from those who claim to be in the know or who might have spoken to a friend of a friend of a cousin of a former roommate of a crew member.
“More and more people do not have a credit card have only a pre-paid debit card for emergencies only,” the guest explained. “I want to set up my ship account card with cash but was told on the VIFP Carnival Facebook that this will soon be no longer possible because Carnival will not accept any cash at all.”
The guest goes on to explain that they don’t drink or gamble onboard, and so their onboard account is not likely to be a very high expense. Furthermore, they prefer to pay tips individually as well.
“We would like to pay our tips in cash throughout the week as it is more personal to us. Can we still use cash?” they asked.
Heald was quick to respond and stamp “PAID” on the rumor, but also acknowledging that many people use cash less frequently.
“It is true I think that cash is becoming less used when putting money down on our Sail and Sign cards. But yes, you can indeed still use it,” he confirmed.
The rumor may be related, in part, to the idea that Carnival Cruise Line could have been considering removing ATM machines from many ships at the end of 2024. At this time, however, ATMs are still available and there have been no changes to the policies for setting up onboard accounts.
To set up a Sail & Sign account in cash, it is necessary to visit the Guest Services desk on embarkation day to deposit the cash (USD only). Carnival Cruise Line recommends $100-350 per person on the account depending on the length of the sailing.
Guests can add further funds to their account at any time during the cruise with another visit to the Guest Services desk.
If cash-paying guests have more than $10 remaining on their account at the end of the cruise, they will receive a refund via check mailed to their home after the sailing ends.
Amounts less than $10 are donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, unless guests retrieve the money from one of the Sail & Sign kiosks onboard or the Guest Services desk before debarking.
What Payment Method Do Most Guests Use?
I’ve always used a credit card for onboard purchases with Carnival Cruise Line, as I prefer the ease of having the account set up before setting sail without any visit to Guest Services necessary.
Cash can certainly be a good option for many guests, however, without any surprises on a higher-than-expected bill after the cruise.
For guests without credit cards or who prefer the security of cash but without a visit to Guest Services, linking a debit card can be another good option.
Heald asked his more than 610,000 Facebook followers what method they prefer to pay for their onboard accounts. In less than an hour, more than 1,500 guests had commented.
The majority of people choose to use a credit card, noting how convenient it is with no risk of running short.
Guests who prefer either cash or debit cards note such things as interest on credit cards or the risk (however miniscule) of credit card fraud. Some have also had past issues with credit cards being denied with fraud alerts – even if those alerts are unfounded.
Read Also: The Best Ways to Save Money During a Cruise
Other guests are not comfortable with the idea of linking a debit card – and therefore their bank information – to the cruise line. A cash account can make setting and sticking to an onboard budget much easier, while credit cards may be just for emergencies.
Furthermore, using cash ensures there is no hold on a credit or debit card, which could be troublesome if guests don’t have a lot of space on their chosen card.
Savvy cruise guests will always stay informed about their onboard account, checking the balance during their cruise to be sure there are no mistakes and to be clear about where their budget is.