Funding Your Sail & Sign Card

[@eburney68]

Great job covering this topic. I have to say, I've watched a handful of videos explaining how onboard spending works -- particularly how holds work with credit cards -- and this one is by far THE BEST AND CLEAREST EXPLANATION I've found. I was trying to get clarification on how holds work with credit cards for onboard spending and this gave me exactly what I needed. Thanks so much and best wishes!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fluffygirltravelingandlife4038]

i funded my card with cash…. in December 13-18 on carnival valor….. i put 300 and had 138 still on on the last day…. thanks for the tip….

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Fantastic!

[@Mr.And.Mrs.Wedding]

Do you know if their is another way to add your credit card to it becised at check in? I want mine on my card but my moms checking all of us in

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Then you will have to change it once you get on board.

[@deeparker6539]

Less than 30days away from my first cruise, watching and watching it twice. Thanks for the vlogs I am confident with all the info you have shared.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Have a great time on your cruise!!

[@amandafrosch6475]

So helpful, thank you!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Amanda !!

[@sonjamomberger556]

@@Cruisingwithwheels Excellent job Kevin. Thank you.

[@jptraveladventures]

What about the cruise line credit card?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Yes, indeed. We do have the NCL Bank of America credit card, that earns cash back.

[@kristah4792]

I have a cruise coming up April 2022 and I have $1100.00 of onboard credit right now. Will carnival still make me put a card on my account?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Yes, they will. You are required to attach a credit card to your ship account OR you can put down cash....an amount they will tell you. Remember....they don't know you and don't know how much or how fast of a spender you are !!

[@shrtctc814]

Ignore my last question on your other video. Getting answer now!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

;) I just answered your question. Best way is to use a credit card to fund your onboard account in our opinion for many reasons.

[@joannekaczan6615]

Good video, Kevin!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks !

[@girasoles40]

Thank you for all the list. both of you made me smile!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks !

[@barbarataylor5317]

Thank you very informative; however I’ve always used cash for my sail and sign card and it’s never been an issue. That works best for me

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Cash is king !!

[@colecole4638]

Love your videos so informative

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Nicole !

[@edstuff1198]

Some debit cards offer the same protections as a credit card. My bank does that with my Visa debit card. It is best to call your bank or look on the internet to see what your bank policy is concerning debit cards.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Actually, you aren't as protected using a debit card. If your bank is telling you that, then they are lying to you and you should consider charging financial institutions. My father worked for the banking industry for over 40 years and I assure you the laws protecting the consumer are far better with a credit card than a debit card.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

This explains more in depth the differences between debit cards and credit cards, the protections and liabilities!! www.valuepenguin.com/debit-vs-credit-understanding-difference

[@edstuff1198]

I fully understand the laws concerning credit vs debit cards. I also understand my bank's policy which exceeds the lawful requirements. I am only speaking in terms of fraud protection and liability for fraudulent charges. A few years ago I received a fraudulent charge for $1,200. I called my bank, they asked me to email a statement that I didn't make the charge and the money was back in my account the next day. My bank is a locally owned bank, not one of the large banks. I realize this isn't the norm but I would imagine that other local banks might have similar policies.

[@FittednFresh]

u can also use gift Certificates and giftcards too use onboard expenses thanks

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Very true Andrew. Thank you.

[@BostonBobby1961]

How about using prepaid credit cards?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

I think that works !!

[@deborahweick5422]

Thank you Kevin for clarifying the options for the cruise card and recommending 2 credit cards while traveling. Also I want to mention that you should contact your c c company for how much to have on your account in order to actually use them on board as I had to contact my c c company a couple times. Thank you so much 😀

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Deborah ! We always call in to find our credit card balances before we set sail...and write them down on the xerox copy of each credit card we keep in our travel binder.

[@XxkittystarrXx]

Well darn I guess I finally gotta get a cc. Thank god my cruise is still a year away.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

It really makes it convenient.

[@danoqamyasharahla6544]

What if you don't have the minimum funds?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You have to be able to pay your bill. You have to have a credit card or debit card attached to your account or have the cash to put on it. it's as simple as that.

[@Mlove5520]

Could we place cash as a deposit and load card with cash then use debit card for extra spendings in addition to the sea and sail card?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

I don't understand what your asking?

[@Mlove5520]

Cruising with wheels sorry I just found out you must have a sail and sea card and they don’t accept debit cards in Lieu of the sea card.

[@Mlove5520]

Cruising with wheels did they recently change the cash option because online it doesn’t mention any deposit for carnival. Supposedly you just deposit the cash into a kiosk and it’s loaded on your card with no holds or anything. I’m going on my first cruise, so I was curious about this all.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You must have a credit card attached to your sail & sign card. If you want to put cash on it...during the cruise (like we do, to lower your bill) you can.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1138/~/sail-%26-sign-onboard-account

[@LisaVanGemert]

Great suggestions. One clarification: when a debit card is used with a chip reader, it's got a lot more security than swiping. That's not an issue here, as the cruise line will not use the chip, but it's good to use the chip whenever you can. Also, many cruise lines have their own credit cards, so you can have a card you just use for cruising. It makes it really easy to see what you spent on the entire cruise if you put all of the expenses onto a card that only has that purpose.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Great advice with one exception. When I spoke to there being a big difference in fraud protection between a debit and credit card, I was referring to the time frame for reporting said fraud and liability to the owner of the account. They vary greatly between the 2 types of cards which most people don't realize. Here is a webpage that outlines just what I was referring to. This explains more in depth the differences between debit cards and credit cards, the protections and liabilities!! www.valuepenguin.com/debit-vs-credit-understanding-difference If you read through the material you will see that in most cases a credit card will cap your liability to $50 or less within 60 day or more time frame of reporting fraud. Where a debit card will in most cases cap your liability at $50 1-2 days after fraud and $500 2-60 days after fraud and after 60 days if you haven't reported the fraud on a debit card then you're just outta luck!!

[@febaquarius82]

What if I don't have money for sail and sign?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Well, if you don't have a credit card or debit card or don't have the cash to put on the sail & sign card......doesn't sound like you'll be going on a cruise.

[@febaquarius82]

Cruising with wheels well, I called yesterday and I'll be defiantly on that cruise cruising

[@breedlovewendy]

Do you recommend prepaying for things you know you want prior going on the cruise

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

We ALWAYS prepay as much as possible!!

[@karlamiller1453]

Great video! We use a combination of credit card (to set up the account), carnival gift cards and cash. To use the gift cards, go to Guest Services on the ship and they will add the gift card amount to your account. Carnival then deducts charges from the gift card first. After the gift card is depleted, Carnival charges the credit card.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Karla

[@DGExplorers]

Good insights, thanks guys!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks !

[@sweetytweety222]

Sorry I'm so late, but what about prepaid debit cards?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You can use a pre-paid debit to fund your onboard account.

[@shannonmcclain350]

But remember, pre-paid debit cards are not accepted outside the U.S. so you won't be able to use them at ports.

[@mikkiduf]

Great video Kevin - thanks!!!!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thank you Laurie

[@kadrik0]

We once did a 2 day land stay before my cruise and my cc got skimmed. It was then declined on the cruise and on excursions. I second the whole two credit card recommendation or have cash for when you are off the boat. Definitely recommend a rfid wallet for a little extra piece of mind. Also, don't forget to alert your cc company about leaving the state/country. Last thing you want is to have to call the cc company on the cruise or at a port.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

OMG. So sorry that happened to you. Thats why we bring 2 credit cards with us. One for the ship and the other is just for emergency use. We only use cash on the port days for the most part!!

[@lucindarodriquez1253]

Oh my God so sorry that happened to you and also is it true you have to call your bank before you go anywhere out of the country because that happened last year to my brother he forgot to call he didn't know he have to call and went he Wend to use the card in the chip it was the deny.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

@@lucindarodriquez1253 Yes also let you credit card company and bank know where and when you are going or your cards maybe be denied!!

[@customtreasures1]

We are travelling with NCL for the first time in December. I love watching your videos for tips and what to expect. Thank you!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Althea !!

[@kirsteniruhh]

If I put a CC on my account and a debit card for backup, would the debit card still be charged with $200 on hold deposit??

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Don't think they're gonna hold on both at the same time...just your primary card.

[@Mysteriousmagic98]

What if all you have is a debit card? Really don't want to bring that much cash and all I have is a debit card. Should I inform my bank first before I leave? I am very close with the people who work at my bank.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Use what you have......always inform your bank !!!

[@sarahphillips295]

Julia G You can buy prepaid gift cards for a lot of cruise lines that you can fund your onboard account with too. But you don't have the fraud protection or disputing power that a credit card gives you.

[@roblena7977]

Hahah my first cruise was in July and I didn't call my bank. Never vacationed before so didn't know. I think it was probably for the best though because kept me out of the casino.

[@MarkTheLostTraveler]

This was very informative and great advice.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thank you Mark

[@robertadelisle104]

Great video! You explained things so well. I needed to know all this before our cruise in July. Of course, I have been doing research but to hear it explained makes it even easier to understand.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You are so very welcome Roberta. Many cruisers, new or seasoned, really don't understand how it works and since we get the question all the time, I thought I would explain it as best as I could. Glad we could help!!

[@MaryHadALittleHobby]

If you put casd on your card but don't use all of it, do you get a refund?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Yes...but you'll have to stand in that long guest services line to get it ! LOL

[@mizzstarlang7367]

You guys give the best information! I feel so much more informed after watching all your videos.😁

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thank you so much !!! That's what we love to hear !

[@tigerbaby8621]

KEVIN YOU FORGOT ABOUT 1 BUTTON TO DO ON YOUR SHIRT.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

ROFLMAO Thanks for noticing Jessica. LOL When I was editing the video I noticed it wasn't buttoned. LMAO I was wondering if anyone was going to catch it!!! LOL

[@lynnkihara1673]

Is Frank okay? Haven't seen him recently.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Frank is ok. He just needed a break from KZbin for a while. The closer we get to cruising the more things we have to do to prepare and its harder for him. Thank you for your concern.

[@robinmadison1314]

Wow. This was very informative.. We are going on our second cruise in December,, I wish I had known this then. I will definitely download your forms and use our credit card for our sign and sail account. I totally love Cruising With Wheels! 👍🏾

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Robin !

[@adsloan505]

Hello. I am a little late to the conversation as this video was published las year… but I do have a question. I will be traveling with my dad. Can the two accounts be funded seperately, with him using his credit card and me using mine? Or do they have to be funded together as we are in the same cabin? Thank you, sir. have a great day!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Hi Allen ! Each one of you can have your own separate credit cards with your own separate sail & sign cards.

[@leeannbuskirk3447]

Thank you so much!! This was very informative, have a great day 🙂

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thank you.

[@bandit1blue01079]

So question, I have one credit card with a $475 limit. I am going on Norwegian epic next April. Any suggestions?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

In your case I would put some cash down and use the card as back up.

[@emmahughes2491]

Shannon Morgan You could also try to pay anything you can beforehand. I.e. gratuities, drink package, shore excursions, specialty dinner etc. So that you don't have to pay as much on the ship.

[@bandit1blue01079]

Do you know how much Norwegian requires?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Yes .... I agree... Prepaying as much as you can is always the way to go. We always prepay everything and only use our onboard account for drinks and souvenirs.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

I'm not sure because it depends on the ship you're on, number of days sailing and weather you have pre-paid your gratuities and such. You can call 1-800-234-7350 and they should be able to tell you. Make sure you have your reservation number available when you call.

[@arenat9705]

When I went on Carnival I used cash. When I loaded the ship I gave them $300 to add to my on board spending account/sail on card. They did not tell me I had to add a certain amount. I budgeted a certain amount I wanted to use for every day and I kept track of that. I already had a set amount that I was going to spend anyway. If I would have used my credit card I most definitely would have over spent so thats why I did it the cash way. I did not have a problem. If you use a card I would not use debit period. Credit card would be the way for me. I also did not pre-pay my gratuities. I personally gave out the amount I chose to the carnival cruise workers who cleaned my room everyday. It was something about being personable with them and letting them know i appreciated them. Carnival did still add the gratuities to my final bill however I got it removed at guest services since I paid them myself. My final bill I owed 23cent.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Nice to only have a 23 cent bill.

[@flippineddy627]

What if your credit card has a max of 500? (I'm new to credit, so it's my first card). Could I supplement the rest with cash?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You sure can !!

[@robbieomalley371]

I have containers upon containers of old cruise cards. Us cruisers will never have enough! Lol. I would recommend linking a credit card as well!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

So true Robbie!!

[@kelliemcnamara4372]

Great advice, thanks for sharing it

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thank you Kellie!!

[@hollysilva7350]

Great information, thanks! 👍🏼

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thank you so much.

[@minnamoonsammy6716]

Kevin, yet another great job of research and presentation, as usual. Thanks for the updated info about using debit cards. Love to all from Rigby and I.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks Minna.

[@brianf1588]

Highly recommend not using a debit card. Great video!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

AGREED Brian

[@lorrainej83]

Great video once again!!! So this is the card that has your passport info on there as well? So this would be used to scan to get back on the ship after visiting the islands? In other words you can lock up your passports on embarkation till you disembark at the end of your cruise?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

No. Your sail and sign doesn’t have your passport information attached to it. It is the card you need to gain access to the ship as well as your cabin and to pay for things while on the cruise ship. We suggest you take your passport with you ashore. If you miss the ship you will need your passport to fly home or to your next port.

[@lorrainej83]

VERY GOOD POINT!!! Thanks so much for all the info once again!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You are so very welcome.

[@literatiglee]

Huh, I'd have sworn I'd left a comment -- must not have actually clicked on "COMMENT". Oy, the chronic pain meds do wreak all sorts of hell on my short-term memory. Just wanted to let you two know that this is just the sort of information that's vital for cruisers to know! I'm sure I've mentioned it at least 5k times, but what the heck? One more time won't hurt! =D The next cruise is with HAL, who told me my travel partner had to stop at guest services after getting on the ship to provide them with a huge chunk of cash for her onboard expenses, and I remember thinking how very weird that was. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, BOYS, for confirming my suspicions!

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

xoxoxoxox

[@gailabert7976]

Thanks, Kevin, great info and advice. Don't you and Frank use cash in the ports? Do you do that even if U.S money is worth more than their money?

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Yes we always use cash for in port purchases. And 99.9% off the time we use U.S. money.

[@gailabert7976]

Cruising with wheels Thanks for the fast reply! Have a great rest of the week! :-)

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

You too Gail!!

[@hollysilva7350]

Hi Kevin and Frank, I will be going on NCL Bliss February 2019 with a friend. For her birthday I was thinking of getting her a Mandara Spa Gift Certificate or On-Board Credit Certificate. Do you have any experience with either? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Holly

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

If I were buying a gift for a friend I probably would just buy onboard credit. That way they can use it for whatever they choose too. If you buy a spa credit then they will be stuck using for the spa only. Also, you might want to consider getting an NCL gift card. You can call the general number to order one I believe and the will send it to your address. Then you can present it to them rather than the piece of paper they will leave in the room if you buy onboard credit.

[@katietheconnectedcruiser4733]

I have done cash, and was never asked for an additional deposit as long as you don't go over the funds you have put down. I have also used my Debit card without a problem. I never received any additional holds or anything like that and the hold was taken off my card within a week of returning. I personally prefer not to use a credit card. And thats all it is, personal preference on how you chose to fund your vacation.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Thanks

[@katietheconnectedcruiser4733]

Cruising with wheels I also only cruise NCL. And occasionally Carnival.

[@GlitterSparklez1]

Same here. I've never had any issues however I use cash only. Never attach your cc or debit card. I'm an experienced corporate auditor. I make my cruising dollars by catching fraud.

[@shannonmcclain350]

@@katietheconnectedcruiser4733 I'm going on NCL Breakaway next May and planned to use cash to fund my ship card. Did NCL put a hold on your ship card until you added more money when you still had money available on the card to use?

[@theresah.1030]

We get a prepaid credit card from our AAA travel agent...

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Great idea Theresa!!

[@GlitterSparklez1]

I've always used cash only. I've never had any issues. My cc or debit card will not be used for cruising ever. I have a high limit on my cc and I don't trust anyone with a blank check to my credit. My bank will shut it down if it looks crazy anyway. My debit card has an option for me to disable all transactions. My bank also protects me the same as with my cc. NEVER EVER use a debit or credit card. I'm an auditor with several years of finance background. Cash works best.

[@Cruisingwithwheels]

Cash is King !!!