On a Carnival cruise, the primary and most convenient way to pay for nearly everything on board is through your Sail & Sign card. Carnival operates on a cashless credit program, meaning your stateroom card serves as your personal onboard expense account, allowing you to charge all services, gratuities, and purchases directly to it.
The Cashless System: Your Sail & Sign Card
Your Sail & Sign card is more than just a room key; it's your all-in-one payment method while at sea. This system is designed for ease and efficiency, eliminating the need to carry cash or multiple credit cards around the ship.
What You Can Pay For with Your Sail & Sign Card
You can charge a wide variety of items and services to your Sail & Sign account, including but not limited to:
- Beverages: Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, sodas, and bottled water.
- Dining: Specialty restaurant meals, room service charges (if applicable), and snack bar purchases.
- Gratuities: Automatic daily gratuities are typically applied to your account.
- Excursions & Activities: Shore excursions booked through Carnival, spa treatments, fitness classes, and arcade games.
- Shopping: Purchases from gift shops, boutiques, and duty-free stores.
- Services: Laundry services, internet packages, and photo purchases.
Where to Use Your Sail & Sign Card
The Sail & Sign card is accepted at virtually all locations on board your Carnival cruise ship. Whether you're at a bar, the spa, a retail shop, or booking a shore excursion, simply present your card for payment.
The only notable exception where you might use cash is:
- Casino: While your Sail & Sign card can be used for gaming, the casino also accepts cash for playing slots and table games.
Funding Your Sail & Sign Account
Before or during embarkation, you'll link a personal payment method to your Sail & Sign account. This account can be settled using a major credit card or by making a cash deposit.
| Payment Method Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | The most common method. Your Sail & Sign account is linked to your credit card (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). All charges will automatically be billed to this card at the end of your cruise. |
| Cash Deposit | You can opt to pre-deposit a set amount of cash onto your Sail & Sign account at the Guest Services desk. As you make purchases, the funds will be deducted from this balance. Any remaining balance at the end of the cruise will be refunded. |
Important Note: While some cruise lines allow linking debit cards, it's generally recommended to use a credit card or a cash deposit for your onboard account. Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection and prevent immediate holds on your bank account funds, which can occur with debit cards.
Managing Your Onboard Account
You can easily keep track of your spending throughout your cruise. Carnival provides ways to view your statement and current balance:
- Carnival Hub App: This mobile app allows you to monitor your Sail & Sign balance in real-time.
- Stateroom TV: Some staterooms offer the option to view your account balance on the interactive TV.
- Guest Services: You can request a printed statement at any time from the Guest Services desk.
By using your Sail & Sign card, you ensure a seamless and convenient payment experience, allowing you to focus on enjoying your Carnival cruise vacation.
