It adds up on your S&S account. But there may be a hold on your debit card to start with.

Would you recommend putting money on the card in the form of cash or credit card?

Missa:

Would you recommend putting money on the card in the form of cash or credit card?

I put my S&S against a credit card.   Possibly I am unusual in that the credit card I use, doesn't already have a balance riding dangerously close to my credit limit.   So, for me, there aren't any possible problems if there is a temporary "hold" by Carnival, or other travel expenses like car rentals, hotels, and restaurants.

After the cruise, Carnival charges my credit card, and like 30 days later, I pay it off.

My worry with the credit card is that mine is credit/debit bank card with a visa logo. I only plan on putting $300 on the card. But I don't know how much of a hold will be put on the card. Would it just be a $300 hold or would it be more. I really don't understand bank holds. lol

I have used my visa check card in the past.... with no problems but at that time i always had a high balance in my checking account...  I changed that so I had used cash the last couple of cruises.... and that worked great for me... this time... I am going to be using a credit card... because I was talked into getting one that gives cash back... so it will help me since I always pay off the balance when the bill comes in.  But do what you feel will be the safest and best way for you... If you want to use cash but do not want to carry a lot with you... get travelers checks...

I do not know what ship you are sailing on but just remember that on some excursions, they do not except cash, only credit cards. Re: Atlantis in the Bahamas.

 They would put a hold of $200 per person on your card. If you have a spouse and/or child on the same sail and sign account, it would be 200 each.

Missa:

I really don't understand bank holds. lol

A "hold" is when a merchant puts a reserve on your credit limit because they don't know yet what your final total will be.   For example, if you go to a gas pump and slide your card, the station doesn't know how much gas you will be pumping yet.  So, it puts a "hold" of around $75 on your card's limit (and with that, makes sure that you do indeed have that much available).   After you finish pumping, the actual amount gets charged and the "hold" is removed.

Restaurants do the same thing since when they swipe your card, they don't know how much of a tip you will add.   So, the put a "hold' for the check amount plus 25%.  Once you add the tip to the receipt and sign it, the "hold" is replaced with your actual total.

Walt:

After you finish pumping, the actual amount gets charged and the "hold" is removed.

The hold may not be removed for several days. I've had a hold of $99 after getting gas that wasn't removed for several days. The actual charge was also added.

There have been numerous post about holds from S&S accounts not being taken off for over a week after a cruise.

Here is another thread on the subject.

http://www.carnivalconnections.com/cruisetalk/forums/p/49732/179143.aspx#179143

You could also do a search to see what other passengers have to say.

Don K:

The hold may not be removed for several days. I've had a hold of $99 after getting gas that wasn't removed for several days. The actual charge was also added.

There have been numerous post about holds from S&S accounts not being taken off for over a week after a cruise.

Just remember its your credit card company, not Carnival's nor the gas station's, responsibility to remove the hold in a timely manor.  If they don't, complain and if there are any fees, demand they reverse them.

Thank you. All this information has been very helpful in making my decision.Thank you all again.

You will pay at the end of your cruise. You will receive a paper bill showing everything you charged in your stateroom "mailbox" late the last night of your cruise and that amount will come out of your account on Monday. You can view your bill at any time during your cruise on the TV in your stateroom.  It will show an itemized statement with a grand total.