I have never cruised before but will be going on Carnival in January. Do passengers get issued an I.D. Card for shipboard use (purchases, drinks etc.) ? How does this work ?? Thanks
Yes, it's called your Sign & Sail card. It is your room key, your ID to get on and off the ship ( your picture is encoded into it), you use it to purchase drinks, and anything onboard the ship in the stores. You will have to set it up with either a credit card, debit card or cash deposit. Credit or debit will be set up when you check in at the pier, cash deposit is made at the pursers desk.
It is important to keep your card with you at all times, so put it in something you have with you all the time. I am a smoker and have a cig case, so the minute I get my card, it goes in the case. A friend we cruise with all the time has a lanyard, but I personally don't like having something hanging around my neck all the time. But a lot of people use them and you can buy a great one right here at the Cruise Addicts store! Have a great cruise! BTW, what ship are you going on? We are booked on Carnival Victory in Jan. also.
The card is the size of a credit card. It has your name on it.. dining time and table # and what dining room to go to (if there are 2) It has the ship and the date---(very good sovernier) no cabin number is listed on the card so if you lost it they cant get into your cabin--but someone can charge items on that card... so guard that card as you would any credit card.
I believe the older Carnival ships (Holiday/Celebration) still have ving cards as cabin keys, and do not use the S&S cards as keys. I know the Holiday uses the ving card. Also - if you ask at the casino, they will give you a lanyard at no charge. Yes, guard that S&S card. You won't be allowed back on the ship at ports if you've lost it!
BlueChef Wrote:
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> I believe the older Carnival ships
> (Holiday/Celebration) still have ving cards as
> cabin keys, and do not use the S&S cards as keys.
>
I was on the Holiday in January 2001. My sail & sign card was the room key. Has something changed since then?
fireman's flame Wrote:
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> Does each person get a sign & sail cards, even the
> kids?
>
>
>
>
>
EVERONE on the ship needs a sail & sign card, even if that person is only a few months old. You can not get on the ship without it, you can not get off the ship without it. HOWEVER, you can disable its ability to act as a charge card on board the ship (it cannot be used as a charge card off the ship).
I found this thread very informative, as a first-time cruiser myself. I have another question along the same lines. I was wondering if there was a minimum amount that you have to deposit onto your card? For instance, if I wanted my 11 and then 8 year old to only have $50 each (or even $25 each)on their cards (so they don't spend all their money at one time....LOL!), is this do-able?? What if we decided to give them a little more out of their souvenier money, could we add money at any point during the cruise?
Thanks for the help everyone. This board is very helpful.
Diana
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