I bought three $25 fun ship dollar gift certificates to be presented on Christmas morning on board the ship. I also saw the fine print and called Carnival. They said no problem. Just have my kids and mother present them to the Pursers office for a credit to their sign and sail cards. They said if they presented them as cash to the gift shop, etc. they would get funny looks. Anyway, not what I had hoped for but at least they are not worthless.