casino chip question.....

[askworldtraveler]

My son is sailing on HAL soon out of Port Everglades - and he enjoys the casino. I would like to purchase the casino chip "package" - in an large enough amount he may not use it all in the casino. A few questions....

1. Any problem converting the gift to cash once he's on board at the casino cashier?

2. Why do they charge sales tax on this item when you purchase it online?

Any downside to doing this?

Many thanks

[doclove]

I purchased casino chips last year. When I took the vouchers to the cashier they gave me the value in cash and not in chips.

This year I purchased casino chips for my upcoming sailing. I don't believe I was charged tax for them.

[mommyto2girls]

I do it every time we crusie...I purchase a few hundred dollars worth of chips, they give you a voucher and the casino gives you the cash. There is not tax if you have it delivered after the ship leaves the port.

[askworldtraveler]

There is not tax if you have it delivered after the ship leaves the port.

Never thought about the "tax" issue as it relates to departure port.... which is why they give you the "sea" option.... old dog learns a new trick....

Thank you!!!!

[ziggypup]

I purchased chips for my Mom online. I was not charged any tax.

[askworldtraveler]

which clearly state tax may be applied in port..... cie la vie

[SNAGuy]

I do it every time we crusie...I purchase a few hundred dollars worth of chips, they give you a voucher and the casino gives you the cash. There is not tax if you have it delivered after the ship leaves the port.

Question, on Celebrity and some other cruise lines they charge a fee at the casino cashier and take that out against the amount they give you. Do they do this on Holland America?

[mommastav]

My husband and I just returned from a 10-day Noordam cruise. I had purchased casino chips for him as a Christmas Gift, and asked that the gift be waiting for him when we boarded so he could use them that first night at sea. Because the gift was delivered while we were in port, I did have to pay the FL sales tax. When we entered the stateroom, there was a gift card waiting letting him know that I had purchased the casino chips for him. It included instructions that he needed to present the card to the Casino cashier. He did that when we went to the casino that first night, but was informed that he couldn't be given the chips until the Casino received confirmation from the front office. He was told to try again later. That confirmation didn't arrive until the afternoon of the second day. Once the Casino Cashier had the confirmation, she gave my husband cash. They do not give out chips - they give you the amount purchased in cash. You need to give the cash to one of the dealers who will give out the chips. Had I realized there would be a delay in his getting to use the "chips", I would simply have handed him a card with the cash in it. It would have been a lot easier!