Cash in the Casino

Hi guys,

I'm new to Royal and boarding Splendour on Saturday.

I quite like the odd flutter in the casino, and when I sailed with Cunard you could just stick your Sea Pass into the slots or hand it over to a cashier and they'd charge USD to the account (with no additional charges).

My first time with Celebrity I realised they didn't do this and I was unprepared. I was unwilling to pay their fees for cash withdrawals so I didn't bother.

I assume Royal is the same as Celebrity? It bugs me having to get USD at a crappy exchange rate in the UK when I have a card that gives me perfect exchange rates on foreign currency - useless though as there will be no regular ATMs on board!!

SUPER EXCITED!

Royal charges 5% to get cash against your SeaPass card.

Royal charges 5% to get cash against your SeaPass card.

Thanks for that - all I needed to know.

You'd think they'd get more people spending if they just allowed USD withdrawals for free... :-S

Thanks for that - all I needed to know.

 

You'd think they'd get more people spending if they just allowed USD withdrawals for free... :-S

The charge is because people used to take advantage of it when it was free. They'd take out the limit in currency each day, charge it to their RCI reward card, then deposit the cash when they returned home ... making Royal not only eat the reward costs but also the fees to the credit card.

The charge is because people used to take advantage of it when it was free. They'd take out the limit in currency each day, charge it to their RCI reward card, then deposit the cash when they returned home ... making Royal not only eat the reward costs but also the fees to the credit card.

I guess that makes a lot of sense actually. It's effectively a cash advance on your CC.

Hi guys,

 

I'm new to Royal and boarding Splendour on Saturday.

 

I quite like the odd flutter in the casino, and when I sailed with Cunard you could just stick your Sea Pass into the slots or hand it over to a cashier and they'd charge USD to the account (with no additional charges).

 

My first time with Celebrity I realised they didn't do this and I was unprepared. I was unwilling to pay their fees for cash withdrawals so I didn't bother.

 

I assume Royal is the same as Celebrity? It bugs me having to get USD at a crappy exchange rate in the UK when I have a card that gives me perfect exchange rates on foreign currency - useless though as there will be no regular ATMs on board!!

 

SUPER EXCITED!

We too were disappointed on our first RCI cruise last year to discover that you could not use your on-board account (backed by a credit card) to charge casino gaming. Like you on Celebrity, we were caught a little short on cash that trip and just had to watch it more closely. But now we (and you) know - just one area where I wish the Royal lines were more like Carnival.

We too were disappointed on our first RCI cruise last year to discover that you could not use your on-board account (backed by a credit card) to charge casino gaming. Like you on Celebrity, we were caught a little short on cash that trip and just had to watch it more closely. But now we (and you) know - just one area where I wish the Royal lines were more like Carnival.

I've only sailed with Cunard under the Carnival banner, but are all Carnival brands the same with regard to casino charging?

I've only sailed with Cunard under the Carnival banner, but are all Carnival brands the same with regard to casino charging?

Carnival is for sure and it's been a while since were were on HAL so I'm not sure but I would guess that they are.

Since you only do the "odd flutter" (I like that term. Made me smile), this probably won't make a difference to you but just in case... if you gamble enough that you're invited to become a Casino Royale member (Blue Chip Club on Celebrity) they will waive the fee. Up to like $2,000 per day. Trust me if I'm taking out $2K/day I'd have a LOT more trouble than that 5% fee. :eek: :D

Cash is the best way to gamble...bring the cash you can afford to lose, as that is the most usual outcome. If you have to pay a "fee" to gamble, you've already lost.

Cash is the best way to gamble...bring the cash you can afford to lose, as that is the most usual outcome. If you have to pay a "fee" to gamble, you've already lost.

You are SO right! Totally Agree!

LuLu

Hi guys,

 

I'm new to Royal and boarding Splendour on Saturday.

 

I quite like the odd flutter in the casino, and when I sailed with Cunard you could just stick your Sea Pass into the slots or hand it over to a cashier and they'd charge USD to the account (with no additional charges).

 

My first time with Celebrity I realised they didn't do this and I was unprepared. I was unwilling to pay their fees for cash withdrawals so I didn't bother.

 

I assume Royal is the same as Celebrity? It bugs me having to get USD at a crappy exchange rate in the UK when I have a card that gives me perfect exchange rates on foreign currency - useless though as there will be no regular ATMs on board!!

SUPER EXCITED!

Actually there are ATM's on board in the casino. I just let my bank know the amounts I would be withdrawing each day. I have free ATM withdrawals from my bank, so no fee to do this. I hate to carry a lot of cash on a trip. Check with your bank in advance as mine has a $765 limit each day.

We too were disappointed on our first RCI cruise last year to discover that you could not use your on-board account (backed by a credit card) to charge casino gaming. Like you on Celebrity, we were caught a little short on cash that trip and just had to watch it more closely. But now we (and you) know - just one area where I wish the Royal lines were more like Carnival.

You CAN use your onboard account and have it charged to your credit card, you just have to pay 5% to do it.

Cash is the best way to gamble...bring the cash you can afford to lose, as that is the most usual outcome. If you have to pay a "fee" to gamble, you've already lost.

That is what the DW and I do we set aside ahead of time the amount we want to gamble and once its gone its gone. We try to make it strech out for a few nights of fun

Actually there are ATM's on board in the casino. I just let my bank know the amounts I would be withdrawing each day. I have free ATM withdrawals from my bank, so no fee to do this. I hate to carry a lot of cash on a trip. Check with your bank in advance as mine has a $765 limit each day.

The last time I was on a Celebrity ship there was also a USD ATM, but it had a transaction fee for using it (or an exchange load).

Maybe US banks offer some sort of rebate on ATM charges, but UK accounts don't offer that for ATM fees.

I'll just take cash for the Casino - I don't need cash for anything else though, and generally HATE dealing with cash for anything. I'm a 21st century guy, clearly :)

Cash is the best way to gamble...bring the cash you can afford to lose, as that is the most usual outcome. If you have to pay a "fee" to gamble, you've already lost.

Yeah I've just bought US$200 which I always consider an entertainment expense. I gamble for fun, not to make money! Though on my Celebrity Infinity cruise I turned $200 into $300 at the Roulette wheel and used it towards my on board account at the end of the cruise!

You CAN use your onboard account and have it charged to your credit card, you just have to pay 5% to do it.

Correct and I guess that's where I was going when I said I wished RCI would do it like Carnival - no additional fee to charge to your on-board account (unless CCL has changed their policy since I last sailed with them).

Cash is the best way to gamble...bring the cash you can afford to lose, as that is the most usual outcome. If you have to pay a "fee" to gamble, you've already lost.

So, cash is preferred? I heard a strange rumor there was NO cash in the RCCL casinos which made absolutely zero sense to me.

So, cash is preferred? I heard a strange rumor there was NO cash in the RCCL casinos which made absolutely zero sense to me.

You can still use cash in the casino.

Can I go to a blackjack table and get $500 worth of chips with my sea pass card and not be charged the 5% fee?

Can I go to a blackjack table and get $500 worth of chips with my sea pass card and not be charged the 5% fee?

No, I believe you must buy the chips with cash.