Casino Money: Should I bring cash or use shipboard account?

[DanJ]

Is there a limit on how much you can download (and how often you can download) to your slot machine/card and then go to the casino cage to get cash? There will be four of us on an upcoming Caribbean cruise, and we need over $2000 cash to pay for the private tours at various ports. I really don't want to carry that much cash, so I was thinking of bringing my ATM card and get cash at St. Juan and St. Thomas ports. With your suggestion, I can save time and hassle of looking for ATM machines on shore. The night before each port, I can just go to the casino and download money to the slot card, then go to the cage and get cash.

 

This method sounds like a good replacement for ATM withdraws. I just want to make sure I understood it correctly. You said the cash I take out will appear as a "purchase" and not "cash advance"? If that it correct, I will not be charged 1% fee for cash advance. Better yet, I will get 2% credit card rebate as purchase.:D

 

I can't remember exactly how it is worded on your account statement, but there are no fees for it. It'll just be another line in the various purchases you make on the cruise. It's definitely not a credit card cash advance like going to an ATM.

 

You simply put your cruise card in the slot machine and follow the instructions for setting up a player bank with however much you want, up to whatever limit they have posted (I think it's $1000 per day, but it's been a couple years now for me). And yes you are correct that you earn whatever loyalty points or bonus your particular card gets, basically for free.

 

It's also important to remember that if you actually play the slot machine with your player bank, you need to put whatever money you have on the slot back into your player bank before walking away from the machine.

[Toto2Kansas]

Is there a limit on how much you can download (and how often you can download) to your slot machine/card and then go to the casino cage to get cash? There will be four of us on an upcoming Caribbean cruise, and we need over $2000 cash to pay for the private tours at various ports. I really don't want to carry that much cash, so I was thinking of bringing my ATM card and get cash at St. Juan and St. Thomas ports. With your suggestion, I can save time and hassle of looking for ATM machines on shore. The night before each port, I can just go to the casino and download money to the slot card, then go to the cage and get cash.

 

This method sounds like a good replacement for ATM withdraws. I just want to make sure I understood it correctly. You said the cash I take out will appear as a "purchase" and not "cash advance"? If that it correct, I will not be charged 1% fee for cash advance. Better yet, I will get 2% credit card rebate as purchase.:D

 

The only thing I might caution you about is that there have been reports posted in the past where some have tried doing just that and were stopped from cashing in any more credits downloaded from the machines for this purpose on a regular basis. If this should happen to you, then you would not be able to get enough cash to pay for your private tours throughout the cruise.

I might suggest getting travelers checks instead of taking the chance of being able to get over $2000 from your casino credits for non gambling use. Good Luck!

[chubbypiggy]

DanJ,

 

Thank you for your information.:)

[bunyababy]

The only thing I might caution you about is that there have been reports posted in the past where some have tried doing just that and were stopped from cashing in any more credits downloaded from the machines for this purpose on a regular basis. If this should happen to you, then you would not be able to get enough cash to pay for your private tours throughout the cruise.

I might suggest getting travelers checks instead of taking the chance of being able to get over $2000 from your casino credits for non gambling use. Good Luck!

 

Could they not just buy Casino Vouchers and then cash them at the cage as needed? It would eliminate traveling with the money and they could access it as needed ( as long as the casino is open of course )?

 

Connie

[chubbypiggy]

The only thing I might caution you about is that there have been reports posted in the past where some have tried doing just that and were stopped from cashing in any more credits downloaded from the machines for this purpose on a regular basis. If this should happen to you, then you would not be able to get enough cash to pay for your private tours throughout the cruise.

I might suggest getting travelers checks instead of taking the chance of being able to get over $2000 from your casino credits for non gambling use. Good Luck!

 

 

Thank you for your information.

 

We have two cabins. I guess I will just do it one time for $1000 on my cabin account, and ask the other cabin to do it once on their account. We will just lock up the money in our safes.

 

All the private tours we booked indicated "cash" only. I am not sure they will take travelers checks.

[Toto2Kansas]

Thank you for your information.

 

We have two cabins. I guess I will just do it one time for $1000 on my cabin account, and ask the other cabin to do it once on their account. We will just lock up the money in our safes.

 

All the private tours we booked indicated "cash" only. I am not sure they will take travelers checks.

 

I didn't make that Travelers Check comment clear, sorry. The ship will cash travelers checks for you at no charge, then you would be able to cash them onboard, and then take the cash and pay for your tours. ;)

[bunyababy]

Thank you for your information.

 

We have two cabins. I guess I will just do it one time for $1000 on my cabin account, and ask the other cabin to do it once on their account. We will just lock up the money in our safes.

 

All the private tours we booked indicated "cash" only. I am not sure they will take travelers checks.

 

My past experiences with private tours is when they say Cash Only...they mean it!

I still think that casino vouchers would be your best bet!?

They will be waiting for you in your cabin when you arrive. You can cash them as needed or all at once. You would get the points or whatever on your credit card because they would be considered a purchase.

A win win as far as I can see it! But...I could be mistaken, I am sure someone will clarify this idea. :)

 

Connie

[chubbypiggy]

I have a few more questions, and would appreciate it if someone can answer them for me.

 

I will have only $100 OBC (FCC) in my account at the beginning of the cruise, which is not even enough for tips. So, if I want to get $1000 cash onboard using the casino card download option, do I:

 

1. Go to the casino and find a slot machine, request $1000 cash download to the slot card, and then go to the casino cage to cash out? If this option, will my cabin account just show I have a $1000 Princess purchase, and will show as such on my credit card charge?

 

2. Or before my cruise starts (in about a week), I need to call Princess and ask how I can put $1000 to my account, and have the money in my account when my cruise starts? If doing it this way, will the $1000 advance charge by Princess still shows as a Princess purchase and not an advance?

 

Sorry for so many questions. I have never used the casino in all my prior cruises, and have never got money out from my onboard account.

 

Thank you all for your assistance.:)

[Toto2Kansas]

There is a limit as to how much you can download at a time to each slot machine, so going to one and attempting to download $1000 will be impossible. I would just send yourself the Onboard credit ahead of time to make things simplier for yourself. ;) The credit you send yourself will show on your credit card as a purchase, not a cash advance. Enjoy!

[bunyababy]

There is a limit as to how much you can download at a time to each slot machine, so going to one and attempting to download $1000 will be impossible. I would just send yourself the Onboard credit ahead of time to make things simplier for yourself. ;) The credit you send yourself will show on your credit card as a purchase, not a cash advance. Enjoy!

 

....and then she can go to the pursers desk and ask for the cash from her OBC:confused:

I didn't think you could do this? I know you said you could cash in the casino vouchers for cash, but can you get cash for your OBC also?

 

Man, there is a wealth of information on these boards. I don't know what I would do without it? :)

 

Smiles, Connie

[Toto2Kansas]

....and then she can go to the pursers desk and ask for the cash from her OBC:confused:

I didn't think you could do this? I know you said you could cash in the casino vouchers for cash, but can you get cash for your OBC also?

 

Man, there is a wealth of information on these boards. I don't know what I would do without it? :)

 

Smiles, Connie

I understood that last post/question as saying they needed more credit on their account (since they would only have $100 credit on the account for this sailing) for shipboard charges, not cash? Maybe I misunderstood it?

But no, you can't just go to the purser's desk and ask for cash from your shipboard account, and if you charge to your shipboard account at the casino cage to get cash you will be paying the 3% surcharge on top of that.

[chubbypiggy]

I understood that last post/question as saying they needed more credit on their account (since they would only have $100 credit on the account for this sailing) for shipboard charges, not cash? Maybe I misunderstood it?

But no, you can't just go to the purser's desk and ask for cash from your shipboard account, and if you charge to your shipboard account at the casino cage to get cash you will be paying the 3% surcharge on top of that.

 

I apologize for not being clear. I was still on the same subject of "how to get $1000 cash onboard". I do not need more credit on my account. Just like all my previous cruises, whatever I used onboard (tips, drinks, gift shops, excursions...), it is fine with me they get charged to my account and then be charged to my credit card.

[Toto2Kansas]

I apologize for not being clear. I was still on the same subject of "how to get $1000 cash onboard". I do not need more credit on my account. Just like all my previous cruises, whatever I used onboard (tips, drinks, gift shops, excursions...), it is fine with me they get charged to my account and then be charged to my credit card.

 

Then travelers checks (cashed onboard) or casino credits would be your only option if you are still looking for cash to pay for those private tours. ;)

[chubbypiggy]

My past experiences with private tours is when they say Cash Only...they mean it!

I still think that casino vouchers would be your best bet!?

They will be waiting for you in your cabin when you arrive. You can cash them as needed or all at once. You would get the points or whatever on your credit card because they would be considered a purchase.

A win win as far as I can see it! But...I could be mistaken, I am sure someone will clarify this idea. :)

 

Connie

 

What is "casino vouchers"? Where do I buy them? How do you cash them in onboard? For example, I can just take my casino vouchers and go to the casino cage and redeem it for cash? Thank you.

[cattolica]

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/onboard_credit/Index.jsp

 

Items #6003 6004 and 6005

We do this all the time usually for a pretty substantial amount. Trade them for your cash at the casino cage.

 

What is "casino vouchers"? Where do I buy them? How do you cash them in onboard? For example, I can just take my casino vouchers and go to the casino cage and redeem it for cash? Thank you.

[Toto2Kansas]

What is "casino vouchers"? Where do I buy them? How do you cash them in onboard? For example, I can just take my casino vouchers and go to the casino cage and redeem it for cash? Thank you.

 

Casino vouchers are what they have waiting in your cabin when you send yourself casino credits. You choose the denomination you would like, and how much. Then you take them to the casino cage whenever the casino is open, and they take the vouchers and give you cash for them. You will pay for them when you order them (this has to be done before your cruise) and they will be charged to your credit card as a purchase and not a cash advance, and as said, the vouchers for the credits will be waiting in your stateroom for you.

I thought I posted this link earlier, but here it is again to guide you to the gift section for these purchases on princess.com http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/onboard_credit/Index.jsp

[Putterdude]

I believe that I am correct in saying that the Casino Credits can only be cashed on the ship and voyage that you purchased them for. The counterfoil for each credit ordered is at the casino cage and you sign it for the cash received. I always cash mine very early in the voyage and put the money in our cabin safe.

[chubbypiggy]

Toto/Cattolica/Putterdude,

 

First, thank you for being patient with me. Also, thank you for the website. I apologize if I repeatingly asked "similar" questions. Because I have never done this before, and because I need to get $2000+, I want to make sure I really understand how this works. I definitely do not want to get struck with a lot of casino credits that I have no usage for (I don't gamble).

 

PLEASE :) clarify for me one more time!!

 

Potential Plan: Call Princess tomorrow and buy twenty $100 (total $2000) casino credit.

 

From all your answers, this is what I understood. Please correct me if I am wrong:

1. After the call, my credit card will be charged $2000 as a Princess purchase.

2. When I get to my cabin on embarkation day, there will be twenty $100 casino vouchers in my cabin.

3. I can take the twenty vouchers to the casino cage, and asked to get cash for all $2000 at once or $1000 the first day, and the remaining $1000 on another day.

4. Absolutely not required to use any amount of the $2000 casino vouchers for gambling.

5. There is no charge to cash in the vouchers. I purchase $2000 casino credit, I will get back $2000 cash.

 

One more question not related to the casino vouchers - Can you bring your own personal check, and cash it onboard?

 

Again, thank you SO MUCH for all your help!!:)

[DanJ]

Toto/Cattolica/Putterdude,

 

First, thank you for being patient with me. Also, thank you for the website. I apologize if I repeatingly asked "similar" questions. Because I have never done this before, and because I need to get $2000+, I want to make sure I really understand how this works. I definitely do not want to get struck with a lot of casino credits that I have no usage for (I don't gamble).

 

PLEASE :) clarify for me one more time!!

 

Potential Plan: Call Princess tomorrow and buy twenty $100 (total $2000) casino credit.

 

From all your answers, this is what I understood. Please correct me if I am wrong:

1. After the call, my credit card will be charged $2000 as a Princess purchase.

2. When I get to my cabin on embarkation day, there will be twenty $100 casino vouchers in my cabin.

3. I can take the twenty vouchers to the casino cage, and asked to get cash for all $2000 at once or $1000 the first day, and the remaining $1000 on another day.

4. Absolutely not required to use any amount of the $2000 casino vouchers for gambling.

5. There is no charge to cash in the vouchers. I purchase $2000 casino credit, I will get back $2000 cash.

 

One more question not related to the casino vouchers - Can you bring your own personal check, and cash it onboard?

 

Again, thank you SO MUCH for all your help!!:)

 

You understand fully. You can cash the vouchers all at once or one at a time, as you prefer. Since you don't plan to gamble, just go down to the casino shortly after sailaway or after dinner the first night, cash in all your vouchers, and put the money in your room safe, and not have to worry about setting foot in there again. No fee and no requirement to gamble.

 

I don't beleive a personal check will fly.

[Toto2Kansas]

Dan has verified exactly what I would have told you, so I will add to the check answer.

 

 

Princess stopped cashing personal checks quite some time ago and I am not sure which ship you are sailing on, too lazy to go back to see if you mentioned it earlier.

On the Royal two weeks ago, the casino would cash personal checks, but I forgot to ask them what amount you could cash. They had a sign in the casino that personal checks would be cashed (which shocked the heck out of me as I haven't seen this done in many years on Princess). But I would not count on cashing a personal check, as on the larger ships this has not been an option anymore.

[chubbypiggy]

I FINALLY got it.:D

 

Thank you very much for everyone's input.:)

[kenzie]

Just returned from Ruby. If you load your card at machine and do not play then load it twice more and do not play e.g to get cash out the card will be blocked. This happened to me, you can only load $100 at a time, I did so then repeated again, then when I tried on third time, the card was blocked, the casino host said they would un lock the card once and if it happened again they would not as we were trying to obtain cash (which we were- for the tables) without paying the 3%, what you have to do is load card and play for a bit, we did this throughout the cruise.

This did not happen before on Emerald!

[Toto2Kansas]

Just returned from Ruby. If you load your card at machine and do not play then load it twice more and do not play e.g to get cash out the card will be blocked. This happened to me, you can only load $100 at a time, I did so then repeated again, then when I tried on third time, the card was blocked, the casino host said they would un lock the card once and if it happened again they would not as we were trying to obtain cash (which we were- for the tables) without paying the 3%, what you have to do is load card and play for a bit, we did this throughout the cruise.

This did not happen before on Emerald!

 

I knew they would wise up to this practice sooner or later.

[caribill]

I have a few more questions, and would appreciate it if someone can answer them for me.

 

I will have only $100 OBC (FCC) in my account at the beginning of the cruise, which is not even enough for tips. So, if I want to get $1000 cash onboard using the casino card download option, do I:

 

1. Go to the casino and find a slot machine, request $1000 cash download to the slot card, and then go to the casino cage to cash out? If this option, will my cabin account just show I have a $1000 Princess purchase, and will show as such on my credit card charge? Your onboard account will show any money downloaded this way as a cahrage to your accout. Your credit card charge at the end of the cruise will we a total of whatever you owe at that time. The casino money will not be charged to your credit card as a seperate item. As othersw have pointed out, you may not be able to download $1000 in one day.

 

2. Or before my cruise starts (in about a week), I need to call Princess and ask how I can put $1000 to my account, and have the money in my account when my cruise starts? If doing it this way, will the $1000 advance charge by Princess still shows as a Princess purchase and not an advance? Correct. It is a purchase, not an advance. Do this real soon if you are sailing in a week. If you actyually want to get cash from this on board, do it as a casino gift.

 

Sorry for so many questions. I have never used the casino in all my prior cruises, and have never got money out from my onboard account.

 

Thank you all for your assistance.:)

 

see above in red

[cattolica]

This is what happened to DH on the Golden in December. He was loading $100 onto his card and then cashed out to go play the tables. He got locked out the third night and received the same story from the casino manager. What he did after that was loaded the $100 onto the card, then played one quarter. Whether he won or lost that quarter he cashed out and then went to the casino cage. This worked for him for the rest of the cruise. Over the course of the cruise he broke even on his 25 cent bets. :-) However.......did he make any money at the tables?????? NOPE. :-)

 

Just returned from Ruby. If you load your card at machine and do not play then load it twice more and do not play e.g to get cash out the card will be blocked. This happened to me, you can only load $100 at a time, I did so then repeated again, then when I tried on third time, the card was blocked, the casino host said they would un lock the card once and if it happened again they would not as we were trying to obtain cash (which we were- for the tables) without paying the 3%, what you have to do is load card and play for a bit, we did this throughout the cruise.

This did not happen before on Emerald!