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

[UandMe4Ever]

The 3% is only if you go to the casino cage and get cash, they don't charge it if you take out cash in the form of slot play in the slots. ;)

 

Hi: I know this doesn't relate to the vouchers, etc., but was just wondering if they have tickets in the poker or slot machines or do they still push out coins (if you win:)).

 

We may be going on the Island Princess, Partial Panama transit on Oct. 11 and was curios if they are updated machines.

 

Also, what about TV in the balcony cabins? We've booked a 'bump out cabin'', direct center on the Aloha Deck:) Are they flat screen or other?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Safe sails!

[Toto2Kansas]

Hi: I know this doesn't relate to the vouchers, etc., but was just wondering if they have tickets in the poker or slot machines or do they still push out coins (if you win:)).

 

We may be going on the Island Princess, Partial Panama transit on Oct. 11 and was curios if they are updated machines.

 

Also, what about TV in the balcony cabins? We've booked a 'bump out cabin'', direct center on the Aloha Deck:) Are they flat screen or other?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Safe sails!

On all of the larger ships, it is cash in, but no cash out, or cruise card in and cruise card out. You insert your cruise card into the machine, then you can either insert bills into the machine, or add money from your slot bank which you open with your cruise card that is charged to your shipboard account. The machines do not pay out tickets or cash, you just download your winnings (or whatever you have left) to your slot bank which you opened on your cruise card. You can then move to another machine and take whatever you wish off your cruise card to play on that machine. Very simple, and full explanation is on each and every slot.

[Tikibird]

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. :-)

This works for both people in a couple right? So worst case scenario is my husband and I both have to make several trips to get the $700ish we need for shore excursions and shopping?

[UandMe4Ever]

On all of the larger ships, it is cash in, but no cash out, or cruise card in and cruise card out. You insert your cruise card into the machine, then you can either insert bills into the machine, or add money from your slot bank which you open with your cruise card that is charged to your shipboard account. The machines do not pay out tickets or cash, you just download your winnings (or whatever you have left) to your slot bank which you opened on your cruise card. You can then move to another machine and take whatever you wish off your cruise card to play on that machine. Very simple, and full explanation is on each and every slot.

 

Thank you for the explanation, even though it sounds a bit confusing. I'm sure I'll figure it out quite fast. RCI or NCL doesn't use this system, as far as I know. I'm not a big gambler at the machines, start w/ a $20. I lose I'm done (yeah, right LOL). If I win sometimes, does it go on the special slot card?

 

thanks again!

[Toto2Kansas]

Thank you for the explanation, even though it sounds a bit confusing. I'm sure I'll figure it out quite fast. RCI or NCL doesn't use this system, as far as I know. I'm not a big gambler at the machines, start w/ a $20. I lose I'm done (yeah, right LOL). If I win sometimes, does it go on the special slot card?

 

thanks again!

 

It's much easier than it sounds in type. Just follow the instructions on the slots, and don't forget to take your cruise card to the casino cage by the last night onboard, and they will cash it out for you (if there is anything left on it lol). The slot bank on your card must be cashed out at the casino cage, the purser's desk will not do it. Good Luck!

[Hlitner]

As a happy stockholder of CCL Stock we are always glad to see folks planning on going to the casino. To quote one of the cruise directors, "The casino is open and accepting your donations."

 

Hank

[cattolica]

I don't think the Casino is owned by Carnival Corp or Princess. I believe it is a company the cruise line hires.

 

 

 

As a happy stockholder of CCL Stock we are always glad to see folks planning on going to the casino. To quote one of the cruise directors, "The casino is open and accepting your donations."

 

Hank

[AndyTheK]

I don't think the Casino is owned by Carnival Corp or Princess. I believe it is a company the cruise line hires.

Not any more. The "company" which runs the casinos is part of Carnival. The changeover occurred a few years ago. At one time, casino personnel were employees of an independent contractor, but now they are Princess staff with the same sort of contracts that other crew members have. I was told this by casino personnel on two different ships.

 

I can't speak about any other cruise line chains.

 

Shalom from Tel Aviv. Andy.

[Putterdude]

I FINALLY got it.:D

 

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

 

You are more than welcome, have a wonder cruise.:)

[DanJ]

I don't think the Casino is owned by Carnival Corp or Princess. I believe it is a company the cruise line hires.

 

Ocean Players Club is a part of Carnival Corp, and runs the casinos on the various Carnival Corp cruise lines.

[chubbypiggy]

Carbill's response raised another question: What is a "casino gift"? Is it the same as "casino credit"?

 

Tonight/tomorrow I will total all my private tours' costs, misc, and cash needed before I can cash in my casino credit vouchers. Then on Saturday I will call Princess to purchase the casino credit (my cruise starts on 3/27, and according to the Princess website that Toto gave me, I have up to 72 hours before embarkation day). In order to estimate how much cash I need to bring, I need to know when the casino cage will be opened for me to cash in the vouchers.

 

I know the casino is not opened while the boat is docked, thus, the casino cage is not opened. But when the boat is sailing, anyone knows the hours of operation of the casino cage? Our boat leaves San Juan at 11 p.m. on the first day, and arrive St. Thomas the next morning at 7 a.m. Will the casino cage be opened after 11 p.m.? I don't want to get up so early the next morning; if possible, I would like to cash it my vouchers on the first night after 11 p.m.

 

Thank you.:)

[Toto2Kansas]

Carbill's response raised another question: What is a "casino gift"? Is it the same as "casino credit"?

 

Tonight/tomorrow I will total all my private tours' costs, misc, and cash needed before I can cash in my casino credit vouchers. Then on Saturday I will call Princess to purchase the casino credit (my cruise starts on 3/27, and according to the Princess website that Toto gave me, I have up to 72 hours before embarkation day). In order to estimate how much cash I need to bring, I need to know when the casino cage will be opened for me to cash in the vouchers.

 

I know the casino is not opened while the boat is docked, thus, the casino cage is not opened. But when the boat is sailing, anyone knows the hours of operation of the casino cage? Our boat leaves San Juan at 11 p.m. on the first day, and arrive St. Thomas the next morning at 7 a.m. Will the casino cage be opened after 11 p.m.? I don't want to get up so early the next morning; if possible, I would like to cash it my vouchers on the first night after 11 p.m.

 

Thank you.:)

Please re-read all of the last few posts here (especially post #57 & #59). It seems that they are locking you out now of the slots and keeping you from getting the cash you need without paying the 3% (at least that is what is being reported). I would purchase Travelers Checks instead of using the casino credits, especially since you will be needing so much cash.

[chubbypiggy]

Please re-read all of the last few posts here (especially post #57 & #59). It seems that they are locking you out now of the slots and keeping you from getting the cash you need without paying the 3% (at least that is what is being reported). I would purchase Travelers Checks instead of using the casino credits, especially since you will be needing so much cash.

 

Toto,

 

I am sorry, but from Danj's post #44 and your post #45, I thought both of you said I am correct on my questions on casino credit. Because of that, I plan to use the Princess website you gave me to purchase the casino credit vouchers. Now I am confused again. I thought the casino credit vouchers are something I purchase before my cruise, and will get casino credit vouchers waiting for me in my cabin on the first day, and I can just take it to the casino cage to cash it? You asked me to re-read the last few posts regarding "locking you out now of the slots and keeping you from getting the cash you need without paying the 3% (at least that is what is being reported)." So you are saying I might be "lock out" to cash in my casino credit vouchers?

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto,

 

I am sorry, but from Danj's post #44 and your post #45, I thought both of you said I am correct on my questions on casino credit. Because of that, I plan to use the Princess website you gave me to purchase the casino credit vouchers. Now I am confused again. I thought the casino credit vouchers are something I purchase before my cruise, and will get casino credit vouchers waiting for me in my cabin on the first day, and I can just take it to the casino cage to cash it? You asked me to re-read the last few posts regarding "locking you out now of the slots and keeping you from getting the cash you need without paying the 3% (at least that is what is being reported)." So you are saying I might be "lock out" to cash in my casino credit vouchers?

 

My apology, my brain was on two different topics at once. Yes, buy your casino credits and just ignore my previous post, you will not be locked out of cashing in casino credits. My apology again. I seemed to have been brain stuck on getting money from the slots this morning. Geeeezzzzz, maybe I need a nap. lol I had already asked the mods to remove my post when I realized I was confusing the two topics again, hopefully they will pull it. (totally embarassed here)

[chubbypiggy]

My apology, my brain was on two different topics at once. Yes, buy your casino credits and just ignore my previous post, you will not be locked out of cashing in casino credits. My apology again. I seemed to have been brain stuck on getting money from the slots this morning. Geeeezzzzz, maybe I need a nap. lol I had already asked the mods to remove my post when I realized I was confusing the two topics again, hopefully they will pull it. (totally embarassed here)

 

Toto,

 

Thank you for the clarification.:)

 

Now, can you answer my question on my previous post regarding the casino cage hours? This is what I asked:

 

"I know the casino is not opened while the boat is docked, thus, the casino cage is not opened. But when the boat is sailing, anyone knows the hours of operation of the casino cage? Our boat leaves San Juan at 11 p.m. on the first day, and arrive St. Thomas the next morning at 7 a.m. Will the casino cage be opened after 11 p.m.? I don't want to get up so early the next morning; if possible, I would like to cash it my vouchers on the first night after 11 p.m."

 

Thank you.

[Toto2Kansas]

I can not be certain about the casino hours, as I have never sailed out of San Juan with a sailing that late. Hopefully someone else can answer your question who has sailed recently from that port.

[chubbypiggy]

I can not be certain about the casino hours, as I have never sailed out of San Juan with a sailing that late. Hopefully someone else can answer your question who has sailed recently from that port.

 

Thank you Toto.

 

Actually, I just want to know: if the casino is open, will the casino cage also be opened?

[Toto2Kansas]

Thank you Toto.

 

Actually, I just want to know: if the casino is open, will the casino cage also be opened?

IF the full casino is open, then the cage will be open. But I have also seen them open just the slots, but not the tables or the casino cage. If it were me, I would not count on cashing in the casino credits the first night UNLESS someone can verify the fact that they will definitely open up on that first night. With that late of sailing, I would think it might be questionable that they would open up the full casino with such an early port time the following day (but that is just something we have found on other sailings, and as said, we have never sailed from San Juan).

[COREYATMN]

Every cruise I've been on, the casino has opened when the ship was 12 miles out to sea, in international waters. As stated, the cage/cashier is always open when the casino is open.

 

On a side line, we are taking a inner passage Alaska cruise. Does the casino open each night in the inner passage? I'm wondering if that's considered international waters or not....:rolleyes:

[chubbypiggy]

IF the full casino is open, then the cage will be open. But I have also seen them open just the slots, but not the tables or the casino cage. If it were me, I would not count on cashing in the casino credits the first night UNLESS someone can verify the fact that they will definitely open up on that first night. With that late of sailing, I would think it might be questionable that they would open up the full casino with such an early port time the following day (but that is just something we have found on other sailings, and as said, we have never sailed from San Juan).

 

Thank you Toto. I guess I better bring enough cash for the four of us for the first two days of the cruise. I hope the casino cage will be opened the evening of the second day (we leave St. Thomas at 5 p.m.).

[DanJ]

Thank you Toto. I guess I better bring enough cash for the four of us for the first two days of the cruise. I hope the casino cage will be opened the evening of the second day (we leave St. Thomas at 5 p.m.).

 

Like Toto, I've never boarded a cruise in San Juan, so I can't guarantee the full casino will be open that first night, but I'm going to make a pretty solid guess that it will be. The casino is about the last thing to close each night on a cruise, and 11pm still gives them a good 3 or 4 hours to milk money out of us, so I think the tables will be open. Most definitely, if you sail from St Thomas at 5pm, then the full casino will be up and running by 530 or 6pm. You''ll see in your daily planner that on sea days it will say something like "Slots open at 9am Tables open at noon". In cases like that, the cage would open right around noon as well.

 

Also, an earlier question you asked about the terms "casino gift" and "casino credit". They are the same. It's just that the credit is bought from the "gifts" section of the Princess website.

[chubbypiggy]

Thank you DanJ.:)