Questions about internet charges and using OBC in Casino

[srsh1]

This is for Solstice ---- I know there is an internet package - $179.00 for unlimited use - but can anyone tell me what a cheaper option would be...I remember reading something like $59 for 90 minutes

 

Also I understand that the OBC can be used in the casino - how is this done and is there a surcharge added on for this ( % ) ???

 

Thanks!

[snowmc]

Casino: They will allow you to use your OBC for chips, but they will issue you special ones that can only be used for playing...you will not be able to cash them in. You can only cash in your winnings.

 

Internet: the only package I can find on the website (including our currently booked cruise) is the unlimited internet. I suggest calling the Captain's Club at 800-760-0654. They will be happy to provide that information.

[ghstudio]

with the new internet system, there is a "by the minute rate", an unlimited daily rate and an unlimited rate for the entire cruise. The $59/99/etc rates are no longer offered....however if you get minutes as part of your captain's club perks, they will still be applied...against the "by the minute" rate.

 

The casino is a bit confusing. You actually have to lose all of the chips you purchase because you can't cash them in. Let's say you bet $5 on the blackjack table and win...you get a cashable $5 chip and you still have your non-cashable chip. Next hand, you lose so they take the non-cashable chip. You want to play those non-cashable chips every time until they are gone (you will always lose some hands or some rolls of the dice).

Edited June 30, 2016 by ghstudio

[nekzaadvakil]

The casino is a bit confusing. You actually have to lose all of the chips you purchase because you can't cash them in. Let's say you bet $5 on the blackjack table and win...you get a cashable $5 chip and you still have your non-cashable chip. Next hand, you lose so they take the non-cashable chip. You want to play those non-cashable chips every time until they are gone (you will always lose some hands or some rolls of the dice).

 

Casino: They will allow you to use your OBC for chips, but they will issue you special ones that can only be used for playing...you will not be able to cash them in. You can only cash in your winnings.

 

 

I'm quite sure that's not true. Last month, I had tons of OBC since I booked my future cruises on board. I went to the casino and at the roulette table handed over my sea-pass card and asked for $100. They immediately ask if you know about the 5% charge. I said yes. They then signal for the pit boss who swipes your card and makes you sign the slip for $105. I was then given chips as per my choice ($25 / $5 / singles). I played for a bit and usually walked off after loosing 10-15 USD. Got up twice after winning $20. Just request to cash out and they will hand over normal chips which can be encashed as the casino cashier.

 

I did this on the Allure in May 2016, on the Explorer last month and on the Celebrity Silhouette in 2015,2014 and 2013.

 

Nick

[ghstudio]

I'm quite sure that's not true. Last month, I had tons of OBC since I booked my future cruises on board. I went to the casino and at the roulette table handed over my sea-pass card and asked for $100. They immediately ask if you know about the 5% charge. I said yes. They then signal for the pit boss who swipes your card and makes you sign the slip for $105. I was then given chips as per my choice ($25 / $5 / singles). I played for a bit and usually walked off after loosing 10-15 USD. Got up twice after winning $20. Just request to cash out and they will hand over normal chips which can be encashed as the casino cashier.

 

I did this on the Allure in May 2016, on the Explorer last month and on the Celebrity Silhouette in 2015,2014 and 2013.

 

Nick

 

Celebrity has changed the way the issue chips in the casino. You can no longer just withdraw your OBC by paying the 5%, you get promotional chips....however, they do look at your account. If you no longer have OBC's they still will give you chips with the 5% surcharge....but if you still have an obc of any type, they will only give you promotional chips.

[snowmc]

Celebrity has changed the way the issue chips in the casino. You can no longer just withdraw your OBC by paying the 5%, you get promotional chips....however, they do look at your account. If you no longer have OBC's they still will give you chips with the 5% surcharge....but if you still have an obc of any type, they will only give you promotional chips.

 

If you have refundable OBC, they will issue you the normal chips, which you can then cash out. If you have non-refundable OBC, they will only issue the promotional chips.

[snowmc]

I'm quite sure that's not true. Last month, I had tons of OBC since I booked my future cruises on board. I went to the casino and at the roulette table handed over my sea-pass card and asked for $100. They immediately ask if you know about the 5% charge. I said yes. They then signal for the pit boss who swipes your card and makes you sign the slip for $105. I was then given chips as per my choice ($25 / $5 / singles). I played for a bit and usually walked off after loosing 10-15 USD. Got up twice after winning $20. Just request to cash out and they will hand over normal chips which can be encashed as the casino cashier.

 

I did this on the Allure in May 2016, on the Explorer last month and on the Celebrity Silhouette in 2015,2014 and 2013.

 

Nick

If the OBC is refundable, they will give you the regular chips. If your OBC is nonrefundable, promotional chips are issued. If by some lucky chance you found a pit boss who is not following the policies set out by Celebrity, then good for you! But don't expect it to happen every time. We were able to cash out our non-refundable OBC in July 2015 on the Solstice. May 2016 on the Millennium, no such luck.

[ChucktownSteve]

The casino is a bit confusing. You actually have to lose all of the chips you purchase because you can't cash them in. Let's say you bet $5 on the blackjack table and win...you get a cashable $5 chip and you still have your non-cashable chip. Next hand, you lose so they take the non-cashable chip. You want to play those non-cashable chips every time until they are gone (you will always lose some hands or some rolls of the dice).

 

That's not the case when I was on the Connie in February. I used OBN to get promo chips in the casino that I used on the craps table. If I won, they gave me the winning in a cashable chip and replaced the bet promo chip with a cashable chip.

 

There was no fee to convert OBN to promo chips at the cage.

Edited July 1, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ghstudio]

That's not the case when I was on the Connie in February. I used OBN to get promo chips in the casino that I used on the craps table. If I won, they gave me the winning in a cashable chip and replaced the bet promo chip with a cashable chip.

 

There was no fee to convert OBN to promo chips at the cage.

 

As you know, there's no consistency between ships. I triple checked and when I won the first hand, they gave me a normal $5 chip and left the promotional chip. Casino Boss personally confirmed that was the way they did it....April on the Eclipse.

 

Since the policy is not documented anywhere...and surely "celebrity cruises" won't clarify it...and calling celebrity HQ is futile because they will guess at an answer, I guess we'll all find out the policy on whatever cruise we find ourselves on.

 

There was no fee to get promotional chips..$100 got me $100 promotional chips. That was true even after we spent our non-refundable OBC.

Edited July 1, 2016 by ghstudio

[ChucktownSteve]

As you know, there's no consistency between ships. .

 

The only thing consistent about Celebrity is its inconsistency including the food. Not only between the ships but the same ship at different cruise times. :rolleyes:

[Northern Aurora]

.....

 

Since the policy is not documented anywhere...and surely "celebrity cruises" won't clarify it...and calling celebrity HQ is futile because they will guess at an answer, I guess we'll all find out the policy on whatever cruise we find ourselves on.

 

....

 

I also wish that the Celebrity Cruises official poster would clarify the situation. We always spend our OBC but on a roll call for an upcoming cruise there has been some discussion and confusion about cashing out OBC at the casino for a 5% fee. I strongly suspect that at least one couple has nonrefundable OBC and wonder if they will be in for a surprise.

[ChucktownSteve]

I also wish that the Celebrity Cruises official poster would clarify the situation.

 

You are kidding about the copy and paste from the Celebrity website Celebrity Cruises official poster right? :rolleyes:

Edited July 2, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ghstudio]

I also wish that the Celebrity Cruises official poster would clarify the situation. We always spend our OBC but on a roll call for an upcoming cruise there has been some discussion and confusion about cashing out OBC at the casino for a 5% fee. I strongly suspect that at least one couple has nonrefundable OBC and wonder if they will be in for a surprise.

 

The safest way to handle non refundable OBC is to find someone who gambles anyway. Many of us are nice enough that if you asked, we would give you $100 for $100 of promotional chips....I gamble enough that I'll lose them in the course of an evening even though I come out ahead at the end. No one wins every hand or bet...the promotional chips will just slowly be given up on those losing hands. I certainly would do it with a smile if you offered me $100 of promotional chips for $95 cash.

 

There are alternatives as well once you get to know folks. You treat me to dinner at Murano on your OBC and I'll give you $100 (or whatever the going rate is given on board discounting).

 

Don't hold me to these, but I think if you buy an excursion and then cancel it, you may find that it becomes a refundable OBC. If you buy a dinner/drink package prior to your cruise and cancel it on board, it becomes a refundable OBC....then just buy the package again on board which will be charged to your non-refundable OBC. Ditto for an excursion booked in advance.

 

You just have to be a little more creative. We just manage to always spend our non-refundable OBC with no gimmicks.