Casino Cash or Card?

[uneamie]

I don't quite remember how playing slots in the casino works. Can we use cash or do we have to use a credit card....or do we use our ID card and it goes on the card we have on file?  We will be using our main credit card for all our onboard expenses which ultimately will be attached to both of our ID cards, but I wanted to use my own personal credit card or cash for my time in the casino. Hubby does not do the casino so I will be the only one playing and want to keep that expense separate. So....should I make sure I have cash or can I use my credit card? 

[julig22]

Casino uses cash.  

Only way to use a credit card is to charge to your room.  There is also an ATM.

[latebloomer56]

I always use cash on NCL and don't forget to cash out before the end of the trip. You can also charge to your cabin but trust me this adds up very fast without you even noticing. Couple with us in 2019 she had a 600+ bill on slots, said she never paid attention just kept putting another 50 to their cabin.

Last trip though they didn't have tickets when you cashed out of the machine it went on my card but the counter in the casino gave me the cash when I was done.

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, uneamie said:

I don't quite remember how playing slots in the casino works. Can we use cash or do we have to use a credit card....or do we use our ID card and it goes on the card we have on file?  We will be using our main credit card for all our onboard expenses which ultimately will be attached to both of our ID cards, but I wanted to use my own personal credit card or cash for my time in the casino. Hubby does not do the casino so I will be the only one playing and want to keep that expense separate. So....should I make sure I have cash or can I use my credit card? 

Cash works like cash.

 

If you charge your room account, there is a 3% service charge. It is a regular room charge like buying something from the gift shop, so it does not show as a cash advance against your credit card (and incurring cash advance charges). 

 

If you use the ATM, you pay a $6 ATM fee plus whatever your bank charges. 

 

Example: If I take $500 out of the ATM, I would pay $500 + $6 service charge = $506. If I charge my room account, I would pay $500 + 3% = $515. If I use the cash I bring from home, $500 + $0 = $500. 

[julig22]

4 hours ago, latebloomer56 said:

Last trip though they didn't have tickets when you cashed out of the machine it went on my card but the counter in the casino gave me the cash when I was done.

If you pull your card out of the machine before you cash out, the balance is always credited to your card. You only get a ticket if you cash out while your card is still in the machine.

[Sand and Seas]

9 hours ago, uneamie said:

I don't quite remember how playing slots in the casino works. Can we use cash or do we have to use a credit card....or do we use our ID card and it goes on the card we have on file?  We will be using our main credit card for all our onboard expenses which ultimately will be attached to both of our ID cards, but I wanted to use my own personal credit card or cash for my time in the casino. Hubby does not do the casino so I will be the only one playing and want to keep that expense separate. So....should I make sure I have cash or can I use my credit card? 

Although you are both using one main credit card for your room charges, you can always go to Guest Services during the cruise and make a payment with your other credit card.    So if you had used $500 in the casino (plus 3% fee), you could go Guest Services and pay that amount with your personal credit card.   If you have sufficient play in the casino, you can ask the players card desk if they can  'comp' off the 3% fees.   (If you have earned at least 2500 points, they will have something to comp for you.)

 

Also, if you have had a good run in the casino, you can make a cash payment to your account at Guest Services.   You need to make the cash payment the night before disembarkation as they close out the accounts in the early morning hours.  (Yes, one very late last night of cruise they didn't want to take our cash money!)

[julig22]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Example: If I take $500 out of the ATM, I would pay $500 + $6 service charge = $506. If I charge my room account, I would pay $500 + 3% = $515. If I use the cash I bring from home, $500 + $0 = $500. 

Or use my NCL card, pay $500 + 3% = $515 + 1500 points ($15) = $500.  Save 30,000 points and use them for an upgrade.

[Sand and Seas]

3 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Or use my NCL card, pay $500 + 3% = $515 + 1500 points ($15) = $500.  Save 30,000 points and use them for an upgrade.

Love it!

We use our Costco Citi card.  We get 3% back on travel and everything we charge on ship (or in casino) shows as a travel purchase.  (We get a nice 'rebate' check once a year that can be used at store but excess is paid in cash.)

[latebloomer56]

4 hours ago, julig22 said:

If you pull your card out of the machine before you cash out, the balance is always credited to your card. You only get a ticket if you cash out while your card is still in the machine.

Thanks the white slip to cash will come out when I cash out it my card is still in, got it thanks I do prefer this.

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Love it!

We use our Costco Citi card.  We get 3% back on travel and everything we charge on ship (or in casino) shows as a travel purchase.  (We get a nice 'rebate' check once a year that can be used at store but excess is paid in cash.)

We charge our room account to our airline card and collect airline miles and airline qualifying miles (to maintain their tier status). And advance off our room account to build points. 

[uneamie]

On 3/24/2023 at 11:26 AM, BirdTravels said:

Cash works like cash.

 

If you charge your room account, there is a 3% service charge. It is a regular room charge like buying something from the gift shop, so it does not show as a cash advance against your credit card (and incurring cash advance charges). 

 

If you use the ATM, you pay a $6 ATM fee plus whatever your bank charges. 

 

Example: If I take $500 out of the ATM, I would pay $500 + $6 service charge = $506. If I charge my room account, I would pay $500 + 3% = $515. If I use the cash I bring from home, $500 + $0 = $500. 

So essentially, instead of using our joint credit card that will be on file, I can simply use "cash" in the casino to play. I assume I can put the cash into the machines like I do here in Atlantic City? I will likely bring cash onboard and not use the ATM on the ship.

[BirdTravels]

58 minutes ago, uneamie said:

So essentially, instead of using our joint credit card that will be on file, I can simply use "cash" in the casino to play. I assume I can put the cash into the machines like I do here in Atlantic City? I will likely bring cash onboard and not use the ATM on the ship.

Yes. Machines and tables only accept US currency (like ACY). Upper tier CAS players get the 3% fee for charging their room accounts waived. Cash, ATM Cash, Room Charge with fee, wire money to the ship and set up a front money account, or setting up a line of credit with the casino. 

 

Post #143 has some photos of the casino on the Prima (pretty much the same on most ships)

 

https://www.ncl.com/credit

Ready to cruise and play? Cash is available at ATMs in our casinos throughout the fleet with lots of other ways to get in on the action.

 

Cashless Wagering

Charge gaming to your onboard account directly from your game of choice or at the casino cashier, using your stateroom key card. Convenience fees, daily limits and cruise limits apply. Euros may be exchanged at the casino cashier, exchange rates apply. All gaming is in US Dollars.

 

Front Money

Front Money deposits for gaming are accepted in the forms of cash, travelers checks, cashier checks, and wire transfers directly to Norwegian Cruise Line. All cashier checks require prior verification with a scanned copy sent to the Casino Credit team, and wire transfers must be sent no later than 2 business days prior to sailing. Please contact casinocredit@ncl.com for further information.

 

Credit

Casinos At Sea also offers credit lines for players who meet eligibility requirements. To apply for Casino credit, please fill out our online Casino Credit Application Form. The minimum credit request is $5,000. Applications are processed 30 days prior to sailing. Email casinocredit@ncl.com or call 1 (877) 625-2094 for more details.

Casinos At Sea will not run a hard credit inquiry on applicants, and only base credit decisions on player banking and gaming history as provided by third party agencies. Once approved, players must present a personal check to the Casino Cashier onboard the ship.

[uneamie]

17 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Yes. Machines and tables only accept US currency (like ACY). Upper tier CAS players get the 3% fee for charging their room accounts waived. Cash, ATM Cash, Room Charge with fee, wire money to the ship and set up a front money account, or setting up a line of credit with the casino. 

 

Post #143 has some photos of the casino on the Prima (pretty much the same on most ships)

 

https://www.ncl.com/credit

Ready to cruise and play? Cash is available at ATMs in our casinos throughout the fleet with lots of other ways to get in on the action.

 

Cashless Wagering

Charge gaming to your onboard account directly from your game of choice or at the casino cashier, using your stateroom key card. Convenience fees, daily limits and cruise limits apply. Euros may be exchanged at the casino cashier, exchange rates apply. All gaming is in US Dollars.

 

Front Money

Front Money deposits for gaming are accepted in the forms of cash, travelers checks, cashier checks, and wire transfers directly to Norwegian Cruise Line. All cashier checks require prior verification with a scanned copy sent to the Casino Credit team, and wire transfers must be sent no later than 2 business days prior to sailing. Please contact casinocredit@ncl.com for further information.

 

Credit

Casinos At Sea also offers credit lines for players who meet eligibility requirements. To apply for Casino credit, please fill out our online Casino Credit Application Form. The minimum credit request is $5,000. Applications are processed 30 days prior to sailing. Email casinocredit@ncl.com or call 1 (877) 625-2094 for more details.

Casinos At Sea will not run a hard credit inquiry on applicants, and only base credit decisions on player banking and gaming history as provided by third party agencies. Once approved, players must present a personal check to the Casino Cashier onboard the ship.

Thank you Bird....I appreciate all that information. 

[lindaglenn]

On 3/25/2023 at 11:52 PM, BirdTravels said:

Yes. Machines and tables only accept US currency (like ACY). Upper tier CAS players get the 3% fee for charging their room accounts waived. Cash, ATM Cash, Room Charge with fee, wire money to the ship and set up a front money account, or setting up a line of credit with the casino. 

 

Post #143 has some photos of the casino on the Prima (pretty much the same on most ships)

 

https://www.ncl.com/credit

Ready to cruise and play? Cash is available at ATMs in our casinos throughout the fleet with lots of other ways to get in on the action.

 

Cashless Wagering

Charge gaming to your onboard account directly from your game of choice or at the casino cashier, using your stateroom key card. Convenience fees, daily limits and cruise limits apply. Euros may be exchanged at the casino cashier, exchange rates apply. All gaming is in US Dollars.

 

Front Money

Front Money deposits for gaming are accepted in the forms of cash, travelers checks, cashier checks, and wire transfers directly to Norwegian Cruise Line. All cashier checks require prior verification with a scanned copy sent to the Casino Credit team, and wire transfers must be sent no later than 2 business days prior to sailing. Please contact casinocredit@ncl.com for further information.

 

Credit

Casinos At Sea also offers credit lines for players who meet eligibility requirements. To apply for Casino credit, please fill out our online Casino Credit Application Form. The minimum credit request is $5,000. Applications are processed 30 days prior to sailing. Email casinocredit@ncl.com or call 1 (877) 625-2094 for more details.

Casinos At Sea will not run a hard credit inquiry on applicants, and only base credit decisions on player banking and gaming history as provided by third party agencies. Once approved, players must present a personal check to the Casino Cashier onboard the ship.

Has anyone here ever used the wire transfer to send money to the ship's casino prior to your cruise?  What was your experience?  Can you withdraw money from there without any fees and do you have to spend all that money at the casino?  TIA

[jlowe420]

On 5/10/2023 at 12:53 PM, lindaglenn said:

Has anyone here ever used the wire transfer to send money to the ship's casino prior to your cruise?  What was your experience?  Can you withdraw money from there without any fees and do you have to spend all that money at the casino?  TIA

I have done this and it's really painless.  Wire the money in ahead of time.  On the first day of the cruise you stop by the cage and present your ID.  They tell you the "rules" - which is basically there is a daily withdraw limit of cash.  You can take out as much as you want to spend on slots or at the table, but they have a limit on what you can pull out to just keep or like take to the islands.  But in my experience they don't really track or care.  I'm mostly a table player - so at the table you just ask for a marker and they bring you a form to sign and give you chips.  Keeps it all very simple.

 

On the last day you give the the return wire instructions and sign the final wire back form when you wrap up gambling.  The return wire took about a week to hit my bank.

[chrispowell]

On 7/3/2023 at 6:32 PM, jlowe420 said:

I have done this and it's really painless.  Wire the money in ahead of time.  On the first day of the cruise you stop by the cage and present your ID.  They tell you the "rules" - which is basically there is a daily withdraw limit of cash.  You can take out as much as you want to spend on slots or at the table, but they have a limit on what you can pull out to just keep or like take to the islands.  But in my experience they don't really track or care.  I'm mostly a table player - so at the table you just ask for a marker and they bring you a form to sign and give you chips.  Keeps it all very simple.

 

On the last day you give the the return wire instructions and sign the final wire back form when you wrap up gambling.  The return wire took about a week to hit my bank.





When I'm not on a cruise, I prefer to play at online casinos. You can find many good options, for example, on the Google Pay Casinos website you can select sites with any convenient payment method. For me, this is Google Pay, since it does not require additional verification, and from a mobile phone it generally works with the click of a button!

Thanks for the detailed advice! 

[nw2this]

Is the 3% only relevant to the casino?  Not for other charges to the room?

[UKstages]

the 3% is a "convenience fee" imposed for getting cash in the casino, although it will appear on your folio as an "entertainment" fee (an ordinary purchase) and not as a cash advance.

 

no other charges onboard are subject to this fee.

 

Edited March 5 by UKstages

[MoCruiseFan]

You can use cash or get a cah advance form the casino with a 3% fee and it will go on your on borad acct.  You can always go to customer service and make a paymeny on yoru account with the 2nd CC for any amunt at any time.  The ATM cost is worse than the 3% fee after addings NCLs ATM fee and yoru banks fee for using a non-bank ATM.

[BirdTravels]

9 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

You can use cash or get a cah advance form the casino with a 3% fee and it will go on your on borad acct.  You can always go to customer service and make a paymeny on yoru account with the 2nd CC for any amunt at any time.  The ATM cost is worse than the 3% fee after addings NCLs ATM fee and yoru banks fee for using a non-bank ATM.

A $500 withdrawal from an atm will cost you $7 service charge from the ATM. A $500 charge to your room will cost you $15 service charge. 

[julig22]

6 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

A $500 withdrawal from an atm will cost you $7 service charge from the ATM. A $500 charge to your room will cost you $15 service charge. 

Unless your CC rebates 3% on travel, then the service charge is a wash.

[MoCruiseFan]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

A $500 withdrawal from an atm will cost you $7 service charge from the ATM. A $500 charge to your room will cost you $15 service charge. 

 

Last time I checked the ATM limit was 300 with the 7 charge plus most banks charge on their end as well, usually about 5.95.  Bottom  line is that erertyome should ensure they know the total cost of obtaining funds in the casino before doing do.

[UKstages]

don't confuse a "cash advance" (generally handled at the cashier) with charging cash to your room folio (generally transacted via a slot machine keypad.)

 

they are two different things. cash advances often carry considerably higher fees and may be processed differently by your financial institution. when you charge money to your room folio, it goes through as an ordinary purchase.

 

 

[Rick&Jeannie]

Wow! NCL sure does it different from Princess or Carnival.  Anything that you charge from a casino machine simply forwards over to your onboard account.  No "fees".

[UKstages]

carnival does charge 3% at table games and the cashier, but nothing at slots. 

 

doesn't make much sense to me, but that's how they do it.