Cash from the Casino

[OC PAT]

Please advise if there is a fee/service charge to get cash from the casino on Princess Cruise ships. We were thinking that instead of carrying cash we would just draw money on our credit card that we have filed with the ship and just pay the cash to the credit card when we get home (to avoid interest charges.) This way we do not subject ourselves to loosing large amounts of cash we would otherwise be carrying for our cruise. We have booked a few tours that will require cash-not from the ship. If there's a fee for each withdrawl we may want to reconsider. Yes, we are aware of using travelor's checks but thought this might be easier. Our credit limit is high and I have already informed our credit card company that we will be out of the country charging during our cruise.

 

Your time and response is most appreciated

 

OC PAT

[suzyluvs2cruise]

I'd like to know how it works too.

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

I think if you get cash from the casino on your credit card you are automatically charged 3%. You will not get away from getting a surcharge. You can get a PIN number for your credit card and withdraw out of the ATM. If you do not pay the bill right away the interest on cash withdrawals is high. I think if you need some cash and there is nothing wrong with taking it out on the credit card. Paying $3.00 per 100.oo is the price. Also, if you use your debit card, I have seen charges from 3.00 per withdrawal to 6.00.. but it is probably about 3.00. Hope this helps... I usually take some cash with me for tipping... but always need more.

[partybarbie]

On my Regal Princess cruise in May, I took out $50.00 in cash from the casino and the fee was $1.50. I did this twice, so the total was $3.00 (3%) for my $100.00. There is no charge to cash traveler's checks at the pursor's office so if your bank offers them for free, that might be the way to go for a large sum. For a small sum though, this sure came in handy.

[Merion_Mom]

Please advise if there is a fee/service charge to get cash from the casino on Princess Cruise ships. We were thinking that instead of carrying cash we would just draw money on our credit card that we have filed with the ship and just pay the cash to the credit card when we get home (to avoid interest charges.) This way we do not subject ourselves to loosing large amounts of cash we would otherwise be carrying for our cruise. We have booked a few tours that will require cash-not from the ship. If there's a fee for each withdrawl we may want to reconsider. Yes, we are aware of using travelor's checks but thought this might be easier. Our credit limit is high and I have already informed our credit card company that we will be out of the country charging during our cruise.

 

Your time and response is most appreciated

 

OC PAT

Unfortunately, unlike Royal Caribbean, Princess charges a fee for this. I made sure that I brought plenty of cash on board with me in the first place. It would have been so much easier to be able to get fee-free cash from the casino, but that's not how Princess works. :(

[Psee]

I use the "Celebrations" order form on their website and pre-order casino credits that are delivered to my cabin once onboard. Then I just cash them in at the casino. There's no service charge and I've already paid for them by the time I cruise...:D

[TexasMom2]

Is anyone else having trouble with the white screen? I hope this isn't a double or triple post....

 

I think the ATM fee is something like $5.50 per transaction and the credit card advance is 3%, so for us the ATM was cheaper. Next time we are bringing plenty of cash and traveler's cheques. On RCI you can get an advance on your sea pass card right at the tables, and earn points for the advance.

 

Thanks for the tip, Psee, I'm going to check it out.

[Fuzzyape]

I use the "Celebrations" order form on their website and pre-order casino credits that are delivered to my cabin once onboard. Then I just cash them in at the casino. There's no service charge and I've already paid for them by the time I cruise...:D

 

Do you know what happens if you don't use your casino credits? Are they lost?

[Ethel5]

Do you know what happens if you don't use your casino credits? Are they lost?

 

You can pre-order casino credits in various denominations and they are in your cabin on arrival. You cash them in at the cage and get cash or chips-it's your choice. Just be sure to cash them all in at the end of the cruise or you will lose them. I had done this several times and I find it helps.

[SeptemberMorn]

I think if you get cash from the casino on your credit card you are automatically charged 3%. You will not get away from getting a surcharge. You can get a PIN number for your credit card and withdraw out of the ATM. If you do not pay the bill right away the interest on cash withdrawals is high. I think if you need some cash and there is nothing wrong with taking it out on the credit card. Paying $3.00 per 100.oo is the price. Also, if you use your debit card, I have seen charges from 3.00 per withdrawal to 6.00.. but it is probably about 3.00. Hope this helps... I usually take some cash with me for tipping... but always need more.

 

 

Thanks for this info. I'm going on my first Princess Cruise in 2 days and just need a clarification. The cash you get in the casino - is it a cash advance on your credit card or is it a purchase on your shipboard account? If it's a cash advance there will be additional fees from the credit card company. If it's a charge to your shipboard account then the 3% should be the only fee. Thanks

[chasetf]

Please advise if there is a fee/service charge to get cash from the casino on Princess Cruise ships. We were thinking that instead of carrying cash we would just draw money on our credit card that we have filed with the ship and just pay the cash to the credit card when we get home (to avoid interest charges.) OC PAT

Have you considered using an ATM. Especially if you need foreign currency, this is the most convenient and easiest way to get cash. The 3% casino charge seems high to me... but my brother has used it to get US cash.

[OC PAT]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I forgot I posted this question already. It was only when I started to write it again that I remembered. Oh senior moments are fun!

 

Merion Mom, we were on RCCL last year and my DH did just what you said and no costs.

 

Psee I have never heard of pre-order casini credits-only hit the slots now and then. Do I order them on my credit card? When is the card billed when I order or when I get the credits? If we pay the card the month that we get the bill we are not charged a fee. You mentioned you order thru Celebrations...what is that?

 

Again thanks for the info. everyone!

 

OC PAT

[Toto2Kansas]

Here is a link to the gifts section on princess.com

http://www.princess.com/onboard/services/gifts/index.html

You can pre-order casino credits here to be waiting in your cabin without an extra fee attached.

[spongerob]

Here is a link to the Gifts page on the Princess web site. You have to print out the pdf form and fax it in. Your credit card will be charged immediately. The nice thing is, if you do this and have to cancel, your charges will be credited back to you quickly.

[Stevesan]

Have you considered using an ATM. Especially if you need foreign currency, this is the most convenient and easiest way to get cash. The 3% casino charge seems high to me... but my brother has used it to get US cash.

 

Depending on the amount, A bank ATM fee is often less than a commercial ATM. However, you must be careful when using the latter. I've seen fees up to seven percent. Be careful out there.

 

The advance casino credit is a clever method. It should work for a while, at least until the cruise lines catch on and start adding a fee for that just as they did direct casino cash advances.

[Psee]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I forgot I posted this question already. It was only when I started to write it again that I remembered. Oh senior moments are fun!

 

Merion Mom, we were on RCCL last year and my DH did just what you said and no costs.

 

Psee I have never heard of pre-order casini credits-only hit the slots now and then. Do I order them on my credit card? When is the card billed when I order or when I get the credits? If we pay the card the month that we get the bill we are not charged a fee. You mentioned you order thru Celebrations...what is that?

 

Again thanks for the info. everyone!

 

 

OC PAT

 

Thanks for bringing this post back up. We're leaving in 3 weeks for our next cruise and had forgotten to order casino credits (talk about senior moments...:D )

 

As the others have said the charges are billed directly to your credit card when you order them so you can pay the balance with no additional charges. We usually take our certificates directly to the casino and get the cash then use it for gambling or any other purpose (it's always gone by the time we finish the cruise.) ;)

[Ka Honu]

Just got back from Coral - here's the scoop:

Personal checks don't work. Traveler's cheques do.

Charge to shipboard account (on your credit card) costs you 3% of cash amount PLUS what your credit card charges you for a cash withdrawal (usually full interest rate on total outstanding balance - not just the cash part - from day of withdrawal to settlement).

Debit card using on board ATM - $5.50 per transaction plus whatever your home bank charges (usuall $1). Same $5.50 fee for $100 or $1000.

Bottom line - go with traveler's cheques or ATM.

[OC PAT]

Psee-where/how did you order the credits? We are leaving in 3 weeks as well, is there a time limit that the credits need to be ordered? Appreciate your help.

 

Ka Honu-thanks for the information.

 

OC PAT

[Psee]

OC PAT, just ordered our credits yesterday morning. They have a downloadable order form you can fill out and fax but I just called 1-800-PRINCESS and ordered directly over the phone. Once they confirm your booking just tell them how much you want to purchase and they'll set it up and charge it to whatever credit card you give them. (It doesn't have to be the same one you use for onboard charges.) Since the program is geared for gift giving they'll ask who the credits are for (for me it's my DW) and a message for the certificate (happy anniversary, etc.).

 

As far as time limits I'm sure you can probably order them up until a few days before the cruise but I like to order them a few weeks in advance so I can pay the balance on my credit card before the cruise. I'd hate to think I lost the money in the casino and then had to pay for it "again" when I got home... :D

[OC PAT]

Now I get it. Told dh to say it's for me and just say happy spending!!!