Royal Caribbean secrets (merged)

[jerseysmom]

Does RCI charge for using the gym?

[Hamburg Avon Lady]

I have been reading some threads about using your RCCL Visa Card for purchases on the ship so you earn points. They "drew" $ 3000 out for use on the cruise and then paid the cc bill with the left over balance. And

in doing so - earned more points. I guess I am really slow on this - but

really don't understand how this is done?? Was the $ 3000 a cash advance? Aren't there usually extra fees for "cash advances" ??:( :(

[mamaza]

Uh Oh......Is this new? We got cash in April with no fee, but we only took out around $300. Is the fee for a certain amount and above?

I wonder if the fee has anything to do with where the funds are coming from; ie: a credit card vs the on board account (OBA) with a cash balance vs an OBA based on a credit card, or a debit card ... you can see where this is leading.

[mamaza]

Does RCI charge for using the gym?

No charge for using the gym equipment but there are activities which use instructors that have charges (as I remember it from my 1 cruise.)

[mamaza]

I have been reading some threads about using your RCCL Visa Card for purchases on the ship so you earn points. They "drew" $ 3000 out for use on the cruise and then paid the cc bill with the left over balance. And

in doing so - earned more points. I guess I am really slow on this - but

really don't understand how this is done?? Was the $ 3000 a cash advance? Aren't there usually extra fees for "cash advances" ??:( :(

Gee, sorry to be answering each different question with different posts.

 

If "they" are RCI on board (the purser), then the charge to your account should be the amount of the OBA balance which is treated like a retail purchase, being that you generally charge drinks, excursions, nick-nacks, photos, and the likes on your SeaPass. I even think if you cash out in the casino, the charge is treated like part of all the other charges, and becomes a retail purchase when they make the one charge to your credit card (maybe the 3% charges in the Casino that some talk about).

My question is: Why did they charge an even $3000 to your account and treat is like cash? I'm taking it that someone (you) took 3K in cash from the OBA then used the remander of the cash later to pay the bill. If not caught, I imagine that it would be looked at like any other charge to you OBA, a retail purchase.

marc

[PudgiPoo]

In the past you could draw up to $2000 per day at the casino on your seapass. I believe you still can, but there is a 3% charge. People on this board bragged about doing this for extra points on their visa, taking the money and paying the CC when they got home. This was hurting the RC bottom line so they put the 3% charge to discourage this practice. When you make a cash withdrawal on your seapass at the casino for play it shows up as a retail purchase and there is no additional charge to your card. We used to use the seapass for the casino and not carry the moneys to gambling. Now I will either carry the extra money or limit the gambling to the money on hand.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

For the poster with the question about the RCI Visa credits - When we went on a 9 night EOS Cruise last April we had $650 of OBC from our Visa points. We had asked for a $500 voucher plus a $150 voucher. We had requested these prior to the cruise and had mailed them into RCI. They showed up on our seapass as credits - they were not given to us as cash. We used them for onboard purchases in the shops, for drinks, tips, etc. At one point we did take out $300 in cash when we ran low on cash. We did use a portion of that in the casino. I guess we won't be able to do that anymore without penalty.:( At the end of the cruise we had a seapass blance of $200. It was nice not having to face another big bill from the cruise once we got home!:)

 

When we go on the Radiance next year I plan on using my points for a free companion fare plus have some OBC as well!;)

[Gemini39]

If you pre-order your wine and have it delievered to your stateroom or cabin you don't have to pay the gratuity for the purchase. Just bring your reciept/gift card to show it was purchased thru RCI so you don't have to pay a corkage fee. We also tip our waiter extra so he doesn't lose out per se...

 

If I have wine pre-ordered and delivered to my stateroom, should I bring my own wine bottle openener? Or will one be delivered with the wine?

[Hypo]

If I have wine pre-ordered and delivered to my stateroom, should I bring my own wine bottle openener? Or will one be delivered with the wine?

 

 

In the past they have always brought an opener, wine glasses, and the wine iced down if necessary. We have one of their old corkscrews that we always leave in the bottom of our luggage, in case we need it.

 

Hypo

[J-Hawk]

Okay, I am recovering from foot surgery, so I am sitting here and just read the entire 22 pages of this thread! Some great suggestions, and I have a new one to add. My husband and I play blackjack in the casino most nights after dinner. We usually are up a little bit ($50+) each time, so we immediately take this money to guest services and pay down our seapass account. This way, we have a much smaller bill at the end of the cruise.

[Sterling30D]

Don't think this is a secret but might be helpfull to those who don't know. If you speak to your head waiter 24 hours in advance, they can usually have the Chefs makes special dishes for you. Our daughter is a very picky eater and wouldn't eat anything on the main menu. She asked our waiter if she could have Chicken Parmesan the first night of our cruise. He called over the head waiter who informed us that even though it is not on the main menu he would have the Chefs make it for the next night. He had the Chefs make four the next night and gave them to our table to try. It was so good we had people from other tables asking for it. This is what my daughter ended up eating every night for the rest of the cruise. We were told that all the Chefs need is 24 hours advance notice to prepare special orders and that not everything is available like Lobster but that they can usually accomodate guest requests.

[prg2101]

Okay, I am recovering from foot surgery, so I am sitting here and just read the entire 22 pages of this thread! Some great suggestions, and I have a new one to add. My husband and I play blackjack in the casino most nights after dinner. We usually are up a little bit ($50+) each time, so we immediately take this money to guest services and pay down our seapass account. This way, we have a much smaller bill at the end of the cruise.

 

 

Now that is a fantastic Idea:D :) :)

[J-Hawk]

Now that is a fantastic Idea:D :) :)

 

 

Thanks. It works really well for us.