Celebrity Likely Adding Casino Surcharge For Cash Advances

[Andy]

Hi Everyone !

 

I wanted to let you know that it appears Celebrity is adding a 3% surcharge for Cash withdrawals at the Casino. They started to do it on last week's Constellation sailing, charging a 3% fee for any Cash withdrawals at the Casino Cashier and at the Gaming Tables. It was met with great resistance, and many on our Cruise complained about it. Towards the end of the Cruise, we recieved a letter saying the 3% charge had been rescinded, and we did get a credit for it back for the fees to our account. However, they did say that the 3% charge would begin for sailings that depart in April. So, it probably exists once again.

 

Personally, I think this is a ridiculous move, to pay a fee for the opportunity to lose money in the Casino. Sadly, I am sure many people abused this, by running up charges, and that is likely why all of us will pay for it now. With that said, its clearly more evidence of the nickel and diming that Celebrity is getting agressive with. Not good news at all.

[usha]

All the more reason to stay out of the onboard casinos, I'd say.:cool:

[tbelian]

With that said, its clearly more evidence of the nickel and diming that Celebrity is getting agressive with. Not good news at all.

 

Kind of like Princess, who, as far as I know, has always charged this fee.

[claud925]

This is definitely going to greatly reduce the amount of gambling that I'd planned on doing aboard Galaxy next month ... their loss (and my gain).

 

Although I love spending time (sometimes too much of it) in the casino, if this is going to be their new policy, I will stop taking cash advances - which was my way of enforcing my daily casino allotment. Taking one lump sum for the duration of the cruise will not be an option for me, either.

 

Hope you're reading this, X. I know you know how much my onboard account charges reflect my casino visits ....

[chessbriar]

The rest of the cruise lines do it, so it was only a matter of time. I'd rather know ahead of time and adjust how I use points from my Visa card. No more building up OBC and cashing out for use on land.

[mahdnc]

Go to the BJ table and get $515 worth of chips. Play $15 (3% fee) and then leave to cash your chips. Or you could choose to play less than even that. This assumes that you are not assessed the 3% fee for cashing in your chips.

[hcat]

Wonder if it'll apply to any coupons that give you money to play? (like 12 in chips for 10 cash)

[mferranti]

Go to the BJ table and get $515 worth of chips. Play $15 (3% fee) and then leave to cash your chips. Or you could choose to play less than even that. This assumes that you are not assessed the 3% fee for cashing in your chips.

Wouldn't it be more like: get $500 worth of chips in exchange for $515 charge to your shipboard account?

[Andy]

Wonder if it'll apply to any coupons that give you money to play? (like 12 in chips for 10 cash)

 

Hi Hcat !

 

They havent had the 12 for 10 coupons for some time. They only have some $5 match play coupons in the Captains Club booklet now.

[Andy]

Wouldn't it be more like: get $500 worth of chips in exchange for $515 charge to your shipboard account?

 

Hi Mferranti !

 

Yes, that is exactly how it was.

[Andy]

Go to the BJ table and get $515 worth of chips. Play $15 (3% fee) and then leave to cash your chips. Or you could choose to play less than even that. This assumes that you are not assessed the 3% fee for cashing in your chips.

 

Hi Mahdnc !

 

There is no fee for cashing in the chips. If you request 200.00, you get 200.00 in chips and are charged 206.00 (200.00 + 6.00 fee) to your shipboard account.

[mdmourges]

They have this charge on Oceania as well.

 

Mark

[alanbarb]

From Celebrity's Casino Services and Guidelines Web Page:

 

Player Credit

SeaPass

All guests using the SeaPass card, backed by a credit card, are able to obtain chips and tokens for casino entertainment up to $2000 US dollars per day.

A transaction fee will apply

. ATM and cash advance on credit cards also available, and a transaction fee will apply.

 

[Moeve]

I guess that will put a dent into there earnings - i sure hope people will reduece their play soo much that they loose more money than they are gaining by the surcharge.

[mahdnc]

Hi Mahdnc !

 

There is no fee for cashing in the chips. If you request 200.00, you get 200.00 in chips and are charged 206.00 (200.00 + 6.00 fee) to your shipboard account.

 

mferranti and Andy,

 

I stand corrected. So the house will have an additional 3% edge built in if you use your SeaPass card.

[DaveFr]

The free cash advance at the casino was a nice feature of Celebrity cruises but, as Rick pointed out, the new transaction fee just brings Celebrity in line with the other cruise lines which already charge such a fee. Frankly, since Celebrity probably pays 2% to 3% to the credit card company for all charges on a sea pass account, I'm surprised it has taken them this long to impose a transaction fee. I suppose the minority of passengers who settle their accounts in cash would have more of an argument with the new fee.

 

On our recent cruise on Oceania, which charges 5% for casino cash advances, we brought along our gambling money in the form of no-fee travellers checks. There was no charge to cash travellers checks. I assume Celebrity also doesn't charge to cash a travellers check.

 

Dave

[Andy]

The free cash advance at the casino was a nice feature of Celebrity cruises but, as Rick pointed out, the new transaction fee just brings Celebrity in line with the other cruise lines which already charge such a fee. Frankly, since Celebrity probably pays 2% to 3% to the credit card company for all charges on a sea pass account, I'm surprised it has taken them this long to impose a transaction fee. I suppose the minority of passengers who settle their accounts in cash would have more of an argument with the new fee.

 

On our recent cruise on Oceania, which charges 5% for casino cash advances, we brought along our gambling money in the form of no-fee travellers checks. There was no charge to cash travellers checks. I assume Celebrity also doesn't charge to cash a travellers check.

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave !

 

While I do not know the specifics of Credit card fees, I cant imagine that a muti-billion dollar corporation such as Royal Caribbean pays 2-3% to the Credit Card company. I would suspect it is far less than that amount. I also realize that other Cruise lines charge fees. While I totally expected this move, I still think its not a very wise decision, and will tick off most of their Gaming passengers.

 

You do make a good point, that if the 3% is an annoyance, nothing says you have to pay it. I absolutely feel that the no-fee travellers checks will be the best way to go from now on.

[OHCruisin]

RCI has not charged this fee in the past. Wonder if they're behind it at X and if I can expect to see it on my next cruise on RCI.

[excitedofharpenden]

It had to come. I think it's time for me to find a new credit card for when I'm on a cruise. I pay a loading fee of 3% on the exchange rate conversion and there'll be another 3% on the withdrawals aboard ship if I make use of the cash facility. Telling me to be sensible and avoid the casino after I've had a couple of glasses of wine with dinner is as much use as a rubber walking stick.:rolleyes:

 

Phil

[claud925]

Just thought of something: if one has shareholder credits posted to a sailing, or has redeemed Worldpoints for OBC, or how about the credit given when booking future cruises while onboard - would such credits now be reduced by 3% if one wished to use them in the casino? I lined up several hundred dollars in shipboard credit (by various means), and planned on spending it at the BJ table.:( Now I wish I hadn't bothered.

 

Maybe I should think about "gifting" myself casino credit certificates in advance of my upcoming sailing - they can't take a chunk out of that, right?

 

Please - don't suggest I drink that credit - my liver would not thank you!

[tbelian]

Hmmm, such a surprise.

 

How long have we posted here advising folks to get cash for tips, and 'etc.' by simply withdrawing cash from the casino?

 

'hey they don't charge a fee

and

you get double points'

Perhaps in this case Celebrity was reading, and for us, not in a 'good' way? :cool:

[lets talk cruising]

Just thought of something: if one has shareholder credits posted to a sailing, or has redeemed Worldpoints for OBC, or how about the credit given when booking future cruises while onboard - would such credits now be reduced by 3% if one wished to use them in the casino? I lined up several hundred dollars in shipboard credit (by various means), and planned on spending it at the BJ table.:( Now I wish I hadn't bothered.

 

To redeem your onboard credit without paying the cash advance fee you need only go to the reception desk and request your money.

[SusieV]

That is really upsetting. Usually half our Seapass account is casino charges. Of course, we put the cash back on our account if we have any left, so we're not even gaining with the points.

 

I'm not sure if this would keep us out of the casino, but I'm very unhappy to hear about it.

[Andy]

RCI has not charged this fee in the past. Wonder if they're behind it at X and if I can expect to see it on my next cruise on RCI.

 

Hi OhCruisin !

 

While I am not sure if RCI has adopted this change yet, its only a matter of time.

[claud925]

To redeem your onboard credit without paying the cash advance fee you need only go to the reception desk and request your money.

 

The Purser's Desk would just hand me $250 in cash if I had that amount in OBC and wanted to redeem it?

 

I've never thought about doing this - didn't know one could ....

 

Phil - you're funny! Rubber walking stick indeed. You and I are on the same page here.:D :D :D