Will RCCL start adding 3% for casino cash?

[sea-cruise]

Host Andy (Celebrity =X= Board) posted this and I wonder if anyone has information regarding RCCL starting this?

Today, 12:25 PM

Host Andy vbmenu_register("postmenu_14066580", true);

Cruise Critic Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2002

Location: Boca Raton, FL

Posts: 4,806

 

 

Celebrity Likely Adding Casino Surcharge For Cash Advances

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 Towards the end of the Cruise, we recieved a letter saying the 3% charge had been rescinded, and we did get a credit for it back for the fees to our account.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.

__________________

Regards,

Andy

[Cruising89143]

Wouldn't surprise me if they did. I think that it has become an abuse by some. I have read of one person on here using it to get two grand a day off of their card then turn around and pay it back when they returned home in order to get the miles on their card. Crap like that ruins if for the rest of us.

[Merion_Mom]

Wouldn't surprise me if they did. I think that it has become an abuse by some. I have read of one person on here using it to get two grand a day off of their card then turn around and pay it back when they returned home in order to get the miles on their card. Crap like that ruins if for the rest of us.

 

But like "fixing" the JR's teen-loitering problem by instituting a charge, instead of chucking the teens out, they choose to add a fee instead of limiting the amount that you can take.

 

:( :mad:

[Merion_Mom]

That's a shame. It really does ruin it for the rest of us when it's overdone for OBC. He/she must have been carrying a load of cash returning home post-cruise. I wouldn't like that.

 

Yes, I remember that poster, too. He actually stated that he carried FOURTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH HOME WITH HIM. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[sea-cruise]

$14,000????? OMG! I'd be afraid I'd get hit over the head, and with my luck, I would! :eek:

[silentbob007]

Yes, I remember that poster, too. He actually stated that he carried FOURTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH HOME WITH HIM. :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

It's a good thing customs didn't stop him ... they get VERY interested in people carrying over $10,000 in cash. ;)

 

Seems to be a forgone conclusion ... perhaps they will try it out and weigh gambling revenues versus cash lost in credit card fees.

[Merion_Mom]

It's a good thing customs didn't stop him ... they get VERY interested in people carrying over $10,000 in cash. ;)

 

Seems to be a forgone conclusion ... perhaps they will try it out and weigh gambling revenues versus cash lost in credit card fees.

 

They better think hard. I, for one, will NOT gamble if I have to pay a fee. It's bad enough that I lose money; I'm not going to PAY for the privilege!

 

No one these days likes to carry a lot of cash. I have had difficulty lately having traveler's cheques accepted. If RC starts charging for casino cash, I would have to be very sure that they will still cash TCs.

[cb at sea]

I always bring CASH for gambling--I would never take a "loan" (and that's what your credit card is!) to gamble with!

I'm surprised that they didn't charge extra for a cash advance--everyone else does!

[cruisePRN]

Yes, I remember that poster, too. He actually stated that he carried FOURTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH HOME WITH HIM. :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

With double points since its an RCl charge he got 28,000 points, (almost $600) quite nice and clever although i wouldn't walk around with that much cash myself. This is an example of how posting little tricks and secrets on a public forum get them revoked. I liked being able to get the cash for the envelopes to tip at the end of the cruise but won't pay 3%. I'll have to bring enough cash for tips now.

[Cruising89143]

But like "fixing" the JR's teen-loitering problem by instituting a charge, instead of chucking the teens out, they choose to add a fee instead of limiting the amount that you can take.

 

:( :mad:

 

I agree with you 100% Carol but like we have always been told in life, a few bad ones ruin it for everyone else. I think that if a person needs two grand a day then they should have to get it from a supervisor in the Casino who knows if this person is playing or not. Of course I know many know who this one person is that abuses this and we also know that he does not tip by his own admittance. Guess we shouldn't be surprised.

[PhoenixCruiser]

I agree with you 100% Carol but like we have always been told in life, a few bad ones ruin it for everyone else. I think that if a person needs two grand a day then they should have to get it from a supervisor in the Casino who knows if this person is playing or not. Of course I know many know who this one person is that abuses this and we also know that he does not tip by his own admittance. Guess we shouldn't be surprised.

 

No kidding!!! I hope RCCL doesn't follow Celebrity :mad: :eek:

 

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[curley23]

Wouldn't surprise me if they did. I think that it has become an abuse by some. I have read of one person on here using it to get two grand a day off of their card then turn around and pay it back when they returned home in order to get the miles on their card. Crap like that ruins if for the rest of us.

 

I would have to agree with you. People who only use the casino to get cash for things other than gambling should not be allowed.(that is what the ATM is for, or use the purser) The cruise line could easily not allow cash exchanges in the casino. They could make you use your sea pass card to purchase your chips at the tables, or have you use a card to insert in the slot machines which is similar to what they have on the automated texas holdem table. Also instead of paying you in cash when your chips, or slot card is cashed, credit your sea pass account, which in turn does not hit your credit card. I am sure they will come up with something to curb abuses to their system, if that is what they feel is happening. Bank of America, and RCCL can track any credit card abuse fairly easy, if not already and have seen a pattern for any points abuse.

[Cruising89143]

I would have to agree with you. People who only use the casino to get cash for things other than gambling should not be allowed.(that is what the ATM is for, or use the purser) The cruise line could easily not allow cash exchanges in the casino. They could make you use your sea pass card to purchase your chips at the tables, or have you use a card to insert in the slot machines which is similar to what they have on the automated texas holdem table. Also instead of paying you in cash when your chips, or slot card is cashed, credit your sea pass account, which in turn does not hit your credit card. I am sure they will come up with something to curb abuses to their system, if that is what they feel is happening. I'm sure Bank of America, and RCCL can track any credit card abuse fairly easy.

 

Actually on HAL a few weeks back, it kind of worked that way. You used your Sea Pass card and inserted it into the slot machine. You made up a PIN number and then your winnings would go over to the card and you took your card up to the cashiers cage to be paid. You could also cash out the old fashioned way too. I believe that you also got your cash for the slots that way but not sure as I did not try it.

[critterchick]

I'm surprised they haven't done it already. Princess has charged 3% for some time, and RCI does have a tendency to copy cat revenue-generating schemes.

 

We usually get a couple of hundred dollars from the window - some for gambling and the rest for tips. I don't like to travel in either direction with a lot of cash (although for a big payout at the slots I'd make an exception on the way home:) ) and we tip in cash because the crew have told us that's what they prefer. Oh, well, we can always put the tips on the Seapass and carry a bit extra. No big deal, I suppose.

[phoenix1181]

Yes, taking 2k a day was over the top, but there's a lot of abuse going on. I can't count the number of posts I've seen telling people to get cash for tips, shore excursions, the trip home, and anything else they can think of. My guess is at the end of each cruise, even though the games are showing a profit, the cashier isn't!

 

People on this board provide a lot of very useful and valuable information. Included in that are ways to beat the system. You're told how to use the casino as a bank, smuggle booze, get away with sharing a soda card, get an OBC by complaining about noise from the next cabin, and how to stiff the waitstaff because you didn't eat in the dining room every night and the head waiter never came to your table.

 

More and more people are willing to take something they don't deserve because they can get away with it. Those who play by the rules pay the price. I'm hoping this doesn't happen, but I certainly can't say I blame them...............

[mjyanne]

Guess I'll pass absorb that cost by not tipping the dealer:mad: . $30 fee for a $1,000 advance is basically 1 to 5 hands of BJ or 10 - 15 spins on a $1 slot machine (max bet) or...well you get the point. In the grand scheme no big deal but it sure is the prinicple of the issue.

 

Here's an interesting question. If you have a large OBC and take cash do you still pay 3%? Can you get you OBC in cash from the purser? Afterall, it's not a charge, it's your money so why have to pay a fee to get it?

[Cruising89143]

Guess I'll pass absorb that cost by not tipping the dealer:mad: . $30 fee for a $1,000 advance is basically 1 to 5 hands of BJ or 10 - 15 spins on a $1 slot machine (max bet) or...well you get the point. In the grand scheme no big deal but it sure is the prinicple of the issue.

 

Here's an interesting question. If you have a large OBC and take cash do you still pay 3%? Can you get you OBC in cash from the purser? Afterall, it's not a charge, it's your money so why have to pay a fee to get it?

 

On Carnival if you took any money from your on board account in the casino you were charged the 3%. It would more than likely be the same way if RCI adopts this policy.

[love2vacation]

I hope this doesn't happen. DH does use his VISA debit to take cash out for gambling in the casino- he usually takes out his "budgeted" amount on a daily basis. If they do this fee thing he will just have to plan ahead and take what he needs for the week and keep it in the safe!

 

He of course splits his winnings with me;)!

 

I just hate it when they punish everyone because of abuse by a few. It is like being back in grade school!:rolleyes:

[MakinGold]

That's an interesting point on taking out cash from an OBC. I can certainly understand the idea of charging for a cash advance, especially if people are doing it to get spending money, rather than for the casino. The credit card companies charge RCI a fee, and they've been absorbing that, with the understanding that they'd be getting it back in the gambling losses. If you just take it out for spending money in ports, they get hit with the fees, but don't get anything back out of it.

 

It probably might be better if they just made the casinos cashless. If you wanted a set amount (to make sure you don't get over your head with the gambling) they could issue you a casino card with the desired amount on it, rather than cash.

[curley23]

On Carnival if you took any money from your on board account in the casino you were charged the 3%. It would more than likely be the same way if RCI adopts this policy.

 

Most people do not realize that it costs the cruise lines money to have the cash on hand, that is $$ they cannot have in the bank earning interest. It is not chump change either. Since everyone is trying to save costs any way they can, here is another.

If they feel there is also abuse from the credit card thing, B/A and RCCL can always amend the card agreement to not allow points on casino transactions or any non purchases, or just treat them as a cash advance.

[dirtgirl]

Being Canadian without a lot of US cash on hand, I have often cashed in traveler's checks or got money out on my Seapass, as I have to make a special trip to a bank to get US$.:mad: This will mean I will have to carry more cash, which is unsafe.

[cruisePRN]

Yes, taking 2k a day was over the top, but there's a lot of abuse going on.

 

More and more people are willing to take something they don't deserve because they can get away with it. Those who play by the rules pay the price. I'm hoping this doesn't happen, but I certainly can't say I blame them...............

Why do you say people are taking something they don't deserve? It's not abuse to use the system if playing by the rules and apparently this person did just that, max'd out his allotment at the cashier daily. If the cruise line makes a rule that states all money received from the cashier is to be used in the casino only then it would be abuse. It's not something i would care to be bothered with but it's not abuse any more then my using a grocery coupon I clip out of the newspaper and then only buy that one item even tho the store intended for me to do some shopping.

[MakinGold]

Being Canadian without a lot of US cash on hand, I have often cashed in traveler's checks or got money out on my Seapass, as I have to make a special trip to a bank to get US$.:mad: This will mean I will have to carry more cash, which is unsafe.

 

You'd still be able to get cash, and the purser's desk would likely still cash traveler's checks. You just wouldn't get a free ride on the cash advances, like you've been getting. It does cost RCI money to give you cash against the credit card you have on file.

[MakinGold]

Why do you say people are taking something they don't deserve? It's not abuse to use the system if playing by the rules and apparently this person did just that, max'd out his allotment at the cashier daily. If the cruise line makes a rule that states all money received from the cashier is to be used in the casino only then it would be abuse. It's not something i would care to be bothered with but it's not abuse any more then my using a grocery coupon I clip out of the newspaper and then only buy that one item even tho the store intended for me to do some shopping.

 

That is the rule.

[aussiedisneyfan]

P&O Australia have been charging 3% for at least 6 years. We found the cash advance handy on our last Celebrity cruise as we boarded in Australia and had no USD. We were able to withdraw some USD for extra tips etc.