Pre-purchase casino credits....still available?

[jennymaxgirl]

I notice this option seems to have disappeared from the cruise personalizer. Is it sill possible to pre-purchase casino credits online?

 

Thx!

[Astro Flyer]

I notice this option seems to have disappeared from the cruise personalizer. Is it sill possible to pre-purchase casino credits online?

 

Thx!

For my next cruise I can purchase Casino credits in $25 or $100 increments.

 

In the CP click on "Onboard Reservations" and then under "Casino Credits" select "View Options" to select the amount you desire to purchase.

 

I have only purchased casino credits to redeem them for cash whenever we're traveling far from home & need dollars for independent tours or additional cash tips.

 

I just noticed this statement which is different than my previous experience: "Credits appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward Casino spending". When I purchased casino credits we received vouchers to redeem them so don't know if we could still get cash from our stateroom account.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[crochetcruise]

For my next cruise I can purchase Casino credits in $25 or $100 increments.

 

In the CP click on "Onboard Reservations" and then under "Casino Credits" select "View Options" to select the amount you desire to purchase.

 

I have only purchased casino credits to redeem them for cash whenever we're traveling far from home & need dollars for independent tours or additional cash tips.

 

I just noticed this statement which is different than my previous experience: "Credits appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward Casino spending". When I purchased casino credits we received vouchers to redeem them so don't know if we could still get cash from our stateroom account.

 

THANK YOU! I'll make sure that most credits are On Board rather than Casino credits now.

 

In 14 weeks time, I will have disembarked from my 1st cruise. Hoping I want to go on another cruise, have 1 already noted down! Hastily ducks hurled cushions.

[coo359a2]

For my next cruise I can purchase Casino credits in $25 or $100 increments.

 

In the CP click on "Onboard Reservations" and then under "Casino Credits" select "View Options" to select the amount you desire to purchase.

 

I have only purchased casino credits to redeem them for cash whenever we're traveling far from home & need dollars for independent tours or additional cash tips.

 

I just noticed this statement which is different than my previous experience: "Credits appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward Casino spending". When I purchased casino credits we received vouchers to redeem them so don't know if we could still get cash from our stateroom account.

 

We were on the Sea Princess in Jan and Feb. Had ordered casino credits ahead of time - 5 $100 vouchers. When we got to our cabin, instead of finding the usual 5 $100 casino gift voucher cards that we would take to the casino cage to cash in for actual dollars, the amount of casino credit we had purchased was listed on our cabin statement as 5 "gift credits" each at $125 (had converted to AU$s) .

[pjrockman]

We were on the Sea Princess in Jan and Feb. Had ordered casino credits ahead of time - 5 $100 vouchers. When we got to our cabin, instead of finding the usual 5 $100 casino gift voucher cards that we would take to the casino cage to cash in for actual dollars, the amount of casino credit we had purchased was listed on our cabin statement as 5 "gift credits" each at $125 (had converted to AU$s) .

 

 

Hi, Coo359a2.

 

How did that work. I usually get the vouchers and have purchased quite a bit for several upcoming cruises. I liked the fact that I could take the number that I wanted each evening and leave the rest in the safe. It was a great way to keep track of how many that I had left. Now do you just download from your card on the machines and cash out any extra?

 

Any info would be appreciated as I did notice the change of nomenclature on the onboard reservation purchase page.

 

Thanks, Paul

[Astro Flyer]

We were on the Sea Princess in Jan and Feb. Had ordered casino credits ahead of time - 5 $100 vouchers. When we got to our cabin, instead of finding the usual 5 $100 casino gift voucher cards that we would take to the casino cage to cash in for actual dollars, the amount of casino credit we had purchased was listed on our cabin statement as 5 "gift credits" each at $125 (had converted to AU$s) .

 

Thanks for confirming that this is the new procedure & we'll no longer receive gift vouchers for casino credit. Do you know if it's possible to get cash from the Casino "gift credits"?

 

At the end of the cruise, how do they payout winnings? Cash, credit your charge card account or like other refundable credit mail a check to your home?

 

Maybe they're attempting to go cashless & the Casino Credit is now the same as purchasing OBC & is used for any type of debits. Being on your cabin statement, that appears to be the situation & it's now merely purchasing more OBC. Previously when prepaying gratuities it was also merely another credit to your onboard account but don't know if that's still the accounting procedure.

[pjrockman]

Although, FraudBroad just reported that on her June Baltics cruise on the Regal, the casino credits were still delivered via the vouchers to cash in at the cage.

 

Maybe it something they are/were testing on certain ships or itineraries. Any personal experiences by anyone are welcomed and appreciated.

 

Please let us know if you have recently utilized casino credits on what ship and when; and, how they were delivered/credited.

 

Thanks, Paul

[PrincessDano]

We have a couple cruises booked in September and January and neither has the casino credit option as previous cruises had, only onboard credit to pre purchase.

 

Diane

[coo359a2]

Thanks for confirming that this is the new procedure & we'll no longer receive gift vouchers for casino credit. Do you know if it's possible to get cash from the Casino "gift credits"? Yes!

 

At the end of the cruise, how do they payout winnings? Cash, credit your charge card account or like other refundable credit mail a check to your home? At the casino , you will receive cash when you "cash out".

 

Maybe they're attempting to go cashless & the Casino Credit is now the same as purchasing OBC & is used for any type of debits. Being on your cabin statement, that appears to be the situation & it's now merely purchasing more OBC. Previously when prepaying gratuities it was also merely another credit to your onboard account but don't know if that's still the accounting procedure.

 

Didn't purchase casino credits for our July Japanese cruises on the Diamond Princess. Had no need for any extra US$ as tips were prepaid and had sufficient OBC to cover excursions. So only know about the Sea Princess.

 

On the Sea Princess, I loaded into the slots the amount of casino credits I had purchased (shown on stateroom account), played a very small amount, then cashed out at the casino cage what was left in the slots. Usually do this on the next to last day. Casino gives you US$ or AU$ if you are on an Australian based ship.

 

If you have any left over refundable OBC at the end of the cruise, it is given out to you at the Passenger Service desk if the amount is under $25. If you have more than $25, you will receive the OBC by check.

 

We had prepaid gratuities on the Diamond last month. Our stateroom account neither showed we had prepaid our gratuities or posted the daily charge. For once, we had a very short statement.

[coo359a2]

We have a couple cruises booked in September and January and neither has the casino credit option as previous cruises had, only onboard credit to pre purchase.

 

Diane

 

Check on the Princess website for your two cruises and look under the Onboard Reservations heading for each cruise. You should see the option to purchase casino credits in $25 or $100 increments. You will also see the statement saying that these credits will appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward casino spending.

 

I have always purchased my casino credits by calling the 800 Princess number and telling them how much I wanted to purchase and which credit card to use.

[Astro Flyer]

Didn't purchase casino credits for our July Japanese cruises on the Diamond Princess. Had no need for any extra US$ as tips were prepaid and had sufficient OBC to cover excursions. So only know about the Sea Princess.

 

On the Sea Princess, I loaded into the slots the amount of casino credits I had purchased (shown on stateroom account), played a very small amount, then cashed out at the casino cage what was left in the slots. Usually do this on the next to last day. Casino gives you US$ or AU$ if you are on an Australian based ship.

 

If you have any left over refundable OBC at the end of the cruise, it is given out to you at the Passenger Service desk if the amount is under $25. If you have more than $25, you will receive the OBC by check.

 

We had prepaid gratuities on the Diamond last month. Our stateroom account neither showed we had prepaid our gratuities or posted the daily charge. For once, we had a very short statement.

Thanks for sharing your experiences & it's good to know there's still a way to get extra cash on the ship even though it's not as simple as previously.

 

We had over $25 of refundable credit & received the refund check from Bottomline at home. It was our first time having any unused OBC but since our tips were paid as part of a promotion, we couldn't spend all of our OBC. Like on your cruise, on our April cruise the onboard accounting system didn't show any tip activity. We could view that tips were prepaid on the Payments & Credits section of CP & brought a copy in case of a problem.

[Lucky TGO]

Check on the Princess website for your two cruises and look under the Onboard Reservations heading for each cruise. You should see the option to purchase casino credits in $25 or $100 increments. You will also see the statement saying that these credits will appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward casino spending.

 

I have always purchased my casino credits by calling the 800 Princess number and telling them how much I wanted to purchase and which credit card to use.

I just check this out and you are right. You can do it.

Tony

[cactusrose]

We were on the Sea Princess in Jan and Feb. Had ordered casino credits ahead of time - 5 $100 vouchers. When we got to our cabin, instead of finding the usual 5 $100 casino gift voucher cards that we would take to the casino cage to cash in for actual dollars, the amount of casino credit we had purchased was listed on our cabin statement as 5 "gift credits" each at $125 (had converted to AU$s) .

 

This is what happens when people on cc brag about how to game the system. Proof that Princess does read the posts on this site.

[rbt001]

This is what happens when people on cc brag about how to game the system. Proof that Princess does read the posts on this site.

 

There's still a way to get cash in the casino for tips and pocket money: USE ONE OF THE ATM'S designed just for that purpose!!

 

"Oh... but there's a FEE to do that! You mean I can't cheat the system by using a credit card to pay for vouchers that I convert to cash?"

 

Well, yes you still can: go to your bank or use one of the ATM's to procure a CASH ADVANCE.

 

"Oh... but there's a FEE to do that!"

 

Why yes, there is! Just like there's a FEE that Princess Pays (known as the Merchant Discount) to collect your credit card payment.

 

And yes, that fee is considered a "cost of doing business" and making it easier for customers to pay charges with a credit card.

 

But Princess is NOT in the business of playing banker to dispense cash. [umm... that's why they have the ATM's for that job.]

 

They are in the business of running a casino, and as a CONVENIENCE for their GAMBLING PATRONS allow them to obtain cash for the purpose of GAMBLING.

 

According to one ship's seasoned casino manager, Princess used to charge a fee.

 

As CactusRose pointed out, sharing on these boards how to GAME THE SYSTEM to save what? How much were those cheating the system actually saving?

 

But really, even without the postings here, remember that under the old "vouchers for cash" system, each voucher was tied to a stateroom. And gambling activity is also tracked by stateroom, unless a guest doesn't insert a card. But anyone purchasing a considerable amount of vouchers would logically use their card for comp benefits. So the argument: "Oh, yes, I did play that $500 in the casino, I just didn't use my card," is baseless.

 

So, they KNOW and have KNOWN that the system was being taken advantage of by people trying to save a buck at the ship's expense.

 

That's why some who use their card to charge to the room at a slot, only to turn around and cash out without play, find themselves blocked.

[CruisingJs]

We were on the Royal in April. When I purchased my casino credits Princess website said they would appear as a credit on my account. However, when we got onboard, the vouchers were in my cabin as they normally are. Your results may vary.

[pjrockman]

On the Royal in January, the casino credits were still being distributed by the vouchers. I agree with the earlier poster, it is easy for Princess to track who is 'gaming' the system. Either way is fine with me, but the vouchers just make it easier for me to track my casino spending.

 

As I said earlier, it may be based on ship, itinerary, or even by past usage of a particular passenger.

 

Unless I am winning more than I can play (very rare!), all (and more) of my pre-purchased casino credits are spent in the casino, as they are intended.

 

Paul

[myfuzzy]

Our son and DIL is traveling with us this time, and he likes the casino. Instead of giving them casino "credit", he would much rather have the cash in hand to play what he likes. So when we board, I will give him an envelope with this birthday/anniversary gift in it.

[caribill]

And gambling activity is also tracked by stateroom, unless a guest doesn't insert a card. But anyone purchasing a considerable amount of vouchers would logically use their card for comp benefits. So the argument: "Oh, yes, I did play that $500 in the casino, I just didn't use my card," is baseless.

 

 

You do not need to use your card at any of the gaming tables. So when you put down chips or cash, there is no way for Princess to know what cabin that represents.

[jagoffee]

I will admit that I have used the system to my benefit in the past to earn miles on my cash, but I also gamble.

 

Can someone explain how it current works? Instead of getting vouchers that I exchange for cash to gamble I get a credit? Let's say I get $1000 credit and use it to purchase chips. Are they regular chips or promotional type chips. At some point can I cash in the chips or credit on a Poker machine?

 

Sorry, but I am just a little confused about the new process.

 

Thank you.

[easyboy]

There's still a way to get cash in the casino for tips and pocket money: USE ONE OF THE ATM'S designed just for that purpose!!

 

But Princess is NOT in the business of playing banker to dispense cash. [umm... that's why they have the ATM's for that job.]

 

They are in the business of running a casino, and as a CONVENIENCE for their GAMBLING PATRONS allow them to obtain cash for the purpose of GAMBLING.

 

According to one ship's seasoned casino manager, Princess used to charge a fee.

 

As CactusRose pointed out, sharing on these boards how to GAME THE SYSTEM to save what? How much were those cheating the system actually saving?

 

But really, even without the postings here, remember that under the old "vouchers for cash" system, each voucher was tied to a stateroom. And gambling activity is also tracked by stateroom, unless a guest doesn't insert a card. But anyone purchasing a considerable amount of vouchers would logically use their card for comp benefits. So the argument: "Oh, yes, I did play that $500 in the casino, I just didn't use my card," is baseless.

 

So, they KNOW and have KNOWN that the system was being taken advantage of by people trying to save a buck at the ship's expense.

 

That's why some who use their card to charge to the room at a slot, only to turn around and cash out without play, find themselves blocked.

Well said. Will just.bring cash for tips instead.

[rbt001]

You do not need to use your card at any of the gaming tables. So when you put down chips or cash, there is no way for Princess to know what cabin that represents.

 

The moment you sit at a table you are asked for your card by the croupier. Refuse and the pit boss asks next.

 

The croupier reads your card into your spot on the table. Most if not all of the ships have tables with sensors that now track and count hands played.

 

They know.

 

They track and record how much cash they drop for chips. And they know how much you take in chips from the table.

 

They track and they know.

[rbt001]

I will admit that I have used the system to my benefit in the past to earn miles on my cash, but I also gamble.

 

Can someone explain how it current works? Instead of getting vouchers that I exchange for cash to gamble I get a credit? Let's say I get $1000 credit and use it to purchase chips. Are they regular chips or promotional type chips. At some point can I cash in the chips or credit on a Poker machine?

 

Sorry, but I am just a little confused about the new process.

 

Thank you.

 

For my Coral Princess cruise at the end of April 2016, I went online and purchased casino credit. This amount was applied to my room account as credits and was offset by my Casino Charges to the room account. The credits appeared embarkation afternoon/early evening. Because of the amount, I had inquired in port while I could still contact Princess, since they initially were not on my account at 2pm. I did receive a message in my room later from the purser's desk, confirming that they were applied. I believe I still received by turn down time voucher-like receipts on my bed. I think they were similar to the old ones that had to be signed over in the casino for cash, but I knew they'd be no cash in the casino since it was applied to my account already.

 

The problem for big gamblers is we are held to the limits. It used to be a max daily amount of $1,500, but now has been raised to $3,000 daily. And there's a $21,000 per cruise maximum. The old way allowed big gamblers to exceed the limits by buying vouchers per sailing. Now as credits on the room account the daily and per cruise max amounts cannot be exceeded.

Edited August 11, 2016 by rbt001
Clarification & Elaboration

[jagoffee]

For my Coral Princess cruise at the end of April 2016, I went online and purchased casino credit. This amount was applied to my room account as credits and was offset by my Casino Charges to the room account. The credits appeared embarkation afternoon/early evening. Because of the amount, I had inquired in port while I could still contact Princess, since they initially were not on my account at 2pm. I did receive a message in my room later from the purser's desk, confirming that they were applied. I believe I still received by turn down time voucher-like receipts on my bed. I think they were similar to the old ones that had to be signed over in the casino for cash, but I knew they'd be no cash in the casino since it was applied to my account already.

 

The problem for big gamblers is we are held to the limits. It used to be a max daily amount of $1,500, but now has been raised to $3,000 daily. And there's a $21,000 per cruise maximum. The old way allowed big gamblers to exceed the limits by buying vouchers per sailing. Now as credits on the room account the daily and per cruise max amounts cannot be exceeded.

 

Thank you for the explanation. After you finish playing for the day do you have to keep the chips or credit on your card? Or can you cash out?

Is there any surcharge for using the credit on you account?

[Murphey]

I sit down at the tables and plunk my cash down. They never asked for my card (Royal - June). Not once. I do see how it would help me to be tracked, but my point being, no one asked.

 

I also don't see the difference between gifting myself OBC or Casino credit. My $, my decision how to use it or not use it.

Edited August 12, 2016 by Murphey

[rbt001]

Thank you for the explanation. After you finish playing for the day do you have to keep the chips or credit on your card? Or can you cash out?

Is there any surcharge for using the credit on you account?

 

You're welcome to cash out any time, but need to do so by the last evening of the cruise. Most wait to cash out their virtual slot bank at the end of the cruise. Charging to your room for slot play, then immediately cashing out with block the ability to do further room charges.

 

That's because the casinos CURRENTLY do not charge a "convenience fee" or "surcharge" to charge to your room account for money to play.