Clarea, I have a question for you Bob.

[HB Cruiser]

Have a friend trying to figure out how to get cash from his OBC without going to the casino and giving back 5%. He has gone to guest services and gotten cash there but it has always been a fight and he doesn't want that this time.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Tim

[Clarea]

Have a friend trying to figure out how to get cash from his OBC without going to the casino and giving back 5%. He has gone to guest services and gotten cash there but it has always been a fight and he doesn't want that this time.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Tim

If you have a cash account (not secured by a credit card or debit card), then they don't charge the 5% fee.

 

The downside of a cash account is that you have to pay it off on the last evening, usually when there's a line at Guest Services. However, you can use a credit or debit card to pay off the account.

[Ourusualbeach]

What we have done is set up a cash account, withdrew our OBC in the first few days then go to guest services and add a credit card to our file.

 

No 5% fee and no hassle about standing in line at guest services the last evening.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[PH8]

What we have done is set up a cash account, withdrew our OBC in the first few days then go to guest services and add a credit card to our file.

 

No 5% fee and no hassle about standing in line at guest services the last evening.

 

That's what I do every single cruise!

[Ourusualbeach]

That's what I do every single cruise!

 

I made the mistake of not having my credit card on file by the last day once on the Enchantment at March break and had to line up with hundreds of college kids paying their bills the last night....never again.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[Clarea]

What we have done is set up a cash account, withdrew our OBC in the first few days then go to guest services and add a credit card to our file.

 

No 5% fee and no hassle about standing in line at guest services the last evening.

Do you withdraw the OBC at Guest Services or the Casino?

[Ourusualbeach]

Do you withdraw the OBC at Guest Services or the Casino?

 

The casino.

[Clarea]

The casino.

Thanks for the excellent idea.:)

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks for the excellent idea.:)

 

You're most welcome.:)

[PH8]

I usually give Guest Services my CC the 2nd to last day...

 

Never wait till the last night.:eek:

[Cruzntime]

As always, there are some great tips on here. I like the cash account idea but I'm not quite sure how to set it up or it's used. I'm assuming one has to put money on the Seapass Account to have any funds available, correct??

 

Setting up a cash account sounds like the best way to avoid paying a fee in the casino and getting all of your OBC but I'm trying to avoid traveling with substantial cash. Are there any recommendations to have access to cash while on board without accruing fees in the casino or having cash advance fees on the credit card?

[Clarea]

As always, there are some great tips on here. I like the cash account idea but I'm not quite sure how to set it up or it's used. I'm assuming one has to put money on the Seapass Account to have any funds available, correct??

 

Setting up a cash account sounds like the best way to avoid paying a fee in the casino and getting all of your OBC but I'm trying to avoid traveling with substantial cash. Are there any recommendations to have access to cash while on board without accruing fees in the casino or having cash advance fees on the credit card?

No money down is required. Royal allows you to charge up to $500 before they ask you to pay down the balance.

 

The ship also has at ATM you can use to get cash, but there are fees with that too.

Edited August 10, 2016 by clarea

[Jeannie333333]

What we have done is set up a cash account, withdrew our OBC in the first few days then go to guest services and add a credit card to our file.

 

No 5% fee and no hassle about standing in line at guest services the last evening.

 

nice ! thank you for the tip :)

[matj2000]

Why doesn't your friend just bring cash with him and keep it himself?

 

Sounds better than giving it to the cruiseline and then to go back and ask for it....

[wants2cruise2]

Stumbled onto this thread and I have a question or two.

 

I've never used a cash account, and I've never had any large OBC either. But next month I will have some. Not thinking about it I prepaid my gratuities, did my excursions outside the cruise line, not big drinkers, do play a bit of bingo, some little gambling. Can I buy casino chips with the OBC or does that incur the 5% fee?

 

If I set up a cash account, I just tell them that at check in? And remove the credit card from the pre-check in I've done already?

 

Then I can either request some casino chips, or go to customer service and just ask for cash? When It's gone, hand them my credit card, and the rest goes on it?

 

and I don't mean to hijack the thread but,

 

Another question, (how after a dozen cruises I still don't know everything) this is also the first time I'm boarding a ship starting outside the US, will the creditcard be charged in US funds? or the funds of the departing country?

[Ourusualbeach]

Stumbled onto this thread and I have a question or two.

 

I've never used a cash account, and I've never had any large OBC either. But next month I will have some. Not thinking about it I prepaid my gratuities, did my excursions outside the cruise line, not big drinkers, do play a bit of bingo, some little gambling. Can I buy casino chips with the OBC or does that incur the 5% fee?

 

If I set up a cash account, I just tell them that at check in? And remove the credit card from the pre-check in I've done already?

 

Then I can either request some casino chips, or go to customer service and just ask for cash? When It's gone, hand them my credit card, and the rest goes on it?

 

and I don't mean to hijack the thread but,

 

Another question, (how after a dozen cruises I still don't know everything) this is also the first time I'm boarding a ship starting outside the US, will the creditcard be charged in US funds? or the funds of the departing country?

 

 

You can set up a cash account 2 ways. It can be set up before hand during the on line check in or just tell them at the pier that you are changing to a cash account.

 

You get money ($500 daily limit) from the cashier in the casino. Some will give you cash but others will give you a slip that is for use in the slot machines. If they give you the slip just insert that into any machine then hit cash out and take that pay slip to the cashier for cash.

 

Once you have taken out all your OBC then go to guest services and provide them with a credit card.

 

If you are from the US and it is a US credit card you will be charged in US$

Edited August 10, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[Clarea]

Stumbled onto this thread and I have a question or two.

 

I've never used a cash account, and I've never had any large OBC either. But next month I will have some. Not thinking about it I prepaid my gratuities, did my excursions outside the cruise line, not big drinkers, do play a bit of bingo, some little gambling. Can I buy casino chips with the OBC or does that incur the 5% fee?

 

If I set up a cash account, I just tell them that at check in? And remove the credit card from the pre-check in I've done already?

 

Then I can either request some casino chips, or go to customer service and just ask for cash? When It's gone, hand them my credit card, and the rest goes on it?

 

and I don't mean to hijack the thread but,

 

Another question, (how after a dozen cruises I still don't know everything) this is also the first time I'm boarding a ship starting outside the US, will the creditcard be charged in US funds? or the funds of the departing country?

You cannot get casino chips directly with the OBC, you must use cash in the casino.

 

You can set up your cash account during the online check-in, at the check-in counter, or at Guest Service on board the ship.

 

Onboard charges are always in USD no matter where the ship is sailing from.

[robtulipe]

Stumbled onto this thread and I have a question or two.

 

I've never used a cash account, and I've never had any large OBC either. But next month I will have some. Not thinking about it I prepaid my gratuities, did my excursions outside the cruise line, not big drinkers, do play a bit of bingo, some little gambling. Can I buy casino chips with the OBC or does that incur the 5% fee?

Yes you can get casino chips but must get them from the cashier, not at the tables. This will incur the 5% charge if your onboard account isn't a cash one. Also you get non-cashable white chips which must be played but any winnings is given in regular cashable chips. You can convert the white non-cashable chips to a non-cashable slot voucher at the cashier if you happen to have any left after your table play and then do the slot machine conversion described below to get a cashable slot voucher. ;)

 

If I set up a cash account, I just tell them that at check in? And remove the credit card from the pre-check in I've done already?

 

You can do that or simply go into your online check in and edit your onboard account there to a cash one

 

Then I can either request some casino chips, or go to customer service and just ask for cash? When It's gone, hand them my credit card, and the rest goes on it?

 

and I don't mean to hijack the thread but,

 

Another question, (how after a dozen cruises I still don't know everything) this is also the first time I'm boarding a ship starting outside the US, will the creditcard be charged in US funds? or the funds of the departing country?

 

All charges will be in USD even for cruises completely outside the USA. You have the option of having RC convert to the currency of the country your credit card is issued in if its not the US but RC uses a poor exchange so it's better to have your credit card do the conversion.

What I did this pass winter to get cash for our OBC in the casino was to go to the cashier for an non-cashable slot voucher, which is all they will give you, insert it into a slot, added a few $ in cash to change the amount, then cashed out without any play. I actually gave to DW to cash out a few times so I didn't this if I was only in the casino a short time doing this. Problem with that was DW wanted to play the slot with that voucher. :)

Edited August 10, 2016 by robtulipe

[wants2cruise2]

Thanks everyone,

 

Like I tell my DH,

 

I really don't need to know everything, I have cruise critic!

 

:)

[cruisegirl1]

What we have done is set up a cash account, withdrew our OBC in the first few days then go to guest services and add a credit card to our file.

 

No 5% fee and no hassle about standing in line at guest services the last evening.

 

Do you withdraw the OBC at Guest Services or the Casino?

 

Great idea, especially if you have a large amount of OBC. But...... I suspect now that RCCL reads about it and folks try it, RCCL will come up with a way to discontinue the practice. Remember the trick of getting the (fee free) money at the casino, getting double points on the RCCL credit card, then putting the money back in the bank once you go home? That tip was all over the boards, then RCCL started to charge the fee to get cash.

 

I usually consider the OBC "found money" so generally don't mind paying the casino fee. I was burnt once with promised left over OBC being placed back on a card, so now I gladly pay the 5% to get any leftover money.

 

Good luck and thanks.

M

[dd likes to cruise]

Are you all just talking about the refundable OBC? Or all of it? I promise I won't tell anyone!

[Ourusualbeach]

Are you all just talking about the refundable OBC? Or all of it? I promise I won't tell anyone!

 

Both refundable and non refundable.

[Cruzntime]

No money down is required. Royal allows you to charge up to $500 before they ask you to pay down the balance.

 

The ship also has at ATM you can use to get cash, but there are fees with that too.

 

 

Thank you very much for the tip Bob.

 

So that I have a better understanding, I have a couple of more questions if you don't mind.

 

I'm assuming one can only choose cash or credit card account initially, not both, correct?

 

If my assumption is correct and I pull $500 cash on day one, for example, am I done for the week or can I go to Guest Services and ask for my balance to be settled with x credit card and then subsequently continue with additional daily cash withdrawals throughout the week as long as I don't exceed a $500 balance?

[Clarea]

Thank you very much for the tip Bob.

 

So that I have a better understanding, I have a couple of more questions if you don't mind.

 

I'm assuming one can only choose cash or credit card account initially, not both, correct?

 

If my assumption is correct and I pull $500 cash on day one, for example, am I done for the week or can I go to Guest Services and ask for my balance to be settled with x credit card and then subsequently continue with additional daily cash withdrawals throughout the week as long as I don't exceed a $500 balance?

You choose cash or credit card initially.

 

You can make multiple cash withdrawals and pay down your account multiple times with a credit card.

 

I'd follow Ken's tip and once you are finished withdrawing cash, change to a credit card account so you don't have to stand in line and settle the account on the last night.

Edited August 11, 2016 by clarea

[Cruzntime]

You choose cash or credit card initially.

 

You can make multiple cash withdrawals and pay down your account multiple times with a credit card.

 

I'd follow Ken's tip and once you are finished withdrawing cash, change to a credit card account so yo don't have to stand in line and settle the account on the last night.

 

 

Big thank you Bob!!