Onboard account questions

[Merly]

You can get cash from the casino. If you secured your Seapass with a credit card you will be charged a 5% fee to withdraw cash. If you set up a cash account you can withdraw up to $500 per day and they will waive the 5% fee.

 

For my cruise a couple of weeks ago I bought some on board credit as the £ to $ exchange rate offered by RCI was considerably better than the banks in the U.K. I had asked questions on CC before hand and took the advice and had a cash account. ( the first time I have done so). I purchased more OBC than I would need so that I could take cash for the ports. When I went to the casino they told me I had to get chips at the table and then take them to the cashier to exchange for cash. This seemed rather complicated. Is this the correct procedure?

[Ourusualbeach]

For my cruise a couple of weeks ago I bought some on board credit as the £ to $ exchange rate offered by RCI was considerably better than the banks in the U.K. I had asked questions on CC before hand and took the advice and had a cash account. ( the first time I have done so). I purchased more OBC than I would need so that I could take cash for the ports. When I went to the casino they told me I had to get chips at the table and then take them to the cashier to exchange for cash. This seemed rather complicated. Is this the correct procedure?

 

It depends on the ship. Some ships will still give cash, others will give chips for the tables or a voucher for the slots. Best to take the voucher for the slots, insert it into a slot machine and then hit payout. You will then get a payout voucher that you can redeem for cash. A bit of a PITA but an easy workaround.

[lovesthebeach2]

On our latest 12 day cruise they pinged our card every day for the gratuities. I knew because I got emailed every day. But they never charged the card until the last day.

[Merly]

It depends on the ship. Some ships will still give cash, others will give chips for the tables or a voucher for the slots. Best to take the voucher for the slots, insert it into a slot machine and then hit payout. You will then get a payout voucher that you can redeem for cash. A bit of a PITA but an easy workaround.

 

Thank you for the explanation.

[AFLCruiser]

How much cash do you bring? Are you bringing actual cash or traveler's checks? Can you set up a cash account, pay it off with a credit card if and when it reaches $500? I'm trying to figure out the benefit of using a cash account versus a credit card.

Edited October 20, 2016 by AFLCruiser
Added a question

[Biker19]

I'm trying to figure out the benefit of using a cash account versus a credit card.

 

There are no holds or possible screw ups (in terms of charging the card) if you set up a cash account. Yes, you can pay the account off with any card after you set it up as a cash account.

Edited October 20, 2016 by Biker19

[Clarea]

How much cash do you bring? Are you bringing actual cash or traveler's checks? Can you set up a cash account, pay it off with a credit card if and when it reaches $500? I'm trying to figure out the benefit of using a cash account versus a credit card.

You can pay off a cash account with cash, traveler's checks, credit card, or debit card. One advantage is being able to get a cash advance against your onboard account at the casino without having to pay the 5% charge. This can be useful if you have on board credit you want to turn into cash.

[Desert Cruizers]

I always put our charges on my Credit Card and have never seen a hold, but for our 7 day cruise next July 2017, I am considering near the end of the cruise, paying the balance with cash but will leave the Credit Card in place. has anyone done this method or merely go Cash all the way.

[Merly]

I always put our charges on my Credit Card and have never seen a hold, but for our 7 day cruise next July 2017, I am considering near the end of the cruise, paying the balance with cash but will leave the Credit Card in place. has anyone done this method or merely go Cash all the way.

 

This is what we usually do. We put charges on a credit card but pay it off sometime during the last day. If we have anything then go on, say a final drink that night we let the card take care of it.

[Ashland]

Many seasoned cruisers set up a cash account at check in, but then settle the account with a credit or debit card on the last night.;)

 

And many do the exact opposite...Set it up with a credit card so no limits on spending and possibly having to add more cash at some point during your cruise or having your SeaPass declined during an onboard purchase...Then pay it off in cash on the last night.

[KeiferDeifer]

Is it possible to buy onboard credit before the cruise or with cash during embarkation?

 

 

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[Ourusualbeach]

Is it possible to buy onboard credit before the cruise or with cash during embarkation?

 

 

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Before the cruise call Gifts and Gear at 1-800-722-5443

 

You can't buy any at embarkation but once you board the ship you can put down as much cash as you like on your account at guest services.

[KeiferDeifer]

Thanks! If we buy before and don't use it all, we will get it refunded?

 

 

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[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks! If we buy before and don't use it all, we will get it refunded?

 

 

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Absolutely. The last full day aboard at guest services.