Fee for charging casino chips/slot play to your account?

[ciabelle]

Sorry if this has already been answered before, I did do a quick search but found nothing. 

Are you charged a percentage on any slot credits purchased via your room key at a slot machine, or if you similarly charge chips to your account? I'm planning on  playing craps for several hours every night, but would prefer not to carry a large amount of cash while travelling. However I've heard that some lines may charge 3-5% over the amount transferred.

Perhaps this was done to deter people from effectively getting free cash advances by buying slot credits and immediately cashing out. Yet if the cruise line expects to earn more from casino play than they'll lose in merchant fees when they charge your card that the end of the sailing, perhaps it remains worthwhile for them to eat that cost. 

I understand the argument from both sides, just not sure what HAL's policy is on this. 

Even more of a longshot, (I assume the answer is probably no) but could you credit chips or slot credits back to your onboard account? Thereby reducing, eliminating, or even getting a credit on your final shipboard charges were you doing particularly well in the casino? I'd similarly prefer to not travel with large amounts of cash after the cruise either. But I am not inclined to pay an additional fee to buy chips, nor intentionally zero out my bankroll to avoid doing so. 

[Laminator]

There is no fee to charge slot money or table money to your account as long as you play. You can cash your chips at the casino cage and then visit guest services and apply that cash to your bill. 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

14 minutes ago, ciabelle said:

Sorry if this has already been answered before, I did do a quick search but found nothing. 

Are you charged a percentage on any slot credits purchased via your room key at a slot machine, or if you similarly charge chips to your account? I'm planning on  playing craps for several hours every night, but would prefer not to carry a large amount of cash while travelling. However I've heard that some lines may charge 3-5% over the amount transferred.

Perhaps this was done to deter people from effectively getting free cash advances by buying slot credits and immediately cashing out. Yet if the cruise line expects to earn more from casino play than they'll lose in merchant fees when they charge your card that the end of the sailing, perhaps it remains worthwhile for them to eat that cost. 

I understand the argument from both sides, just not sure what HAL's policy is on this. 

Even more of a longshot, (I assume the answer is probably no) but could you credit chips or slot credits back to your onboard account? Thereby reducing, eliminating, or even getting a credit on your final shipboard charges were you doing particularly well in the casino? I'd similarly prefer to not travel with large amounts of cash after the cruise either. But I am not inclined to pay an additional fee to buy chips, nor intentionally zero out my bankroll to avoid doing so. 

There is no charge to buy chips for play in the casino.   The only issue would be if you were trying to game this system by buying chips only to cash them in immediately.  If you are actively playing  - no fee to charge chips to your room.

 

You can't credit chips or slot winnings to your shipboard account.   The casino will give you cash.  You can then walk to the front desk and apply the cash to your account.