ATM and Casino

[jeno]

Is there an ATM on the Marina? I would rather not carry a lot of US cash (for casino) during our per cruise week in Italy.

Also, does anyone know the minimum table bets for Blackjack?

Thanks!

[sitraveler]

no ATM, money is available at reception-either US or Euros. There is a 5% service fee and a non-competitive exchange rate for Euros. Blackjack minimums change during the day, a $5.00 minimum is offered during the day.

[jeno]

Wow! Glad I asked! I will have to take it with me I guess. Not paying the 5%. BUT, if I'm lucky, all I'll have to take is the first $5 and from then on play with winnings! :)

[jeno]

One more question. Does anyone think I could cash US Travelers Checks at the casino without paying the 5%?

[Love.II.Cruise]

Can you charge your cruise card at the casino without a fee? I know of one cruise line doesn't charge a fee at the casino, but not sure about Oceania.

[JimandStan]

Travellers cheques may be cashed without a fee at the front desk or in the Casino, but if you do it in the Casino, they want you to play.

 

Passengers may get an advance against their onboard account, or "charging it to their cruise card", in the Casino, but again, they expect you to play with that money.

[jeno]

Thanks, no problem. I'm getting the money to play in the casino. If I have a lot left I will use it to pay off some of our account.

Thanks!

[JimandStan]

Thanks, no problem. I'm getting the money to play in the casino. If I have a lot left I will use it to pay off some of our account.

Thanks!

 

I appreciate what you're saying, but if I don't phrase my answers the way that I did, I'm likely to see myself quoted tomorrow, under the heading, "Ways to get cash off the ship w/o paying fees" :o

As my sainted mother used to say, "It's People like that who ruin things for everyone"....

[jeno]

I know what you mean, but other than gambling I use very little US cash on a ship. Maybe a few $ for room service tips or something like that. In ports I will get local currency in ATMs. It seems like an ATM would encourage more money spent in the casino. On princess the ATM fee is a flat $10 or $12, but I get free ATM fees so its no problem. Thanks for the info.

If you get the advance in the casino on your cruise card to play, does that have the 5% fee? That would be easier, I guess.

Thanks!

[Love.II.Cruise]

Travellers cheques may be cashed without a fee at the front desk or in the Casino, but if you do it in the Casino, they want you to play.

 

Passengers may get an advance against their onboard account, or "charging it to their cruise card", in the Casino, but again, they expect you to play with that money.

 

I just hope there is no charge. We like to gamble every couple of days, but if I get charged a fee then I want to make sure I'm bringing cash. I'm not going to gamble with a 5% service charge on my account if that is how it works.

[jeno]

I just hope there is no charge. We like to gamble every couple of days, but if I get charged a fee then I want to make sure I'm bringing cash. I'm not going to gamble with a 5% service charge on my account if that is how it works.

That's how I feel, so I am checking it out ahead so there are no surprises.

Using travelers checks isn't the best, but better than the 5%. I'm pretty sure I can get them free.

[LHT28]

I am not positive but I think you can only cash travellers cheques at reception to pay your account

I would check with someone before I go to all that trouble

 

I usually just take cash but then I am not a big gambler ;)

 

Use a money belt prior to embarkation or the hotel safe if you are staying pre cruise

 

Lyn

Edited October 10, 2012 by LHT28

[JimandStan]

I am not positive but I think you can only cash travellers cheques at reception to pay your account

I would check with someone before I go to all that trouble

 

That is definitely incorrect.

I'm 100% sure that the Front Desk will cash Passengers Traveler's Checks for any reason and without a fee.

Stan IS a big gambler, but on the frugal side, fee wise; so I can be positive. ;)

Edited October 10, 2012 by JimandStan

[LHT28]

That is definitely incorrect.

I'm 100% sure that the Front Desk will cash Passengers Traveler's Checks for any reason and without a fee.

Stan IS a big gambler, but on the frugal side, fee wise; so I can be positive. ;)

I did say I was not positive

I did see someone on our last cruise wanting to cash TC & reception said they would take them to pay the account but not give cash

 

It may be another of those rules that have different interpretations depending on who you talk to

:rolleyes:

 

Lyn

[jeno]

Sorry to keep bringing this up.

Our bank is now Wells Fargo and I no longer get free Travelers Checks. They charge 3% plus $8 delivery and I don't like that either. Now I don't know what to do.

If I get money from the front desk for the 5% fee, is it charged against our account? Is it a debit? Does it just appear on our statement at the end of the cruise as a charge (or purchase)? At least if I get it at the front desk I will only get what I need as I need it. Due to the fact this is for casino use, do I still pay the 5% if I put it on my shipboard account in the casino?

I feel pretty dense that I can't seem to understand this. Sure wish there was an ATM!

[LHT28]

Not sure how much you plan on spending but maybe just take some larger bills in a money belt

keep it on you under your clothes until you can get on the ship

I know they will change $100 bills in the casino (I have done it)

 

When we went to Europe I had several different currencies & just kept them in my money belt or the hotel safe before we boarded the ship

I have done this on several trip without any problems

 

Just depends on your comfort level...

[bigmjh]

Just take the cash ... unless you are talking about more than $10,000. :eek: In which case why would you be worrying about the fees.

[jeno]

We are in Italy for a week before the cruise and Rio a few days after. I really carry a lot in my pouch already. Was trying to find another option, but guess that's the best.

[LHT28]

We are in Italy for a week before the cruise and Rio a few days after. I really carry a lot in my pouch already. Was trying to find another option, but guess that's the best.

If you do not do this already

Get a 2nd pouch & both of you wear one ...split the cash

 

The only other option is to pay the fee either for TC or on the ship the 5% fee

even if they had an ATM there would be a fee to withdraw the cash

 

Can you just go to a bank & get TC or do you have to order them??

Not sure how it works in the USA

We can just walk in to any bank & get them you pay a fee

 

It is the old saying ..."pay me now or pay me later" ...either way you pay some fee ;)

 

Enjoy the cruise

[jeno]

I'm still wondering about if I get the money from the front desk for the 5% fee, does it get charged to my shipboard account? Does it appear on our shipboard statement as a charge and then is charged to our credit card at the end of the cruise? Has anyone done it? Thanks

[JimandStan]

I'm still wondering about if I get the money from the front desk for the 5% fee, does it get charged to my shipboard account? Does it appear on our shipboard statement as a charge and then is charged to our credit card at the end of the cruise? Has anyone done it? Thanks

 

Yes to ALL of your questions. :D

[kiawahdon]

Will this work as an alternative to carrying cash on board for the casino:

Call O and tell them you want x dollars available in the casino and then give them a CC number to charge to make this happen?. I know several lines will do this, but don't know if O is as accommodating.

[jeffreys1]

Century Casinos operates the casino on each of the Oceania ships. They will allow you to wire them "front money" in advance of the cruise which is then available to you use in the ship casino. There is no charge for this service and you can avoid carrying the cash with you as you travel and the fee for getting cash on board to us in the casino.

 

Below is an excerpt from an email I was sent by Century Casinos explaining it.

 

Before your cruise departs you would wire the front money amount you requested to Century Casinos. Front money wired is primarily to be used in the casino. The account information for the transfer will be sent to you after approval of your application by the Vice President of Cruise Operations at Century Casinos.

Once the funds are received the ship accountant will notify the casino manager of the amount you have available to you during your cruise. Once on your cruise you can take from or add to your front money account at any time through the casino. For example, you withdraw $1,000 to play and you win $500, you can keep that cash or put the $1,500 back in your front money account to use later.

At the end of your cruise you will settle your front money account with the casino manager. If there is money over the original deposit the difference will be paid in cash through the casino. For example, you have sent us $10,000 and now have a balance of $12,000; $2,000 will be paid in cash through the casino and $10,000 sent back to your account electronically by the ship accountant.

If there is less money than the original deposit the remaining balance will be sent back electronically by the ship accountant. For example, you have sent us $10,000 and now have a balance of $4,000; $4,000 will be sent back to your account electronically.

[Ka Honu]

Why couldn't you purchase (or have someone "gift" you) shipboard credits (no fee as a Bon Voyage gift) before sailing and withdraw them in cash as necessary?

[oceanbill457]

Jeno

There is an ATM in the casino.