line of credit

[tdtanc]

How does the call ahead cruise credit dealio work? They just get authorization from your credit card company for a line of credit to use in the casino? Do you guys find it better to just bring cash....even up to 5k?

 

TD

[sailor_jimc]

I can't speak for anything more than the Carnival brand lines (Carnival, Princess, HAL etc) But for those you can call the Casino club and arrange a LOC. They take down your bank info and credit info and then they can provide you with cash on the cruise. They claimed there was no charge for it, and you have so much time to settle the balance after the cruise (I think it was 30 days) or you could just pay it by check at the end of the cruise.

 

I was tempted to do it so I didn't have so much cash with me, but after hearing all the personal banking information they wanted I decided against it. Not sure I want all my banking info in someone else's computer. I have a hard enough time giving them my credit card info over the phone (where the phone agent can just write it down.)

[cb at sea]

We always bring cash to gamble with....always! Yes...even larger amounts! Big bills are easier to transport, so don't bring lots of $20's! When it's gone, it's gone. We only bring what we don't mind losing.

[harcin]

We always sail with a credit line. You will need to pre-qualify by filling out a credit application. The application includes your checking account information. The cruise line will run a credit check on you. If you are approved you will be granted credit to draw against at the tables. When you arrive on the ship you will need to leave a blank signed check at the cage. If you owe the casino at the end of your trip you will need to fill out your check in that amount. Just remember when you draw a marker at the table you are actually writing a check to the casino. Land based casinos will typically give you thirty days to pay on a draw in excess of $5000.00. Not so on ships. You agree to settle accounts in full on your last evening.

[barneco]

Have gotten a line of credit on Carnival for past many years. Have either written them a check at the end of the cruise or had them send how much I owe after the cruise (generally takes them a couple of weeks to send the bill).

 

Barry

[tdtanc]

Thanks. Sounds easy enough but I think I am leaning towards cash. Probably 5k. They have an ATM on the boat I assume and you can draw money from your room card, which is connected to your credit card for everything else I believe.

 

TD

[esuer]

I've used the line of credit a few times on NCL and RCCL and also at a few land based casinos. The first day I gave them a blank check. Each time I wanted cash I just went to the casino cage and asked for an advance. The last night I went to the cage and filled out the check for the amount that I had drawn during the cruise. No fees, no problems. If you decide to take cash from the casino and have it put on your room card you will be able to do so (up to $2,000/day) but you will have to pay a 3% fee. So on $2000 that will be $60!!! Also, you can use the ATM but there will be around a $5-$6 service fee for each transaction (plus my bank charges a $3 foreign ATM fee for each withdrawal not made from their ATMs.) I know I'm putting my bank info out there, but I would hope that the cruise lines would be discreet. I guess no fees is the risk I take for not carrying $5,000. By the way, I was recently told by RCCL Casino Royale Rep that I would be able to draw the $2,000 a day on my next cruise without a fee because they had invited me into their Casino Royale Players Club. That's one of their perks...no fees.

[AndyTheK]

Princess no longer (as of fall 2010) charges the 3% fee to draw cash on your cruise card. The tables had signs indicating this policy.