Cash from Onboard account in Casino

[eamkkm]

Hi,

 

I read on one of the tips that one can withdraw cash from one's onboard account in the Casino for a 5% surcharge. Has anyone actually done this? We have substantial onboard credits and it would be nice to be able to take some in cash. I am leery of waiting to book shore excursions until we are on board because we are going on a cruise where there are very few to begin with so waiting until the last minute seems like a less good plan.

 

Thanks

[cruisinsusin]

We just did this on our recent Solstice cruise- no problems.

[Phxazzcruisers]

Yes you can. No problem at all

[MicCanberra]

Definately yes.:D

[cruiser87654321]

How is this done and is there a limit to the amount which can be taken this way? Are you paid out in $ or Euros if is a European sailing.

[need2bespoiled]

How is this done and is there a limit to the amount which can be taken this way? Are you paid out in $ or Euros if is a European sailing.

 

 

I believe there is a $2k limit per day (if memory serves me correctly), so hard to hit that unless you are really gambling.

 

I just did it at a table, but could probably do it at the cashiers window as well.

 

Happy Sailing!

[sandyss]

I'm also very interested in the answer to this question.

 

We have a Celebrity $1,000 NR OBC. We are planning to take private tours for most of the ports. The only Celebrity Tour that we would consider is on the second day of the cruise, while still in port in Sydney. In order to make sure that we get on that tour, we would have to book ahead and pay by credit card, instead of using some of our NR OBC. (It is a tour that we can also do on our own before boarding, and one that we really want to take.)

 

We would very much like to cash out any Celebrity NR OBC that we don't spend on board at the 5% cost at the casino.

 

BUT, on another thread, the following was quoted from the Celebrity website.:

 

"OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, will expire if not used by 10PM on the final night of the cruise."

 

Has anyone had success recently in cashing out unused Celebrity NR OBC at the casino?

[J.E.C]

I did this on our solstice cruise in January, we had $600 obc and on the second to last day when tothe casion cashier and withdrew $200 with no problem.

[petersonwith3]

I am not sure but I believe there is a difference between the credit that Celebrity gives you and the credit you get from a travel agent. I heard that TA credit can be obtained in the casino whereas celebrity credit cannot. I am anxious to know since I will be faced with the same problem (large travel agent credit) that I won't be able to use.

[sandyss]

I did this on our solstice cruise in January, we had $600 obc and on the second to last day when tothe casion cashier and withdrew $200 with no problem.

 

Thanks JEC. I will keep my fingers crossed that we can do likewise. My fingers will be sore by January, though.:D

[sandyss]

I am not sure but I believe there is a difference between the credit that Celebrity gives you and the credit you get from a travel agent. I heard that TA credit can be obtained in the casino whereas celebrity credit cannot. I am anxious to know since I will be faced with the same problem (large travel agent credit) that I won't be able to use.

 

TA OBCs are completely refundable. It is only the Celebrity OBCs that are shown as non-refundable - NR OBC.

 

You don't need to cash out your TA's OBC and lose the 5%. It will be credited to the credit card that you have on file.

[cruiser87654321]

TA OBCs are completely refundable. It is only the Celebrity OBCs that are shown as non-refundable - NR OBC.

 

You don't need to cash out your TA's OBC and lose the 5%. It will be credited to the credit card that you have on file.

 

Do you have to ask for the credit or is it just given?

 

And if you have Celeb OBC when you use it do you have to specify it is to come out of that pot?

[Gonzo70]

The answer is that it varies based on the specific OBC you have received. Some OBC comes with a disclaimer that it cannot be used for gratuities or casino.

[sandyss]

The answer is that it varies based on the specific OBC you have received. Some OBC comes with a disclaimer that it cannot be used for gratuities or casino.

 

Is there a way to check ahead of time? We certainly don't want NR OBC left on the table to bolster Celebrity's bottom line.:eek:

 

Do you have to ask for the credit or is it just given?

 

And if you have Celeb OBC when you use it do you have to specify it is to come out of that pot?

 

Our experience has been that charges first come out of the NR OBC. You don't need to ask for a refund of your TA's OBC. It is credited automatically.

 

In the past, we haven't had a problem spending all of the NR OBC:D, but with the $1,000 OBC, we expect to have some leftover.

[Katie H]

There was another thread discussing this. The following has recently been added to the FAQ on the Celebrity site:

 

"Where can I use my onboard credit? Onboard credit received from Celebrity Cruises can be used almost anywhere on board to enhance your vacation—specialty dining reservations, beverage packages, shore excursions, spa services – practically anywhere except the casino."

 

On the other thread, there was a difference of opinion on whether this meant that you could not draw cash out of the casino and have the OBC apply to that charge.

 

 

I just spoke with Captain's Club and was told that this is a change of policy and that you can no longer draw non-refundable OBC from the casino. That would be anything that comes from Celebrity such as OBC for booking while on board or shareholders OBC.

[MicCanberra]

An interesting change to the policy then.:D

[Bobocasey]

How can you tell where the OBC comes from? We have pre paid gratuites and 400 from an on line TA company for an upcoming cruise. How can I tell where it came from?

[MicCanberra]

How can you tell where the OBC comes from? We have pre paid gratuites and 400 from an on line TA company for an upcoming cruise. How can I tell where it came from?

I think you answered your own question. If the TA offered the OBC then I would think it is from the TA.:D

[Katie H]

I think you answered your own question. If the TA offered the OBC then I would think it is from the TA.:D

 

Sometimes when a TA is advertising OBC, it is really from the cruise line and just passing through to the TA. Other times, the TA actually purchases the OBC. I guess you can just ask the TA. Once you are on board, you can go to guest relations and ask which are the non-refundable and which are refundable.

[CPT Trips]

TA OBCs are completely refundable. It is only the Celebrity OBCs that are shown as non-refundable - NR OBC.

 

You don't need to cash out your TA's OBC and lose the 5%. It will be credited to the credit card that you have on file.

 

Do you have to ask for the credit or is it just given?

 

And if you have Celeb OBC when you use it do you have to specify it is to come out of that pot?

 

Just be sure to check your account relatively early in the cruise to make sure the non refundable credits are being used first. The decision which to use is made in the back office, not when you make the charge.

[MicCanberra]

Sometimes when a TA is advertising OBC, it is really from the cruise line and just passing through to the TA. Other times, the TA actually purchases the OBC. I guess you can just ask the TA. Once you are on board, you can go to guest relations and ask which are the non-refundable and which are refundable.

Good point, they do tend to have different codes, but you won't find out until you are onboard anyway.:D

[cruisestitch]

Cash withdrawn at the casino is not considered a refund. It is in the

same category as purchases, spa treatments, etc. that is, it is SPENT, not REFUNDED. Either kind of OBC can be withdrawn at the casino by paying the 5% fee. But only OBC-R will be refunded, for the full amount, to a credit card.

[ghstudio]

Cash withdrawn at the casino is not considered a refund. It is in the

same category as purchases, spa treatments, etc. that is, it is SPENT, not REFUNDED. Either kind of OBC can be withdrawn at the casino by paying the 5% fee. But only OBC-R will be refunded, for the full amount, to a credit card.

 

The current wording (small print) for on board credits given by Celebrity is clear that you can not use that OBC in the casino. Of course, often the wording on the web site has little relation to what's done on board. So yes, you can withdraw from your On Board Account, but if they follow their written policy, the amount you take out at the casino will not be deducted from your Celebrity OBC.

 

If you have $200 Celebrity OBC and $200 OBC from your TA and you take $50 out in the casino, your OBC account will have $200 left from the Celebrity OBC which is non-refundable and it will have$147.50 left from your TA OBC which would be refundable.

 

That is different then if you buy a $50 bottle of wine....where you would have $147.50 left in non-refundable OBC from Celebrity and $200 refundable OBC from your TA.

 

Hope the examples help....but remember that no one seems sure if celebrity policy is really iimplemented. Most of us think that the reality is that there is no difference in your account between buying wine and getting money in the casino