Buying OBC to use for Cash at Ports

[Bristol5]

I know there is a lot of discussion around cashing OBC, but I am still not sure I understand the procedure. Am I correct that the only way to get cash from prepurchased OBC prior to the last day is through the Casino at a 5% surcharge . I want to take advantage of points gained through the RCL Visa card and use the cash for our ports and gambling thereby not having to take cash on board. Is this possible?

[Clarea]

I know there is a lot of discussion around cashing OBC, but I am still not sure I understand the procedure. Am I correct that the only way to get cash from prepurchased OBC prior to the last day is through the Casino at a 5% surcharge . I want to take advantage of points gained through the RCL Visa card and use the cash for our ports and gambling thereby not having to take cash on board. Is this possible?

If your onboard account is secured by a credit card, then you would pay 5% when you get cash at the casino. If you have a cash type onboard account, then there is no fee to get cash at the casino.

[39august]

Most likely Guest Services will NOT give you cash until the last day of your cruise. Some of that OBC will go toward your automatic daily gratuities. Every charge on your account will go against your total OBC until it is used up or until you cash out whatever is left over. So, if you want it for ports, you will have to pay the casino 5% for each withdrawal.

[Bristol5]

Thank you both, for this clarification. That is what I thought, but just wanted to be sure.

[moopetguy]

Some ships aren't giving out cash at the casino cashier wicket. You might only be able to get slot machine vouchers (in denominations you specify) or chips for table games. In that case you can insert the slot machine vouchers into a machine and immediately cash out for the full amount. That prints a cashable voucher (that reads, "cashable voucher").

 

The casino cashiers may catch onto what you're doing but I don't know if they care or if there is anything they can do to stop you.

 

A "cash" onboard account with no linked credit card means no 5% fee (which is presumably to cover the merchant fees to be paid by RCI for a credit card transaction). I've read from others on this forum that you can start with a cash account and add a credit card towards the end of your cruise and they don't go back and assess that 5% fee on previous casino withdrawals (but they probably have the right to do so).

[cb at sea]

Just bring the cash you need...so much simpler and easier! There's a safe in the cabin to store it, so you don't need to carry it around with you.

 

You do NOT want to pay to access your own money! That simply makes no sense at all.