Casino Help for Cruise Rookie

[Maeves Nana]

I play often in Las Vegas but wonder how things work at the casino onboard.  I didn't think cash was used in the machines.  If this is correct then do I use my cruise card in the machine and it charges my account for specific amounts?   Do I need to leave a cash deposit at customer service ahead of time?  If cash is allowed, how can I get more as I run out?  Do you get a players card like on land based casinos?  Your guidance is appreciated.  

[dznymom]

The machines take cash.

[Beamafar]

If you've registered a credit card for onboard expenses then you can credit the machines from your onboard account.

[Maeves Nana]

So I am basically charging my casino fund?  That sounds great.  Less cash to carry.  How do they track your play?  Is there a Players Club you register at?

[Beamafar]

You register your cruisecard in one of the machines then keep it inserted when you're playing.  You get points for play.  If you get 1200 on a 7 night cruise you get a 30% discount voucher off a future cruise.  You have to sail within 9 months of issue.  If you get 9999 points you get a free cruise.

[Cruzlover7]

Meaves Nana, you'll want to remember to be sure to load any money back onto your card before leaving a machine. You'll set up your players card with a pin and can get funds from your credit card to play with. The charges are shown as entertainment (Carnival) not as cash, which helps save on high interest charges if you don't pay off the balance right away.

 

[Beamafar]

You don't load money back onto your card - you cash out and the machine prints a voucher which you can either use in another machine or bring it to the cashier to exchange for cash.

[Maeves Nana]

Can the 30% off be applied to a cruise already booked?  We have another cruise on Seaside just 7 months after this one. Booked through an online agency.

[Beamafar]

I believe it has to be for a new booking.

[EngIceDave]

If you think about it, this is a way to get cash (USD in US/EUR in Eur) without the ATM fees.

 

Register a CC to room key, go to casino, put key in, download say $100 from your "room key" and then cash out at window, receiving cash

 

I have done it on several cruise lines....you avoid the crazy high ATM fees you can sometimes run into

[Cruzlover7]

On 7/6/2019 at 5:19 PM, Beamafar said:

You don't load money back onto your card - you cash out and the machine prints a voucher which you can either use in another machine or bring it to the cashier to exchange for cash.

On Carnival you cash out to your account. 

[Beamafar]

14 hours ago, Cruzlover7 said:

On Carnival you cash out to your account. 

 

Probably to prevent people from using the machines as ATMs.

[Cruzlover7]

42 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

Probably to prevent people from using the machines as ATMs.

I actually like it that way better. You don't have to stand in line at the cashier cage until the very last day to cash out any remaining funds.

[Mike C]

8 hours ago, Cruzlover7 said:

I actually like it that way better. You don't have to stand in line at the cashier cage until the very last day to cash out any remaining funds.

You still have to cash out your card balance at the end of the cruise at the casino cashier on Carnival.  When you download money from a slot machine onto your card, it stays there, it doesn't go to your account.  You can withdraw accumulated money from your card at anytime.

 

Mike

[Cruzlover7]

1 hour ago, Mike C said:

You still have to cash out your card balance at the end of the cruise at the casino cashier on Carnival.  When you download money from a slot machine onto your card, it stays there, it doesn't go to your account.  You can withdraw accumulated money from your card at anytime.

 

Mike

Yes, you are correct Mike, I stand corrected that the funds remain on your card.  As I stated above, I only have to go to cashier at the end of the cruise to get any money left.  Unfortunately, there typically isn’t any left to cash out.