Holland America Can You No Longer Use Ship On board Credit for Casino and get cash?

[Longwood50]

I am on a Holland America cruise and have about $2900 in on board credits. More than what I will possibly use for dining or shore excursions.

 

I have read where people said you could go to casino use the credits to gamble then cash in. 

 

My Navigator account says non refundable and can not be used in casino

 

Has anyone been on a recent HAL cruise or is this just a scare to keep people from going into the casino with onboard credits.

 

I am a cynic and have learned to ask and verify. 

 

Thank You

[kazu]

Sounds like you have credit from CCL or HAL.  That is non refundable and not to be used in the casino.  That had always been the rule but for a few years, HAL’s computer system had not caught up to the rules and people were able to use their OBC in the casino.

 

Sadly, HAL has now caught up and the rules are enforced.  If you use non refundable credit, it will be charged to your on board account defeating he entire purpose.

 

If you have on board credit from another source (you purchased or in most cases, gifted by a TA) that is refundable, it can be used in the casino.  Only the non refundable cannot.

[kluv2cruz]

On 2/18/2023 at 9:29 PM, Longwood50 said:

I am on a Holland America cruise and have about $2900 in on board credits. More than what I will possibly use for dining or shore excursions.

 

I have read where people said you could go to casino use the credits to gamble then cash in. 

 

My Navigator account says non refundable and can not be used in casino

 

Has anyone been on a recent HAL cruise or is this just a scare to keep people from going into the casino with onboard credits.

 

I am a cynic and have learned to ask and verify. 

 

Thank You

What did you end up doing? That’s a lot of OBC! Was it all non refundable?

[greatestvalue]

On 2/19/2023 at 2:57 AM, kazu said:

If you have on board credit from another source (you purchased

This type of OBC is also refunded to your credit card if you do not use it all by the end of the cruise, correct?  & Thank you!

[richwmn]

19 minutes ago, greatestvalue said:

This type of OBC is also refunded to your credit card if you do not use it all by the end of the cruise, correct?  & Thank you!

yes, it will be refunded to your card on file, or you can receive it in cash on the final night of the cruise.

 

[CruiserBruce]

31 minutes ago, greatestvalue said:

This type of OBC is also refunded to your credit card if you do not use it all by the end of the cruise, correct?  & Thank you!

If its your money, it can be refunded. If it's HAL's money, it won't be refunded.

 

On our Zaandam cruise last month, looking at our account on the Navigator app, funds were clearly identified as "Refundable" or "Not Refundable".

[POA1]

,,

42 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

If its your money, it can be refunded. If it's HAL's money, it won't be refunded.

That is pretty much it.

 

We bought OBC so we could (totally win and definitely not) gamble on our upcoming cruise. That's fully refundable and can be used in the Casino.

 

If we had Covid cancel, customer service, or refare OBC, we can't use it in the casino. FWIW, if you turned non-paid OBC into cash, it's taxable income.

[SFO Peter]

On 10/26/2023 at 7:19 PM, POA1 said:

,,

That is pretty much it.

 

We bought OBC so we could (totally win and definitely not) gamble on our upcoming cruise. That's fully refundable and can be used in the Casino.

 

If we had Covid cancel, customer service, or refare OBC, we can't use it in the casino. FWIW, if you turned non-paid OBC into cash, it's taxable income.

=====

I miss not being able to purchase Casino Chips before getting on board.   Money was used to give extra gifts to staff and do some gambling among other things.  Don't really want to start travel with a stash in my pocket.   Can you transfer >>purchased<<  OBC to Casino then get cash without a fee?

Peter

[kazu]

38 minutes ago, SFO Peter said:

=====

I miss not being able to purchase Casino Chips before getting on board.   Money was used to give extra gifts to staff and do some gambling among other things.  Don't really want to start travel with a stash in my pocket.   Can you transfer >>purchased<<  OBC to Casino then get cash without a fee?

Peter

 

The last time I looked, Peter you could still buy casino chips ahead of time.

 

If you buy OBC - it is redeemable and yes you can use it in the casino.  Go to the slots bet it and cash out X # of dollars that you want.  I believe you can also use your OBC for casino chip purchases too.

The above is only for redeemable OBC of course - not non redeemable (usually given by HAL).

 

edited to say - if you have a credit balance on your account - you can request cash fro it from the front desk rather than having it credited to your card on file.  there is no charge for that.  I believe it can be done on the last night which will also give you cash for tips.

[SFO Peter]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

The last time I looked, Peter you could still buy casino chips ahead of time.

 

If you buy OBC - it is redeemable and yes you can use it in the casino.  Go to the slots bet it and cash out X # of dollars that you want.  I believe you can also use your OBC for casino chip purchases too.

The above is only for redeemable OBC of course - not non redeemable (usually given by HAL).

 

edited to say - if you have a credit balance on your account - you can request cash fro it from the front desk rather than having it credited to your card on file.  there is no charge for that.  I believe it can be done on the last night which will also give you cash for tips.

===

Jacqui thanks for the reply.  When I get past the hiccups of the HAL website the Casino Chips buy option is not there anymore.  Someone else said it was removed.   I will try buying refundable OBC and transfer money I need to Casino machine then cash out.

Peter

[kazu]

30 minutes ago, SFO Peter said:

===

Jacqui thanks for the reply.  When I get past the hiccups of the HAL website the Casino Chips buy option is not there anymore.  Someone else said it was removed.   I will try buying refundable OBC and transfer money I need to Casino machine then cash out.

Peter

 

Oops sorry, Peter.  the option was there when I was buying stuff for my October cruise.  that’s a bummer.

 

slots should work.  Just play a bit and then take out so much and so much later and you should be fine.  It worked for me in the past.

[POA1]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

The last time I looked, Peter you could still buy casino chips ahead of time.

They removed casino chips from the pre sailing shopping items on the 10th. It still there for a few days but not working. You could add chips to your cart but they disappeared before check out. It was really annoying. Now they're simply no longer available.

 

It's a real shame because the HAL website is normally flawless. A true joy to use. 🤪

[Sea42]

1 hour ago, POA1 said:

It's a real shame because the HAL website is normally flawless. A true joy to use.

Hilarious!😂