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3% fee in casinos - read & contribute if you JUST got back from a cruise

Merion_Mom

By Merion_Mom,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

Posted
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They are also being deceptive about it, if you ask me.

 

From today's Cruise Compass:

 

"Did You Know - You can use your SeaPass card for up to $2000 a day for gaming purposes only."

 

Now, what does that imply? As long as you are GAMBLING with the money, you can get cash.

 

NO mention of a fee. NO sign at the cashier's window.

 

It would be very easy for them to verify that you are gambling with the money. I play the slots. They could give the money in the form of the paper slips that the Liberty slot machines now spit out.

 

It's not rocket science.

 

Is 3% chump change? Maybe, but it's enough to make ME walk away.

 

I had a "discussion" with the cashier this evening. I showed her the statement in the Cruise Compass, and she agreed that I could, indeed, get cash with my SeaPass. Only AFTER I ASKED did she say that there was a 3% charge to do so.

 

I told her that I definitely wanted the money to gamble, and would not be able to gamble without it. Would she prefer that I not gamble? She basically rolled her eyes and shrugged.

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moakes

moakes

Posted
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According to the cashier in the casino on the Liberty tonight, ALL ships started charging 3% last week to get money in the casino.

 

If you have JUST returned from a cruise that left August 16th or later, please describe your experience here.

 

Is this woman's assertion correct? Is it now truly fleet-wide?

 

:mad: :mad: :mad:

 

We just returned from 8/17 AOS and yes we were charged. I really don't see it as that bad of a fee...There were signs posted all around the cashieres cage.

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jerick

jerick

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Just got off the Mariner of the Seas on Sunday. They did charge the 3% fee in the casino.

 

We avoid the fee by carrying traveler's checks. You can cash them at the purser's desk (or use them for a purchase in many shops in port) with no fee.

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Host Kewlguy

Host Kewlguy

Posted
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We just returned from 8/17 AOS and yes we were charged. I really don't see it as that bad of a fee...There were signs posted all around the cashieres cage.

 

If the majority of passengers agree with you the fee will stay in place. If people refuse to pay the fee and keep their money in their pockets the fee will go away. Since I don't gamble none of this affects me.

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  • 4 weeks later...
redbaroness

redbaroness

Posted
Posted

Just returned from the Monarch and indeed to my surprise there was a 3% fee!

 

There was a small posting by the casino cage that there "might be a small charge", but nothing at the tables where I usually just turn in my card and ask for the money. I asked the attendant in the cage about the fee and was told it was 3%. I think RCI should be much more up front about this and put it at the tables. Since I wasn't prepared for the fee, I didn't bring cash and wasn't willing to pay it, so I just didn't gamble. So sad, too bad RCI. Guarantee you lost money on this one.

 

There was an incentive the first day of the cruise, buy $20 in chips and receive $30. Non-negotiable chips, limit one per passenger, but not 3% fee.

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micruiser2002

micruiser2002

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I hope that some of the other gamblers out there start complaining to RCL. I spoke with a woman from their executive customer service group this week regarding this fee. She said customers should make sure they make a comment about this. Since it is a new policy they are waiting to see the impact. I specifically have an issue with the fact that they are going to charge me 3% to take out the OBC I will have on my seapass. I understand them charging 3% when the transaction will in the end incur a charge on a credit card but not for OBC.

 

I was also a little upset that I sent customer service 3 separate emails about this fee and all 3 times by 3 different reps they said flat out there was no fee to get cash on the seapass card.

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montekat

montekat

Posted
Posted

Just off the Jewel today and yes, there is a 3% fee in the casino to take money out. Our situation was in having a lot of OBC, mainly because of being a stockholder, Crown & Anchor, travel agent OBC, etc. and also because we missed 2 ports due to rough seas and could not tender and were refunded the excursion fees we had booked online. I had read that I would be able to take money out at the Purser's office without the fee, so went there.

 

We wanted to have a small balance rather than worrying about them giving us the credit on the last day. We had to go to the desk twice; the first time they told us we could only get the money in the casino and I'm not paying extra for my own money.

 

The second time, we talked to 5 different people who had a hard time understanding that I only wanted to take out enough to avoid having a credit. The last person finally gave me all the OBC instead of the portion I requested. Not exactly what I asked for, but at least I avoided any hassles on the last day, especially standing in line with a lot of other people when I had other things to do. And, they did not charge the 3%, thank goodness!

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G'ma

G'ma

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Good grief!!!!

 

Does anybody carry and use cash anymore?

 

I'd never consider a cash advance from my credit card for any reason at all. I love the Caribbean Stud table and save at home to acquire my gambling money. Converted into large bills, it take no more room than a passport. I use cash there and cash ashore. I deposit my onboard account with a credit card, but settle in cash at the end of the week.

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PhoenixCruiser

PhoenixCruiser

Posted
Posted
Good grief!!!!

 

Does anybody carry and use cash anymore?

 

I'd never consider a cash advance from my credit card for any reason at all. I love the Caribbean Stud table and save at home to acquire my gambling money. Converted into large bills' date=' it take no more room than a passport. I use cash there and cash ashore. I deposit my onboard account with a credit card, but settle in cash at the end of the week.[/quote']

 

Good grief Grandma!! It was NEVER a cash advance until people abused the system...Sheesh :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :eek:

 

###

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phoenix1181

phoenix1181

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When I'm roaming around and decide I want to play, it was very convenient to get chips instead of going back to the cabin for cash. If I have to pay for that convenience, I'll pass.

 

I also have a lot of OBC some of which was for use in the casino. I had planned to purchase more with my gambling money and then I wouldn't have to carry the cash. That won't be happening now........... I want full value!

 

It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out. Will the casino revenue go down enough to offset the cost of carrying the amount of money needed to be the bank for those who used it that way?

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Lionesss "Live from...." Rare

Lionesss

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I requested and received an itemized statement when we payed our bill off on the Mariner on our August 10th. cruise.

We were gambling in the Casino in the evening, my husband on the tables, and me on the slots. We cashed out of the windows 200 dollars two times on our sea pass.

On our account was the 2 listed transactions for 200 dollars. There was not a 3% fee listed anywhere.

Later

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