Went and Got My Own Answer! Casino 3%

[vtoria98]

This can be resolved by going to the purser's desk.

No charge there to take out OBC.

 

Why do they charge you at the Casino? Because any seapass that is used in the casino for getting cash/chips gets charged the 3%.

 

It really doesn't matter how many e-mails you have....the ship management will have the final say...and quite frankly why are we going to hassle these people at the casino when they are just doing their job and we can get cash for our obc from the purser.

 

This is exactly the answer I was looking for. We have about 700 in OBC getting on the ship and I wanted to take some of it for casino use, now I know I will just go to the pursers desk and grab it instead of getting it at the casino.

 

Thank you

[micruiser2002]

I posted to make a point that the customer service is obviously out of touch with what is truly new policy. No where did I say I planned to use these letters to try to avoid the fee. Nor did I say anything about hassling the people who work in the casino. Please read thoroughly before making assumptions. I was just stating my recent experience on this.

 

The executive offices said sorry this is the policy across the board. But they did say this is a new policy and they are waiting to see what the response to this is. So I really wish everyone who truly used to get cash to use specifically to gamble would call and complain. My other issue is I am a ClubRoyale member and you would think that at least they would waive the fee for those of us that they know gamble quite a bit on their ships.

[land lover]

I posted to make a point that the customer service is obviously out of touch with what is truly new policy. No where did I say I planned to use these letters to try to avoid the fee. Nor did I say anything about hassling the people who work in the casino. Please read thoroughly before making assumptions. I was just stating my recent experience on this.

 

The executive offices said sorry this is the policy across the board. But they did say this is a new policy and they are waiting to see what the response to this is. So I really wish everyone who truly used to get cash to use specifically to gamble would call and complain. My other issue is I am a ClubRoyale member and you would think that at least they would waive the fee for those of us that they know gamble quite a bit on their ships.

 

Sorry I did not pick up the reasoning for your post. But, I guess I just don't understand why this is such a big issue, I would like to know what other cruise lines don't charge a fee, Princess charges 3%? Truly it is a cash advance.

[land lover]

OP..........Off topic...but can you explain to me how the ClubRoyal membership works? Is it available on all ships? Is it just for slots?

[pmshirl]

OP..........Off topic...but can you explain to me how the ClubRoyal membership works? Is it available on all ships? Is it just for slots?

 

It is for any type of gambling!

To become a member you must qualify.

 

To qualify: Play at least 2 hrs per day with min bets:

Blackjack/Dice $50.00 per hand / roll

Caribbean Stud/Let it Ride/Three card Poker/Roulette $25.00 per hand

Slots $5.00 per spin

 

You can earn discounts or OBC towards your next cruise depending on your play! I have earned as much as $1475.00 in OBC ( for just one cruise) from being a VIP Casino Royal Player. They seem to be skimping on what they claim you earned, on my last few cruise's. I play the same whenever I cruise, but my OBC seems to be less and less!:confused:

 

Hope this answers your ?

[land lover]

It is for any type of gambling!

To become a member you must qualify.

 

To qualify: Play at least 2 hrs per day with min bets:

Blackjack/Dice $50.00 per hand / roll

Caribbean Stud/Let it Ride/Three card Poker/Roulette $25.00 per hand

Slots $5.00 per spin

 

You can earn discounts or OBC towards your next cruise depending on your play! I have earned as much as $1475.00 in OBCwow ( for just one cruise) from being a VIP Casino Royal Player. They seem to be skimping on what they claim you earned, on my last few cruise's. I play the same whenever I cruise, but my OBC seems to be less and less!:confused:

 

Hope this answers your ?

 

Yes, for starters..... But I have some more. How does the casino record your time and how do they know you are playing the min bets?

[seasearider]

I have 3 emails from different customer service reps all saying no surcharge on the seapass. I also have an email from a ClubRoyale representative and she said all cash withdrawals on the seapass will incur a 3% fee even if I have obc. So I then went higher up and was contacted by the executive offices. They also said yes there would be a fee even with obc. That is really my primary issue, why should I pay 3% to get my obc out? They are not going to incur any charges from the cc companies if there is not a transaction on my card, so why are they charging me. I did tell them that 3 different customer service reps responded incorrectly and they were going to fix it. That was 2 weeks ago.

 

Get you cash at the pursers desk, you will not incur the charge.

 

Oops, already answered.

[seasearider]

I was on the Explorer in July and used my Seapass to get cash for the slots. I was not charged the 3% fee. Last year I used my Seapass also to get cash for the casino and the cashier ask me what I was going to use the cash for.

 

This is something recent. On our last 2 cruises on EXplorerin Aug and Sept, the 3% fee applied if you got cash in the casino even with a healthy obc.

[pmshirl]

Yes, for starters..... But I have some more. How does the casino record your time and how do they know you are playing the min bets?

 

For slot play , most ships have a monitor where u insert ur seapass card to earn casino action. If not then you have to get a Casino host and they monitor your play. Tables , the pit boss records your play!

[land lover]

For slot play , most ships have a monitor where u insert ur seapass card to earn casino action. If not then you have to get a Casino host and they monitor your play. Tables , the pit boss records your play!

 

So I am guessing "they" observe your play and then invite you to become a member?

Well, I'll never get asked:D

[honeywell]

So I am guessing "they" observe your play and then invite you to become a member?

Well, I'll never get asked:D

 

Just like Las Vegas - they track your play electronically if a slot/video poker player and the pit boss tracks your play at the tables.

[tocanada]

We have about 700 in OBC getting on the ship and I wanted to take some of it for casino use, now I know I will just go to the pursers desk and grab it instead of getting it at the casino.

 

I have just got off the Serenade and they introduced the 3% fee about 4 weeks ago. I had OBC and wanted to withdraw some for gratuities and gambling and was told I had to pay the 3%. I went to the Purser's desk and was told that I could not withdraw cash from them. Any credit remaining on my seapass account would be credited back to my credit card (Amex charge 2.5%).

andrew

[NorbertsNiece]

Just off Independence.

Minimum $20 withdrawal allowed without charge on SeaPass in Casino. Cashier said that a charge would eventually be introduced in line with the rest of the fleet but they hadn't got the infrastructure set up yet......

[doris1930]

Andrew,

AMEX charges you 2.5% when your obc credit is credited back??? Am I reading that wrong?

[tocanada]

Andrew,

AMEX charges you 2.5% when your obc credit is credited back??? Am I reading that wrong?

I am sorry, I should have clarified this. The OBC is in US$. I am from Canada with a Canadian Currency credit card. Any foreign currency transaction is charged 2.5%.

What really upset me about this 3% fee is that this was the first time I have been charged on any RCCL ship (and I have done 15 cruises) and I could find no mention about this on their website, in my cruise contract, in the Daily Cruise Compass or even any notice in the Casino. The first time you learn about it is when you ask for cash at the Casino and you are then told that there is a 3% charge. The employees were not able to give me any information as to the reason for this charge other than to say it is company policy and that the charge was introduced about 4 weeks ago. I asked the Hotel Director about it and he really did not know much more about it.

andrew

[Jeka]

I have just got off the Serenade and they introduced the 3% fee about 4 weeks ago. I had OBC and wanted to withdraw some for gratuities and gambling and was told I had to pay the 3%. I went to the Purser's desk and was told that I could not withdraw cash from them. Any credit remaining on my seapass account would be credited back to my credit card (Amex charge 2.5%).

andrew

 

I'm assuming this was prior to the last day. Also, could this be beause you are Canadian. Last month on the Explorer we were told we had to take remaining obc in cash on 2 different cruises.

[doris1930]

I have 6 RCCL cruises coming up and I refuse to pay 3% to get my own money to possibly (probably) lose back to the Casino.

 

As a matter fact, now, I won't gamble in the Casino at all.

[land lover]

I am sorry, I should have clarified this. The OBC is in US$. I am from Canada with a Canadian Currency credit card. Any foreign currency transaction is charged 2.5%.

What really upset me about this 3% fee is that this was the first time I have been charged on any RCCL ship (and I have done 15 cruises) and I could find no mention about this on their website, in my cruise contract, in the Daily Cruise Compass or even any notice in the Casino. The first time you learn about it is when you ask for cash at the Casino and you are then told that there is a 3% charge. The employees were not able to give me any information as to the reason for this charge other than to say it is company policy and that the charge was introduced about 4 weeks ago. I asked the Hotel Director about it and he really did not know much more about it.

andrew

 

Well, that does not seem right, What if you had not given them your credit card? I am Amercian, but that is what I am planing to do next week when I board the NOTS since I have almost 1000 OBC...and have pre-paid almost 1000. for excusions, speciality resturants etc.......I don't want several hundred to go back on my card, i'll lose reward points.

[dougp26364]

Ok, so I wrote to C & A.

 

Here is the question I asked:

 

If I sit down at one of the tables in the Casino, and ask for $300.00 in chips, and use my sign and sail card, will you charge me a service fee of 3%.

 

A clear and simple question.

 

Here is my answer (cut and paste) from the e-mail reply.

 

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response.

 

"Guests may purchase chips or slot tokens with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Diners Club credit card from the casino cashier. The maximum amount depends on the cardholders credit limitations. A 3% charge is added to those using a credit card, not SeaPass."

 

I have copied the e-mail and will bring it with me...We shall see!

 

 

So if you pay with cash at the end of your cruise, you might not have to pay the 3% charge. Otherwise you're paying with a credit card.

 

Of course my bet is you'll have to do some amount of arguing to get that 3% charge backed off if you pay with cash. My bet is the charge is set up to be automatic as most people will be paying for their Seapass account with credit.

[NoelsCat]

Just curious -- so I asked the same question of C&A. Here is the response I got:

 

Dear Ms. White:

 

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response.

 

Guests may purchase chips or slot tokens with a Visa, MasterCard, American

Express, Discover or Diners Club credit card from the casino cashier. The

maximum amount depends on the cardholders credit limitations. A 3% charge is

added to those using a credit card (not SeaPass).

 

Ms. White, thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Webster

Customer Service Representative

[doris1930]

I got the same answer from Lisa Webster, two different times.

[micruiser2002]

And as I posted above I have gotten the same answer from 3 separate customer service employees. That information is not correct. I talked on the phone to someone in the executive offices and they are charging on the seapass. I also have 2 emails from the Club Royale confirming the same thing.

 

It is pretty sad that they are still giving out incorrect information.

[keep on cruisin]

same response. Also from Lisa Webster

 

 

The fact is if you get charged to your sea pass account, and they charge you the 3% you could dispute it with the credit card company. They have stated in writing that you would only be charged if you used the credit card when taking out the money. Not a charge against your sea pass.

 

Here is the response and the original question.

 

Dear Mr. Read:

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response.

Guests may purchase chips or slot tokens with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Diners Club credit card from the casino cashier. The maximum amount depends on the cardholders credit limitations. A 3% charge is added to those using a credit card (not SeaPass).

Mr. Read, thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

Sincerely,

Lisa Webster

Customer Service Representative

[THREAD ID:1-6LTGQM]

-----Original Message-----

From: readdmr@comcast.net

Sent: 10/2/2008 09:52:56 PM

To: <crownandanchor@rccl.com>

Subject: Casino question

Hello,

I have read reports that a request for cash in the casino is going to be charged a 3% fee. Is this charge imposed if the cash is requested at a gaming table as well, and is it only if I ask for it using a credit card.

I would probably request it be charged against my Seapass card. Would this encounter a fee as well. I am just trying to decide how much cash I need to bring and also maintain in my cabin.

If the policy varies by ship, I will be sailing on Freedom of the seas, October 12th- October 19th 2008.

Thank you,

David

[mousemom11]

What if I brought travelers checks? Would they honor those for chips?

[massfriends]

And as I posted above I have gotten the same answer from 3 separate customer service employees. That information is not correct. I talked on the phone to someone in the executive offices and they are charging on the seapass. I also have 2 emails from the Club Royale confirming the same thing.

 

It is pretty sad that they are still giving out incorrect information.

 

I agree with you 100%.

 

On Mariner they are indeed charging the 3% for a request of cash from the casino using a Seapass. I have always gotten cash the same way....walk up to the casino window and hand them your Seapass and asked for X amount of $$'s.

 

Two weeks ago I did exactly the same thing and asked for $200, the receipt you have to sign has the $200 listed as Entertainment and another entry for $6.00 listed as Convenience Fee. Grand total: $206.....

My Guest Folio Summary, lists it as Casino Cashier $206.....added to my final Seapass acct. for one grand total for the entire cruise billed to my RC visa crcd.

 

There is a stand up placard on the counter at the Casino Cashiers window. It very clearly states that there is a 3% charge.

 

I have know idea who CSR Linda Webster is that responded to other's e-mails but, I suggest they might want to e-mail the dept. that is implementing the Convenience Fee. ClubRoyale at rccl.com