On my RCL cruises they always let me charge my Casino chips to my sea pass card without additional charges. But I believe I read somewhere that Carnival will do this but charges three percent. Can anyone verify this or correct me.

Yes, the casino charges 3% service charge for all Sail and Sign chip, coin, and credit purchases.

Cruise Fanatic is correct. They charge 3%. What I do is get traveller's checks (so I don' have to bring a lot of cash). The casino cashier will cash the checks for free (so will the purser's desk). Any unused checks can be taken to the purser's desk and applied to your sign and sail account.

OR you can just deal with the 3% charge, but I figure the casino already has the best of it, I'm not giving up another 3% for the convenience of getting money from my sign and sail account.

Penny can probably answer since she plays more slots (video poker) and I don't play slots, but I think you can use your Sign and Sail card in the slot machines and charge cash that way, but I don't know if they still charge you the 3% that way.

Jim, I couldn't remember if they charge the 3% when using the card in the machines or not. I save my Sail & Sign statement and tickets. I just went through them for last year and I had one charge for the casino for $20.60 and not a ticket for it. So I guess I used the card in a machine and they did charge 3%. I bring traveler's checks too for my gambling money. I normally don't ever charge any. I learned my lesson doing that once. I must have stopped by the casino on the way from dinner and didn't have any money on me.

I have already filled out my OceanPlayer's info online for my upcoming cruise. I'm glad this was posted because I forgot to email the host.

Dwayne

I do believe they did charge the 3% on the card. I didn't get anything on the room, but did use my card a couple of times. Be sure, if you play slots or video poker, to put your card in the machines. It gives you points for playing. I think it was 2,000 points and you got $10.00 back. (It might have been more points than 2,000, I can't remember. I didn't get money back very often.)

Anytime you get a cash advance on your sign/sail card, whether at machine or tables, there is a 3% fee added for the amount. However, if you win, you can put your winnings on the card and play from that without ever having a 3% fee. Also, for each 1000 points, you get a $10 credit on your card. The card points are only within the casino and will not transfer to your sign/sail account. you have to manually cash out at the end of cruise.

They used to let you roll the points over to your next cruise. They don't do that anymore. I guess I'd better get used to having a bungee cord attached to me, I don't want to lose any more cards in the machines. I lost two on one cruise one time.

Dwayne

Just got back from the Ecstasy. You do NOT get charged 3% if you use your card in a slot machine. You can add money to the machine or you can cash out and put it on your card. Also,you get $10.00 for every 1000 points,but you must have your card in the machines when playing. If you want cash,use your card to add money to a machine and then cash out the machine in coins and exchange the coins for dollars at the cage.
Mike

Good idea Mike. Thanks

Mike, I sure was thinking the machines charged 3% too. I have done that about the change as well. I try to avoid charging any play money on my card. I sure am not taking as much money this time and will be on strict daily limits. I have been down $200 the first night before. Those days of me having extra money are long gone. I did win it all back later in the cruise.

Dwayne

I know first hand that they used to charge 3% whenever you transferred money from sign and sail to your casino account, whether it is on the machine or tables. Instead of physically cashing out, you can put your winnings (or whatever slot balance you have) on your card for future use in the casino, but it will not automatically transfer to your sail and sign. Unless they have changed the policy, you still have to "close-out" your casino account before the end of the cruise. The sign and sail card is only linked to your casino account when you want to get an advance from s&s card to gamble with. Even though it is 3%, I still like the option because the entire sign and sail bill shows up under "travel" on Amex summaries.

When they first rolled out the program, they did wave the cash-advance fees. That is probably what they have done now to encourage more gambling revenue.

I have already filled out my OceanPlayer's info online for my upcoming cruise. I'm glad this was posted because I forgot to email the host.

Dwayne
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I had an Ocean Players card from previous cruises. My last cruise was in 2005 do you, or does anyone, know if the card will still be vaild? Also if I cannot find it in time for my end of the month cruise do they have it on record??
I guess the points no longer carry over. I thought they did.

Read and post cruise reviews

Debbi, 2006 was the last year my points carried over. I had $9.65 waiting for me, and the hostess got it for me. In 2005, I had $23.xx waiting for me. I have never had a card. I just re-register every year. They were going to issue cards and decided not to. They just haven't updated the site.

You should get a confirmation email within 3 days.

Call this number 1-800-522-7466 ext.16034 and Michael will help you. I think he has regular business hours.

Good Luck! That's what they always say when I buy coins.

Dwayne

Thanks Dwayne. I called Michael but he was not in do I left a voice mail regarding the casino card. Also let him know I got the info from you.
Hope to hear from him soon.

Read and post cruise reviews

I doubt he knows who I am, I've only spoken with him a few times. But thanks anyway. You will have left for your cruise by the time I get back, so I hope you do well in casino, or at least break even and have some fun.

Dwayne

Just an update to confirm everything above...when you use your sail and sign card to get cash for the slot machines, they do not charge the fee at this time. However, if you get the same advance at the cashier or game tables, the 3% fee is added. Happy gambling!

Hi tn,

I put my card in the machines to get the points, but didn't set up the pin to get money. Things are a little tight with me, so I didn't play as much as usual to rack up a lot of points this time. I mostly played the quarter machines that the max was 2, and only bet 1. I didn't win any jackpots, but it sure stretched my playing time and funds out.

I must say the Casino Host and Assistant was a vast improvement over last year on the Legend. I didn't get anything last year for being on the OPC list. They left a letter in my cabin for a free drink and 500 bonus points this year. Practically everytime I saw the Host or Assistant after meeting them the first day, they asked if I wanted a drink. That has never happened before, unless I won a lot at one time.

The last night the Host ran into me and said he had been looking for me, and asked what size shirts I wore. I told him I had plenty of OPC shirts, but wouldn't mind one of the new white caps. He brought me 2, and comped me another drink. Needless to say, he got a special mention on the comment card.

A lady won one of the BMW's the first night! I don't know if she took the car or the cash. It was a big hoopla! That was the first time anyone had won one on any of my cruises since they started it.

Dwayne

PS. The new caps say Carnival Players Club. I haven't checked it out yet to see if it is different.

Here is a picture of the old and new caps. I have no idea where that Carnival towel came from. I sure hope no one was saving a chair with it, and I accidentally picked it up by mistake.




Dwayne

Those towels are easy to pick up...