Booked last minute HAL cruise and doing MS

[Air Land and Sea]

Did it last year and doing it again in a couple of weeks - booked a last minute cruise for 10 nights on HAL Oosterdam going to Grand Turk, A, B, C island and Dominican Republic. Yes, we have an obstructed stateroom but I do not plan on being in it much. We are spending about $1000 each including port charges and taxes.

Since I have Carnival stock, I'll get a $100 OBC and since I do play the slots, I notified the casino company that I was booked and they gave me $250. I plan on doing some MS while in the casino - charge money to my stateroom and then cash out near the end. The money will be charged to my credit card where I'll get 2 times points for travel. Money will go in the bank so I can pay it off when the bill comes due. I believe I can do 2k or 3k a day.

 

[craig d]

Very interesting, to clarify you are going to load the slots with your credit card (pretty sure I remember no cash advance fee doing this right?) And immediately cash out and just bring the cash home and pay off the bill??

I'm cruising in May and will definitely be doing this if that is the case, never thought of this one before thanks!!

Ps, I'll be going to Grand Turk again too, what do you plan on doing there?

 

[Air Land and Sea]

Very interesting, to clarify you are going to load the slots with your credit card (pretty sure I remember no cash advance fee doing this right?) And immediately cash out and just bring the cash home and pay off the bill??

I'm cruising in May and will definitely be doing this if that is the case, never thought of this one before thanks!!

Ps, I'll be going to Grand Turk again too, what do you plan on doing there?

Yes, you "charge " slot play money to your Ship and Shore account. Every few days I'll withdraw money from my card at the cashiers office. When I settle my cruise account I'll use my CSP card since I'll get double points for travel. When I get home I'll put it in the bank

 

[GettingReady]

I'm pretty sure @Matt posted about this and it was somewhat limited due to having to declare a large cash amount and "carrying" it around internationally? Would like to know more though as we have a cruise coming up in the fall!

 

[Matt]

I'm pretty sure @Matt posted about this and it was somewhat limited due to having to declare a large cash amount and "carrying" it around internationally? Would like to know more though as we have a cruise coming up in the fall!

Yeah I just find it annoying and unsafe to walk through airports with 4-5 figures in cash. $10k requires declaration.

 

[raenye]

Yeah I just find it annoying and unsafe to walk through airports with 4-5 figures in cash. $10k requires declaration.

Would you consider VGCs as cash? you definitely don't need to declare credit lines/checking balances/prepaid balances, but you need to declare checks. Where's the line?

 

[Matt]

Would you consider VGCs as cash? you definitely don't need to declare credit lines/checking balances/prepaid balances, but you need to declare checks. Where's the line?

Doesn't really matter where I think it is, it's down to the guy deciding to confiscate or not.. I wouldn't feel confident if I was stopped with $10k in vgc at an airport, therefore, I wouldn't do it.

 

[Briankolee]

Doesn't really matter where I think it is, it's down to the guy deciding to confiscate or not.. I wouldn't feel confident if I was stopped with $10k in vgc at an airport, therefore, I wouldn't do it.

Agreed. Just consider the level of stress felt losing a VGC as opposed to the relative comfort of a fraud protected CC.

 

[Air Land and Sea]

Doesn't really matter where I think it is, it's down to the guy deciding to confiscate or not.. I wouldn't feel confident if I was stopped with $10k in vgc at an airport, therefore, I wouldn't do it.

I was going to stay under the ten thousand dollar amount, probably do about 7 or 8k. Cruise is this week so I'll report back in about two weeks

 

[Air Land and Sea]

Very interesting, to clarify you are going to load the slots with your credit card (pretty sure I remember no cash advance fee doing this right?) And immediately cash out and just bring the cash home and pay off the bill??

I'm cruising in May and will definitely be doing this if that is the case, never thought of this one before thanks!!

Ps, I'll be going to Grand Turk again too, what do you plan on doing there?

Grand Turk is a beach day for me. Didn't hear of anyone having anything special though one couple said that there is a resort about an $8 cab ride from the port where they had a tea scheduled. They could then use the resort faclities for the day