Cruise Ship with Credit Card Funding? - Slot Slayers

Cruise Ship with Credit Card Funding?

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  • July 9, 2026 at 10:15 pm #5740
    justin vaculajustin vacula
    Participant

      I noticed you used a voucher to fund the Phoenix Link machine on your MSC cruise. Have you ever tried funding the machine through your room account instead? On cruises I’ve taken, I’ve been able to charge slot play to my room, which lets me earn credit card rewards. Right now I’m using the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect, which earns 4% cash back on most cruise lines.

      If the casino has playable games, I usually charge up to just under $10,000 to my room throughout the cruise and then cash out (I played OK Video Poker in the past), walking off the ship with less than $10,000. It has worked out well for earning rewards without having to bring much cash onboard. Just curious if you’ve ever tried that approach, or if you got backed off from room charges.

      July 9, 2026 at 10:49 pm #5741
      Ben RosenthalBen Rosenthal
      Keymaster

        I have not. I always kind of looked at that as a “last resort” sort of move, but if you are smart about it, it probably would make sense if you can get a percentage back. It might also be cruise line-dependent, as I thought some cruise lines actually charge you a percentage of whatever you put on the room.

        As far as “declaring $10,000 or more” being a potential issue, I’ve never once had that cause a problem. They’ll ask, and I’ll just say “no,” which is probably what they hear every time. Yes, it can be a little awkward carrying that much money around, though it’s often useful if I’m going to places with big casinos where I’d want to have that kind of bankroll (Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Aruba, etc.).

        July 10, 2026 at 12:05 am #5742
        justin vaculajustin vacula
        Participant

          On all the cruise lines I have been on, there were no cash advance or other fees for loads to electronic games. Sometimes, I’ve seen fees for chips at table games. Easy money, then, I think, since you were going to play anyway.

           

          I got into the credit card miles and points space in 2018 after hearing Jimmy Jazz talk about it on Gambling With An Edge. It’s really nice to get extra miles, points, cashback, etc on spending you’re doing anyway.

          July 10, 2026 at 1:00 am #5744
          Ben RosenthalBen Rosenthal
          Keymaster

            Good to know. I’ll have to check out that episode. I can’t say I have experience in any of that.

            July 10, 2026 at 1:28 am #5745
            justin vaculajustin vacula
            Participant

              Around 22min mark

               

              This is from years ago, so specifics like bonus amounts have changed, but the principles remain similar.

              July 10, 2026 at 1:31 pm #5750
              Ben RosenthalBen Rosenthal
              Keymaster

                Will listen to this one today. Ty

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