CAS Drink Card and Tipping

[Red-Sol]

On our next cruise we have booked through CAS and will receive a drink card for use in the casinos. My question is with regards to tipping and how the billing process works. How are drinks actually charged? Is there a full charge of whatever the drink would be normally (Including the 15%) and then reduced to 0? The reason I ask is that I would never stiff the server as I will always leave them at least one or two dollars for any drink I ordered but I am assuming that they would also share part of the 15% as well. If for some reason that 15% does not get tabulated because of the free drink card I certainly would like to compensate for that by leaving them more.

 

Does anyone know how the billing/tipping system works for the free drink card?

[time2cruise1]

You give them your room card but never see a check or a charge on your account. I always tip with cash or chip.

[Red-Sol]

OK Thank You for that information! I will definitely be upping my one or two dollar cash tips per drink!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Additionally, if you cash tip your server the first drink, they will extend you great service. Not that they are slouches, but as soon as you darken the casino door, they will be at your side asking if you would like a drink. Depending on your card level, you will have different quality of liquids and wine available.

Enjoy!

[LaCal]

Yup I always tip the same $1-$2 per drink n the service has always been excellent. They r there quickly to ask if I want another one n by the second day even remember me by name n what I was drinking :D

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Yup I always tip the same $1-$2 per drink n the service has always been excellent. They r there quickly to ask if I want another one n by the second day even remember me by name n what I was drinking :D

 

 

True. They were actually coming up to me to often lol

[clcjdn]

I asked about this specifically on the Getaway. They do NOT receive the 15% on the CAS comped drinks. The charge shows as $0 only, and they don't receive anything from CAS on those orders. Like others have said, if you tip early and often they tend to "remember" what you drink and ask you quite often.

[KSU]

I'm going to have one of the CAS cards, too. Anyone know what type of drinks are included? I believe they said "house drinks". What does that mean?

 

 

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[Demonyte]

House drinks means the lowest level liquors available, for example Jim Beam instead of Jack Daniels; Grant's instead of Johnny Walker; Gilbey's vodka instead of Absolut or Grey Goose; etc, etc.

 

I couldn't find any specific lists pertaining to CAS drink cards, but I'd guess that the grouping goes exactly or at least pretty much like in the list that was used with UBP:

 

http://mrose.org/cc/BeverageBrandsList2013.pdf

[KSU]

Thanks.

 

I'm also considering buying the UBP as well. Thoughts? I guess I could just use the CAS card but I know I'm not going to want to go to the casino every time I want a drink. If I do buy the UBP, I guess the CAS card really won't mean anything.

 

 

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[Red-Sol]

Thanks.

 

I'm also considering buying the UBP as well. Thoughts? I guess I could just use the CAS card but I know I'm not going to want to go to the casino every time I want a drink. If I do buy the UBP, I guess the CAS card really won't mean anything.

 

 

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It really all depends upon what you like to drink and how many drinks you will be having in areas outside of the casinos. For me the UBP is not worth the cost as I don't drink enough to really make it cost effective for the $54.00 PP per day. I would rather pay as I go....but for others that drink more frequently it might be a good deal.

[Red-Sol]

I thought I would take another look at the UBP just to see what it is all about and it sure sounds like there is quite a bit that isn't included in it:

 

"The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $10. One (1) beverage per person per transaction"

 

http://www.ncl.com/promo/ultimate-beverage-package/terms

 

Yikes! :eek:

 

Should be a much shorter list if they said what actually *is* included! :)

[NLH Arizona]

On our next cruise we have booked through CAS and will receive a drink card for use in the casinos. My question is with regards to tipping and how the billing process works. How are drinks actually charged? Is there a full charge of whatever the drink would be normally (Including the 15%) and then reduced to 0? The reason I ask is that I would never stiff the server as I will always leave them at least one or two dollars for any drink I ordered but I am assuming that they would also share part of the 15% as well. If for some reason that 15% does not get tabulated because of the free drink card I certainly would like to compensate for that by leaving them more.

 

Does anyone know how the billing/tipping system works for the free drink card?

I'm on the Pearl right now and on my onboard account, there is a line for each soda or drink I've had and not cost associated with it. I tip the server $1 for each drink I get, as I don't believe that they get any tip, from the comped drinks from the casino.

[KSU]

I don't think we'll have any problems drinking $54 per day. Those pina coladas and banana dacquiris at the pool will probably add up fast! We're going to just go for it. I think not having to limit quantity and choices plus being able to try new drinks without worry will make it worth it. We're staying in the Haven so we have a lavanzza coffee machine in our room so that's probably where we'll drink coffee. 7 days to go! :)

 

 

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[ajcathy]

House drinks means the lowest level liquors available, for example Jim Beam instead of Jack Daniels; Grant's instead of Johnny Walker; Gilbey's vodka instead of Absolut or Grey Goose; etc, etc.

 

I couldn't find any specific lists pertaining to CAS drink cards, but I'd guess that the grouping goes exactly or at least pretty much like in the list that was used with UBP:

 

http://mrose.org/cc/BeverageBrandsList2013.pdf[/quote

Just came back from 14 days on the Dawn and this was our first time to book through CAS and get the drink card. What a great deal. If we wanted a premium drink we could pay the difference, (the card gave us a 5.00 credit.) I was thrilled to find out we could go up to the bar anytime the casino was open. We did not have to be at a table or a machine and wait for a waitress. We always tipped a dollar per drink and we got great service. After the second day the bartender was asking if it was a screwdriver or Sauvignon Blanc the minute she saw me. Of course the card is only good when the casino is open but this was a sea day intensive cruise. The UPB would have been a waste for us.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Interesting to know about them allowing you to pay the difference for upgraded drinks. We have never had them allow that before. I prefer Sauvignon Blanc too, but have always had to settle for the house Chardonnay. We have never sailed the Dawn, though, so in eight days we will get to upgrade our wine and scotch. :D

[sjbdtz]

Interesting to know about them allowing you to pay the difference for upgraded drinks. We have never had them allow that before. I prefer Sauvignon Blanc too, but have always had to settle for the house Chardonnay. We have never sailed the Dawn, though, so in eight days we will get to upgrade our wine and scotch. :D

 

 

It just changed shortly before our Sept. cruise. They had the same scenario there.

 

IIRC, if you had a Premium card, it was $7.50 credit toward anything on the Super Premium list.

 

 

.

[NJ Johnny]

We received a free drink card for booking our last cruise on the Breakaway with the Harrah's discount. We were told it only covered a drink up to $5. We had to supplement the remainder of the drink cost or drink soda or bottled water (which was under $5). This was the first time that this happened to us as we always book through Harrah's discount and always got the drink card which covered the complete cost of the cocktails. Times are changing. Carol

[spidybabe]

Anybody know what the up charge would be for a Jack and Coke-- if comped $5? Always get a drink card, and given Jim Beam instead of Jack...We didn't know we could just pay the extra..

Thanks for any info

[NJ Johnny]

Anybody know what the up charge would be for a Jack and Coke-- if comped $5? Always get a drink card, and given Jim Beam instead of Jack...We didn't know we could just pay the extra..

Thanks for any info

 

Don't know the upcharge for a Jack and Coke, but a Pina Colada had an upcharge of around $3. Of course, not including the tip that we'd give no matter if the drink was free or not. Carol

[spidybabe]

Piña colada not covered on casino drink card???!!!! It's been covered on all our other cruises.

We were on the Gem in beginning of December and it was covered...with a floater of Meyers on top too. We drank a lot of those when we couldn't get the Jack. Those are usually our afternoon drinks.

[LaCal]

I've ordered a shot of Jack or Patron with a beer at the same time and they've never said No or charged me extra

 

I tipped though $2-3 each time when ordering like that

 

Going on my cruise next Sunday on the Star and will report back if it's the same or if I had to pay extra