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Free Drinks in the Casino vs. Drink Package

candlegirl
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candlegirl

candlegirl

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From what I've been told by a Casino Royale representative, there is a strong possibility that I will get a sticker for free drinks in the casino. I'm trying to decide whether or not I should still purchase the drink package or pay as I go for drinks outside of the casino. Anyone who has gotten the sticker for the free drinks in the casino ever purchase the drink package with it? Does the casino bar have all of the same drinks you can get everywhere else and is the casino bar always open?

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cb at sea

cb at sea

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The casino bar is a "full bar", so you can get almost anything....but, you have to actually be PLAYING to get a drink. Unless you plan on staying in the casino for the best part of the day, then you will probably want drinks elsewhere on the ship. You don't HAVE to buy a package to get a drink...you can simply pay for those that you want outside of the casino.

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leaveitallbehind

leaveitallbehind

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Drinks may be free - or maybe based on vouchers - in the casino depending on your M-Life status, but I thought that pertained to first time RCI M-Life cruisers. Perhaps others can confirm that. Otherwise drinks are not free for gamblers. The drinks available there would be the same as with any other bar. But a drink package also is valid in the casino, so keep that in mind.

 

If there is a complimentary drink program in the casino, it would be limited only to that venue, so a package would be necessary outside of the casino if you don't want to pay as you go. As a rough average figure 6-7 drinks per day every day outside of the casino as an approximate break even and go from there.

Edited by leaveitallbehind
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somerandomidiot

somerandomidiot

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The casino bar is open when the casino is open.You don't need to be playing to get a drink. I usually go pick up a drink or two and bring it into the dining room for sea day lunches. I don't drink that much so between the casino and the 3 d+ drinks per night, i don't need a package.

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peymas

peymas

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The casino bar is open when the casino is open.You don't need to be playing to get a drink. I usually go pick up a drink or two and bring it into the dining room for sea day lunches. I don't drink that much so between the casino and the 3 d+ drinks per night, i don't need a package.

 

Being able to go to the bar in the casino to get a drink (with the VIP drink sticker) is very handy. Of course the casino has to be open to do this. I like this about Royal since you have to wait on a waiter/waitress in the casino on Carnival. If I'm going to have a drink it is usually in the evenings when the casino is open. I like it for my diet coke as well. I don't buy an extra package as neither my husband nor I need it. We drink the free drinks during the day.

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leaveitallbehind

leaveitallbehind

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The casino bar is open when the casino is open.You don't need to be playing to get a drink. I usually go pick up a drink or two and bring it into the dining room for sea day lunches. I don't drink that much so between the casino and the 3 d+ drinks per night, i don't need a package.

 

Yes, that is a nice perk but really doesn't pertain the OP or their question unless they too are D+.

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peymas

peymas

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Yes, that is a nice perk but really doesn't pertain the OP or their question unless they too are D+.

 

I would use the sticker in the evenings in the casino for my drinks and pay for the ones during the day. You have to buy several drinks per day to make the drink package worth it.

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johnjen

johnjen

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Drinks may be free - or maybe based on vouchers - in the casino depending on your M-Life status, but I thought that pertained to first time RCI M-Life cruisers. Perhaps others can confirm that. Otherwise drinks are not free for gamblers.

 

This partially clears the question I had. We've been in the casino and never been offered any free drinks, but can you explain what "M-Life" means. Never heard of that before. Thanks!

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leaveitallbehind

leaveitallbehind

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This partially clears the question I had. We've been in the casino and never been offered any free drinks, but can you explain what "M-Life" means. Never heard of that before. Thanks!

 

The following link will explain the program - MGM has a partnership with RCI with reciprocal benefits through each company for members.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithGallery.do?pagename=mgm_partnership

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  • 9 months later...
11madmic

11madmic

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on my recent cruise I had the free drink sticker. this is my opinion. I would NOT get the drink package knowing i would have the free drinks in the casino. most days we didnt drink until the evening, about the time the casino was open. You do NOT have to be gaming to get the free drinks (from my experience). Also, as the drink package has a 12-13$ cap, the free drinks in the casino did not seem to have such caps as my drink of choice was 18 and they didnt say anything. ALSO, my wife was allowed to get drinks with me for free and she does not have sticker from the casino. we did tip the bartenders in the casino well tho as they treated us very well.

again, this is from my personal experiences and opinions.

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PigsCanFly

PigsCanFly

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My upcoming cruise will be my 4th with RCI. I have had the VIP sticker on each of them and expect one on Saturday , all due to booking cruises either comped or partially comped for my casino play. I do not buy the drink package since I often am drinking at one of the table games or slots. I do ocassionally have a drink at dinner or at a show and I do buy a soda package in advance.

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OHCruisinDad

OHCruisinDad

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on my recent cruise I had the free drink sticker. this is my opinion. I would NOT get the drink package knowing i would have the free drinks in the casino. most days we didnt drink until the evening, about the time the casino was open. You do NOT have to be gaming to get the free drinks (from my experience). Also, as the drink package has a 12-13$ cap, the free drinks in the casino did not seem to have such caps as my drink of choice was 18 and they didnt say anything. ALSO, my wife was allowed to get drinks with me for free and she does not have sticker from the casino. we did tip the bartenders in the casino well tho as they treated us very well.

again, this is from my personal experiences and opinions.

 

Our experience has been the same. You can get any drink from the bar or server in the casino when they are open. If you are rated for casino play you can check in with the casino host and they will provide your Casino Royale VIP sticker for your Sea Pass card. You can also register with the Casino Royale office at RCL (888-859-0015). Once you are rated and on your next cruise, you should qualify. They are currently revamping the CR program and will be announcing the new program in the next couple of months with an April 1st start I believe.

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ggo85 "Live from...." Rare

ggo85

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It's also important to check on the itinerary for your particular cruise. Obviously, the casino is closed in port. It usually opens around an hour after you leave port, but it can be several hours depending on where you are. And, it usually is open while at sea but . . . not always.

 

On our recent cruise, one night that we were at sea, the casino and shops were closed all night b/c we were still within "inland waters." On another night, the casino didn't open until 11 pm (and shops stayed closed) even though we left port around 5 pm; I assume it was the same reason.

 

IOW, if you're counting on drinking at the casino at night, make sure it will be open during the hours you want to drink.

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amp0289

amp0289

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We had free casino drinks on one cruise, and after that experience I would personally still buy the package. It was really inconvenient to go into the casino every time we wanted a drink (think-sitting by the pool, getting ready for dinner..) since the casino was so far out of the way, and we didn't spend much time there. Maybe not too bad for someone who will spend a good amount of time in the casino - can just buy other drinks, but didn't work for us.

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samiam0403

samiam0403

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I had the casino drinks included on my Majesty sailing last month, and still purchased the drink package. With bottles of water, vanilla lattes, drinks purchased when I stayed onboard in Nassau, and drinks when the casino was closed on embarkation day, I came out ahead. (Not sure that’s something to be proud of...:') ) I had planned on using it most while on Coco Cay, but due to weather, we couldn’t stop. :( I would purchase it again in a heartbeat even knowing I had the casino drinks included.

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sellwingri

sellwingri

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I spend a lot of time in the casino playing cards and always bet enough to have a VIP sticker on my next cruise. Even though the tables don’t open until noon on sea days, the slots and therefore the bar opens at 9am. After breakfast, I’ll usually stop in and order a shot or two of Baileys, get a cup of the complimentary coffee they have set up, and combine them. On days when we’re in port, I’m usually off the ship anyway so even the drink package wouldn’t help.

 

I’m also diamond plus so I get the 3 free drinks each night and often visit the concierge lounge for an additional cocktail or two.

 

On my last 2 cruises, I think I bought 5 or 6 drinks.

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