Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

How much should I tip with a Drink Card in the casino?

ellell

By ellell,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

ellell

ellell

Posted
Posted

We are given a free drink card for the casino and do not buy a drink package. How much should I tip per drink? The standard 18-20%? I normally request beer or wine and not the expensive/labor intensive mixed/frozen drinks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
garycarla

garycarla

Posted
Posted

A buck or two.

 

If we are both there, I often give a $5 right up front. Then add along the way.

 

NOTICE - personal pet peeve. Do not do exactly 18% or any percent. Just give whatever. And tip for water, and coffee, and soda.

 

Sorry for rant. If this does not apply to you, it apparently was not directed at you. LOL!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Crusin-Suzan

Crusin-Suzan

Posted
Posted
A buck or two.

 

If we are both there, I often give a $5 right up front. Then add along the way.

 

NOTICE - personal pet peeve. Do not do exactly 18% or any percent. Just give whatever. And tip for water, and coffee, and soda.

 

Sorry for rant. If this does not apply to you, it apparently was not directed at you. LOL!

I agree always give more the first time and after that a dollar

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eldrima

eldrima

Posted
Posted

Ditto...buck a drink with casino drink card or UBP. Always get good service.

 

Pro tip - if you need singles, the casinos have a bill breaker/slot voucher redemption machine that doubles as an ATM. You can put any denomination in there and it will spit out the same $ amount in smaller denominations. You can keep sticking the smaller bills back in there to end up with a bunch of singles. I usually hit the bank up for a bunch of singles before embarking but this is a good backup if I forget or need more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cb at sea

cb at sea

Posted
Posted

We will tip $1 per order....for beer, wine or simple mixed drink. Even if it's 2 beers...$1 is ample. The only time I tip a percentage on a bar bill is if we have table service and a waiter/waitress ....If we are getting our own drinks from the bar, then it's $1 per ORDER...not per drink! (only 2 of us, tho!!!!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
samiam0403

samiam0403

Posted
Posted

I tip a dollar a drink when I use my casino card - whether it's alcohol, water, or soda. I also occasionally increase the tip to $5 for great service - eg if they bring me a water and a cocktail, or bring me a new drink without me having to order it when they notice my empty glass. Which happens a lot. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ellell

ellell

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the insight, seems like I am on track with my tipping habits. Normally, I tip $1 for one drink, $3 for two. My husband and I do seem to get allot of drinks starting with coffee in the morning, water/soda in day and drinks in the evening. I was feeling a bit cheap considering the amount of free drinks. I did give my favorite bartender and extra $20 on our last night. My husband says our casino losses are paying for the 'free' drinks. Guess, he might be right this time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NMLady

NMLady

Posted
Posted
I've always given a dollar per drink, no matter what it was or where it was, cruise ship or otherwise.

 

On cruises, I do bring a big wad of ones for this purpose.

 

I also tip a dollar per drink in casino.

 

And I too bring a stack of ones for that purpose as well as for tipping cabin server who brings my complimentary morning coffee & danish.

 

On long cruises, besides bringing ones, I also exchange twenty for ones at Guest Services.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruiser man 60

cruiser man 60

Posted
Posted

We come from U.K. Where it's not customary to tip bar staff constantly. Aren't the bar staff included in the overall service charge you pay whether it's included in your fare or not and if so why would you pay on top for every drink. We normally give extra tips to cabin staff and bar staff we use regularly at end of cruise and I think many Europeans do this no matter what cruise line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NMLady

NMLady

Posted
Posted (edited)
... Aren't the bar staff included in the overall service charge ...

... why would you pay on top for every drink. ...

The bar staff is included in 18% service charge on drinks but the Casino Drinks card is free drinks in the casino -- no service charge. I don't know if the 18% from other folks drinks is pooled for them to get a cut.

 

Also, the original question was about the casino where the server is usually walking from you at machine or table to the bar and then walking back to you with your drink. To many of us, the walking deserves a tip.

 

I do the same in lounges where server walks to/from bar to bring me a drink, especially true outdoors. And that is even though there is a service charge.

Edited by NMLady
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...