Drinks On Us?

[gude2]

Does anyone know what the requirements are to "earn" Drinks On Us?  I know you can only use it in the casino, but do you have to gamble a certain amount to qualify?

[HeavyMetalDeacon]

The onboard casino action can get intense, but here’s the deal: we’ve got a plan to make sure it always stays refreshing. With Drinks On Us!, once you earn enough casino points, the cocktails, beer and wine — as well as sodas and other nonalcoholic drinks — they’re all on us, the whole time you’re playing. And what’s more, on Carnival you earn free drinks twice as fast as on any other cruise line… plus you’ll always have full access to our casino bar menu. (See a casino host for details once you’re aboard.)

 

https://www.carnival.com/onboard/drinks-on-us

[gude2]

I saw that , but I wasn't sure if anyone knew how many points is "enough casino points".

[PittsburghGirlee]

I "believe" it is 1500 for a 7 day cruise.  Roughly $2.50 = 1 point...

[maryred]

The points needed for a DOU card can vary at the discretion on the casio manager. Usually 1,000 pts in slot play is needed on cruises 5 days or less , and 1,500 on cruises 6 days and longer. A slot point is equal to $2.50 in slot play but this can be money you deposited to machine or winnings re-invested in play. Points can also be earned on video poker and other electronic card games (excluding the Texas Hold'em table) but are at the rate of 1 pt.= $5 in play.

Those that play tables are not excluded but the formula on how the Pit Boss calculates comp points is a a closely held secret. In general it is said that for Blackjack a player needs to bet $20 per hand for at least an hour before being recognized to receive points. Then they need to play at least a total of 10, 1 hour sessions at that same rate before getting the card. Each type of game has it's own minimum betting requirements, that has nothing to do with the minimum table bet per round, to gain management's attention to rate a table player, even though every play that gets chipis asked for their S&S card. 

Players that reach 5,000 points, in addition to receiving a "fare free" comparable cruise usually in a balcony for 2 for port charges only (must be book within 2 weeks of disembarkation and sailed within 90 days in most cases), will receive a DOU card at casino opening on their next cruise taken within 2 years regardless of if they pay for the fare or it's a casino special. Additionally players that reach at least 2,500 points tend to receive quarterly offers for reduced rate cruises with Casino Cash bonus for a couple of years.. 

[gude2]

Wow!  That's a lot to process!  So in other words, If you don't have thousands of dollars to spend gambling, don't worry yourself about it!

[MT_Sea_Cruisers]

Sometimes the Drinks on Us is included as part of your VIFP special promo rate.  In these cases, you just go to the casino host on day 1 and they will give you the card.  On our last cruise, they gave one to my husband as well.

[WMQueenie]

24 minutes ago, MT_Sea_Cruisers said:

Sometimes the Drinks on Us is included as part of your VIFP special promo rate.  In these cases, you just go to the casino host on day 1 and they will give you the card.  On our last cruise, they gave one to my husband as well.

 

So, the "Hot Streak" promotion where it says "free drinks on us while playing" - we just go to the casino host on day 1?  I was wondering how that would work!

[Luckysll]

Just be aware that to get the dou perk, you must actually be playing at a machine.  You can’t go up to the casino bar and order a drink.  

[urbanhawk]

A recent poster stated that if you took another cruise within 2 years, you'd still be eligible for the DOU  card. (Provided you earned enough to qualify). It's been nearly 4 years since my last cruise, and I still  receive the offers of a DOU card, as well as offers for free rooms, cash play, tournaments, etc

[WMQueenie]

36 minutes ago, Luckysll said:

Just be aware that to get the dou perk, you must actually be playing at a machine.  You can’t go up to the casino bar and order a drink.  

 

That shouldn't be a problem....😉

[Bookbug53]

It is based on your ADT. Average Daily Theoretical  loss. The standard by which all casinos grant you 'free' stuff. Don't fall for the point thing. Just lip service to keep you happy.

 

And yes, I worked in the banking part of a casino for 8 years. Believe me, nothing is free. You paid for every bit of it.

[MT_Sea_Cruisers]

2 hours ago, WMQueenie said:

 

So, the "Hot Streak" promotion where it says "free drinks on us while playing" - we just go to the casino host on day 1?  I was wondering how that would work!

 It depends on how your offer is written.  I’m attaching a photo where my husband and I receive the exact same offer but in this case he received “drinks on us* once you qualify*,  whereas mine just says “drinks on us!”.   So in this example I would get my drinks on us card right away, but  my husband would have to earn 1500 points to get his .

Edited May 21, 2019 by MT_Sea_Cruisers

[coevan]

We got the card. I play blackjack, but never used it as we bought Cheers and never needed it

[Cruisegirl6]

I will be on a premier cruise this Saturday on the Breeze, we purchased the Cheers program...the funny thing about that letter, it says they keep the drinks flowing, it says nothing about a 15 maximum drink limit.

[WMQueenie]

12 hours ago, MT_Sea_Cruisers said:

 It depends on how your offer is written.  I’m attaching a photo where my husband and I receive the exact same offer but in this case he received “drinks on us* once you qualify*,  whereas mine just says “drinks on us!”.   So in this example I would get my drinks on us card right away, but  my husband would have to earn 1500 points to get his .

 

 

Thanks, MT     I booked on line - where do you put the "rate code" in?  I didn't see it but selected the "Hot Streak" option when picking our cabin.  Hope it's there!

It says in the fine print - †Complimentary drinks are available only while actively playing in the casino and limited to casino bar menu items. Must be 21 or older to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages. Due to Texas state law, our Drinks On Us! benefit is not available on embarkation day for sailings departing from Galveston, TX, but will be available at the start of day two. Additional restrictions may apply. Carnival Players Club^® reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time

[MT_Sea_Cruisers]

9 minutes ago, WMQueenie said:

 

Thanks, MT     I booked on line - where do you put the "rate code" in?  I didn't see it but selected the "Hot Streak" option when picking our cabin.  Hope it's there!

It says in the fine print - †Complimentary drinks are available only while actively playing in the casino and limited to casino bar menu items. Must be 21 or older to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages. Due to Texas state law, our Drinks On Us! benefit is not available on embarkation day for sailings departing from Galveston, TX, but will be available at the start of day two. Additional restrictions may apply. Carnival Players Club^® reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time

When we have booked online following the link in our VIFP online offers, the rate code had been automatically applied.  I have, in the past, called to make sure that  a rate code was applied and was able to get confirmation.

 

Yes, that is correct, DOU is only available while playing in the casino.  However we did have a nice surprise on our last cruise.  We were in the punchliner comedy club and the waiter happened to be the same waiter who had been serving us int he casino all week (who we were tipping well).  We ordered drinks in the punchliner and to our surprise he used our drinks on us card and did not charge us.  

Edited May 21, 2019 by MT_Sea_Cruisers

[Joebucks]

It's not extremely common for a company to publish the "limit" for such offers. They don't want people looking to spend the minimum to earn a perk. They are looking more for people who are spending huge amounts, and want to keep them there.