FREE Drinks on Us! - in the casino promotion Question

[AKCollins]

I have searched and cant find the answer, thought maybe someone has the experience to answer my questions. 

My VIFP offer from carnival (OHS) allows me to have free drinks in the casino, while playing. But if I purchase the drink package and am only allowed 15 drinks per 24hrs will the "free drinks" count towards my 15? 

also with these "free drinks" are you charged gratuity on them?

 

Thanks in advance!

[1025cruise]

Yes, the free drinks count as part of the 15.

[Elaine5715]

33 minutes ago, AKCollins said:

I have searched and cant find the answer, thought maybe someone has the experience to answer my questions. 

My VIFP offer from carnival (OHS) allows me to have free drinks in the casino, while playing. But if I purchase the drink package and am only allowed 15 drinks per 24hrs will the "free drinks" count towards my 15? 

also with these "free drinks" are you charged gratuity on them?

 

Thanks in advance!

You are not charged gratuity on the DOU drinks and the servers do not get an auto gratuity on DOU drinks.  If you don't tip in addition, they get nothing.  

[volfan22701]

they do not put a gratuity on the free drinks so we always carry a stack of ones and never wait on a waiter. often they are checking back before we have finished the last drink. we tip a couple ones for each drink. have met and gotten to know some really wonderful bar waiters on our cruises. usually try to find the really special ones the last night to say bye and give a little extra $$ to them.

[pe4all]

2 hours ago, volfan22701 said:

they do not put a gratuity on the free drinks so we always carry a stack of ones and never wait on a waiter. often they are checking back before we have finished the last drink. we tip a couple ones for each drink. have met and gotten to know some really wonderful bar waiters on our cruises. usually try to find the really special ones the last night to say bye and give a little extra $$ to them.

We do exactly the same thing, and also have never waited for a drink in the casino while playing.  However, I was told by a waiter that they do (somehow) get a gratuity for each "free" drink they serve, so the more they hustle and get the free drinks out, the more they make.  Don't know if this is really true, or how the casino keeps track of this, but that is what I was told.  

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, pe4all said:

We do exactly the same thing, and also have never waited for a drink in the casino while playing.  However, I was told by a waiter that they do (somehow) get a gratuity for each "free" drink they serve, so the more they hustle and get the free drinks out, the more they make.  Don't know if this is really true, or how the casino keeps track of this, but that is what I was told.  

They do keep track of each drink and which server.  The server inputs your order and folio number each time.  Servers also get their drinks from specific bars so they can further track who made the drink.  

[Calnev1]

21 hours ago, volfan22701 said:

they do not put a gratuity on the free drinks so we always carry a stack of ones and never wait on a waiter. often they are checking back before we have finished the last drink. we tip a couple ones for each drink. have met and gotten to know some really wonderful bar waiters on our cruises. usually try to find the really special ones the last night to say bye and give a little extra $$ to them.

+1   I do try to frontload our larger cash tips, though, so we can enjoy the happiness while onboard.

[GLCM GUY]

We also add a buck or two tip for the free drinks brought to us.  Service is great by some amazing young people!

[hurricane0226]

I always give good tips while I play in the casino, so never have to wait for a drink, sometimes they

have one waiting for me before I am done, so do not know how they get them from the bar.

If the server remembers me I have had good drinks while in the pool area.

[Moviela]

For drink on us, the casino pays the tip. If you wish to add more, please feel free. The waiters and bartenders depend on tips for a living, and by our standards it is a meager living, so an extra tip is appreciated, and will result in good service. 

[Elaine5715]

10 hours ago, Moviela said:

For drink on us, the casino pays the tip. If you wish to add more, please feel free. The waiters and bartenders depend on tips for a living, and by our standards it is a meager living, so an extra tip is appreciated, and will result in good service. 

The casino does not pay 18% tip.  They pay a stipend divided between all the casino wait staff who serve DOU drinks and work any Casino parties.  Works about to be about 50 cents or less per alcohol drink and zero on pop/water in the casino.  Got this from one of the Executive Casino Hosts 

[xDisconnections]

2 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

The casino does not pay 18% tip.  They pay a stipend divided between all the casino wait staff who serve DOU drinks and work any Casino parties.  Works about to be about 50 cents or less per alcohol drink and zero on pop/water in the casino.  Got this from one of the Executive Casino Hosts 

Sounds similar to an old SPG benefit.

[Moviela]

3 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

The casino does not pay 18% tip. 

Where does the idea of an 18% gratuity come from? The gratuity is not a stipend, it is 10% on the wholesale price of the drink, and divided 45-45-10 between waiter, bar tender, & bar back. Your source was misinformed about pop and water. They are included. 

[Elaine5715]

5 hours ago, Moviela said:

Where does the idea of an 18% gratuity come from? The gratuity is not a stipend, it is 10% on the wholesale price of the drink, and divided 45-45-10 between waiter, bar tender, & bar back. Your source was misinformed about pop and water. They are included. 

Because guests think that crew gets an automatic tip of 18% on drinks they order on the DOU.  They get it from being told that CHEERS includes an 18% tip.  Given that the Ex Host was almost exact on the tip of the alcohol drink, I would suggest 10% of the wholesale cost of water and soda is practically nil.

Edited January 9, 2021 by Elaine5715

[DAVLIB007]

Have had both free drinks in casino and drink package I was able to get drinks after hitting 15 drinks, there were a few of us who did this

[300dtc]

Sorry to add an extra question to this but we have the free drinks promo on 2 booked cruises. My question is to order your free drink do you need to be sitting at a table or machine or can you get at the bar while moving from one slot to another? Thanks!

[DB2VA]

This will be my first time with Drinks on Us promotion. I have the same questions as dte300. Also 

do you have to do anything the first day about getting this or is it automatic ?

[pe4all]

On 1/9/2021 at 8:45 PM, 300dtc said:

Sorry to add an extra question to this but we have the free drinks promo on 2 booked cruises. My question is to order your free drink do you need to be sitting at a table or machine or can you get at the bar while moving from one slot to another? Thanks!

 

2 hours ago, DB2VA said:

This will be my first time with Drinks on Us promotion. I have the same questions as dte300. Also 

do you have to do anything the first day about getting this or is it automatic ?

You must be sitting at a machine or table to get the drink.  Can't walk up to or sit at casino bar.  Depending on what promo you booked will tell what you have to do to get your card.  If on an ultra/premier cruise the card will be waiting in your cabin.  If on another promo you have to go to casino cage or next to the cage and see the host, who will look you up and attach the drinks on us card to your sail and sign card.

[audcc77]

You’re SUPPOSED to be actually sitting at a machine or table but I’ve been sitting in the window “taking a break” and have them ask me whether I’d like a drink.

 

Other times, I’ve been at a machine for 20 minutes with no one anywhere to be seen.  

 

Depends on whether there are a lot of cheers packages and DOU cards.  I’m guessing that when cruising resumes, there will be lots of free drinks. 

[Elaine5715]

5 hours ago, DB2VA said:

This will be my first time with Drinks on Us promotion. I have the same questions as dte300. Also 

do you have to do anything the first day about getting this or is it automatic ?

 

2 hours ago, pe4all said:

 

You must be sitting at a machine or table to get the drink.  Can't walk up to or sit at casino bar.  Depending on what promo you booked will tell what you have to do to get your card.  If on an ultra/premier cruise the card will be waiting in your cabin.  If on another promo you have to go to casino cage or next to the cage and see the host, who will look you up and attach the drinks on us card to your sail and sign card.

The physical card is not required.  The physical card is a publicity thing.  The DOU offer will be attached to your folio if you booked an offer with it included.  If you earn the DOU card through points, you do need to have casino staff activate it.  

[pe4all]

10 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

The physical card is not required.  The physical card is a publicity thing.  The DOU offer will be attached to your folio if you booked an offer with it included.  If you earn the DOU card through points, you do need to have casino staff activate it.  

The physical card may be a publicity thing, but I have found that drink servers will definitely stop by way more often if they see the card hanging from the machine.  Otherwise they will not know to stop unless you flag them down.

[Elaine5715]

15 hours ago, pe4all said:

The physical card may be a publicity thing, but I have found that drink servers will definitely stop by way more often if they see the card hanging from the machine.  Otherwise they will not know to stop unless you flag them down.

Point is that the drink crew doesn't need to know if you have the DOU card.  Once they enter your folio number, the computer will ring up your drink at 0.00.

[Kimster]

On 1/6/2021 at 1:34 PM, Elaine5715 said:

You are not charged gratuity on the DOU drinks and the servers do not get an auto gratuity on DOU drinks.  If you don't tip in addition, they get nothing.  

Tips/gratuities are included in the drink on us perk.

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, Kimster said:

Tips/gratuities are included in the drink on us perk.

The amount of tip on the DOU is about 50 cents per alcoholic drink and about 25 cents per non alcoholic drink.  I don't call that a tip.

[pe4all]

2 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

The amount of tip on the DOU is about 50 cents per alcoholic drink and about 25 cents per non alcoholic drink.  I don't call that a tip.

Which is why we always hand the server a dollar or 2.