Ordering drinks in casino as "prime"

[colesc15]

I'm weighing if I want to keep the drink package or not for our upcoming oasis sailing since I reached prime in the casino last cruise, and we're both diamond. My wife doesn't play in the casino, so only my seapass shows prime. 

 

From my understanding, when the casino is open, I can order a drink from the server or the bar as prime for free. Do I just have to tell them I'm prime or do you just give them your card and when they swipe they see prime? I'm assuming I can't get a drink for my wife as prime for free as well? Just curious the logistics. Obviously if we could get by with the prime drinks and diamond drinks, saving a grand on the drink package sounds nice. 

[Havin'fun]

You will have the word "prime" right on your sea pass card.  As prime, drinks in the casino are free. 

You cannot order a "free" drink for your wife at the same time you order your drink if she is not prime as they will want to see her card.

[leaveitallbehind]

As you are Diamond you also will  have 4 drink coupons per day loaded on your sea pass card.  You can always use your coupons for her which would give her a fair amount of drinks at n/c.

[colesc15]

11 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

As you are Diamond you also will  have 4 drink coupons per day loaded on your sea pass card.  You can always use your coupons for her which would give her a fair amount of drinks at n/c.

Agreed. We're on the fence of keeping the drink package. We just don't spend a ton of time in the casino which makes it a bit more of a challenge 

[leaveitallbehind]

39 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Agreed. We're on the fence of keeping the drink package. We just don't spend a ton of time in the casino which makes it a bit more of a challenge 

We are D+ so slightly more advantageous with 5 coupons each.  In our case that typically covers enough of what we normally would drink, especially with coffees, etc., available at the D lounge.  We have also found in our most recent two cruises since October that as the week progresses, certain venues tend to get, lets just say, somewhat "relaxed" with the coupon count and we end up not needing to purchase too many drinks outside of the coupons.

 

But that notwithstanding, in our case having 10 drinks per day between us has never justified the package v adding the occasional drink a la cart when needed.  And with the coupon value at $13, there are vey few cocktails not included or with an additional charge.

 

Taking it one step further, if you do the comparative Royal math, at $13 per coupon you are each getting a $52 per day and we are each getting $65 per day in "drink value" with the coupons.  Just showing the comparison to the daily drink package cost and the approximate equivalent drinks provided.  I realize this is a generalization likely with holes in it, but it is interesting to me.

Edited January 28, 2022 by leaveitallbehind
additional comment

[5soonerfans]

Dear hubby is Prime and I am not. We  each order a drink in the casino and they have never asked to see my Seapass card. 

Sometimes Prime is not  printed on his card and then he visits the Casino Host and a sticker will be applied. 

[FireEMT978]

The great thing, is that unlike other Cruise lines, you can just get a drink anytime you want. As long as the casino bar is open. You do not need to be actively gambling. I would suggest, that you flip a $20 to any server, or bartender, that may be helping you in the casino for the cruise duration. Once you do that, you will find that they are VERY accomodating.

[cheeseheads4ever]

We haven’t sailed on Royal in about 5 years and would like to try again. We’ve mostly sailed on Celebrity. Wondering if Royal they ever runs deals on the drink package? We like to gamble so would spend some time in the casino. May do a specialty restaurant.

When is the best time to get a discount on Royal cruises?

Thanks in advance!!

[colesc15]

On 1/28/2022 at 8:12 PM, 5soonerfans said:

Dear hubby is Prime and I am not. We  each order a drink in the casino and they have never asked to see my Seapass card. 

Sometimes Prime is not  printed on his card and then he visits the Casino Host and a sticker will be applied. 

Do you basically order two drinks and just show his card? 

[colesc15]

We officially canceled the drink package and plan on using our diamond drinks and prime drinks. From my understanding, I need to tell the waiter when ordering if I want to use one of my diamond drinks. For the free drinks on the casino, do I need to point out I'm prime so it's not missed? I understand "prime" is printed on the card, but many times, if it's a ship without the tap to pay, they just ask for your cabin number. 

[EllaDuChien]

38 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

We officially canceled the drink package and plan on using our diamond drinks and prime drinks. From my understanding, I need to tell the waiter when ordering if I want to use one of my diamond drinks. For the free drinks on the casino, do I need to point out I'm prime so it's not missed? I understand "prime" is printed on the card, but many times, if it's a ship without the tap to pay, they just ask for your cabin number. 

 

Yes, you will need to tell the server that you are using Prime drinks.  I had an experience in December where the server came back with a ticket and said that I had used all of my Diamond drinks (he just took my folio number when I ordered).  It was all fixed and the charge was reversed no problem, but just easier to make sure you tell the server beforehand.

[Sunshine3601]

Yes, the first time we go to the casino bar, we are both prime, we let the bartender know we are prime, show our sea passes.    They also have a list sorted by cabin number of prime members that are onboard the sailing.    I saw the bartender check his list several times for other bar customers.   

 

We order our drinks give a decent tip and from that point forward we never show our card again (same for casino wait staff - they get to know)

 

We also take the free water bottles to our room every evening and some time extras if we have an island excursion the next day that we want them for. 

 

[colesc15]

Anyone else with experiences as Prime? Getting on oasis this weekend and will be taking advantage for the first time! 

[Lady Hudson]

Prime is nice for the free drinks in the casino.  Be sure to tip the server — either delivering to you at the tables or a machine or the bartenders.  We generally do a dollar or two a drink.  We usually order coke (cost on ship almost $5 per can) so Prime saves us money on the trip.  The other benefit we use is the no service fee for getting cash on seapass card in the casino.  That way we do not have to travel with a lot of money.  Also hearing that all casino levels will be extended thru March 2023.  Hope this is correct!   Enjoy.  Katherine 

[colesc15]

I don't think we'll be playing a bunch this cruise, so I plan on swinging by the casino bar on the way to a show, on the way to dinner, etc. From what I've read, I can just walk up, order my alcohol, tell him I want to use use a prime drink, and I'm good outside of tip. I'd love to be able to get my wife one as well, but not likely since she isn't prime and depends on the bartender it appears if they let it slide or not 

[ticketsunlimited]

1 hour ago, Lady Hudson said:

Prime is nice for the free drinks in the casino.  Be sure to tip the server — either delivering to you at the tables or a machine or the bartenders.  We generally do a dollar or two a drink.  We usually order coke (cost on ship almost $5 per can) so Prime saves us money on the trip.  The other benefit we use is the no service fee for getting cash on seapass card in the casino.  That way we do not have to travel with a lot of money.  Also hearing that all casino levels will be extended thru March 2023.  Hope this is correct!   Enjoy.  Katherine 

I believe casino levels were extended to March 2022.  They only required 1500 points instead of 2500 points by March 31st this year to obtain prime status beginning April 1st this year for the next year.

[RFerrington]

10 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

I believe casino levels were extended to March 2022.  They only required 1500 points instead of 2500 points by March 31st this year to obtain prime status beginning April 1st this year for the next year.

Although I have not personally received a letter yet, it has been fairly well documented that the status will be extended another year.

[ticketsunlimited]

4 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

Although I have not personally received a letter yet, it has been fairly well documented that the status will be extended another year.

So the 1500 point level I assume would be non prime members trying to qualify for next year, correct?  I guess that would make sense.

[colesc15]

44 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

Although I have not personally received a letter yet, it has been fairly well documented that the status will be extended another year.

I had not heard that. I qualified for prime in January of this year, so I'll remain prime through when? 

[RFerrington]

1 minute ago, colesc15 said:

I had not heard that. I qualified for prime in January of this year, so I'll remain prime through when? 

If you qualified as Prime in Jan, you will be Prime through 3-31-23.  Beginning April 1, 2022, you will begin qualifying for the 2023-2024 casino year.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, RFerrington said:

Although I have not personally received a letter yet, it has been fairly well documented that the status will be extended another year.

 

My SetSail pass for April 3rd says Prime. I haven't hit the 1500 or 2500 pt level yet

[Lady Hudson]

1 hour ago, RFerrington said:

Although I have not personally received a letter yet, it has been fairly well documented that the status will be extended another year.

I was on Enchantment last week and the extension was verified.

[Cigar King]

Does anyone know if the reduced the points for the other tiers as well?

 

[John&LaLa]

3 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

Does anyone know if the reduced the points for the other tiers as well?

 

 

Yes, but I don't recall details

[ticketsunlimited]

33 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

Does anyone know if the reduced the points for the other tiers as well?

 

I believe its 15,000 for the next level right now