Type of drinks w/CAS free drink card?

[kemarie13]

Hi all! First time poster so I hope I'm doing this right. 

 

I recently got a comped cruise from my local casino for NCL and wanted to know what type of free drinks they serve in the casino? Just wine and beer? Is the service fast? I'm debating to see if I'll be satisfied with just getting drinks in the casino or splurge and get the drink package. I'd say I could drink 3-5 drinks/day on vacation but I do like having cocktails more than wine or beer. Also was looking to book an Alaskan cruise on bliss or encore if that makes a difference on your rec. Thanks! 

[complawyer]

the service goes from s....l....o....w to almost non-existent unless you go to the bar itself. we were on the bliss last week, i was playing blackjack, and the guy next to me ordered a martini. we never saw the server again, and really, they guy had to get up, leave the table and get the drink himself.

 

as for the type of drink, it's whatever you want(within reason). i usually order a chivas on the rocks

[kemarie13]

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

s....l....o....w to almost non-existent

thats a bummer! but thanks for the reply!

[phoenix1181]

Keep in mind the CAS card can only be used in the casino and that bar is only open when the casino is.  If the ship is in port, the casino is generally closed. I know Bermuda is an exception (open evenings @ 9:00 pm) but don't know if there are others.

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, kemarie13 said:

I recently got a comped cruise from my local casino for NCL and wanted to know what type of free drinks they serve in the casino? Just wine and beer? Is the service fast? I'm debating to see if I'll be satisfied with just getting drinks in the casino or splurge and get the drink package. I'd say I could drink 3-5 drinks/day on vacation but I do like having cocktails more than wine or beer. Also was looking to book an Alaskan cruise on bliss or encore if that makes a difference on your rec. Thanks! 

You can get any drink under $15 with your drink card. Beer, wine, cocktails, frozen drinks.

 

You can pick up drinks at the casino bar (only) including bottle water. Bar service is usually o.k. They have more bartenders because they serve all of the casino drink waiters. 

 

Drink waiters in the casino itself is hit and miss. Sometimes they pester you every 5 minutes. Sometimes once an hour. But you can always stand up and go to the bar. 

 

If you are satisfied with a few drinks a day, it is a perfect way to avoid the cost of the premium drinks package. You can look at your itinerary and see when the ship is in port (i.e., the Dry Periods).

 

Also note that the Casino opens late on embarkation day because you will be in Washington State and Canadian waters until later in the evening. And, depending on the itinerary, the casino bar will be closed the entire last day of your cruise since you will be entering Canadian and Washington State waters on your way to Victoria. 

[phillygwm]

5 hours ago, complawyer said:

the service goes from s....l....o....w to almost non-existent unless you go to the bar itself. we were on the bliss last week, i was playing blackjack, and the guy next to me ordered a martini. we never saw the server again, and really, they guy had to get up, leave the table and get the drink himself.

 

as for the type of drink, it's whatever you want(within reason). i usually order a chivas on the rocks

It depends where and how much you're playing.  When I'm playing blackjack (usually at a higher limit table) the floor person/dealer asks me if I want anything when I sit down and they'll ring a bell for the server.  I've never had a problem there but I tend not to play at peak times on the pre-BA+ ships because it gets too smoky.  If I'm playing slots, service can be hit or miss.  I'd rate my drink experience on NCL equal to or better than most land-based casinos.

 

I personally rarely drink alcohol while I'm playing -- maybe a morning Bloody Mary while at the slots -- but will usually ask for a Pellegrino.  While I have a drink card, they always ask for my room key as well.  And, to the previous point, your card is only good in the casino.  Restaurants and all non-casino bars are not included.  I don't like sitting at the casino bar because it tends to be in a high traffic area with waiters and other patrons milling around.  So I'll always buy the drink package, and more recently Premium Plus, because virtually all of my consumption is outside the casino.

Edited August 21, 2022 by phillygwm

[Treacherous Cretins]

I've never had an issue with drinks in the casino.  If a server is not right there at the table, the dealer will ring a call bell and one will be by very shortly.  Not long after I get my drink.

[Sand and Seas]

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

You can get any drink under $15 with your drink card. Beer, wine, cocktails, frozen drinks.

 

You can pick up drinks at the casino bar (only) including bottle water. Bar service is usually o.k. They have more bartenders because they serve all of the casino drink waiters. 

 

Drink waiters in the casino itself is hit and miss. Sometimes they pester you every 5 minutes. Sometimes once an hour. But you can always stand up and go to the bar. 

 

If you are satisfied with a few drinks a day, it is a perfect way to avoid the cost of the premium drinks package. You can look at your itinerary and see when the ship is in port (i.e., the Dry Periods).

 

Also note that the Casino opens late on embarkation day because you will be in Washington State and Canadian waters until later in the evening. And, depending on the itinerary, the casino bar will be closed the entire last day of your cruise since you will be entering Canadian and Washington State waters on your way to Victoria. 

Great advice here!  

We do fine with skipping the drink package and just using our Casino drink card.  You can pick up a drink on the way to a show at the casino bar (when casino open).  We just stop by the bar with a tip sandwiched between our players card and room key.  Great bartenders in the casino and they will usually remember you.  

[FlGoodShips]

I agree with post from "Sand and Seas". 

We do not buy drink package. Get our drinks from casino bar/or servers. We just give them a couple of $$ and you will always have a drink. Servers walking around have always been great to us.

[BirdTravels]

50 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

Great advice here!  

We do fine with skipping the drink package and just using our Casino drink card.  You can pick up a drink on the way to a show at the casino bar (when casino open).  We just stop by the bar with a tip sandwiched between our players card and room key.  Great bartenders in the casino and they will usually remember you.  

And the black ultra card doesn't hurt either 🙂 (it covers the over priced martinis). 

[pcakes122]

If you received your comp from a local casino, I’m not sure what level drink card you would get with that. There are various levels of casino drink cards on NCL. They range from “House” (“well/house” brand alcohol so you can’t call a brand, e.g., “Tito’s & tonic”) to the Ultra drink card which includes any priced drink you want & all premium brands.

 

I have the Ultra card so I’m not 100% familiar with what’s available on the lesser level cards, but I would check out which card you have before deciding whether or not to order the drink package. 
 

Edited to add: Found the list as of January 2022 thanks to @fstuff1! The casino drink cards are House (green), Premium (yellow) and Ultra (black.)

Edited August 21, 2022 by pcakes122

[fstuff1]

6 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

Edited to add: Found the list as of January 2022 thanks to @fstuff1! The casino drink cards are House (green), Premium (yellow) and Ultra (black.)

 

And some casino drink  card level alcohol don't match up with the drink packages.

I'm ultra so not worried about that.

But thought it was interesting

[Coastalbreezes]

Note that when ordering drinks in the casino, servers will scan your cabin key card (not your casino drink card) so if you do have the beverage package you'll automatically get drinks up to $15 value or if you have premium plus package you can get anything you want.

If you plan on 3-5 drinks per day you might consider getting the package with your booking. Otherwise you'll pay for every drink individually plus a gratuity.

[kemarie13]

12 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

If you received your comp from a local casino, I’m not sure what level drink card you would get with that. There are various levels of casino drink cards on NCL. They range from “House” (“well/house” brand alcohol so you can’t call a brand, e.g., “Tito’s & tonic”) to the Ultra drink card which includes any priced drink you want & all premium brands.

 

I have the Ultra card so I’m not 100% familiar with what’s available on the lesser level cards, but I would check out which card you have before deciding whether or not to order the drink package. 
 

Edited to add: Found the list as of January 2022 thanks to @fstuff1! The casino drink cards are House (green), Premium (yellow) and Ultra (black.)

Oh this visual is super helpful thank you! 

[kemarie13]

14 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

We just stop by the bar with a tip sandwiched between our players card and room key.

This is a great tip! Sounds like I don't have to actively be playing all the time to get a drink as long as the casino is open?

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, kemarie13 said:

This is a great tip! Sounds like I don't have to actively be playing all the time to get a drink as long as the casino is open?

Technically, your card will say 'free drinks while playing', but a stop at the bar has always worked for us.  (Of course, I have an Ultra card, but works for my DH's regular card too!)

[BirdTravels]

On 8/20/2022 at 3:12 PM, kemarie13 said:

I recently got a comped cruise from my local casino for NCL and wanted to know what type of free drinks they serve in the casino? House brand drinks. 

 

Basic well drinks. More than adequate for cruise. 

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by BirdTravels

[Sue Do-Over]

Regular Casino guests with 'Stinky Drinky' cards.

 

Includes well drinks (not top-shelf liquors) in single strength.   Vodka cranberry, Diet coke w Wildfire, Bacardi & Coke, mojito, etc.   Draft beer, several whiskeys - Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, etc.

Some wine by the glass.

Frozen drinks are limited to strawberry daquiri and pina colada.   We *wish* Mudslides were included, but they aren't.

Regular fountain soda is included.  If you want Diet Sierra Mist, which is only in cans, they can get it - but may grumble.  

Bottled (boxed) water.  Get them here the night before an excursion, rather than get charged for the ones stocked in your stateroom.

 

We also take the bottle of sparkling wine from our room down on a sea-day, and they brought orange juice for mimosas and an ice bucket.

 

Dropping a $1 chip on their tray every round or two definitely makes my service experience better!

 

Finally, the casino package USED to include Gatorade, but that seems to have been dropped from the selection.  Not available on either of our cruises already in 2022.

[fstuff1]

16 hours ago, Sue Do-Over said:

Regular Casino guests with 'Stinky Drinky' cards.

 

Includes well drinks (not top-shelf liquors) in single strength. several whiskeys - Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, etc.

Jack is not included in the bottom level casino drink card