Drinks at casino

[edh101985]

Hello

 

We are traveling the Eurodam in December. We got an offer and it includes free drinks while playing at the casino. First, how strict are they if you don’t gamble much? Can you just give a tip in the beginning? Second is there a menu, or a bar to get drinks? Was curious what they offer and if it’s more than just basic ones you get when flagging someone down. 

[NCTribeFan]

My experience has been that you're limited to the drinks available at the casino bar (the one in the Gallery Bar).

 

Service was fantastic, but I was on the first sailing in the US after she arrived from Europe in November 2021 and we only had about 500 pax.

 

Technically, you DO need to be playing either slots or at a table.  Occasionally, you can be standing around and a server will ask for your order, but don't count on it. 

 

I don't "bribe" upfront.  I add a small tip when the drink is delivered although the regular tip is included in your offer and you don't have to add more.

[daisy-mae]

I had a free drinks at the casino offer when on the Zuiderdam last fall. When I signed in on the first day, the cashier suggested that I go to the bar myself to order my drinks. It took me awhile to understand why, but I eventually figured it out. For a server to deliver a drink he/she needs to have your keycard; since the card is required to record your slot play, any points earned while it is out of the machine will not be counted. The one time that I tried it the machine appeared to reset, so I was extra careful when ordering a beverage.

[FlorenceItaly]

18 minutes ago, daisy-mae said:

I had a free drinks at the casino offer when on the Zuiderdam last fall. When I signed in on the first day, the cashier suggested that I go to the bar myself to order my drinks. It took me awhile to understand why, but I eventually figured it out. For a server to deliver a drink he/she needs to have your keycard; since the card is required to record your slot play, any points earned while it is out of the machine will not be counted. The one time that I tried it the machine appeared to reset, so I was extra careful when ordering a beverage.

Did they put a sticker or anything on your card to identify you are entitled to complimentary drinks at the casino bar?  Or, did you just walk up and say you are?  I appreciate you sharing as we are on the Zuiderdam in May with a casino offer.  Thank you.

Edited February 12, 2023 by FlorenceItaly

[highscar]

We were given plastic card holders on a lanyard.   The waiters just asked for name and or room number.  

[daisy-mae]

37 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Did they put a sticker or anything on your card to identify you are entitled to complimentary drinks at the casino bar?  Or, did you just walk up and say you are?  I appreciate you sharing as we are on the Zuiderdam in May with a casino offer.  Thank you.

Yes, I had a sticker on my card. I had no trouble getting a drink with the card; the only problem was with the timing. 

 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂

[NCTribeFan]

5 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

I had a free drinks at the casino offer when on the Zuiderdam last fall. When I signed in on the first day, the cashier suggested that I go to the bar myself to order my drinks. It took me awhile to understand why, but I eventually figured it out. For a server to deliver a drink he/she needs to have your keycard; since the card is required to record your slot play, any points earned while it is out of the machine will not be counted. The one time that I tried it the machine appeared to reset, so I was extra careful when ordering a beverage.

 

This isn't how it's worked for me.  It's been the same on HAL as on Carnival and I've taken many, many Carnival sailings where I've had free drinks while gambling.  They just look at your card and write down your folio number.  If you're at a slot, there's a button on the machine they push that shows your folio number so you never have to remove your card.

 

At the bars, you have to had over your card for them to swipe, but you don't have to do that when you're playing in the casino.

[Dobby36]

My experience is the same as NCTribe's - on both Eurodam and Rotterdam I've had my card in the slot machines and been approached (quickly and again once i'm empty!) by the gallery bar staff who simply took down my room number on a post-it, and then quickly remembered it/me/my order. I was always quite pleased with the service. 

[gdy0354]

I found that after the first day, the servers know your name, room, and what you drink. No need to give card. Just a tip with each drink, keeps them coming back to you.

[Balliett]

always bring your paperwork showing your offer.  always.  

[DaveOKC]

Recently on both the Eurodam and N.A. on the first day the casino staff place a small sticker on your card to indicate free drinks.  Since the servers can see it while inserted in the machine, there was no need to remove the card.  They saw our names from the machine and just asked for our cabin number.

 

[electro]

If you have the HIA package, do the free casino drinks count towards your 15 drinks a day?

 

[fkfad]

We are just off of the Nieuw Statendam with a casino offer, including drinks while playing.  They were strict about only offering us a drink while playing.  They placed a little sticker on the back of our key cards to show our eligibility.  The drink server took our cards when we placed an order for a drink.  Sometimes the service was very slow as the casino was very busy.  The people playing at tables received drink service more frequently than the slot players.  We tipped with every drink, regardless of whether or not it was necessary.  One time we actually went up to the bar to order drinks as there were no servers working on the floor at that time.

[NCTribeFan]

Again, you do not have to remove your card.  There's a button on the machine that they push that shows your folio number (not your cabin number - that isn't on your card anyway).

 

On the 14 nights on Spirit a month ago, the servers knew my folio number after a couple of drinks.  And my name.

 

Five weeks until I'm on Rotterdam for 26 days (the last 10 days are casino offers).  I have HIA for the 16-night TA, so I imagine the casino bar servers will know me fairly early, considering we 2 sea days from Port Everglades to NYC, then have 8 straight sea days on the crossing!

 

[dreamer321]

If you don't have any drink package at all and are not on a casino promo cruise, don't you still get free drinks in the casino as long as you are actively playing at a table or machine?

 

Edited February 28, 2023 by dreamer321

[Laminator]

1 minute ago, dreamer321 said:

If you don't have any drink package at all and are not on a casino promo cruise, don't you still gets free drinks in the casino as long as you are actively playing at a table or machine?

 

It's not like Vegas!

[mikolajk]

We had this same offer on the Z this summer.  They gave us a separate card to show.  We occasionally went up to the bar in the casino to get drinks, but usually sat at a slot machine or table.  They do get to know you and the full bar menu was available. They aren't quick to push drinks so you really have to flag them down.  If you play at the tables and you mention you want a drink the dealer will flag down the wait staff for you.  I did a B2B on the Z and the first cruise my cabin partner (my sister) got the free drinks deal, but they gave me free drinks as well.  The second week, my sister went home and my husband joined me and I had the free drinks deal, but by husband didn't get the free drinks deal.  I agree with the post above, I'd print off the deal you got because if your name isn't on the casino manager's list for free drinks or casino cash you don't get them.