Ok where's the free and cheap drinks?

[COREYATMN]

22 minutes ago, bikerunner said:

Also have to take into account if you want any of the coffees from Cafe Bacio and waters etc.  With AI that includes the grats which is 17-20ish depending on room it works out well for many.  I get a lot of coffees and teas from the cafe do not have to worry about liking or not liking a drink.  I agree does not work out for everyone but for me its a no brainer, since I do need the internet to track work emails also at times.  

Good point,  I always forget the coffee angle, since I don't partake......

[Fly and Sail]

Free drinks during casino gaming is... well,... subject to adequate staffing. Unfortunately, the 1-2 servers they have for the entire casino can't really get that much done and you might wait forever to get anything even if it's just water.

[prmssk]

Just an observation-Gambling just for the free drinks seems to go against OP’s goal.

 

To add to others’ suggestions, purchasing wine by the bottle (after exhausting the ones you bring on) is more cost efficient than buying by the glass. 
 

Wine tastings, martini flights, etc. are more cost effective than purchasing individual drinks and some of these can be purchased pre-cruise at a discount. 
 

Drinking on shore on port days is a lot less expensive, just get yourself back before the ship leaves…it seems pier runners are often stumbling a bit from too much to drink. 

[horseymike]

17 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

Sailing on Summit in May. We usually have the Free at Sea booze package on NCL but with the high cost of the full meal deal on Celebrity are opting out this time. So where can we find the best deals (besides the Casino at 9 in the morning 😀) .Does the champagne flow freely at the art auctions? What about buckets of beer at a reduced price? Any bars charge less than others?  TIA

Try Carnival 

[scoochy12]

I know it is 2 bottles of wine per person to bring on board for a 7 day cruise. Does that change / increase if an 11 day cruise? TIA

[Ex-Airbalancer]

46 minutes ago, scoochy12 said:

I know it is 2 bottles of wine per person to bring on board for a 7 day cruise. Does that change / increase if an 11 day cruise? TIA

No 

[dreamer321]

51 minutes ago, scoochy12 said:

I know it is 2 bottles of wine per person to bring on board for a 7 day cruise. Does that change / increase if an 11 day cruise? TIA

I'm not a wine drinker but I've read on here you can bring back a bottle of wine you purchased during a port visit (subject to a possible corkage fee).  If I'm wrong please correct me as this is not something I've done personally.

[drakes2]

20 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

Sounds like you are ready to party, on the cheap.... LOL

 

You may want to check your CP often just in case there is a sale on CBP, other than that the casino until it closes while you are gambling, I do not know about flowing champagne at the Art Auction, but it is certainly there for the asking and you will want to check the daily planner for the 'drinks of the day specials'...

 

I Am sure others will chime in on other opportunities, if available.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

Bo, I have not seen the drink of the day special since pre covid. The jewelry shops always have free sparkling wine on hand to entice you to purchase. Just be on your guard there as they can be quite persuasive. ie this ring looks stunning on your finger and was made for you. Also don't tell anyone but I can get a special discount for you only. 😆 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

11 minutes ago, drakes2 said:e. Just be on your guard there as they can be quite persuasive. ie this ring looks stunning on your finger and was made for you. Also don't tell anyone but I can get a special discount for you only. 😆 

No way! 😱
they would try to hard sell you 🤣

[SRQbeachgirl]

We don't do the drinks packages on cruises since Mr. SRQ doesn't drink alcohol I don't drink enough to make it worth it. I take wine onboard and often don't drink it all by the end of the week.

 

I do admit, though, that on our Reflection cruise in January I might have once or twice (or seven or eight times 😉) popped my card into a video poker machine for the sole purpose of obtaining a complimentary cocktail. But I have a secret weapon for getting quick service--Mr. SRQ. As soon as I sit down he goes on the prowl for a server to ask them if they could take a drink order for me. 😁 Never waited more than a few minutes and came out ahead for the week on the poker machines. Win - win!

[cruisestitch]

2 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

I'm not a wine drinker but I've read on here you can bring back a bottle of wine you purchased during a port visit (subject to a possible corkage fee).  If I'm wrong please correct me as this is not something I've done personally.

There are a couple of threads on this topic going now. Basically the rule is that you cannot bring wine on the ship from a port, however often they let you do it. So don’t be surprised if they take the wine from you, don’t be surprised if they let it go.

[Bo1953]

56 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

Bo, I have not seen the drink of the day special since pre covid. The jewelry shops always have free sparkling wine on hand to entice you to purchase. Just be on your guard there as they can be quite persuasive. ie this ring looks stunning on your finger and was made for you. Also don't tell anyone but I can get a special discount for you only. 😆 

d2 - I Am sure you are correct, as I always have the PBP and as such never look to see if there are special drinks of the day, as often in the past what was on special appeared to be a bit too sweet for my taste...... LOL

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Fla Mike]

21 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

Sailing on Summit in May. We usually have the Free at Sea booze package on NCL but with the high cost of the full meal deal on Celebrity are opting out this time. So where can we find the best deals (besides the Casino at 9 in the morning 😀) .Does the champagne flow freely at the art auctions? What about buckets of beer at a reduced price? Any bars charge less than others?  TIA

 

Andre Cold Duck

A sweet combination of red and white wines blended with a soft Concord base. Refreshing grape aromas with tangy, pleasing and ripe fruit flavors.

[Cruisin4ABruisen]

I’ve heard a cabana rental is a good way to get a lot of booze at a somewhat reasonable price, but I have no experience with them myself. 

[Hawkstar33]

Looking for freebies on a cruise.  Nowadays?  And alcohol to boot?  Call up and see. Maybe you could try and book a reduced rate room thru the casino...Casino will save you money on the cruise fare.  Then you would have the saved cruise fare money, to buy the drink package pre cruise, at an additional savings.  

[Maplemoose]

OP here.....Not a question of affordability, but rather justification. If I have 6 or 7 drinks a day I could not justify the Celebrity package  cost plus tip whereas for a little over $20 with the NCL promo it's a no brainer. Sometimes it's about the ship and entertainment and drinks, sometimes it's about the itinerary and other factors like direct flights. And as always it depends on how much you plan on imbibing. 🍺

[Fly and Sail]

6 hours ago, Cruisin4ABruisen said:

I’ve heard a cabana rental is a good way to get a lot of booze at a somewhat reasonable price, but I have no experience with them myself. 

 

How so? Does the cabana include a free flow of alcohol?

[drakes2]

10 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

There are a couple of threads on this topic going now. Basically the rule is that you cannot bring wine on the ship from a port, however often they let you do it. So don’t be surprised if they take the wine from you, don’t be surprised if they let it go.

I remember think 2019 bought a bottle of Campari and Cointreau in St. Maarten had in a bag while going through scanner.  The bottles clincked and all he said was Ah Ha. What does that mean?  I dunno. 

[drakes2]

9 hours ago, Hawkstar33 said:

Looking for freebies on a cruise.

I haven't seen any since pre covid. Only ones are if you get invite to sailaway also on Equinox last October there was a mixology event in Sky Lounge but fairly late and I couldn't finish 3 full drinks. 

[upwarduk]

18 hours ago, davekathy said:

You missed the boat so to speak. Celebrity use to hand out glasses of champagne when you first boarded the ship on embarkation day. 🥂

I’ve read that they are now at the World Class bar.

[drakes2]

8 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

OP here.....Not a question of affordability, but rather justification. If I have 6 or 7 drinks a day I could not justify the Celebrity package  cost plus tip whereas for a little over $20 with the NCL promo it's a no brainer. Sometimes it's about the ship and entertainment and drinks, sometimes it's about the itinerary and other factors like direct flights. And as always it depends on how much you plan on imbibing. 🍺

I've had the AI exactly 2 x and in both cases worked for me as I was able to try some nice Premium wines (those particular wines no longer available) therefore back to no package now.  Besides that my Elite status was getting lonely. 😆  On my last cruise there was a great cab in the basic package which was being served during HH. 

[drakes2]

8 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

I’ve read that they are now at the World Class bar.

All that has stopped. Never seen at WCB and they open at 5 anyway. 

[dazey]

If you are Elite or higher you can purchase a bottle of wine and get a 20% discount which often is better than buying 4 glasses of wine at dinner.  This discount also applies to Sake which on our last cruise they would not give to me but I have confirmation in hand for our next cruise.  Captain Club also gave us an OBC for this error and it was well over what the 20% discount was.

 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

10 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

OP here.....Not a question of affordability, but rather justification. If I have 6 or 7 drinks a day I could not justify the Celebrity package  cost plus tip whereas for a little over $20 with the NCL promo it's a no brainer. Sometimes it's about the ship and entertainment and drinks, sometimes it's about the itinerary and other factors like direct flights. And as always it depends on how much you plan on imbibing. 🍺

7 drinks ($10 USD) per day is $113.75 CAD including tip , classic drink package with tip is $136 CAD , 

if you got Always included you would gotten , ship gratuities, and Wi-Fi, cheaper than what you pay just for the drink package 

You also need to find a good TA our next 2 Transatlantic cruise , we paying $135CAD per night per person for a balcony with Always included and port fees 

[drakes2]

29 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

7 drinks ($10 USD) per day is $113.75 CAD including tip , classic drink package with tip is $136 CAD , 

if you got Always included you would gotten , ship gratuities, and Wi-Fi, cheaper than what you pay just for the drink package 

You also need to find a good TA our next 2 Transatlantic cruise , we paying $135CAD per night per person for a balcony with Always included and port fees 

I've only found bargains like that a couple times then upgraded to premium mainly for drinks at WCB and the San Pellegrino. I had a stop in Hawaii last year after cruise and took some san pellegrino with me. 😆