Casino drinks?

[tomel]

I am wondering if anyone has a definitive answer on drinks in the casinos. When I sailed on the Dawn last May we received free drinks in the casino if we had a Casino at Sea card and were gambling. However, during our cruise on the Star this past October no one was getting free drinks except for a group that had a special card (not a Casino at Sea). I asked someone who had the card and they said that it was included in the "casino" cruise package they purchased.

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[nyflush]

I am wondering if anyone has a definitive answer on drinks in the casinos. When I sailed on the Dawn last May we received free drinks in the casino if we had a Casino at Sea card and were gambling. However, during our cruise on the Star this past October no one was getting free drinks except for a group that had a special card (not a Casino at Sea). I asked someone who had the card and they said that it was included in the "casino" cruise package they purchased.

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

I know when I have booked with Casino at sea I got a free drink card for the casino.

 

I have read on these board that NCL did a trial with free drinks in the casino when you had a CAS card for a few weeks or months.

 

I think you have to book with CAS to get the free drink card but I could be wrong my last cruise was last year and it may have changed.

[JohnIreland]

I am wondering if anyone has a definitive answer on drinks in the casinos. When I sailed on the Dawn last May we received free drinks in the casino if we had a Casino at Sea card and were gambling.

 

 

That was a short lived trial last may and june. I understand it was ended beciase of people sitting at the cent slots of just long enough to get a drink then heading off.

 

 

You may still get free drinks , but it's completely down to the senior casino staff if they comp it.

[lolakat]

I was also on the Dawn last May and everyone who signed up for the CAS card was getting free drinks. On the Pearl one month earlier only those who has booked through CAS had the "special" free drink card. Also if you are betting enough (I would say $25 at BJ) the pit boss just comped us directly.

 

We have booked our last 2 NCL cruises through CAS and I highly recommend it if you spend significant time in the casino. We were able to get 2 in a BA for free and upgraded that to a suite at a large discount.

[terrymtex01]

As others have stated, it was a short lived test and was ruined by those who took advantage of the test. I know people will say I am getting on a high horse just like they do when I say I don't understand people sneaking alcohol onboard (since you give your word when you buy a ticket that you will not do it..) but.. here I go... I know it was evident to anyone with half a brain that the free drinks was for people who were actually sitting there gambling. I remember this one poor soul who would stick a $20.00 in a slot machine and bet one quarter, then order a drink. She would do nothing else with her machine until she got her drink, then she printed her ticket out of her machine and walked around drinking her beer until she was ready for another one. Then she stuck her ticket into a machine, bet one quarter, and ordered another beer and so on and so on. I kept thinking how sad she was walking around drinking that beer alone in the casino, and having to get it by playing one quarter, rather than being with friends and family at a bar or where ever having a good time. Unfortunately, it was people like that who abused the trial that caused others like yourself to not have the program today.

[garycarla]

No free drinks unless you are a HEAVY player, and then maybe not unless you are a CAS guest.

 

Just the way it is. As others said, they have tried various ways such as always free, happy hours, etc. and apparently it was not worth it to them.

 

Along with that, it always amazes me how people getting free drinks never tip the server.

[dznymom]

As others have stated, it was a short lived test and was ruined by those who took advantage of the test.

 

That reminds me of something I read in an old CAS thread. I just came back from my first cruise booked with CAS. I was pleased to see that they had hand-written the ship & dates of my cruise on the back of my free drink card. I had read that someone saw a CAS free drink card being sold on E-bay. At least on the Sky, it was clear they knew who was who in the casino, so it could have been very embarrassing (and I hope it was) for anyone who had bought one and tried to use it.

[garycarla]

Actually, on our cruise they would check your name when you first went to the casino against a list. Then knew who was who.

[tomel]

I guess I was naive during my first cruise. I only play the tables and I just assumed it was set up like Vegas. So, I was more that a little confused on the next cruise when they asked for my room key. It is a shame when people abuse the system. Thanks for all the excellent information.

[JohnIreland]

If you are playing a good bit ask about getting some free drinks , I found them very reasonable once they get used to seeing you playing.

[terrymtex01]

That reminds me of something I read in an old CAS thread. I just came back from my first cruise booked with CAS. I was pleased to see that they had hand-written the ship & dates of my cruise on the back of my free drink card. I had read that someone saw a CAS free drink card being sold on E-bay. At least on the Sky, it was clear they knew who was who in the casino, so it could have been very embarrassing (and I hope it was) for anyone who had bought one and tried to use it.

 

LOL.. I remember seeing that on ebay when it came out on a thread that it was for sale. LOL..

What is funny to me is on our last cruise, the early evening of the last night of the cruise I got up from a slot machine and left my players club card in the machine and of course it had my vip card attached that gave me the free drinks. After a very few minutes I went back to the machine and my card was laying on the side of the slot machine, but the VIP card was gone. I wasn't concerned about not getting drinks because by the end of the cruise they had stopped needing to see my card as they had gotten used to me.. but for fear someone else might be using it I went to the casino manager and advised her what had happened. She chuckeled and told me not to worry.. They know who every one is that is supposed to have the VIP card and they are quick to tell someone if they don't think its valid.

[Venus4NU]

I booked through NCL and used my diamond status with Harrah's for a discount. On the first day of the cruise I had the players card with the free drink card attached waiting in my room. I don't drink so I never used it. I just looked at it and there is no date or ship name on it. I just booked another cruise and used CAS for an even bigger discount. I am sure I will get another free drink card but I won't use it.

[terrymtex01]

I booked through NCL and used my diamond status with Harrah's for a discount. On the first day of the cruise I had the players card with the free drink card attached waiting in my room. I don't drink so I never used it. I just looked at it and there is no date or ship name on it. I just booked another cruise and used CAS for an even bigger discount. I am sure I will get another free drink card but I won't use it.

 

I am kind of like you.. we never really do drink alcoholic drinks, but I do drink a lot of coffee, sparkling water or soda when in the casino. I have often wanted to make a deal with someone that if they wanted to buy those things for me they could have my vip card to get their alcoholic drinks for free since my drinks would be cheaper.. LOL.. but I know that wouldn't work.

[dznymom]

Terry, I like the ocassional Irish Coffee and I have found that many of the bars don't seem to have coffee available. I take it you have not had a problem getting coffee in the casino? My next scheduled cruise is the Sept TA going to Iceland (brrrr), so I am thinking coffee drinks will be more appealing than the typical cruise foo-foo drinks!

 

Another thing I liked about the drink card was that although it said house brand drinks, my Jameson whiskey was readily available. As a matter of fact, after the first evening I would walk through the casino door, and my favorite server would magically appear and say "Hello Miss Christine, Jameson?" Oh, how I wish I was there right now!

[Fishbait17]

Terry, I like the ocassional Irish Coffee and I have found that many of the bars don't seem to have coffee available. I take it you have not had a problem getting coffee in the casino? My next scheduled cruise is the Sept TA going to Iceland (brrrr), so I am thinking coffee drinks will be more appealing than the typical cruise foo-foo drinks!

 

Another thing I liked about the drink card was that although it said house brand drinks, my Jameson whiskey was readily available. As a matter of fact, after the first evening I would walk through the casino door, and my favorite server would magically appear and say "Hello Miss Christine, Jameson?" Oh, how I wish I was there right now!

 

The casino almost always has coffee available at the "help yourself" table where they serve the snacks. You could always ask the server to pick you up a cup and take it to the bartender with your coffee drink order. And, yes, I LOVE it when the servers learn your preferences... How nice is that?

 

Robin

[yanxfan]

Can I ask what "CAS" means? I'm going on the Gem through Harrahs (7 Star player) and I asked directly if I will be getting free drinks in the casino and they replied yes, if I was booked through the casino. Is that what you are all referring to?

[BarbCT605]

Can I ask what "CAS" means? I'm going on the Gem through Harrahs (7 Star player) and I asked directly if I will be getting free drinks in the casino and they replied yes, if I was booked through the casino. Is that what you are all referring to?

CAS = Casinos at Sea

 

If you don't have a Player's card with a free drink card waiting for you in your cabin, see the Casino Manager. Let them know you booked through Harrah's and ask for the free drink card (if you want one, of course!).

[Suni99]

The casino almost always has coffee available at the "help yourself" table where they serve the snacks. You could always ask the server to pick you up a cup and take it to the bartender with your coffee drink order. And, yes, I LOVE it when the servers learn your preferences... How nice is that?

 

Robin

 

Where is the snack table(pearl)? I never saw it

[ocdb8r]

Great thread...couple of questions:

 

1) Does everyone in your cabin (above 18) get the drink card. I have a couple of friends sailing with me (same cabin) on my next cruise who are new to NCL but will be gambling with me. THEY actually drink alcoholic drinks occasionally, while I rarely touch more than water or coffee. Would love for someone who might get some use out of it to get one.

 

2) Does the drink card get you anything OUTSIDE the casino. As I mentioned, I don't really drink but I'd love to get a juice or diet coke occasionally (I don't drink enough to justify the soda card).

 

3) Anyone have some guidance on what sort of betting we're talking to bump into the "free" cruise stratosphere. I just booked my first CAS reservation and got a niiice discount, but sure would love for it to be gratis (more to spend at the tables :-D ). Curious where I need to be...is it obnoxious to just call and ask them such a thing? (I don't want to seem ungrateful for the discount I am already getting)

[terrymtex01]

Where is the snack table(pearl)? I never saw it

 

It was always set up back by the high limits area when we were on the Pearl. Like if you were at the Martian or Burger Shake Fries machine, your back would be towards the snack table.

 

Great thread...couple of questions:

 

1) Does everyone in your cabin (above 18) get the drink card. I have a couple of friends sailing with me (same cabin) on my next cruise who are new to NCL but will be gambling with me. THEY actually drink alcoholic drinks occasionally, while I rarely touch more than water or coffee. Would love for someone who might get some use out of it to get one.

 

Yes, every one in your cabin should have the VIP card if you do qualify for it. The absolute only reason I put the disclaimer on there about "if" you qualify for it is there have been some questions as to if you book through CAS do you get the card as opposed to being comp'ed by CAS. I think you get it either way, just don't want you coming back saying I told you something wrong. 8-)

Everyone in your cabin should get one but if you have others traveling with you that try to use it they will check their list to see if the others are on the VIP list, at least until they get to know them and remember them being on the list from checking it previously.

 

2) Does the drink card get you anything OUTSIDE the casino. As I mentioned, I don't really drink but I'd love to get a juice or diet coke occasionally (I don't drink enough to justify the soda card).

 

No.. sorry.. the VIP card is only useful in the Casino.

 

3) Anyone have some guidance on what sort of betting we're talking to bump into the "free" cruise stratosphere. I just booked my first CAS reservation and got a niiice discount, but sure would love for it to be gratis (more to spend at the tables :-D ). Curious where I need to be...is it obnoxious to just call and ask them such a thing? (I don't want to seem ungrateful for the

discount I am already getting)

 

No pun intended, but I think this is the $64,000 question. I think we all will only be able to tell you our ideas, but nothing set in stone. What I always tell people is take how much you gamble out of your own pocket, and divide that by 1/3. That is probably how much you could count on a "comp'ed" room for. So if you gamble $3000.00, you probably could get a comp'ed room that was $1000.00 or less. PLEASE note this is just my theory.. others may know more or have other theories. I do know that formula has worked for us when we have called to get a room comp'ed.

 

 

Hope I have helped some and I hope you enjoy your wonderful cruise. Come back and tell us all about it.

[welove2cruise232]

Interesting thread -- we booked through CAS, will be curious to see if we get a drink card... Makes no difference, since we're very happy with the price we got through CAS.

[BarbCT605]

Interesting thread -- we booked through CAS, will be curious to see if we get a drink card... Makes no difference, since we're very happy with the price we got through CAS.

You'll get a drink card -- attached to your Player's card waiting for you in your cabin. Have funnnn!

 

Edited to add: It's on a small chain attached to the Player's card. Read the drink card. I thought it was an ad and threw it away once.

[terrymtex01]

You'll get a drink card -- attached to your Player's card waiting for you in your cabin. Have funnnn!

 

Edited to add: It's on a small chain attached to the Player's card. Read the drink card. I thought it was an ad and threw it away once.

 

Glad to know that is the case, that all bookings through CAS get the VIP card.

 

I remember reading you throwing that VIP card away a long time ago and cracked up. I'm sure they replaced it though... didn't they? I would hope they did.

[BarbCT605]

Glad to know that is the case, that all bookings through CAS get the VIP card.

 

I remember reading you throwing that VIP card away a long time ago and cracked up. I'm sure they replaced it though... didn't they? I would hope they did.

I didn't know it was a free drink card, so I didn't ask for a replacement.:o

[garycarla]

Most people have very little idea oh how much they have gambled, only much they have lost. Meaning, you could walk into the casino with $200 and leave with $10 - that does not mean you gambled $190 in this case. Normally you win some, then bet it again and so on. So, after going through $190, you may have actually gambled a $1,000 if you had a bunch of wins along the way. They count the HIGHER number.

 

As to how much for a free room. You can measure this a bit by looking at the number of POINTS you earn for by the end of the cruise. I am guessing you need to above 100 points - just my guess.