Casino drink card on board the Epic

[mikeqube]

Like most cruises its it typically the same bartenders in the casino and on our cruise on the dawn the casino bar staff got to know us early. We made sure to remember to tip them - since with the card they are not getting tipped - and they took very good care of us. Heck most of the time when we entered the casino area and as we walked towards the bar our drinks of choice were waiting for us as we reached the bar -and before a single dollar was bet.

 

Enjoy the Dawn cruise, its a great ship and staff.

 

I usually get to know my bartenders very well during my cruises! When you use the card, do you tip in cash or do you still get a receipt that you can write it in on?

[MKsol]

I usually get to know my bartenders very well during my cruises! When you use the card, do you tip in cash or do you still get a receipt that you can write it in on?

 

There is no receipt so we did just tip with cash, mostly just took care of them at the end of say a "session". We would sit at the bar and play some video poker and have several drinks, then drop some money for them before we moved out onto the casino floor, then handle casino floor servers (who also knew us) drink by drink. They all seemed very appreciative with the bartenders noting to us that it is not uncommon for those with drink cards to not think about a tip for them.

 

And to your point about saving - this was our first 11 night cruise when we were on the dawn and were AMAZED at how low our onboard spending was given the drink card, it literally saved us hundreds of dollars!

[che5904]

FYI OP, if you play at casinos here and are interested in upping your tier score at Harrahs before booking any future cruises in hopes to get comped cruises through them (usually offered to Diamond and 7 star players at Harrahs). Windsor Caesars is also a Harrahs casino.

 

However if you are not sure you can rack up points in 4 days in Vegas. Diamond does require 11,000 points/yr.

[mikeqube]

There is no receipt so we did just tip with cash, mostly just took care of them at the end of say a "session". We would sit at the bar and play some video poker and have several drinks, then drop some money for them before we moved out onto the casino floor, then handle casino floor servers (who also knew us) drink by drink. They all seemed very appreciative with the bartenders noting to us that it is not uncommon for those with drink cards to not think about a tip for them.

 

And to your point about saving - this was our first 11 night cruise when we were on the dawn and were AMAZED at how low our onboard spending was given the drink card, it literally saved us hundreds of dollars!

 

My bar bill on my account is usually 400-500, sometimes more. This should keep that down some. I'm sure I won't do all of my drinking in the casino, but it'll help with about half of it. I'll have to make sure to get about 100 $1 bills before I get on board for the tips.

[LaCal]

Like most cruises its it typically the same bartenders in the casino and on our cruise on the dawn the casino bar staff got to know us early. We made sure to remember to tip them - since with the card they are not getting tipped - and they took very good care of us. Heck most of the time when we entered the casino area and as we walked towards the bar our drinks of choice were waiting for us as we reached the bar -and before a single dollar was bet.

 

Enjoy the Dawn cruise, its a great ship and staff.

 

For Us Tipping for the Free Drinks is Something We Always Do.....The Bartender and Servers Really Appreciate It and As You Stated by the time We Enter the Casino the Servers or Bartenders Were #1 and had Our Drinks Ready and Brought to us RIGHT AWAY, Sometimes back to us before We Were Even Finished Our Drinks....

 

Also the Free Drink Card is Suppose to be for Well Drinks, Beer, Wine, etc....But We've Found that We could Basically Order Any Type of Drink Including Top Shelf Booze which the Bartender Never had a Problem with giving Us....

 

Tipping Can Go Along Way.....:D

[luvcruzing]

I always tip, but I must say that the servers in the Star casino in April weren't great. I had to go get my own drink at the bar a couple of times. I once told the server that I had been waiting for him. He said that he was given a different area in the back of the casino, but came to see if I needed a drink. Yes, but a couple of hours ago. I overheard one of the other players ask the casino host (who wasn't always around, either) to send over a server.

 

Last year on the Spirit and two years ago on the Sky, they were great.

[MKsol]

For Us Tipping for the Free Drinks is Something We Always Do.....The Bartender and Servers Really Appreciate It and As You Stated by the time We Enter the Casino the Servers or Bartenders Were #1 and had Our Drinks Ready and Brought to us RIGHT AWAY, Sometimes back to us before We Were Even Finished Our Drinks....

 

Also the Free Drink Card is Suppose to be for Well Drinks, Beer, Wine, etc....But We've Found that We could Basically Order Any Type of Drink Including Top Shelf Booze which the Bartender Never had a Problem with giving Us....

 

Tipping Can Go Along Way.....:D

 

Absolutely the same experience, by day 2 they made a point of asking which vodka I preferred and from that point on that's what I got every time. Treat them well and they will return the favor.

 

@mikeqube - we often stopped by on the way to dinner or a show and they were always happy to freshen up our drinks so we ended up spending under $100 on drinks in other locations over the course of the 11 nights - it was simply amazing too us. Add that on top of the 5% discount we got on the cruise itself simply for providing our Total Rewards number at the time of booking with NCL and we were sold that we were now loyal NCL cruisers - in fact as you can see we have booked two in the next 15 months.

[SuiteCruiser]

If I don't have cash handy, I will tip with chips too.

[GriffinAlexander]

I usually get to know my bartenders very well during my cruises! When you use the card, do you tip in cash or do you still get a receipt that you can write it in on?

 

I've heard from different threads and also crew that when you tip in cash the person for whom the tip was intended just about always gets the entire tip, whereas when you tip an additional add on amount written into the receipt, which is also an option, it often/sometimes goes into a pool of some sort. Depending on where you make that tip may affect which crew are in that pool.

 

They definitely seem to like cash tips though.

[GriffinAlexander]

If I don't have cash handy, I will tip with chips too.

 

Potato or tortilla? Seems strange that they'd want chips, since there's a buffet on board.

[conandrob240]

I am still confused about whether I can get the drink card and if I can, how I get it. I am a Platinum Harrahs player. I booked my Epic cruise through a TA who had rates much cheaper than NCL. Since I didn't book through CAS program can I still get the drink card or not? If so, how?

[SuiteCruiser]

I am still confused about whether I can get the drink card and if I can, how I get it. I am a Platinum Harrahs player. I booked my Epic cruise through a TA who had rates much cheaper than NCL. Since I didn't book through CAS program can I still get the drink card or not? If so, how?

 

You can, once you hit 1500 points. Points are earned much faster on the slots than on the tables, and if you plan on cruising again in the near future, and are not booking through CAS, make sure you DO NOT cash in your points at the end of the cruise. The points you amass are good for 18 months, unless you cash them in. On your following cruise, give your details to the casino host and they will transfer the points and give you the drink card right away.

[MKsol]

As suitecruiser states, you will need to earn your card on board the ship, which could take the better portion of the cruise.

 

The only questions I would have for you conandrob240 is - is there any chance your TA booked you using your Total Rewards information to get you that good price? TR Platinum typically get 10% off the listed price of a cruise as shown on the website (this would be available booking directly with NCL)? Did your TA have or ask for your TR account number?

 

Given NCL's Best Price guarantee I just wonder if your TA booked you using the TR discount to get you that much better price?

 

On my reservation invoice it shows under "promo codes" Harrahs ENT - you might want to look at the paperwork provided by your TA to see if that appears anywhere - if it does you might be pleasantly surprised.

[conandrob240]

No, she didn't book under the CAS program. It wa a group rate. I even called CAS and not only wouldn't they match it but their price even with the discount was around $500 more

[SuiteCruiser]

No, she didn't book under the CAS program. It wa a group rate. I even called CAS and not only wouldn't they match it but their price even with the discount was around $500 more

 

It sounds like you'll have to play for it. As Robin (Fishbait) mentioned, it only took her a day to reach 1500 points, so it really depends on your level of play.

 

I play tables, and though I play a LOT, I only bet $10 per hand so it took me 5 days to earn my points.

 

Being platinum, I'd guess you'll hit the points pretty quickly, in the meantime, you're starting $500 ahead, and that will pay for a few drinks while you play to earn the card :)

[conandrob240]

How do you accummulate points on slots? Anyone know the formula?

[SuiteCruiser]

How do you accummulate points on slots? Anyone know the formula?

 

it's 1 point for every $5 run through.

[anniversay/grad trip]

Back from Vegas (original op) and each of the 6 in our group managed to get an average point amount of around 1600pts each (some a little more, one at 1200pts)....what is suggested to do? Call CAS? or just bring along our TR cards and hope for the best? When I originally called CAS they were not, how shall I put it...helpful. In fact, every question I asked was met with an opposing question. Suggestions, from anyone who has experienced this?

[che5904]

Back from Vegas (original op) and each of the 6 in our group managed to get an average point amount of around 1600pts each (some a little more, one at 1200pts)....what is suggested to do? Call CAS? or just bring along our TR cards and hope for the best? When I originally called CAS they were not, how shall I put it...helpful. In fact, every question I asked was met with an opposing question. Suggestions, from anyone who has experienced this?

 

Your total reward points have absolutely nothing to do wth CAS. The only thing your total reward card itself will do is get you a discount associated with the tier level of card (in this case it sounds like gold). The discount is 5% of the base cruise price for gold members but you have to do it through the Total Rewards phone number listed below.

 

https://www.totalrewards.com/TotalRewards/RewardsAndBenefits.do?page=norwegiancruiseline

 

You appear to have a cruise already booked, are you talking about booking another cruise. From the site above. "Offers valid for direct and new bookings only, based on availability, capacity controlled, not combinable with other offers,"

[MrsNancyG]

OK, please just clear one thing up for me, the drink card is only valid for drinks in the casino, yes? Its not like you can be on a pool deck and get free drinks there with your card?

[che5904]

OK, please just clear one thing up for me, the drink card is only valid for drinks in the casino, yes? Its not like you can be on a pool deck and get free drinks there with your card?

 

That is totally correct. The official policy is the drink card is only valid while playing in the casino.

 

Some will say they have just went and sat at the bar regardless to whether they were playing, some have said they just to to the casino and get a drink and take to other parts of the ship.

 

The drink card priveleges have been cut back in the last while, and in my opinion it is thanks to those people that stretched the rules.

[anniversay/grad trip]

Your total reward points have absolutely nothing to do wth CAS. The only thing your total reward card itself will do is get you a discount associated with the tier level of card (in this case it sounds like gold). The discount is 5% of the base cruise price for gold members but you have to do it through the Total Rewards phone number listed below.

 

https://www.totalrewards.com/TotalRewards/RewardsAndBenefits.do?page=norwegiancruiseline

 

You appear to have a cruise already booked, are you talking about booking another cruise. From the site above. "Offers valid for direct and new bookings only, based on availability, capacity controlled, not combinable with other offers,"

 

I have booked our cruise, and it appears that you have not read the entire thread. As this is my first time on NCL (having cruised over a dozen times with other lines) I was looking for advice about casino rewards programs. I was given the advice from another member that a tier level of 1500pts needed to be earned to receive the casino drink card. Your second post indicated to me that you felt "people" took advantage of the program, therefore it had been scaled back. I am simply asking a question being a newbie to NCL. Certainly not looking to take advantage of any program or offer. Our party of 6 are not what I would call big drinkers by any means (a glass of wine with dinner, and 1 or 2 cocktails in the casino)...I am sure you can appreciate looking for perks when available. I was not aware that the program offered discount cruise fares. I booked directly with NCL at a rate I am happy with, but I have learned if you don't ask, you don't get....although getting flamed was also not my intention.

[Fishbait17]

Greetings from Copenhagen! OP, it seems you have taken your trip to Vegas and accumulated a few points and gotten a TR gold card.. Look at "My Total Rewards" on the Caesars.com webpage (you may have to sign into or up for the online access). Somewhere under there it has affiliations with NCL that has a phone number to call. Call and get TR Gold card pricing for your cruise, and then you can see what discount you qualify for. VERY IMPORTANT to ask if the drink card still comes with theGold card discount - there was talk of them getting rid of the drink card for basic Gold card members. Then you can compare and see which is a better deal...

 

You could also call CAS directly and see if they can help you with the TR discount. They might be able to simply take over your reservation instead of canceling it and making a new one.

 

Robin

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[che5904]

I have booked our cruise, and it appears that you have not read the entire thread. As this is my first time on NCL (having cruised over a dozen times with other lines) I was looking for advice about casino rewards programs. I was given the advice from another member that a tier level of 1500pts needed to be earned to receive the casino drink card. Your second post indicated to me that you felt "people" took advantage of the program, therefore it had been scaled back. I am simply asking a question being a newbie to NCL. Certainly not looking to take advantage of any program or offer. Our party of 6 are not what I would call big drinkers by any means (a glass of wine with dinner, and 1 or 2 cocktails in the casino)...I am sure you can appreciate looking for perks when available. I was not aware that the program offered discount cruise fares. I booked directly with NCL at a rate I am happy with, but I have learned if you don't ask, you don't get....although getting flamed was also not my intention.

 

No, you are right I did not re-read this thread because I was only directly answering your particular post that I quoted. Your post I was quoting made it sound like you assumed that the points collected in Vegas were somehow helpful on the ship. I was just trying to help by letting you know, one had nothing to do with the other. The only way your total rewards card would help would be with a discount for a new booking. Otherwise you Total Rewards and their points were useless for NCL cruises. The 1500 for the drink card actually had to be earned on your CAS card in the casino on the ship.

My second post was not directed at you at all, but to the poster I was quoting. Who asked a direct question. However, the question that poster asked will usually be followed by posts like “I just go sit at the casino bar and drink and have had no issue”, or “I just order a drink and take it to other parts”. I was just explaining what the actual policy was and any further posts to her question that stated the above was IMO the reason the card was scaled back.

For the record, I really don’t care if the card has been scaled back or why it has been, I make enough points in a day in the casino to cover the drink card if I wanted it.

So as you can seeing I wasn’t flaming anyone but trying to be helpful to 2 different posters.

.

[anniversay/grad trip]

Greetings from Copenhagen! OP, it seems you have taken your trip to Vegas and accumulated a few points and gotten a TR gold card.. Look at "My Total Rewards" on the Caesars.com webpage (you may have to sign into or up for the online access). Somewhere under there it has affiliations with NCL that has a phone number to call. Call and get TR Gold card pricing for your cruise, and then you can see what discount you qualify for. VERY IMPORTANT to ask if the drink card still comes with theGold card discount - there was talk of them getting rid of the drink card for basic Gold card members. Then you can compare and see which is a better deal...

 

You could also call CAS directly and see if they can help you with the TR discount. They might be able to simply take over your reservation instead of canceling it and making a new one.

 

Robin

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thank you, I did just that from a number I found on my TR card. After going through the discounts that are made available to me (5% for Gold Members) and booking at todays rate, it turns out I would actually be paying more with the discount. We booked over a year in advance and I got a good rate as well as a nominal OBC. So for all my effort in Las Vegas to accumulate the 1500pts it is not worth a thing....live and learn.