ellell Posted September 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 19, 2017 We are given a free drink card for the casino and do not buy a drink package. How much should I tip per drink? The standard 18-20%? I normally request beer or wine and not the expensive/labor intensive mixed/frozen drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleventyBangBang Posted September 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I've always given a dollar per drink, no matter what it was or where it was, cruise ship or otherwise. On cruises, I do bring a big wad of ones for this purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted September 20, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 20, 2017 A buck or two. If we are both there, I often give a $5 right up front. Then add along the way. NOTICE - personal pet peeve. Do not do exactly 18% or any percent. Just give whatever. And tip for water, and coffee, and soda. Sorry for rant. If this does not apply to you, it apparently was not directed at you. LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin-Suzan Posted September 20, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 20, 2017 A buck or two. If we are both there, I often give a $5 right up front. Then add along the way. NOTICE - personal pet peeve. Do not do exactly 18% or any percent. Just give whatever. And tip for water, and coffee, and soda. Sorry for rant. If this does not apply to you, it apparently was not directed at you. LOL! I agree always give more the first time and after that a dollar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted September 20, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I get a soda and tip $1 per drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted September 20, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Give the waiter or bartender a buck per drink. Remember you can get bottled water at the casino bar during casino hours. Depending on the color of your casino card, you can get upgrades drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbelc Posted September 20, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 20, 2017 You got a free casino drink card?? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldrima Posted September 20, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Ditto...buck a drink with casino drink card or UBP. Always get good service. Pro tip - if you need singles, the casinos have a bill breaker/slot voucher redemption machine that doubles as an ATM. You can put any denomination in there and it will spit out the same $ amount in smaller denominations. You can keep sticking the smaller bills back in there to end up with a bunch of singles. I usually hit the bank up for a bunch of singles before embarking but this is a good backup if I forget or need more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuterlmt Posted September 20, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 20, 2017 You got a free casino drink card?? Sent from my iPad using Forums If you book through Casinos at Sea (CAS), you normally get a free drink card. I tip $1 a drink, including for soda and water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 20, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 20, 2017 We will tip $1 per order....for beer, wine or simple mixed drink. Even if it's 2 beers...$1 is ample. The only time I tip a percentage on a bar bill is if we have table service and a waiter/waitress ....If we are getting our own drinks from the bar, then it's $1 per ORDER...not per drink! (only 2 of us, tho!!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted September 20, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 20, 2017 You got a free casino drink card?? Casino guest booked with CAS (directly with CAS or via land casino cruise certificates) get drink cards with their rooms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samiam0403 Posted September 20, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I tip a dollar a drink when I use my casino card - whether it's alcohol, water, or soda. I also occasionally increase the tip to $5 for great service - eg if they bring me a water and a cocktail, or bring me a new drink without me having to order it when they notice my empty glass. Which happens a lot. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnIreland Posted September 20, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Most people seem to use a $1 chip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellell Posted September 20, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Thanks for the insight, seems like I am on track with my tipping habits. Normally, I tip $1 for one drink, $3 for two. My husband and I do seem to get allot of drinks starting with coffee in the morning, water/soda in day and drinks in the evening. I was feeling a bit cheap considering the amount of free drinks. I did give my favorite bartender and extra $20 on our last night. My husband says our casino losses are paying for the 'free' drinks. Guess, he might be right this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 20, 2017 #15 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I've always given a dollar per drink, no matter what it was or where it was, cruise ship or otherwise. On cruises, I do bring a big wad of ones for this purpose. I also tip a dollar per drink in casino. And I too bring a stack of ones for that purpose as well as for tipping cabin server who brings my complimentary morning coffee & danish. On long cruises, besides bringing ones, I also exchange twenty for ones at Guest Services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 20, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Most people seem to use a $1 chip. If I'm playing a table game I use a $1 chip. But most of my gambling is slots or video poker so I use dollar bills for tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padams2017 Posted September 20, 2017 #17 Share Posted September 20, 2017 My rule of thumb for tipping a bartender is: 1. $1 per drink if you walk up an order a drink (or drinks) to take away 2. 15-20% of the drink tab if you're sitting at the bar for more than one drink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser man 60 Posted September 20, 2017 #18 Share Posted September 20, 2017 We come from U.K. Where it's not customary to tip bar staff constantly. Aren't the bar staff included in the overall service charge you pay whether it's included in your fare or not and if so why would you pay on top for every drink. We normally give extra tips to cabin staff and bar staff we use regularly at end of cruise and I think many Europeans do this no matter what cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 21, 2017 #19 Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) ... Aren't the bar staff included in the overall service charge ... ... why would you pay on top for every drink. ... The bar staff is included in 18% service charge on drinks but the Casino Drinks card is free drinks in the casino -- no service charge. I don't know if the 18% from other folks drinks is pooled for them to get a cut. Also, the original question was about the casino where the server is usually walking from you at machine or table to the bar and then walking back to you with your drink. To many of us, the walking deserves a tip. I do the same in lounges where server walks to/from bar to bring me a drink, especially true outdoors. And that is even though there is a service charge. Edited September 21, 2017 by NMLady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted September 21, 2017 #20 Share Posted September 21, 2017 These people are woefully underpaid and most have extended families to support back home. They work long and grueling hours on 9 month contracts. Anything less than $5 per drink is insulting to all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreestyleNovice Posted September 21, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 21, 2017 these people are woefully underpaid and most have extended families to support back home. They work long and grueling hours on 9 month contracts. Anything less than $5 per drink is insulting to all involved. LMB you are killing me (and the thread) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaShark Posted September 21, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 21, 2017 It's hard to say, but IMHO if you are making good use of the drink card, you'll probably tip the whole way over... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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