Casino drinks

[Kay S]

SM question:  with the standard SM package, are drinks in the casino while gambling an extra cost?  What about just a beer or glass of wine?  Would it be worth it to add the premium option just for a situation like this?  We are new to O and husband has asked this question.

[1985rz1]

17 minutes ago, Kay S said:

SM question:  with the standard SM package, are drinks in the casino while gambling an extra cost?  What about just a beer or glass of wine?  Would it be worth it to add the premium option just for a situation like this?  We are new to O and husband has asked this question.

Yes.  Any drinks any where outside of dining hours and outside of dining venues is extra.  

 

Whether it is worth adding the premium package depends on how much you drink.  Estimate the number of drinks you would consume daily, price out the cost (roughly $ 12 - 14 per drink and upward, plus 20% gratuity) and compare it to the daily cost of the upgraded package which includes gratuity.

Edited March 10 by 1985rz1

[ORV]

I've never seen it discussed one way or the other whether or not there are comped drinks for gamblers. Somehow I doubt it though. 

[thebsinmiss]

When we were on a few years ago they did NOT provide drinks.  You had to get your preferred beverage from the Casino bar. The only staff in the casino (which I was told is run by a private company much like the ship spa) were the dealers and a teller in the cash cage.

 

They definitely did not like you putting any drinks on the table. One gambler did and spilled his drink which shut the table down for the night.

 

[edgee]

23 minutes ago, thebsinmiss said:

When we were on a few years ago they did NOT provide drinks.  You had to get your preferred beverage from the Casino bar. The only staff in the casino (which I was told is run by a private company much like the ship spa) were the dealers and a teller in the cash cage.

 

They definitely did not like you putting any drinks on the table. One gambler did and spilled his drink which shut the table down for the night.

 

I have been on Vista for two fairly long cruises in the past 5 months. Played BJ in the casino most evenings. Was cheerfully served non alchohol beverages at the table while I played. I do not drink alcohol while I play in the casino, so never tested to see if they would have covered the cost. Did not have a drink package other than SM wine and beer with meals. AFAIK casino has been operated under the Casinos at Sea program which is part of NCL...same management as NCL and Regent casinos...no longer an outside company like it was years ago.

[dirtydan]

Was on Vista in January.  The pit boss did offer to buy us drinks several times throughout the cruise.

[clo]

2 hours ago, dirtydan said:

Was on Vista in January.  The pit boss did offer to buy us drinks several times throughout the cruise.

Inside or outside the casino?

[Cruzin Terri]

I was offered drinks while playing slots in the casino.  I just gave a small tip to the server.

Terri

[dirtydan]

7 hours ago, clo said:

Inside or outside the casino?

At the blackjack tables.

[1985rz1]

9 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I was offered drinks while playing slots in the casino.  I just gave a small tip to the server.

Terri

Did you have the enhanced drink package?

[Rebels82]

It depends on the casino manager and how much you play. We have received drinks playing Three Card Poker on Vista twice and other ships. There was a manager named Joaquin, on Riviera, who did not give a drink out the entire 10 day cruise. He was the only manager we have experienced who did not give free drinks to those playing table games.

[1985rz1]

On 3/10/2024 at 1:26 PM, Kay S said:

SM question:  with the standard SM package, are drinks in the casino while gambling an extra cost?  What about just a beer or glass of wine?  Would it be worth it to add the premium option just for a situation like this?  We are new to O and husband has asked this question.

 

22 hours ago, dirtydan said:

Was on Vista in January.  The pit boss did offer to buy us drinks several times throughout the cruise.

 

16 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I was offered drinks while playing slots in the casino.  I just gave a small tip to the server.

Terri

 

31 minutes ago, Rebels82 said:

It depends on the casino manager and how much you play. We have received drinks playing Three Card Poker on Vista twice and other ships. There was a manager named Joaquin, on Riviera, who did not give a drink out the entire 10 day cruise. He was the only manager we have experienced who did not give free drinks to those playing table games.

So, it looks to me, the casino manager or the pit boss might offer free drinks.  If that's true, then the answer the original question, is that they were not included in the basic SM package.

[edgee]

17 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

 

 

 

So, it looks to me, the casino manager or the pit boss might offer free drinks.  If that's true, then the answer the original question, is that they were not included in the basic SM package.

What????? SM included drinks are beer and wine at lunch and dinner. Thats IT! What in the world does that have to do with the casino????

[Cruzin Terri]

20 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

 

 

 

So, it looks to me, the casino manager or the pit boss might offer free drinks.  If that's true, then the answer the original question, is that they were not included in the basic SM package.

I did not have the basic drinks package.  I was cruising with the old O Life program.  I had no package at all.  Drinks were free.

[1985rz1]

16 minutes ago, edgee said:

What????? SM included drinks are beer and wine at lunch and dinner. Thats IT! What in the world does that have to do with the casino????

The OP asked the question in Post #1.  I (Post # 2) and  an other  (Post  #3) answered it with a no, but others moved the discussion in a different direction about whether they had drinks in the Casino  My post here was an attempt to sum it up and clarify that the answer to the OP is still no; drinks in the Casino are not included in SM.

 

Here is the quote from Post # 1:

 

SM question:  with the standard SM package, are drinks in the casino while gambling an extra cost?  What about just a beer or glass of wine? 

Edited March 12 by 1985rz1

[clo]

2 hours ago, Rebels82 said:

It depends on the casino manager and how much you play. We have received drinks playing Three Card Poker on Vista twice and other ships. There was a manager named Joaquin, on Riviera, who did not give a drink out the entire 10 day cruise. He was the only manager we have experienced who did not give free drinks to those playing table games.

I think I would assume that HE was obeying the rules and the others weren't. Because why would he not if it was allowed.

[Kay S]

1 hour ago, edgee said:

What????? SM included drinks are beer and wine at lunch and dinner. Thats IT! What in the world does that have to do with the casino????

Threads go off here and there... I try to read the whole thing before asking a question.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

We were on the VISTA in Feb.  Casino pit boss offered us drinks multiple times (at craps table).  I only ordered ice water once.  No drink package.  Just gave a tip.