free/cheap drink-a-roos

[mgmigs]

sorry, i don't know why my computer did that.

[coopster1974]

Thats one hell of a stutter!

[cruiseguy1016]

Drink of the day isn't really a bargain, IMO. Most of the "foo-foo" type drinks don't have much "kick".

Any of the "receptions" that you are invited to will have an open bar (no top-shelf liquor, tho, and only a few types of beer/wine) But, there's no charge for them! Nice!

 

Quite often the servers have a bottle with them to "top off" the foo-foo drinks. Just ask for an extra shot.

[digital_curator]

There is also a coupon in the C&A book for a buy-1-get-one free cocktail.

[BadBoysDriveAudi]

Art Auctions - Just don't drink so much champagne you actually buy something!

 

Casino - Especially the first day they usually have a lot of drink girls walking around. On NCL they'd give you drinks if you were playing @ the tables, don't recall how RCCL is.

 

Alcohol Samplings - Just little cups of rum or whatever, but hey, they can add up!

 

Hey there -- I think you brought something up that does touch a nerve with me (however slight). I can't believe that RCL charges for drinks while in the casino! I'd think that you could at least comp a drink if the person is playing at a table.

[Merion_Mom]

Is it usually held on the first night?

 

No, it's never on the first night. And the specific night depends on the ship and the length of the cruise.

[mckinna]

I am really sorry to hear that you had this experience, Pach.

 

I have ALWAYS been able to get the DOD in a plain glass for less.

 

 

I know there are days that they offer a "real" glass, and one time I got a nice travel cup that I use now for coffee. It may be those that are less if you get it in one of the plastic glasses.

[Merion_Mom]

Hey there -- I think you brought something up that does touch a nerve with me (however slight). I can't believe that RCL charges for drinks while in the casino! I'd think that you could at least comp a drink if the person is playing at a table.

 

They could but (usually) they don't.

 

They are the "only game in town". They do not HAVE TO give you drinks to convince you to pick their casino over someone else's.

 

It's just a different business model.

 

:)

[pomgo]

Try to sort out Happy Hour in the different bars as the price is by half, of course cant remeber if it happens on RCL.

 

Is this all about why they have AA get togethers on cruises????

[Crosboro]

no, not on the first night. i think the welcome back is usually on the 2nd night between the formal night dinner seatings.

Wow! You must now hold the record for multiple posts:)

[pcur]

sorry, i don't know why my computer did that.

 

Well, it was fascinating reading. I was in suspense waiting for the end of the sentence!!! :D :D :D

[zantedeschia]

We were on the Enchantment a few years ago and before dinner we would head up to Viking Crown Lounge and have martinis that were discounted. Not very well advertised, we just happened apon it one night.

One cruise I was on they had early bird specials, mimosas, bloody marys and something else for $4.50 I think. Was amusing seeing all the people get bloody marys for their "hair of the dog."

 

Also the champagne bar has daily specials during a certain time in the afternoon.

 

Another cruise I was on, they did a cocktail seminar with very liberal pouring, but I hear they've tightened that up.

 

Best events for free drinks I found was the champagne art auction and the welcome back party. And I hate to admit it, but the absolute best free drinks I got was from being a single lady at the champagne bar, meeting a charming but bored gentleman whose wife was off playing bingo or napping or something. Pity he was married but oh, well.

[chicruzgal]

Hey guys...thank you for the info. It's good to know about the plastic drink glasses (that I can ask for without...I don't even remember getting one on my last cruise--I pry didn't realize that I could keep it!), the wine tasting, the free "tastes," happy hours, etc.

 

As far as the art auction is concerned...I'm going with my family. I should just bring my brother and give him my SeaPass card--"WHATEVER HAPPENS, DO NOT HAVE ME GO BACK TO MOM WITH A PICASSO SCRIBBLE!"

 

Does anyone know about Happy Hours on Freedom?

[PhinsAndGills]

Honestly, the most free drinks (and STROOOONG>>> Wooooo) I have gotten on a cruise went something like this: We found "our bar" early the first evening and ordered drinks. We tipped the gal around $5 in cash (some will refuse cash, but usually if you just leave it on the bar as opposed to handing it right to them they won't) for every drink order (not $5 per person, but per order - there were 5 of us - so $5 a round, not a drink - we had about 4 rounds). Nothing HUGE, but enough. Also keeping in mind the 15% that's already attached - she got quite a bit in tips - $20 for the night plus the 15%. I know this seems like a lot - but keep reading.

 

The next night we paid for one drink, and mysteriously ;) our glasses took a much longer time to reach the empty mark. Still tipped a few dollars or so per round we ordered (keeping in mind, we were getting probably about two-for-one.)

 

Each night after that, we were getting many free drinks. We would order a round and be charged for only one drink. We left (between 5 of us) $30 on the bar for the evening, BUT we paid for only about 1 drink each and got 5 each. We still came out WAY on top.

[OttoCal]

If you are going to more than one port with a Margaritaville (say W. Car. Mariner- with Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel), at the first M-ville if you are there at prime party-time in the afternoon they will probably give out wrist bracelet thingys that you can redeem for a free drink at the next Margaritaville, and we also got the DJ to give us a card for an additional free drink at the next one- so free margarita & beer potential.

 

Gotta like Margaritaville though, and we do :p

[VampyBuff]

Hey there -- I think you brought something up that does touch a nerve with me (however slight). I can't believe that RCL charges for drinks while in the casino! I'd think that you could at least comp a drink if the person is playing at a table.

 

Agreed. I remember on the NCL Spirit they even gave the slot players drinks for free.

 

Then again, I usually bring my own drink from my room anyway sooooooooooooo.

 

Oh, my bad, did I type that out loud :D

[ASeaPrincess1]

The Welcome Back party is for returning passengers, so first of all, you have to have sailed with Royal Caribbean before.

 

Then, you need to have registered for the Crown & Anchor Society, RC's loyalty program.

 

They will give you a membership number.

 

When you reserve your cruise, be sure to give them your C&A number.

 

Then, when you sail, you should automatically receive an invitation in your cabin to the Captain's Welcome Back reception.

This will be my third cruise on Royal Caribbean, and I am a C&A member, so I will get an invitation. However, the others in my party (spouse and teenage sons) have never sailed with Royal Caribbean. Will my partner be invited along with me, or do I go it alone?

Either way, I am there!!:D

[Merion_Mom]

This will be my third cruise on Royal Caribbean, and I am a C&A member, so I will get an invitation. However, the others in my party (spouse and teenage sons) have never sailed with Royal Caribbean. Will my partner be invited along with me, or do I go it alone?

Either way, I am there!!:D

 

You may take your spouse. Have fun.

[cheaptravel]

We were very disappointed with the "wine tasting" that you go to with the free coupon. Yes, you learn some things about the various wines. For each type of wine, you get about two tiny sips in your glass. At one point (we laugh about this) there was a fly dive-bombing our table....yes, in the glorious Sound of Music room at sea, a fly. Well, when DH finally took a swipe at it, he knocked over his alotted sip of red wine onto the table. Eveyone in the tasting looked at him in horror as if he was a drunken slob. He announced that he was going after a fly.....they wouldn't even give him another sip in his glass. Now that's cheap.:eek:

Don't do it for the "free" drinks, it won't even total 3/4 of a glass.

[aforeverliasonfan]

We were on the Enchantment a few years ago and before dinner we would head up to Viking Crown Lounge and have martinis that were discounted. Not very well advertised, we just happened apon it one night. Also tipping a favorite bartender can go a long way.

 

Hi, I've seen this posted a few times about 'tipping' a fav bartender and I was wondering if this is done with Cash slipped to him or how this was handled? since everything on the ships is done without cash I wanted to make sure how this is done..TIA!

[mgmigs]

Hi, I've seen this posted a few times about 'tipping' a fav bartender and I was wondering if this is done with Cash slipped to him or how this was handled? since everything on the ships is done without cash I wanted to make sure how this is done..TIA!

 

you can add the tip to your seapass charge or you can just hand over a cash tip after signing your seapass charge. you don't need to do it on the sly.

[MarinerBride]

We made good friends with a bartender and got some perks - strong drinks, free sodas, and leftovers from the shaker after she made drinks for other guests.

 

Also, I thought the pours at the wine tasting were reasonable - free wine is always good to me though. :)

[wannalottadough]

We got free drinks in the casino on the first day on the sovereign, we had to sit at a slot machine and play so if you don't win it winds up costing you a little, just play veeerrrryyy sloooooowly.

Also, we got the drink of the day and tipped a couple of bucks and got extra shots in our glass. He seemed very eager to do that and came back around often. Not free but extra strong.

[aforeverliasonfan]

Thanks for the information. One more question... what amount is a good tip? Sorry if that seems like a no brainer but I've only been on one cruise and it was 15 years ago and I want to make the most of this cruise and if tipping a good bartender helps then I will certainly want to do that.

 

We normally tip anyway but with the gratuities built into the cost of each drink I wasn't sure of an amount to tip extra... I know its discretionary but what does everyone here recommend? TIA.

[mgmigs]

We were very disappointed with the "wine tasting" that you go to with the free coupon. Yes, you learn some things about the various wines. For each type of wine, you get about two tiny sips in your glass. At one point (we laugh about this) there was a fly dive-bombing our table....yes, in the glorious Sound of Music room at sea, a fly. Well, when DH finally took a swipe at it, he knocked over his alotted sip of red wine onto the table. Eveyone in the tasting looked at him in horror as if he was a drunken slob. He announced that he was going after a fly.....they wouldn't even give him another sip in his glass. Now that's cheap.:eek:

 

Don't do it for the "free" drinks, it won't even total 3/4 of a glass.

 

the tasting usually leaves me a little lightheaded. definately more than 3/4 of a glass total, i think there are 8 or so wines to taste (i can't remember, maybe more but i know there were many). + it's a nice experience.