Score Free Alcoholic Beverages On A Cruise With These 5 Essential Tips
By Kenan Dudley
VACATIONS
Happy Hour
If you're on your cruise to drink, split up your crew and send missionaries to every single onboard bar to build rapport with bartenders and create a list of happy hours.
The goal is to find a 2-for-1 special and order your second drink unopened so you can enjoy it later. Also, be generous to your bartenders to get generous pours and discounts.
Daily Activities
Each morning, check the daily cruise planner for opportunities to win bottles. Smart organizers build up interest in their event by offering free drinks.
Perhaps the most famous event with free booze is a cruise ship art auction. The other main ticket to free booze is competitions with bubbly as a prize, like newlywed games.
Gambling
Several cruise lines will provide drinks to avid gamblers. For example, Celebrity Cruises’ Blue Chip Club includes free drinks as long as you're actively gambling.
To truly get free drinks, you'll have to win hands — and if you gamble long enough, the house always wins. So, this tip is best reserved for those who already planned on gambling.