When cruising it is safe to assume you will have access to complimentary tap water, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, tea, milk, and a variety of juices. These beverages are included in the base fare of your cruise. Alcoholic drinks on the other hand, are not included in the base fare of your cruise but are available for purchase for an additional charge. The following are eight ways to get free drinks while onboard your next cruise.

Welcome Aboard or Farewell Parties

If you have cruised with your cruise line at least one other time, it is likely you will be invited to a welcome aboard and/or a farewell party on your cruise ship. Don’t skip these parties. Often the cruise lines will provide complimentary champagne or other mixed drinks at these parties. The drinks are pre-made or pre-poured and distributed to guests free of charge. Of course, the cruise line will not know exactly how many of the invited guests will attend the parties. This leads to an excess amount of drinks being made or poured. In these circumstances you may be able to have multiple complimentary drinks at these parties.

Steakhouse

Are you planning any specialty dining? Why not consider booking reservations at the steakhouse on the first night of your cruise. Generally, the steakhouse is the slowest on the first night of the cruise. Perhaps on the first night cruisers are still getting accustomed to the ship and deciding what they want to do and when to do it. Whatever the reason, reservations for the steakhouse on the first night tend to be less than other nights during the cruise. As an incentive the steakhouse on Carnival offers a free bottle of wine with your meal for dining on the first night of your cruise. If your server does not mention it, just ask and they will be happy to accommodate you.

Formal Night Reception

On cruises that are 5-7 nights or longer you can plan for at least one formal night in the main dining room. Often on formal nights there will be a reception prior to dinner. The Captain of the ship often gives a short speech and then champagne is poured and served free of charge to those attending the formal night reception. If you enjoy dining in the main dining room on formal nights, don’t miss the reception prior to dinner, and be sure to get your free glass of champagne.

Art Auction

Every cruise I have been on has had an art auction. You can go to the art gallery and preview the works of art that will be available for sale at the onboard auction. During the auction complimentary champagne is served. You will need to register if you plan to bid on any of the artwork, but you may still attend the auction even if you do not plan on making a purchase. If you are an art lover or have never been to one of the onboard auctions, check it out. There is no cost to attend and the champagne is complimentary.

Casino Play

If you are a gambler be sure to insert your sign and sail card into each slot machine you play or present it to the dealer at any of the table games. Casinos on cruise ships rate your play just like Las Vegas casinos or any other land-based casinos. You will earn points for your play that can typically be redeemed for cash or free play. Once you achieve a certain number of points the casino will automatically provide you with complimentary drinks while you are playing in the casino. Once you reach the point threshold, which will vary by cruise line, you will be entitled to free drinks while playing in the casino for the duration of your cruise. Keep in mind, you must be a gambler to enjoy this perk. If you plan to spend $20 in a slot machine, you will never reach the point threshold to obtain free drink status.

Liquor Tasting

Your cruise will most likely have a liquor tasting event inside or directly outside of the duty-free shop onboard your ship. In addition to souvenirs, jewelry, colognes & Perfumes, and cigarettes; the duty-free shop onboard your ship will have a vast array of liquor available for purchase. It is common for the duty-free shop to have a tasting event to persuade passengers to make purchases. Of course, you are not required to make a purchase of any kind, but you may still attend the event and enjoy a free taste of the available liquors.

Cruise Line Loyalty

There are perks to being loyal to your favorite cruise line. A perk with Carnival is a complimentary cocktail coupon that is delivered to your stateroom prior to your arrival. You can use the coupon at your leisure at multiple locations throughout the ship. There are some restrictions as I recall but you will find that information printed clearly on the coupon. On my last cruise I used my complimentary drink voucher in the showroom while enjoying the farewell show. You will receive a lot of papers delivered to your stateroom during your cruise. Be sure not to accidentally throw out your drink coupon amongst all the other papers that are delivered to your stateroom daily. Most importantly, don’t forget to use it.

Gifting

The eighth way to get free drinks on your cruise is through gifting. Although this is not free to the person providing the gift, it is free to the cruiser, so I decided to include it in the list. Perhaps you have a birthday or other special occasion for which someone is providing you a gift. He or she can go to the cruise line website and pre-purchase bottles of wine, champagne, or liquor to be delivered directly to your stateroom. Are you cruising with someone celebrating a special occasion? Why not surprise them with a bottle of champagne and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries?