Margaritaville at Sea Introduces Free Drinks for Casino Players

TAMPA, Florida — Cruisers aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s newest ship, the Islander, have reported receiving complimentary drinks while playing in the casino, a significant shift from traditional loyalty programs.

The change appears to align with practices from other cruise lines, particularly Celebrity Cruises, which currently provides complimentary beverages to players actively engaged in gaming. Ron Spurlock, a guest on the Islander, shared his experience in a public Facebook group, stating, “Margaritaville Islander is giving free drinks while playing table games. Some said that [it] is for slots as well. In two nights, I have drank a bottle of bourbon.” He confirmed that bartenders were circulating the casino with complimentary drinks, enhancing the gaming experience.

Previously, players had to accumulate points through the Players Club Casino Loyalty Program before qualifying for free beverages. This program features four tiers: Bronze (0-149.99 points), Silver (150-299.99 points), Gold (300-749.99 points), and Platinum (750+ points). Notably, players must qualify for their tier annually, with each status valid for 13 months.

While the exact permanence of this new drink policy remains uncertain, several other cruisers have noted similar experiences. Heather Bell Forrester mentioned receiving a free drink while playing slots, and Charise Richards reported, “My husband got free margaritas at the blackjack table!” Many guests expressed enthusiasm over the seemingly recent policy change.

Cameron Oxendine remarked that during her cruise in February, drinks were still dependent on casino points. This indicates that the complimentary drink policy was indeed a recent implementation, which could significantly impact how guests engage with the casino games.

The Islander, which operates from Tampa to the Western Caribbean, is the newest addition to the Margaritaville at Sea fleet. In contrast, the original ship, the Paradise, sails from Palm Beach to the Bahamas. While the recent reports pertain specifically to the Islander, this policy could influence cruiser decisions regarding drink packages.

Currently, Margaritaville at Sea offers an Unlimited Beverage Chill Package, starting at $64.99 per night on the Islander and $74.99 on the Paradise. This package allows for up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day alongside unlimited soda and bottled water. Without this package, guests can expect to pay approximately $10.00 to $15.00 for craft cocktails and between $8.50 to $9.00 for beer and cider.

The casino policy change could enable players to forego the drink package, particularly for those spending considerable time in the casino. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media, as the new policy continues gaining attention.