How Norwegian Cruise Line's Drink Packages Work

Table Of Content

• Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work
• Is there a limit on how many drinks you can have per day on Norwegian Cruise Line?
• NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package – Upgraded Luxury
• What Does the Norwegian’s Soda Package Cost?
• How Many Drinks Can I Buy a Day?
• Free At Sea Promotion / Open Bar Premium Package includes:
• NCL Premium Beverage Package Cost

Fill up as much as you like on Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. The tax percentage varies by port, but it’s never a huge amount – generally somewhere between 5-10% of the cost of each drink. If a jurisdiction charges tax, it will be charged on each drink when the ship is in port and in its territorial waters. As recently as 2023, the ship offered only one drink package for adults, teens, and kids—the $109 per day Hawaii Beverage Package. The Bar Tab is available to purchase prior to boarding and acts as a prepaid onboard credit specifically redeemable for drinks. The Bar Tab can be used anywhere on the ship and at The Beach Club at Bimini.

Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work

This is better for the environment, refillable and recyclable. An interesting option about the Premium Plus package is that if you purchase the Premium Beverage Package, you can ask to upgrade to the Premium Plus when you are onboard. Guests are allowed to buy two (2) beverages per person per transaction. But, if you don’t think you can drink enough to break even, it’s not worth it.

Is there a limit on how many drinks you can have per day on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package – Upgraded Luxury

These prices do not include the required 20% gratuity, which is added at checkout. It’s important for guests to consider their drinking preferences and budget when choosing a drink package. Guests who book the Free At Sea promotion may receive the Unlimited Open Bar package for “free”, but they will still need to pay the 20% gratuity. For most guests, Norwegian Cruise Line's standard alcohol package is well worth it through the Free at Sea program.

Also not included are the designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water and fresh squeezed juices. Hi Judy, when you choose the drink package as part of your Free At Sea perks on any NCL ship, you'll get the Premium Beverage Package (scroll up to read my complete description of the package). In a nutshell, the package includes any drink $15 and under, with some exclusions like boxed water, specialty coffees, and fresh juices. If you’ve not received the open bar Free at Sea package, and are considering paying full price for this package, this calculator will also work. The cost of the package is typically $109 per person per day plus 20% gratuity. The price increased from $99 per day for all sailings after January 1, 2023.

This gratuity is not included in the base cost of the package and will be added at checkout. The NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package is designed for guests who appreciate the finer details and want to elevate their drinking experience. With an upgraded selection of beverages and added perks, this package ensures that every sip is a luxurious one. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoy top-quality drinks, the Premium Plus Beverage Package is the ultimate choice for a truly indulgent cruise experience.

Passengers sailing Windstar Cruises tend to favor the all-inclusive approach so all drinks, service charges and Wi-Fi is bundled into the pre-cruise fare. Light drinkers may prefer an a la carte approach if their primary beverage choices are mocktails and specialty coffees, which are always included in the base fare. Nonalcoholic Royal Caribbean drink package options include a Refreshment Package, inclusive of mocktails, premium coffees and teas, still and sparkling water, fresh-squeezed juices and Coca-Cola beverages.

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With 23 sailings, 87 ports of call, 128 days at sea, and voyages across 6 different cruise lines, we have firsthand knowledge and experience to share with fellow cruisers. Finally, you want to run the possible math on how much you’d spend with the drink package versus without the package. Truth is that it can be hard for them to catch unless you are simply extremely obvious. This is likely why Norwegian Cruise Line makes all people in a cruise cabin buy the package if one person does.

Drink packages may be used at private island destinations including Ocean Cay and Sir Bani Yas in Emirates. Cruise Critic members have reported tea, coffee and water is often only available within the buffet during open hours. For guests finding these policies restrictive, the all-inclusive My Drinks package is likely the best solution. Package is not available until the second day of all sailings leaving from ports in New York and Texas.

NCL developed Harvest Caye in partnership with the government of Belize. Part of that deal specifies that visitors must pay for food and drinks ordered on the island. Thankfully, the cruise line has come to its senses and now offers a range of drink packages aboard Pride of America, including the soda and Starbucks packages. Norwegian also removed the Children’s Soda Program from its options.

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Celebrity's "Always Included" offers are ideal when booking eligible cruise fares, as the Classic Package is already included and will serve most travelers best. As explained above, different packages will have different exclusions. Where you’ll find the most surprising exclusions is that the Unlimited Open Bar Package doesn’t include things like Starbucks coffee, bottled water, fresh-squeezed juices, or energy drinks. Note that all of these packages and prices are subject to change, and brand availability may change.

If you're concerned about the cost, consider booking during one of NCL's Free At Sea promotions. They run these very frequently, and you can choose a drink package as one of the free perks. Based on recent menu prices, specialty coffees on ships with a Starbucks are in the $3-6 range. Passengers need to be at least 21 to purchase an alcoholic beverage package on Norwegian cruises worldwide.

For travelers who book the “Free at Sea” promotion which includes the Unlimited Open Bar / Premium Beverage Package, the cost is nearly free. If for some reason the package is not included in a promotion, it’s an eyewatering $109 / day PLUS Gratuity of 20% making the package about $131 / day. Additionally, there is the upgraded Premium Plus Beverage Package. When not bundled with an all-inclusive fare, Windstar offers two other beverage programs. The Topmast Discoveries Beer & Wine Package includes domestic and imported beer along with more than 30 varieties of wine by the glass. Virgin Voyages strives to offer drinks for every budget so a la carte purchases won't have a great deal of sticker shock.