Norwegian Cruise Line’s drink packages are some of the most confusing of all the cruise lines! It can be really tricky to work out if a drink package will offer good value or not.
The drinks packages are also some of the most expensive at sea – They can cost upwards of $160 per person, per day!
Even if you get the option of a ‘free’ drink package with the Free at Sea promotion, you should know that this will increase the overall cost of your cruise – so you might actually be better off declining the deal.
To help you work out whether you should get an NCL drink package, and which one, I’ve written this detailed guide. Here, you can discover what drinks are included in the packages, which drinks aren’t, and which drinks are always free.
I’ll also explain the drink gratuities and other hidden charges that you need to be aware of when you decide to buy an NCL drinks package…
NCL Drink Package List
There are five different adult beverage packages available on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises. These are:
- Premium Beverage Package (AKA Open Bar) – $109 per day
- Premium Plus Beverage Package – $138 per day
- Adult & Teen Soda Program – $9.95 per day
- Hawaii Beverage Package – $109 per day
- Unlimited Starbucks Package – $12.95 per day
Wherever you live in the world, you will always pay for your NCL beverage package in US dollars. Read on to see what’s included in each package…
NCL Premium Beverage Package (Open Bar)
Formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package, NCL’s main drinks package is now called the Premium Beverage Package. In the UK, it’s called Open Bar.
The Premium Beverage Package entitles guests to a wide selection of beers, wines by the glass, cocktails, spirits and soft drinks up to $15 value.
Cost: $109 per person, per day.
The Premium Beverage Package Includes:
- Cocktails – 100s of different ones
- Beers and Ciders – Bottled and draft
- Wine – Over 20 wines by the glass
- Gin & Vodka – 16 brands
- Rum – 16 brands
- Whiskey, brandy and other spirits – 33 brands
- Liqueurs and cordials – 24 brands
- Sodas, tonics and juices – A large selection
It does NOT include:
- Super premium brands
- Bottled water
- Freshly squeezed juices
- Lavazza or Starbucks coffees
- Energy drinks
- Beer buckets
- Bottles of wine
- Drinks over $15 each
- Vending machines or wine dispensers
- Mini bar or room service
- Tastings, flights and experiences
NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package
Next up is the Premium Plus Package. For those that enjoy specific drinks which aren’t included in the standard drinks package, an upgraded drinks package is available for an extra $29 per person, per day compared to the Premium Package.
Cost: $138 per person, per day.
The Premium Plus Beverage Package Includes:
- Everything in the Premium Beverage Package
- Bottled water
- Speciality coffee inc. Lavazza and Starbucks
- Energy drinks
- Ultra-premium spirits
- Selected wines by the bottle when dining
It does NOT include:
- Beer buckets
- All bottles of wine or those served outside of dinner
- Vending machines or wine dispensers
- Mini bar or room service
- Tastings, flights and experiences
NCL Soda Package
The soda package is great for kids or people who choose to avoid alcohol. It offers unlimited fountain soda.
Cost: $9.95 per day.
The Soda Package Includes:
- Pepsi & Diet Pepsi
- Sierra Mist
- Mountain Dew
- Ginger Ale
- Tonic Water
- Club Soda
NCL Hawaii Beverage Package
For those cruising to Hawaii onboard the Pride of America cruise ship, the drinks package is slightly different. Similar to the Premium Beverage Package, it includes a wide selection of drinks priced up to $15 each.
Costs: $109 per person, per day.
The Hawaii Beverage Package Includes:
- Cocktails
- Beers and Ciders
- Wine by the glass
- Spirits, Liqueurs, Cordials and Tonics
- Fountain Sodas,
- Freshly Squeezed Juices
- Bottles Water (Still & Sparkling)
- Speciality Coffee (in dining rooms only)
It does NOT include:
- Super premium brands
- Speciality coffees outside of restaurants
- Energy drinks
- Beer buckets
- Bottles of wine
- Drinks over $15 each
- Vending machines or wine dispensers
- Mini bar or room service
- Tastings, flights and experiences
Unlimited Starbucks Package
Love your Starbucks coffee? You can get an unlimited fix if you choose this package, including all the speciality beverages served at the on-board coffee shop. It doesn’t include snacks, unfortunately!
Cost: $12.95 per day.
The Unlimited Starbucks Package Includes:
- Classic teas and coffees
- Speciality coffees
NCL Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package Removed
There used to be another drinks package available with NCL, known as “Corks and Caps”. The package cost $65 per person, per day and included beers, wines and soft drinks. It was removed in late 2022.
NCL Beverage Service Charge
When considering the price of the NCL drink packages, it’s important to also think about the service charge or gratuity that’s added.
Norwegian Cruise Line automatically adds a 20% service charge to each drink package at the checkout.
NCL Drink Package Prices Including Service Charge:
- Premium = $109 + 20% = $130.80
- Premium Plus = $128 + 20% = $165.60
- Soda = $9.95 + 20% = $11.94
- Hawaii = $109 + 20% = $130.80
- Unlimited Starbucks = £12.95 + 20% = $15.54
You can’t deny that’s expensive, especially as it doesn’t include things like your minibar or room service.
However, the reality is that most people DO NOT buy an NCL drink package. They get it for free with a special offer. Read on for more info on that…
NCL Free at Sea Promotion 2023
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion gives guests access to up to between two and five free offers, depending on the stateroom category that they book.
- Premium Drinks Package
- Speciality Dining Package
- Internet Package
- Shore Excursion Credit
- Free or $99 Kids Places
Depending on the current promotion available, the Free at Sea may be included in your booking at no cost, or you may have to pay an extra fee of around $149 to access it.
The number of Free at Sea inclusions also varies. Sometimes you may only get to choose two of the five with an inside cabin, at other times you may get access to all five perks.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest NCL offers…
Why the Free at Sea Promotion isn’t really free…
If you live in the United States and choose the free drink package as part of the NCL Free at Sea promo, you will get the package for free but you will still be charged for the gratuity. The cost of that is $21.80 per person, per day.
So for two adults on a seven-night cruise, you will pay $305.20 for your ‘free’ drinks.
If you’re cruising with kids and they get the Soda Package as part of the Free at Sea promotion, you’ll be charged $1.99 per child, per day for the soda.
The same logic applies if you go for the free speciality dining package. You’ll be charged between $8.99 and $25.80 per person, depending on the length of the cruise.
If you live in the United Kingdom and you get the Free at Sea promo, you will not be charged the 20% gratuity.
So why the difference between the US and the UK?
In the UK, we’re usually asked to pay around £149 per person for the Free at Sea (based on a 7-night cruise), but in the US it’s usually free.
This actually works out at around the same. You’d pay $137 in gratuities in the US or £149 as an ‘upgrade’ in the UK. The cost is close.
The difference is purely for marketing purposes. Most Brits get turned off by the idea of gratuities as we’re not used to paying them. We’re generally happy if the amount is called an ‘upgrade’ as we feel like we’re getting something for our money.
So is the Free at Sea Promotion a good deal?
When considering whether the open bar that you get with the Free at Sea promo is worth it, you’ll need to consider how much drinks would cost without the open bar.
Then, you can work out whether you would spend more with or without the package.
- Premium Drink Package = $130.80 per person, per day (including gratuity)
- Premium Drink Package with Free at Sea = $21.80 per person, per day
The price of the Premium Drink Package without Free at Sea is kind of irrelevant as barely anybody buys it. The Free at Sea promo is almost always on.
What it comes down to is, if you would spend more than $21 per person, per day on drinks, then the Free at Sea Open Bar is worth it.
So, that leads us on to the question of how much are drinks on Norwegian Cruise Line. And importantly, which drinks are free, even with no drink package.
NCL Drink Prices
I cruised on Norwegian Encore in November 2019 and noted the following drinks prices:
- Cocktail: $10 – $13
- Glass of wine: $8 – $10
- Pint of beer: $9
- Bottle of beer: $6 – $7
- Liqueur: $10 – $15
- Soft drink: $3
- Energy drink: $5
- Coffee: $3 – $4
- Large water: $6
So, as you can see, it’s really easy to spend $20 per day on drinks if you purchase them individually. Even one glass of wine, one beer and a couple of soft drinks per day would be enough to make choosing the free drinks on the Free at Sea offer worthwhile.
However, you must remember that most coffees and bottled water are not included in the package. You’d need to pay for those separately.
Next, let’s take a look at what drinks you can get free of charge on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, whether you have a package or not…
What drinks are free on Norwegian Cruise Line?
The following drinks are available free of charge on NCL ships:
- Tea and coffee
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Water and flavoured water by the glass
- Fresh fruit juices (at breakfast)
It’s important to note that these free drinks are only available in the buffet and restaurants. You won’t be able to get any free drinks at the bars aside from tap water.
NCL Drinks Package Calculator
Working out whether the NCL drinks package or Free at Sea deal is worth it can be tricky.
To help you out, I’ve built a cruise drinks package calculator that will work out how much your Norwegian Cruise Line bar bill would be without the drinks package. Then, you can see if the drinks package is worth it.
Just enter your email address in this form and the calculator will be sent straight to your inbox…
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest NCL offers…
Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks FAQs
If you still have any questions in your mind about drinks on NCL cruises, then I have answered lots of them below for you…
Can 18-year-olds drink on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises?
Being an American cruise line, the Norwegian Cruise Line drinking age policy states that the minimum age for drinking alcohol is 21 years. However, when the ship is at least 3 miles from the coast, guests aged 18 and over can consume beer or wine.
International waters
Guests who are 18 to 20 years of age can purchase and consume beer or wine when the ship is in international waters (3 miles from land). The parent or legal guardian must be on board the sailing with the young adult and present themselves at the Front Desk so they can sign the form allowing the consumption of beer and wine only.
Please note, that this only applies to beer and wine and that temporary guardianship for the purposes of sailing isn’t allowed; only a permanent legal guardian can sign the form.
Mediterranean cruises
On NCL cruises embarking in a country where the legal drinking age is lower than 21, those aged 18, 19 or 20 are generally not permitted to consume alcohol. However, there may be exceptions to this rule.
It all depends on the laws of each country and the agreements in place with the cruise line. Specific information for each cruise can be obtained from Norwegian Cruise Line.
Suggested read: How old do you have to be to drink on a cruise?
Can you bring your own alcohol on NCL cruises?
Norwegian Cruise Line permits guests to bring unlimited bottles of wine onboard. This is subject to a corkage fee of $15. You may drink your wine wherever you like on the ship. No other drinks are permitted to be brought on board, with the exception of purified water for medical use.
Suggested read: Can you take drinks on a cruise ship?
Are NCL drinks packages available on short cruises?
Norwegian Cruise Line drinks packages are only available on cruises of three days or more.
Can we share a drinks package?
NCL does not allow sharing of drink packages. If one person has a drinks package, all adults in the stateroom must have the same package and children must have a soda package.
If one guest cannot drink alcohol for any reason such as pregnancy, health or addiction, you should contact NCL to ask if the
Is water safe to drink on Norwegian Cruise Line?
The tap water on NCL ships is perfectly safe to drink and tastes fine. The only real downside of drinking the water from the tap in your room is that it’s not cold. You can get iced water for free from any bar or restaurant on the ship.
Is bottled water included in the NCL drink package?
Bottled water is included in NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage Package, but not in the Premium Beverage Package. Water by the glass is always available free of charge.
Is coffee included in the NCL drink package?
NCL doesn’t have a separate coffee package and coffee is not included in the standard drink package, only included in the Premium Plus Beverage package (the most expensive package). You can get coffee free of charge in the buffet and on many ships, there’s a coffee machine in your stateroom.
Is Starbucks included in the NCL drink package?
All food and drinks from Starbucks in chargeable on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises, unless you buy the Unlimited Starbucks Package.
Is there a limit on the NCL drink package?
The NCL drink package does not have a daily limit on the number of drinks that can be ordered, although guests who are visibly intoxicated may not be served. The maximum value per drink is $15 and each person can order two drinks in each transaction.
What happens if I order a drink that costs more than $15?
With The NCL Premium Beverage Package, if you order a drink that costs over $15 you will be charged the difference. So if your drink costs $16, you will be charged $1 to your onboard account.
Where can you use the drinks package?
You can use your drinks package in all bars, lounges, restaurants and on one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s private islands, Great Stirrup Cay, but not on the other island, Harvest Caye.
Can I get bottles of wine with the drinks package?
Bottles of wine are included in the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package, but not in the Premium Beverage Package.
The Premium Beverage Package gives a 20% discount on all bottles of wine purchased on board. But honestly, you’d be better just to ask for it by the glass.
Can you take drinks in the pools and hot tubs?
On NCL cruise ships you are generally allowed to take drinks into the swimming pools and hot tubs as long as they’re in plastic glasses.
Final thoughts
Individual drinks and drinks packages are pretty expensive on Norwegian Cruise Line.
However, this is mostly irrelevant, as the Free at Sea programme allows you to get a free drinks package (plus other benefits like dining or free kids’ places) for around $125 or £99 per person based on a seven-night cruise.
If you don’t drink much alcohol and prefer bottled water, tea, coffee and lemonade, you may be better off declining the drink package or open bar that comes with the Free At Sea promotion.
Related Posts:
Hi If I take a free at sea package on my next cruise. Will it cover wine by the glass at the main dining room? From your experience how is the wine by the glass service? do you have to wait a long time to have the wine server attention and get your glass of wine or they usually very proactive in serving your refill?
It will be my main source of alcohol consumption and I do dot want to have to beg to get a second or third wine of glass.
Thank you
Hi Jenny
Interesting article. we are just back from our second cruise. we were on the Norwegian Sun.
A point on the gratuities, sorry if already covered, but they are optional. If you don’t pre pay then you can go to the onboard customer services and request they are removed. They did say that you can only do this 3 days before disembarkation (when asked why they said ‘you may change your mind !).
This took $560 off our bill !
We did the free on board and it was a no brainer for the 4 of us, we did drink our money’s worth 😁.
Also we filled water bottles up either from the cold water points at the buffet restaurants or from glasses we took back to the cabin.
Overall great experience with NCL, I am now a converted cruiser from being a sceptic and am looking at our next one.🛳️
Richard
Thanks for your comment, Richard. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruise. I’d just like to leave this link here for anyone who’s looking for more info about whether it’s a good idea to remove gratuities: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/refuse-pay-gratuities-on-cruise/
so you took the tips off and the crew that worked so hard got nothing?
Hi, great content. I have a question. We booked the balcony suite and it came with the “free-at-sea-package”. But we would have to pay about $450 for the 20% service charge.
If we decline that, would we still be able to get the drinks and pay only the 20% service charge individually for every drink we order?
Or would we then being charged the full price for every drink, same as if we would not not have “free-at-sea” package?
Steven
You can decline the Free at Sea package and pay for drinks individually if you prefer.
if you decline you are declining the free at sea. you are then on your own. each drink at full price plus 20%. is $450 really that much to tip?
we declined once on board and had them removed from bill at end of cruise Steven
I did read that if in Australia we do not pay the gratuities?
I’m just making sure this is correct. I have never paid gratuities on a drinks package prior to covid. But we all understand things change.
Your post was extremely helpful. We usually book with an agent from Vacations To Go. Unfortunately, friends that will be going with us made the arrangements. We thought she made them with our agent but did not. She went through Norwegian. We have found that they seem to charge more and the information is so confusing. You have done a wonderful job explaining everything. We had no idea that they charge 20% on top of drink package. We usually go on Carnival or Royal Caribbean. We will be traveling out of Tampa, Florida on the Pride.
Hi Jean. I’m glad you found this to be useful. I hope you enjoy your cruise. Thanks! Jenni
Going to Carribean in March and your comments have been so helpful. I was going to upgrade from premium to premium plus as I thought this was the only one that included the 20% service. I now know they both do so can save myself some money (although it was the inclusion of champagne in premium plus that lured me) thank you gorgeous your helpful unbiased answers. Janet UK
You’re most welcome. Enjoy your cruise! Jenni
Hi, if a book an NCL cruise with the free at sea drinks package and prepay my gratuities will i still be charged 20% beverage gratuities on every drink i order?
Hi Christopher. That depends on where you live. If you book in the UK or Australia, gratuities on the drinks package are included: https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/terms-and-conditions/promotions. However, if you book in the US, you will have to pay a 20% gratuity on the retail value of the Premium Beverage Package. This equates to $19.80 USD per person per day. https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/promotions. (I’ve put the links to the info in here, but you may only be able to view the link for the country you’re in currently.) Jenni
Hi, we have booked aboard NCL EPIC, for early next year (2021). My wife and I are travelling with my sister, so there’ll be three adults in a mini suite. When we booked our agent told us he was only able to allocate the premium drinks package, via “Free at sea” to the first two guests. Will we be able to add my sister to the Free at sea for $99 either onboard or before we sail. Many thanks. Paul.
Hi Paul. I would expect that you would have to pay the full drinks package price for your third guest rather than the $99 price. Your travel agent will be able to confirm that for you. Jenni
I’m going on my first cruise for my son’s wedding next May on the Joy. We all got the premium beverage package and 3rd/4th guests free package. I noticed when I logged in there is an option to pay in advance a $210 service fee. It says if you don’t pay in advance, this amount will be added to your room account on board the ship. I don’t quite understand this fee – it sounds like a mandatory fee but an option to pay it up front? I know my son and his fiance have many young friends going, some with young children and some barely scraping enough for the cruise. Are they going to be surprised by this fee? Are there any other surprises other than what is above for first time cruisers?
Hi Mary. Norwegian Cruise Line add a 20% service charge to beverage packages. There’s also a daily charge for gratuities which is currently $14.50 per person, per day. I haven’t cruised on-board Norwegian Joy myself, but I have been on the sister ship, Norwegian Encore and I found that some of the activities on-board such as the go-kart track, virtual reality arcade and laser tag had an extra charge. NCL is, unfortunately, one of the cruise lines that charges the most for these kinds of things. Jenni
As of Jan 2020, Premium Beverage Package seems to have been renamed to Adult Beverage Package – can someone confirm they are the same?
Yes, they are the same. They sometimes use the words ‘Adult Beverage Package’ on documents but it’s the same as Premium Beverage Package and Ultimate Beverage Package.
Your post was very helpful. I am booked for Pride of America in August 2020 and purchased the Free at Sea drink package for my husband and myself. However, I am now skeptical because I cannot seem to find what’s included. Do you have any idea? Thank you!
Thanks Sharon. Here’s the info I think you’re looking for: https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/terms/hawaii-beverage-package I hope this helps. Jenni
Hi I have a quick question about the free at sea packages. the name implies that it is only free when at sea. does that mean that you only get the packaged whilst sailing at sea or does it include the time in port. I ask as we often back on the ship by lunchtime and enjoy an afternoon drink by the pool.
Great question! Yes, drinks are also free when you’re in port. You’re probably not the only one to be confused by that.
Hi Jenni,
Thank you for your information. I have a question. We (4 adults) booked a cruise at NCL for 12 days. Because we booked a suite we were automatically upgraded for the free at sea getting the 5 perks.
Person 1&2 got the premium beverage package. Are persons 3&4 obliged to buy the same premium beverage package? It makes no sense for us to buy it since the whole party doesn’t drink alcohol. Whereas the drinks we prefer (fresh juice, coffeespecialties, bottled water) are not included. Furthermore we are only 5 days at sea, and 7 on the islands for the whole day.
What advice do you have for us?
The cruise: NCL Pearl from Miami to NYC
Looking forward to your advice.
Kind regards San
Hi San. Thanks for your question. Seeing as you got the 5 perks included for only two people, I wouldn’t think that they would be able to make you buy it for the other two. Did you book with a travel agent? They will be able to confirm that for you. Jenni
I have never been to a cruise and your article is very useful for me!
We usually drink water, cocktails and wine! Do you think NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package is what we need?
It totally depends on how much you drink. I like to work out how many drinks I’d need per day to break even and then decide. Jenni
Thanks for the information. Traveling on the Encore on January 5, glad to see all the vodkas and rims with the free at Sea program. Just will need to pay for water. What are the sizes of water? Can you order a jug for your room?
Hi. The large water is about 600ml. We were given bottles of water in our room in plastic-free packaging. I’m not sure if this is the same on every cruise. The tap water is fine to drink too. Jenni