norwegian cruise beverage package review

NCL drink packages: Should you take Norwegian Cruise Line’s free drinks offer?

For many cruisers, stepping aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship means it's time to let loose and have at least a few drinks each day of vacation. But those beers and cocktails can add up quickly if you're not paying attention.

Like many cruise lines, NCL takes the cost anxiety away by allowing passengers to pre-purchase beverage packages ahead of their cruise. This means that the per-day price has already been set, and passengers can order as many drinks as they want without worrying about their bills adding up.

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Here, we go over what's included in the various NCL drink packages, how much they cost and whether they're worth the price depending on your drinking habits.

What's included in Norwegian Cruise Line's drink packages?

Before we go over which drinks are included in Norwegian Cruise Line's beverage packages, you should first know which options are included in the cruise fare. Lemonade, iced tea, a limited selection of juices, chocolate and regular milk, tap water and standard coffee and tea are free of charge. You can get these complimentary beverages in onboard restaurants (including the buffet) and in some bars and lounges.

Alcohol, soda, specialty coffees and drinks and other premium beverages cost extra. Norwegian Cruise Line offers four drink packages that let passengers pay a flat daily fee and get an unlimited amount of the included beverages.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Here is what each NCL drink package includes:

Unlimited Soda Package

This package includes unlimited fountain soda throughout the cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line serves Coca-Cola products, so expect to find Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta. Ginger ale, tonic water and soda water are also included in this package. Soda packages are available to guests 3 years old and up.

Unlimited Starbucks Package

Norwegian's Starbucks package includes coffee and tea from Starbucks, as well as specialty beverages, Frappuccinos and Refreshers by the cup sold at the branded outlets on board select ships. Canned and bottled drinks, food and Starbucks merchandise are not included. To purchase the package, guests must be at least 18 years old. If one person purchases the package, all qualifying guests under the same method of payment for the cruise must also purchase it.

Unlimited Open Bar Package

The Unlimited Open Bar Package is the standard Norwegian drink package that includes alcohol. It covers cocktails and spirits priced under $15, beer and wine by the glass up to $15, a selection of premium juices and unlimited soda. It also gives guests 20% off all bottles of wine and Champagne. Passengers must be at least 21 years old to purchase this package. If one person purchases it, all other 21+ guests on the same reservation must buy it as well. Guests under 21 must purchase the soda package.

Premium Plus Beverage Package

If the Unlimited Open Bar does not cover your favorite drinks, Norwegian Cruise Line offers the Premium Plus beverage package. The line's most inclusive alcohol package covers everything the Unlimited Open Bar package includes, plus top-shelf cocktails and spirits; all beer, red wine, white wine and NCL's exclusive rose by the glass; unlimited still and sparkling bottled water; all Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks; energy drinks; and select premium bottles of wine and NCL's rose with dinner. The package also includes 40% off all other bottles of wine and Champagne.

The same rules apply for this package as they do for the Unlimited Open Bar package; all guests must be 21+ to purchase, and if one guest purchases the package, all other passengers on the same reservation must purchase it as well — with those under 21 required to buy the soda package.

Note: All of Norwegian Cruise Line's beverage packages extend to its private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. They do not include room service or the in-stateroom minibar.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

How much do Norwegian's drink packages cost?

Norwegian Cruise Line's beverage packages are priced by the day but must be purchased for the duration of the sailing, either online before your sailing or on embarkation day. Unfortunately, you can't pick and choose the days you want the package; it's all or nothing. Here's the breakdown:

• Unlimited Soda Package: $9.95 per person, per day
• Unlimited Starbucks Package: $12.95 per person, per day
• Unlimited Open Bar Package: $109 per person, per day
• Premium Plus Beverage Package: $138 per person, per day

A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added to all packages at checkout.

What about NCL's Free at Sea program?

Unless you're booking a guarantee cabin (where you pay less to let NCL pick your specific cabin in your selected category), chances are your cruise booking comes with included Free at Sea perks . One of the inclusions is the Unlimited Open Bar package.

If you choose to keep the package as a perk (you can decline any perks you don't want), you will get a free beverage package — sort of. You won't have to pay the drink package's daily fee, but you will have to pay the package's automatic 20% gratuity charge ($21.80 per person, per day, at current prices).

This means that almost no one pays the $109 per day for the Unlimited Open Bar package. Even those who might have considered booking a guarantee cabin will likely choose to pay a bit for their room if they would have purchased any extras included in Free at Sea.

The bottom line is this: Most people who sail on NCL and plan to drink alcohol or other specialty beverages are going to end up with the Unlimited Open Bar package through Free at Sea.

Related: 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)

But what if you want top-shelf liquor and wines, Starbucks beverages or bottled water? Those are all included in the Premium Plus Beverage package, but not the Unlimited Open Bar package.

It turns out most people don't pay the full price for the Premium Plus package either. Instead, they take advantage of the Free at Sea Plus upgrade option. For $49 per person, per day, the standard Free at Sea package can be upgraded to include the Premium Plus Beverage Package. The extra money gets you additional upgrades as well, including more specialty dining meals, more shore excursion credit and unlimited Wi-Fi.

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

Unlike some other cruise brands, Norwegian Cruise Line does not put a daily limit on the number of alcoholic drinks you can order when you have a drink package. Bartenders, however, are trained not to serve passengers who appear visibly intoxicated and have the right to cut anyone off who has over-indulged.

Still, don't try to order five drinks at once. To prevent people from sneaking drinks to friends who don't have the package or ordering more than they can drink, Norwegian puts a limit of two beverages per person, per transaction, for anyone signed up for its drink package. Guests with the Starbucks package are entitled to just one beverage per person, per transaction.

Are Norwegian Cruise Line's drink packages worth it?

To help determine if Norwegian Cruise Line's alcoholic beverage packages are worth the cost, we must first get an idea of what drinks cost. For beer, you can expect to pay around $7 a glass, while most glasses of wine range from $8 to $20. You'll find that most cocktails using non-premium spirits cost $11 to $13, and soda costs $3 to $3.50. Most specialty coffees at Starbucks are at least $5, and a large carton of water (NCL doesn't sell plastic bottled water) is $6.50.

With this being said, if $10 to $12 is the average cost you'll pay for a cocktail or glass of wine on board, you'd need to drink at least 10-11 drinks per day to break even on the Unlimited Open Bar package at face value ($109).

However, as mentioned above, most guests aren't going to be paying face value for Unlimited Open Bar. Keeping this perk as part of Free at Sea means you're only paying $22 in gratuities each day — to break even you'd need just two cocktails or one cocktail and three or four sodas.

If you plan to drink any alcohol beyond just one or two per day, keeping the Unlimited Open Bar as one of your Free at Sea perks is well worth it. However, remember that all guests in the same cabin must choose the same perks. If you and your partner are sailing but only one of you will be drinking beverages that aren't included in the cruise fare, your daily drink spend would have to top $44 per day (four or so cocktails) on average to be worth keeping the drinks package as one of your Free at Sea perks.

Related: Are cruise line drinks packages worth the price? What to know before you buy

You'll have similar considerations when assessing the value of the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Unless you plan on drinking lots of Starbucks or want all of your libations to include top-shelf liquor, the Premium Plus package isn't worth it at face value. However, the $49 extra per day for Free at Sea Plus — especially with its other upgrades — could easily be worth it depending on your preferences.

Our recommendation for the vast majority of guests is to keep Unlimited Open Bar as one of the Free at Sea perks and only upgrade to Free at Sea Plus if you see the value for you and your travel mates in all of the extras that come with it.

Now let's talk about the soda and Starbucks packages. If you're under 21 but sailing with someone who's 21+ that's getting the Unlimited Open Bar or Premium Plus beverage package as part of Free at Sea, you're going to automatically receive the soda package as part of your cruise fare, so there's not much to decide.

Otherwise, do the math. If you love soda, don't drink alcohol and aren't interested in zero-proof cocktails, you might want to decline the Free at Sea drinks package offer and get the soda package instead; at $12, including the mandatory gratuities, it's about half the cost. To break even with the soda package, you'd need to drink four sodas (at $3 to $3.50 each) per day.

With the Starbucks package, you'll come out even if you drink two to three specialty coffees per day. If you only plan on having one, the package won't be worth it at $15 per day including gratuities.

Bottom line

For most guests, Norwegian Cruise Line's standard alcohol package is well worth it through the Free at Sea program. The Premium Plus upgrade and the Starbucks and soda packages can also bring value, depending on the preferences and budget of you and your travel party. Do the math on how much you're likely to drink throughout the cruise, then determine from there if paying the daily amount for a Norwegian drink package makes sense for you.

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Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide

If you’re about to sail on a Norwegian cruise, then it’s likely that you’ve already seen mentions of the drink packages for sale — or included in the “Free at Sea” offer . You might be wondering how they work and if they are worth the cost.

Put simply, the packages make it easy to enjoy drinks on the cruise ship without worrying about a bill. You sign up for the package and pay one set daily amount. Then you can drink almost anything on the ship — and as much as you want — without having to keep track of your tab.

But while the idea behind the drink packages on NCL is simple, there is fine print that comes along with purchasing. Meanwhile, there are no doubt other questions that come up for many passengers.

To help you figure out if the drink package is worth it — and if you want to buy it for your cruise — we’ve answered some of the most common questions.

What Drink Packages Does Norwegian Cruise Line Offer?

If you’re sailing on Norwegian and want an alcoholic drink package, then you have a few options.

The first package is the “Unlimited Open Bar Package.” This is your classic drink package that every cruise line offers. For $109 per day (or included if chosen as part of the “ Free at Sea ” offer), you get a wide variety of drinks aboard the ship.

This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that’s priced less than $15 per glass. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included.

The alternate package is the “Premium Plus Beverage Package.” Priced at $138 per day, this is Norwegian’s more expensive and higher-end package. It includes everything in previous package, but also high-end spirits like The Macallan Quest, Zacapa 23 rum, and Starbucks coffee on the ship. You can also get a number of different bottles of wine with dinner, instead of just by the glass.

There are also additional non-alcoholic packages, including a soda package and Starbucks package for those that don’t drink alcohol.

How Much Do The Drink Packages Cost?

Whichever drink package you choose on Norwegian, you should expect to spend some cash.

The Unlimited Open Bar Package runs $109 per person, per day. In addition there is a 20% gratuity that’s tacked on to that cost. That comes out to $130.80 per day . So for a 7-day cruise, you will spend $915.60 for a single person for the Premium package.

The Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $138 per person, per day. There is also the same 20% gratuity that is automatically added. For this package, you’ll spend $165.60 each day when the gratuity is added, for a total of $1,159.20 for a week-long cruise.

However, with the Free at Sea offer (covered below) and other discounts, many people don’t end up paying this amount. 

Members of NCL’s Latitudes Rewards program also receive an instant 30%-50% discount on the price of the Unlimited Open Bar Package. So if you’ve sailed as little as one night with the cruise line, you’ll pay significantly less for the offer.

What’s the Difference Between the Drink Packages?

While the drink packages are similar, they are not the same. Let’s start with the Unlimited Open Bar Package , which is going to be the most popular on the ship.

This package provides drinks ranging from sodas to beers to cocktails to glasses of wine. What it doesn’t include are the highest-end spirits as drinks over $15 per glass. Also notably absent is bottled water, fresh-squeezed juices (other juices are included), and premium coffees like Starbucks that are served on the ship. However, if you’re wanting the package to drink beers, have some glasses of wine with dinner, or a margarita by the pool, then you’ll be covered.

For those who want pretty much anything on the ship, then you might be interested in stepping up to the Premium Plus Beverage Package . Here, you get everything included in the lower-tier package, but also higher-end spirits included (no per glass limits are mentioned), as well as juices, bottled water, Starbucks drinks, energy drinks, and even some bottles of wine when dining. 

What’s Not Included in the Drink Package?

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. These are included on the Premium Plus Beverage Package.

Also, neither package includes anything in the mini-bar or room service beverages.

What if My Drink Is More Than $15 Per Glass?

The Unlimited Open Bar Package has a limit of up to $15 per drink (menu price, before gratuity). If you purchase a drink that’s more than $15 on the menu, you’ll be charged the excess over $15.

So an $18 drink would cost you $3, plus the 20% gratuity on the extra amount. Fortunately, this includes only some drinks on the cruise.

It may be the case that getting this package and paying a few bucks more for some drinks would be a better deal in the long run than buying the more expensive Premium Plus offer.

Is Gratuity Included in the Cost?

Gratuity is not included in the headline price. On Norwegian, the drink packages carry a hefty 20% gratuity charge in addition to the base price. So for a $109 a day drink package, you’ll actually pay $130.80 per person. For the $138 drink package, you’ll pay $165.60 each day.

When you order your drink, however, the gratuity is already taken care of. There’s no need to tip additionally unless you simply want to show some more appreciation of the bar staff.

What If I Get the Drink Package Through the Free at Sea Offer? Do I Pay Anything?

Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer has proven popular, and the cruise line has continued to offer it for quite some time now. Put simply, the Free at Sea program gives you your choice of free perks, ranging from a free drink package to free Internet to free/discounted airfare.

If you get the drink package for free, just know that you will have to pay the gratuity on the package, despite the cost being free . In this case, the $109 Unlimited Open Bar Package charge is waived, but the daily gratuity of $21.80 per person, per day (20% of the advertised price) still applies.

So on a week-long cruise your “free” drink package would actually run $152.60.

Don’t want to pay that? You can refuse the package when booking and avoid the charge.

Does Everyone in the Cabin Have to Purchase the Package If One Person Does?

Yes. Likely as a way to limit the sharing that would otherwise go on, Norwegian requires all adults in the cabin to purchase the beverage package if one person does. 

If you have a situation where one person wants the package and the other person doesn’t, then we suggest giving the cruise line a call to explain the situation. They may not be able to help, but we have heard stories on some cruise lines of being able to offer leniency on buying the package if you explain your situation.

We would especially think a health situation (such as one person being pregnant) would help your case on not having to buy two drink packages.

Also, if someone is under 21 years old on your cruise then they must purchase the soda package if the adults buy an alcoholic package.

How Do I Buy the Package?

Buying the package is easy. Before your trip you can purchase the package online through your account. Don’t want to do that? You can also call the cruise line and get the package ordered so that you can enjoy it once you step on the ship. Finally, you can order the package on the ship once you arrive.

Can I Share Drinks?

No. It’s tempting to think that one person will simply buy the expensive package and then slip their partner drinks when they want them. This is against the rules.

How will the cruise line be able to tell if you are sharing? 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. It minimizes the problem of sharing between people.

Do I Have to Buy the Package for the Entire Cruise?

Yes. It would be nice if you could simply buy the drink package on the days you wanted it. For instance, maybe you want to take a break from drinking for a day or plan on being in port and away from the ship. We wish you could not have to pay for the package on days like these.

Instead, you must purchase the drink package for the entire cruise — not just select days. 

How Many Drinks Can I Buy a Day?

Some cruise lines put limits on the number of drinks you can purchase in a day with the drink package (notably Carnival limits passengers to 15 alcoholic drinks in a 24-hour period). We’ve heard of no such limit for Norwegian. Searching through the terms shows no mention. However, if you are obviously inebriated, don’t be surprised if the bartender refuses to serve you.

This unlimited rule applies to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. So you can also buy as many non-alcoholic beverages as you want. 

How Many Drinks Can I Buy at One Time?

Norwegian allows those with the drink package to order two drinks at the same time. Want a beer and a margarita? Or just simply want to try a couple of glasses of wine? Or maybe you just don’t want to have to get up to get another beer after you finish the first one? No matter, you can get two drinks in one transaction .

Does the Package Work on Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay?

Norwegian Cruise Line has two private islands that it visits — Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay .

On Harvest Caye there are a number of bars and restaurants, but even though the island is a private destination for NCL, the drink package will not work here . You have to purchase any beverages out of pocket. Of course, you could always head back to the ship while docked and get a drink, but that’s a long walk.

That said, the package does work on Great Stirrup Cay . Like Harvest Caye, the island is a private destination and has a number of bars for you to enjoy, and it’s a nice perk that the package extends to the island. This is a great way to help you get your money’s worth even if you aren’t on the ship.

Is Norwegian’s Drink Package Worth It?

Of course the big question is whether or not the NCL drink package is worth it. The answer to that depends a lot on your personal habits when you’re on vacation. It will also depend on if you get the Free at Sea offer.

Here’s some general details on whether you’ll find the package worth it for you…

First, consider how you drink when you are on a vacation . For example, some people don’t feel like they are on vacation unless they have a drink in their hand. Others may drink heavily here and there, but like to take breaks on some days. The thing to remember is that you pay for the drink package each day of the cruise. So if you like to drink but also take breaks on some days, then you might not get your money’s worth.

Second, you want to factor in whether or not the second person in the cabin will have to buy the package and if they will use it . Say a husband wants the package but has a wife who barely drinks. In this case, you may not get your money’s worth as it is essentially paying twice for one drink package.

Finally, you want to run the possible math on how much you’d spend with the drink package versus without the package .

At $109 ($130.80 with gratuity) per person, per day for the basic package, Norwegian has one of the most expensive packages around. But many people get the package for free with the Free at Sea offer. And then there is a sharp discount for members of NCL’s loyalty program should you buy the package a la carte. No matter what you pay, it’s important to have a handle on what you’d spend and compare it to the drink package price.

On the ship, beers run $6-7. Wine runs $10-15 a glass, and cocktails run $11-12 each. If you’re paying full price for the drink package, you can see that you have to drink a considerable amount each day to breakeven.

If you want some help in estimating what you’d spend, see our Cruise Drink Package Calculator here . It will give you an idea of how much you’d spend on everything from water to soda to beer to cocktails and compare it to the package price.

Have more questions about the drink package? Let us know in the comments below.

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is there a list of alcohol sales for the different NCL ports ?

Question: With the room service on NCL-Bliss do I tip separately or is it included? Also is there a “room service fee” added besides the tip? Thanks! I at least like to have my coffee in the morning without having to get dressed to go & get it! That’s what vacations are all about!

Per NCL’s website:

Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced an enhanced room service menu. The new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast, in addition to a wider variety of options available 24 hours. Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge of up to $9.95 USD will be added to each order placed (Morning coffee, continental breakfast and orders placed by guests sailing in The Haven will not attract a charge)*. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added for non-complimentary beverages and special occasion items.

If you’re ordering complimentary and not charged anything, a few bucks to the person that brings it would be a nice gesture!

What about those who only drink soft drinks? Is there a package price or what is the individual price ?

Yes, there is a soda package for $10 per day.

Do the drinks packages include non alcoholic beers?

Yes, those should be covered. However, not sure how many options you would have. On our last cruise on NCL this summer, we noticed only Heineken 0.0.

I am Just finishing my NCL cruise and the premium plus package should be better . You need to be quite specific about wanting premium drinks . There is no rose champagne in the ship and last night I could not get a glass of champagne at all as they said they had none (when they did it was Moët not verve ). I asked for a glass of champagne at the champagne bar and they tried to give me a bad cava or Prosecco and again said they only had champagne in the restaurants , and the French restaurant had none . It was also difficult to get a bottle of wine , but may be easier with a bigger party. If they bring a glass you need to ask to see them pour as one night I was served something that wasn’t the Louis Jadot I asked for but a cheap Chardonnay . I don’t want to sound a snob but I like quality not quantity and I don’t think NCL staff are catering for this as well as quantity . If you like whisky and other spirits there are some nice ones on the plus package . But I am cruising friends next year on their first cruise. They love champagne and I will be really embarrassed if I encourage them to do plus package and they ship runs out of champagne .

Overall I feel Service standards have declined in the speciality restaurants post lockdown .

Hey, just wondering if you can help, I’m trying to plot my first cruise. I want to have everything paid for before embarking, so have chosen the free at sea drink package and to prepay my service charge. But am now confused. Will the 20 percent gratuity for the free drink package be added on on the ship? Or is it included upfront when I book? I tried deseleting the drink package and comparing prices but my total was the same, with or without the package. Thanks!

If sailing from the United States, then the gratuity for the free package (about $20 per day) is added onto the cost of the cruise when you book.

My cruise came with Free Premium drink package/Open Bar, but I do not drink. Will I still be charge the gratuities for drinking water? I always use drink flavors (Liquid IV) whenever I want something outside of plain water, so I have no need for anything else.

On cruises from the United States, you are charged gratuity. You can “deselect” the drink package when booking to avoid the charge. If you are unsure, it doesn’t hurt to call the cruise line to make an adjustment.

If you get the “Free at Sea” Premium Drink package, can you UP-grade it to the Premium PLUS package on-board? i.e., pay the difference from $99/day to $128/day or do you have to “start over”?

We just called the cruise line. You can book the Free at Sea and then once on board you can arrange to upgrade to the Premium Plus and pay the difference between the two (plus gratuity).

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Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Packages: What’s Included and is it Worth it?

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Planning a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line ? You’ll definitely want to check out Norwegian’s beverage package options before you go.

NCL has several drink package options to choose from, and being honest, some of what’s included (and not included) in each can be a bit confusing.

In this post, I’ll share the details of the most popular beverage packages on Norwegian and answer some frequently asked questions. We’ll look at which packages offer the best value, and which drink packages will be “worth it” for you. I’ve sailed with NCL both with a beverage package, and without, and I definitely have an opinion.

Please note, even if you have the drink package included with Norwegian’s Free at Sea , you’ll need this information.

Norwegian Free at Sea Beverage Package “Free Perk” 

Norwegian has been running a very popular promotion for years. The Free at Sea program offers include a choice of free open bar , a free specialty dining package, a free wi-fi package , free shore excursions credits , and kids sail free (on certain sailings).

For your own reference, the open bar package which is included with NCL’s Free at Sea promotion is the Premium Beverage Package. If you have the Free at Sea drink package perk, you can upgrade to Premium Plus for $29 per day, per person.

More information about Free at Sea, including the details and pros and cons can be found in this post: NCL’s Free at Sea Explained .

Norwegian’s Alcoholic Beverage Packages

NCL Premium Beverage Package

Cost: $99 per person, per day (plus 20% gratuity)

Norwegian’s most popular adult beverage package option is the Premium Beverage Package. If you have the Free at Sea perk , this is the drink package that’s included.

Norwegian’s premium drink package includes:  Soft drinks, beer, frozen drinks, cocktails, spirits and liqueurs and wines by the glass up to $15 per drink.

What’s not included: It’s important to note that unlike the drink packages on Celebrity and Princess Cruises , Norwegian’s premium beverage package does not include bottled water or specialty coffee and tea.

According to Norwegian’s website, everyone in the cabin, as well as those who are traveling together in an adjoining cabin or additional cabin must purchase the drink package.

If passengers are under 21, they’ll be required to purchase the soda package (Pop Program).

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package 

Cost: $128 per person, per day (plus 20% gratuity)

What’s included in the Premium Plus Package?

With Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage Package, you’ll get all the drinks included in the Premium Package, plus premium brand liqueurs and spirits, and wines by the glass. In addition, you’ll enjoy specialty coffee, sparkling water, bottled water and energy drinks. 

If you’d enjoy a glass (or two) of Veuve Clicquot BRUT “Yellow Label” champagne at Sailaway, this and other popular favorites are available with Premium Plus.

Here’s the full list of drinks that are included:  NCL Premium Plus Drink List

Like the other beverage packages, everyone in the cabin, as well as those who are traveling together in an adjoining cabin or additional cabin must purchase the drink package.

Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package

Cost: $65 per person, per day (plus 20% gratuity)

Norwegian’s wine, beer and soda package is a good drink package if you don’t drink liqueurs and cocktails. It includes draft and bottled beer, wine by the glass up to $15. In addition it includes unlimited fountain soda: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda.

Like the other alcoholic drink packages, all guests in the party need to purchase the package.

Hawaii Beverage Package for Pride of America Cruises (only)

Cost: $99 per guest, per day (plus 20% gratuity)

If you’ve opted for the Free at Sea perk on your Pride of America cruise, this is the drink package you’ll receive.

The Hawaii beverage package includes a nice selection of beverages up to $15 a glass. It includes fountain soft drinks, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffee (in dining rooms only).

The Hawaii Beverage Package does not include specialty coffee outside of the restaurants, room service, mini bar purchases, or vending machines. For any drinks over $15, guests will be charged the difference. 

Norwegian Non Alcoholic and Soda Packages

There are 2 soda packages available on a Norwegian Cruise Lines, one for children 12 and under, and one for adults and kids 13 and over. The pop package includes these fountain sodas: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Pop.

If you’re likely to drink 2 sodas a day or more, this is 100% worth the money. A glass of soda or pop is over $4 per drink.

Adult and Teen Pop Program (13+)

Cost: $7.95 per person, per day (plus 20% gratuity)

Children’s Pop Program (12 & under)

Cost: $5.95 per person, per day (plus 20% gratuity)

Water Packages

Water packages are available on Norwegian and can be pre-ordered and delivered to your cabin. Norwegian has replaced all single use plastic water bottles, however single serving plant based carton bottles are used instead. This is better for the environment, refillable and recyclable.

6 litre package – $16.95

12 litre package – $29.95

24 litre package – $44.95

NCL Drink Package – Frequently Asked Questions

Is there drink limit with Norwegian’s beverage package?

Unlike Carnival and Princess Cruises, there is no daily drink limit with any of Norwegian’s drink packages. However, you are limited to ordering 2 drinks at a time.

Drink package rules to know

There is no sharing of drink packages. As well, all passengers in a cabin or travel party, must purchase a package.

Can you use the drink package at Norwegian’s private islands?

Yes and no. You can use your beverage package in Great Stirrup Cay, however it isn’t applicable at Harvest Caye in Belize.

What drinks are free or included on Norwegian cruise ships?

Like most other cruise lines, there are a lot of drinks included on your cruise. If you don’t drink alcohol or soft drinks often, this will help keep your extra costs on your cruise low.

On a Norwegian cruise, you’ll find unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, select juice, water, drip coffee and tea, and filtered water (no bottled) included with your cruise. Most of these drinks are available free of charge in the buffet and in the dining rooms and restaurants.

Random Cruise Tip: Make unsweetened ice tea taste better by adding a slice of lemon and a package of artificial sweetener like Splenda. As we learned in our years of cruising, when my husband would add 3 packages of sugar and still tell me his ice tea wasn’t sweet, sugar doesn’t dissolve in cold or icy water. You’ll need artificial sweetener to do this. 

Did you think you’d learn science on a cruise blog? LOL 🙂

How much are drinks on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Knowing the cost of individual drinks onboard is a good way to calculate if a beverage package is worth it, and if so, which one is best for you.

On average, frozen cocktails and drinks on Norwegian cost about $9-13 a glass. Mojitos and martinis will be a bit higher at about $13-15 a glass. Drinks with premium liqueurs will be $18 and more.

Wine by the glass is about $9-10, while beer is $6-9. Specialty coffee is $3-4, as are soft drinks. Energy drinks and bottled water are $5-6 each.

Can you bring wine on a Norwegian cruise?

You’re allowed to bring bottles of wine and champagne on a Norwegian cruise, however you’ll be charged a corkage fee upon boarding. The cost is $15 per bottle of wine and $30 per magnum of champagne. This might still be worth it for you, as you can drink this in your cabin as well as in the lounges and restaurants on board.

Make sure to pack them in your carry on bag and as you board on embarkation day . Other alcohol is prohibited from being brought onto the ship and will likely be confiscated .

Read: 10 Things NOT to Pack for a Cruise 

Is there a coffee package on Norwegian?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a separate coffee package that you can buy on a Norwegian Cruise. If you do want to have specialty coffee included, consider the Premium Plus package, which includes premium liqueurs and wine, unlimited soda, and Lavazza coffee .

Is bottled water included in NCL beverage package?

Bottled water isn’t included with Norwegian’s Premium Beverage Package, the once which comes included as a Free at Sea perk. However, you can purchase or upgrade to the Premium Plus drink package, where bottled water is included. 

Is there a price discount onboard?

It’s important to note that there is no discount on any of Norwegian’s drink packages when you purchase it onboard. It’s definitely better to purchase this online before you cruise.

Which Norwegian Cruise Ships have Starbucks?

Starbucks is now available on several Norwegian cruise ships including, the Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Sky. The onboard Starbucks has a full menu and you can even use Starbucks gift cards or the app to pay onboard. Starbucks is not included with the Norwegian’s beverage packages.  

Is the drink package worth it on NCL?

Whether or not Norwegian’s drink package is worth it, depends on 2 things. How much you drink and if an all-inclusive vacation feel is important to you. There’s also one extra thing – if you have the premium beverage free at sea perk.

While you will have to pay the gratuity charge on the value of the package ($19.80 per day, per person), this is clearly worth it if you have a couple drinks a day. It’s important to keep in mind that the “free” perk includes alcoholic drinks up to $15 each, and soda. However, it doesn’t include specialty coffee or water bottles.

Cost breakdown

Without the Free at Sea drink package perk, the premium beverage package will cost you $99 per day, plus $19.80 (20% gratuity). The total cost is $118.80 per person for each day of your cruise. Also, both guests in the cabin must purchase.

As an example, a couple will pay $1663.20 for a 7 day cruise. A 10 day cruise will cost $2376 per cabin.

*Pricing throughout this post is in US dollars

Going on a cruise? Read these posts next:

• Norwegian Cruise Line Dress Code: What to Wear on a Freestyle Cruise
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea Perks Explained
• 25+ Most Recommended Amazon Items to Bring on a cruise
• How to Save Money on a Cruise (27 Tips & Hacks)
• 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

Final Thoughts: Norwegian’s Beverage Package – Is it worth it?

Even though I love to cruise with drinks included, I normally would not spend this much on drinks on a cruise. As well, I love a fancy coffee on occasion, and to get coffee included, I’d need to upgrade to the Premium Plus package at an extra $29 per person, per day.

Verdict – For me, unless it’s the Free at Sea perk, NCL’s adult beverage packages are not worth it. As a suggestion, bring along a 3 or 4 bottles of wine and pay a corkage fee of $15 each.

Of course, this is me, and you’re you. So I hope I’ve given you enough information and tips about Norwegian’s Drink packages for you to make a decision based on your preferences.

Please let me know in the comments what you think? Have you ever had a Norwegian beverage package and was it worth it for you? Please share any additional tips below.

Happy cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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Hi I’m going on my first cruise as a passenger on Epic in december 2022. Although i have worked on a cruise liner for 9 months in 1999 previously largest in world at time. I have booked a balcony suite next one down from haven package. I also Don’t drink Alcohol so was wondering what peoples experience of non alcoholic options is. I have all the free at sea packages. At home i drink kopperberg budweiser peroni heneiken Gordons non alcoholic gin. I know there are frozen cocktails that can be mocktails or Virgin ur help be appreciated

Fun cruise to look forward to! I’m not aware of the all the non alcoholic options, however mocktails are definately available. You may want to ask in a Norwegian fan facebook group, or feel free to join the Life Well Cruised community group and ask folks there.

Have an awesome cruise!

Hello- Thanks for the wonderful article. We are going on an NCL cruise and have the free at sea drink package. However the gratuity alone is $330. I don’t think we will drink this much in sodas or alcohol. My wife is concerned about getting water out of the soda fountains. Can we get that without a drink package? Thanks again!

This is a good point. If you don’t think you’ll drink enough to make it a good value, you can opt out of the “free” drink package. There is clean, drinkable water available onboard.

Hope this helps,

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Norwegian Drink Package Review | Is it Worth The Price?

By Author Emily Junda

Posted on Last updated: December 28, 2023

Categories Alaska , Travel Guides

Are you going on a Norwegian Cruise and wondering if the Norwegian Drink Package is worth it? In this guide, I am going to share my personal opinion about whether or not the free unlimited open bar package is worth the price. 

The quick answer to whether or not the Norwegian all-you-can-drink Package is worth it, depends on two key factors. The first is your personal vacation drinking habits. Additionally, it depends on whether or not you get the package through their ‘Free At Sea’ promotion or pay full price. 

So in this Norwegian Drink Package Review, I will share a cost breakdown and help you better understand if this package is the right choice for you. 

How Much Does The Cruise Beverage Packages Cost?

The stand-alone unlimited drink package on the Norwegian Cruise Line costs $109 per day + 20% gratuity per person.

How Much Does The Drink Package Cost with the Free At Sea Promotion

Since 2020, the Norwegian Cruise Line has been offering the Free At Sea Promotion. This allows you to get the cruise for 50% off, which includes the drink package, 1 specialty dining experience, 100 minutes of free wifi, and a $50 voucher for an excursion. Some of the packages include free airfare and free 3rd & 4th guests. Gratuities are not included in select promotions. 

Therefore, the Free At Sea Drink Package is included with the cost of the cruise. But you will still be charged a 20% gratuity for the duration of your cruise, which totals $21.80 per person per day for as long as the cruise duration. 

For example, a 3-day cruise (3 days x $21.80) would only cost $65.40 per person in gratuity. 

What is included in the NCL Drinks Package?

Most drinks under $15 are included in the Norwegian Drink Package. Bottles of water, specialty coffees, and energy drinks are excluded.

• Select, premium cocktails & spirits (under $15 USD)
• Variety of beer and wine by the glass (under $15 USD)
• 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine (above $15 USD)
• Unlimited soft drinks and juices

What is the Daily Limit for the Norwegian Drink Package?

The Norwegian Drink Package is truly unlimited. There is no maximum drink cutoff.

But according to the NCL Guest Conduct Policy , “ The ship’s staff may refuse to serve alcoholic beverages to any guest who does not consume alcohol responsibly”.

Cost of Single Drinks Aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line

• Beer: $6-$9 ($6 for domestic cans – $9 for draft)
• Wine: Starting around $9 per glass
• Cocktails: Starting around $10
• Soda: $3.50
• Water: $6.50
• Energy Drinks: $6.50
• Starbucks: $3.25-$6.45

Is Gratuity Included With The NCL All-You-Can-Drink Package

Gratuity is NOT included with the purchase of a Norwegian Drink Package. An automatic charge of 20% will be charged for each guest. Do note this means every day of the cruise, you will be charged 20% of the $109 cost. 

For example, if go on a 7-day cruise, the gratuity would amount to $152.60 per person.

Can One Person Get The Drink Package and Share?

No, each person in the stateroom must purchase the package if they are over the age of 21+. 

Premium Drink Upgrade (Starbucks & Premium Liquors and Wines)

There is the option to upgrade the package to include top-shelf liquors and wines. This also includes the unlimited Starbucks package, premium bottled water, and energy drinks. 

You can find a list of the premium liquors on the NCL Unlimited Open Bar Package Flyer .

The additional cost for the Premium Plus Package costs $29 extra per day (for a total of $138 per day).

Can you buy The Drink Package On Board?

If you decide last minute you do actually want to add the drink package, you can purchase it during the first 48 hours of the cruise. Ask the customer service desk where to purchase the package. 

Quick Cost Breakdown Of The Norwegian Drink Package

I wanted to show some simple math to help you understand whether or not the NCL drink package is right for you. 

Let’s say you start drinking in the early afternoon and have one drink per hour. Start with a few cocktails ($10 + $15 + $12 + $13). Then you go to dinner and switch to wine, let’s say you have 2 glasses ($9 + $15). Finally, you go to a show and have 2 more cocktails ($10 + $14). 

That’s 8 drinks total throughout the evening and the total is only $98 . 

So you actually didn’t even break even and this wasn’t totaling in the cheaper drink options on the menu. 

Now let’s say you go with the most expensive drink option, every time.

• $109 / $15 = 7 drinks per day

This could make the cost a little more palatable. But I find they still have a great selection of wines and cocktails around $9-$12. And if you are a beer drinker, this cost goes down even more.

The NCL Cruise Beverage Package For Beer Drinkers

If you will exclusively be drinking beer, then I don’t see how the drink package will really benefit you. Unless you plan to drink 12-18 beers every day.

• Domestic Beer $109 / $6 = 18 beers
• Draft Beer $109 / $9 = 12 beers

The Premium Drink Package Cost Breakdown

Okay, so you have classy taste and want to pay the additional $29 per day to have top-shelf liquors and wines. That brings the total up to $138 per day. 

Maybe this is just an opinion, but if you are drinking top-shelf, then you probably prefer the taste. Overall meaning, you aren’t really drinking to get wasted. So even $138 / $23 per drink = 6 drinks per day (which is just breaking even). 

Plus you still have to buy bottles of wine (although you get 40% off). 

You do get the Starbucks package and the premium water package included. Therefore, if you only like top-shelf liquors and wine, this package might make sense for the price. 

My Personal Opinion Of Whether Or Not The Norwegian Drink Package Is Worth It

I don’t think the question of whether or not the Norwegian Drink Package is worth the cost is really a one-size-fits-all answer.  

Except with the Free At Sea Promotion , I think it’s a no-brainer to add the Norwegian Drink Package. You really only have to pay gratuity, which is $21.80 per day. That’s only about 2 drinks, and if you are on vacation, then you are likely to indulge in a couple more than two, am I right?! 😉 

But if I were paying full price for the Unlimited Drink Package on the Norwegian Cruise Line, then I don’t think it is worth the price on its own ($109 per day + 20% gratuity).

You need to consider how many alcoholic drinks you plan on having each day.

For light to moderate drinkers (1-6 drinks per day), you will likely not even reach the $109 per day. And for drinkers above moderate (8+ drinks per day), you might simply break even. 

If you are a heavy drinker or know you will be drinking the $15 drinks exclusively, then the package may be a good fit for you.

And another variable to consider is if you are prone to seasickness. Our Alaska Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines experienced some rough seas. Jake got pretty nauseous at times and was definitely drinking a little bit less than if it was a land-based vacation.

I hope this Norwegian Drink Package Review helps you understand the cost breakdown of drinks on the Norwegian Cruise Line and helps you decide whether or not the drink package is right for you. 

Related Alaska Posts:

• Want to learn more about Norwegian Cruises? Find our in-depth review of our experience aboard the Norwegian Jewel
• Or are you ready to pack your bag and board the ship? Find our ultimate Alaska Cruise Packing List

Save This ‘Norwegian Drink Package Review’ For Later

2024 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: April 2, 2020  - Last updated: February 11, 2024

For many cruisers, your bar bill can end up being a significant portion of your vacation budget! If you’re cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line, having an NCL drink package lets you pre-plan your drink costs so you’re not hit with a huge bar tab at the end of your cruise .

Norwegian offers a variety of drink packages for all ages, at various price points. But is an NCL beverage package worth it? I’ll explain what each package currently includes and how much it will cost for your cruise, so you can decide if you should buy one and which drink package is right for you.

Norwegian Cruise Line raised prices and changed drink package selection in 2023

NCL overhauled its beverage package selection back in 2023, removing some fan favorites and adding a new tier. At the same time, Norwegian also raised all drink package prices.

Although Norwegian hasn’t announced any drink package increases for 2024, they have made a few changes to some programs since last year.

Even if you’ve cruised NCL with a beverage package in the past, you’ll want to read carefully to see what’s changed!

All beverage packages increased in price in 2023

Beginning in January 2023, NCL raised the price of all drink packages by $10 per day. Although post-shutdown price hikes are becoming the norm, Norwegian already charged among the highest per-day costs for beverage packages in the cruise industry.

Many NCL cruisers choose a free drink package as part of NCL’s ongoing Free At Sea promotion, but gratuities aren’t included—and that per-day charge just increased as well.

Norwegian removed two popular drink packages

As part of the beverage package overhaul, NCL removed two of the most budget-friendly beverage packages from its portfolio: Corks & Caps and the Children’s Soda Program .

Wine and beer lovers might remember Corks & Caps—for just $65 per day, you could enjoy unlimited draft and bottled beer, wine-by-the-glass, and fountain sodas. That package has been scrapped, and the cheapest option for unlimited wine and beer now costs double the price.

Norwegian also removed the Children’s Soda Program from its options. As late as 2022, parents of kids aged 12 and under could pay just $5.95 per day to let each kid have unlimited fountain sodas.

Currently, children and adults who want unlimited soft drinks have now been lumped into the same package, almost doubling the per-day price for kids!

NCL added a new drink package

All’s not gloomy on the Norwegian drink package front. The cruise line actually added a new tier that has been popular with specialty coffee drinkers— Unlimited Starbucks!

This new Norwegian beverage package includes all you can drink from the onboard coffeehouse, for the price of just a couple of venti lattes. Read on for all the details!

For all of Norwegian’s drink packages, you can order an unlimited amount of any included beverages at bars and restaurants on the ship, but drink selection can vary by venue.

NCL drink packages available for 2024

For 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line offers five beverage packages:

Unlimited Soda Package

Unlimited starbucks package, unlimited open bar package , premium plus beverage package , pride of america hawaii beverage package.

As a guide, I’ve included how much each drink package costs in total (including gratuity) for a seven-day cruise. Note that packages are only available for cruises that are three days or longer. Pride of America Hawaii cruises have their own special drink package (detailed below), and some packages aren’t available on that ship.

These are the current drink packages for 2024, with updated pricing. Note that NCL adds a 20% gratuity to the price of all drink packages.

Available for anyone age 3 and up, NCL’s Unlimited Soda Package costs $9.95 per day. Only fountain sodas are covered (including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, tonic water, and club soda). Cans of soda are charged at full menu prices.

For a 7-day cruise, this drink package would cost ($9.95 x 7 x 1.2) $83.58

NCL’s Unlimited Starbucks Package includes all your Starbucks favorites, from classic coffees and teas and Refreshers to Frappuccinos and other specialty coffee drinks.

The Starbucks drink package costs $12.95 per day, and cruisers must be at least 18 years of age to purchase.

For a 7-day cruise, this drink package would cost ($12.95 x 7 x 1.2) $108.78

NCL’s Unlimited Open Bar Package  (formerly known as the Premium Beverage Package or the Ultimate Beverage Package) costs $109.00 per day. The package includes spirits and cocktails along with a selection of soft drinks, juice, draft and bottled beer, and wine-by-the-glass.

Any of these drinks with a menu price under $15 are included in the program. NCL has a list of brands included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package . However, not all ships carry all of the listed brands, and availability can vary by venue. Brands are subject to change.

The Unlimited Open Bar Package doesn’t include specialty coffee and tea drinks, bottled water, energy drinks, fresh-squeezed juices, and bottles of wine (although they’ll give you a 20% discount on certain bottles). Other exclusions are room service, mini-bar drinks, and drinks served in souvenir glasses.

If a drink costs $15 or more, you’ll be charged the difference plus a 20% gratuity on that amount.

For a 7-day cruise, this drink package would cost ($109.00 x 7 x 1.2) $915.60 . If you choose this package with Free at Sea, it costs ($109.00 x 7 x 0.2) $152.60 for gratuities.

NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $138.00 per day. The package includes everything in the Unlimited Open Bar Package, but the $15 menu price cap is lifted.

In addition, specialty coffees and teas, energy drinks, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water (still and sparkling), and select bottles of wine are covered in this package. Dining room wine lists have an asterisk next to bottles that are included in the package.

NCL also publishes a list of brands included with Premium Plus , so you can have an idea of which brands are complimentary with the package. Brands are subject to change.

If you have a free Unlimited Open Bar Package from the Free at Sea promotion, you’ll be able to upgrade to Premium Plus by paying the difference. Currently, you can upgrade for $29 per day plus the 20% gratuity charge.

For a 7-day cruise, this drink package would cost ($138.00 x 7 x 1.2) $1159.20 .

Sailing on NCL’s Pride of America in Hawaii? As recently as 2023, the ship offered only one drink package for adults, teens, and kids—the $109 per day Hawaii Beverage Package .

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.

If you’re interested in an adult beverage package, it’s included in your fare for the first two passengers in a stateroom—you just pay the 20% gratuity.

The Hawaii Beverage Package includes a variety of both adult and soft drinks. Wine-by-the-glass, beer, and liquor are included, up to $15 per drink. Other included options are fountain sodas, freshly-squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffees (in the dining rooms only).

For a 7-day cruise, this drink package (gratuities only) would cost ($109.00 x 7 x 0.2) $152.60

If you have more than two adults in your stateroom, guests 3 and 4 will need to buy the Hawaii Beverage Package at the full price of $109 per person, per day, plus gratuity.

For a 7-day cruise, this drink package would cost ($109.00 x 7 x 1.2) $915.60

Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line does not offer the Premium Plus Beverage Package aboard Pride of America .

NCL drink packages FAQ

If you’ve never cruised with Norwegian before, or it’s been a while since your last cruise, you probably have some general questions about how the drink packages work. I’ll answer the most common ones here. If you have a question that I haven’t answered, just leave it in the comments and I’ll answer it.

Do you need to tip for drinks purchased with an NCL beverage package?

All drink packages cost an extra 20% gratuity on top of the list price. You don’t need to tip your bartender or server each time you order a drink with your beverage package—you’ve already pre-paid your tips.

That said, you can always add an extra tip for your favorite bartenders, if you choose.

Do you need to pay tax on your drinks?

When you’re out at sea in international waters, you don’t need to worry about paying tax on any of your drinks. But when you’re in port, some local authorities require cruise lines to collect tax on the menu price of any beverages you buy. Taxes are charged to your onboard account if you’re buying drinks one by one or using a beverage package.

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.

Do NCL drink packages work on their private islands?

If you’re stopping for the day at one of Norwegian’s private islands , drink packages are accepted at Great Stirrup Cay but not at Harvest Caye. Wondering why? 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.

How old do you have to be to buy an alcoholic beverage package on NCL?

Passengers need to be at least 21 to purchase an alcoholic beverage package on Norwegian cruises worldwide. Guests aged 18 to 20 can purchase alcohol by the drink on round-trip cruises in Europe and Australia. 18-to-20-year-olds can buy wine and beer on some cruises sailing from the US with the signed consent of an accompanying parent.

However, you still need to be 21 to have a drink package that includes alcohol, even if you’re old enough to drink on the cruise.

Can you share your NCL beverage package with another guest?

Norwegian, like many cruise lines, has been cracking down on passengers sharing their drink packages. Because of this issue, if one guest on a reservation buys a drink package, the other guests must as well. Passengers under 21 would be required to buy a soda package.

Exceptions can be made in certain circumstances. If you’re pregnant, have a medical condition, a history of substance abuse, or have religious beliefs that don’t allow you to drink any alcohol, contact NCL to ask for an exception.

How do you buy a Norwegian Cruise Line drink package?

Many Norwegian cruises offer their Free at Sea promotion , and the most popular perk for cruisers is the drink package. But if you don’t have Free at Sea (or you chose another perk), you can pre-purchase a drink package, starting 90 days before sailing, on your MyNCL account .

You can also buy a drink package on board the ship, but this option will usually only be available for the first couple of days of the cruise.

Can you buy a drink package for certain days of the cruise?

Although it would be nice to pick and choose which days you have a drink package (like sea days only, please!), once you buy a package you need to pay for each remaining day of your cruise. Take this into consideration if you have a lot of longer shore excursions when you won’t be on the ship to use the package.

NCL drink prices for 2024: how much are drinks on a Norwegian cruise if you buy them individually?

Based on recent menu prices, specialty coffees on ships with a Starbucks are in the $3-6 range. Fountain sodas are about $3.

Many wines-by-the-glass are in the $8-9 range, up to about $27-31 for higher-end selections. Beer is about $7-9 per glass. Cocktails from the bar menus are generally $9-15 (but ultra-premium liquor can cost significantly more).

Is there a limit to how many drinks you can get per day with an NCL beverage package?

Unlike some cruise lines, Norwegian doesn’t currently have a limit on how many drinks you can have per day with any of their packages. Obviously, you should be safe and drink responsibly! But as of right now there’s no set limit. They do have a limit of two drinks per person per order, which is helpful to know when there’s a long line at the pool bar.

Is it worth it to get a drink package on NCL?

Honestly, it all depends on how much you think you’ll be drinking. Norwegian’s alcoholic drink packages are among the most expensive in the cruise industry, so the expense can be significant if you’re paying out-of-pocket. If you’re sure you’ll only have a couple of drinks each day, it’s a far better deal to just pay as you go.

When you choose the Unlimited Open Bar Package as a Free at Sea perk, you’ll only be paying the gratuity (about $22 per day). Drinking just one soda with lunch, an afternoon cocktail by the pool, and a glass of wine with dinner, you’ve had your money’s worth for the day.

If you’re a soda drinker, the soda package can be a money-saver. Know you’ll want to order at least two or three soft drinks each day? Then it really makes sense to buy this package.

Want to learn more about cruise line beverage packages? Read my article Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It? to learn more.

Don’t forget to check out these resources before your Norwegian cruise:

• 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know
• Norwegian’s Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Get Onboard Credit for Owning Norwegian Cruise Line Stock
• Ultimate Guide to NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay

Have you bought a drink package on a Norwegian cruise? Did you think it was worth it? Let me know in the comments below!

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Saturday 15th of July 2023

Does the menu changes everyday at the freestyle restaurants ? Also is it the same menu at every complimentary restaurant ?

Sunday 16th of July 2023

Hi again Jazz! The first half of the dinner menu in the complimentary main dining rooms will change each evening, but there will always be a selection of classic entrées that remain the same. For breakfast and lunch in the MDR, you'll often see a similar menu each day with just a couple of daily features that change. The menu at one main dining room won't differ from another at any given time.

You'll also find complimentary restaurants on board (like O'Sheehan's or the Local) that don't change their menus from day to day. Hope this helps!

How strict is Norwegian about sharing alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks with someone who didn’t purchase the package ? I mean do they really keep an eye on you even if you are sitting far away.

Hi Jazz, thanks for the question! NCL, like most cruise lines, strongly discourages "sharing" drinks packages. Will bartenders or other crew members be watching you like hawks to see if you share a drink or two? Probably not, but it could happen. If you're caught, the cruise line can cancel your drink package (with no refund!) for the rest of the cruise. 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.

Tuesday 14th of February 2023

We're sailing on the NCL Bliss, and have purchased the unlimited open bar package with free at sea. I'm not much of an excursion person, and was curious to know if my drink package still allows me to take advantage of the open bar while we're docked in ports. Everything i've read so far on the free at sea is that the drinks are only "free" while sailing, and not while docked. Thanks!

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

Hi Julia, the drinks with Free At Sea's open bar are definitely free aboard the ship regardless of whether she's sailing or docked in port. However, you'll need to pay tax on the menu price of each drink when you're not in international waters (like when you're in port). But the tax charges, which vary by jurisdiction, are usually very minimal. Happy cruising!

Susan Weule

Friday 27th of January 2023

Hi going on NCL Pride of America in March 2023. As we are in port everyday at a different Hawaiian island. Do we have to pay extra tax if we have purchased the drink package? If we happen to stay on board. Just so you know we also received free gratitudes in the deal. So wondering if there’s any hidden costs so I can budget. Thank you.

Sunday 29th of January 2023

Hi Susan, excellent questions! If you've already purchased the Hawaii beverage package, you'll have already paid the gratuities for the package at checkout. (The free gratuities you received as part of your package are crew gratuities, not drinks gratuities - you can read more about that in my post What You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities)

As for taxes on your drinks, you won't need to pay anything extra when you're sailing in international waters. But whenever you order a drink while you're in territorial waters (like if you stay on the ship as you mentioned, or whenever you're within about 12 nautical miles from land), local taxes on the menu price of each drink you order will be charged to your onboard account.

My rule of thumb to figure out when you're sailing in international waters is if the onboard shops and/or casino are open, you're all set and won't be charged tax on your drinks :) Hope this helps, and have an amazing time on your cruise!

Judy Plummer

Sunday 14th of August 2022

What is included in the adult beverage package that is included as a perk on NCL Escape?

Tuesday 16th of August 2022

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.

NCL Drink Packages & Beverage Package Guide

About norwegian drink & beverage packages.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers straightforward and generous beverage package options, including the NCL Unlimited Open Bar package and Premium Beverage Package. The Premium drink package allows ordering drinks up to $15 and includes wine, beer, basic spirits, and frozen drinks. The Premium Plus Beverage Package is an upgraded option that includes premium bottled water, specialty coffees, and energy drinks with no price limit on drinks (with a few exceptions)

• Norwegian Cruise Line offers various drink packages including the NCL Unlimited Open Bar and Premium Beverage Package.
• The Premium Package allows ordering drinks up to $15, while the Premium Plus Beverage Package includes premium bottled water and specialty coffees.
• Just pay the difference (plus gratuity) if your drink isn’t covered in the $15 allowed by the open bar package.
• NCL drink packages are truly unlimited. They do not put a limit on how many beverages you can order during your cruise or per day like other cruise lines do. The only real limit is a guest can order only 2 drinks at a time (Or a Double).
• The Premium Plus package offers a wider selection of premium alcohol options, wines, and other beverages for an additional cost.
• Non-alcoholic packages are also available for non-drinkers or children traveling on the cruise.

There are two alcohol beverage packages offered by Norwegian Cruise Line – the NCL Unlimited Open Bar package which is also called the Premium Beverage Package and is still commonly referred to as the Premium Package by cruisers and travel professionals. Additionally, there is the upgraded Premium Plus Beverage Package .

There are coffee and soda packages available for non-drinkers.

NCL Drink Package Prices

Package prices listed on the Norwegian website do not show the required 20% gratuity, keep that in mind while booking.

Upgrading from the NCL Unlimited Open Bar is simple and can be done online or while onboard. Just pay the difference in the Premium and Premium Plus package + gratuities.

NCL Premium Beverage Package / Unlimited Open Bar

The Premium Beverage Package on NCL (aka Unlimited Open Bar) allows you to order any drink up to $15. The Unlimited Open Bar includes wine, beer, most basic spirits, and frozen drinks like Margaritas, Mudslides, Pina Coladas, and Daiquiris!

Unfortunately, what is NOT included with the Premium Beverage Package is bottled water and specialty (Starbucks) coffee drinks. These are included in the Premium Plus Beverage Package (or in a package for just soda and coffee, as explained below). Souvenir cups sold with drinks are also excluded.

Other items NOT included in the NCL Premium Beverage Package include room service, the mini-bar, and wine from the vending machines throughout the ship.

Other advantages of the Premium Drink package are small perks like 20% off of bottles of wine, discounts on tasting experiences, and discounted flights.

NCL Premium Beverage Package Cost

The Premium Package is “nearly free” when selected as a perk from the Free At Sea promotion, but there’s a catch! (Nothing is really free in life, right?) 🙂

This package is an amazing value as it is normally included in the “Free at Sea” promotion offered when booking. 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.

So why wouldn’t someone choose the Unlimited Open Bar as a promotion? Because while the package is “free” with the promotion, you still pay the 20% gratuity on the VALUE of the drink package. This means that the package still costs each passenger $21.80 per day. So if you only like an occasional beer or a glass of wine with dinner, then you’ll not even get value for the $21.80 gratuities per day that you will be required to pay.

It’s worth noting, however, that even for soda drinkers, the promotion may be worth it!

So this is why we say this drink package is “nearly free” because, for a typical 7-day cruise, each passenger will still be charged more than $150 for the required gratuities.

• See our Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Calculator! See if a drink package is worth it or not!

Norwegian Premium Beverage Package List

Most drinks you’ll find on any Norwegian Cruise Line ship will be included with the Premium Beverage Package (Unlimited Open Bar) with the exception of a few higher-end spirits and wines.

What Does the NCL Premium Beverage Package include?

Gin & Vodka lovers, you’ll be pleased with the selection included with the Premium Beverage Package on Norwegian! Some relatively “top shelf” options are included in the Premium Beverage drink package including:

• Belvedere Vodka • Grey Goose Vodka • Good Boy Vodka • Ketel One Vodka • Prairie Organic Vodka • Wheatley Craft Distilled Vodka

• Bombay Dry Gin • Beefeater London Dry Gin • Bombay Sapphire Gin • Tanqueray Special Gin • Tito’s Handmade Vodka • Avorza Ultra Premium Organic Vodka • Absolut Vodka

Whiskey and Brandy aficionados will appreciate the selection on NCL ships, but those with really discerning preferences will likely be happier with the Premium Plus package. Otherwise, the basics are all easy to find for the Unlimited Open Bar. Here’s the whiskey, scotch, and brandy included in the Premium Beverage drink package:

• Bulleit Frontier Bourbon • Wild Turkey 101 • Jack Daniel’s Black • Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack • Jack Daniel’s Rye • 1792 Small Batch Bourbon • St Remy VSOP French Brandy • Grappa Botegga Sandro • Hidalgo Reserva 12-Year-Old Spanish brandy • Pisco Tabernero • Godet VS Cognac

• House of Steward Scotch
• Chivas Regal
• Glenmorangie
• Johnnie Walker Black Label
• Dewar’s 12 The Ancestor Blended Scotch
• Canadian Mist
• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Fireball Cinnamon
• Ten High Bourbon
• Seagrams 83 American
• Irish Jameson’s
• Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whiskey

Rum and Tequila drinkers will have plenty to choose from on the Unlimited Open Bar menu, but there are a few seriously good rums on the next package. Here’s the rum that’s included in the Premium Beverage drink package:

• Bacardi Superior Rum
• Bacardi 8 Rum
• Brugal Añejo Rum
• Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
• Cachaça 51 Rum
• Flor de Caña 4 Years Old
• Flor de Caña 12 Years Old
• Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
• Malibu Coconut Rum
• Los Corrales Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• 1800 Reposado Tequila
• JAJA “HaHa” Blanco Tequila
• Patrón Silver Tequila

Other Liqueurs and Cordials included in the Premium Beverage / Unlimited Open Bar Package include:

• Amarula Cream • Aperol Apéritif • Averna • Campari • Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur • Disaronno Amaretto • Drambuie • Fernet-Branca • Frangelico

• Jagermeister • Kahlúa • Limoncello Bottega • Licor 43 • Maloney’s Irish Cream • Pernod • Pimm’s No. 1 • Southern Comfort • Sambuca Di Romana

Beer and Wine included in the Premium Beverage Package / Unlimited Open Bar package includes relatively basic wines, but generally, there is something for everyone. People who really enjoy wine or champagne should consider the next package (Premium Plus). For beer lovers, it’ll be good to know that everything is included in the Premium Beverage Package!

• Angry Orchard Cider
• Budweiser Light and Regular
• Coors Light
• Corona Extra
• Brok Premium
• Heineken & Heineken 0.0
• Pilsner Urquell
• Stella Artois
• Truly Hard Seltzer

On ships with a beer bar or pub like the NCL Encore , there will be quite a few more craft beer choices!

NCL says the following about the wine included in the Unlimited Open Bar

A large selection of wines by the glass from around the world, including the most recognized grape varieties such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, cabernet, pinot noir, merlot, shiraz, tempranillo, port, non-alcohol wine by the glass, etc. Norwegian Cruise Line

The reality with the wine selections is that they’re mediocre, but there are the basics and usually something for everyone. Real wine lovers will appreciate the choices on the Premium Plus Package

What if a drink costs more than $15 with the Premium Beverage Package?

What’s even better about how Norwegian does their drink packages is that for any drink ordered over the $15 limit, you just pay the difference + 20% gratuity ON THE DIFFERENCE. An example: A glass of wine that costs $17 will be covered up to $15 on the base beverage package. The guest will be charged the $3 difference + 20% of $3, making the total out-of-pocket $3.60.

Non-alcoholic drinks are included in the Unlimited Open Bar / Premium Beverage Package

Sodas, Tonics, Juices (from the bar soda gun, not freshly squeezed), and coffee/tea from the Buffet.

It’s important to reiterate that specialty coffees and bottled water are NOT included in this package .

• See : NCL Bar Menus & Drink Prices

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package

For an additional $29/day + 20% gratuity, you can get nearly everything by the glass shown on the menus and even some bottles of wine (Except Louis XIII).

What makes the NCL Premium Plus Drink Package worth it for many passengers is the fact that it includes premium bottled water, specialty coffee, energy drinks & freshly squeezed juices!

What is the cost of the Premium Plus Beverage Package on NCL?

The package without any promotion is $138 per person per day plus 20% gratuities (YIKES!). That’s $165 per day PER PERSON to essentially get any beverage you want with some included bottles of wine.

But the REAL deal is when the Unlimited Open Bar is included as a promotion, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage Package for only $29 per day +20% gratuities making it about $35/day… a much more reasonable cost especially if you love champagne! A single glass can cost $30 or more, so you can see how having the beverage package can quickly pay for itself for a guest who really enjoys Champagne and a few of the finer spirits available.

Good To Know

Many drinks and wines are just slightly above the $15 drink limit for the Unlimited Open Bar package, and rather than upgrading to the Premium Plus package, it’s less expensive to just pay the difference on the occasion you order a more expensive drink.

Norwegian Premium Plus Beverage Package List

In addition to the included alcohol in the Premium Beverage package, here’s a list of the alcohol included in the Premium Plus Package

Nearly everything on the ship by the glass!

Gin & Vodka

• Hendrick’s Gin
• Monkey 47 Gin
• ‘66 by Norwegian Gin
• Absolut Elyx Vodka
• Chopin Potato Vodka

Rum & Tequila

• Patron Añejo Tequila
• Avión Silver Tequila
• Cazadores Añejo Tequila
• Gracias A Dios ESPADIN Mezcal
• Flor de Caña Eco 15 Year Rum
• Zacapa 23 Rum

Liqueurs & Cordials

• Bailey’s Irish Cream
• Benedictine D.O.M.
• Grand Marnier

For the cruisers who love their Whiskey, Brandy & Scotch – there are quite a few nice options with the Premium Plus Beverage Package!

• Talisker 10 Scotch
• The Glenlivet Founders Reserve Scotch
• Galveston 12-Year-Old Spanish Single Malt
• Paul John Brilliance Indian Single Malt
• The Macallan “Quest” Single Malt Whiskey
• The Macallan “Enigma” Single Malt Scotch Whiskey◆
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label◆◆
• Old Forester 1910◆
• Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style◆
• Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Bourbon◆
• Skrewball Peanut Whiskey
• Irish Jameson Caskmates
• Blanton’s Small Batch Single Barrel Whiskey
• EH Taylor Small Batch◆
• Woodford Reserve
• Whistle Pig Rye
• 1792 Full Proof Bourbon◆
• Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon◆
• Hennessy XO
• Hennessy VS
• Remy Martin VSOP

◆◆ In Haven Bars only ◆ In Select Whiskey Bars (Varies by ship)

For wine & Champagne lovers, the Premium Plus Beverage Package starts to make sense ! For example, for guests who enjoy nice champagne by the glass (i.e. Moet or Veuve), it doesn’t take much to make the cost of the package worth it.

• Champagne: Pommery Rose and Veuve Clicquot “Yellow Label”. (Veuve is only available in some specialty restaurants now)
• White Wines: Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen “Eroica” Riesling, Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo Chardonnay, La Crema Chardonnay, Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Chardonnay

+Non-Alcohol Wine by the Bottle

• Red Wines: Argyle Pinot Noir, Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, Doglioti Barolo, Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Malbec, Buglioni Il Bugiardo Ripasso Valpolicella, Cellier Des Princes Ch Du Pape, Leonardo Davinci Brunello di Montalcino, Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo Pian Di Nova, Celeste Crianza Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo, Silverado Vineyards, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dow’s “Quinta do Bomfim”Porto

What makes the Premium Plus package even better is the fact it includes bottled water (Aqua Panna, Evian, Pellegrino, etc) and specialty coffee (Starbucks), Fresh Juices, and all the Red Bull you can fit in your body.

Other perks of the Premium Plus Beverage Package with NCL are a 40% discount on wine & spirit experiences, tastings, and flights, Connoisseur Collection beverages, and all other wines by the bottle.

Included wines by the bottle at meals with the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package

For a wine lover, this is a great benefit to this package, until you realize that it includes a limited selection of wines. The wines will also vary greatly based on which ship you’re on, as ships that lack a real wine bar will have a more limited selection. For Example, on the Norwegian Dawn, where there is a Mondavi wine cellar, there were more options for Premium Plus Beverage Package customers to choose from whereas, on a ship like the NCL Sun or Epic , the choices were limited due to lack of a wine bar on the ship.

Is every drink included with the Premium Plus Beverage Package?

With the Premium Plus Beverage Package, everything sold by the glass on the entire ship is included (with the exception of the Louis XIII. Just order away, and you get what you want! Some bottles of wine are included at meal times (See the menu on this page)

Here is an example of a wine list where included bottles are marked by PREMIUM PLUS . Those wines are available WITH MEALS as a part of the drink package.

Please wait while flipbook is loading. For more related info, FAQs and issues please refer to DearFlip WordPress Flipbook Plugin Help documentation.

** Prices can vary slightly by ship or itinerary. This is representative of a wine list from the Norwegian Dawn which included a Mondavi wine cellar (2023)

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Nonalcoholic packages are available

Norwegian has a few other drink package options including:

Unlimited Starbucks for $12.95/day + 20% gratuity Unlimited Soda / soft drink package for $9.95 per day + 20% gratuity (FYI, NCL now serves COKE branded products) Water Package which ranges from $19.95 to $49.95 for 6 liters to 24 liters of water.

If you purchase the Premium Plus beverage package, all of this is included, so these packages only make sense for non-drinkers and children.

These are PER PERSON prices and every person must have a package when staying in the same cabin.

Do you have an experience with NCL Beverage Packages?

Did we miss something? Did we get something wrong? Please let us know! We’ll correct it right away.

NCL Premium Beverage Package vs Premium Plus

NCL maintains a page regarding their beverage packages (and other packages) with up-to-date information. It’s always best to confirm what drinks are included and the prices of the drink packages .

The most notable difference in the two drink packages is that the Premium Plus Beverage Package on NCL includes all alcohol types available in addition to premium coffees (unlimited Starbucks), bottled water, and fresh squeezed juices.

With this current list, you can compare what’s included with the Premium Beverage Package vs Premium Plus package :

NCL Premium Beverage Package 2023 PDF

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I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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Are mimosas and champagne included in the drink packages

Hi Laurie, Prosecco is included (and mimosas made with it). If you want actual champagne, it’s in the Premium Plus drink package. But to be fair, while I’m not a fan of Prosecco, it’s actually pretty good on NCL (whichever brand they are using)

Thank you so much for breaking this down. For some reason customer service at NCL did not feel able to do so, lol 😉

I thought no more Veuve under the Premium Plus.

That’s actually correct (but it is served at Le Bistro for Premium Plus people). I’ve updated the article to mention that, thanks!

I think it’s probably all my fault about the Veuve. Our last NCL Dawn cruise , we had Premium plus (Only for the Veuve) … and I think we consumed nearly 30 bottles (NO SHAME!) 🙂

One difference worth noting is that European passenger beverage packages when purchased in advance online, include all service charges. (However I can’t recall whether this price is equal to the US passenger price + service.

Separately, I recall at one point confusion over whether the premium plus inclusion of speciality coffee was restricted to getting it in restaurants as opposed to at the Starbucks/other coffee areas?

Regards Stephen

Hi Stephen! Thanks for taking the time to comment. It’s definitely a huge selling point for European customers to have everything included for the flat fee (99-199 Euro depending on length of cruise). It’s much less expensive than US passengers pay, as they pay the required gratuity on the “value” of the Free at Sea. As an American living in Europe, I price shop the rates for both US and EU bookings every time I sail with NCL and it’s almost always less expensive to buy a Euro fare!

Regarding the coffee – when we tried the Premium Plus Beverage Package, we had no issues ordering a Cappuccino or something similar in the restaurants, however, the wait sometimes wasn’t worth it 🙁

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Are you planning a cruise vacation with Norwegian Cruise Line? If so, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with their beverage packages. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers some of the most generous and straightforward drink package options in the industry. In this guide, I’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about the NCL beverage packages for your upcoming cruise in 2023.

NCL Beverage Package, Key Takeaways:

• NCL offers a variety of beverage packages for guests to choose from.
• The Premium Beverage Package is part of NCL’s Free At Sea promotions, setting it apart from the competition.
• The  NCL drink packages  provide unlimited drinks and a wide selection of beverages.
• Consider your drinking preferences and budget before deciding on a drink package.
• Purchasing a drink package can be done online or onboard the ship.

NCL Drink Packages – Simplified and Generous Options

When it comes to drink packages, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) stands out with its simplified and generous options. NCL has streamlined its offerings over the years, now offering two alcohol beverage packages that cater to guests’ needs. The  NCL Unlimited Open Bar  package, also known as the Premium Beverage Package , and the Premium Plus Beverage Package provide guests with unlimited beverage options throughout their cruise.

The  NCL Unlimited Open Bar  package is a popular choice among cruisers. It allows guests to order any drink up to $15, including wine, beer, basic spirits, and frozen cocktails. This package is truly unlimited, giving guests the freedom to enjoy their favorite libations without worrying about additional charges. However, it’s important to note that room service, mini-bar items are not included in this package.

For those seeking a more upscale experience, the Premium Plus Beverage Package offers an upgraded variety of beverages. This package includes all the benefits of the  NCL Unlimited Open Bar  package, along with premium bottled water, specialty coffee, energy drinks, and freshly squeezed juices. Guests can also indulge in a wider selection of top-shelf spirits, wines, and champagne with this upgraded package. The Premium Plus Beverage Package is perfect for those who appreciate finer spirits and a touch of luxury during their cruise.

Comparison of NCL Drink Packages

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 .

In the next section, we will take a closer look at the inclusions of the  NCL Premium Beverage Package  and discuss its added perks and benefits.

NCL Premium Beverage Package – What’s Included

The  NCL Premium Beverage Package , also known as the Unlimited Open Bar, offers an extensive range of drinks to ensure guests have a memorable and enjoyable cruise experience. With this package, guests can indulge in a variety of beverages up to $15 per drink. This includes a selection of wine, beer, basic spirits, and frozen drinks like Margaritas and Pina Coladas.

It’s important to note that while the  NCL Premium Beverage Package  provides unlimited access to a wide range of beverages, there are a few exclusions. Specialty coffee drinks, room service, mini-bar items, and wine from vending machines are not included in this package. However, guests can still enjoy 20% off bottles of wine, discounts on tasting experiences, and discounted flights as part of the package perks.

Perks included in the NCL Premium Beverage Package:

• Unlimited access to wine, beer, basic spirits, and frozen drinks up to $15 per drink.
• 20% discount on bottles of wine.
• Discounts on tasting experiences.
• Discounted flights.

With the NCL Premium Beverage Package, guests can savor their favorite drinks and explore new flavors without worrying about the cost. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to make the most of your cruise vacation.

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package – Upgraded Luxury

If you’re looking to indulge in the finer things during your NCL cruise, the  NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package  is the perfect upgrade. This package offers all the benefits of the NCL Unlimited Open Bar (Premium Beverage Package), with added luxury and exclusivity.

With the Premium Plus Beverage Package, you’ll have access to a wider selection of top-shelf spirits, including premium vodkas, whiskeys, gins, and tequilas. Indulge in a glass of champagne or enjoy a fine wine from NCL’s extensive list. Specialty coffee lovers will also appreciate the inclusion of premium bottled water, specialty coffees, energy drinks, and freshly squeezed juices.

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.

NCL Soda Package – For Non-Drinkers

If you prefer non-alcoholic beverages or do not drink alcohol, NCL offers the Soda Package to ensure you stay refreshed during your cruise. This package provides unlimited access to a variety of fountain soda, tonics, juices, and coffee/tea from the buffet. Whether you enjoy a classic cola, a refreshing juice, or a cup of coffee to start your day, the Soda Package has you covered.

The  NCL Soda Package  is a cost-effective option for those who do not consume alcohol or want to limit their beverage choices. It allows you to enjoy your favorite non-alcoholic drinks without worrying about additional costs. With unlimited access, you can stay hydrated and satisfied throughout your cruise.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, exploring the ports of call, or dining in one of NCL’s fantastic restaurants, the Soda Package ensures you have refreshing options available at all times. It’s a great way to quench your thirst and enjoy a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages while on your NCL cruise.

With the  NCL Soda Package , you can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for a flat fee of $12.95 per person per day. This package offers excellent value for those who prefer non-alcoholic options and want to have a wide range of drink choices available onboard .

Benefits of the NCL Soda Package:

• Unlimited access to fountain soda, tonics, juices, and coffee/tea
• Cost-effective option for non-drinkers
• Wide variety of non-alcoholic beverage choices

NCL Unlimited Starbucks Coffee Package – Wake Up with a Cup of Joe

If you’re a coffee lover looking to start your mornings on your NCL cruise with a delicious cup of joe, then the  NCL Unlimited Starbucks Coffee Package  is perfect for you. With this package, you’ll have unlimited access to a wide variety of Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks throughout your voyage . Whether you prefer a classic latte, a refreshing iced coffee, or a creamy Frappuccino, you can enjoy your favorite Starbucks beverages whenever you please.

Please note that the  NCL Unlimited Starbucks Coffee Package  does not include bottled drinks or food items at Starbucks. However, you can pair your coffee with delectable treats available for purchase at the onboard Starbucks locations. Indulge in a pastry or snack alongside your favorite brew for the ultimate morning pick-me-up.

NCL Drink Package Prices – Making the Right Choice

When considering which  NCL drink package  to choose for your cruise, it’s essential to understand the pricing options. The NCL Premium Beverage Package has a base cost of $109 per person per day, while the Premium Plus Beverage Package is priced at $138 per person per day. These prices do not include the 20% gratuity, which is added at checkout.

Before deciding on a package, it’s important to evaluate your drinking preferences and calculate if the cost of the package is worth it for you. If you are someone who enjoys a variety of alcoholic beverages and plans to indulge during your cruise, the Premium Beverage Package could be a great choice. With its generous $15 drink allowance, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

On the other hand, if you prefer premium and top-shelf spirits, or if you’re a champagne lover, you may want to consider upgrading to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. With its wider selection of beverages and additional perks like specialty coffee and bottled water, this package offers a more luxurious experience.

It’s also worth noting that guests who book the Free At Sea promotion may receive the Unlimited Open Bar package for “free”, but will still need to pay the 20% gratuity. Keep in mind that the cost of the package should be weighed against your expected consumption and what you would typically spend on drinks without a package.

Table: NCL Drink Package Prices

Ultimately, the decision to purchase an  NCL drink package  will depend on your drinking habits, preferences, and budget. Whether you choose the Premium Beverage Package, the Premium Plus Beverage Package, or opt for the Soda Package or Starbucks Coffee Package, it’s important to consider the value you’ll get from unlimited drinks and the convenience it offers during your NCL cruise.

NCL Drink Packages – Pros and Cons

When considering whether to purchase an  NCL drink package , it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Unlimited drinks: With  NCL drink packages , you can enjoy unlimited beverages throughout your cruise, allowing you to indulge without worrying about individual drink costs.
• Wide selection: NCL offers a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ensuring that you’ll find something to suit your tastes, whether you’re a beer lover, wine connoisseur, or prefer specialty cocktails.
• Convenience: Having a drink package eliminates the need to carry cash or worry about signing individual receipts for every drink you order. It offers a hassle-free and seamless experience, allowing you to focus on enjoying your vacation .
• Expensive: While the  NCL drink packages  provide convenience and unlimited drinks, they can be quite expensive, especially without the Free At Sea promotion. It’s essential to evaluate your drinking habits and budget to determine if the cost of the package is worth it for you.
• Non-refundable and non-transferable: Once purchased, NCL drink packages are non-refundable and non-transferable. This means that if you decide not to use the package or if you’re unable to go on the cruise, you won’t be able to get a refund or transfer the package to someone else.
• Gratuity not included: It’s important to note that the prices listed for the drink packages do not include the 20% gratuity, which is added at checkout. This additional cost should be factored into your overall budget.

Considering these pros and cons will help you make an informed decision about whether an NCL drink package is right for you. It’s essential to evaluate your drinking preferences, budget, and the benefits of each package to ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable cruise experience.

NCL Drink Packages – How to Purchase

When it comes to purchasing NCL drink packages, you have two options: online through your cruise planner or onboard the ship. If you prefer to plan ahead and ensure you secure your desired package, I recommend purchasing online before your cruise. This way, you can easily browse the available options and make your selection without any time pressure.

If you’re uncertain about which drink package is right for you, take some time to consider your drinking preferences and budget. You can find detailed information about each package in the previous sections of this guide. Remember, all eligible individuals in your stateroom must purchase the same package.

For those who book the Free At Sea promotion and receive a free drink package, it’s important to note that you will still need to pay the 20% gratuity. This gratuity is not included in the base cost of the package and will be added at checkout. Be sure to budget accordingly.

Whether you choose to purchase online or onboard, it’s important to remember that NCL drink packages are non-refundable and non-transferable. So, make your decision wisely and enjoy a worry-free vacation with unlimited beverages of your choice!

Final Thoughts

Balcony cabin view from aboard the Norwegian Prima

After exploring the various NCL drink packages, it’s clear that Norwegian Cruise Line offers a range of options to cater to every guest’s beverage preferences. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a non-drinker, or a coffee enthusiast, there’s a package that suits your needs.

If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, the NCL Premium Beverage Package provides unlimited access to a wide variety of drinks, including wine, beer, spirits, and frozen cocktails. For those who want a more luxurious experience, the Premium Plus Beverage Package offers top-shelf spirits, premium bottled water, and specialty coffee.

If you prefer non-alcoholic options, NCL has you covered with the Soda Package, which includes unlimited fountain soda, tonics, and juices. Coffee lovers can indulge in the NCL Starbucks Coffee Package, with unlimited Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks.

Before making your decision, consider your drinking preferences, budget, and the benefits of each package. Keep in mind that prices for the packages do not include the required 20% gratuity. Whichever package you choose, the NCL beverage packages provide convenience and value, ensuring you have a fantastic cruise experience.

NCL Beverage Package FAQ

Can i purchase an ncl drink package online.

Yes, NCL drink packages can be purchased online through your cruise planner.

How much does the NCL Premium Beverage Package cost?

The NCL Premium Beverage Package has a base cost of $109 per person per day, excluding the 20% gratuity.

What drinks are included in the NCL Premium Beverage Package?

The NCL Premium Beverage Package includes wine, beer, basic spirits, and frozen drinks up to $15. Specialty coffee drinks, bottled water, room service, and mini-bar items are not included.

Can I upgrade from the NCL Unlimited Open Bar to the Premium Plus Beverage Package?

Yes, for an additional cost. The Premium Plus Beverage Package offers additional benefits such as premium bottled water, specialty coffee, energy drinks, freshly squeezed juices, and a wider selection of top-shelf spirits and wines.

Is there a drink package for non-drinkers?

Yes, NCL offers a Soda Package that includes unlimited fountain soda, tonics, juices, and coffee/tea from the buffet.

Can I get unlimited Starbucks coffee with an NCL package?

Yes, the NCL Starbucks Coffee Package offers unlimited Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks onboard. However, bottled drinks and food items at Starbucks are not included.

Are the NCL drink packages worth the cost?

It depends on your drinking preferences and budget. The packages offer convenience and value for those who enjoy alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages during their cruise. Evaluate your drinking habits and the benefits of each package before making a decision.

How can I purchase an NCL drink package?

NCL drink packages can be purchased online through your cruise planner or onboard the ship.

Are NCL drink packages refundable or transferable?

No, the NCL drink packages are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages Guide

Whether or not to purchase a Norwegian Cruise Line drink package when you don’t have the Free at Sea promo, is really a math project. How much can you actually drink in one week? 

Is Norwegian’s beverage package really worth the cost? Let’s break it all down to basics.

To help your decision, I’ve also included the Unlimited Open Bar Package and the upgraded Premium Plus beverage package menus.

Why Buy a Norwegian All-Inclusive Drink Package?

Mostly, because you’re on vacation! With any one of Norwegian’s beverage packages , you won’t have to reach for your wallet or mentally tally how much you’ve spent on booze. There’s not a much worse way to end a cruise than to get the final bill and go into shock for what you’ve spent on drinks.

But, if you don’t think you can drink enough to break even, it’s not worth it. Basically, with the least expensive Premium Beverage Package, you’d have to put away close to six to ten drinks a day.

While this doesn’t include certain Lavazza specialty coffees, bottled water or fresh juices, you can get your drinks at any bar or restaurant onboard plus it’s good at Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Norwegian offers five drink packages. They range from just about every ultra-premium brand an adult could request down to two kids’ unlimited soda programs.

RELATED:  Norwegian Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages Details

Unlimited open bar premium beverage package.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Premium Beverage Package (formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package) includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer. The drink value can be up to and including $15 USD. Plus you can order unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay.

If you want to purchase a bottle of wine, a 20% discount will be applied.

The Unlimited Open Bar Package is included with your reservation if you booked through Free at Sea.

What the Premium Beverage Package Does Not Include

The Premium Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, daily cocktail specials  or buckets of beer. Also not included are the designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water and fresh squeezed juices.

Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks and drinks from vending machines are also not part of the package.

Guests are allowed to buy two (2) beverages per person per transaction.

The good news is that you can take advantage of this package at all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay.

If you buy an item over $15 USD, the overage plus 20% gratuity and service charge will be applied to your onboard account.

COST:  $109.00 per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.

Package cost for a seven-day cruise: $831.60 per person out the door.

View the Premium Beverage Package Menu

Premium plus beverage package – add-on to premium package.

If you only buy top shelf alcohol, this is the package for you. The Premium Plus Beverage Package includes beverages by the glass for Veuve Clicquot, Patrón Añejo, Hendrick’s Gin and more.

Also included in your by-the-glass package are unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines and select bottles of wine with dinner. In addition, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, and specialty coffees are included.

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.

COST:  $138 per person per day plus 20% gratuity service charge.

Total cost for a seven-day cruise:  $1159.20 per person. 

Norwegian Premium-Plus-Beverag e-Package-Menu

Soda packages (ages 3 and up).

If you just gotta have that soda, here’s the drink package for you. Fill up as much as you like on Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda.

You must purchase this for the entire cruise and it’s non-refundable.

COST:  $9.00 per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.

Read Next: How to pack for a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise

Remember, if your cruise promotion includes the basic Unlimited Open Bar package, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus.

It’s pretty easy to add a beverage package to your cruise. Once you’ve booked your cruise, simply head over to ncl.com. Then up in the right-hand corner, log in to myNCL.com with your username and password. That takes you to Explore & Plan.

From there, in the left-hand column, choose Beverage Packages. Simply choose your package and pay for it. It will be automatically added to your account.

Unlimited Starbucks Package

Coffee lovers can rejoice with this Unlimited Starbucks package. The package includes all the classic coffees and teas plus Starbucks trademarked Frappuccino choice and other specialty beverages. 

How much does it cost? $12.95 per person per day. plus the 20% gratuity. You must be 18 years or older at time of sailing to purchase this package.

Do the Hawai’i Cruises Have Beverage Packages?

If you’re lucky enough to take Norwegian’s Pride of America Hawai’i cruise, you should know that there are special beverage packages just for these cruises.

Called the Hawai’i Beverage Package, it’s priced at $109 per person per day, with a wide variety of beverages that cost up to $15.00. If your drink costs more than $15, the overage will be applied to your onboard account. As always, there’s a 20% gratuity charge.

The package is available to guests 1 and 2 on the reservation and you can request up to two beverages per person per order. 

The Hawai’i Beverage package also includes sodas, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffee (only in the dining rooms).

This does not include specialty coffee outside of restaurants, room service, any mini-bar purchases, or vending machines. 

Hawai’i Coffee Packages

Starbuck’s coffee packages, including Frappuccinos and Teas are $12.95 per per per day plus 20% gratuity.

Hawai’i Soda Packages

Serving Coca-Cola products, you can add a soda package with unlimited refills for anyone ages 3 and older for $9.95 per person per day. And yes, there’s the 20% gratuity added. 

Water Packages Aboard Pride of America Hawai’i Cruises

Norwegian has three water packages. You can purchase six one-liter bottles for $19.95, 12 one-liter bottle for $34.95 and 24 one-lite bottles for $49.95. As always, there’s the 20% gratuity fee to add.

What are Norwegian Drink Package Rules?

As you can imagine, the cruise line has its list of rules about their drink packages. Before you decide to purchase one of these, read over the rules so there are no surprises once you’re onboard.

• You must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol.
• Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise.
• Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
• Eligible guests are entitled to two beverages per person per transaction.
• Includes all beverages by the glass. Beverage selection is subject to change onboard.
• Only Premium Plus includes fountain soda, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer, wine dispensers, and specialty coffee.
• For non-select bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), “Wine and Spirit Experiences”, tastings, and flights, guest will receive a 40% discount when purchased on board.
• Does not include: Room service, mini bar purchases, vending machines
• Guest’s check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.
• Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay.
• Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less.
• A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to all package purchases.
• No substitute for package if guest cannot consume all beverages included.
• Package price is subject to change.
• Other terms and conditions may apply.

Conclusion: To Buy or Not to Buy

Personally, I’ve never purchased a beverage package…other than a water package. But with individual drink prices on the rise, with Norwegian as well as other cruise lines, buying a beverage package might make more sense. Especially if you do the math.

Yes, even with the almost-yearly increases in the cost of drink packages, if you like more expensive wine, or simply drink a whole lot of beer, you’re probably better off with an all-inclusive drink package.

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17 comments.

Hi and thank you for your questions. These questions are best answered by your travel agent, on NCL.com or directly through the cruise line reservations. Please contact either of the three for the latest information. Thank you again and have a terrific cruise!

What does the free at sea program include and is it available on all Norwegian ships or is it certain ones

Hi Brian, Thank you for your question. The Teen Package only includes sodas. If a teen is in the same room as an adult(s) that purchases a Premium Beverage package, the teen must purchase the soda package. The explanation given by Norwegian on their site is, in my opinion, really confusing. Since an adult with the Premium Beverage Package is allowed to order two drinks at the same time, the fine print does not say whether or not those two drinks have to be the same. Meaning, can the adult ask for an alcoholic cocktail and also a non-alcoholic cocktail with the intention of giving the non-alcoholic drink to the teen? Nevertheless, the teen package does not include mocktails…only soda. Sorry. Thank you for reading my article and taking the time to comment. Happy Cruising!

Cheryl wondering if in the teens package do they include. MocCocktails or is only in the higher priced packages

In my experience, NCL is getting CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! Cheaper by the day… I take one cruise a year under normal circumstances, and I get the soda package on all of my cruises. …on my last NCL they were pouring the soda from a can into a plastic airline sized cup at drink stations. That is the “fountain”. So, if I ordered a Sierra Mist, they would pour half the can into my cup with ice and then wait for the next person who orders a Sierra Mist to use what’s left of that same sitting opened can. Oh, theres only enough left in the can to make half the person’s drink? Then they will open a fresh can, and mix the flat soda with the new one for this person. It’s total cheapness and the quality of beverage is diminished. In addition, you used to get a commemorative complimentary tumbler (which looked Dollar Tree anyway on NCL) when you ordered the soft drink package. Now you don’t on NCL. …Of course, if you’re at a bar and order, they’ll give you the soda from the tap gun. RCCL still gives a commemorative cup, and its coded on the bottom so you can use their freestyle machines.

NCL has me concerned with all of their cuts the last few years. They just switched their water that is sold on the ship to “just water” which comes in cardboard. Pay $30 for 6 LITERS of water? You can get 3-4 times as much Evian or Fiji for that price on land. NCL is claiming “better for the environment” with all their wokeness but really it’s clearly to save money from offering bottles. All these trends are concerning. Let’s not offer straws anymore, but still use plastic lids that use just as much plastic! NCL was also first to start charging fees for room service meals too.

Hi James, I’m sorry you couldn’t find an answer to your question in my article. Please call Norwegian and they can help. In the meantime, this is the link on their site, though you probably already found it: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/beverage-packages and for rules, there’s this: https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-beverage-package – Generally, I think that the phrase “Adult Beverage Package” refers to the Premium Beverage Package, Premium Plus Beverage Package and Corks and Caps. Thank you for taking the time to read the article.

Your article Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages Guide posted January 2, 2020 does not address the Norwegian promotion drink package called “Adult Beverage Package” which was a promo provided to cruisers. I can not find detail information on what the rules are associated with this package.

Hi Dana, Thank you for reading the article. Usually, your waiter will keep the bottle corked until your next dinner. I’ve seen people carry their half-used bottles back to their stateroom, so I would think it’s still possible. As far as what brands of sparkling water NCL uses, I have no clue except for the usual Perrier. When cruising resumes, policies and products could change. Your best bet would be to call the cruise line when it’s closer to your sailing date. Sherry

If you have the premium plus package and get one of the included bottles of wine/champagne at dinner, can you take the (partially consumed) bottle back to your stateroom after dinner or will they let you? What kind of sparkling water do they have available?

Hi Mimi, Thank you for your question. Whether or not Norwegian will serve Miller Lite when they resume cruising remains to be seen. If it was there on your past cruises, most likely it will still be there. Sherry

I have been on a couple Norwegian Cruises. And I always drank Miller Lite. Do you still serve Miller Lite on your cruises?

Hi Toni, Thank you for your question. If I were you, I would simply ask the bartender. The least they could do is to put a maraschino cherry into a Sprite! As far as blended mocktails, no, I’m fairly positive that isn’t included in the teen soda package. But you could probably order a virgin Pina Colada or something like that on your beverage package and when no one is looking, your teen could enjoy it. Just a suggestion. Have a wonderful cruise! Sherry

Hello, We purchased 2 adult drink packages on NCL and 2 Teen drink packages for our 15/16yr olds. I’ve seen on other ships like carnival they include mocktails in the soda packages. I’ve read all the fine print on NCL, looks like just soda or tonic water. Do you know if they do allow mocktails for the teen packages and maybe just don’t advertise it, ? Or even something like Sprite with a little cherry in it? Thanks.

Hi David, Thank you for taking the time to write. I checked the list of beverages for the Premium Drink Package but all I can deduce is that maybe sparkling like a prosecco might be available. Otherwise, like you mentioned, you would need to upgrade to the Premium Plus in order to have real Champagne. I tried to get through to Norwegian but the hold times are long right now. My thoughts are that since Champagne is not listed on the Premium Package, it’s not offered. Have a wonderful cruise and thank you again for reading the article and taking the time to write. Sherry

Hi Sherry! We just booked an NCL cruise to Northern Europe and got the Premium Drink Package as part of their current promotion. My question is are there any sparkling wines included with that package or do I need to upgrade to the Premium Plus Package? We like champagne. In 2017 we went with NCL through the Panama Canal and got the (then) Ultimate Package with did include champagne. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Cheryl, Thank you for your question. I understand what you mean…but unfortunately, not everyone operates on the honor system. Here’s direct from NCL website: “Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable.” Maybe if the two people sharing the stateroom used different methods of payment for the cruise (two credit cards), then maybe that would be a work-around for the drinker to avoid paying what amounts to double. You might want to contact your travel agent who booked your cruise or reach out to Norwegian and see what happens. Thank you again for taking the time to write. Have a terrific cruise! Sherry

What if no one else in your cabin drinks alcohol but you. Why would they have to purchase an alcohol drink package if they don’t drink?

Comments are closed.

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Updated on January 10, 2024 by Sherry Laskin

A Comprehensive Guide to NCL Drink Packages

What are the NCL Drink Packages? Let’s dive into Norwegian Cruise Line’s Beverage Packages with our 2024 guide.

While your cruise fare includes essentials like filtered water, regular coffee, tea, and buffet fountain juices, enhancing your experience with an NCL Drink Package or opting for the popular NCL Premium Beverage with the Free-at-Sea Promotion offers a wider, unlimited selection of drinks. This allows you to savor some NCL favorite drinks and can be a cost-effective choice if you enjoy more than a few drinks daily.

Use our cruise drink calculator below to compare costs and determine whether purchasing a soda package or paying gratuities for the Free at Sea Open Bar perk makes more financial sense.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our  full disclosure  for details.

This article will explore the available NCL Drink Packages for purchase through Norwegian Cruise Line.

Table of Contents

Norwegian Beverage Packages Available

• Soda Package Unlimited fountain sodas and non-alcoholic beverages for the cruise.
• Premium Beverage Package A wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, beer, wine, and sodas.
• Premium Plus Beverage Package An upgraded version of the Premium Beverage Package offering additional premium spirits, cocktails, wines, and specialty coffee, including unlimited Starbucks.
• Hawaii Beverage Package Tailored for cruises in Hawaii, on Pride of America, this package includes a selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
• Starbucks Package Unlimited specialty coffees and teas from Starbucks throughout the cruise.

Note: the NCL Corks & Caps package no longer exists.

First, it’s important to note that the NCL drink packages that are alcoholic are only available for passengers aged 21 and over.

Second, the price of the package will vary depending on the length of your cruise . Any examples we provide are based on a 7-day cruise .

Third, Tasty Itinerary is not affiliated with Norwegian Cruise Line, nor do we work for the cruise line.

NCL Drink Packages Explained

We answer some of the most frequently asked questions and dive into the NCL Beverage Packages the cruise line offers below.

NCL Soda Package

The Soda Package on Norwegian Cruise Line

• Popularity: A favored choice among beverage packages, especially for non-alcoholic drinkers.
• Pricing: $9.95 per person per day, plus a 20% gratuity
• Inclusions: Indulge in unlimited fountain soda drinks.
• Exclusions: No canned soda, mini bar options, or room service delivery.

The best Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package depends on your drinking habits. If you’re a light drinker, meaning you don’t drink alcohol at all, but you do soda, we recommend the Classic Soda Package. This package includes unlimited fountain sodas. The soda package is available for purchase on all NCL ships.

• Norwegian Cruise Line used to serve Pepsi, but they have officially transitioned their ships to Coca-Cola.

What is the cost of the NCL Soda package?

The soda package costs $9.95 per person daily plus a 20% gratuity.

Is the NCL Soda Package worth it?

The NCL Soda Package is a great option for those who don’t drink alcohol or want to save money. With the package, you’ll have unlimited access to fountain drinks, saving you money in the long run.

Consider that a cup of soda is around $3-4 each. So if you order 2-3 a day, even if it’s just club soda, it will make up for the price.

If you don’t drink much alcohol, you may consider purchasing a soda package on embarkation day rather than investing in the gratuity that comes with the Unlimited Open Bar Perk ($305 in gratuities for two guests). However, always do the calculations.

The soda package costs about $84 per passenger, which is $168 for two passengers. Wouldn’t the extra $137 towards the Unlimited Open Bar Perk be worth it? That’s what you have to ask yourself. You can enjoy some virgin frozen drinks.

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NCL Premium Beverage Package

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Premium Beverage Package

• Pricing: $109 per person per day, plus a 20% gratuity
• Inclusions: Featured in the Free at Sea promotions as the Unlimited Open Bar Perk
• Beverage Range: Enjoy a variety of sodas and alcoholic beverages, including options up to $15 and selected premium drinks within the same range.
• Exclusions: Specialty coffee, such as Starbucks, energy drinks, room service orders, and mini-bar items are not covered.

The NCL Premium Beverage Package is the most popular and for a good reason. It’s a great value for what you get and one of the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea perks.

As we mentioned, you can choose this package as a Free at Sea perk when booking a cruise if it suits your budget and cruising needs.

What does NCL Premium Beverage Package include?

The NCL Premium Beverage Package includes a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for up to $15 and 20% off bottles of wine and champagne.

This package does not include specialty coffees, bottled water, room service, or mini bar purchases.

What is the cost of the NCL Premium Beverage Package?

The NCL Premium Beverage Package costs $109 per person daily, plus 20% gratuities . The total cost will vary depending on the length of your cruise.

If you choose this as a free perk, remember that you will have to pay gratuities for the value of the Premium Beverage Package. Which currently adds up to $305 for guests 1 & 2 on a 7-day cruise . Again, we advise you to calculate to see if it’s worth the gratuities.

The Unlimited Open Bar Perk now applies to guests 1-8 who are 21 and over. Minors will receive the soda package if they are guests 2, but not 3-8.

There is an additional tax if you order drinks while docked at a US Port.

You can read the terms and conditions for the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Premium Beverage Package: here .

What happens if you order a drink that is over $15?

If you have the NCL Premium Beverage package that only covers certain alcoholic drinks, liquor, and beverages up to $15, you can pay for the difference out of pocket.

Example: If you order an $18 martini, the premium beverage package will only cover up to $15, so the difference of $3 plus 20% gratuity will be charged to your Seapass. Of course, bartenders will always tell you when a drink isn’t fully covered with the premium beverage package and the cost difference. You can then decide if you want to proceed with the extra cost or not.

Check out NCL’s updated PDF that lists all of the alcohols and beverages that are included in the Premium Beverage Package and the Premium Plus Beverage Package.

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Premium PLUS Beverage Package

• Package: An upgraded version of the NCL Premium Beverage Package
• Pricing: $138 per person per day, plus a 20% gratuity
• Upgrade Cost: Additional $29 per person per day, plus a 20% gratuity
• Unlimited specialty coffees featuring Starbucks
• Bottled water for added convenience
• Energy drinks to keep you energized
• Premium spirits for a heightened experience
• A 40% discount on flights and wine tastings, enhancing your journey with exclusive savings.

The NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package is the boosted version of the NCL Premium Beverage Package. This package is worth purchasing or upgrading if premium spirits are important to you and you want unlimited access to bottled water, sparkling bottled water, and energy drinks.

What does NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package include?

The NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package includes all the benefits of the NCL Premium Beverage Package, including specialty coffees (Starbucks), bottled water, bottled sparking water, energy drinks, and premium spirits.

What is the cost of the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package?

The NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package is priced at $138 per person daily, plus 20% gratuities, with the total cost varying based on the cruise duration.

If you already have the Premium Beverage Package as a Free at Sea perk, consider upgrading to the NCL Free at Sea Plus program for an additional $49 per person daily, plus gratuities. This exclusive upgrade is available for cruises of 3 days or more. Contact your travel agent or Norwegian cruise consultant for assistance if the offer isn’t visible on your NCL account.

If the option is available for your sailing and cruise cabin, you can upgrade from the Premium Beverage Package to the Premium Plus Beverage package for an additional $29 per person per day (adult guests 1 & 2) . This upgrade applies to your NCL Free at Sea Open Bar and does not include the other NCL Free at Sea Plus promotions.

Is the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package worth it?

If you’re a heavy drinker, this is the package for you. Cruisers love its ease and freedom to order what they want to drink throughout the cruise.

Whether that’s Starbucks coffee all day long or full bottles of wine at dinner, the premium spirits also make this package a great value. If you’re looking for the ultimate Norwegian Cruise Line drink package, the premium plus beverage package is it.

Also, note that if you upgrade to the Free at Sea Plus , the upgrade comes with two additional dinners at specialty dining restaurants for guests 1 and 2, unlimited Internet (no streaming), and $50 off a shore excursion for the 2nd guest.

Does NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package include Starbucks?

Yes! Starbucks and specialty coffees are included with the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package.

You can read the terms and conditions for the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Premium Plus Beverage Package: here .

NCL Hawaii Beverage Package

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Hawaii Beverage Package

• Package: Exclusive to Pride of America sailings
• Similarity: Resembles the Premium Plus Beverage Package
• Flat or sparkling bottled water
• Specialty coffee in restaurants
• Freshly squeezed juices
• Exclusions: Specialty coffee outside restaurants, mini-bar selections, or vending machine purchases are not covered.

The NCL Hawaii Beverage Package is great for those cruising to or from the islands on the Norwegian Pride of America sailings. This package is similar to the Premium Beverage package. The biggest difference is that it does include bottled water and specialty coffee in dining rooms.

This package is offered as a Free at Sea promotion if you add it to your cruise fare.

What does the NCL Hawaii Beverage Package include?

The NCL Hawaii Beverage Package includes unlimited beverages from non-alcoholic to alcoholic drinks for up to $15. That includes all bottled water, restaurant specialty coffee, and fresh juices.

What is the cost of Norwegian’s Hawaii Beverage Package?

The NCL Hawaii Beverage Package costs $109 per person daily, plus 20% gratuities. The total cost will vary depending on the length of your cruise.

Note that if you choose this as a free perk, you will have to pay gratuities for the value of the NCL Hawaii Beverage Package. Which currently adds up to $305 for two people on a 7-day cruise.

Read the terms and conditions for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Hawaii Beverage Package.

Unlimited Starbucks Package

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Unlimited Starbucks Package

• Package: Unlimited Starbucks drinks
• Pricing: $12.95 per person per day, with a 20% gratuity added to the total cost
• Inclusions: Enjoy limitless indulgence in all specialty coffee and tea drinks served in cups at Starbucks.
• Availability: Exclusive to ships featuring Starbucks onboard.
• Exclusions: Bottled water, canned drinks, and food purchases at Starbucks are not covered.

What is the cost of the Starbucks Package?

The Starbucks package on the Norwegian Cruise Line costs $12.95 per person per day for unlimited Starbucks drinks. It adds to a total of $108.78 per person based on a 7-day cruise.

The package has to be purchased for everyone staying in the same cabin if they are 18 and over.

Is the Starbucks Package worth it?

If you’re a huge specialty coffee drinker not planning to upgrade to or purchase the Premium Plus package (it comes included), YES.

And if you’re not purchasing any drink package but love your lattes, frappuccinos, and teas, the cost of a Starbucks package is a good alternative.

When we cruised the Norwegian Joy, we spent $19 with a tip at Starbucks for two lattes one afternoon. The Starbucks drinks a la carte are slightly more expensive than on shore, but we believe it was better prepared than any Starbucks on land near us.

Bottled water, canned drinks, and food at Starbucks are not included . Read the terms and conditions for Norwegian’s Starbucks Package.

Drink Prices on Norwegian Cruise Line

We recently sailed on the Norwegian Encore . While we had upgraded to the NCLs Premium Plus Package, I did keep an eye on the cost of the drinks.

Here is a price list of some of the common drinks. You can calculate if a Beverage Package, whether the Free-at-Sea or the Premius Plus package, works for your budget.

Or if you plan to pay for drinks without a beverage package. 

Don’t forget to add that 20% gratuity that will be added automatically with each drink ordered.

The Free-at-Sea Beverage Package covers alcoholic drinks up to $15. If you order anything over $15, you can pay for the difference and gratuities. That includes if you decide to order your drink with top-shelf liquor rather than well. 

Note that some drinks may vary in price by $1-2 throughout the fleet.

• Boxed Water: $4 
• Sparkling Pelligrino: $7
• Bottle of Beer: $7-8
• Starbucks: $3.50-$6.45
• Wine/Sparkling Wine: $8-$31 per glass
• Popular Cocktails: $9 to $12
• Whiskey Libations: $11 to $14 The whiskey flights with top-shelf liquor at Malting’s are $20.
• Martini’s: $11 to $18 The espresso and chocolate martini everyone loves is the most expensive at $18. Martini flights are $20. 

Cruise Drink Package Calculator

Don’t stress about which package to choose. Our cruise drink package calculator will help you determine if the gratuities charged for the Free-at-Sea NCL Drink Package is worth the cost. Or if you should consider upgrading to the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package.

See which NCL drink package is the best bang for your buck. You might realize that you do not plan to drink as much to justify the cost of any of them, and it will be cheaper to pay for drinks as you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are drinks free on norwegian cruise line.

No, drinks are not free on the Norwegian Cruise Line. Not even if you choose the Norwegian Premium Beverage Package as a Free at Sea perk because you still have to pay a 20% beverage service charge of the value of the package ($305 in gratuities for two passengers for a 7-day cruise), however, it is still a fantastic value.

Does NCL drink package include gratuity?

No, the gratuities are not included with the NCL drink packages. An additional 20% service charge will be added to the value of the drink package.

Is NCL drink package worth it?

The NCL drink packages can be worth it if you justify the price and gratuities paid with the number of drinks you think you’ll consume. If you like to drink multiple alcoholic beverages daily, the gratuities paid for the NCL Premium Beverage Free at Sea perk will likely be worth it.

The best to find out if any of these drink packages are worth it is by calculating if the amount of drinks you’ll have throughout the cruise will add up to the amount of the package or more. Calculation example: ($10 per drink) x (how many drinks a day) = estimated total for one cruise day (total of one cruise day) x (# of days of your cruise) = estimated total for the entire cruise. You can check out some NCL Drink Prices below and use our handy Cruise Drink Package Calculato r .

Does NCL Premium Beverage Package include bottled water?

The short answer is no. Bottled water is not included with the NCL Premium Beverage Package.

Be aware there are conflicting reports as NCL temporarily included 6 1L water bottles (delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day) with the Free at Sea NCL Premium Beverage Package. According to reports, that is no longer the case. Customer service onshore and offshore can’t seem to provide a straight answer.

Bottled water packages can be purchased separately.

The only beverage package that does include unlimited bottled water (still and sparkling) is the NCL Premium PLUS Beverage Package.

The free drinks included with your cruise on NCL are iced tea, regular coffee, filtered water, and some free fountain juices in the buffet.

Sodas, specialty coffee, alcoholic drinks, frozen drinks, and bottled water are an extra charge unless you have an NCL Beverage Package that covers these drinks.

Are frozen drinks included in NCL drink package?

Frozen drinks are included in the Premium Beverage Package, Premium Plus Beverage Package, and the Hawaiian Beverage Package.

Does my Free at Sea Open Bar apply if the 2nd guest is a minor?

If your 2nd guest on your Norwegian cruise reservation is minor and you choose the Open Bar Free at Sea perk, the child will get the soda package.

The NCL Drink Packages provide great drink deals while cruising if you plan to take advantage of them. There are a variety of packages to choose from, so find the one that best suits your needs.

If you don’t drink soda or consume alcoholic drinks, don’t feel obligated to purchase a drink package. To save money , you can go to the buffet for free water, coffee, and juices. Filtered water and regular coffee are always provided in the dining rooms.

Cruise tip: Pack a thermal coffee mug or water flask, and refill these at the buffet. This is one of many things we list in our cruise packing list .

You can also always order drinks à la carte. Just make sure you do those calculations before the first day of your cruise. You can always add a beverage package on embarkation day.

🚢 Book a Cruise with NCL

Before you set sail, here are some related articles you don’t want to miss:

• Norwegian Cruise Drinks Cruisers Love
• NCL’s Free-at-Sea Promo Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• 10 Things to Love About Norweigan Cruise Line

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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14 Comments

Why is the “Plus” package not offered on Pride of America? The article mentions that the Hawaiian Package is comparable to the NCL Ultimate Beverage Package. Why don’t they also offer a comparable “Plus” Package? My wife and I enjoy fine wine and the Hawaiian Beverage Package limits us to glasses of wine of $15 or less. This is unfair and will ultimately cost NCL revenue as it encourages us to bring our own bottles, and incur the corkage fee, instead of purchasing them from NCL.

I understand the frustration. You will have to contact Norwegian Cruise Line to give them your thoughts. Hopefully, they are working on a special “plus” upgrade program for the Hawaiian Beverage Package. Meanwhile, I wish that the bottled water included in the Hawaiian Beverage Package was included in the Premium Beverage package without having to upgrade to Plus for an additional cost.

So here is our issue. I drink strictly Starbucks, no sodas whatsoever. My husband only drinks Diet Coke. There are only two of us in the cabin. So do we have to get drink packages galore or what?

Hi Holly – That’s where it gets tricky. NCLs policy is that all passengers within the same cabin must purchase the same package. It is not helfpul in situations like this.

I can totally relate as my husband doesn’t drink alcohol and yet I do, this becomes an issue sometimes when cruising. I pay for alcohol as I go now. However, from personal experience we have been able to purchase a soda package just for him and not me once onboard NCL ship in the past. I’ve read others that have done similar, even with upgrades when one person upgrades a package and the other doesn’t, once onboard. You can try to go that route and wait to see if they’ll allow you to make these separate purchases on board, but it is not a guarantee.

The other dilemma is that I believe that the Starbucks package is sold online and not onboard, don’t believe that has changed. We do have an upcoming cruise on NCL and I’ll be on the lookout to see.

Thank you so much for all the incredible info! Headed out of NYC to Bermuda this summer with our giant family of 21 people ranging from 5 to 80 years old! Trying to manage the expectations of the 20-year old’s in the group in regards to the drinks package. A promotion that was included is the Ultimate Beverage Package for Groups. During a phone call with NCL they explained it as 2 drinks per person per transaction. So I assume that works great say at the pool bar or casino, but they said that would be 2 drinks per sit down meal. Do you know if that’s enforced or is it a little more open at the dinner table to order say a pre-dinner drink, 2 glasses of wine with dinner and then a cordial? Would tipping the waiter help or make things awkward? Sorry first cruise for all of us! Thanks again 🙂

Hi Catherine – NCL’s policy states, a passenger with the Unlimited Beverage Package can order 2 drinks per transaction. Meaning that you can order 2 pina coladas at a time, if you wish.

Perhaps when speaking to customer service, they are see dinner as one transaction and stating that you’ll only be able to have 2 drinks max. That’s not the case, I’ve never experienced any limits ordering multiple drinks at dinner, including a cordial.

What I have experienced at times is the waiter being so busy that I don’t get the chance to order another drink. You should be able to order unlimited drinks that are included in the package.

It doesn’t hurt to get a pre-dinner drink and bring that with you to dinner. Many passengers do this, especially during busy dinner times. There are bars usually easily accessible not far from the dinner venues.

Tips are always appreciated. We always tip at the end of our meal if the service was excellent. Of course, you can tip ahead when placing your drink order and whisper, “keep ’em coming.” I’m sure they’d be happy to oblige.

We have the beverage package and three specialty dinners on the Getaway this fall. Is the beverage package included when we are at one of the specialty restaurants?

Hi Claudia – Apologies for the late reply, we just got off an Alaskan cruise on Norwegian. To answer your question, the beverage package can be used in the dining room and are subject to the same guidelines and restrictions. So if you have a Premium Beverage Package, you can order cocktails and wine up to $15 (you can always pay the difference if you do order anything over $15). If you have the Premium PLUS Beverage Package then you can literally order anything from top shelf cocktails, expensive glasses of wine and even the specialty coffee. Have a great cruise!

Why don’t any of these blog entries state how much a soda costs? If I knew how much a soda costs, I can determine if the ~$10/day is worth it for me. Thank you!

Hi Ann – Actually, yes, as stated above in the blog a cup of soda is around $3-4.

@Kathy, Thanks! I must have missed it.

No problem. Lots of info to absorb.

I am not a heavy drinker. I plan to only buy 2 beers a day. How much for a single can of say Bud or Miller light?

Hi Andy – A bottle of beer is around $7-8 each.

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How Norwegian Cruise Line’s Drink Packages Work

For new or inexperienced cruisers, understanding how drink packages work, and if they’re worth it, is a big challenge. Cruisers on Norwegian Cruise Lines have the added challenge that these cruises are marketed as having “Open bar at sea” Or “Unlimited Drink Package Included.” But is it really free? And what are the limits? We take a look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s four basic drink packages to help you better understand the differences and costs.

• Unlimited Open Bar Package
• Premium Plus Beverage Package
• Soda Package
• Unlimited Starbucks Package

You’ll find a full breakdown of the details below, but we also created this handy chart to quickly help you see the difference between the packages.

Norwegian Unlimited Open Bar Package

The Unlimited Open Bar Package, previously called the “Premium Beverage Package” is Norwegian’s most popular drink package. This is their base unlimited drink package that you get when you select the Unlimited Drink Package as part of a “Free at Sea” offer. It gives you access to a large selection of cocktails, wine, and beer at most venues on the cruise ship. Just be aware, Norwegian offers some “sail away” cabins for lower prices, but they will not include any “Free at Sea” offers. So be sure to read the forms carefully when booking. For people who don’t drink, the “sail away” rates are a great way to save some cash.

What’s Included in Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package?

Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package includes a variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer up to $15. It also includes fountain soda, juice, and non-alcoholic beer. Below is a list of included beverages.

What’s Not Included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package?

• Drinks over $15 (you’ll pay the difference)
• Bottles of water
• Flights, tastings, or liquor experiences*
• Room service
• Bottled wine*
• Mini bar purchases
• Fresh squeezed juices
• Wine dispenser
• Energy drinks
• Vending machines
• Specialty coffee

*A 20% discount will be given on bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights purchased on board.

See full terms and conditions

What Does Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package Cost?

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. If you choose this perk as part of your cruise fare, you’ll still have to pay the gratuities or $21.80 per person per day. You are able to opt out of this “free” offer when booking if you’re not a big drinker.

Is Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package Worth It?

If you’re getting the Unlimited Open Bar Package as part of a “Free at Sea” promotion, each guest in the cabin would need roughly 2 – 3 alcoholic drinks a day to break even. However, if you’re paying full price for the drink package, it’s closer to 8 – 14 drinks a day per person to get your money’s worth. Our Drink Package Calculator will run the numbers for you based on what and how much you drink. 

Premium Plus Beverage Package

The Premium Plus Beverage Package is an upgraded version of Norwegian’s unlimited drink package. It includes everything in the standard package, plus a few extras. The most notable differences with this package are the inclusion of bottled water, specialty coffees, bottles of wine, and higher-end liquor.

What’s Included in the Premium Plus Beverage Package

This package includes everything above plus the following:

• Freshly squeezed juices
• Bottled water
• Wine dispensers
• Specialty coffee (including Starbucks)
• Select bottles of wine*
• *Non-select bottles of wine, flights, tastings, and liquor experiences will receive 40% discount

What’s Not Included in the Premium Plus Beverage Package

What Does Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage Package Cost?

The cost of the package is typically $138 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity). If you already have the standard Unlimited e already as part of a “Free at Sea” promotion, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus package for $29 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity).

Is Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage Package Worth It?

If you’re a big fan of specialty coffees, bottles of water, energy drinks, or bottles of wine, this upgrade may be worth it for you. That being said, if you’re just doing it for the non-alcoholic benefits, it still may be cheaper to pay per drink. It’d take about 4 – 5 of these extra drinks per day per person to break even. If you’re going for bottles of wine and high-end liquor, though, it pays for itself much more quickly. 

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Soda Package

For guests who don’t drink alcohol or guests under the age of 21, Norwegian has a soda package available. With this package, guests can have unlimited sodas around the ship. These used to be two different packages (one for adults and one for children), but in mid-2022 Norwegian combined them into one package.

What does Norwegian’s Soda Package Cover?

In September 2022, Norwegian announced it is switching to Coke products from Pepsi. The transition will be completed by the end of 2022. The soda package will include Cola, Diet Cola, Lemon Lime Soda, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, Orange Soda & Soda Water.

What doesn’t Norwegian’s Soda Package Cover?

The package excludes basically everything but soda. This will not include juices, milkshakes, bottles of water, etc. 

What Does the Norwegian’s Soda Package Cost?

Guests who get the package will pay $9.95 per person per day plus 20% gratuity.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Unlimited Starbucks Package

Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks package was introduced in mid-2022 and was specially made for coffee lovers.

What doesn’t Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks Package Cover?

The Unlimited Starbucks Package includes all the made-to-order drinks you can get from a Starbucks, including classic coffees, teas, and Frappuccinos.

What Does the Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks Package Cost?

The Unlimited Starbucks Package costs $12.95 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity). The Unlimited Starbucks Package does not include canned or bottled drinks, food, and merchandise. This package works at any Starbucks on a Norwegian ship as well as on Great Stirrup Cay.

Restrictions on Norwegian’s Drink Packages

All of the packages above have similar restrictions. The biggest restriction is that the package must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom. That means if it’s two adults in a cabin, both will need the package. Likewise, if you’re going to be getting the soda package for children, all the children in the cabin must get the package.

Sharing of the packages with other guests is prohibited. That being said, guests are allowed to get two beverages per person per transaction. 

Where Can the Norwegian Drink Packages Be Used?

The Norwegian drink packages can be used in the ship based restaurants, bars, and lounges. They can also be used while on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island. However, they cannot be used at Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.

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Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. 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.

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Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ultimate Beverage (Drinks) Package: Is it worth it?

Norwegian Cruise Line offers the Ultimate Beverage Package (aka Drinks Package) for $79 per person per day. The Ultimate Beverage Package includes soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 during your entire cruise. This means that, you can enjoy any drinks below the cost of $15 on the menu. Typically, beers cost $6.95 and cocktails $7.95 and up. Some cocktails that have Mcallan can go from $14.95 and up.

But the big question is: Is it worth it to get the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ultimate Beverage Package?

What does Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ultimate Beverage Package include?

As mentioned, the Ultimate Drinks Package by Norwegian Cruise Line, includes all soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails and wines that are below $15 in value on the menu. Here are (just some) of the drinks that we had during our recent cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)…

On a typical sea day, we would start off with mimosas (orange plus champagne) for breakfast. Each time we have our meals, we would have one (or two) drinks to complement the food (ie red wines for red meats etc.). When we chill out at the pool or catch shows for a day, drinks would accompany as well. Typically , we would have about 7 drinks a day. As you can see from our pictures, we tried everything from beers to whiskeys, sangrias to wines. But the best part about the Ultimate Beverage Package? The cocktails! We don’t think we ever had the opportunity to try this many cocktails ever. Without the UBP, it would be unlikely that we’d try so many amazing looking and delicious cocktails. Tom wouldn’t have discovered that his favourite cocktail is Mr Worldwide (a cocktail topped off with champagne!). Mojito (pronounced as mo-hee-toh) is the other drink we’d usually have if there’s no preference. This is because the lime and mint are freshly crushed each and every time!

Is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ultimate Beverage Package worth it?

For the Ultimate Beverage Package, the Ultimate Question remains. Is the Ultimate Drinks Package really worth it? For us, it was definitely worth it! As one of our friends from the cruise said it so succinctly (when asked about Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ultimate Beverage Package),

“There’s no other way to cruise!”

Monetary wise, if you drank 8 cocktails that costs $14.95 each, you’d be able to beat the $79 per day for the package, easy. Along with it, the freedom to order whichever drinks you’d like for that day.

HOWEVER, if you are a light drinker who has a drink per meal for lunch and dinner and perhaps one more while chilling at the pool, you’d be better off without the drinks package. Yup, the UBP is really for those who enjoy their alcoholic drinks!

Tips for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

There are a few things that we’d recommend you do if you are on the Ultimate Beverage Package…

1. Tip your server/bartender . Although it is not required, we realised that tipping your server and/or bartender really does improve service (and liquor) for your drinks. For instance, there was once when Tom was walking towards the bar, the bartender noticed him and stopped his conversation with another bartender almost immediately to take the order. This was in contrast to the long wait that we had to “endure” before we were asked about the drinks the day before. On many other occasions, we realised that our alcohol content were higher with our cocktails as well. To put it simply, if you’re enjoying your drink (and vacation), tip the jolly good fellow!

2. Know your bars and lounges. Not all bars serve cocktails and not all drinks stations serve alcoholic drinks. The whiskey bar has the most expensive cocktails (at $14.95 and up) but do remember to watch for what you order. One of our friends missed out that the section he was ordering from was actually a premium drink and he had to pay the difference plus taxes on the shot of whiskey But if $3 for a shot of good whiskey is not much to you, by all means, go ahead and enjoy. As the cruise director Joel Dizon would say “You’re on vacation!”

3. Taxes. Once you step onboard the cruise ship, you can actually start using your Ultimate Beverage Package! However, do note that, if the ship is still in the port of departure and/or still in US waters, the drinks are still subjected to tax. Sometimes, it takes between 2 to 4 hours to leave US waters. Which is why some cruisers choose their port of departure “after careful consideration”. So for instance, if the drink is $10 on the menu and the tax rate is 8%, you’ll just have to pay $0.80 for your drink if the ship is still within US waters. A small price to pay for a great start to a cruise right?

Remember to leave your comments for 2bearbear Singapore Travel Blog in our comments section below!

Now that you know more about the Ultimate Beverage Package (Drinks Package) by Norwegian Cruise Line, would you have it during your next cruise? Tell us in the comments section below!

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Is the Norwegian Premium Plus Beverage Package Worth it? Calculator Included (2024)

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Considering the Norwegian Premium Plus Beverage Package for your upcoming NCL voyage? Curious if it truly offers value for money based on your drinking preferences?

You’re not alone! With our extensive experience sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line, we’ve pondered the same question. Even with the added perk of the Free at Sea package , is the beverage package still worthwhile if we choose to moderate our drinking?

Introducing our new calculator, designed to help you make an informed decision. Let’s delve into what this package entails and discover how our calculator can personalize your evaluation.

What is the Norwegian Premium Plus Beverage Package?

Experience the ultimate drink package with NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage Package. Satisfy your cravings at sea with an extensive selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Indulge in spirits, cocktails, wines, draft beer, soft drinks, premium bottled water, Starbucks coffees, and juices – it’s all included.

Say goodbye to worrying about the bill and embrace a worry-free vacation. Choose the package designed for those who want to enjoy their cruise to the fullest.

Ultimate Cruise Planner

Need a little assistance organizing and planning your cruise? Our Ultimate Cruise Planner can help!

Benefits of This Package

• Endless choices: Explore a wide array of beverages available.
• Ultimate convenience: Savor your preferred cocktails at no additional charge.
• Save on expenses: Potentially reduce costs compared to purchasing drinks separately.

Breaking Down the Cost

While the package may catch your attention, it’s crucial to factor in your own drinking habits. That’s where cost-effectiveness comes into play. The package price depends on the length and itinerary of your cruise, and is an upgrade of $29 per day to the Unlimited Open Bar Package, normally $109 per day, which is included for free in your Free At Sea package. You will, however, have to pay for gratuities on the package.

So, what you will actually pay for this package is $29 per day, plus gratuities of 20% on $138 per day ($109 plus the upgrade of $29). Those gratuities come to $56.60 per day, so this is the cost we will use for comparison purposes.

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What does the package cover.

The Premium Plus package covers a variety of beverages, including:

• Liqueurs and cordials
• Beer and cider
• Spiked seltzer
• Fresh juices
• Starbucks coffee
• Premium bottled water

Plus, you will receive a 40% discount on wine and spirit experiences, tastings and flights, Connoisseur Collection beverages, and included wines by the bottle.

If you would like to check out NCL’s beverage package flyer to determine if your favorites are included in this package, their flyer is available here .

Introducing Our Cost-Effectiveness Calculator

To help you decide if this package is right for you, we’ve developed a simple yet effective NCL beverage package calculator. This tool considers:

• Your Drinking Habits : How many and what type of beverages do you usually drink.
• Cruise Duration : The number of days you’ll be onboard.
• Comparative Costs : How much you would spend on individual drinks versus the package.

How to Use the Calculator

Navigating the calculator is straightforward:

• Input the length of your cruise.
• Enter the cost of the gratuities of your package, which in this case is $56.60 per day.
• Simply enter the number of each type of drink you might consume per day (e.g., 3 cocktails, 2 bottled waters, 2 Starbucks coffees).
• The calculator will compare your estimated spending on individual drinks against the cost of the beverage package.

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package Calculator

Note: These calculations are approximate.

So, When is The Premium Plus Package Worth it?

Let’s look at a few scenarios:

• The Social Drinker : Enjoys a few drinks per day but isn’t particular about the brand. In this case, the package will not be cost-effective.
• The Enthusiast : Typically has 4-5 premium cocktails per day, plus sodas and Starbucks coffees, and likes specific premium brands. Here, the package is a good deal.
• The Party Goer : Indulges in 6+ cocktails daily plus other beverages, and enjoys the good life. The package will offer significant savings.

Final Thoughts on the Norwegian Premium Plus Beverage Package

The NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package is an incredible offer that brings immense value. However, it’s important to note that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. To determine the true worth of the package based on your unique habits and cruise details, take advantage of our handy calculator.

For a comprehensive comparison of all three of NCL’s beverage packages, be sure to visit our informative post .

Remember, selecting the perfect choice is all about finding the package that perfectly complements your lifestyle and enhances your cruise experience to the fullest.

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Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

C ruise drink packages can provide incredible value for people who plan to regularly imbibe on their voyage and want the convenience of an unlimited open bar package – whereas they may not be a good deal for light drinkers. Other options include alcohol-free drink packages, which let cruisers indulge in soft drinks, hot chocolate, specialty coffees and a range of other nonalcoholic beverages.

Whether or not to get the drink package is a question all cruisers face, and there's no perfect answer for everyone. Read on to learn about the drink packages offered by the major cruise lines and what each beverage package includes.

Expert tip: The price of each beverage package will vary from sailing to sailing and may change at any time. Also note that cruise drink packages are almost always nontransferable and nonrefundable, and that everyone in your cabin needs to buy a package. If kids are cruising with adults who purchase an alcoholic drink package, a nonalcoholic package must be purchased for them.

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Carnival Cruise Line

Cheers beverage program.

What it includes: All spirits (including cocktails) are included. Beer and wine by the glass are also included in this package if they cost $20 or less on the menu. Individuals also get unlimited nonalcoholic frozen cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, bottled water, hot tea and other nonalcoholic drinks. This package comes with 25% off the following categories: spirits or wine by the glass that cost more than $20, the menu price for wine or Champagne by the bottle, and beverage seminars and classes.

What it doesn't include: Beverages not included in this package are limited to: drinks in souvenir glasses, full bottles of liquor, drinks offered on the gangway, drinks delivered through room service or in the cabin's minibar, larger shared drinks, and beverages sold in enomatic wine machines. The Cheers! Beverage Program also does not cover food items and drinks offered through special promotions that relate to merchandise, cigars or cigarettes.

Cost: Starts at $59.95 per day, per person

Additional details: This drink package can be offered on all Carnival Cruise Line sailings, including ships like the Carnival Venezia, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Individuals must be at least 21 years old to buy this package for their cruise. It can be purchased before embarkation or once on the ship. Note that, for sailings out of New York and Texas, this package doesn't kick in until 6 a.m. the day after departure.

Bottomless Bubbles

What it includes: All-you-can-drink soda and juice are included.

What it doesn't include: Specialty coffee drinks, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages and all other drinks not specifically listed in the package are not included.

Cost: Starts at $9.50 per day for adults and $6.95 per day for kids

Additional details: This package doesn't include drinks delivered through room service or available in the cabin minibar. It's available to be purchased before or during the cruise; if purchased after a sailing departs, Bottomless Bubbles is nonrefundable.

Book a Carnival Cruise Line sailing on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Celebrity Cruises

Classic drink package.

What it includes: This package includes liquors, cocktails, frozen drinks, wines by the glass and beers up to $10. Wines by the bottle qualify for a 15% discount.

What it doesn't include: This package doesn't include energy drinks, soda, specialty coffees or any other beverages not specifically listed in the package.

Cost: Starts at $89 per day, per person

Additional details: This package can be used at the ship's bars, in the main dining room, and in casual dining and specialty restaurants. Drinks in the in-room minibar or delivered via room service do not qualify. You can only order one drink at a time with any of the Celebrity Cruises drink packages.

Premium Drink Package

What it includes: This package includes everything in the Classic Drink Package, in addition to: specialty coffees and teas, craft and artisan beers, Coca-Cola products, bottled water, and wine by the glass up to $17 per serving. It also comes with a 20% discount on wine by the bottle.

What it doesn't include: Drinks that cost more than $17 per glass are not included.

Cost: Starts at $109 per day, per person

Additional details: This package can be used at bars, in the main dining room, and in casual dining and specialty restaurants. Drinks from the minibar or room service are not covered by the package.

Zero-Proof Drink Package

What it includes: This drink package comes with a range of nonalcoholic drinks, including premium bottled water such as San Pellegrino and Panna, organic teas, specialty coffees, Red Bull energy drinks, frozen smoothies, Coca-Cola products, mocktails, Vitamin Water drinks, bottled iced tea and more.

What it doesn't include: Alcoholic beverages are not included in this package.

Cost: Starts at $30 per day, per person

Additional details: This package can be used at bars, in the main dining room, and in casual dining and specialty restaurants. Minibar and room service drinks do not qualify.

Find a Celebrity Cruise on GoToSea.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line is unique because it does not offer traditional drink packages you can purchase pre-cruise or on the day of embarkation. Not only that, but all Disney cruises include the following beverages at no additional charge:

• Soft drinks, coffee and tea during meals
• Nonalcoholic beverages offered at drink stations throughout the ship
• Soft drinks served at the Vibe lounge for teens

Disney also lets cruisers prepay for specialty packages of wine, Champagne, beer or seltzers, although available packages can vary by departure port. As an example, cruise passengers departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, can pre-purchase a seven-bottle premium wine package for $330, a six-pack of beer for $36.25, or a six-pack of Truly seltzers for $32.50, among many other options.

Explore Disney Cruise Line deals on GoToSea.

MSC Cruises

Easy package.

What it includes: This package includes select cocktails, nonalcoholic cocktails and mixed drinks, one brand of each type of spirit, house wines, draft or bottled Heineken, fountain soda, canned soda, fruit juices by the glass or bottle, bottled water, hot tea, specialty coffees, hot chocolate and beverage gratuities.

What it doesn't include: This package doesn't include brand-name spirits or beers other than Heineken, or any other drinks not specifically listed in the package.

Cost: $322 per sailing, per adult for seven-night itineraries

Additional details: This package can be used at bars, lounges, buffets, in the main restaurants and on MSC Cruises ' private island. It does not apply in the in-room minibar or specialty restaurants.

Easy Plus Package

What it includes: The Easy Plus Package gives cruisers access to a broader range of drink options that cost up to $10 (or 9 euros), so more alcoholic brands are included overall. Drinks that qualify include frozen drinks and cocktails, protein shakes, spirits, draught and bottled beers, nonalcoholic cocktails, bottled water, various hot drinks, wines by the glass and gratuities. A 10% discount on bottled wine purchases on board also applies.

What it doesn't include: This package doesn't include brand-name spirits, and beer options vary. Drinks that cost more than $10 (or 9 euros) are not included.

Cost: $427 per sailing, per adult for seven-night itineraries

Additional details: This package can be used at bars, lounges, buffets, in the main and specialty restaurants, and on the cruise line's private island . Drinks in the signature venues are not covered.

Premium Extra Package

What it includes: This drink package covers a wider range of brand-name alcoholic beverages that cost up to $16 (or 14 euros). Beverages that qualify can include pretty much any drink you can purchase on the ship with very few exceptions. Covered drinks include: premium cocktails, all nonalcoholic cocktails and drinks, protein drinks, premium spirits, fine wine by the glass, Champagne by the glass, draft and bottled beer, bottled water, specialty hot drinks, and gratuities. A 25% discount on bottled wine purchases on board also applies.

What it doesn't include: Drinks all over the ship that cost more than $16 (or 14 euros) are not included.

Cost: $595 per sailing, per adult for seven-night itineraries

Additional details: This package can be used everywhere except in MSC's signature venues.

Alcohol-Free Package

What it includes: This drink package includes most nonalcoholic beverages on the ship, including mocktails, fresh fruit drinks, protein drinks, energy drinks, sodas, flavored water, hot drinks, soft serve ice cream and gratuities.

What it doesn't include: Alcoholic drinks offered on the ship are not included.

Cost: $196 per sailing, per adult or $133 per kid for seven-night itineraries

Additional details: The nonalcoholic package can be used at bars, lounges, buffets, in the main restaurants and on MSC Cruises' private island. It does not apply in the in-room minibar or in specialty restaurants.

Compare MSC Cruises on GoToSea.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Unlimited open bar package.

What it includes: This package includes drinks all over the ship that cost $15 or less, such as cocktails, spirits, beers and wine by the glass. Unlimited soft drinks and juices are also included, and cruisers get 20% off bottles of wine and Champagne purchased on board.

What it doesn't include: This package doesn't include alcoholic beverages that cost more than $15 per glass.

Cost: Starts at $109 per day, per person; cruisers can get this package automatically added to their sailing with the "Free at Sea" promotion.

Additional details: A 20% service charge is added to each drink, and this package can be used all over the ship and on Norwegian Cruise Line 's private island.

Premium Plus Beverage Package

What it includes: This package is an upgrade from the Unlimited Open Bar Package you can buy or get included with the "Free at Sea" promotion. It comes with a broader selection of drinks that can cost more than $15, including spirits, cocktails, beer and wine by the glass. Guests can also enjoy the cruise line's brand of rose Champagne by the glass plus select premium bottles of wine at dinner. Also included are unlimited soft drinks, juices, bottled water, energy drinks, specialty drinks and Starbucks drinks. Premium Plus also comes with a 40% discount off bottles of wine and Champagne not included in the package.

What it doesn't include: This package includes all drinks by the glass offered on Norwegian vessels.

Cost: Starts at $138 per day, per person; cruisers can upgrade from the Unlimited Open Bar Package for $29 per day.

Additional details: A 20% service charge is added to each drink. Use this package all over the ship and Great Stirrup Cay.

Hawaii Beverage Package

What it includes: This package is for Hawaii sailings only, which applies to the Pride of America . Drinks up to $15 per glass are included, such as cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass, beer, bottled water and soft drinks. Starbucks drinks also count toward the package during meals.

What it doesn't include: This package doesn't include drinks that cost more than $15 per serving.

Cost: $109 per day, per person

Additional details: A 20% service charge is added to each drink, and this package can be used all over the ship.

Unlimited Soda Package

What it includes: True to its name, NCL's unlimited soda package comes with bottomless soft drinks like Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta and more.

What it doesn't include: This package only includes unlimited soft drinks, so no other drinks qualify.

Cost: $9.95 per day, per person

Additional details: A 20% service charge is added to each drink. This package cannot be purchased on cruises that are two days or less.

Unlimited Starbucks

What it includes: This package includes any drinks you can dream up at Starbucks, including Frappuccino beverages, lattes, classic coffees, teas and more.

What it doesn't include: No other drinks are included in this package.

Cost: $12.95 per day, per person

Additional details: A 20% service charge is added to each drink. You must be at least 18 at the time of the sailing to purchase.

Find a Norwegian Cruise Line itinerary on GoToSea.

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Princess Cruises

Plus beverage package.

What it includes: This package includes beverages up to $15. Included in the package are cocktails, wine by the glass, specialty coffees, beer, fountain sodas, bottled water, smoothies, juice bar drinks, mocktails and specialty cocktails curated by Rob Floyd. In total, 50 spirits, 25 wines by the glass and 25 different beers qualify. Cruisers also get 25% off bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda.

What it doesn't include: This package doesn't include large bottles of water or cans of soda; you get a discount instead. Drinks over $15 also do not qualify.

Cost: $64.99 per day, per adult

Additional details: This Princess Cruises package is offered for purchase before the cruise and on embarkation day, but it is not available for pre-purchase within three days of sailing. It can be used all over the ship, although minibar items and drinks in souvenir glasses do not qualify.

Premier Beverage Package

What it includes: This package includes beverages up to $20, as well as everything that the Plus Beverage Package covers. Premium wines by the glass like Duckhorn, Stag's Leap, Grgich Hills and Cattier Champagne are included in this package, as are Woodford Reserve bourbon and Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select whiskey. In total, 75 spirits, 40-plus wines by the glass and 20-plus high-end cocktails qualify. Cruisers also get 25% off bottles of wine and rare specialty wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda.

What it doesn't include: Some wines do not qualify, nor do large bottles of water or cans of soda, although discounts apply.

Cost: $84.99 per day, per adult

Additional details: This package is offered before the cruise and on embarkation day, but not for pre-purchase within three days of sailing. Minibar items and drinks in souvenir glasses do not qualify.

Zero Alcohol Package

What it includes: The Zero Alcohol Package comes with premium and specialty coffees, teas, fountain sodas, fresh juices, smoothies, hot chocolate, mocktails, bottled water and Red Bull energy drinks.

What it doesn't include: This package does not include alcoholic beverages or any other drinks not specifically listed.

Cost: $29.99 per day, per adult

Additional details: This package is offered up until three days before the cruise as well as on embarkation day. You cannot use it at the in-room minibar or for souvenir glasses.

Classic Soda Package

What it includes: Enjoy sodas, fruit juices, mocktails and smoothies throughout the sailing.

Cost: $14.99 per day, per adult

Additional details: This package is available for purchase until three days before the cruise or on embarkation day. Minibar items and souvenir glasses are excluded.

Explore Princess Cruises deals on GoToSea.

Royal Caribbean International

What it includes: Royal Caribbean's Classic Soda Package includes Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages, Coca-Cola drinks served in a souvenir cup and all fountain soda on an unlimited basis.

What it doesn't include: No other drinks are included in this package, including alcoholic drinks.

Cost: Varies

Additional details: An 18% gratuity is added to drink packages on most Royal Caribbean sailings. Drink packages work at cruise ship bars, lounges, the main dining room, the Windjammer Cafe and the line's private destinations. Drinks delivered through room service or available in the minibar are not covered.

Refreshment Package

What it includes: The Refreshment Package includes everything in the Classic Soda Package plus premium coffees and teas, juices, bottled water, mocktails and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.

What it doesn't include: Alcoholic drinks are not included in this package.

Additional details: An 18% gratuity is added to Royal Caribbean drink packages on most sailings. Drink packages apply across cruise ship bars, lounges, the main dining room, the Windjammer Cafe and the line's private destinations. Room service and minibar beverages do not qualify.

Deluxe Beverage Package

What it includes: This package includes everything you get in the Classic Soda and Refreshment Packages, plus alcoholic beverages. The Deluxe Beverage Package is inclusive of cocktails, spirits, liqueurs and beer.

What it doesn't include: This package excludes drinks in Starbucks venues on Royal Caribbean sailings.

Additional details: An 18% gratuity is added to drink package drinks on most sailings. Drink packages work at cruise ship bars, lounges, the main dining room, the Windjammer Cafe and the line's private destinations. You cannot use this package for room service or minibar drinks.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

Viking's river and ocean cruises offer complimentary beverages on board – even alcoholic beverages during meals. Specifically, guests can enjoy house wines, beers and soft drinks on the ship during lunches and dinners. Specialty coffees and hot teas are also available around the clock.

Guests who want more access to drinks can purchase the one available upgraded drink package through Viking. Also note that Viking lets guests bring your own alcohol on board the ship ahead of time, which you can consume without any added fees.

Silver Spirits

What it includes: For both ocean and river sailings, this package includes an open bar with local wines by the glass, cocktails, beers, specialty coffee drinks, juices and more throughout the day and outside of mealtimes.

What it doesn't include: This package includes almost all potential beverages offered on Viking sailings. For ocean sailings , the package excludes Champagne and drinks that cost more than $18.

Cost: $25 per night, per person

Additional details: Drink packages are not available on river cruises that travel through Egypt.

Book a Viking cruise on GoToSea.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this article.

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Standby cruising: A new option for bargain seekers

In February, Barb McGowan took a seven-day cruise on Holland America Line, visiting the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic for just $343, or $49 a day, excluding taxes, port fees and extras. By comparison, Holland America in April listed a seven-day Caribbean itinerary in October from about $700.

The catch: She had just 48 hours’ notice.

McGown, a 64-year-old from Naples, Florida, who runs a restaurant franchise, took one of the line’s new standby cruises, which are aimed at travelers who live near departure ports and intended to fill ship vacancies.

“I look for deals, and this was an especially good experience,” McGowan said, praising the food and entertainment. “I was impressed enough to put down a deposit on a future cruise.”

A way to keep ships full

Holland America, headquartered in Seattle, introduced its standby program in August to maximize ship occupancy, knowing that cancellations are inevitable. So far, the rest of the cruise industry has not followed its lead.

“If cancellations are within a week or two of sailing, it’s difficult to resell that space in the open market,” said Dan Rough, vice president of revenue management at Holland America.

In the same way that airlines oversell seats, cruise lines may compensate for cancellations by overselling staterooms. Filling in with standbys, however, reduces Holland America’s reliance on overselling, which runs the risk of bumping passengers to distant departures or potentially offering generous cash incentives to coax volunteers to cancel.

Although the company does not heavily promote the new practice, it has attracted a following among the thrifty by dangling a bargain rate — $49 a person, whether sharing a cabin or traveling solo, before taxes and fees — on a webpage that lists available departure dates to attract flexible travelers. Standbys should expect an inside cabin, according to the company, although ocean-view and veranda cabins have been assigned. (The company declined to say how many standby cabins it has offered.)

“Forty-nine dollars per person, per day is pretty exceptional,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor of CruiseCritic.com, a website that reviews cruises, noting that the price covers all meals and entertainment. “You can’t find a cheaper rate at a land resort for what’s included.” (In 2023, the average nightly rate for a hotel room in the United States was nearly $156, according to STR, a data analytics firm that monitors the hospitality industry.)

To participate, travelers choose an itinerary from the standby list on the website — current embarkation ports include Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Montreal; Quebec City; San Diego; Seattle; Vancouver, B.C.; and Whittier, Alaska — and pay for the trip in advance by calling Holland America or booking through a travel adviser.

There are no refunds for standby cruisers who want to back out. However, if the gamble fails to pay off, and the cruise line cannot offer a cabin to someone on the standby list, it issues a refund.

The company says standby offerings are added on a rolling basis and usually lists itineraries within two to three months of departure. Current offerings include seven-day sailings in Alaska’s Inside Passage from April through September and seven-to-11-day trips cruising the coast of New England and Canada’s Maritime Provinces between May and October.

Proximity is a bonus

Standby cruisers don’t learn of their acceptance or denial until a week to two days before departure, complicating transportation arrangements.

“Last-minute airfare could offset the savings on a cruise,” Crystal Seaton, owner of Road to Relaxation Travel, a travel agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina, wrote in an email. Although she has not booked a client on a standby sailing yet, she surmised that it is intended for travelers who can drive to a port.

“We were lucky; we found out Tuesday we were going on a Friday 3 p.m. sailing,” said Sheila Valloney, 66, of Clermont, Florida, who with her husband spent nine days aboard a Holland America ship in the southern Caribbean in February by going standby.

Before being cleared, she reserved a parking spot near the ship dock in Fort Lauderdale, which would have set her back about $6 if she canceled. She also kept their vacation clothes ready to go at the last minute for the 3 1/2-hour drive to port.

Booking a refundable airline ticket — or at least one that guarantees a credit in loyalty points or cash in the event of cancellation — is one way travelers who must fly can take advantage of the deal.

For her standby sailing, McGowan drove 90 minutes from her home to the ship in Fort Lauderdale. But her travel companion was coming from Indiana, so when she joined the standby list a few months before the departure date, she booked her friend a Southwest Airlines flight using frequent flyer points that would be refunded if the last-minute cruise didn’t come through.

Avoiding extra charges

Once on board, charges for extras such as cabin upgrades, Wi-Fi, alcohol and shore excursions can inflate the bill, although the thriftiest travelers try to avoid them.

McGowan sprang for the $17.50-a-day charge for an upgraded drink package (basic nonalcoholic drinks are included in the cruise) and took one shore excursion, focused on coffee growing, which she deemed a good value at $89.

On their Caribbean cruise, the Valloneys asked around for recommendations for good beaches, where they went to relax on port days, and waited until they were on land to check emails, in order to avoid paying for Wi-Fi on the ship.

“We didn’t miss it at all,” Valloney said. “For beverages, we would wait until happy hour, when it was buy one, get one free.”

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Will other companies follow suit?

To date, no other cruise lines have adopted standby programs.

Princess Cruises said it did not plan to offer cabins on a standby basis, but noted that it already offers last-minute deals, which tend to run about $50 to $60 per passenger per day. For example, a seven-day Alaska sailing from Vancouver to Anchorage departing May 8 is listed at $399 a person in a double-occupancy cabin.

Several other major cruise lines did not respond to inquiries about potentially adopting standby programs, although operators such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line also offer last-minute deals on their websites.

“We would be surprised to see many mainstream cruise lines begin to adopt a similar model” to the standby system, Kimberly Coyne, head of sales and content strategy for Cruiseline.com, a cruise review site, wrote in an email. She said the standby fares might be financially unsustainable for cruise lines and cited the potential that travelers might become too accustomed to late-booking deals.

More ways to save

With the recent surge in cruise bookings, companies are discounting less, said McDaniel.

She identified more reliable ways to get a deal compared with going standby, such as booking during “wave season,” a sales period that generally runs January through March, or taking a repositioning cruise, in which a ship relocates from one region to another seasonally. A repositioning itinerary might sail in the fall from Alaska to the Caribbean via the Panama Canal.

“It’s not unusual to see a repositioning cruise at less than $75 per night,” McDaniel said, noting that other expenses such as an airline itinerary into one city and returning from another may cost more than a standard round-trip ticket.

Repositioning cruises tend to stop at fewer ports and add more shipboard enrichment programs, such as lectures and activities such as cake decorating classes and craft spirits tastings.

“For a lot of people, the ship is the destination and this is the perfect activity for people who like to be on the ship,” she said.