ncl cruise line drink packages

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.

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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 2024.

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.

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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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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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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.

Save now, share with friends, or come back to it later.

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.

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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Ultimate Guide to NCL Drink Packages | Are they worth it?

By: Author coupletraveltheworld

Posted on Last updated: August 27, 2023

Categories Cruise Tips

Considering the NCL Drink Packages and wondering what they cost? We travel on Norwegian cruise line quite a bit and have the low down on whether buying the drink package is worth it or not when cruising NCL. 

If you are thinking to take a NCL cruise in 2023 here is a guide with everything you need to know about NCL Beverage Packages (including a beverage package comparison) to help you decide what is right for you to buy the adult beverage package or even soda package. Happy cruising!

The Ultimate Guide to NCL Drink Packages

When we travel in a group on Norwegian cruises (like we recently did on the Norwegian Star ) we always go for the NCL Premium Beverage Package which allows you to drink premium cocktails & spirits under $15 USD and a variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15 USD.

You can purchase this for $109.00 USD per person per day but we normally get it included as part of our cruise with their “Free at Se” a promotion which includes this drink package as a perk of booking. Sometimes, you can choose this perk or another perk that might suit you better like speciality dining or internet. This is not always offered and you need to look out for a “Free at Sea” promotion when booking your cruise if this is important to you.

If you don’t purchase a drink package on your cruise, what you will have access to is table water at the buffet, standard tea and coffee and some cordials at the buffet.

A great bartender called Rico on the Norwegian Star

When we travel on our own, we sometimes don’t get the beverage package as we don’t drink a lot normally but when we are traveling in a group and want to down a bit more grog, the NCL Drink Packages are really good value and save us a tonne of money while cruising.

Due to the affordable drinks packages, Norwegian cruises are a great cruise for young adults so if you are in your 20s/30s and thinking to book this cruise we would say, go for it!

Drink packages also make cruising a little more interesting as you can try a lot of different drinks. For example, if you are traveling on a girls trip and want to try quite a lot of different cocktails, it will be well worth your while having the beverage package.

Even if it is included in the “Free at Sea” package” the NCL Drink Packages are not exactly free (more of this later) as there is a 20% service charge/gratuity added to the package so you need to weigh up how much you will be drinking to determine if it is worth it to you.

There are also beverage package options available for the non drinkers in the form of a soda package which we will discuss below.

Keep reading to find out more about all the NCL Drink Packages that are available for purchase including the Premium Beverage Package, the Premium Beverage Package Plus and the Soda Package including a comparison of what you get in each.

FAQ on NCL Drink Packages

How old do you have to be to get a beverage package on ncl.

To get a beverage package OR to drink on Norwegian cruises in general, you need to be 21 years of age. This is the same rule no matter what country you are cruising.

This is the case as NCL are a US company and have adopted the same drinking age as the USA.

What is a “Free at Sea” beverage package perk?

Norwegian often offers promotions when you book your cruise called “Free at Sea” promos. This often includes getting a free Premium Beverage Package included in the price of your cruise.

As explained later, it is not entirely free as you still need to pay a service fee or gratuity on the price of the beverage package which is 20% of the usual price.

If I don’t have a”Free at Sea” beverage package perk, how much will it cost me for a beverage package?

Norwegian cruise line has 5 different beverage packages with all different prices:

• Premium Beverage Package: $109.00 USD per person per day;
• Premium Plus Beverage Package:$138.00 USD per person per day;
• Hawaii Beverage Package (all ages) – Pride of America only: $109.00 USD per person per day;
• Unlimited Soda Package: $9.95 USD per person per day;
• Unlimited Starbucks package: $12.95 USD per person per day.

People enjoying the drink package on NCL Star. If you look closely they have “Blame it on the drink package cruise shirts “

On top of this price, you will be subject to a 20% service charge on a daily rate on the price of your beverage package. 

Are there additional taxes on beverage packages?

Yes, if you order drinks while docked at a US port.

Is bottled wine included in any of the beverage packages?

No, bottled wine is not included in any of the beverage packages on NCL.

If you at a Platinum member, one of the perks is a bottle of wine included with a specialty dining meal.

A wine we enjoyed as part of being platinum members at Le Bistro French restaurant

Can I bring my own bottles of wine or champagne onboard?

Yes, you can but they will be subject to a $15 corkage fee per bottle of wine. This technically applies whether you drink the wine or not.

In reality, they probably won’t charge you the corkage and simply put your bottles in “wine jail” until the end of the cruise.

If you find a nice bartender, you may not be charged the corkage fee but I would expect to pay it if you bring wine on the ship.

The average bottle of wine is around $40 to purchase on the ship so if your wine costs $25 or more + the $15 corkage it might not be worth it.

If you purchase a bottle of wine and you don’t drink the whole bottle, the staff are happy to cork it and put it away for your next dinner which is a great economical option if you are not a big drinker.

Can I bring my own bottles of spirits onboard?

No, bottle of spirits are not allowed on the ship. If you bring them, they will be likely detected in your luggage while going on the cruise and put in “spirit jail” until the end of the cruise.

We met some travelers who got very crafty and successfully got spirits on by putting the spirit inside their camel pack . For me, the embarrassment of them seeing me smuggle spirits in via a camel pack isn’t worth it plus I’m not that serious of a drinker to need it that badly.

Does the drinking package cost the same no matter the length of the cruise?

No, the cost varies depending on the amount of nights you are on the cruise. This is the case even if you are on a “Free at Sea” perk as the service charge/gratuity will increase.

What drinks are free on Norwegian Cruise Line?

The only drinks that are free are filtered water at the buffet, standard coffee, tea and some cordials at the buffet.

There is still an additional cost of a gratuity even if you get a “free at sea” perk and get a Norwegian Premium Beverage Package included in your cruise deal.

How much gratuity/service charge will I have to pay on the beverage package?

You pay a 20% gratuity on the value of the NCL drink package, regardless if you get it for free as a perk when booking your cruise.

For example, if you are buying the package direct, it normally costs $109.00 USD per person per day for the premium beverage package. That means for a 7 day cruise you will pay around $152 pp or around $22 pp a day in gratuity.

If you get the NCL premium beverage package included as a perk of your cruise, it means essentially if you are wanting to drink more than 1 alcoholic beverage a drink on your cruise (they usually cost between $10 – $15 USD a drink) it is worth it.

Is buying a drink package worth it?

It really depends on how much you are going to drink and if you are getting the package as a free at sea perk or paying the standard rate for it.

As stated above, drinks on NCL cost around $10 – $15 USD a drink for an alcoholic beverage.

If you are getting the free at sea perk where you get a beverage package included and just have to pay for the gratuity, you only have to drink more than 1 drink a day to make paying the service fee worthwhile.

If you are paying for the beverage package direct to NCL without a free at sea perk, you would have to be drinking 10 drinks a day so unless you are a very heavy drinker, I would not think purchasing the beverage package would be worthwhile.

Here is an example of a cruise on the Norwegian Prima we recently purchased from Iceland. As you can see, the cruise only rate was 858 Euros pp. If you want the Free at Sea upgrade which includes the beverage package, it increases the price to 1057 Euros pp. For clarity, the specialty dining is usually 1 paid restaurant per cruise and the internet package is usually 150 minutes (for a 10 day cruise, the amount increases per number of days at sea)

The total amount when you add in taxes etc came to 1716.20 Euros for two people without the beverage package or 2,114.20 Euros per person with the beverage package, a difference of 398 Euros for a 10 day cruise.

Is that worth it? Well, depends how much you are going to drink. We went with it on the Star and without it on the Norwegian Prima when it was just the two of us and we thought we would drink less.

Can just one person in a cabin purchase a beverage package?

No, everyone in the cabin must have the same package. You cannot mix and match UNLESS the person in the cabin is a minor in which case they will get the Unlimited Soda package.

We met a couple recently onboard where one person was a drinker and one wasn’t and it simply was not worthwhile for them to purchase the drinks package for this reason.

Does NCL Premium Beverage Package include bottled water?

No, it does not. You will need to get the Premium Plus Beverage Package to get unlimited still and bottled water at a price of $138 USD pp per day.

The bummer is the Premium Plus Beverage Package is never (as far as I have ever since) included in a free at sea promotion. Only the Premium Beverage Package is usually included in this perk. This means if bottled water is important to you, you will be up for quite a pretty penny.

Norwegian cruises are now offering a bottled water package which costs $19.95 for 6 one litre bottles, $34.95 for 12 and $49.95 for 24 bottles. If you just want to pay as you go, bottled water sets you back around $6 USD a litre. The brand they are selling is called “Flow” which is meant to be alkaline spring water. I tried it and it wasn’t my favorite bottled water I have ever tasted but it was better than the filtered water from the buffet.

You can fill your own water bottle up at the buffet. You aren’t allowed to put the bottle under the dispense but you can transfer glasses into your own bottle.

Can you get frozen drinks in any of the NCL beverage packages?

Yes, you can get frozen drinks in the Premium Beverage Package, Premium Plus Beverage package, and the Hawaiian Beverage Package.

They are not included in the soda package however, there are non alcoholic frozen beverages available. If you are on a Premium Beverage Package and your child has a soda package but wants a non alcoholic frozen beverage, you can simply get one for him or her on your card.

What happens on the Free at Sea perk if the second guest is a minor?

If you have the Free at Sea promotion and your second guest is a minor, they will get the soda package and you will pay the service charge on that package. That only applies if the second guest is a minor.

NCL Beverage package comparison

NCL Soda Package

A great option for non drinkers or children, the NCL Soda package will only set you back $9.95 per person, per day plus 20% gratuity.

This is a really good option if you like a soda like a coke or lemonade or even a soda water with lime (my personal favorite).

Each soda will set you back around $3-4 USD per drink so if you regularly drink over 3 sodas a day the Nowegian Soda package will be a good option for you.

For a 7 day cruise the soda package will cost $69.65 plus a $14 gratuity.

If you are a non drinker and don’t purchase the NCL Soda package or have a free at sea perk, you will be limited to filtered water, standard coffee, tea and cordials at the buffet.

NCL Premium Beverage Package

This is the most popular beverage package on NCL cruises largely because many guests get this included as part of a free at sea promotion, where they don’t have to pay the cost of the beverage package and just pay the service fee.

NCL Premium Beverage Package costs $109 per person, per day, plus a 20% gratuity. 

One of the best tips we have is to try to get it included in one of Norwegians “Free at Sea” promotions when you book your cruise as then you are only paying the 20% service charge which is $152 pp for a 7 day cruise or around $22 pp a day in gratuity.

As a general rule, you can order on this package any alcoholic drinks or sodas under $15 in value. This gives you quite a lot of choice. We have never felt that we couldn’t find a drink we liked for this value.

What I personally thought was a bit poor was that specialty coffee like Starbucks and energy drinks, even if they were under $15 value were not included in this package. Bottled water is also not included as well as anything in the mini bar and room service is subject to an additional fee.

Click here for NCL’s updated ncl drink package list of what is included in the Premium beverage package

As you can see based on the graphic above, the NCL Premium Beverage Package includes a wide range of options.

There are also many wines and beers that you can find of the ship that aren’t listed here but are included.  For example, we found out on our recent cruise on the Norwegian Star that Guinness beer is able to be ordered only from the Irish pub and is included in the NCL Premium Beverage Package which was a bit of a win for my husband and Dad.

If it’s under $15 you are generally okay to order it but if in doubt, the bartenders are always happy to help out.

If you want a drink over $15 in value, you can simply pay the difference. For example, if you want a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne that is $35 in value, you would pay $20 out of pocket plus 20% gratuity extra on the additional $20.

You can find the full terms and conditions of the Premium beverage package here .

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package

If you have a taste for finer wines, champagne and spirits for example Veuve Clicquot champagne, you may want to look into Norwegian cruise lines’s Premium Plus Beverage.

This costs $138 per person, per day plus a 20% gratuity. As far as I have ever seen, it is never included in the Free at Sea promotion so you will looking at spending this money if the finer things in life are important to you.

What is great about this package is that Starbucks specialty coffees, energy drinks as well as bottled water is included. This means you can drink as much Starbucks and bottled water until your hearts content on the cruise with this package.

You should calculate how many top quality beverages you can consume in a cruise to work out if NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage is worth it or not for you. If you have the Free at Sea Premium Beverage Package, it may be more worthwhile to add a Starbucks or water package to your room and pay for the increased price of drinks. As noted above, you will pay the amount over $15. It is important to do the maths to work out what is the best option for you.

NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage is NCL’s top quality beverage package which includes the best quality champagne, wine and spirits on the ship.

NCL premium beverage package vs premium plus? Basically you can order whatever you like on the Plus package including Starbucks and bottled water. It does not include room service or mini bar and no package does this.

NCL Premium plus Beverage drink package list

Can you upgrade the NCL Premium Beverage Package to the Plus Package?

Yes, you can which might work out the most economical for you. There is a new program called NCL Free at Sea Plus which costs $49 per person daily, plus gratuities to upgrade from the NCL Premium Beverage Package to the Plus Package.

You can only do this if you are sailing for 3 days or more.

Whether the upgrade is worth it or not depends on how much you are going to drink on the ship and what you are going to drink. It’s always good to do the maths so Norwegian doesn’t win 😉

For example, Veuve Clicquot champagne that is $35 a glass, you would pay $20 out of pocket plus 20% gratuity, you would need to want to consume more than 2 of these a day to make it more economical to upgrade your package rather than just pay the difference.

The other benefit the Free at Sea Plus comes with two additional dinners at specialty dining restaurants for guests 1 and 2 and unlimited Internet (no streaming). If you purchase two additional dinners at specialty dining restaurants onboard it will cost you $100 each person.

If you were going to do this in any event, it really lowers how much Veuve Clicquot champagne you have to consume to make the upgrade worthwhile.

NCL Hawaii Beverage Package

This beverage package only applies to the Norwegian Pride of America sailings so it is a very specific beverage package that cannot be used on every cruise.

This package is very similar to the NCL Premium Beverage Package, it costs $109 per person, per day, plus 20% gratuity.

Like the regular NCL Premium Beverage Package, you get unlimited beverages up to $15 in value.

It is also included as one of the Free at Sea perks. It is slightly better value than the regular NCL Premium Beverage Package as it does include bottled water and specialty coffee in dining rooms as well as freshly squeezed juices.

You do get better with this beverage package however, Hawaii sailings tend to be at a higher price point as a whole so if I was to guess, NCL feel they need to offer slightly better value on this cruise in order to be competitive with other lines.

The Hawaii beverage package still goes not include mini bar items or specialty coffee outside restaurants like for example at the Starbucks store.

Click here for NCL’s updated list of what is included in the Hawaii beverage package

Unlimited Starbucks Package

Of course NCL also has a package for the specialty coffee lovers.

For $12.95 per person per day plus 20% gratuity added to the total cost you can get unlimited specialty coffee from the onboard Starbucks store. This adds up to $90.65 for a 7 day cruise plus a service charge of 20% on top.

It is includes all drinks served at Starbucks but excludes bottled water and food served there.

This package is only available on ships which have Starbucks onboard.

Like the rules with all Norwegian beverage packages, everyone in the cabin over 18 must have the same package so you cannot just buy it for 1 person and order drinks for everyone, unfortunately.

Starbucks coffees tend to sit around $5 USD per coffee onboard so you would need to be drinking more than 2 per day to make this package worthwhile. I really like coffee but I would be absolutely buzzing on 3 coffees a day. If you want more speciality drinks like Frappuccino, the value gets slightly better.

Should you get one of NCL’s beverage package?

This question is really an individual decision and it depends entirely on how much you intend to drink onboard.

If you are cruising with a group of friends and plan to go wild, getting a drinks package is very worthwhile especially if you can score one as part of Norwegian’s free at sea promos and just have to pay the gratuity. 

On the other hand, paying the gratuity which is around $152 pp for a 7 day cruise is not worth it if you plan to only drink a few glasses of wine on board. In this case, I would advise just buying a few bottles of wine at dinner.

If you can’t find a free at sea promo and just want to have a think, drink packages are possible to be purchased on embarkation day.

So let us know, do you or will you purchase a NCL Drink Package? And if you have already sailed with NCL – what did you think? Worth it – yay or nay?

More NCL cruises:

• Best NCL Cruise deals this month
• Norwegian Getaway review
• Best Bahamas cruise for couples
• Are Norwegian cruise line good ?

Click here to learn more about Couple Travel the World.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Menus and Pricing

Last Updated on January 12, 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line has a fairly diverse selection of drinks. While they don’t have as many themed bars as other cruise lines, they’ve really stepped up their cocktail game on their newer ships. You’ll find bars that specialize in mojitos, whiskey, martinis, and craft beer. Many of their new menus have focused on pre-mixed cocktails such as cocktails on tap or bottled cocktails that are premade in the morning. They’ve partnered with companies like The Liquid Kitchen to make delicious cocktail that can be served quickly.

See a new menu on your ship? Email it to us so we can share with everyone, [email protected]

If you’ve ever been on a Norwegian cruise, you’ve noticed that the bars can be really busy. That’s because many passengers get the “free” Ultimate Beverage Package Package that’s often part of the “Free at Sea” promotion they’re almost always running. With this package, you can enjoy almost any alcoholic (and non-alcoholic beverage) up to $15.

You can learn more about Norwegian’s drink packages and what they include here.

While it’s positioned as free, you still have to pay gratuities, which can be $139 per person for a 7-day cruise. On top of that, fares that include the Free At Sea package are usually more expensive than a base price cabin. We’re not saying it’s not a good deal, especially if you enjoy alcoholic beverages, but do the math both ways if you want to save.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2024 Bar Menus and Pricing

Below you’ll find the menus from some of the bars in the Norwegian fleet.

The A-List Bar Menu

Belvedere bar, the cellars wine bar menu, district brewhouse bar menu.

• Galveston TX Menu

Haven Bar Menu

• Ice Bar Menu

The Local Bar Menu

Luna bar / soleil bar, maltings whiskey bar menu, metropolitan bar, norwegian prima wine list.

• O’sheehan’s Bar Menu
• Penrose Bar

Proof Whiskey Bar

Speedway bar, standard bar menu, standard wine menu.

• Sugarcane Mojito Bar Menu
• Vibe Beach Club bar Menu

If you’re locking for trendy atmosphere and some classy cocktails, this is the place to stop. The A-List Bar can be found on Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Encore , and Norwegian Joy .

Try some custom cocktails at the Belvedere Bar located on the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva .

If you’re a fan of wine, this is the bar for you. Buy by the bottle or by the glass. The Cellars Wine Bar is on the Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Escape , and Norwegian Joy .

Here you’ll find some great craft beer choices. There are only a couple on tap but you’ll find up to 70 different varieties of craft canned beers. District Brewhouse can be found on the Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Escape , and Norwegian Joy .

Galveston Texas Menu

Because Texas has odd liquor laws, if you’re sailing out of Galveston, you won’t have access to the full bar menu until you’re out in international waters. These are the cocktails you’d be able order while waiting to set sail.

The Haven Bar is exclusively for guests saying in the Haven area of the ship. The Haven suite area is available in the Breakaway, Breakaway Plus, and Prima class ships.

The Local is one of Norwegian’s 24/7 restaurants where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat almost any time of the day.

The Luna and Soleil bar are located in the Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima and Viva. The Luna is inside portion of the bar while the Soleil is the exterior (if it’s a sunny day, Soleil will be packed but Luna will be empty, so stop by there to grab your drink quickly).

This bar specializes in whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails. You can find it on the Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Breakaway , Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Epic , Norwegian Gem , Norwegian Jade , Norwegian Jewel , and Norwegian Pearl .

The Metropolitan Bar is located on Deck 7 of the Norwegian Prima and Viva. The focus here is on sustainable cocktails with many ingredients coming from food waste from the ship.

Since it’s the newest ship, the Norwegian Prima has a slightly different menu than the rest of the fleet. The menu below was found in the Hudson’s main dining room in mid-September.

O’Sheehan’s Bar Menu

O’Sheehan’s is an Irish-style pub that’s open nearly 24/7. Stop by to grab a drink or a bite to eat at almost any time of day.

Penrose Bar Menu

Penrose Bar is located on the first floor of the beautiful Penrose Atrium (Deck 6). It’s both the bar for the main atrium area and the casino with slot machines built it. It can get very busy at night.

Proof Whiskey Bar is located on the 3rd floor (Deck 8) of the Penrose Atrium. This large, circular bar offers beautiful views during the day, and is a lively spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks.

The Speedway Bar is a new addition to the Prima and Viva. The bar can be hard to find, it’s behind the entrance to the Speedway, but offers good views of the race track as well as the water.

All Norwegian cruise ships now serve Starbucks coffee. Some ships have dedicated Starbucks shops/kiosks, others just serve it at their other bars and restaurants. The menu will vary on each ship and seasonal specialties (ie pumpkin spice) may be available certain times of year.

Starbucks drinks are NOT included in the Standard Open Bar package that comes as part of the Free at Sea promo. You can either upgrade to the Premium Plus beverage package or buy the designated Starbucks package. See all of Norwegian’s drink packages here.

Sugarcane Mojito Bar

Mojitos are a cruise favorite, and you can find a variety of specialty ones at Sugarcane Mojito Bar. You can find it on the Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Dawn , Norwegian Escape , Norwegian Gem , Norwegian Jade , Norwegian Jewel , and Norwegian Pearl , and Norwegian Star .

If an indoor bar doesn’t have it dedicated menu, it’ll likely use a variation of the menu seen below. You’ll find this menu at Atrium bars and other bars around the ship that aren’t specialty (ie. not a mojito or champagne bar).

Vibe Beach Club Bar Menu

The Vibe Bar is in the Vibe Beach Club. This adults-only area is available exclusively to those who purchase a Vibe Beach Pass (typically over $200 per person for the whole cruise).

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Related posts:

• What is Carnival’s “Behind the Fun” Like?
• Norwegian Switches The American Diner to Complimentary

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 Beverage Package Calculator – See if it’s worth it!

Considering a beverage or drink package on your next NCL cruise? We’ve compiled all of the various options and packages to help you understand if buying a beverage package is worth it or not! Use this handy NCL Drink Package Calculator to see what your “breakeven” point is with any of the Norwegian Drink Packages

How to calculate your beverage costs on Norwegian Cruise Line

First, if you’re trying to figure out whether or not to upgrade to the Premium Plus beverage package after receiving the Free At Sea promotion, this calculator takes into account your free included open bar/beverage package.

• Full NCL Drink & Beverage Package Guide
• NCL Bar Menus & Drink Prices

If you’ve not received the open bar Free at Sea package, and are considering paying full price for this package, this calculator will also work. You might wonder why we are putting this particular beverage calculator on the page, it’s because, for several years, NCL has made the open bar or “premium beverage package” part of their included promotions. Most people select this option and are more interested in whether upgrading to the Premium Plus beverage package is worth it, but this promotion may not be in place forever, hence this option on the calculator.

• Choose your package. The daily charge will appear in the daily charge space, but you can change that if you are getting a discount.
• Select your length of cruise. You’ll notice how the cost increases according to the cruise length. If you’ve selected the Free at Sea promotion, you’ll find only the gratuities are included in the calculator.
• Choose the number of drinks you consume, or expect to consume each day. We’ve put the average drink price in the cost fields, but you can modify those if you like more expensive drinks (it’s worth looking at the drink menus)
• The calculator will do the math and tell you if it is worth purchasing a package (or upgrading) based on your consumption!

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Let’s Get Started By Choosing Your Package

Free at sea promotion / open bar premium package includes:.

• Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15 USD (such as Patron Silver, Grey Goose and more)
• A variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15 USD
• 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine
• Unlimited soft drinks and juices

Premium Plus Package includes:

• All top-shelf cocktails & spirits (such as Patrón Reposado, Macallan Quest and more)
• All beer, champagne and wine by the glass (such as Veuve Clicquot)
• Select premium bottles of champagne and wine with dinner and 40% off all other bottles
• Unlimited still & sparkling bottled water
• All Starbucks ®  coffee & specialty drinks
• Energy Drinks

Estimate Your Daily Consumption:

Each field contains the average price found on most NCL ships. Remember any drink not within the price of your package, you’ll only pay the price difference plus the service charge per drink! If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes. This helps give you a more accurate idea of your possible spending.

Each field contains the average price found on most NCL ships. For the Premium Plus beverage package all drinks nearly all drinks are included with the added bonus of bottles of wine at meals (select wines). If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, this is your best option!

You haven’t broken even on the Premium Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Premium Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Premium PLUS Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Premium PLUS Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Upgrade to Premium Plus Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the UPGRADE to Premium PLUS Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Free at Sea Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Free at Sea Package!

More NCL Helpful Information

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... Read This

NCL Drink Prices & Bar Menus

What's on the bar menus for Norwegian Cruise Line? Check it out on our menus we've posted from nearly every NCL bar across the... Read This

Cruise Gear Editor

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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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.

Category Navigation Box Enhancement : Table of Contents - Travel - Cruise Drink Packages

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.

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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.

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FAQ Module : Travel - Cruise Drink Packages FAQs

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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Royal Caribbean drink packages: Prices, inclusions and what to know before you buy

Royal Caribbean drink packages allow you to drink what you want, when you want without feeling like you are being nickeled and dimed. Isn't that most cruisers' dream? The all-inclusive, extra-fee beverage plans aren't necessarily for everyone, but they offer a nice way to enhance your cruise and take some of the stress out of in-the-moment vacation decisions.

Royal Caribbean ships offer a variety of packages, from a simple Water Package that keeps you and your crew hydrated during your cruise to a comprehensive plan that includes most alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Other than the Water Package, which is priced based on the quantity you order, drink packages on Royal Caribbean are priced per person, per day.

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The most common questions about Royal Caribbean's drink packages revolve around what each package includes, whether they are worth the price and when is the best time to buy your package. I've tried all of Royal Caribbean's drink packages. I've also cruised without a package. Here's what you need to know to decide if a beverage plan is right for you.

What's included in Royal Caribbean's drink packages?

Royal Caribbean offers a few different drink packages, and the inclusions vary based on your choice. All options include gratuities, and no Royal Caribbean drink package covers room service or minibar drinks. Also, unlimited alcoholic beverage packages may not be available while the ship sails in some locations, so package details may change based on the itinerary.

Related: Cruise drink packages: A line-by-line guide

Water Package

Royal Caribbean's Water Package is available in 12- and 24-packs of 1-liter bottles of Evian water. The bottles will be delivered to your cabin on embarkation day.

If you don't want to pay for a Water Package, you can find drinking water at complimentary drink stations in the buffet area and often in other locations on Royal Caribbean ships. Bring your own reusable bottle and fill it from these stations or straight from the faucet in your cabin. The water throughout the ships is not only drinkable but also better than what's available in many cities. You can also purchase bottles of water a la carte.

Why might you consider a Water Package? If you drink bottled water at home, you may prefer the taste. The package also allows you to have plenty of water on hand in your cabin or to take on excursions.

The downside is that 1-liter bottles are not the ideal size for lugging off the ship with you. You must either bring a reusable bottle or purchase single-serving bottles for port days. You can get these at bars or the gangway as you disembark in each port.

Classic Soft Drinks Package

Royal Caribbean's Soft Drinks Package is for the serious soda drinker. On select ships, the package comes with a souvenir Coca-Cola cup with a chip on the bottom to allow the holder to use the Freestyle soda dispensing machines throughout the ship. The "magic" cup gets you all the refills you want 24 hours a day, with your pick of sodas with add-in flavorings. (Orange Coke is my fave.) Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are available on 18 ships in the fleet.

You can also order a glass of soda at any restaurant or bar on board. Some venues only serve fountain sodas, but others have cans. One big bonus of the package is that sodas on Royal Caribbean's private island destinations ( Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee ) are included. The only time you can't get a free soda with this package is with room service (because room service, other than continental breakfast, comes with a $7.95 service fee, no matter what you order) or from your cabin's minibar.

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

You can bring up to 12 cans of soda (or bottles up to 17 ounces) per person on board with you in your carry-on luggage when you board the ship. So, why would you want a Classic Soft Drinks Package?

It's a question of convenience. I've been known to take a couple of 16-ounce bottles of soda on board with me, but carrying on much more than that is a big hassle. With a Classic Soft Drinks Package, you can easily access your beverage of choice anywhere you are on board — including ordering sodas from roaming bar servers at the pool, in the casino or at events and shows — or on Royal Caribbean's private islands . You don't have to return to your room to grab a soda. It's also great for older kids and teens who might be roaming the ship with friends.

Refreshment Package

This is my favorite Royal Caribbean drink package. It includes still and sparkling water, sodas (with the included Freestyle magic cup), mocktails, premium coffees and teas (but not those from Starbucks stand-alone stores or kiosks) and freshly squeezed juices.

With this package, you can order almost anything nonalcoholic at bars and most restaurants on board. The Refreshment Package does not include shakes at Johnny Rockets, which are only included with the Deluxe Beverage Package.

Even the smoothies and protein shakes at Vitality Cafe and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets are included in this package, as is the sweet tea at Portside BBQ on Oasis of the Seas. Want a strawberry slushy? Order a virgin strawberry daiquiri. Want hot cocoa? Covered. How about a virgin mudslide? A bartender will happily blend up vanilla ice cream, coffee, hazelnut syrup and chocolate syrup into a perfect mocha shake.

As with the Classic Soft Drinks Package, you can order your nonalcoholic beverages, from sparkling water to fancy mocktails, from your pool lounger or blackjack table.

Plus, with the Refreshment Package, you've solved the problem of needing water to take off the ship with you for excursions and what to drink while on the private islands. It's all included in this package.

Deluxe Beverage Package

This package takes all that's available in the Refreshment Package (sodas, water, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice) and adds cocktails, spirits and liquors, as well as beer by the bottle or can and wine by the glass.

There are some limits on brands available with the package, but the list includes imported, domestic and craft beer, an extensive wine list and commonly ordered spirit brands on drinks up to $14. Any bar server can tell you what's available on your cruise.

You also get a hefty 40% discount on bottles of wine up to $100 and a 20% discount on bottles over $100. It's handy for sharing a bottle with your travel partner at dinner.

As with the Classic Soft Drinks and Refreshment packages, you can use the Deluxe Beverage Package anywhere on board (except stand-alone Starbucks locations). Use it in restaurants, bars and any other venue where a bar server is present, as well as at either of Royal Caribbean's private island destinations. The Deluxe Beverage Package also includes milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.

This package comes with a few caveats. If one person in a cabin buys this package, everyone of legal drinking age in the cabin must buy the same package, according to cruise line policy. If someone in your room does not drink alcohol, don't worry. I've encountered many people who have called customer service and downgraded one or more non-drinking adults to a Refreshment Package.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

The package also does not include drinks that come with souvenir glasses, but you can order the same drink in a regular glass.

If your vacation plans include alcoholic beverages, buying this package is a nice way to pay your cruise bar tab in advance rather than deal with the shock of a high bill at the end of the cruise.

Cafe Select Coffee Card

This option is ideal for cruisers who prefer a little fancier caffeine fix than what a simple cup of coffee provides. This card entitles you to any 15 specialty espresso-based coffees throughout your cruise. (This package excludes beverages from Starbucks stores or cafes.) One shot of espresso equals one card punch. If you order a specialty coffee that includes two shots of espresso, you will pay for that one drink with two punches.

Unlike Royal Caribbean's other drink packages, the Cafe Select Coffee Card is not restricted to one person, and anyone in your cabin can use it.

What do Royal Caribbean drink packages cost?

The cruise line uses dynamic pricing on beverage packages the same way it does on cruise fares. That means you won't know the prices for each package before you book a cruise. Demand, destination and promotions play a big part in the pricing, especially for the Deluxe Beverage Package, causing them to fluctuate slightly.

Here's what you can expect a Royal Caribbean drink package to cost:

• Water Package : 12 bottles for $39; 24 bottles for $69
• Classic Soft Drinks Package : $12.99 per person, per day
• Refreshment Package : $29 per person, per day
• Deluxe Beverage Package : $56 to $105 per person, per day (depending on your ship and trip)
• Cafe Select Coffee Card : $31 per card

The prices listed above do not include an automatic 18% gratuity (which is also applied to the coffee card). You'll want to factor that amount into your travel budget if you decide to purchase a package.

You will notice that the Deluxe Beverage Package price range listed above is a bit wider than what is posted on Royal Caribbean's site. Posted price ranges include the disclaimer that prices on individual sailings may vary. We used a realistic range of prices from Royal Caribbean guests who have booked cruises and paid for drink packages in the past 12 months.

The best time to buy Royal Caribbean drink packages

You can purchase a beverage package as soon as you book your cruise, but should you? A lot depends on how soon your ship will depart. If you're sailing within a few months, go ahead and get any packages you plan to buy — unless Black Friday happens before you sail. Black Friday deals on drink packages are generally the lowest you'll find all year.

The package that varies most in price is the Deluxe Beverage Package. Its price is higher during peak travel times and on cruises with stops at private islands. Buying this package ahead of time is always cheaper than purchasing it once you're on board.

Royal Caribbean does advertise price drops and deals for pre-cruise purchases. If you're waiting and hoping for a deal, frequent cruisers report that you should look at the actual price per person, per day, not at the percentage off or BOGO deals, to determine if the package price is where you want it.

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

Is a Royal Caribbean drink package worth it?

Now that you know your choices and why you might want each package, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of whether these packages are worth purchasing.

The 1-liter bottles in the Water Package cost roughly the same as a 12-ounce bottle from a bar. That makes this package a deal, but only if you prefer bottled water over taps or dispensers. It's also convenient to have the water delivered to your cabin, eliminating the need to bring a case of bottles on board or search for a bottle when you want water on the ship.

When ordering an individual soda on the ship, your charge will be what you'd expect to pay at a land-based restaurant, plus an 18% gratuity added automatically. When you ask a bar server for a soda on the ship, you'll be charged just over $4 per soda with the tip, regardless of whether it comes in a can or from a fountain.

As the starting point for the Classic Soft Drinks Package is just over $15 per person, per day with the gratuity, you'll need to count on drinking a minimum of four sodas a day for it to be a good value.

If you prefer nonalcoholic beverages, you can expect to pay around $7 for mocktails and protein shakes, $5 for lattes at non-Starbucks locations and close to $9 for smoothies. These prices are before the automatic 18% gratuity.

Here's what your daily consumption might look like on the Refreshment Package: You could start with a morning latte ($6 after you add gratuity), grab water for your excursion ($3.84), enjoy a soda at lunch ($4), sip a couple of mocktails during the afternoon ($8.25 each), have another soda with dinner ($4) and enjoy another mocktail for the show or in the casino ($8.25).

That puts you at over $40 for the day, making the Refreshment Package a deal at $34 (with tip) per person, per day. Drink much less than that, and this Royal Caribbean drink package won't be worth it. The Refreshment Package price varies only slightly between sailings.

For alcoholic drinks, prices vary a lot based on your order. Beer and hard cider average $7 to $9. Wine by the glass is $9 to $25. Cocktails are $10 to $14, except for the drink of the day, which is $8. These prices do not include the 18% gratuity.

When deciding if Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is worth it, be sure to factor in nonalcoholic drinks you are likely to have, not just those with alcohol. How many premium coffees do you drink each day, including one with your dessert at dinner? How many bottles of water and sodas?

The value of those often adds up to $25 or more per day. That leaves you with somewhere between $30 and $80 per day to spend on alcoholic drinks to break even.

If you're lucky and can purchase your package at the lowest possible price, almost anyone who drinks a combination of nonalcoholic drinks and a couple of cocktails daily would break even. But if your purchase price is somewhere in the middle of the price range (where most people land), you would need to consume a minimum of $55 per day beyond the average nonalcoholic beverages to break even. That equals six beers, or four or five glasses of wine or cocktails.

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

For fans of specialty coffees, this package could save you money. Based on the price of a single espresso shot latte (about $6 after you add gratuity), you would only get five coffees for roughly the same cost as the coffee card. Since you get 15 single espresso shot beverages with the coffee card, you get more than double the number of coffees for the same price.

Whichever package you choose, your value may also depend on your itinerary and activities. On a Caribbean cruise that includes a sea day or two and a stop at CocoCay, you'll likely drink more — simply because you're relaxing more than touring, and the hot temperatures will make you thirsty.

But what about a port-intensive cruise in Europe where you are off the ship for long hours and likely to be sampling local beverages? In that case, the ship's beverage package might not come through for you.

Combined packages

If you mainly drink specialty coffees and sodas, one way to save a little money on your beverages is to combine the Cafe Select Coffee Card with the Classic Soda Package.

For example, you would need to purchase the Refreshment Package to get both sodas and premium coffees and teas, which is $29 per person, per day. The cost for the Cafe Select Coffee Card with the Classic Soda Package would run you $12.99 per day, plus a one-time cost of $31 for the card. So, for a five-night cruise, the Refreshment Package would cost you $145 per person; the combined Cafe Select Coffee Card and Classic Soda would cost $95.95 per person. You could spend even less if you're traveling with a partner and want to share one coffee card and each get your own soda package.

Additional factors

Before you decide if a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it, there are two more things to consider: your Crown & Anchor loyalty status and your Casino Royale player status .

If you are a Diamond C&A member, your SeaPass card will be loaded with four free drinks per day. Diamond Plus members get five drinks, and Pinnacle members get six. Those can be water, specialty coffee or tea (other than from Starbucks and Desserted), sodas from bar servers, beer, wine or cocktails up to $14 (except at Bionic Bar).

As for casino perks, if your status is Prime or higher, you can drink free from the casino bar anytime it is open.

Those free perks could make the difference in which package you choose, if any. For example, a Diamond member might use her free drink allotment on cocktails and wine and save money with a Refreshment or Soda Package for her other daily drinks. Or, perhaps, the free drinks are enough that it's cheaper to buy a few nonalcoholic beverages a la carte.

Diamond Plus members also have a discount of 30% on Deluxe Beverage Packages when purchased on board. That's rarely a good deal unless you simply forget to buy in advance, as pre-purchase in the cruise planner or app is almost always at least 30% lower than the onboard price.

Bottom line: Is a drink package on Royal Caribbean right for you?

Now that you have all the facts, there are several ways to look at Royal Caribbean's drink packages to determine if you should get one.

First, consider every kind of drink you will likely pay for on board. Are you happy with beverages that are included in the cruise fare? Those include tap water, drip coffee, tea, milk, lemonade and juice from a dispenser at breakfast. Or, will your vacation only be complete with morning lattes, smoothies, fruity drinks by the pool and wine with dinner?

For some people, it's easy. If you're likely to drink four or five cocktails most days, plus specialty coffee, waters for excursions, soda and a glass of wine at dinner, your total, if purchased individually, would easily exceed $80 per day. Unless your sailing has a higher-than-average price for the package, go for it.

However, if you typically only drink a couple of glasses of wine at dinner, you aren't likely to break even — at least, not on the Deluxe Beverage Package. In that case, skip the package that includes alcohol and do the math on the Refreshment Package.

If you drink soda, the difference in price between the Classic Soft Drinks Package and the Refreshment Package is $16. Almost any combination of two other drinks — lattes, mocktails, smoothies or bottled water — makes the Refreshment Package a deal for you. If you can live without the extras, stick with the soda-only package.

If none of those looks like a bargain, pay as you go. Some people set a daily drink budget and check themselves (or their kids) against their folio in the Royal Caribbean app or on the interactive TV in their cabin. I've even met people who bring cash along to pay their drink balance daily at guest services to stay on track.

The other side of the equation is to factor the price of the drink package into the total vacation cost to make the cruise more of an all-inclusive vacation experience. Think about it like you would an all-inclusive land-based resort. When you vacation at one of those, you not only wouldn't know the price of the drinks you consume, but you also would not care.

If you're more interested in a stress-free vacation where you don't have to agonize about the cost of every drink you consume than you are in paying the least amount of money possible for your vacation, a Royal Caribbean drink package is totally worth it.

The bottom line is that drink packages on Royal Caribbean expand your choices. You can use packages to make your cruise as all-inclusive as you'd like (and maybe save some money in the process), or you can opt to cruise and drink in pay-as-you-go mode. Either way, you'll find plenty of fun cocktails and mocktails, as well as your favorite wine and beer, to enhance your vacation at sea.

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Each year during Teacher Appreciation Week, NCL launches Norwegian's Giving Joy contest inviting the public to nominate a deserving educator and recognise their incredible efforts within their classrooms. Since 2019, the programme has received over 58,000 teacher nominations, over 1.8 million votes, awarded more than 250 educators with the holiday of a lifetime, and donated over $445,000 to educators and their schools which has truly helped make an impact in each of their communities. In addition to the prizes, the nomination platform itself recognises hundreds of spectacular individuals, who all too often go underappreciated and unrecognized.

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RYAN PRICE BUCKINGHAM COLLEGIATE CHARTER ACADEMY | VACAVILLE, CA

Mr. Price is an amazing teacher. He takes time out of his day to make sure our class is enjoyable and that English is understandable. He makes sure we're comfortable in his class and works so hard just to be able to provide us with the top-tier education that we as Buckingham students thoroughly enjoy. He deserves a holiday and a rest from the difficult but rewarding life of a teacher, which is why I nominate Mr. Price for the cruise prize on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

CAROLYN REARDON JAMES OTIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL

Ms. Reardon is a fantastic music educator. Working in the Chicagoland area for over 7 years in general music band and orchestra, she takes programmes that have nothing and makes them into ones that are highly sought-after. Her drive and dedication to her students are unparalleled. Ms. Reardon deserves the world for all that she does for her students. She creates a loving, compassionate, and inclusive space that encourages her students to become the creative souls they were meant to be. Ms. Reardon has worked so hard for 7 years. It's time for her efforts to be honoured and a cruise would be the perfect gift to such an inspiring educator.

ANGELO MIRANTE LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL | ARLINGTON, WA

"I was put on this earth to be a teacher. Educators have always had an impact on me, especially when I needed it most. I know the power teachers hold to inspire and motivate students in the right direction. This is not a job or career; in my mind, this is my passion. I make students feel welcome in the classroom and I truly connect with them. If they know I "see" them for who they are, they will succeed. My classroom is full of movie, music and sport posters of all genders and races. The classroom community I build throughout the year makes all students from all walks of life comfortable and happy to be here. This philosophy makes them want to learn. In my opinion, a teacher won't get anywhere with a student if no connection pursues."

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NCL partners with ID.me , our trusted third-party verification service, which uses private and secure data sources to confirm the accuracy of the information you provide. The verification process typically takes five minutes or less. Once your credentials are verified, you will begin seeing your discounted rates on NCL.com at checkout when logged in. The discounted rate displayed at checkout is reflective of 5% off the cruise fare portion of any cruise.

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After validating for the NCL Teacher Cruise Discount, you save 5% off the cruise fare portion of any cruise. Participants will also receive $50 Onboard Credit to spend on a spa service, speciality dining, casinos and more. To make it even sweeter, this discount is in addition to Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion which includes unlimited open bar, free speciality dining, free excursions*, free airfare^ and more.

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• 9. Can I provide my discount to non-eligible friends? No, the discount is only for eligible members. ID.me's identity platform can detect fraudulent use across accounts and reserves the right to revoke access/membership from anyone abusing the terms of usage.
• 10. What should I do if I have issues enroling? Visit https://help.id.me/hc/en-us for assistance with the registration process and/or to get additional information on the documents required for verification.
• 11. Can I book through my travel agent and still receive the discount? Absolutely. All you have to do is visit www.ncl.com/teachers to enrol in the discount. Then provide your travel agent with your My NCL/Latitudes number. The discount is tied to your account.
• 12. Do I have to verify with ID.me every time I want to book a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line? You only have to validate with ID.me once. Your eligibility will be permanently associated with your My NCL account.

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