norwegian cruise line open bar reviews

Is The Norwegian Unlimited Open Bar Worth It? Calculator Included (2024)

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Are you planning your next voyage with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and wondering if the Norwegian Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package is a worthwhile addition to your cruise cost? You’re not alone! This package promises an all-you-can-drink experience, but is it cost-effective for your drinking habits?

We have sailed on NCL many times, and I’ve sometimes wondered if the beverage package is worth it for us. It does come with the Free at Sea package, which we always use, but what if we decided to cut back on our drinking a little? Would the beverage package still be worth it for us then?

That’s where our new calculator comes in, helping you make an informed decision. Let’s explore what this package offers and how our calculator can personalize your decision.

What is NCL’s Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package?

NCL’s Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package offers cruisers a wide array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. From spirits, cocktails, and wines to draft beer and soft drinks and juices, it covers nearly everything you might crave at sea. Ideal for those who plan to indulge in several beverages of various types each day, this package allows guests to enjoy their vacation without worrying about the bill.

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Key Benefits

• Variety : Access to a vast selection of beverages.
• Convenience : Enjoy your favorite cocktails that are included within the package without worrying about the cost.
• Budget-Friendly : Potentially save money compared to buying individual drinks.

Breaking Down the Cost

While the package sounds appealing, it’s important to consider your personal drinking habits. This is where the cost-effectiveness becomes a crucial factor. The package price varies depending on the cruise length and itinerary, but at this writing it costs $109 per day. However, that cost is included in your Free At Sea package. What isn’t included, however, is the gratuities.

Gratuities of 20% are what you are charged, so this is what we have included in our calculations. Twenty percent of $109 is $21.80 per day, so this is the cost we will use for comparison purposes.

What Does The Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package Cover?

The Unlimited Open Bar package covers a variety of beverages, including:

• Liqueurs and cordials
• Beer and cider
• Spiked seltzer

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Plus, you will receive a 20% discount on wine and spirit experiences, Connoisseur Collection beverages, tastings and flights, and included wines by the bottle.

Not all available brands of the above are included in this package, so you will need to reference NCL’s beverage package flyer to determine if your favorites are included in this package. Their flyer is available here .

Introducing Our Cost-Effectiveness Calculator

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

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

How to Use the NCL Beverage Package Calculator

Using the calculator is straightforward:

• Input the length of your cruise.
• Enter the gratuity cost of your beverage package per day, which is $21.80 for this package.
• Enter the number of each type of drink you might consume per day (e.g., 2 beers, 1 cocktail).
• The calculator will compare your estimated spending on individual drinks against the cost of the beverage package.

NCL Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package Calculator

Note: These calculations are approximate and are for average-cost beverages, not premium beverages.

Case Studies: When is it Worth it?

Let’s consider a few scenarios:

• The Social Drinker : Enjoys 1-2 drinks per day. In this case, the package may not be cost-effective.
• The Enthusiast : Typically has 4-5 cocktails per day, plus sodas and juice. Here, the package will be a good deal.
• The Party Goer : Indulges in 6+ cocktails daily plus other beverages. The package will offer significant savings.

Final Thoughts on the Norwegian Unlimited Open Bar Package

The NCL Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package can be a great deal, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Use our calculator to assess the package’s value to you based on your personal habits and cruise details.

If you want to see how all three of NCL’s beverage packages compare, check out our post .

Remember, the best choice is one that aligns with your lifestyle and helps you enjoy your cruise to the fullest.

Happy cruising!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Here is what each NCL drink package includes:

Unlimited Soda Package

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

Unlimited Starbucks Package

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

Unlimited Open Bar Package

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

Premium Plus Beverage Package

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

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

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

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

How much do Norwegian's drink packages cost?

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

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

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

What about NCL's Free at Sea program?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are Norwegian Cruise Line's drink packages worth it?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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NCL Free At Sea: Everything You Need to Know

What exactly is “NCL Free at Sea”? Dive into the Norwegian Free at Sea promotion and explore the latest NCL Free at Sea Plus addition. Is it a worthwhile choice?

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea offer includes free specialty dining, unlimited open bar, Wi-Fi minutes, shore excursion credits, and sometimes 3rd & 4th guests free and-or free flights. But is it a fit for every cruiser?

After our Norwegian Joy cruise , we debated the value of the beverage package. One of us is completely sober, questioning its worth. But then, on our Norwegian Encore cruise to Alaska , we upgraded to the NCL Free at Sea Plus .

Let’s look at what’s included in your options and help determine if you should take advantage of the NCL’s year-round promotion offers and if upgrading to NCL Free at Sea Plus is worth it. Follow along as we review Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer in 2024.

Which one is your favorite Norwegian Free at Sea perk?

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

• The pricing and examples provided apply to a seven-night duration and are calculated for two passengers.
• Tasty Itinerary is an independent entity not associated with or employed by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Table of Contents

What is Norwegian’s Free at Sea?

Norwegian’s Free at Sea is a promotion that allows cruisers of the following perks:

Free Unlimited Open Bar

Free specialty dining, free shore excursions.

The 5th and 6th perk rotates throughout the year, and sometimes they are both offered at the same time.

• Free 3rd & 4th Guests

Free Airfare

** The NCL Free at Sea package does not apply to Sail Away rates and cabins.

Upgrades Available:

• NCL Free at Sea Plus Explained

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Original Free At Sea Promotions Explained

Let’s dive in and look at the NCL Free at Sea offers so you can decide if they’re right for you.

• Make sure to go through the Terms & Conditions of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free At Sea promotions. While we cover essential details below, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the additional fine print.

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NCL Free at Sea Open Bar

Premium Beverage Package for cruises over three days (valued at $109 per person daily).

• Covers drinks up to $15; extra charges for exceeding this limit.
• Free-flowing cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages (up to $15) from boarding to disembarkation, including some favorite NCL cruise cocktails .
• You can order two drinks at a time.
• Exclusions: Unlimited bottled water, bottles of wine, energy drinks, specialty coffees, mini bar items, high-end spirits, etc.
• Free open bar for guests 1-8, aged 21 and older; minors get the soda package.
• 20% service/gratuities of the value of the package is added to the cruise fare.

Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea Open Bar?

Yes. Opting for the NCL Free At Sea drink package adds a 20% gratuity to your cruise fare, calculated on the Beverage Package’s value ($109 per person per day for double occupancy) at the time of booking. The service charge is automatically included when you add this perk to your reservation.

Is Norwegian Free at Sea Open Bar worth it?

Whether the cruise drink package is worth it depends on your drink preferences and consumption. Calculate daily drinks at $9 to $15 each, reaching at least $305 for a 7-day cruise for two.

• If the estimate exceeds the service fee, it’s worthwhile.
• If it equals the service fee, it’s still worth considering.
• If it’s half the service fee or less, it may not be the best choice.

The beverage package offers convenience for worry-free ordering, whether you prefer soda or virgin frozen drinks.

Alternatively, a soda package at $9.95 per person daily plus a 20% gratuity is an option. However, after doing the math, you might find the Free Open Bar’s gratuities provide better value.

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 also use our handy Cruise Drink Package Calculator below.

Cruise Drink Calculator

Option to Upgrade to the NCL Free at Sea Plus

Another option is upgrading the Free at Sea Open Bar to the Premium Plus Beverage Package without having to upgrade to the full NCL Free at Sea Plus . The Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $29 per person per day, plus 20% gratuity.

With the NCL Free at Sea Plus , your beverage package will be upgraded to the Premium Plus Beverage Package, which includes Starbucks, all bottled water, high-end spirits, and more.

About the Hawaii Beverage Package

Pride of America sailings does not qualify for the Free at Sea Open Bar offer. It has a similar Hawaii Beverage Package; the difference is that it includes bottled water and specialty coffee (in dining rooms only). It applies to guests 1-8 in the stateroom.

Read more: Norwegian Drink Packages Explained

NCL Free Specialty Dining

Free Specialty Dining Package Inclusions (NCL):

• Guests enjoy complimentary meals at specialty restaurants.
• The number of meals included in the offer depends on the stateroom type and the length of the cruise.
• Applies to guests 1 & 2.
• Covers one appetizer, soup or salad, main entree, and dessert per guest.
• 20% service/gratuities added to the cruise fare.
• Other stateroom guests: Purchase a dining package or pay a la carte.
• Children can order from the kid’s menu.

How many meals are included in NCl free at sea?

The free specialty dining is a great offer if you enjoy eating at the cruise ship’s pay restaurants. As foodies, we take full advantage of this offer.

You can make reservations for specialty restaurant dining starting 90 days before embarkation day . You can also book your dining reservations on embarkation day. So, if they seem to be booked full online, don’t worry; the ship only releases a certain percentage of the reservations online. Just wait till you embark on making the reservations.

What is included in the free specialty dining package on NCL?

When dining at an ala carte restaurant, the NCL free specialty dining package will cover one appetizer, soup or salad, a main entree, and dessert for each guest (guests 1 & 2). If the restaurant cost is a cover charge, then the dining package will cover the cover charge to that restaurant.

Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea Specialty Dining?

Yes, a 20% service fee covers the value of a specialty dining package, which retails at $89 to $119 per person. The service fee is minimal, ranging from $10 to $24 per person.

If you add this perk to your reservation, the service charge is automatically added to the cost of your cruise.

Is Norwegian Free at Sea Specialty Dining worth it?

Since the service fee is minimal, it is well worth the cost of their NCl specialty dining package to dine at the ala carte specialty restaurants. These restaurants serve top-notch gourmet food that differs from the main dining room. Your dinners easily add up to over $100 at a specialty restaurant without a specialty dining package.

This offer allows you to try out some of the best restaurants at sea without breaking the bank.

It may not be worth it if you don’t think you’ll use it or if you plan to eat most of your meals at the buffet.

If you upgrade to the Free at Sea Plus , you will receive two additional specialty dining meals for guests 1 & 2.

Want additional specialty dining meals without upgrading to the Free at Sea Plus ? Upgrade for $69 per person, plus 20% gratuity for an additional 2 Meal Dining Package .

NCL Free at Sea Shore Excursions

• Not a free excursion, but a $50 discount.
• Applies only to the first guest in the reservation.
• Credit is applied to shore excursions booked with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Consider it a discount for shore excursions at all ports of call in your itinerary (excluding pre/post-cruise tours). If you discover a shore excursion priced at $50 or less, it could be a “free” excursion for one person.

Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea Free Shore Excursions?

No. There is no service fee added when booking shore excursions.

Is Norwegian Free at Sea Shore Excursions worth it?

It all depends on your port preferences. If you tend to book cruise line-sponsored excursions at every port, this offer can be a money-saver—a handy discount. However, keep in mind that cruise ship-advertised tour costs can be inflated. Before deciding, compare them with independently run tours.

For cruisers who prefer independent exploration or booking their excursions, as we do, this offer might not be the most valuable choice.

In exceptional instances, you might stumble upon tours, tickets, or transfers at port that align with the discount’s value, essentially converting it into a complimentary tour.

Read more: Tips to Book Cruise Shore Excursions On Your Own

Thinking about upgrading to Free at Sea Plus ? When you upgrade, a $50 credit is added to guest 2 in the cabin. This brings the shore excursion credit to $100 per stateroom per tour ($50 per guest 1 & 2).

NCL Free at Sea Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi Free offers include internet minutes you can use during your cruise.

• 75 minutes per person (guests 1 & 2) for 3-6 day cruises
• 150 minutes per person (guests 1 & 2) for 7-11 day cruises
• 300 minutes per person (guests 1 & 2) for cruises over 12 days

Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea WiFi?

No service fee.

Is Norwegian Free at Sea WiFi worth it?

It depends on your internet usage plans. The free minutes suffice for checking emails and texts a few times on the cruise until you’re onshore.

Choosing this perk won’t incur any extra cost as part of the “choose all perks” offer.

With Free at Sea Plus , you will receive unlimited internet for guests 1 & 2, but it will not include streaming.

You can upgrade your Free at Sea WiFi to Unlimited Wifi without upgrading to the full Free at Sea Plus package.

• Unlimited WiFi (no streaming): $109.03/person (guest 1&2).
• Premium Unlimited WiFi (with streaming): $179.93/person (guest 1&2).

3rd & 4th Guests Sail Free

NCL Free 3rd & 4th Guests

This NCL Free At Sea Offer is free to cruise fare and is known as 3rd & 4th guests Free or at $99 per guest. Sometimes, this promo is also known as “Kids Sail Free.”

• 3 & 4 Guests Sail Free or for $99 per guest, with dates subject to change without notice.
• Only available on select sailings.
• Only valid for guests 3-4 sharing a stateroom with guests 1-2 paying full fare. Guests 5-8 in a reservation must pay fares.

The NCL Free at Sea offer for the third and fourth guests in a stateroom is great for families of four or groups of friends willing to share a cabin.

This offer is not always available as a perk, but it comes up often.

NCL Free at Sea Airfare

This perk offers a roundtrip economy airfare for the 2nd guest, occasionally a 50% credit. The 1st guest will have to pay full airfare via NCL.

• The promotion applies to guests 1-2 only.
• Does not apply to sail away sailings.
• Not available for sailings less than 7 nights.
• Deviation requests of 2 days before or after the cruise need to be submitted in advance.

How does NCL free airfare work?

Norwegian takes charge of your airfare, determining the flight details closer to the cruise date. This could result in multi-stop flights that might have been direct if booked independently.

Opting for flexibility may lead to significant savings, especially for international cruises with embarkation and disembarkation in foreign destinations.

While the potential savings are considerable, the drawback lies in relinquishing control over the airfare details.

We personally don’t favor NCL’s free airfare due to the lack of control over specifics. Our advice is to handle your airfare independently to avoid surprises.

The Option to Upgrade with Norwegian Free at Sea Plus

What is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea Plus?

NCL Free at Sea Plus is the latest addition to Norwegian’s Free at Sea program. And it is a game changer! You can elevate your Norwegian cruise vacation by upgrading to the NCL Free at Sea Plus for an additional cost per person. It includes an upgraded version of everything in the original Free at Sea promotion.

What is the cost of the NCL Free at Sea Plus ?

Upgrading to NCL Free at Sea Plus is an extra $49 per person daily for guests 1 & 2, plus gratuities. It’s important to note that you must have initially selected the original Free at Sea promo to qualify for this upgrade.

What is included in the NCL Free at Sea Plus ?

NCL Free at Sea Plus (based on a 7-day cruise on a balcony and above) includes:

• Premium Beverage Plus Package
• 4-night Specialty Dining Package (two nights from the original Free-at-Sea promo, plus two nights from the Free-at-Sea Plus upgrade)
• $100 shore excursion credit per tour ($50 for the 1st passenger from the original promo, plus $50 for the 2nd passenger with the NCL Free-at-Sea Plus upgrade)
• Unlimited Wifi (no streaming)

Is the Free at Sea Plus worth it?

That is going to be up to your budget and cruise vacation style. Will you drink an additional $700+ on a 7-day cruise? Is two extra nights of specialty dining and free unlimited Wi-Fi (no streaming) important to you?

We upgraded to the Free at Sea Plus Package on our Norwegian Encore cruise and found it valuable, even though my husband is sober. By the end of the cruise, we came out even.

We ordered all the Starbucks we wanted to drink and multiple pellegrinos throughout the day, and I ordered top-shelf drinks and even enjoyed $30 glasses of champagne at Le Bistro. The unlimited Wi-Fi kept us in touch with our dog sitter and family. We tried two extra specialty restaurants, and was worth it since it was a full-capacity cruise and the MDRs were overwhelmed.

It was fun. It was convenient. And it worked for us and what we wanted out of our cruise.

NCL Free at Sea FAQs

How many norwegian free at sea promotions can you choose.

Typically, the number of perks you can choose is determined by the booked cabin category. However, keep an eye out for limited-time offers where all cabin categories may have the option to select all the available offers. The Open Bar perk extends to guests 1-8, while the remaining perks apply to the lead guests 1 & 2 in the stateroom .

Is NCL free at sea really free?

Not entirely. While the package is labeled as “free,” a service fee/gratuity is attached, depending on the selected offers. If you opt for the “free” Open Bar or the “free” Dining Package, a 20% gratuity/service fee, calculated based on the package value, is added to your cruise fare.

In essence, the package is complimentary, but gratuities/service fees are not covered.

The debate about whether it’s genuinely free due to the service fee is subjective—some argue tipping bartenders for drinks is common.

Another important consideration in marketing and promotions is that the cost of many of these “free perks” is likely already included in the overall cruise fare . Despite this, the allure of complimentary perks remains universally appealing.

Does NCL Free at Sea Include Gratuities?

Cruise gratuities are not part of the NCL Free at Sea package. Although there have been instances when free gratuities were offered as a perk, they typically exclude gratuities on beverage packages, dining packages, and other services.

When does Norwegian’s Free at Sea sale happen?

The NCL Free at Sea promotion is ongoing throughout the year. Perks may vary, offering a choice of 2 or all, with occasional additions of other NCL promotions to enhance its appeal.

When does the Norwegian Free at Sea promotion end?

The Norwegian Free at Sea promotion never ends. The perks rotate or change throughout the year and sometimes with additional perks.

Is Norwegian Free at Sea worth it?

The NCL Free at Sea can be worth it, especially if your drinking habits align with the perks and you enjoy dining at specialty restaurants. It becomes a great promotion when you see the additional gratuities as added value.

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BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• NCL Drink Package List Explained
• Norwegian Cruise Drinks Cruisers Love
• 10 Highlights of Norwegian Cruise Line
• Getting Ready for Your Cruise: 11 Tips

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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This was very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

Appreciate your comment. Happy to hear it helped.

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Good Deal? Everything to Know About Norwegian’s “Free At Sea” Sale

Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Free at Sea” deal is one of the most appealing cruise line offers out there. After all, everyone likes getting something for free.

But is it a good deal? It is worth buying? And what details should you know when you book?

While cruise passengers have gotten used to shelling out plenty of cash for extras on the ship after they board, not everyone likes being nickeled-and-dimed.

That’s why this offer aims to provide many of the extras you’d normally buy on a trip, all included in your cruise fare at a price that’s normally less than if you booked them all separately. That gives you a more all-inclusive atmosphere on the ship, instead of worrying about more spending once on the ship.

With Free at Sea, you book a cruise and get any number of “free” perks included with your cruise. While what’s offered to passengers does change slightly from time to time, the traditional deal offers a lineup of perks for you to select from:

• Free open bar
• Free specialty dining
• Free shore excursions
• Free third/fourth guests

So with the deal you can pay one price and then get drinks for the duration of your trip, wi-fi, shore excursions, and more.

Norwegian has been offering some version of the sale for some time now. And anecdotally, it’s one of the most appealing offers out there. Who doesn’t want to get free drinks or free specialty dining tacked onto their cruise? In fact, it promises to take away so many of the extra charges that creep into the cost of a cruise these days.

But while the sale sounds mouth-watering, there are definitely some things you will want to know before you purchase your fare in order to get the best deal… and avoid any surprises.

In This Article...

The Number of Perks May Depend On Your Cabin Type (But Often Includes All Perks For Every Cabin)

First things first, while you can get all the perks included with your cruise, the number of freebies you can select may depend on the type of cabin that you purchase. Often no matter which cabin type you book, all the perks are included. Other times, it may be that the higher grade of cabin you choose, the more picks you receive. The offer can change occasionally.

If you book at a time when not everything is included, then if you pick a studio or inside cabin, you might only be offered one or two free perks. Oceanview, balcony, and mini-suites will usually get to pick more offers offers, while suites, and The Haven cabins normally get to select all the perks. 

But it seems limiting the perks based on cabin type is becoming less common . For example, as of this writing all cabins — regardless of if they are inside rooms or top-of-the-line suites — are able to get all the perks included in their fare.

Sometimes More Perks Are Offered

In addition to changing the number of perks included with the room you book, NCL also adjusts the actual perks themselves at times. Typically, this means adding a perk or two occasionally to sweeten the offer.

What you’ll find is the five base “freebies” don’t change. They include: 

But occasionally the cruise line adds in other deals. Most recently we’ve seen seen free airfare for second guests (for those flying to the port) and free cruise credit to put toward booking another trip while onboard the ship.

The Free at Sea Offer Runs Consistently

With the ability to get all the perks included with your cruise, it can be tempting to want to jump at the deal so that you don’t miss out. In fact, normally you’ll see a timer on the Norwegian website counting down until the sale ends.

In this case, you don’t seem to have much to worry about. The offer has run in some form or another (there are small tweaks here and there) for years. And while we don’t check every day, we can’t think of a time in recent history that it hasn’t been offered.

So yes, the sale may change slightly, but some form is seemingly always offered. Don’t think you have to rush to buy or risk missing out. If the time isn’t quite right to book, you’ll most likely see something similar when you are ready.  

Rooms Without Perks Are Less Expensive (If You Can Find Them)

One of the things you might not realize is that you can purchase cabins on the ship without the perks offered. Why would you want to do that? Sailing without the perks is actually cheaper than buying the same cabin as part of the sale.

Take a balcony cabin we found for 7-day Alaskan cruise, for instance. The price per person for a balcony cabin that included the Free at Sea offer was $2,369 per person. 

Norwegian also offers a “Sail Away” balcony, which is a room that’s not part of the promotion, and the cruise line picks your room. In return, you get a cheaper rate. In this case, it was $2,319 per person.

So the Free at Sea deal was actually $50 more per person — or $100 extra for a couple sailing together.

Remember that for that price difference you get all the perks and get to choose your actual cabin on the ship. As well, if you plan to buy things like drink packages ($109 per person, per day), you still come out way ahead despite the higher price. Still, it is a higher price to pay for the same type of room.

If the perks aren’t something you’ll use, then it may not be worth it for you to book the offer. But for most people, it likely will be worth the extra cost.

One thing to note is that it seems the fares without the offer often say they are sold out on NCL’s website. It may be difficult for you to find a fare without the offer.

You May HAVE to Buy the Free at Sea Offer

In years past, there was a rather large difference between the cruise fares with the Free at Sea offer and those sail away balconies (on the order of hundreds of dollars). Then that difference seemed to get smaller and smaller to where booking with the offer was a no-brainer. Now, it can be seemingly tough to find a cruise without the offer included.

During our most recent price checks, we looked at several cruises departing in the weeks ahead all the way to more than a year out. On none of them were we able to find a sail away room available. While the option was shown for all cruises, the website labeled them all sold old — even for cruises leaving more than a year from now. Meanwhile, there were still options available with the Free at Sea perks included.

In other words, if you wanted a fare without the offer, it may be tough to find.

You Still Have to Pay Gratuity… Even on Free Things

One of the biggest draws to the Norwegian sale is that you can get free open bar on your trip. With the price of alcohol on a cruise being high (think $10-14 for a cocktail or about $6-8 for a beer), having free bar privileges can be a huge money saver. Meanwhile, Norwegian charges $109 for an unlimited drink package. On a 7-day trip, that’s hundreds of dollars you’re saving by having it included.

But with the free drink package (as well as other things like specialty restaurants), you are still on the hook for gratuities. With Norwegian, that’s an automatic 20% on the value of the package, or $21.80 per person, per day. For two people, that’s $43.60 each day.

So on a 7-day cruise, a couple will end up paying more than $300 in gratuities for your “free” drinks.

It’s similar with the specialty dining package. There, you will see gratuities on the free meals with the offer, which are paid when booking.

You can opt out of the free drink package and specialty dining to avoid paying the gratuities. (See more on that below.)

You Don’t Have to Select a Perk If You Don’t Want It

With the extra gratuity cost of some perks like free drinks and specialty dining, there can actually be a disadvantage to having it included on your cruise if you don’t use these offers. That’s ok. When you book, you don’t have to take advantage of every single perk that’s offered.

When making your reservation, you have the choice to opt out of those packages that require a gratuity charge such as the drink package and specialty dining. That way if you don’t think you’ll get your money’s worth, you don’t have to pay the gratuity charge.

Understand the Terms & Conditions Before Booking (Lots of Fine Print)

In general the perks from Norwegian are straightforward, but there are some terms you should know about.

Gratuities: We’ve mentioned that gratuities are still charged even on free perks. But if you take advantage of the third and fourth guests in a cabin sail free perk, they will still be charged a daily service charge of $20 per person on the ship like any other passenger.

Specialty Dining: While other things to know include that the free specialty dining perk is only for a some meals (two per person in total for a 7-day cruise if booking a balcony cabin, for example but only one per person in a studio, inside, or oceanview) and gratuities are also charged on the value of the package.

Wi-Fi: The free wi-fi offer is for only 75 minutes on cruises less than seven days or 150 minutes for trips of 7-11 days. It is not unlimited.

Shore Excursions: While the shore excursions are labeled as “free” in fact, it is actually a $50 credit for the first guest, per excursion. If your excursion is more, then you’ll need to pay the difference. And NCL says the “offer is application to first guest on the cruise reservation” — not multiple guests in the cabin.

For the full terms and conditions of the offers, you can click here . And here is a breakdown of what’s included from Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Free At Sea Plus” Offer Could Be Better For You

Maybe you’ve made the choice to book Free at Sea instead of a basic cabin without the perks. There’s one more choice to consider, and that is Free at Sea versus Free at Sea Plus.

Norwegian has created an upgrade with the following perks included:

• Premium Plus Beverage Package (includes all top-shelf spirits)
• Two additional specialty dining meals
• $50 shore excursion credit per tour for both first and second passenger
• Unlimited wi-fi for first and second passenger  

Compared to the regular Free at Sea deal, this includes a higher-tier drink package , more specialty dining meals, an additional $50 credit per shore excursion, and unlimited wi-fi instead of a bundle of minutes.

The price runs $49 per person, per day ($29 pp for kids and $42 pp if traveling solo).

Given the list prices of these services, you do come out ahead with this package if you used the features. For instance, the Premium Plus Beverage Package is $29 more per day while unlimited wi-fi runs $30-40 per day. That alone is more than the $49 per day that you’ll spend. Add on a couple of uses of the $50 shore excursion credit and the additional meals, and you’re well in the black.

But these are also extras that you may not need. For instance, many passengers would be just fine with the basic drink package. Some may not need unlimited wi-fi. Others may take only an excursion or two during the trip, meaning the discount isn’t as big a deal.

Before you book, you’ll want to do the math to figure if the daily cost ($98 a day for a couple traveling) is worth the upgrade. 

Check Prices on Airfare Offers

One of the perks that can be popular for people living a distance from the port is free airfare. Often, it is free for the second guest on the cruise, although the offer specifics can vary.

As you might expect, there are some caveats when it comes to free flights. Most notably, airfare charges will vary depending on where you’re flying from. You’ll be able to select your departure city, and then it will tell you the price of airfare for the guest that does have to pay.

In that case, it’s worth a quick search of flight-search websites like Kayak to see what the airfare rate will be. In a recent search, we found flights on our own for several hundred dollars cheaper than what we were quoted on the NCL website. However, when you consider the free airfare for the second guest, the Free at Sea offer was better overall.  

Good Deal? Likely, but Do the Math Before You Buy

For many people, selecting the Free at Sea offer is a no-brainer (or may be required if a sail away fare isn’t available), and they will end up saving a considerable amount of money. 

But if you aren’t a big drinker or plan to drive to the port instead of fly, or don’t care about shore excursions, it could be that buying the cheaper cabin is worth it for you. After all, you’ll have to pay gratuities on the drink package, still have to pay for some flights, and pay gratuities on specialty restaurant dining.

So if you won’t use the perks that are offered, be sure to consider if the deal is worth paying the higher price. If not, then you might be better off sailing without them. Even so, there’s a reason the offer is popular — for many people it’s a smart move.

More on Sailing NCL:

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

• 25+ Fun Must-Do Things on a Norwegian Cruise

20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know

Popular: 39 useful things to pack (17 you wouldn't think of), read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, 10 major differences between royal caribbean and norwegian cruise line (ncl), ‘be on time’: cruisers show little sympathy for ncl passengers who missed ship, norwegian cruise line gratuities (tips): full guide to cost & how they work, ncl welcomes its newest ship — norwegian viva — to fleet.

Ncl offers additional 50% off from normal 50% off. It says upon reservation to see as it is added to latitudes account. So in order to actually see total cost I have to book the cruise?

Please Beware, If you take the “Free” drink package you will be charged the $19.80 per day regardless of weather you drink or not, we do not drink. When I asked for a refund of the $200 gratuities Norwegian now says it is a service charge and not refundable. So the “Free” drink package cost us $200, IMO very dishonest and misleading.

Also they advertise a Bingo with a $5000 prize. AFTER you buy the tickets then then tell you the “RULES” You have to get a full card in 47 or less numbers to get this prize. It has about the same odds as getting struck by lightning.

At this point if you are considering a cruise with this company please investigate their claims carefully. This is my 4th cruise and the first with Norwegian while the entertainment and food were decent their business practices are very suspect .

I bough the cheaper inside cabin and got 2 free perks and 50 dolars OBC. The gratuities are included we don’t have to pay more. https://www.ncl.com/es/en/free-at-sea “Offer is applicable to all categories including IX, OX, BX and MX (Sail Away Categories).” “20% gratuities on the retail value of the Premium Beverage Package ($19.80 USD per person per day) and/or Soda Package ($1.59 USD per person per day) are included.”

Looks like you’re booking a cruise in Europe. For U.S. departures, there is still the $19.80 in gratuities you have to pay:

“Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Premium Beverage Package ($19.80 per person per day) and/or Soda Package ($1.59 per person per day) prior to cruise.”

What a joke, only get the one free perk when you book inside cabin, if you do not buy the least expensive inside cabin. If you upgrade (pay more) you could get the one free perk of $50 per cabin. Just spoke to Norwegian on the phone, to get the correct information. I Asked about the cost to use the bowling alley on the pearl, which I saw on a review from a past guest was $5. But this rep told me there is no bowling alley, now I am confused. Any body got any more interesting tips around things we should know about before we sail. Love to hear from you.

Been on the Pearl 5 years ago. Yes they have a bowling alley. I believe 4 lanes only. Line to use it was crazy. Not worth it. Also this ship had very few bars and lounges. They used the space to put in many specialty (pay extra) restaurants. I’d never go back on the Pearl.

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How Norwegian Cruise Line’s Drink Packages Work

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

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

Below is a full breakdown of the details, but we also created this handy chart to help you quickly see the difference between the packages.

Norwegian Unlimited Open Bar Package

The Unlimited Open Bar Package, previously called the “Premium Beverage Package,” is Norwegian’s most popular drink package. This option is their base unlimited drink package you receive when you select the Unlimited Drink Package as part of a “Free at Sea” offer. It gives you access to a large selection of cocktails, wine, and beer at most venues on the cruise ship.

Just be aware that Norwegian offers some “sail away” cabins for lower prices but will not include any “Free at Sea” offers. So be sure to read the forms carefully when booking. For people who don’t drink, the “sail away” rates are a great way to save some cash.

What’s included in Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar package?

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

What’s not included in the Unlimited Open Bar package?

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

*A 20% discount will be given on bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), wine and spirit experiences, tastings or flights purchased on board.

See full terms and conditions

What does Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar package cost?

The cost of the package is typically $109 per person per day plus 20% gratuity. The price increased from $99 per day for all sailings after January 1, 2023. If you choose this perk as part of your cruise fare, you’ll still have to pay the gratuities or $21.80 per person per day. You are able to opt out of this “free” offer when booking if you’re not a big drinker.

Is Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package worth it?

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

Premium Plus Beverage Package

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

What’s Included in the Premium Plus Beverage package

This package includes everything above plus the following:

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

What’s not included in the Premium Plus Beverage package

What does Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage package cost?

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

Is Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage package worth it?

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

Norwegian Cruise Line’s soda package

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

What does Norwegian’s soda package cover?

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

What doesn’t Norwegian’s soda package cover?

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

What does the Norwegian’s soda package cost?

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

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Unlimited Starbucks package

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

What doesn’t Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks package cover?

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

What does the Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks package cost?

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

Restrictions on Norwegian’s Drink packages

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

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

Where can the Norwegian Drink packages be used?

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

CruiseSpotlight is an Amazon Associate. We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods.

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Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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Norwegian’s Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: January 30, 2020  - Last updated: June 15, 2022

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion is a popular sale with cruise passengers. But be sure to choose your Free at Sea perks carefully! Some of NCL’s “free” promotions aren’t exactly free.

What is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea?

Norwegian’s Free at Sea is a promotion that NCL consistently runs for sailings of three nights or more. Passengers can take advantage of free perks including a free drink package, free specialty dining, and free friends & family on a cruise voyage, based on your choice of stateroom category.

Guests in higher categories can choose more perks than those traveling in a lower-category cabin.

Is NCL Free at Sea really free?

Some of Norwegian’s Free at Sea options are really, totally free. Others aren’t truly free, because you need to pay a mandatory charge to take advantage of the free part of the promotion.

One option is sometimes free, but it depends on where you’re traveling from and which type of stateroom you pick.

Confusing, I know! Don’t worry, I’m about to explain it all so you can make the best choice for your upcoming Norwegian cruise.

What does Norwegian’s Free at Sea include?

Norwegian’s Free at Sea sales aren’t always the same. They often offer a “Take Five” sale, where guests can choose among five offers. The most common choices include:

• Free open bar
• Free specialty dining
• Free excursions
• Free airfare
• Free friends and family

The choices can vary from one sale period to another, and not all choices will be offered in any one sale.

Free Open Bar: what you need to know

The most popular Norwegian Free at Sea perk that cruisers choose is the Free Open Bar . Cruisers can enjoy unlimited soft drinks, spirits, cocktails, wine by the glass, and bottled or draft beer, priced at up to $15 per drink.

But be aware that if any guest over 21 chooses the free open bar, all other guests over 21 on the same reservation need to choose or purchase the open bar as well.

At a $99 value per day, choosing the open bar perk will save you the most money, but only if you’re planning to drink several adult beverages per day.

You’ll also have to prepay a 20% gratuity on the entire value of the package, which works out to $19.80 per person per day.

If you’re not planning on having at least a few alcoholic drinks per day, it may be a good idea to choose a different free perk.

If you have kids or young adults booked in your stateroom, the first two passengers on the reservation need to be at least 21 by embarkation day to qualify for Free Open Bar.

Guests under 21 will receive the soda package, normally $5.95-$7.95 per day. You guessed it, you have to pay 20% gratuity on the free soda packages as well.

Unlike drink packages on many other cruise lines, Norwegian’s Free Open Bar doesn’t include specialty coffees or bottled water. You also can’t use it for fresh-squeezed juices, room service, minibar items, and a few other exceptions. (Many of these restrictions are lifted on Pride of America sailings in Hawai‘i.)

Be sure to factor this into your budget when deciding if the open bar is right for you.

Read more: Is a Cruise Drinks Package Worth It?

Free Specialty Dining: what you need to know

Although all of Norwegian’s ships have plenty of dining options included in your cruise fare, eating at one of their specialty restaurants can be a treat.

Choosing Free Specialty Dining from Free at Sea will usually only credit the first two passengers in a stateroom with a free dining package. You’ll also have to pay a 20% gratuity on the value of each package.

Specialty dining venues vary by ship, but they include:

• American Diner
• Cagney’s Steakhouse
• Food Republic
• Moderno Churrascaria
• Bayamo by Ocean Blue
• Pincho Tapas Bar
• Q Texas Smokehouse

You can also use your Free Specialty Dining package to dine in an entertainment-based restaurant, for a small additional charge. Just visit the ship’s box office on board to upgrade.

As with the Free Open Bar option, choosing Free Specialty Dining requires passengers to prepay a 20% gratuity on the value of the dining package.

• 3-4 night cruises: 1 specialty meal (valued at $44.95) gratuity = $8.99
• 5-6 night cruises: 2 specialty meals (valued at $79.00) gratuity = $15.80
• 7-8 night cruises: 3 specialty meals (valued at $99.00) gratuity = $19.80
• 9-10 night cruises: 4 specialty meals (valued at $114.00) gratuity = $22.80
• 11+ night cruises: 5 specialty meals (valued at $129.00) gratuity = $25.80

Free Shore Excursions: what you need to know

Norwegian’s Free Shore Excursions option could be a good value for you, but be sure you know exactly what you’re getting for free before you choose this option.

The Free Shore Excursions perk will give you a $50 credit towards a Norwegian-sponsored shore excursion in each port you visit. However, note that the credit is per stateroom, not per passenger!

If you have a port-heavy itinerary, and you’re planning on taking an excursion in each port, this perk could be a good choice. For cruises with a lot of sea days, you may find that it’s not the best value.

If you’re able to find low-priced shore excursions that you like in every port, this could be a fantastic option for you. Before you make your Free at Sea selection, check NCL’s Shore Excursion Search to see what shore excursions are offered in each port. You can sort the list by price.

If you want to make this perk completely free, you may find that there aren’t any options at or under the $25 mark, assuming that you’re cruising with one other person in your stateroom. But the $50 credit can knock a decent percentage off of some of the shore excursions you’ll see listed.

If you have more than two in your stateroom and you’re all going on shore excursions, this perk will just give you a small discount on your excursion bill.

Also remember that it’s always nice (but not mandatory) to tip your shore excursion tour guide. These folks don’t work for the cruise line, so they’re not covered under your automatic gratuities.

Free Wi-Fi: what you need to know

If you’ve cruised before, you’ll know that the internet on a ship is EXPENSIVE! Norwegian’s Free Wi-Fi perk is great if you need to stay connected, and it’s completely free. But (you knew there’d be a but, right?) it’s not unlimited.

The free Wi-Fi package is limited to 100 minutes per stateroom for 3- to 6-day cruises and 250 minutes per stateroom for 7-11+ day cruises. That can go fast!

The package will be credited to the first passenger on the reservation, and they’ll be able to make one login profile. You can share the login profile with your cruise companions, but it can only be used on one device at a time.

In my experience, Norwegian’s Wi-Fi is pretty decent. I usually don’t choose the Wi-Fi perk because I actually like the novelty of being disconnected!

On my Norwegian cruise to Bermuda , one of our pets had a medical issue at home, so I purchased Wi-Fi by the minute when I needed it. It wasn’t too outrageously priced for the few five-minute FaceTime calls I needed to make, and the connection was reasonably fast.

Tip: You’ll usually be able to find free Wi-Fi when you’re in port at cafés and restaurants, or at public access points. If you’re fine with just checking in on port days, you may not need a Wi-Fi package on the ship.

Free Kids: what you need to know

If you’re planning to cruise with the whole family, Norwegian’s Free Kids perk can help make your cruise vacation much more affordable.

When this promo is offered, cruise fares are waived for two kids (age 17 and under) sailing in a stateroom along with two or more adult guests. Any additional children are charged the regular fare.

You won’t need to pay an extra deposit at booking for the two free kids’ fares, but you will be responsible for paying taxes and port fees.

Free Friends & Family: what you need to know

Much like the Free Kids promotion, choosing Free Friends and Family allows two extra people to sail in the same stateroom with a free cruise fare. There are no age restrictions on this perk.

Taxes and port fees will be charged for the two extra passengers on the reservation.

Free Airfare: what you need to know

When Norwegian runs a Free Airfare promotion, you can save significantly if you need to fly to your cruise port. Depending on where you’re flying from, you may be able to take advantage of free or significantly-reduced coach airfare for up to two guests booked in the same stateroom.

If you book an oceanview, balcony, or mini-suite stateroom, you’ll get free or discounted airfare from select gateways.

If you have a Concierge-level or Haven suite, you’ll receive complimentary airfare from all eligible airports. Usually, NCL doesn’t extend this offer to interior or solo cabin passengers.

Over 200 airports in the US, Canada, and Europe are included in the promotion when passengers fly to some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s home ports.

You’ll need to book your plane tickets through NCL to take advantage of this perk. The 3rd through 8th guests in the stateroom will receive a small discount on their airfare.

This offer does include taxes, fees, and surcharges. So if you’re eligible, this could be a completely free perk!

How many Norwegian Free at Sea promotions can you pick?

Norwegian lets you choose free perks based on your stateroom category. The higher (and more expensive) the category, the more promos NCL allows you to take.

During a “Take Five” sale, for example, passengers in various stateroom categories are entitled to choose:

• Inside Staterooms: choose one offer
• Oceanview, balcony, and mini-suites: choose two offers
• Suites and The Haven: get all five offers

Sometimes Free at Sea is available with NCL’s Sail Away fares ( guarantee staterooms ) and sometimes it’s not, so be sure to read the fine print for your specific Free at Sea sale. You may have to upgrade to a higher category stateroom to take advantage of the promotion.

Can you choose different Free at Sea options than your cabinmates?

Unfortunately, you can’t each choose different Free at Sea options. When booking your cruise, you’ll choose your perks for the reservation, not as individuals.

When does Norwegian’s Free at Sea sale happen?

Norwegian always seems to be running some kind of Free at Sea sale. If there isn’t one going on right now, just wait a minute and there’ll be another one! Kidding, but NCL’s sales are so frequent that I’d never book a Norwegian cruise without a Free at Sea sale.

If you want to check what they’re currently offering, check NCL’s Promotions page to find out the dates and specific terms and conditions of each sale.

Want more tips and info for your Norwegian cruise?

• 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know
• 2020 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages
• How to Get Onboard Credit for Owning Norwegian Cruise Line Stock
• Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay

Have you taken advantage of Norwegian’s Free at Sea promotion? What was your favorite perk? Do you think it was a good value? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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Sunday 14th of August 2022

I was ready to give up on NCL until I read your explanations on the beverage packages and the Free at Sea article. Are all the cruise lines this different from my little 7 day Bahama cruise 25 years ago? I want to go to either Alaska, NZ or upper Europe in the next 12-18 months and just the speciality dining alone had me confused. thanks!

Friday 19th of August 2022

Hi Rita! I'm so happy that you loved my articles about Free At Sea and NCL beverage packages. I'm literally just hours off of my last NCL cruise (we did Bermuda from Boston again on Norwegian Pearl and got in this morning).

Norwegian Cruise Line can be SO confusing with what's included and what's not. That's precisely why I write these articles! Make sure you read all of my NCL posts before your next cruise!

You mentioned some epic potential itineraries in your upcoming plans. If you haven't cruised in 25 years (and don't have any particular loyalty or status on a certain brand) I'd shop around, especially for the locations you mentioned.

Princess and HAL are great for Alaska, and I highly recommend UnCruise Adventures for an adventurous small-ship option. Princess and P&O are the best for NZ, although Carnival also has some nice itineraries (and I'm doing one myself next February).

Northern Europe depends on where you want to go - If you're thinking a Baltic cruise I'd hold off for now - St. Petersburg is usually the highlight. But I did just do a nice two-week Royal Caribbean British Isles cruise, and there are several cruise lines that also do a nice job with the Norwegian fjords.

Thursday 27th of August 2020

Very valuable information. Thank you for explaining all this . I was kinda lost til I read your brief 🙂

Hi Wendy, thanks so much for stopping by! Free At Sea can be confusing - I'm so glad I could clear it up for you! :D

Wednesday 5th of February 2020

Wow all of these guidelines and plans are tough to get a grip on. I'd need a holiday to get over the exertion of trying to figure them out! Thanks for providing a simplified overview of what's free and what's not so free.

Friday 7th of February 2020

Free at Sea can be so confusing, and Norwegian's website doesn't do a great job explaining it. I'm glad you liked my guide!

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Norwegian Cruise Line Review: The Prima

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

To celebrate a milestone birthday for me and an anniversary for my parents, the three of us took a cruise on Norwegian Prima, the first in what Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) says will be a “new class of ships designed to elevate every expectation.”

I had cruised NCL three times before and was a silver member of the Latitudes rewards program when I booked.

After 12 nights on the Prima going from London to Barcelona via several stops in France, Portugal and Spain, we discovered there was a lot to like about the ship, but there were also several quirks.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Norwegian Cruise Line

Booking the trip

My family chose this ship and cruise line because of a great itinerary. There were a variety of port stops as well as a day at sea for some relaxing and recharging. As it turns out, one of the port stops we were looking forward to was changed. A few weeks before the cruise, NCL replaced a stop in Porto, Portugal, with one in Vigo, Spain.

Booking can be a bit of a game since cruise lines always seem to have sales and offers they say are for a limited time. On NCL’s site, there’s often a countdown clock showing how long a particular offer will last.

It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy, but it’s important to make sure the deal works for you.

On our booking, we had NCL’s Free at Sea offer, which includes perks such as a “free unlimited open bar” and specialty dining. Here’s the catch: The free open bar isn’t exactly free, and neither is the specialty dining. You have to pay 20% gratuity on what NCL says is the value of the package.

So, for example, an upcoming cruise on the Prima — a seven-day trip from Galveston, Texas, to the Caribbean in February — is about $2,400 per balcony cabin (with two people). Then you add on gratuities for the open bar at $305 and specialty dining of about $40. You’re paying $345 in gratuities for the “free” stuff.

So, if you’re not much of a drinker, you might want to consider declining the free open bar and just ordering and paying for drinks as you want them. That drops that charge for gratuities off your total cruise cost.

I chose to upgrade my package to NCL’s Free at Sea Plus because I needed unlimited Wi-Fi and wanted to have water and Starbucks drinks included as part of my drink package. Those are part of the upgraded package but not part of the basic one. With the upgrade, I also ended up with two more meals in specialty dining restaurants.

After looking at the non-suite cabin types, which include inside cabins, outside cabins with just a window, and balcony cabins, we booked two balcony cabins on deck 12 midship. I need fresh air, and I love the sounds the ocean makes when we’re at sea.

Keep checking on the rates until you make your final payment. If they drop, you can sometimes take advantage of a better deal by modifying the booking.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Online check-in

After booking, it’s time to start planning. Through the NCL website, you can look at and book shore excursions and some specialty dining reservations and entertainment reservations.

Exactly 21 days before sailing, you can check in and will likely receive an email telling you to do so.

To check in online, you’ll need your passport and a credit card to put on file for anything you purchase on board. You’ll also need a photo of your face to upload for security purposes. I had some issues doing this because the photo I tried to use did not meet the parameters, but if the upload doesn’t work, an employee can take a photo at the pier.

During check-in, be ready to pick a time when you want to arrive at the port to get on board. Time slots began as early as about 9:30 a.m. and continued for a few hours.

About a day after filling everything out, you can go in and download the eDocs, which serve as your boarding pass. You’ll need either a printed or mobile copy to show at the embarkation point.

One more thing about check-in: Each piece of luggage you want the porters at the pier to deliver on board to your stateroom needs a luggage tag. If you want personal tags that are pre-populated with your name and stateroom number, you must print them at home.

The button to print them wasn’t obvious, so I had to look for it a bit.

Embarkation

Boarding area/Southampton. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Our cruise was leaving from Southampton, England, a short ride from London, where we had spent a few days. I always arrive at least one or two days before a cruise leaves to give myself some cushion in case a flight is delayed or there is another travel issue.

When I was checking in, I chose a 12:30 p.m. embarkation time because I didn’t feel the need to arrive super early, and cabins usually aren’t ready until at least 1 p.m. anyway. I hate dragging my hand luggage around a busy ship with me.

When we arrived, there wasn’t much of a line, and what was there moved quickly. We handed off our checked luggage to the porters, who put it in a giant pile to eventually go on the ship.

I always take a photo of my bag before I leave it behind so I know what it looks like and how to describe it in case it gets lost.

After a security check and a brief health questionnaire, we were on board and heading to lunch with our carry-on luggage in tow.

» Learn more: How much luggage can you take on a cruise?

The Prima’s atrium. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Norwegian Prima was built in 2022 and has a capacity of 3,099 guests at double occupancy and 1,506 crew members.

The Prima docked in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Prima looks a bit different than other NCL ships I had been on in that it is more understated elegance than in-your-face opulence. There were many decorative touches I wouldn’t mind having in my house.

There are two main sets of elevators on the ship, one midship and another forward. A third set is available only to guests who are staying in The Haven , an exclusive area with a private concierge, butler, restaurant, bar, lounge, pool and other perks.

The Haven private area. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

You can look at the triangles on the carpet on the decks with cabins to know which way is forward and which is aft. The triangles face forward.

The triangles on the carpet face forward. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

NCL loyalists know the carpets on other ships have fish, which are always swimming forward. On the Prima, triangles replace the fish to help orient passengers.

Deck 8 with a small pool and seating areas. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Another big difference on this ship versus others with NCL is the pool deck. It’s near the back of the ship on deck 17, and it’s small compared to other ships, where the pool area takes up the majority of a deck.

Splash park. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There is an aqua park for kids, a waterslide and a few hot tubs and smaller pools and lounging areas on other decks, but no one large gathering place for water and sun fun.

Infinity pool. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Balcony cabin. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

I had a balcony cabin on deck 12 fairly close to the midship elevators. It was somewhere between 231 and 358 square feet with a balcony between 45 and 69 square feet.

The cabin seemed very spacious because the bed was by the balcony, which left a big open space in the cabin. While this was nice, anyone sleeping next to the balcony would have a difficult time getting out of bed without hitting the sliding glass door or the bed.

Hooks on the wall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There was a ton of storage both in the cabin and in the bathroom and hooks to hang things on.

One problem for me was that the safe was not big enough for my laptop. On a new ship, this surprised me. I also didn’t like the fact the bed didn’t have a bed skirt and I was always looking at my empty luggage I stored under the bed.

One plus, though, is there were several plugs and USB connections throughout the cabin, including in the bedside lamp so I could plug my phone in near my bed.

Lamp with USB charging ports. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

One problem my parents noticed, though, is there was only one electrical plug near the bed, which could be a problem for people with sleeping machines or anyone else vying for power.

Bathroom. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The bathroom had a lot of space and a walk-in shower.

Balcony. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The balcony had two comfortable chairs and a small table.

Cabin service is once a day, which means no turndown service or towel animals, but you can call the cabin steward if you need anything. Each evening, the steward delivers the Freestyle Daily, which is a printed copy of the next day’s activities and offers.

An electronic panel near the door allows you to turn on a light outside the door telling the steward to make up the room or “Do not disturb.” The same panel controls the temperature. It was nice to have an AC system that actually responded. When I turned the AC down, it actually got cooler in the cabin.

Food and drinks

Norwegian touts its Freestyle Dining as a way to have freedom and flexibility about where and when you eat. There are no set dining times, and while that sounds great, you can’t just walk up and go wherever you want.

I don’t love the idea of having to think ahead about where and when I want to eat when I am on vacation, but I made a reservation for each night so I had somewhere to go.

You can make reservations for specialty dining venues and the main dining rooms before embarkation and while on board at either a dining desk or on the TV system in the room. The TV system allows you to make a reservation, but not cancel one, so I had to wait in the dining desk line anyway.

Only a small percentage of specialty dining reservations are available before getting on board so it seemed like everything was booked. It wasn’t. Once passengers are on board, the remaining reservations open up.

With a reservation, the dining venue holds your space for 15 minutes and then gives up your table, which we learned the hard way one night when we arrived late. Our table was gone, forcing us to wait about 45 minutes for another one.

The Prima has a combination of complimentary and specialty dining, and I did both.

The two main dining rooms, Hudson’s and The Commodore Room, are the free options. They had the same menu, which changed nightly, and the food was good. The menu was a combination of starters, mains and desserts, and you could order whatever you wanted.

They were open at different times, with one also serving breakfast and lunch in addition to dinner.

The breakfast menu at The Local. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Local Bar & Grill was open almost all day and had pub-like food. We went there often for breakfast and lunch.

Outside the Indulge Food Hall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

My favorite was Indulge Food Hall with its take on a food truck rally.

Food stations in Indulge. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There were several stations, some even looking like food trucks.

Tablet ordering system (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Ordering was done on a tablet that had photos of all the items, and a server delivered the food to your table.

The variety was great since there were several stations like Indian, BBQ, Mexican, Asian, Spanish tapas and more. The dates wrapped in bacon with blue cheese and the guacamole were my favorites.

Then there was the buffet, the Surfside Cafe & Grill, which was tremendously undersized, always incredibly busy and without enough seating options. While the food was good, the traffic flow was not, and once you had your food in hand, finding a place to eat it was not easy. For breakfast one morning, I balanced my plate on the waitstaff’s cleaning area and ate there.

Now, for the specialty dining options, the Prima has eight where the food and presentation are elevated.

For this 12-night cruise, the Free at Sea package included three meals at specialty dining venues. Additional meals were available as an upgrade — $99 for two more, $139 for three more, and $30 more for each additional meal you wanted after that. The upgrades are per person, so you cannot buy a two-meal package and share it with another person, giving each of you one additional meal.

At most of the venues, the package included a starter, a soup or salad, a main dish and a dessert. If you choose to dine at a specialty restaurant without a package, the pricing is à la carte, with entrees about $40 and appetizers about $20. So if you know you want to dine at many specialty restaurants, the package upgrades are a good deal.

Outside a specialty restaurant. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

I ate at Cagney's Steakhouse, Hasuki for teppanyaki, Le Bistro for French cuisine and Palomar for seafood. The food at all of the specialty restaurants was wonderful, and I was definitely stuffed afterward.

Room service is available 24 hours a day but has an extra cost.

Bar. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Prima has several bars and lounges scattered throughout the ship. Each had a slightly different feel, from The Local Bar & Grill with its huge TVs, beers on tap and bar food to the aft-facing outdoor Soleil Bar and Indulge Outdoor Lounge with comfy chairs, hammocks and cabanas.

The Starbucks on deck 7 in the main atrium. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There are even two Starbucks locations that serve up all of the favorites you can find on land.

The Starbucks inside Indulge Food Hall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Starbucks was part of my upgraded drinks package, so I ordered a lot of the things I had been wanting to try but hadn’t wanted to spend the money on in case I didn’t like them.

Entertainment

You may be used to lots of entertainment in the form of singing and dancing on cruise ships, but the Prima doesn’t have a lot of it. If you like game shows and smaller venues for comedy and music, as well as thrills like go-karts, slides and escape rooms, this ship is for you.

“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” was the only musical production show on the ship and was offered on two nights of the cruise. It was in the main theater, a venue that transformed into a dance club and other things throughout the cruise. Reservations were required, and people started lining up about a half-hour before the show began, since the theater is relatively small for the size of the ship.

A house band often performed in the main atrium area, but there wasn’t much room for large groups to gather and enjoy it. There was also a DJ who rotated between a few locations.

“The Price is Right” in the Prima Theater. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The theater also had game shows like “Deal or No Deal” and “The Price is Right,” which had high production value and audience participation.

The exterior of Syd Norman’s. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Smaller venues like Syd Norman’s Pour House were often packed and rocking.

The upper decks had lots of mostly daytime entertainment options, especially deck 18.

Taking up part of decks 18, 19 and 20 was the Prima Speedway, a racetrack where, for $15, you can zoom around and race others. Sometimes, you could hear the sound of the cars from other decks.

The slides. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Deck 18 also has high-tech mini-golf and darts, as well as the starting points for the two slides, The Drop and The Rush.

Because this cruise was so port-intensive, I didn’t take part in any of the entertainment because all I wanted to do after a day of touring was eat dinner and go to sleep. My parents went to see “The Donna Summer Musical” and “The Price is Right” and thought both were entertaining.

Spa and gym

The entrance of the spa. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

A highlight of the Prima is the Mandara Spa & Salon. It’s huge and beautiful.

Therapy pools with a two-story waterfall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

To access most of what it offers, including the saunas, pools, salt room, steam rooms and heated loungers in relaxation rooms, you need to buy a pass either for a day or a full voyage.

Salt room. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The number of available passes varies based on the length of the cruise. For this cruise, the pass cost $399 for the full voyage or $99 for a day.

Relaxation room. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Having a spa treatment like a massage does not allow you access to the thermal suite. I had a nice treatment that included a body brush and massage.

If you’re not picky about the treatment you want or when you want it, keep an eye on the Freestyle Daily. During my cruise, the price of specially curated 75-minute treatments went from about $199 down to $139 toward the end of the cruise.

Cardio equipment. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Pulse Fitness Center is also large with lots of weights and machines, as well as cardio equipment that faces the bow, giving exercisers a great view while working out. Access is free. Let’s just say I went in only to take a few photos.

The Norwegian app is available to download on mobile devices and is the place to keep track of things like dining times, activities and expenses. To use it on board, you don't have to pay for Wi-Fi, but you do have to be on the ship’s Wi-Fi network.

The Free at Sea package included 300 minutes of Wi-Fi for this entire 12-night cruise, meaning I had to remember to log off to keep from using minutes. My father quickly learned logging off was not the same as just turning off the Wi-Fi on his device after a bunch of his allotted minutes went away fairly quickly when he wasn’t doing anything.

As part of my upgraded Free at Sea Plus package, I had unlimited Wi-Fi, which wasn’t exactly speedy but allowed me to do what I needed, like check and send emails, upload photos and look at social media.

Off the ship

For me, European or other destination cruises are different from Caribbean cruises in that I spend most of my time off the ship. The ship is basically for eating and sleeping.

The ship had a small shore excursion desk where the staff mostly sold ship-sponsored excursions and offered limited information about the ports themselves.

On this trip, I did one ship-sponsored shore excursion to Normandy and the D-Day beaches, which was on the first day. My Latitudes status gave me a 10% discount on the tour itself, and the Free at Sea perk gave me $50 in onboard credit after completing the excursion.

My shore excursion ticket was in my room when I first got into my cabin, and it told me when to meet in the theater. At the specified time, someone called the number of the tour, and I went to the front of the theater to get a sticker with a group number on it and got off the ship.

Soon I was on my way for a daylong tour on a large and full bus. I returned to the ship in plenty of time to shower and get ready for dinner.

For two tours in Granada and Seville, Spain, I joined a small group using a private tour company. I liked the smaller tours and saved some money because they were a bit cheaper than the ship’s tours.

My slight disappointment came in the ports where I had nothing planned. The shore excursion desk didn’t have much information about the ports themselves or what was available.

In Ibiza, I decided to take the $20 ship-sponsored shuttle bus into the center of town. But instead of a drop-off in the city center, the bus stopped in the middle of a road about a 15-minute walk from anything.

In Valencia, several passengers were looking for the hop-on-hop-off bus stop, but nobody could help us find it. Overall, I would have liked a bit more information about the ports from the shore excursion desk.

In all ports, the disembarkation process was smooth and simple. I just had to tap my ship’s card to sign out, and when I returned, I had to go through security like in an airport and tap my card again.

Disembarkation

A couple of days before the cruise ended, I had to choose a disembarkation time and collect appropriate luggage tags from the guest services area.

The earliest time was for people who wanted to take all of their luggage off the ship themselves.

The other times were based on flight time and whether people had a ship-sponsored tour of the city.

I selected 8:45 a.m. because I was staying in Barcelona for a few days and had nowhere to be and no time I had to be there.

Each time had a corresponding color-coded luggage tag. I put the purple tag on my suitcase and left the bag outside my cabin door for the stewards to gather and take off the ship. Again, take a photo of your bag sitting in front of your cabin in case it goes missing.

The Prima was scheduled to dock in Barcelona at 5 a.m., and disembarkation was set to begin as soon as local authorities cleared the ship.

Announcements began at about 5:45 a.m. and continued about every 15 minutes after that.

After a breakfast in the crazy-crowded buffet and one final check of the cabin (which I evidently didn’t do well enough because I left a pair of my good compression socks in one of the drawers), I dragged my carry-on luggage through the hallways and off the ship.

Large crowd in the disembarkation area in Barcelona. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Claiming our checked bags was a disaster. The 8:45 a.m. time slot was last call, so everyone who was still on the ship had to get off. This led to hundreds of people filing down escalators and into a small area where luggage was coming by on a moving belt one suitcase at a time.

This seemed to be more of a port facility issue and not something the ship’s staff could have done anything about except to maybe hold people on the ship for a bit instead of having them disembark into an already crowded area.

Lots of people in a small space got really hot and disorganized, but soon my parents and I had our luggage and were out the door and into a taxi.

People were already lined up to board the Prima for the next cruise. They were ready to get their vacation started.

Overall observations

Ocean Boulevard on deck 8. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Overall, I had a great time on the Norwegian Prima. It had tons of outdoor spaces, but not many large spaces for people to gather. I thought the decor was beautiful and slightly upscale.

The crew was amazing, and after just a few days, the ladies at Starbucks were calling me by my first name when I approached the counter. Most crew members usually had a smile on their face and were willing to help.

I enjoyed too much good food in the free and specialty restaurants and did not spend nearly enough time in the gym or spa.

I didn’t miss the lack of entertainment options because I was spending most of my time either in port, eating or sleeping.

Speaking of sleeping, the beds were amazingly comfortable and the cabin was nicely furnished with plenty of room and storage.

The best part was spending time with my parents and making memories. Cruising is a great way to do that because there are a variety of activities and options available, and everyone does not need to be together all the time.

I’d definitely sail again on the Prima and her almost identical twin, Viva , which debuted in 2023.

(Top photo courtesy of Tiffani Sherman)

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* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

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The Unlimited Open Bar Package Terms & Conditions

• • You must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy.
• • Applicable to guests 1-8 on the reservation for the entire length of the cruise. If 3-8 guest is under 21 years of age, Unlimited Open Bar Package does not apply, and soda package will not be given as a substitution.
• • Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
• • Eligible guests are entitled to two beverages per person per transaction.
• • Includes premium spirit brands, cocktails, beer, soda, juices, and wines by the glass up to $15 value.
• • Any items over $15 USD will receive an $15 USD discount and the guest will be charged the difference to their account.
• • A 20% discount will be given on non-select bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), Wine and Spirit Experiences, Connoisseur Collection beverages, tastings and flights purchased on board.
• • Does not include Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or flights, Starbucks, Ice Bars, room service, package sales, bottled water, ship specific promotions, Connoisseur Collection beverages, bottled wine, mini bar purchases, fresh squeezed juices, wine dispenser, energy drinks or vending machines.
• • Guests who receive the Soda Package may obtain fountain soda and juices at any bar, lounge, or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise, excluding Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.
• • Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, sailings that are two (2) days or less, on selected charters, or on Pride of America.
• • Brand availability may vary by ship and season.
• • A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to all package purchases.
• • Guest's cheque may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.
• • No substitute for package if guest cannot consume all beverages included.
• • Other terms and conditions may apply.
• • Please note that rates are subject to change at any time at the discretion of Norwegian Cruise Line.

• Norwegian Cruise Line

By nyc2pdx , October 11, 2020 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Is the current offer for open bar the equivalent to the premium drinks package or premium plus drinks package?

Reason I ask is that I just booked a cruise and usually there is an option to upgrade to Premium Plus, but the only option listed is the full priced premium plus (~$2300). No upgrade option. Same thing with the WiFi.

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PelicanBill

It's the standard premium beverage package when you book with the perk.  Once your booking is in MyNCL the upgrade price should show.  If it doesn't, call.  Either something went wrong with your booking (no drink package linked to it) or MyNCL has an IT error.  My cruise in February shows an upgrade price available to me.

On my last NCL cruise, there was no option to upgrade online, and when I called the rep didn't have any idea what I was talking about... Once on board, I was able to upgrade at a table set up in the Atrium, and soon had my new card printed, showing the upgraded package...

14 hours ago, nyc2pdx said: Open bar?

Yes please.

BirdTravels

Summerstravel

I believe the upgrades took a few days to show after my reservation. 

I have a question on the premium plus package that is showing on my upgrade page. Does this include drinks in the Starbucks venue on the Encore? Also can you take the wine bottle unfinished back to your cabin?  Any details would be much appreciated. 

All-ready2cruise

@Summerstravel  this is what I found when searching NCL; 

Premium Plus Beverage Package Enjoy all beverages by the glass throughout your cruises including unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and select bottles of wine with dinner, plus, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, and specialty coffee! For all-inclusive cruises on Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky, the Premium Plus Beverage Package can be purchased on board as an upgrade. Guests with the Premium Beverage Package may upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage Package on board at the Restaurant Reservations Desk on embarkation day. onboard-packages/beverage-packages

don't-use-real-name

9 hours ago, Summerstravel said: I believe the upgrades took a few days to show after my reservation.  I have a question on the premium plus package that is showing on my upgrade page. Does this include drinks in the Starbucks venue on the Encore? Also can you take the wine bottle unfinished back to your cabin?  Any details would be much appreciated.    Tracie

Specialty coffee (Starbucks) included - - -

And you can bring any beverages back to your cabin -

Wine need glasses have your cabin steward furnish or request from the restaurant waiter.

Premium Plus Beverage Package (ages 21 & older) Available as an Upgrade from Free at Sea Premium Beverage Package

ITEM #: PPB

If getting in touch with your more decadent side is on the agenda, then this is for you. Our Premium Plus Beverage Package includes the widest selection of beverages by the glass, such as Veuve Clicquot, Patrón Añejo, The Macallan Quest and more. Enjoy all beverages by the glass throughout your cruises including unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and select bottles of wine with dinner, plus, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, and specialty coffee!

Prepaid @ $128.00 USD per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.

Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with.

Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Pop Program.

1 hour ago, don't-use-real-name said: Specialty coffee (Starbucks) included - - - And you can bring any beverages back to your cabin - Wine need glasses have your cabin steward furnish or request from the restaurant waiter.     Premium Plus Beverage Package (ages 21 & older) Available as an Upgrade from Free at Sea Premium Beverage Package $128. 00 USD per person per day   ITEM #: PPB If getting in touch with your more decadent side is on the agenda, then this is for you. Our Premium Plus Beverage Package includes the widest selection of beverages by the glass, such as Veuve Clicquot, Patrón Añejo, The Macallan Quest and more. Enjoy all beverages by the glass throughout your cruises including unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and select bottles of wine with dinner, plus, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, and specialty coffee! Prepaid @ $128.00 USD per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with. Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Pop Program.

The $300 or so per day for 2 persons to have the upgrade drink package....that's a lot of loot!!!!  Actually, insanity in my opinion.   

4 hours ago, roger001 said: The $300 or so per day for 2 persons to have the upgrade drink package....that's a lot of loot!!!!  Actually, insanity in my opinion.   

Clarification ?

The base Premium package $99 (+ grats) is usually FREE (at sea) paying only the + grats.

The Premium Plus package $128 (+ grats) is only $29 more daily with the above package + grats.

Those Grats don't you just love them part of the FEE AT SEA packages ! 

So the Premium Plus package with the FREE package is $203 for a 7 day cruise per person + of course those grats

and not $300 daily. There is the double occupancy factor to apply also. 

Still yet that is an awful amount of money for a liquid diet !

Suggestion select the FREE package and compare getting a fancy premium drink over the $15 threshold

a few times while on the cruise - unless your budget allows for this departure.

Wine or Beer drinker think of a different program altogether. 

22 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said: Clarification ?   The base Premium package $99 (+ grats) is usually FREE (at sea) paying only the + grats. The Premium Plus package $128 (+ grats) is only $29 more daily with the above package + grats. Those Grats don't you just love them part of the FEE AT SEA packages !    So the Premium Plus package with the FREE package is $203 for a 7 day cruise per person + of course those grats and not $300 daily. There is the double occupancy factor to apply also.    Still yet that is an awful amount of money for a liquid diet !   Suggestion select the FREE package and compare getting a fancy premium drink over the $15 threshold a few times while on the cruise - unless your budget allows for this departure. Wine or Beer drinker think of a different program altogether. 

39 minutes ago, roger001 said: Thanks.   

I disagree on that calculation.  The Premium Beverage package is $99 +20%/day.  To upgrade to the Premium Beverage Plus package is an additional $29+20%/day.  Or without the promo, $128+20%/day, not $203.  You don't have to repay the initial $99, hence why it is an upgrade, not full retail.

So, right now I am booked on a 15 day cruise, and have the Premium Beverage package promo.  My cruise planner is throwing in the grats on it.  In my cruise planner, it offers me an upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage package for an additional $29+20%/day...and it is priced at $522.00 for my cruise.  

so, 15 days x $29 = $435.  Gratuities are ($435 * 20%)=$87.  $435+$87=$522.

If I were not to have the free at see Premium Beverage package, and I wanted the Premium Plus Package, it would be $128+20%/day.  A whooping 15 days * $128=$1920, Gratuities are ($1920 * 20%)= $384.  $1920 + $384 = $2304.  That is a ton of Veurve, y'all.

For me, I will always upgrade to the Premium Plus.  I am staying in the Haven, and like to take my cruise as an opportunity to try new drinks, buy top shelf for a change and not worry about anything.  Almost everything was included under the premium plus, and I love that about the plan.  Last time I was in the Haven, I found a couple of amazing wines, enjoyed Veurve Mimosas each morning, and nightcaps of of Remy Martin 1738....and lots of other stuff in between.  Granted, I needed a short stint at the Betty Ford Clinic upon my return (kidding), but I had an amazing time.  

I rarely drink on land except some wine on occasion.  So I used my cruise as a care free splurge. Isn't that what vacations are for?

My Ouija Board Magic *8* Ball oranges and apples apricots and mangos are not in alinement on this !

Re Check the math -

You already have the premium package of $99 daily + grats that is a FREE promotional -

Upgrading $29.00 daily x 7 (day cruise) = $203 per person or $406 double occupancy + those grats.

I would not be paying $128.00 daily per person + grats WITHOUT the starter Premium package being FREE.

Haven DOS OS suite suite or even a bilge cabin deck 3 - I have my limits.

I might be interested to try the Premium Plus package whenever my ship comes in - - - LOL !

13 hours ago, roger001 said: The $300 or so per day for 2 persons to have the upgrade drink package....that's a lot of loot!!!!  Actually, insanity in my opinion.   

Yes, @don't-use-real-name and I agree.  It was this $300/day for 2 persons that was throwing me.  

I vote yes...

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

I f you're going to spend $60 to $140 per day for a cruise ship drink package , you will want to make sure you're getting the best value. Order the right drinks and you can definitely get your money's worth. Choose the wrong drinks, and you'll end up spending more money than necessary.

The most cost-effective option is to get a cruise line drink package free as a booking perk . If you can't do that, focus on these eight best drinks to order with a beverage package to get the most out of your alcohol budget. I'll also clue you into three drink types that will work against your plan to make that package worth the money.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Expensive cocktails

If you prepay a flat price for alcohol, you can order pricey specialty cocktails without worrying about paying $15 to $20 a pop. Hands down, the best drink you can order from a value standpoint is the most expensive cocktail that falls within your plan's limit.

For example, Carnival Cruise Line includes beverages that cost $20 or less in its Cheers Beverage Program. The limit is $15 with Norwegian Cruise Line 's Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package and $14 with Royal Caribbean 's Deluxe Beverage Package. Prioritize drinks that cost close to the limit. If you go over, most onboard bars will charge the difference, so you might want to try that expensive cocktail for just a few bucks.

Name-brand liquor

Order a gin and tonic, and the bartender is likely to pour you the cheapest house brand of gin he's got on hand. Get the most from your beverage package by asking for your tonic with Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire.

The same rule of thumb applies to any liquor. Ask for your booze by name to get the nicer, more expensive drink and the best value from your beverage package. Just make sure the brand you're requesting is included in your package — otherwise you'll be charged extra. (Note that if your cruise line offers multiple tiers of drink packages, the top-shelf liquors might only be included in the priciest option.)

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

Weirdest drink on the menu

I like to try new drinks, but at $10 to $15 a cocktail, it can be an expensive experiment. With a drink package, however, experimentation is a risk-free proposition — especially on lines that have no limit on the number of alcoholic drinks you can purchase in a 24-hour period.

Try that fruit-infused vodka, the crazy-colored shot or the spiked cappuccino. There's no extra cost if you don't like it, and you only have to wait a few minutes before you can order a replacement.

The drink doesn't have to be eye-raising to be experimental. Use your beverage package to sample new wines by the glass or a cocktail you've never tried. You might discover your new favorite drink.

Related: The very best cruise ship bars at sea

Specialty coffee

Cruisers have trouble leaving their Starbucks addiction behind them and flock to the extra-charge coffee cafes onboard. With a beverage package, you can indulge your caffeine addiction with the good stuff at no extra charge.

Make your morning latte a vacation habit, or grab a chai tea on a rainy sea day or an iced coffee on a hot one. Nonalcoholic drinks do not count toward any drink limits, so the more you sip, the more value you get from your drink package.

Bottled water

Many cruisers don't like the taste of the ship's tap water. If you fall into that category, bottled water is another great beverage package buy, even if it's not the most earth-friendly option.

Grab a sealed bottle from the poolside bar to bring back to your deck chair so you can stay hydrated while you sunbathe. Collect bottles from the onboard bars to stash in your cabin so you can drink them after a shipboard pub crawl or throw them in your day pack when you head off the ship.

Prefer sparkling water with dinner? You can order it with no second thoughts when you have a beverage package.

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Embarkation day drinks

Do you feel a little awkward making a beeline for the bar as soon as you step inside a cruise ship on embarkation day? You definitely should not feel this way if you've purchased a beverage package. The packages are priced by the length of your cruise, and embarkation day counts.

Grab a celebratory bubbly to mark the start of your cruise. Start your vacation with a glass of wine to unwind. It's five o'clock somewhere, and skipping out on embarkation day drinks means you're paying for a full day of beverage service you are not using. You might as well change that up and get more bang for your buck.

Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day do's and don'ts

Frozen drinks on private islands

Like I said earlier, cruise lines price their beverage packages by the day, and you can't prorate the pricing to skip port days when you're hardly on the ship. Most of us can't party all night after touring in the sun all day, which makes it hard to break even on the package cost on port days.

The bars on certain cruise line private islands — Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay , Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay and MSC Cruises' Ocean Cay — let you use your drink package ashore. (Half Moon Cay and Harvest Caye do not.) That pina colada set against a palm tree backdrop will jazz up your social media feed and is a great choice for making your beverage package worthwhile.

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

Other nonalcoholic beverages

Some lines, such as Carnival and Princess Cruises , limit passengers to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, which can make it harder to break even on the package costs. Make the plan cost-effective (and drink responsibly) by interspersing your bar drinks with nonalcoholic options, such as soda, energy drinks, freshly squeezed juices and other bottled beverages like Gatorade or Honest Tea.

Even better, if you can purchase resealable or unopened bottles or cans, you can save them to take off the ship in port. That strategy will help you get full value from your drink package on days you're mainly off the ship.

3 drinks to avoid

You don't really need to avoid any drinks when you have a beverage package, but some choices aren't as useful as others for making the package cost-effective. If you can, go easy on the following drinks — or reconsider whether that beverage package is the right choice for you in the first place.

Beer is usually the cheapest alcoholic drink on board, and it can be filling. If you only drink beer, you might find it more difficult to reach the break-even point for your drink package. (Others will have no trouble downing eight or more beers a day.) Whether you crave craft brews or stick to Bud Light, ask if your cruise line has a cheaper beer-and-wine-only package (such as Windstar Cruises ' Topmast Discoveries Beer & Wine Package) that might make more sense for you.

Well drinks

If your drinks are already paid for, you have no incentive to order cheap well drinks when you can get name-brand liquor for the same price. If you don't specify which vodka or rum you want, the bartender will give you the most basic option. Call out your booze by name, and if you're not sure, ask the bartender which bottles are included in your package. This tip is especially true if you've paid extra for the priciest, most inclusive drink package your cruise line offers.

Bottles of wine

It's true that you will get a 20% to 40% discount on bottles of wine with most cruise line drink packages. But you're still paying extra for alcohol when you have already paid for wine by the glass, beer and cocktails. Filling up on extra-fee wine might prevent you from ordering as many additional drinks as you normally would, keeping you from breaking even on your package price. Stick to wine by the glass, and you can get all your vino without plunking down more cash.

Sure, you can't get all the same vintages by the glass as you can order by the bottle, and you might want a nice wine to celebrate a special occasion. If you intend to order several bottles of wine during your cruise, you might be better off with a wine-only package instead of a broader alcoholic beverage package.

Bottom line

Most people who purchase a cruise drink package will order a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages each day. However, if you're set on getting the most value from your package purchase, you'll want to be smart about which drinks you order. If you're not at least breaking even with your wine, beer, soda, coffee and cocktail orders, you might want to rethink whether you've chosen the right beverage package for your drinking style.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.