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

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

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

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

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

What Drink Packages Does Norwegian Cruise Line Offer?

If you’re sailing on Norwegian and want an alcoholic drink package, then you have one option. The cruise line used to offer multiple choices but recently simplified things for passengers.

The drink package is called the “Unlimited Open Bar Package” or will sometimes be referred to as the “More at Sea Beverage Package.”

This is your classic drink package that every cruise line offers. For $89 per day (or included if chosen as part of the “More at Sea” offer), you get a wide variety of drinks aboard the ship.

This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship from a Bud Light to Courvoisier from a Michelob to a margarita. There are a few options not included (dubbed the Connoisseur and Signature Selections), but most drinks on the ship come with the package.

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

How Much Does The Drink Package Cost?

The Unlimited Open Bar Package runs $89 per person, per day. In addition there is a 20% gratuity that’s tacked on to that cost. That comes out to $106.80 per day. So for a 7-day cruise, you will spend $747.60 for a single person for the package.

If sailing on Pride of America in Hawaii, then the package costs $109 per day plus gratuity. That comes to a total of $130.80 each day when the gratuity is added, for a total of $915.60 for a week-long cruise.

However, with the More at Sea offer and other discounts, many people don’t end up paying these sticker prices.

NCL lists the drink package price per day with the More at Sea offer as $30 per day for cruises of 7 nights of fewer. The price moves to $27 per day for cruises of 8-11 nights and $23 per day for trips of 12+ nights. 

What’s Not Included in the Drink Package?

When you get a drink package, there are still some exclusions of what’s not included. Where you’ll find the most surprising exclusions is that the drink package doesn’t include things like Starbucks coffee, bottled water, fresh-squeezed juices, or some energy drinks. It also doesn’t includes anything in the mini-bar or room service beverages.

Finally, NCL has a some higher end drinks as part of its Connoisseur’s Collection and Signature Selections that aren’t included. Instead, if you order these, then you’ll receive $15 off the menu price with the package. You’ll still have to pay for the rest of the cost.

Is There a “Cap” to the Menu Price the Package Will Cover?

Many cruise lines have limits on the menu price of drinks you can buy with the drink package. In fact, NCL used to have a $15 cap but recently removed it. 

Now, you can get pretty much every drink on the ship (excluding the ones mentioned above like the Connoisseur’s Collection) without worrying about the menu price.

Is Gratuity Included in the Cost?

Gratuity is not included in the headline price, unless you have the More at Sea offer. On Norwegian, the drink packages carry a hefty 20% gratuity charge in addition to the base price. So for a $89 a day drink package, you’ll actually pay $106.80 per person each day. 

If you get the package included as More at Sea, then the price you pay (typically $30 per day) is it. There’s no additional gratuity charge.

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

Why Wouldn’t I Just By the Package Through More at Sea? It’s Cheaper, Right?

You might have noticed that the price of the package with the More at Sea offer ($30 per person, per day) is significantly less expensive than buying the package outright. In addition, that offer comes with specialty dining, excursion credits, and wi-fi.

So does it ever make sense to NOT buy the drink package through More at Sea?

Our take is that if you want the drink package, it’s a no-brainer to buy it as part of the More at Sea offer. It’s simply much cheaper. However, if you don’t want the drink package at all (no matter the cost) then you are able to leave if off your cruise and avoid the extra charge.

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

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

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

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

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

How Do I Buy the Package?

Buying the package is easy. You can purchase the More at Sea package when booking and have it included automatically. Or after booking but before your trip you can purchase the package online through your account.

Don’t want to do that? You can also call the cruise line and get the package ordered so that you can enjoy it once you step on the ship. Finally, you can order the package on the ship once you arrive.

Can I Share Drinks?

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

How will the cruise line be able to tell if you are sharing? Truth is that it can be hard for them to catch unless you are simply extremely obvious. This is likely why Norwegian Cruise Line makes all people in a cruise cabin buy the package if one person does. It minimizes the problem of sharing between people.

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

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

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

How Many Drinks Can I Buy a Day?

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

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

How Many Drinks Can I Buy at One Time?

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

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

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

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

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

Is Norwegian’s Drink Package Worth It?

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

If you’re buying through More at Sea, it’s a very good deal. Given drink prices on the ship, it only takes 2-3 to make it worth the daily cost. In that case, it feels like a no-brainer. Also, don’t forget that non-alcoholic drinks are included too, which also adds to the value.

Not buying through More at Sea? Here are some general details on whether you’ll find the package worth it for you…

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

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

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

On the ship, beers run $7-8. Wine runs $10-15 a glass, and cocktails run $11-12 each. If you’re paying full price for the drink package, you can see that you have to drink a considerable amount each day to breakeven.

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

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

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