Enhance Your Cruise with the NCL Drinks Package

Surprising fact: more than half of guests who pre‑book a beverage option recoup the cost within two days at current onboard prices.

The change to More at Sea fares means Norwegian Cruise line now folds the Premium Beverage Package into many fares, removing the old $15 per‑drink cap on standard sailings.

This shifts value dramatically, standalone alcohol bundles that once tipped over $109 per person, per day are rarely the best deal any more.

The guide that follows explains whether the NCL drinks package suits you, how open bar access works across the cruise ship and Great Stirrup Cay, and where exclusions apply.

Key Takeaways

• More at Sea often includes the Premium Beverage Package, improving value compared with old per‑drink pricing.
• Compare per day costs versus likely consumption to find your break‑even point.
• Options include soda and Starbucks add‑ons as well as premium brands for heavier drinkers.
• Rules matter: age limits, two drinks per transaction and no sharing across staterooms.
• Prices are in US dollars; UK travellers should consider exchange rates and pre‑purchase benefits.

What the NCL Drinks Package is today: More at Sea and onboard value

Bookings made after 1 October 2024 benefit from More at Sea on sailings from 1 January 2025. This replaces Free at Sea and broadens inclusions, so you get more than the old capped fares.

From Free at Sea to More at Sea: what changed

The shift removes the $15 per‑drink ceiling on many ships, so the Premium Beverage Package now covers a wider range of brands and wines. More at Sea also bundles speciality dining, faster Starlink Wi‑Fi and excursion credits.

Unlimited Open Bar vs buying drinks individually

Compare real onboard prices: cocktails $11–$14, wine by the glass $9–$10 and pints around $9. Even a modest mix, one beer, one glass of wine and two soft drinks, can justify the unlimited open bar for many guests.

The bundle covers bars and restaurants across the ship but excludes mini bars, room service, vending machines and some tasting events. Pride of America remains an exception for gratuity rules.

Tip: estimate your likely consumption against sample prices to see whether an all‑in package includes better value than paying per drink.

NCL Drinks Package options explained

Onboard choices span a basic soda pass through to a full unlimited open bar, plus a step‑up Premium Plus option for ultra‑premium pours.

Premium Beverage Package (Unlimited Open Bar): inclusions and exclusions

The Premium Beverage Package includes hundreds of cocktails, over 20 wines by the glass, major spirits across vodka, gin, rum, tequila and whiskey, and a wide beer and cider list.

The bundle also covers sodas, tonics and juices. Exclusions are clear: most ultra‑premium labels, bottled water (unless Premium Plus), bottles of wine, mini bar, room service and special tastings.

Premium Plus: ultra‑premium brands, bottled water and speciality coffee

Premium Plus upgrades the selection with Champagne and elevated wines by the glass, access to ultra‑premium spirits, bottled water and speciality coffee in dining rooms.

Pride of America and the Hawaii Beverage Package

Pride America sailings use a Hawaii option with a $15 per‑item limit and a mandatory 20% gratuity charged per person, per day. Speciality coffee is included only while dining.

Unlimited Soda and Starbucks options

The unlimited soda package gives fountain soft drinks for guests aged 3+, ideal for families. The unlimited Starbucks option covers barista coffees, teas and refreshers, though snacks are excluded and availability varies by ship.

Tip: consider a water bundle if you want still bottles in the stateroom for fitness or family use.

Prices, service charges and real‑world value

Before you commit, check how per person, per day charges stack up against typical bar prices.

Per person, per day figures have changed a lot. Historically a Premium drinks package cost about $99–$109 per person, per day; Premium Plus sat near $128–$138. Soda plans run around $12.50 a day and Starbucks about $13–$16. If purchased separately a 20% service charge commonly adds to the bill.

With More at Sea, the premium bundle is included on many sailings and the 20% service charge is not applied on most ships. Pride of America is the main exception, where an extra gratuity of roughly $21.80 per person, per day may apply.

Use sample prices to find your break‑even: cocktails $11–$14, wine $9–$10, pints about $9 and soft drinks $3.50. One cocktail, one wine, a beer and two soft drinks can top $20–$30 daily before taxes.

UK travellers should remember prices are in USD. Pre‑purchase shields you from exchange swings and low‑fee cards reduce FX charges. Keep a small line item for bottled water or speciality coffee unless you choose the Premium Plus or a Starbucks plan.

Check which offers you can get More at Sea on by reading our Norwegian Cruise Line Deals & Itineraries 2025 article.

Rules, eligibility and the fine print on Norwegian Cruise Line

Know the rules before you sail. Legal age is 21+ to purchase or consume alcohol on most sailings. In international waters (beyond three miles offshore), 18–20 year olds may consume beer and wine only, and only with a parent or legal guardian who signs a waiver.

Stateroom requirements and sharing

All adults in the same stateroom or linked reservations must buy the same alcoholic package. Under‑21s cannot be covered and should be added to a soda plan instead.

Transaction limits and excluded items - NCL Drinks Package

There is a strict two‑drink limit per transaction. This matters at busy pool bars and during shows, where queues lengthen and bartenders enforce limits.

Exclusions include mini bars, room service, vending machines, tasting flights and self‑service wine stations. These items are billed separately.

Special cases and wine corkage

If you have health, pregnancy or medical concerns, contact the cruise line early to discuss exceptions. Guests may bring bottles of wine onboard but a $15 corkage fee applies per bottle. Factor that fee against onboard list prices when planning.

No sharing, no transfers and no refunds, rules are enforced across the ship, bar and dining venues to ensure fair service for all guests. If in doubt, ask guest services before purchase.

Where your beverage package works: ship, bars and private islands

Know where your included drinks are accepted so you can plan beach days and bar stops without surprises.

Onboard coverage: the bundle applies across bars, lounges and most restaurants on the ship. That means pool bars, main dining rooms and many speciality bars will honour your plan for a smooth day at sea.

Great Stirrup Cay access and Harvest Caye limits

Great Stirrup Cay accepts onboard packages, so you can enjoy beverages on the beach without extra charges. This makes a beach day seamless and stress‑free.

Harvest Caye is different: packages do not apply there. Soft drinks and alcoholic drink purchases are pay‑as‑you‑go, so expect to budget for drinks ashore on that island.

Practical tips for pool, beach and port days

Plastic glasses are mandatory at pools and hot tubs for safety. Ask for drinks in plastic to avoid delays or refused service near water.

Plan refills before tender returns and check the daily programme for pop‑up bars and themed events where your coverage still applies onboard. If visiting Harvest Caye, consider one onboard lunch or pre‑departure drinks to use your package for the day.

Note: some ports may add local taxes to single‑item purchases in territorial waters. These taxes do not affect orders covered by your package while on board.

How to buy and manage your package before and during your cruise

Buying ahead through the cruise line portal gives clarity on per person, per day costs and avoids boarding rushes. Pre‑purchase also locks pricing and shows which add‑ons are available for your sailing.

Pre‑cruise purchase vs buying onboard

Use the online portal to confirm inclusions for every adult on your reservation. Doing so prevents misunderstandings and ensures any under‑21 guests are placed on a soda plan if needed.

If you prefer to wait, you can buy within 48 hours of boarding at the Atrium Bar. Expect queues on embarkation day and possible price changes, so weigh convenience against potential savings.

Upgrading to Premium Plus and managing add‑ons

If More at Sea includes the unlimited open bar, you can upgrade onboard to Premium Plus for ultra‑premium spirits, Champagne by the glass and bottled water for an extra daily fee.

The Starbucks package is a separate add‑on for barista coffee and teas. It can be better value than buying drinks one‑by‑one if you drink specialty coffee daily. Check whether your ship has Starbucks before you buy.

Tip: mix and match across your party. One guest may upgrade to Premium Plus while another keeps the included level. Monitor the pre‑cruise portal for promos, and review confirmations to ensure all adults have the correct beverage plan.

Maximising your NCL Drinks Package onboard

Knowing when and where to order gets you better pours, shorter queues and higher daily value from included drinks.

Choosing venues and times to get the best selection

Explore different bars early in the cruise. Lounges often serve signature cocktails; pool bars are faster for soft drinks and beers.

Visit the wine bar for curated wines by the glass that the premium plus level highlights. Order before shows and sail‑away parties to beat queues and the two‑drink transaction rule.

Use Great Stirrup Cay to enjoy beers, wine and cocktails on the beach without extra charges. Remember Harvest Caye is excluded so budget ashore there.

You can see Norwegian Cruise offers that include More at Sea on our website.

Combining packages with speciality dining and Wi‑Fi in More at Sea

More at Sea bundles can include speciality dining nights and faster Wi‑Fi, which raises the overall value of your fare.

Pair a speciality dinner with Premium Plus if you want Champagne or top‑shelf pairings; otherwise the included level covers most popular spirits, soft drinks and juices.

Mix in a soda package or unlimited Starbucks for family members who prefer soft drinks or speciality coffee. Keep bottled water in mind: Premium Plus covers still water, otherwise buy a water bundle or use complimentary tap water in restaurants.

Conclusion

Bundling beverages with dining and Wi‑Fi shifts the math so that a simple per person, per day tally often shows clear savings.

More at Sea brings broad inclusions on many Norwegian cruise line fares, making value easier to judge before you sail.

Match your choices, a soda package, the Starbucks package or bulk water, to real habits. On Pride America sailings expect the Hawaii fare’s extra gratuity.

Paying by the drink adds up: two to four drinks a day can exceed à la carte costs. Buy ahead, consider Premium Plus only if you will use ultra‑premium pours, and enjoy smooth service onboard and at Great Stirrup Cay.