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When you plan a cruise vacation with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the most common questions travelers ask is about the cost and value of the drink packages. Norwegian Cruise Line, often referred to as NCL, is known for its “Freestyle Cruising” experience, which gives guests more freedom to enjoy their vacation exactly the way they want — and that includes their drinks.
If you love sipping cocktails by the pool, enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, or grabbing your morning latte from the café, understanding the details of the drink packages can help you decide whether they’re worth it. The drink package prices depend on several factors such as the ship, itinerary, type of package, and even the cruise length. Let’s explore everything in depth.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers several drink packages designed to suit different tastes and budgets. Each package includes different types of beverages — from soft drinks and bottled water to premium spirits and fine wines. The goal is to allow every guest to customize their vacation experience.
The most common drink packages on Norwegian Cruise Line are:
Premium Beverage Package (often called the Unlimited Open Bar Package)
Premium Plus Beverage Package
Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package
Unlimited Soda Package
Starbucks Coffee Package
Each of these packages has its own price range, inclusions, and target audience. Some are perfect for adults who enjoy cocktails and wine, while others cater to guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks or premium coffee.
The Premium Beverage Package is the most popular option on Norwegian cruises. It’s included in many of Norwegian’s promotional offers, such as the “Free at Sea” deal, which allows guests to select perks like a drink package, shore excursion credits, or specialty dining.
This package covers:
A wide selection of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer priced up to around fifteen dollars per drink.
Non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, juice, and mocktails.
Unlimited soft drinks and sparkling water.
Discounts on bottles of wine purchased onboard.
It’s designed for passengers who enjoy moderate to frequent drinking but don’t necessarily need top-shelf liquor or high-end champagne.
If you purchase the Premium Beverage Package separately, it usually costs around one hundred and nine dollars per person per day. However, there’s also a mandatory gratuity charge, typically around twenty percent, which brings the daily total to approximately one hundred and thirty dollars per day.
Keep in mind that Norwegian Cruise Line requires all adult guests sharing the same stateroom to purchase the same package. This rule prevents drink sharing between guests.
If you plan to have at least five or six alcoholic beverages a day, this package often pays for itself. Considering the average onboard drink costs about ten to fifteen dollars, it doesn’t take long to reach the daily value. For guests who enjoy trying different cocktails, beers, and wines, it’s a stress-free way to indulge without worrying about individual bar tabs.
For travelers who want an upgraded experience with access to top-shelf liquor and a broader drink selection, Norwegian offers the Premium Plus Beverage Package.
This is the most comprehensive drink package available on Norwegian Cruise Line. It covers:
All beverages available under the Premium Beverage Package.
Top-shelf liquors such as Grey Goose, Patron, Macallan, and other high-end brands.
All wines by the glass, regardless of price.
Premium champagne options.
Bottled still and sparkling water.
Energy drinks and fresh juices.
Specialty coffees and teas.
All Starbucks coffee drinks served onboard.
Essentially, this package gives you unlimited access to nearly every drink available on the ship, making it ideal for guests who enjoy luxury and variety.
The Premium Plus Beverage Package costs approximately one hundred and thirty-eight dollars per person per day before gratuities. After adding the service charge, the total comes close to one hundred and sixty-five dollars per day.
While this may seem expensive, it’s worth considering for those who plan to indulge in premium wines, champagne, or top-shelf spirits. The package also eliminates the need to purchase bottled water or Starbucks coffee separately, which can add up quickly on longer cruises.
For most casual cruisers, the Premium Beverage Package is sufficient. However, for guests who prefer premium liquor brands or enjoy fine wines, the upgrade can offer substantial value. The inclusion of Starbucks beverages and bottled water adds extra convenience, especially for travelers who start their day with a cappuccino or prefer carrying bottled water during shore excursions.
If you’re not into cocktails or hard liquor but enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a cold beer by the pool, the Corks and Caps Package might be the perfect balance.
This package offers:
Unlimited draft or bottled beer.
A wide selection of wines by the glass.
Soft drinks and juices.
It’s available only on certain itineraries and ships, and not as commonly promoted as the other two main beverage packages.
The cost for the Corks and Caps Package typically starts around sixty-five to seventy dollars per person per day, plus the standard gratuity charge. This brings the total to about eighty dollars per day.
If you’re someone who prefers just wine and beer without cocktails or mixed drinks, this package provides great value. However, since it doesn’t include spirits or specialty coffees, it might feel limited for guests who like variety.
For non-drinkers, families, and younger guests, the Unlimited Soda Package offers unlimited fountain soda throughout the cruise. It’s perfect for guests who prefer soft drinks and want to avoid paying per glass.
The package covers:
Unlimited fountain sodas like Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Diet Coke.
Refills at any onboard bar, lounge, or restaurant.
It’s also a great choice for kids or teens, as Norwegian offers different pricing tiers for children and adults.
The Unlimited Soda Package costs around ten dollars per child per day and about nine dollars per adult per day, plus gratuity. With the service charge added, you can expect to pay roughly twelve dollars daily.
For adults who drink several sodas a day, it can definitely be worth it. However, for guests who plan to drink mostly water, coffee, or juice, it may not provide significant savings.
Norwegian Cruise Line partners with Starbucks on many of its ships, allowing guests to enjoy the same coffee experience they would find on land. The Starbucks Coffee Package caters to caffeine lovers who want unlimited access to handcrafted espresso beverages.
This package covers:
Unlimited Starbucks espresso drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.
Iced coffee, cold brew, and specialty teas.
Available at all Starbucks locations onboard.
It does not include pre-packaged items like bottled drinks or food items from the café.
The Starbucks Coffee Package usually costs around twelve dollars per person per day plus gratuity. This comes to roughly fifteen dollars daily, depending on the ship.
If you enjoy at least two Starbucks drinks per day, this package pays for itself. Since individual drinks cost between five and seven dollars, the math works out well for coffee enthusiasts.
Before purchasing or upgrading a drink package, there are several key points guests should know.
Every drink package comes with an automatic gratuity charge, usually around twenty percent. This fee is added upfront and cannot be waived.
Guests must be at least twenty-one years old to purchase alcoholic drink packages on most Norwegian cruises. However, on some international itineraries, the minimum age might be eighteen.
If one adult in the cabin buys the Premium Beverage Package, all adults in the same stateroom must also purchase it. This rule prevents sharing and ensures fairness.
Even with the Premium Plus Package, certain exclusive beverages may not be included, such as super-premium bottles or rare wines sold by the bottle. However, most passengers find that the package covers nearly every drink they’d want.
Drink packages are not valid on private islands or during port days when drinks are purchased off the ship. However, some Norwegian private destinations like Great Stirrup Cay honor the drink packages for beverages purchased on the island.
It’s often cheaper to purchase a drink package before your cruise rather than waiting until you’re onboard. Norwegian occasionally offers discounts for pre-cruise purchases through their website or booking portal.
Norwegian frequently runs promotional campaigns such as “Free at Sea,” which allows guests to choose the Premium Beverage Package as a complimentary perk when booking a cruise. However, even if the package is free, you’ll still need to pay the gratuity in advance.
Deciding whether a drink package is worth the cost depends entirely on your personal drinking habits. Let’s break down some examples.
If you typically enjoy a glass of wine at dinner and maybe a cocktail or beer afterward, buying drinks à la carte might be cheaper. At an average price of twelve dollars per drink, two or three drinks a day would cost thirty to forty dollars — far less than the daily package price.
If you plan to have several drinks throughout the day — perhaps a mimosa at breakfast, a couple of beers at lunch, a cocktail by the pool, and wine at dinner — you’ll likely consume six or more drinks daily. In that case, the Premium Beverage Package offers strong value, as your daily drink total could easily exceed seventy dollars without it.
If you prefer top-shelf liquors, fine wines, or champagne, the Premium Plus Package provides convenience and access to premium brands without worrying about high per-drink prices. The additional cost can be justified for those who enjoy a luxury experience.
For those who don’t consume alcohol, the Unlimited Soda or Starbucks Coffee Package is a better fit. These options keep the experience enjoyable while saving money compared to buying individual drinks.
Book During a Promotion: Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer often includes the Premium Beverage Package as a complimentary perk.
Buy Before Boarding: Pre-purchasing online before your cruise can save you a few dollars per day compared to onboard prices.
Check Loyalty Benefits: Members of Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program sometimes receive special discounts or complimentary upgrades.
Sail During Off-Peak Seasons: Cruise fares, including package deals, are often lower during less busy times of the year.
Avoid Buying for Short Cruises: On shorter itineraries, it may not be worth paying for an all-inclusive drink package if you won’t have time to use it fully.
1. Can I share drinks with someone who doesn’t have a package?
No. Norwegian strictly prohibits sharing drinks between guests. Bartenders are trained to monitor usage, and violations could lead to the cancellation of the package without a refund.
2. Can minors purchase drink packages?
Guests under the legal drinking age cannot purchase alcoholic drink packages, but they can buy soda or coffee packages.
3. Can I upgrade my package during the cruise?
Yes. Guests who received the Premium Beverage Package as part of a promotion can upgrade to the Premium Plus Package by paying the price difference onboard.
4. Are drinks in the mini-bar included?
Mini-bar drinks are not included in any package and are charged separately.
5. Are drinks during room service included?
Room service drinks are typically not included in the packages. You’ll be billed per drink if you order beverages to your cabin.
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