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When you book a Norwegian Cruise, you are signing up for a vacation that promises freedom, flexibility, and endless fun. From ocean views to Broadway-style shows, luxurious dining, and friendly bars, there’s something for everyone onboard. One of the most common questions travelers ask before sailing is: How do you pay for drinks on a Norwegian Cruise?
Whether you enjoy a morning coffee, a soda by the pool, or a cocktail under the stars, knowing how drink payments work is essential. Norwegian Cruise Line, often called NCL, has its own system for managing purchases — and understanding it can help you avoid surprises at the end of your trip.
In this guide, we’ll walk through every detail — how the drink payment system works, available drink options, how beverage packages can simplify your expenses, and smart tips to save money onboard.
Once you step onboard a Norwegian Cruise ship, you enter a cash-free environment. This means that you won’t use cash or cards for daily purchases like drinks, meals, or souvenirs. Instead, everything is managed through your stateroom key card, also known as your SeaPass card or room card.
This card acts as your onboard identification, room key, and charge account. Each time you order a drink, you simply present your card to the bartender or server, and the charge is automatically added to your onboard account.
At the end of your cruise, the total balance is settled using the payment method you registered during check-in — usually a credit or debit card.
Here’s how it works step by step:
You register a payment card during check-in.Before boarding, you link a debit or credit card to your stateroom account.
You use your stateroom card to make purchases.Each time you buy a drink or any item onboard, the purchase is recorded under your cabin account.
You can review your account anytime.Norwegian allows guests to check their running tab through the onboard app or interactive TVs in their stateroom.
You settle your bill at the end of the cruise.At disembarkation, the cruise line automatically charges your registered card for your onboard expenses.
This system is simple, convenient, and eliminates the need to carry money around the ship.
If you don’t purchase a beverage package, you’ll pay for drinks individually. Every drink on the ship has a set price, which is automatically added to your account when you order.
Here’s what you can expect for average drink prices on a Norwegian Cruise:
Cocktails and mixed drinks: around ten to fifteen dollars each
Beers: seven to nine dollars each
Wine by the glass: nine to fifteen dollars
Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails): six to eight dollars
Soft drinks: around four to five dollars each
Specialty coffee (like Starbucks): five to seven dollars per cup
Bottled water: two to four dollars per bottle
These prices do not include gratuity. Norwegian automatically adds a twenty percent service charge to each drink purchase. So if you buy a ten-dollar cocktail, you’ll actually pay around twelve dollars in total.
While paying per drink gives you flexibility, the costs can add up quickly — especially if you enjoy multiple beverages each day.
For guests who prefer convenience and unlimited options, Norwegian Cruise Line offers several beverage packages that allow you to enjoy drinks without paying per order. Instead, you pay a flat daily rate before or during the cruise and get access to a wide variety of beverages.
Let’s look at how these packages work and what they include.
This is Norwegian’s most popular drink plan. It covers almost all standard alcoholic beverages served onboard.
What’s included:
Cocktails, spirits, and liquors priced up to fifteen dollars
Wine by the glass
Draft and bottled beer
Soft drinks, juice, and mocktails
How to pay:You pay a fixed daily rate, around one hundred and nine dollars per person per day, plus the twenty percent gratuity. This brings the total to about one hundred and thirty dollars daily.
When you order a drink, you simply show your card, and there’s no additional charge unless you order a premium beverage that exceeds the fifteen-dollar limit.
This top-tier option covers nearly every drink onboard, including high-end liquors and premium wines.
What’s included:
All alcoholic drinks, no price limit
Premium champagnes
Bottled water (still and sparkling)
Energy drinks and fresh juices
Starbucks coffee and specialty teas
How to pay:The cost is about one hundred and thirty-eight dollars per person per day, plus the twenty percent service charge, bringing it to around one hundred and sixty-five dollars daily.
With this package, you won’t have to pay for any drink onboard — everything from top-shelf whiskey to iced lattes is included.
Designed for beer and wine lovers, this package includes unlimited beer and wine by the glass.
What’s included:
All draft and bottled beers
Wines by the glass
Soda and juice
How to pay:The price is about sixty-five to seventy dollars per person per day, plus gratuity.
This is a good choice if you mainly drink beer or wine and don’t need cocktails or liquors.
If you don’t drink alcohol, Norwegian offers a soda package that covers unlimited fountain soft drinks.
What’s included:
Unlimited refills of soda at bars, restaurants, and lounges.
How to pay:The cost is roughly nine dollars per adult per day and ten dollars for children, plus gratuity — about twelve dollars total per day.
For caffeine lovers, this package includes unlimited handcrafted Starbucks beverages.
What’s included:
Espresso drinks, cappuccinos, macchiatos, iced coffee, and hot teas.
How to pay:It costs about twelve dollars per person per day, plus gratuity, totaling around fifteen dollars daily.
You can purchase a beverage package in three different ways:
Before Your Cruise – The easiest option is to buy it in advance through Norwegian’s website or app. This lets you spread the cost and sometimes take advantage of pre-cruise discounts.
During Booking Promotions – Norwegian often includes the Premium Beverage Package as part of its “Free at Sea” promotion. In this case, you only pay the gratuity instead of the full price.
Once Onboard – You can buy a package on the ship, but it will be charged to your onboard account at the standard rate.
Once purchased, your package is linked to your stateroom card. Every time you order a drink, it’s automatically covered under your plan.
Understanding Norwegian’s drink payment policies will help you make the most of your cruise and avoid confusion.
All drink purchases — including those made with a beverage package — come with an automatic twenty percent gratuity charge. This is non-negotiable and applied whether you pre-purchase or buy onboard.
Each person over twenty-one years old in the same cabin must purchase the same beverage package if one person does. This policy prevents sharing between guests.
Guests under twenty-one are not eligible for alcoholic packages but can buy the soda or Starbucks package instead.
Your drink package extends to Norwegian’s private islands, like Great Stirrup Cay, meaning you can use it while relaxing onshore.
Drink packages are charged for the entire length of the cruise. You cannot purchase them for select days or request refunds for unused portions.
If you have the Premium Beverage Package and order a drink above fifteen dollars, you only pay the difference in price.
While most guests use a credit card, Norwegian also allows other payment methods.
If you prefer not to use a card, you can place a cash deposit at the Guest Services desk. Your onboard purchases, including drinks, will be deducted from this balance.
You can also link a debit card to your stateroom account. Just ensure there’s enough balance, as temporary holds may be applied during the cruise.
Norwegian gift cards or onboard credit (OBC) can be used to pay for drinks or beverage packages. Many travelers receive OBC as part of booking promotions or loyalty rewards.
Even though Norwegian’s cashless system makes payments convenient, it’s important to monitor your spending.
Check Your Account on the NCL App: You can view a live summary of your charges anytime.
Use Your Stateroom TV: Many ships let you check your account balance directly from your cabin TV.
Ask Guest Services: You can always visit the front desk to request a printout of your current balance.
This helps you stay aware of your spending and avoid bill shock at the end of the trip.
Cruising doesn’t have to break your budget. If you want to enjoy drinks without overspending, here are some strategies.
Norwegian often includes a complimentary beverage package in its promotional deals. You’ll only need to pay the gratuity, saving hundreds of dollars.
Purchasing your beverage package before boarding can sometimes cost less than buying it onboard.
Norwegian allows guests to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per adult at embarkation. A small corkage fee applies if you consume it in public areas.
If you’re spending time onshore, drinks are often cheaper at local bars and restaurants compared to onboard prices.
Some ships offer drink specials during certain hours or events. These can reduce costs for individual purchases.
When you order a drink onboard, the process is straightforward:
You give your stateroom card to the bartender.
They swipe the card to confirm your account.
If you have a beverage package, the drink is automatically covered.
If you do not, the cost plus gratuity is added to your onboard bill.
You receive a receipt showing the total and your cumulative balance.
This same process applies whether you’re ordering at a bar, restaurant, pool deck, or during a show.
Norwegian’s mobile app is a convenient tool for managing onboard payments. You can use it to:
Check drink prices and menus.
View your running tab.
Upgrade to a different beverage package.
See which bars and lounges are open.
Having this control helps you stay informed and manage your budget effectively throughout your cruise.
No, the service charge is automatically added to each drink purchase and beverage package.
Basic beverages like tap water, regular coffee, tea, and iced tea are complimentary. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included unless you have a package.
You can get a replacement card from Guest Services. Any lost card is immediately deactivated to prevent unauthorized charges.
No. Norwegian strictly prohibits sharing between guests. Each adult in a cabin must purchase the same package.
Drinks ordered via room service are typically not covered by beverage packages and may incur an additional delivery charge.
If it’s your first time sailing with Norwegian, here are a few helpful drink-related tips:
Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.
Keep receipts if you’re tracking expenses manually.
Try the drink of the day for a discounted special.
Remember, Norwegian’s drink policy may vary slightly between ships.
If you have dietary restrictions, ask bartenders about ingredients in cocktails.
Let’s say you’re on a five-night cruise without a beverage package. Here’s how your daily expenses might look:
Two cocktails: 12 dollars each = 24
One beer: 8 dollars
One glass of wine: 10 dollars
Two sodas: 4 dollars each = 8Total: 50 dollarsService charge (20 percent): 10 dollarsDaily total: 60 dollars
Over five nights, you’d spend around 300 dollars on drinks alone. In comparison, a beverage package might cost more upfront but provide unlimited access, depending on your habits.
Norwegian’s onboard payment system is designed for ease and safety. You never need to carry cash or cards, and everything you buy is securely linked to your account.
It also enhances the vacation experience by removing the mental load of budgeting every time you want to enjoy a drink. For many guests, this sense of freedom is one of the best parts of cruising.
Paying for drinks on a Norwegian Cruise is simple, convenient, and entirely cashless. Every purchase is charged to your onboard account using your stateroom card, and the balance is settled automatically at the end of your trip.
You can choose between paying per drink or purchasing a beverage package that covers all your drinks in advance. While buying individual drinks offers flexibility, a beverage package provides peace of mind and unlimited access — perfect for guests who like to relax without worrying about costs.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your drinking habits, preferences, and budget. Whether you enjoy a daily cocktail or prefer coffee and soft drinks, Norwegian Cruise Line offers options to make your experience both enjoyable and stress-free.
With a little planning and awareness, you can enjoy your favorite beverages at sea — and pay for them effortlessly — while focusing on what really matters: your unforgettable cruise adventure.
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Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 CruiseRegal.com. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
