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Taking a Norwegian Cruise is all about freedom — freedom to explore, relax, and enjoy your vacation exactly how you want. Norwegian Cruise Line, known for its Freestyle Cruising concept, offers travelers an unstructured, laid-back experience with endless entertainment, dining, and beverage options.
Among the most popular add-ons for guests is the drink package — a way to enjoy unlimited beverages without worrying about the cost of each drink. But a common question first-time cruisers ask is whether it is really worth buying a drink package on a Norwegian Cruise.
The answer depends on your personal habits, preferences, and budget. This detailed guide will break down everything you need to know — from what the drink packages include to how much they cost, and who benefits most from buying them.
Before deciding if the drink package is worth it, it is important to understand what these packages offer. Norwegian Cruise Line (often called NCL) has several beverage options designed for different types of guests — from casual soda drinkers to those who love premium wines and cocktails.
Here are the main drink packages available on Norwegian Cruise Line:
Premium Beverage Package (Unlimited Open Bar)
Premium Plus Beverage Package
Corks and Caps Package (Wine and Beer)
Unlimited Soda Package
Starbucks Coffee Package
Each package has its own pricing structure and inclusions. Let’s take a closer look at each one and see what makes them appealing or not.
The Premium Beverage Package, also called the Unlimited Open Bar, is the most commonly purchased drink package on Norwegian Cruise Line. It covers most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks served onboard.
Spirits, cocktails, and mixed drinks priced up to fifteen dollars each.
Wines by the glass up to fifteen dollars.
Bottled and draft beers.
Non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas, juices, and mocktails.
Discounts on bottles of wine purchased onboard.
This package covers nearly all standard drinks available on the ship. It can be used at bars, lounges, restaurants, and even on Norwegian’s private islands.
If purchased separately, the Premium Beverage Package costs about one hundred and nine dollars per person per day, plus a twenty percent service charge. This means the total cost comes to around one hundred and thirty dollars per person per day.
Guests must buy the package for the entire duration of the cruise, and all adults in the same cabin must purchase the same one.
If you typically enjoy several drinks a day — say, a few cocktails by the pool, wine at dinner, and an after-dinner drink — the package can easily pay for itself. Most drinks onboard range from ten to fifteen dollars each, so having five or more in a day usually justifies the cost.
It also gives you the freedom to order what you want, when you want, without worrying about the price each time.
The Premium Plus Beverage Package is the top-tier drink option on Norwegian Cruise Line. It includes everything from the Premium Beverage Package, along with high-end liquors and extra perks.
All spirits and cocktails, regardless of price.
All wines by the glass.
Premium champagnes.
Bottled water (both still and sparkling).
Energy drinks and fresh juices.
Starbucks coffee and specialty teas.
Essentially, this package allows you to enjoy anything you want onboard, including top-shelf liquors and exclusive beverages.
The Premium Plus Package costs about one hundred and thirty-eight dollars per person per day, plus the service charge. After adding gratuity, the total comes to around one hundred and sixty-five dollars daily.
If you enjoy fine wines, top-shelf liquors, or premium coffee, this package offers unbeatable value. It is also convenient for guests who prefer bottled water and Starbucks drinks without paying extra each time.
This package is a luxury choice — ideal for travelers who want the most inclusive experience possible.
Not everyone drinks cocktails or spirits. For guests who mainly enjoy wine and beer, Norwegian Cruise Line offers the Corks and Caps Package.
Unlimited draft and bottled beers.
Wines by the glass.
Non-alcoholic beverages like soda and juice.
The Corks and Caps Package costs around sixty-five to seventy dollars per person per day, plus gratuity, totaling about eighty dollars daily.
If you mainly drink beer or wine, this package gives you good value without paying for liquors or cocktails you do not plan to consume. It is a simpler, more focused option for casual drinkers.
For non-drinkers or families traveling with children, Norwegian offers the Unlimited Soda Package.
Unlimited fountain sodas throughout the cruise.
Refills at any bar or restaurant.
Adults pay around nine dollars per day plus gratuity, while children pay around ten dollars daily, bringing the total to about twelve dollars per person per day.
If you drink multiple sodas a day, the package saves money compared to paying four to five dollars per soda individually. It’s also convenient for families with kids.
For coffee lovers, Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with Starbucks to offer an exclusive Starbucks Coffee Package.
Unlimited espresso-based beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, and iced coffees.
Hot teas and cold brew.
This package costs around twelve dollars per day plus gratuity, bringing the total to approximately fifteen dollars per person per day.
If you usually drink Starbucks beverages every day, this package quickly becomes a money-saver. A single latte onboard can cost five to seven dollars, so having two or more daily makes it worthwhile.
Now that you know the pricing and inclusions, let’s break down the real question: is it worth it for you?
The answer depends on a few factors — your drinking habits, the cruise duration, and your personal budget. Let’s explore each consideration.
This is the most important factor.
For example, if you drink five cocktails a day at an average of twelve dollars each, your daily drink total would be around sixty dollars. The Premium Beverage Package costs around one hundred and thirty dollars per day, including gratuity.
At first glance, this may seem more expensive. However, remember that it also includes wine, beer, soda, juice, and other beverages — so if you mix different drinks throughout the day, it can quickly add up in value.
If you drink seven or more alcoholic beverages per day, the package almost always saves you money.
The longer the cruise, the more the package cost adds up. For a seven-day sailing, the Premium Beverage Package would cost around nine hundred and ten dollars per person, including gratuity.
That might seem like a large number, but if you enjoy drinks throughout the day, it can still provide good value — especially considering that everything is prepaid, so you do not have to think about bills while on vacation.
On shorter cruises, say three or four days, you might not drink enough to make the package worthwhile.
Norwegian Cruise Line frequently runs its Free at Sea promotion, where you can choose a complimentary beverage package as a booking perk.
If you select this offer, you only need to pay the gratuity (around twenty dollars per person per day) rather than the full package cost. This makes it an excellent deal since you get full access to the package for a fraction of the usual price.
If you can get the drink package this way, it is almost always worth it.
If you prefer premium liquors, fine wines, or bottled water, you may want to upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage Package.
However, if you mostly enjoy simple cocktails, beers, or house wines, the standard Premium Beverage Package will likely be sufficient.
Those who rarely drink alcohol at all might skip the alcohol packages altogether and instead buy the soda or coffee package.
Beyond the numbers, one of the biggest reasons guests choose a drink package is convenience. You can order what you want, when you want, without worrying about cost.
You also avoid the awkwardness of signing receipts or checking prices before ordering. Everything feels smoother and more carefree, which adds to the vacation experience.
While drink packages are great for many guests, they are not ideal for everyone. Here are situations where you might skip it.
You Do Not Drink Much Alcohol — If you typically have only one or two drinks a day, you will spend less by buying drinks individually.
You Are on a Short Cruise — For short trips, you may not have enough time to take full advantage of the package.
You Plan to Spend a Lot of Time Off the Ship — On port-heavy itineraries, you might be exploring during the day rather than drinking onboard.
You Are Sharing a Cabin with a Non-Drinker — Since both adults in the same cabin must buy the package, this could double your cost unnecessarily.
If any of these apply, buying drinks individually may be more economical.
Let’s take an example to see the real difference.
Imagine you are on a seven-night Norwegian Cruise with the Premium Beverage Package.
Package cost per day with gratuity: 130 dollars
Total for seven days: 910 dollars
Now, imagine you buy drinks individually:
Five cocktails per day at 12 dollars each: 60 dollars
One glass of wine with dinner: 10 dollars
Two sodas per day: 8 dollarsTotal daily cost: 78 dollars
Over seven days, that equals 546 dollars.
In this case, buying drinks individually would save around 364 dollars. However, if you usually drink more or prefer premium brands, the package can still pay off.
It all depends on your consumption level.
Sometimes, the value of a drink package is not purely financial. Many cruisers say it enhances the vacation experience because it allows total freedom.
You can try new drinks without hesitation, experiment with cocktails you might not usually buy, or sip champagne during sunset without checking your wallet.
It also reduces stress, since you are not keeping tabs on your onboard spending. Many guests view it as an investment in peace of mind rather than a strict money-saving tool.
If you decide to buy a drink package, there are ways to maximize your value.
Start Early: Enjoy your first drink as soon as the bars open and make the most of your day.
Try Variety: Experiment with new cocktails, wines, and mocktails instead of sticking to one drink type.
Use It Everywhere: Remember, you can use your package at restaurants, lounges, and private islands.
Stay Hydrated: If you have the Premium Plus Package, take advantage of bottled water throughout the day.
Pair It with Dining: Enjoy wine with dinner and cocktails at shows — it adds to the experience.
Even guests who may not drink heavily often still opt for the beverage package because of the all-inclusive feeling it provides.
It transforms the cruise into a fully prepaid experience. You can eat, drink, and relax without worrying about hidden costs. For many, that peace of mind is worth the extra money.
To summarize, here is when it is worth buying a drink package on a Norwegian Cruise:
You drink five or more alcoholic beverages per day.
You like trying a variety of cocktails, wines, and beers.
You value convenience and not worrying about drink prices.
You are getting it through a Free at Sea promotion.
You enjoy premium drinks, bottled water, and Starbucks coffee.
It is not worth it if:
You only drink occasionally.
You are sailing on a short cruise.
You prefer spending time in ports rather than at the bar.
You are traveling with a non-drinker who would also have to buy the package.
So, is it worth buying a drink package on a Norwegian Cruise?
For most guests who plan to enjoy multiple drinks each day, the answer is yes. The drink package adds convenience, variety, and a sense of luxury to your cruise experience. It allows you to fully relax without thinking about every purchase, making your vacation feel more all-inclusive.
However, if you drink lightly or are sailing for only a few days, you might save more by purchasing beverages individually.
Ultimately, the value depends on your lifestyle and preferences. If you enjoy cocktails by the pool, wine with dinner, or coffee in the morning — and want to sip freely without calculating costs — then a Norwegian Cruise drink package is definitely worth it.
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