Norwegian Non-Alcoholic Drinks and their specialty coffees. Free Unlimited Open Bar Save up to $1,400 on all the spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and soda Learn More Free Specialty Dining Save up to $180 and savor free meals at our Specialty Dining venues. I've cruised with Carnival before and with their drink package, they have a 15 drink limit per day. Those are not free a the rate is higher for the promo. Further vending machine purchases and wine stations are not included. Absolutely not! There is no service charge on the Australian package. Also includes unlimited Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks, bottled water, soda, juices and energy drinks. In our experience, the drink package on a cruise ship is not worth it for most passengers. Visit our, The drink package promotion applies to the first two guests in the cabin. We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. Bring the whole family and pay only taxes for 3rd and 4th guests on select cruises. We've purchased the UBP on each NCL cruise we've been on, and we have never experienced an issue with limits. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Available on: All ships including river and expeditions ships. Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? Fine print: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Heidi is a physical therapist by profession, cruise enthusiast at heart, and Princess all the time! Welcome Aboard! Unfortunately, Norwegians Harvest Caye, Carnivals Half Moon Cay, and Princess Cays dont allow the use of your drink package in port. Exclusive: Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Deals. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Below, weve listed the cost of drink packages for some of the mainstream cruise lines to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay. Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide I have been lucky enough to travel on multiple continents, as well as several cruise lines. So as long as you don't share and behave yourself you can drink as much as you want. Some cruise lines also let you use your packages when visiting their private islands. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, View Cruises with 50% off and 300 Airfare Credit, Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15, 2 meals to enjoy at any of our specialty restaurants*. Further, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers. If you plan to spend the day in port, you wont be consuming as many beverages as you would on sea days. I enjoy an cocktail before dinner and good wine with, but withotu knowing what the extra cost might be, I have no way of knowing if the $40/day service charge would be worth it for one. A selection of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer with a value of up to $15 US per drink are included in the complimentary beverage package offered by Norwegian. For these passengers, the uncertainty of the running bar tab creates too much stress when you should be relaxing. If the Classic Beverage Package isnt enough, passengers can upgrade to the Premium Drinks Package at an additional cost of $12 per person per day. Alcohol advertising is prohibited in Norway, as it is in the United States. Norwegian's Ultimate Beverage Package is currently available as a FREE offer through its Free at Sea Promotion but it is not completely free as it comes with a gratuity charge of 20% which equals $19.80 per person per day, for a week it equals $138.60. If youre planning on purchasing the drink package, the Princess Plus fare is an excellent way to save money. That said, many cruise lines will allow you to use the drink package on their private islands. Other packages: Princess also offers a less pricey Plus Beverage package that can be used for drinks priced up to $12. Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare). What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. Knowing the total cost of the cruise vacation before you set sail is a smart budgeting trick so that you wont be surprised when you receive the bill at the end of your sailing. Although most cruise lines dont have a specified drink limit, bartenders will cut you off from ordering more drinks if youre intoxicated. For a simple estimation, figure out what drinks you will consume (beer, wine, soda, whiskey) and how many drinks you will consume daily. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails (soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner already are included in the fare at Viking; so are specialty coffees and teas at all hours). How Do I Purchase A Drink Package For My Cruise? Starbucks does not have an active drink package. This brings us back to the original question, is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package a good value? But remember, you will have to purchase the package for every adult in the cabin, even if they dont plan on drinking. Fine print: If one passenger in a cabin purchases a package, everyone in the same cabin as well as other cabins tied to the same method of payment must purchase the package, too. That's unlimited wine, soda, beer and cocktails priced under $15. If you decide to purchase the beverage package, booking online ahead of time is better. Norwegian Cruise Line do feature a lot of 'speciality dining' options onboard their ships but these have an extra cost. No actually it is what the UBP would cost for 16 days for two people (at the previous rate of $59/day). There are five different adult beverage packages available on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises. I have a 14 day cruise booked and Iam sure I will get my monies worth. What it includes: Drinks by the glass including draught, craft and bottled beer; a selection of wine and Champagne by the glass; premium-brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials; a variety of frozen and classic cocktails; soda; juices; nonalcoholic cocktails; energy drinks; hot chocolate drinks; specialty coffees; teas and bottled water. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Carnival has a 15-drink limit on alcoholic beverages purchased between 6 am, and 6 am. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package is good almost everywhere. There's a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period. While the $99 per person per day base charge will be waved, you'll still be paying the 20% gratuity and beverage service charge on the full retail price of the package. The maximum beverage price covered by the package is $15. The Premium beverage package is currently priced at $99 per person, per day. The drink package is free but the gratuities on it are not included. What it includes: A large selection of beers including craft beers, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, Coca-Cola products, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. Cruise Drink Packages: The Ultimate Guide - Cruise Mummy You must order at least two drinks in order to be served. Norwegian's Free at Sea Cruise Deals: Free Open Bar & More There is no hard limit, but they can and may refuse to serve you if they feel you are excessively inebriated, regardless of number of drinks purchased. :D. You might take a minute to review the terms of the UBP before you sail. You can not purchase just select days. For a line-by-line guide to drinks package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide. Prices 6 litre Just Water Package $16.95 12-litre Just Water Package $29.95 24 litre Just Water Package $44.95 Below is a list of included beverages. Cruise ship drinks packages: A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy Does Norwegian have a drink limit? A NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package, which includes 20% gratuities, is available for $138 per person per day. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. But once you are on board, the luxury of ordering drinks and restaurants without worrying about the final bar bill can be worth the price of the package. Cruise lines will often offer discounts if you buy the drink package before you sail. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or ordered through room service. The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." Priced at $138 per day, this is Norwegian's most expensive and highest-end package. Is There A Limit To How Many Drinks You Can Get Per Day With An Ncl Beverage Package Unlike some cruise lines, Norwegian doesnt currently have a limit on how many drinks you can have per day with any of their packages. Note that some cruise lines discount drinks packages if you buy them online in advance of sailing, and some lines offer periodic sales on their drinks packages online. There is no limit to the number of bottles passengers can bring onboard. If you would spend more money purchasing individual drinks than the cost of the package, then the drink package is worth it for you. If youre still not convinced. as long as the regular drink package is offered as the free at sea promotion,i find that this is sufficient for my wife and myself, by nature she is not a big drinker (although neither am I) but we will have a glass of champagne or mimosa at breakast and she will join me in a mojito during the afternoon. Of course, if you plan to drink more non-alcoholic specialty drinks or like bottles of wine, then this upgrade might be worth it for you. Here are some of the risks. Norwegian's Unlimited Starbucks Package has a few restrictions. It's actually kind of easy. Norwegian recently updated its beverage package selection and added a new package option. New Holland America Line West Coast Cruises Just Released! By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. I believe that your account is debited the cost of the drink; then it is debited the 18% and finally the cost of the drink is credited. Plus you can order unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay. It adds up and allows us to cruise more. But hurry, this limited-time offer won't last long. anytime you want with Bottomless Bubbles. It is simple for many cruise . And again, thats if you are drinking the more expensive drinks and cocktails. All lattes and cappuccinos incurred a charge. If you plan on drinking lots of pop or alcohol, but your cabinmate is fine with tap water, youll be better off skipping the beverage package and buying drinks at the bar. Instead, guests can pre-purchase Virgin Voyages Bar Tab. And The value of up to $1888 just refers to the price one would have to pay for the package if it were not free. Every time you book a cruise you have one very important decision to make: "Should I get the cruise drinks package or not?". Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles. Yes. If you are only drinking a few drinks per day, it is probably cheaper for you to not choose the free at sea promos. Princess Cruises Drinks Packages Guide - Cruise The Waves There is no limit to how much alcohol you can drink on the road, which is one of the strictest in the world. Only one beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time. I plan on setting a record with most drinks consumed using the UBP! Norwegian Cruise Line Bahamas Cruise Deals. Dont make the mistake of thinking beverage packages are only for alcoholic drinks. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Two lines that notably don't have such a rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises. The limit only applies to alcoholic beverages, so feel free to order unlimited soda, juice, and specialty coffee. My strange night out at Norwegian's new 'zero waste' cruise ship bar. Passengers can receive the Premium Beverage Package for free through Norwegians Free at Sea promotion. Variety of spirits and cocktails, wines. Remember that once you are on board, the price tends to be pretty expensive. And if you wait until the second day, you will still be paying for the first two days of sailing, even though you didnt use the package. Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages Guide - Cruise Maven If we had purchased the Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package out of pocket, it would have cost us $1663.20 total. Complete guide to cruise ship drink packages - Cruiseable So, unless you and your cabin mate can consistently drink 11+ alcoholic beverages a day, then it would not be worth buying the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package. Do you think the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value? The cruiseline has partnered with JUST Goods Water, replacing single-use plastic bottles with a plant-based carton. Can a guest upgrade to the unlimited package? As with the other cruise lines on the list, you will usually get a better deal if you purchase the drink package before you set sail rather than on the ship. CHEERS! With the Unlimited Open Bar Package, enjoy a wide selection of beverages both on board and at Great Stirrup Cay. The majority of town beer shops are open before 8 p.m. or 6 p.m. on weekends. In those instances, a parent or legal guardian must be onboard the sailing with the minor and sign a waiver form at the front desk. Note: Final prices will add a gratuity to the cost of the package. DOUBLE WALL VACUUM INSULATED TECHNOLOGY: This tumbler can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and keep hot for at least 6 hours. Once youve done the calculation, its time to decide whether or not the drink package is worth the investment. October 19, 2021: Log In Issues. When you order drinks from a US port, you will be charged an additional tax. And if you are traveling with a group, dont even consider using your beverage package on friends in other cabins. These additional inclusions are freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer, wine dispensers, and specialty coffee. With the My Drinks Plus package, guests receive premium cocktails, mini bar purchases, prestigious liquor brands, and bottled Corona and Becks. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20. Premier Beverage Package - $59.99 The Premier Beverage Package on Princess includes unlimited premium beverages and snacks throughout the cruise. Guests who are 21 or over will receive a, Adult alcoholic beverages generally incur charges in the $8 to $10 arrange. I have the free at sea promotion for a 10 day cruise in Iceland . Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It? The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. At checkout, you will be charged gratuities on the drink package, usually between 15-20%. Food & Drink Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks Packages Norwegian Joy NCL Drinks. Do Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises Include Meals? - Included Food Guide The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $15. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Lines Specialty Dining Package, Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise, should buy a beverage package on a cruise, easy to go overboard if you are just trying to get your moneys worth, Celebrity Edge Will Be the First Cruise Ship to Sail from the U.S. in June. In total, we drank 76 drinks that were included in theNorwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package. Unlike most cruise lines, the price of Royal Caribbeans beverage package varies depending on the individual itinerary. The package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.). Norwegian Introduces Unlimited Starbucks Package Although annoying, it still seemed like we could make good value out of the packages even with the required fee. Purchasing alcohol in port: Same rules as above apply for wine and Champagne; all other alcohol will be retained until the end of the cruise. For the above reasons, we dont think drink package purchases make sense for most cruisers. If the cost of the drink is more than the allowed value ($15 I think) it is a little more complicated. This means less time on the ship to take advantage of that drink package. Package name: Premium Drink Package. The latter offers a wider range of covered drinks but is not available as a free perk. Coffee shops are available onboard as well, and the drink package includes a variety of them. https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package, The Freestyle Choice information has the following:-, The first two guests can enjoy a drink (who are we kidding, drinks) for the whole cruise vacation for free. Other packages: The less costly Topmast Discoveries Beer and Wine Package, at $49 per day, includes a choice of beers and premium wines but not spirits and cocktails. The Premium beverage package does not include room service, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands, bottled wine or liquor, or mini bar purchases. My husband did max out once on a sea day, but a couple of the drinks he had "bought" for one of the entertainment staff that we had made friends with [a couple beers while he was singing in the bar], and a couple drinks that had gone to waste when you take a couple sips and decide that it just didn't taste good. Cruise Beverage Packages | Bon Voyage Gifts | Norwegian Cruise Line Guests can purchase the Premier Beverage Package for $59.99 per person per day. A relatively newer offering, the Premium Plus beverage package is the most all-inclusive option of the NCL drink packages. The cost was around $300 and it was a very good deal as it worked out to just over $21 a day. Premium Beverage Package - Starting at the hefty price of $99 per day (plus 20% service charge), Norwegian 's Premium Beverage Package includes any wines, beers or cocktails priced at $15 or less per glass. Specialty Coffee Not Included In Norwegian Ultimate Beverage Package This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Prepaid @ $7.95 USD per person per day x Cruise Days plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. Heres everything you need to know to help you decide if the drink package is worth it on a cruise. Note: Final prices will add an 18% gratuity to the cost of the package. Guests under 21 will receive the soda package, normally $5.95-$7.95 per day. If so, you may be able to use your beverage package off of the ship. We save on the average of $800 when we choose a regular balcony over the free at sea balcony. At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. Drinks served in souvenir glassware and specialty beers are not covered by the package, nor are beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores on ships. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. The drink value can be up to and including $15 USD. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. With the high price of the package and price restrictions on included beverages, youll need to purchase 6-8 alcoholic beverages every day to break even. I can assume an 18 year old single malt scotch is well over $15but by how much? Norwegian Cruise Line Alcohol Policy Purchasing alcohol in ships' duty-free shop(s): Any alcohol purchased in the onboard shops will be stored until the cruise's conclusion. 2023 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages Required fields are marked *. What's included in a cruise line drinks package and how do they work? I figured Carnival might put the limit so you don't buy a ton of drinks for friends who are not on the package. Have another, we won't tell.*. I am passionate about sharing my experience with readers. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! How Much Do Drinks Cost on a Cruise Ship? Also, all guests in the same cabin over 18 must purchase this package. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Boxed wine is not allowed. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. An upgrade beverage package is rarely needed if you sail with any of these cruise lines. I've maxed out once during a sea day. My strange night out at Norwegian's new 'zero waste' cruise ship bar, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Related: The 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package. Find all the details you need here regarding Norwegian Cruise Line's alcohol policy: The drinking age on NCL's ships is 21 for most itineraries; it's 18 for sailings that operate round trip from European or Australian ports (though for beer and wine only). For a full list of included beverages, seehere. Breakfast lunch and dinner are all included on cruises with Norwegian Cruise Line. Between your cruise fare, shore excursions, flights, hotel, and the drink package, it can be painful to spend thousands of dollars before stepping on the cruise ship. All you are paying for each time is 18% of the cost the drink. Is There a Limit to the Number of Drinks You Can Buy? Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Elevate your cruise experience with our widest beverage selection onboard, more specialty dining, unlimited Wi-Fi and more shore excursion credits. Remember that bartenders and servers will only serve you one drink at a time. The Free Open Bar is likely the top pick for many from Norwegians Free at Sea promotion. Norwegian has a few other drink package options including. Take your tastebuds on a trip with free meals at our Speciality Dining venues. We dont think the limit will be a problem for most cruise passengers. How Much Does Gray Goose Vodka Cost On An NCL Cruise? We usually find the package priced between $65 per person per day and $99 per person per day on most sailings. Cruise Packages: - Princess Cruises Further, this package includes unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants, and Great Stirrup Cay. Non-Refundable. Happy cruisingCheers! PDF OLife Choice - Things to Know - Oceania Cruises However, passengers who are 18 to 20 years of age can purchase and consume beer or wine on other itineraries, too, when the ship is in international waters (does not apply to Alaska or Hawaii sailings). Stay connected whilst at sea with an Internet Package you can use throughout the ship. This equates to $831.60 per person for a 7-day cruise (including 20% service charge).Analysis of the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package. It costs $54.95 per day. Note: Final prices will add an 18% service charge to the cost of the package. You will not be limited by the number of drinks you can consume with any of the Norwegian cruise line drink packages because there is no limit. The line's new Premium-Plus package is the "top beverage offering" of Norwegian and is designed for passengers who love top-shelf liquors. That is a question that only you can answer based on your own drinking habits. Cost per day: $19.95, including gratuities. Started June 21, 2021, By Once on board, you will often purchase the drink package during the first two days of sailing. So six max-priced drinks would be $90, which is still less than the daily price of the premium package. Do You Have to Purchase the Drink Package for the Entire Cruise? Thats because most cruise ship ports are independent of the cruise line. In cases where a line offers more than one drinks package, weve highlighted the most inclusive package in detail while also noting other packages cruisers can consider. All the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drinks packages that, in some cases, can save you money when cruising. The drinks package included in Princess Plus is now called Plus Beverage Package. I got the drink package as a perk, for me it will be worth it as I do like to drink well on vacation. For most cruisers, the drink package is simply not worth the price. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Drink Packages. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Also, any guests under the age of 21 must purchase a soda package as a substitute. Passengers who purchase the drink package should be aware that there is a limit to the number of drinks you can order in a 24-hour time span. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $13. Unlike drink packages on many other cruise lines, Norwegian's Free Open Bar doesn't include specialty coffees or bottled water. Drink Packages Drink Packages F A Q s Drink Packages Bottomless Bubbles Enjoy ice-cold refreshments during meals, during shows, during, well. - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles and $30 for 1,500ml.. TPG values it at $1,600. People who want to drink without breaking the bank and enjoy a variety of drinks without . If you prefer to order a bottle of wine at dinner or want to choose from a selection of high-end wine, they arent included in your drink package. In this post, we complete an analysis to answer the question, Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It?. Celebrity Cruises offers its Classic and Premium Package.