In this post, we complete an analysis to answer the question, Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It?. While there is indeed a version of an NCL drink package for purchase thats an. I have been lucky enough to travel on multiple continents, as well as several cruise lines. It would seem effortless for two people to drink 2-3 adult beverages between the two of them. Cost per day: $64.95 when purchased on board, not including an 18% automatic gratuity charge; $59.95 plus the gratuity charge when purchased in advance of sailing. Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? I figured Carnival might put the limit so you don't buy a ton of drinks for friends who are not on the package. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20. Soda, bottled water and specialty coffees already are included in the fare on Oceania sailings. Of course, the price may become more justifiable if you plan on drinking soda, juice, and bottled water throughout the day. For most cruisers, the drink package is simply not worth the price. As always, checking with your cruise line to understand what is included and excluded in their drink package is best. While you might be able to consume enough drinks on sea days to make the package worth the price, youll have to consider the days that you will spend in port. A few friends of mine have, and really liked the food and the overall cruise. Drinks ordered through room service also arent included. 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. All NCL drink packages are priced as per person, per day. Youll need to consume much more on sea days to compensate for the lack of drink purchases while at the port to break even. 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. LauraS 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. Cost per day: $128, not including a 20% gratuity charge (effective Jan. 1, 2023, pricing will rise to $138). This drink package includes everything in the Premium beverage package, along with other higher end offerings. - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community. This happens for every drink you have on the package. By Ginnie6, January 1, 2016 in Norwegian Cruise Line. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. BTW, if you are on Breakaway class ship, the outdoor venues are a lot of fun. Do you think the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value? But hurry, this limited-time offer won't last long. NCL has no drink limit per day with the drink package, whether purchased or as a perk. Fine print: Theres a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. As a comparison, on our cruise, the featured cocktail of the day was $8.95. 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. One of the most hotly debated cruise topics are drink packages. Every time you book a cruise you have one very important decision to make: "Should I get the cruise drinks package or not?". Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. A wine bottle package also is available. Variety of spirits and cocktails, wines. Planning a cruise? In total, we drank 76 drinks that were included in theNorwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package. $12 for a drink made with leftover banana peels? Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drinks package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. Princess Cruises Premier Beverage Package is their top beverage package which covers a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Subscribe to receive travel tips delivered straight to your inbox. There are also a number of other restrictions to bear in mind before diving in and booking that booze-inclusive package. Package name: Premium Plus Beverage Package. 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. Note: Final prices will add a gratuity to the cost of the package. Cruise lines will often offer discounts if you buy the drink package before you sail. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles and $30 for 1,500ml. The package also covers soda and juices at all bars but no other non-alcoholic beverages. A NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package, which includes 20% gratuities, is available for $138 per person per day. No sharing is permitted and is non-transferable. Hi All - I just booked my first cruise with NCL and am getting the UBP. Breakfast lunch and dinner are all included on cruises with Norwegian Cruise Line. Whether you've been daydreaming of hiking to one of Alaska's pristine glaciers, touring ancient ruins in the Greek Isles or exploring one of our other top destinations, get more free when you cruise with NCL. Coffee shops are available onboard as well, and the drink package includes a variety of them. Does Norwegian have a drink limit? 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. Soda, specialty coffees and other nonalcoholic beverages already are included in the fare on Windstar sailings. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Other packages: Norwegian has two less-inclusive, less expensive alcoholic beverage packages. It is simple for many cruise . The 15% service charge is waived when pre-booking the package. That would be a total of $27.60 per day for both people. Wine and Champagne are permitted, but you'll have to pay a corkage fee for any that is consumed onboard in staterooms, bars or restaurants. The cost per day was over $57, which in my opinion isnt a great deal. Drinks over $15 (you'll pay the difference) I found that it wasnt worth it because I didnt drink that much. Only spending $978 on alcoholic drinks over the course of the week, we were a far cry from reaching the break even point. Still, whether or not you should purchase one of these beverage packages is an individual choice that depends on several factors. So, given that it does not include many non-alcoholic items, the Premium beverage package is priced well above its competitors. Unlimited Starbucks for $12.95/day + 20% gratuity. Ginnie6, January 1, 2016 in Norwegian Cruise Line. We've purchased the UBP on each NCL cruise we've been on, and we have never experienced an issue with limits. 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. For a line-by-line guide to drinks package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide. Instead, guests can pre-purchase Virgin Voyages Bar Tab. Additionally, package holders receive a 40% discount on wines priced up to $100 and a 20% discount on wines priced above $100. The drinks package included in Princess Plus is now called Plus Beverage Package. Weve seen similar promotions offering a $100 top-up. Some factors to consider are the price of the drink plan, your drinking habits, your cabinmates drinking habits, the cost of individual drinks, and what drinks the cruise fare includes. What's included in a cruise line drinks package and how do they work? Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. Your email address will not be published. Both cruise lines have a 15-drink limit per 24 hours on alcoholic beverages. Plus, Feel Free to Take All with Premium Beverages, Free Speciality Dining & much more! Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Click here for information on drink packages. Further, this package includes unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants, and Great Stirrup Cay. The limit only applies to alcoholic beverages, so feel free to order unlimited soda, juice, and specialty coffee. And, perhaps more to the point, how much do cruise line drinks packages cost? 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. If you plan to spend the day in port, you wont be consuming as many beverages as you would on sea days. 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. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Finally, cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Viking Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea Cruises, and Princess Cruises Princess Plus already include a beverage package with your cruise fare. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. And if you are in a warm climate, such as the Mediterranean, Australia, or the Caribbean, you may want to bring water with you as you explore the ports of call. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. So you pay the gratuities upfront. I have the free at sea promotion for a 10 day cruise in Iceland . Bring the whole family and pay only taxes for 3rd and 4th guests on select cruises. If you like a glass of fresh juice with your breakfast or a can of pop at lunchtime, you may benefit from buying the beverage packages. When Should You Get The Drink Package On a Cruise? It also does not include Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or flights, Starbucks, or Ice Bars. Drop us an anchor below with your analysis of this beverage program. Weve even seen discounts of up to 40% off! Also, any guests under the age of 21 must purchase a soda package as a substitute. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. The Norwegian beverage package is an excellent value for those who want to enjoy a lot of drinks for a low price. They also generally don't apply to drinks taken out of cabin minibars. is one of the lowest-priced drink packages of the mainstream cruise lines. Any items over $15 will receive a $15 discount; you will then need to pay only the difference. We dont think the limit will be a problem for most cruise passengers. 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. Obviously, you should be safe and drink responsibly! I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people. There's a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period. No votes so far! This equates to $831.60 per person for a 7-day cruise (including 20% service charge).Analysis of the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package. Cost per day: $63 to $89, not including an 18% gratuity charge (pricing varies by ship and itinerary). The Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package, priced at $65 per day, includes beer . If you decide to purchase a drink package on your cruise, you will have to purchase it for every day of the vacation. includes nearly all of the beverages onboard Carnival cruise ships. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brands private island ofGreat Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Some people love knowing exactly how much they will spend with the package before stepping on board. If so, you may be able to use your beverage package off of the ship. So six max-priced drinks would be $90, which is still less than the daily price of the premium package. Cost per day: $59.95, including gratuities. Heres Your Answer! 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I bought a drink package on RCCL, three years ago for around $400.. The Premium Beverage Package covers nearly every onboard drink up to $15 per drink, while the Premium Plus Beverage Package covers all drinks served by the glass, with no limit on the drink price. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Absolutely not! drink package is one of the most inclusive packages on our list. Though, it is not likely worth it to purchase out of pocket unless you plan on consuming a considerable number of alcoholic beverages a day. Read More Starting at $6.95 / Child Per Day $9.50 / Adult Per Day Add to cart More Details Drink Packages CHEERS! Carnivals CHEERS! Powered by Invision Community. Complimentary drinks are available at the Latitudes (past passenger) cocktail party. Prices 6 litre Just Water Package $16.95 12-litre Just Water Package $29.95 24 litre Just Water Package $44.95 Food & Drink Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks Packages Norwegian Joy NCL Drinks. So get ready to drink to your hearts content just dont go overboard on the alcohol (pun intended). Carnival also has a time limit between drinks. Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or shipboard wine-dispensing machines. Related: Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or those ordered through room service. Some cruise lines will provide discounts on bottles of wine when you purchase a beverage package, but it is best to check with your cruise line as not every package provides discounts on bottles of wine. Although cruise line drink packages are expensive, there are some reasons you should consider purchasing one before your next cruise. 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. The latter offers a wider range of covered drinks but is not available as a free perk. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. In our experience, the drink package on a cruise ship is not worth it for most passengers. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Further, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers. Only one beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time. The maximum beverage price covered by the package is $15. 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. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. I've cruised with Carnival before and with their drink package, they have a 15 drink limit per day. That's unlimited wine, soda, beer and cocktails priced under $15. Based on this cost, if you and your cabin mate will drink on average at least 2 alcoholic drinks/day, then the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is worth getting as a free perk. 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). It costs $39.95 per day. This beverage package is available as an upgrade to the Free at Sea Premium beverage package option. Most cruise lines require all guests sharing a cabin to purchase the same beverage plan to prevent sharing between friends and family. Exclusive: Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Deals. There are five different adult beverage packages available on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises. Is There a Limit to the Number of Drinks You Can Buy? Although packages and prices vary from cruise line to cruise line, some of these packages can cost more than your actual cruise fare! Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Available on: All ships including river and expeditions ships. Norwegian's Unlimited Starbucks Package has a few restrictions. There is a 5 minute wait between ordering drinks. The Plus package is included when passengers book suite accommodations. Although most cruise lines dont have a specified drink limit, bartenders will cut you off from ordering more drinks if youre intoxicated. Some cruise lines have private islands or resorts owned and/or operated by the cruise line. Remember that bartenders and servers will only serve you one drink at a time. If you pay outright for the, The gratuities for the free premium package are $13.80 per day. Theres a 40% discount on other bottles of wine as well. Non-Refundable. The Premium Plus beverage package is currently priced at $128 per person, per day. Take your tastebuds on a trip with free meals at our Speciality Dining venues. Once youve done the calculation, its time to decide whether or not the drink package is worth the investment. 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. Category Bottled Water (1 liter) Price $5.00 Total 0 Costs $0.00. Check your cruise itinerary to see if you are visiting any private islands or resorts. The even less pricey Easy package only includes a limited number of drinks and is not valid in extra-charge specialty restaurants. If you are only drinking a few drinks per day, it is probably cheaper for you to not choose the free at sea promos. Most mixed drinks range between $10-$12. Other packages: Celebrity also offers a less inclusive classic drinks package that now is included in the fare for its sailings as part of its new Always Included fare structure. Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar Package includes a variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer up to $15. I am passionate about sharing my experience with readers. Fine print: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. If you purchase the drink package, you will be charged for every day you are on vacation, even when you spend the day in port. Check here before booking an award fare. Cruisers can upgrade by paying the difference in the retail package price ($29) in addition to associated service charges ($34.80 total per person, per day). *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package. Your Cabin Mate Has Different Drinking Habits Than You. The cost of alcoholic drinks on cruise vessels particularly cocktails can be pricey. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $13. In retrospect, one possible way to address that would be to bring our own, Another option would be to decline the free package altogether (or make a different choice if there were other options available), and pay for the package that makes sense. I have a 14 day cruise booked and Iam sure I will get my monies worth. Dubbed the Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package, this less-pricey package currently costs $99 per person per day. Guests can purchase the Premier Beverage Package for $59.99 per person per day. And, the, Couldnt that person just get some type of soda package? So, for a 7 day cruise, you will be assessed a charge of $124.60 for each adult beverage package. Enrollment required. 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. Those are not free a the rate is higher for the promo. The cost was around $300 and it was a very good deal as it worked out to just over $21 a day. Guests under 21 will receive the soda package, normally $5.95-$7.95 per day. 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. No actually it is what the UBP would cost for 16 days for two people (at the previous rate of $59/day). Yes. CC Help Jenn Some cruise lines offer a classic soda package or non-alcoholic drink package, which we wont cover in this article. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Especially if you do shots in between beers. Although annoying, it still seemed like we could make good value out of the packages even with the required fee. Is Starbucks free on Norwegian? But remember, you will have to purchase the package for every adult in the cabin, even if they dont plan on drinking. Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! Make sure you consider the reduced consumption during port days to estimate your drink expenses better. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. Further vending machine purchases and wine stations are not included. Related: These 15 cruise ship bars are not to be missed when cruising. Do You Have to Purchase the Drink Package for the Entire Cruise? It costs $49 per day when sailing in North America (pricing will rise to $51 per day in October). As a simple rule, if you plan on having 6-8 drinks per day throughout your cruise, the package is worth considering. The line's new Premium-Plus package is the "top beverage offering" of Norwegian and is designed for passengers who love top-shelf liquors. It costs $38 per day. That is, of course, an enormous number more than most people will ever want to order. In addition to that, it consists of non-alcoholic beer, juice, and fountain soda and juice. The entire cruise must be purchased. 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. To determine if the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value, there are a few scenarios we will consider. Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? Basic tiers often just include sodas and bottled water. 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. There is no limit to how much alcohol you can drink on the road, which is one of the strictest in the world. 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. Two lines that notably don't have such a rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises. You aren't charged for any gratuities when you actually get the drinks.