norwegian cruise line excursions included

What’s Included on Norwegian Cruise Line and What Is Not

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Are you planning a Norwegian cruise and wondering what is and is not included? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

I recently went on the Norwegian Joy and enjoyed many activities, shows and dining options. On Norwegian Cruise Line, there are a variety of things to do. Some are included or “free”, while others have an extra charge.

In this post, I will go over what’s included and what isn’t included on Norwegian Cruise Line.

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What’s Included on Norwegian Cruise Line

Main Dining Room

On Norwegian Cruise Line , the main dining room will serve a sit down meal, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re someone who prefers to sit down, eat at your own pace and have waiters serve you, then you will love the main dining room experience.

The unique thing about Norwegian Cruise Line, is that there are several main dining restaurants on most cruise ships. Some NCL cruise ships have two main dining rooms or restaurants, while others have 3 (ie. Taste and Savor restaurants and Manhattan Dining Room).

Water Slides

Norwegian ships are known for having some of the best water slides at sea. On a sunny day, a fun way to cool off is trying out one of the water slides.

Going on the water slides is an awesome free activity and a great way to keep the kids busy!

Pools & Hot Tubs

On Norwegian cruise ships, the pools and hot tubs are included in the cruise fare. Relaxing in the hot tub or going for a swim in the pool is a great way to spend a sea day .

On certain Norwegian cruise ships, you’ll find Spice H2O, which is an adult only area. In Spice H2O, there’s a hot tub, sun deck, and you may have a small cooling off pool area.

Entertainment & Activities

One of the best parts about cruising is the amazing entertainment and fun activities. On a Norwegian cruise, you’ll have some of the best entertainment at sea and some really enjoyable activities.

Norwegian has broadway style musicals, and the best part is that there is no additional cost! They also have performances by singers, live bands, magicians and comedians.

When it comes to the activities onboard Norwegian, there is never a dull moment. There are pool side activities, trivia games and game shows that are super fun to participate in.

Related: 101 Amazing Cruise Activities for Every Cruiser

Buffets are a staple of cruising and Norwegian has one of the best buffets at sea . On Norwegian, the buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As someone who recently cruised on the Norwegian Joy , I have to say that I was blown away with the buffet options. There was a wide variety of meal and dessert options and plenty of healthy food choices as well.

The great thing about the buffet is that you can eat as much as you want and it’s completely free!

Related: 17 Free Things to do on a Cruise

24-Hour Restaurant

The Local and O’Sheehan’s are the 24-hour restaurants on Norwegian cruise ships. These restaurants serve pub style food and are open all the time.

Whether it’s for lunch, dinner or if you want a late night snack, going to the Local or O’Sheehan’s is a great option.

On many cruise lines, it can be hard to get food later on at night. However, on Norwegian their 24-hour restaurant has a ton of free and delicious food options.

Some favorites are the wings, nachos, pretzel balls and burgers!

Fitness Center

If you’re someone who likes to workout, then you will enjoy the fitness center on Norwegian cruises. They have state of the art workout equipment and everything anyone can ever need to stay in shape during their cruise vacation.

The great thing about the fitness center is that it’s completely free to use the gym equipment. There will even be fitness staff in the gym that are there to answer any question and help passengers.

Mini Golf is another included activity on almost all Norwegian cruise ships. The exception is Norwegian Prima, where it is an upgraded mini-golf course.

If you want a nice activity on a cruise , playing a game of mini golf is a fun time.

Although the mini golf courses on most NCL ships are pretty standard, it’s a family friendly activity that is included on a Norwegian cruise .

Kids Club & Teens Club

The kid’s club and teen club is included on NCL. The great thing about the kid’s club and teen’s club is that parents can leave their children in a safe and supervised environment.

As someone who grew up cruising, the best part of cruises when I was young, was going to the kid’s club. The kid’s club on Norwegian has super fun activities and it’s a great way to make friends.

For teenagers, there are theme parties, scavenger hunts and other activities that are awesome. The kid’s camp and teen club is one of the best parts of going on a family cruise !

Related: 6 Best Norwegian Cruises for Families

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Regular Coffee and Tea

On Norwegian, basic regular coffee is included. You can either ask for coffee when you’re in the main dining room, or you can serve yourself when you’re are in the cruise ship buffet.

The regular coffee is pretty decent. However, if you prefer specialty coffee, you can pay extra per coffee or consider purchasing the specialty coffee package.

Basic tea is included and available in restaurants as well.

Juice & Ice Tea

Although soft drinks aren’t included on a Norwegian cruise, flavoured juice drinks and ice tea are. Around the ship you’ll find juice, ice tea and water machines where you can get yourself a drink.

If you prefer soft drinks, it may be worth it to purchase Norwegian’s soft drink package .

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Packages: What’s Included and is it Worth it?

If you’re looking to relax and read a book while you’re on vacation, then check out the library. Onboard Norwegian cruises, you’ll find a library with plenty of books and quiet areas to sit and read. Another area to sit and relax is the Observation Lounge (ie. on Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss & Norwegian Encore), or any of the beautiful lounges on any of the ships.

If you find an interesting book, you can leave the library with a book and read around the ship. At the end of the cruise, you can put the book back in the library.

What is Not Included on Norwegian Cruise Line

Specialty restaurants.

If you want a special culinary experience, then you may want to try one of the many specialty restaurants. On Norwegian cruise ship, the specialty restaurants serve excellent food and offer top notch service.

Norwegian offers a ton of different specialty restaurant options, ranging from Italian food to seafood and steakhouses.

Whether if it’s to celebrate a special occasion or just to have an amazing meal, trying a specialty restaurant is an extra that is worth the cost.

Tip: Consider booking with the Free at Sea promotion , where specialty dining may be a free perk!

Vibe Beach Club

One of the issues that some passengers have on Norwegian cruise ships, is not being able to find deck chairs by the pool. Unfortunately, crowded pool areas can be an annoyance on many mainstream cruises.

However, the Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Cruise Line is a good solution.

The Vibe Beach Club is a private adult only area of the cruise ship, which only has certain amount of passes available each cruise. This way, those who pay for the Vibe Beach Club can always have a pool chair and they will have more privacy as well.

Galaxy Pavillion

The Galaxy Pavilion is the virtual reality area onboard Norwegian cruises. Each game costs $8 and last for around 2 minutes.

There are also unlimited hour passes, daily passes and weekly passes available.

Related: 30+ Best Activities on Norwegian Joy (Entertainment, Features & Amenities)

If you’re looking for an activity that is fun for the whole family, then try Laser Tag. Laser Tag is a family friendly game that is super fun and only costs $10 per person.

I tried the Laser Tag on Norwegian Joy and found it really enjoyable and worth the price!

The Speedway is one of the coolest parts about cruising with Norwegian. Currently, the Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore cruise ships all have Go-Kart tracks.

On the Speedway, each ride costs $15 and lasts for around 10 minutes. There is also an unlimited package which costs $199 for the duration of your trip.

The Speedway is a really fun time and one of the coolest attractions at sea .

Alcoholic Beverages

If you like alcoholic beverages, then you are going to want to get a beverage package. The beverage package includes most alcoholic beverages, beer, wine and cocktails .

If you prefer higher-end liquor, then you are going to want to get the premium plus beverage package. This includes the premium liquors, craft beers and more expensive wines.

If you’re not a big drinker, you can purchase drinks individually. However, purchasing drinks individually can get quite pricey if you’re having multiple drinks.

Soda Packages

If you’re someone who likes to drink soda, then you can purchase the soda package. The soda package will include all of the sodas that they offer onboard the cruise ship.

Bottled Water

Bottled water is not included with the basic beverage package. If you want bottled water (or in cartons as plastic bottles are not sold on NCL), you can either purchase the premium beverage package or buy the water bottles (cartons) individually.

Specialty Coffee

Although coffee is included, specialty coffee is not. On Norwegian, you’ll find Starbucks on many cruise ships. You can choose from a wide variety of coffees, teas and refresher drinks.

Please note that if you buy the Starbucks coffee package, you’ll need to buy it for everyone in the cabin.

Tip: Use your Starbucks gift cards onboard Norwegian cruise ships at any Starbucks location.

Like most cruises, internet does cost extra onboard Norwegian. If you’re looking to keep in touch with your loved ones back home, then you can purchase a Wi-Fi package.

The basic Wi-Fi package is super slow. If you intend on using any social media apps, email or streaming services, you may want to upgrade your internet package.

The Free at Sea promotion includes some internet. If this is all you need, this may be sufficient for you.

Photo Packages

On formal nights, in port and on embarkation day there will be photographers who will offer to take photos. If you want some memorable photos from your vacation, then you can purchase a single photo or a photo package.

This way, you can take advantage of the photographers around the ship and take plenty of photos.

Fitness Classes

In the Norwegian fitness center, they offer fitness classes. On the Norwegian Joy there were spin classes in the morning which cost $30 for an hour.

There is also the option to get personal training sessions at about $85 per session.

Room Service

If you’re in the mood to lay back and relax in your room, then you can order room service. However, room service is not free on Norwegian, and does have an additional cost.

The good thing about room service is that it’s available 24/7. If you want a late night snack and you don’t want to leave your cabin, then you can order room service.

There is a convenience charge of $9.95 plus a 20% gratuity per order placed.

Spa Services

If you’re looking to take your cruise vacation to the next level, you can book a massage or other spa services. The spa is a great way to take it easy and relax while you’re on vacation.

On Norwegian and most cruise lines, spa services do have an additional charge.

Shore Excursions

Although this may seem obvious to some, shore excursions do have an extra charge. At the excursion desk, you can look into the different excursions that are available in the destinations that you are visiting. However, it’s best to book shore excursions online, in advance of your cruise for the best prices and availability.

Booking a shore excursion is one of the best ways to make the most out of the destinations you’re visiting.

Gratuities / Service Charge

Service charge.

Daily gratuities , or a service charge, are an additional expense to plan for on your Norwegian cruise. A daily fee, based on your stateroom, is charged directly to your onboard account. It can also be pre-paid before your cruise.

The service fee covers your cabin attendant, as well as waiters and servers, and even people behind the scenes that are providing service to guests.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Gratuities

Daily Service Fee Information

• Haven and Suite guests: $20.00 US p/p per day
• Club Balcony suites: $18.00 US p/p per day
• All other staterooms: $16.00 US p/p per day

A gratuity of 20% is charged on drinks and drink packages, specialty restaurants and dining packages, as well as spa services.

Video: Norwegian Free at Sea Explained

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Final Thoughts on What’s Included on Norwegian Cruise Line and What is Not

Well there it is, everything that is and isn’t included on Norwegian Cruise Line.

If you’re on a tight budget, Norwegian Cruise Line has plenty of included activities, restaurants and entertainment to make a great vacation.

If you’re looking to add some extras to enhance your cruise vacation, Norwegian has some great options that are well worth it.

In this post, I share what’s included on Norwegian Cruise Line and what is not.

What’s your favorite extra on a cruise? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com . As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.

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10 Reasons to Book Your Shore Excursions with Norwegian

Inevitably when you cruise, you’ll come across a fellow traveler who likes to do their own thing, including arranging their own Shore Excursions. But, as a former Accredited Cruise Counselor with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), I’m here to give you 10 Reasons Why You Should Book Your Shore Excursions with Norwegian Cruise Line. Namely, these following key benefits:

#1. Because i t’s always a hassle to try and make your own travel arrangements. So, why bother? Simply skip the entire frustrating mess of booking yourself by choosing pre-arranged, customer-rated, Shore Excursions with Norwegian Cruise Line. Seriously. It’s your vacation, right? So enjoy, and don’t stress the small stuff.

#2. You’ll get the best quality Shore Excursions and value for your money. Plus you’ll also have peace of mind in knowing you’re getting the best of the best port experiences overall by choosing quality Shore Excursions through Norwegian Cruise Line’s reputable and insured tour operators. In addition, you’ll never face any hidden costs for entrance fees or transfers.

#3. One-stop shopping for all ports on your cruise itinerary . Now, think of the huge hassle of trying to make your own independent tour arrangements in 3, 4 or even 5 destinations. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t it? Norwegian Cruise Line has everything you need in Shore Excursions from A to Z, or better noted as every destination from Acapulco, Mexico, to Zadar, Croatia. And you can even print a list of Shore Excursions available for each port.

#4. Convenient 24-hour shopping. It gets even better as you can conveniently shop from home 24/7 for your Shore Excursions. You can book the ones you want in advance while ensuring you’re getting the Shore Excursions of your choice . Even if it’s while you’re in your pajamas at 2:00 a.m. when you can’t sleep. Like right now, as I’m writing this! Of course, you can also wait and book your Shore Excursions once you’re on board, but popular tours tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to visit the Shore Excursion Desk ASAP to avoid disappointment.

#5. Variety. Norwegian Cruise Line offers such a fantastic variety of onshore activities - there truly is something for everyone! Plus, you can search through the thousands of available Shore Excursions by activity levels, customer ratings, and duration, as well as by language and price.

#6. Interaction with fellow passengers. Typically, you’ll be going on Shore Excursions with like-minded people who enjoy the same interests as you. You might meet some new acquaintances to hang out with once you return to the ship, or maybe you’ll make some new life-long friends.

#7. You’ll never miss the boat with a Norwegian Cruise Line Shore Excursion. If for some reason your self-booked destination tour is running late because of traffic or any unforeseen circumstances, you’re taking the chance that your ship may sail away without you. But, if you’ve booked your Shore Excursions with Norwegian Cruise Line directly, they’ll always wait for even the tardiest of tours to return to their ship before sailing. More valuable peace of mind!

#8. Unpredictable weather and refunds. Sometimes the ship’s Captain may have to switch up the ports of call at the last minute due to unpredictable weather conditions, meaning Shore Excursions will be canceled. If you’ve booked directly with Norwegian Cruise Line, you’ll automatically receive a prompt credit to your onboard account. However, if you purchased your own tour with another land-based company, you may not even receive a refund after requesting one, depending on their individual cancelation policies.

#9. Norwegian Cruise Line Shore Excursions are so easy to book! Once you’ve made your choices, simply log in to My NCL and pre-request your choices. You can also call to book your Shore Excursions: 00800 0310 21 21 (US & Canada) or 00800 0310 21 21 (UK).

#10. Need Assistance? Contact us! Norwegian Cruise Line offers dedicated pre-cruise and onboard specialists to help answer any Shore Excursion questions you may have. You can also check out the Frequently Asked Questions about Shore Excursions .

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About Norwegian Cruise Line sailings

Norwegian cruise line destinations, norwegian cruise line cruise prices, what is the best norwegian cruise line ship, what’s included on ncl cruises, ncl firsts in the industry: what is norwegian known for, ncl loyalty program: latitude rewards, norwegian cruise line credit card, what is ncl known for.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is one of the top players in large-ship cruising, and its fleet is seeing one of its biggest refits in decades with its new Prima fleet of ships. Norwegian Cruise Line ships are also known for their colorful hull art that makes them stand out in ports around the world.

The company dates back to 1966 when it got its start as a Norwegian shipping company. Today, it has become one of the more popular mainstream cruise brands and is part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also includes the Regent Seven Seas and Oceania brands.

If you’re scrolling through endless Norwegian Cruise Line reviews, let this complete guide to the cruise company give you the larger overview of what sets this brand apart from the rest. There are some interesting innovations from Norwegian that other cruise lines have since adopted, but they started here.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

NCL sails around the world with numerous routes from the U.S. to Caribbean destinations as well as around the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.

Its loyalty program, onboard amenities and variety of cabin types offer something for every type of traveler.

Cabin types: You can expect a range of different cabin sizes and layouts ranging from solo-traveler interior studios and inside cabins for as many as four people to ocean view and balcony cabins. A wide range of suites are also available. The Prima class of ships feature the largest suites, some of which have private whirlpools on the balcony and as many as three bedrooms. 

Main U.S. routes: NCL has plenty of North America sailings from U.S. ports to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada and New England. There are also sailings to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal, among others. 

Loyalty program: NCL's Latitudes Rewards loyalty program, which issues one point for every night sailed as well as bonus points for booking suites or participating in certain promotions. At each elite tier, members earn onboard benefits like discounts, laundry service and special event access. The more you travel with NCL, the more benefits you can earn. 

NCL spans the globe with sailings to every continent (even Antarctica) on a wide range of ships. They leave from both U.S. coasts as well as from Hawaii — where NCL has operated inter-island Hawaiian sailing for almost two decades.

Antarctica.

New Zealand.

Pacific Islands.

Panama Canal.

South America.

Depending on how long you want to sail and where you're going, you can find cruises as brief as two nights and as long as 21 days or more.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of cruises

You'll find lots of good deals on Norwegian, but cruise fares will fluctuate based on the destination, time of year and other variables. You’ll want to keep these factors in mind when booking a cruise, as they'll affect the price of the trip:

Time of year.

Trip duration.

Destination.

Ship class.

Cabin type.

You can find cruise bargains for as low as $350 on four-night cruises, but if you want to splurge and do a longer cruise, expect to pay as much as $4,600 or more (especially if you book a suite or a Haven category room).

Of course, the fare will always vary depending on which cabin type you book.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

(Image courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

When it comes to which NCL ship is best, that depends on what you're looking for in a cruise. If you're traveling with a family, for example, water slides, amusement park-style games and multi-bedroom suites may be important. This means you may prefer one of the line’s newest Prima Class ships: Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Viva.

If you're looking for a romantic vacation, perhaps you'll want a smaller ship or a cabin in The Haven, which is a hotel-within-a-hotel concept with more personalized service. The Haven is only available on select Norwegian ships, including Encore, Viva and Prima.

What is the newest NCL ship?

Norwegian Viva launched in the summer of 2023, making it the newest ship for NCL. It has special features like a three-tier race track, the fastest slides at sea, a food hall with 11 complimentary eateries and a sustainable cocktail bar.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

On any NCL cruise, these benefits are always included:

Accommodations in the category you select at booking.

All meals in snack and buffet restaurants, main dining rooms and, when available, the food hall. 

Free non-bottled water, juice, hot chocolate, and some coffees and teas.

Fitness center access.

Shows and entertainment.

Pools and kids pool play area.

Onboard activities.

Government fees and port taxes.

If you want to partake in specialty dining reservations, Wi-Fi, Norwegian cruise excursions or upgraded beverage packages, you'll have to pay fees (sometimes bundled for greater savings).

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered many features aboard its ships, some of which other cruise lines have imitated. These are some of the special features you'll find aboard some or all of the ships in NCL’s fleet.

Freestyle dining: open-seating in restaurants with extended hours and no reservations. 

Private island: Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas is a private island for cruise passengers. NCL was the first cruise company to offer access to a private island, and it spurred a growing trend in the industry.

Full Broadway theater productions.

Onboard internet cafe.

Bowling alley at sea.

Ice bar at sea.

Studio accommodations for solo travelers, with a private lounge.

Sustainability-focused onboard bar with zero waste.

Collection of NFTs from a cruise company, available for sale.

Race track at sea.

Latitude Rewards awards members with points based on each night they sail, and they can earn bonus nights when booking certain categories of suites.

Occasional promotions also offer double-night credit. You will only earn cruise points on eligible sailings where you are paying a traditional fare; promotional sailings with a heavy discount might not be eligible, although you would still receive the benefits at your tier. Also, sailings on sister lines do not qualify for Latitude Rewards cruise points.

As you accrue nights, you earn elite status that delivers onboard benefits that grow with each status tier.

Latitude Rewards levels

The loyalty program has seven levels, from Bronze to Ambassador. The full roster of onboard amenities can be found on the Norwegian Cruise Line website . There are some extra perks that come with certain tiers.

How to earn Latitudes Rewards points

Earn one point for every night you spend on a sailing and double points in suites or The Haven category accommodations.

How to redeem points

This program does not offer any points to redeem. Instead, you would earn benefits on future cruises related to your particular elite tier. Ambassador members (700+ points) earn a free 7-night cruise.

Spending on the Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard® won’t earn you Latitude Rewards points (the only way to do that is by sailing with NCL), but it will earn you WorldPoints. This currency can be redeemed for onboard credits on future sailings, Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursions and other travel experiences. The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for world travelers.

With the Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard, you earn WorldPoints as follows:

3x points on NCL sailings.

2x points on eligible airfare and hotel purchases.

1x point on everything else.

Earn 20,000 WorldPoints, which is good for a $200 onboard credit or discount toward a future cruise, if you spend $1,000 or more in the first 90 days the account is open.

How to redeem WorldPoints

Each WorldPoints point is equivalent to one cent, which you can then redeem for things such as:

Stateroom upgrades.

Travel discounts.

Last-minute cruises.

Onboard credits.

Car rentals.

Hotel stays.

Gift cards.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

No, but you can pay for a Wi-Fi package, which starts at $29.99 per day per device.

No, but all sailings do include accommodations, activities, food and beverages, and entertainment. There is the ability to purchase extra benefits on each ship.

There are several drink package options on NCL sailings:

Non-alcoholic

The Unlimited Soda package includes all fountain soda drinks for $9.95 per person per day.

The Unlimited Starbucks package includes all Starbucks drinks for $12.95 per person per day.

An adult over the age of 21 could opt for a non-alcoholic drink package, but that means everyone else on their reservation must also get non-alcoholic drink packages.

Premium offers most drinks that cost $15 and under. You can pay the difference if you choose a more expensive drink. This unlimited package costs $109 per person per day.

Premium Plus offers even more drink options, mostly premium and top-shelf category labels, bottled water, Starbucks drinks and energy drinks for a flat price of $138 per person per day.

Keep in mind that alcoholic drink packages must be purchased for all people above the age of 21 in the same reservation, and those under 21 must pay for the soda package. The policy is intended to prevent people over the age of 21 from getting alcoholic drinks for other members of their party that did not pay for the alcoholic drink package.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers sailings at different price points to a global range of destinations. It is also known for its beautiful hull art, pioneering Freestyle Dining and adding buzzworthy amenities like ice bars and race tracks to its ships. NCL cruises are fun for all types of travelers, and its loyalty program can provide added perks along the way.

(Top photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

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Included Airfare - how does it work?

By seraphim24 , November 19, 2023 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Hello! We are new to NCL and booking air fare through the cruise line. There's a special for the cruise we want that includes airfare. How much flexibility is there for us to choose dates and times? We'd like to explore the port for a few days before we embark so we're hoping to be able  to choose that.

Thanks for your help!

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14 minutes ago, seraphim24 said: Hello! We are new to NCL and booking air fare through the cruise line. There's a special for the cruise we want that includes airfare. How much flexibility is there for us to choose dates and times? We'd like to explore the port for a few days before we embark so we're hoping to be able  to choose that. Thanks for your help!

The BOGO airfare can be a good deal, but you get zero control over the flights.  The flights could be great, and they could be horrible.  You will not get your flight info until 30-60 days before the sailing.  There’s a lot of discussion in these boards about it.    

You can make a deviation in dates.  I believe it’s up to two days on either end.  If you want the air package you also have to book at least 110 days before sailing.  

schmoopie17

How does it work?

Most people will tell you it doesn't work. However, every once in a while, people will report success stories with the BOGO...but they are few and far between. It's a gamble, that's for sure. Getting acceptable flights, acceptable seats, etc., is a challenge. The bad thing is, you don't know your flights until a short time before your cruise. Ar that time it's too late to cancel them.

Search the board and you can entertain yourself until the end of the year reading BOGO threads.

It is a gamble, but the two of us were able to travel last month R/T Florida to Rome for less than $900.  Flights were 1 stop each way and we had 2 day deviations on each end of the trip.  We had no control over the flight other than to pick our departure airport.  Close to trip time, we were able to pick (& upgrade) our seats, and we had to pay for luggage.  I originally moaned about the long layover times in Frankfurt and Toronto, but because of FL weather delays and dual (Canadian & US) passport controls, it ended up working out.  Some people lucked out and got direct flights.  

RaiderFaninNM

Hit and miss, I have some time to remove it, if need be, will be looking at airfare and see how it turns out as I really dislike not control over our ability to pick and change times...

We have used it many times, always good flights and the occasional time we get premium seats as part of the deal.  

One other thing, they will include a charge for transfers, though you can have them removed. Also, transfers are only from the airport even if you have a one or two day deviation.

For instance, we sailed this summer from Southampton flying into Heathrow. Even with our one day deviation, the only place they transferred from was the airport. It did not really affect us as we did not intend to schlep our luggage from the airport to London, so we intended anyway to stay at a hotel by the airport.

Note, not sure but I believe if you book a hotel through them, the above does not apply.

3 hours ago, ontheweb said: One other thing, they will include a charge for transfers, though you can have them removed. Also, transfers are only from the airport even if you have a one or two day deviation.   For instance, we sailed this summer from Southampton flying into Heathrow. Even with our one day deviation, the only place they transferred from was the airport. It did not really affect us as we did not intend to schlep our luggage from the airport to London, so we intended anyway to stay at a hotel by the airport.   Note, not sure but I believe if you book a hotel through them, the above does not apply.

Ahhh, thanks for clearing that up as we fly in 2 days before to enjoy the city beforehand and the ease of knowing we are already there...

Is the cost minimal??

Just wondering as we plan on using them at the end of the cruise....

Also curious on what airline NCL uses or is it random??

18 hours ago, schmoopie17 said: How does it work?   Most people will tell you it doesn't work. However, every once in a while, people will report success stories with the BOGO...but they are few and far between. It's a gamble, that's for sure. Getting acceptable flights, acceptable seats, etc., is a challenge. The bad thing is, you don't know your flights until a short time before your cruise. Ar that time it's too late to cancel them.   Search the board and you can entertain yourself until the end of the year reading BOGO threads.  

I guarantee that the success stories are the majority but its the failures that are the loudest.  

We used it on our recent cruise and everything went smoothly. We gave our cruise consultant the day we wanted to arrive and the day we wanted to depart. This way, we had time in the embarkation and debarkation cities. You don’t get to choose your specific flights. They pick and notify you of the itinerary.   

You will fly economy the whole way, unless you want to pay the airlines directly for an upgrade. You will also have to pay the airlines for assigned seats if you want to have any control over that.   

The flights selected by NCL were scheduled well enough, with enough time to switch flights on layovers, but not too much time. Overall I consider it a win. 

2 hours ago, RaiderFaninNM said: Ahhh, thanks for clearing that up as we fly in 2 days before to enjoy the city beforehand and the ease of knowing we are already there... Is the cost minimal??   Just wondering as we plan on using them at the end of the cruise....   Also curious on what airline NCL uses or is it random??

On our cruise transfers were $75. I don't know if they are always the same for every port. Our embarkation port was a transfer from Heathrow to Southampton. Our disembarkation was from the port in Reykjavik to the airport in Reykjavik.

DW decided we were going to spend too much time in the airport before our flights home, so she bought for us an excursion with a stop on the way to the airport. We asked and were told the charge for our BOGO transfers to the airport would automatically come off when we bought the excursion, but they did not. We had to go to guest services to have that done. (Luckily, I kept checking our account on the television.) And then our flight home was delayed, so we did spend too much time at the airport, though not as much as we would have.

2 hours ago, Liljo22 said: I guarantee that the success stories are the majority but its the failures that are the loudest.  

You are correct.  People who are unhappy are more apt to complain than someone who had a successful experience. And also factor in the number of "failures" that have nothing to do with NCL in the first place. NCL has no control over flight schedules, cancellations, delays, etc.

The BOGO promo isn't for everyone and it is important to manage your expectations if you are using it.  I usually travel solo, so many of the complaints I see wouldn't affect me - if you're a family, there are other considerations. It may save you money, it might not - that depends on your location and destination.

And it pays to know your options/rights if things go south - I've had a few close calls making connecting flights - because of the airlines, not NCL.  Getting home has been more of an issue than getting to my cruise, I've rarely gotten home when planned!  An overnight hotel stay in Reykjavik, overnight hotel stay in Capetown (which could have been 6 days, fully paid, If I wanted) +$200 airline credit, overnight stay in Seattle (no hotel, ugh) but $750 rebate.  And SW gave me a $100 credit for a delayed flight, even though I still made my connection. So if things do go wrong, make sure you work with the airline ASAP to make it right. Ask for vouchers for food/hotels and have the airline rebook your flight if at all possible.  If you ask for a refund, I believe that goes back to NCL and you'll never see it.

Look at flights from your airport to your destination for about that time of year and decide if the cheapest flights would work for you. Some people have reported a two day deviation hoping to have a full two days in the arrival city, only to arrive well into the evening hours and really only getting one day to explore. Or on the return flight being stuck in the city til the evening for a red eye return flight resulting in an extra day off work. Decide how flexible you're willing to be and if you're okay with less than ideal flights.

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Home » Cruise » Norwegian Cruise Line » Everything You Need to Know About Norwegian’s Free at Sea in 2023

Everything You Need to Know About Norwegian’s Free at Sea in 2023

We detail everything you need to know about Norwegian's Free at Sea, and the new Free at Sea Plus, to help you make the right choice in 2023.

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Everything you need to know about norwegian’s free at sea, what is ncl’s free at sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line frequently runs its popular promotion called Free at Sea. Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer entitles guests to free perks like drink packages, specialty dining, WiFi, kids sail free (or 3rd & 4th guests sail free), and more.

The number of perks that cruisers receive does vary based on the current sale and the stateroom category booked. Usually, guests can get up to 5 free perks with this sale. Occasionally, there are up to 6 perks if airfare is part of the current promotion.

For example, NCL’s Free at Sea previously offered guests who booked Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, or Club Balcony Suite rooms the ability to choose 2 free perks. Guests who booked Suites and the Haven received all 5 free perks. Recently though, guests booking most cabin categories can receive all 5 free perks. Now, that’s a good deal!

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This promotion offers guests a more all-inclusive experience, where they will know the majority of their cruise costs upfront and not have to worry about the bill at the end of the cruise.

Related Post: Beginner’s Guide to Cruise Planning

It is important to read the fine print at the time of your booking as the terms of the promotion can change. For instance, some categories like Studio and Inside have only qualified for 1 perk in the past.

Further, the cheapest fares are usually “Sail Away” rates, or guaranteed rates . These rates are often excluded from the promotion.

All perks included in this offer have no monetary value. Thus, if you opt to decline any of the entitled perks (which you can), you will not receive a refund nor can you gift it to someone else.

Further, it can vary as to how many guests in the stateroom receive each perk. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea provides drink packages to all guests but dining packages only to the first 2 guests on the reservation.

This promotion can be combined with other offers being run by the cruise line like 2 for 1 deposits. It can also be combined with travel agent offers, like extra perks or onboard credit. This is one of the easiest ways to save money when booking a cruise.

You must select your Free at Sea choices at least 24 hours prior to sailing. Further, it is important to know that both 1st and 2nd guests in the stateroom need to pick the same perks.

See below for further clarifications on each NCL Free at Sea perk.

NCL’s Free at Sea Terms and Conditions:

• Valid on 3+ night sailings
• Free at Sea choice(s) must be selected at least 24 hours prior to sailing and cannot be changed on board
• Offer is capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at anytime
• Singles paying 200% of voyage fare qualify
•  All guests in stateroom must choose same offer
• Government taxes, port expenses & fees, discretionary onboard service charges and/or gratuities are additional
• Not applicable to chartered dates
• This promotion is not applicable on the land portion of Cruisetours
• Components included in this offer have no monetary value, are non-refundable and non-transferable
• Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to cancel or withdraw this offer at any time

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: SAVE WITH NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CRUISE DEALS !

What are the Norwegian’s Free at Sea Perks?

Free unlimited open bar package.

The most popular of Norwegian’s Free at Sea perks is the Unlimited Open Bar Package. This perk entitles guests 1-8 on the reservation a Norwegian Cruise Line Premium beverage package .

Do know that a 20% gratuity is added to all “free” beverage packages.

Guests under 21 years of age will get a soda package as a substitution, only if they are the first or second guest on the reservation. If guests 3-8 are under 21 years of age, a soda package will not be given as a substitution.

The retail value of the Unlimited Open Bar Package is $109 per person, per day. The retail value of the Soda Package is $7.95 per person, per day.

Guests can upgrade from the free Open Bar Package (Premium drink package) to the Premium Plus drink package for $29 a day per person.

What does the Free at Sea beverage package include?

The NCL “free drink package”, which is provided as part of the NCL Free at Sea promotion, includes the following beverages:

• Select premium cocktails & spirits under $15 USD
• A variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15 USD
• 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine
• Unlimited soft drinks and juices

The Premium beverage package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer up to $15. Further, this package includes unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the private island of Great Stirrup Cay (though not Harvest Caye).

Any items over $15 will receive a $15 discount; you will then need to pay only the difference.

Further, eligible guests are entitled to two beverages per person per transaction.

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. For a list of included brands, see  here .

It also does not include Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or flights, Starbucks, Ice Bars, and wine stations.

Unlike most other cruise lines, premium non-alcoholic drinks are not part of this beverage package either. Guests will still need to pay extra for items like bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, specialty coffee beverages, and energy drinks.

However, guests will receive a 20% discount on bottles of wine, Wine and Spirit Experiences, and tastings or flights purchased onboard the ship.

Guests who choose to upgrade to the Premium Plus beverage package can enjoy all of the previous inclusions in addition to the following beverages.

• All top-shelf cocktails & spirits
• All beer, champagne, and wine by the glass
• Select premium bottles of champagne and wine with dinner and 40% off all other bottles
• Unlimited still & sparkling bottled water
• All Starbucks coffee & specialty drinks

Free Specialty Dining

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its Freestyle Approach to dining. This means no set dinner times, table arrangements, or main dining room. Instead, the cruise line offers a variety of dining options.

While there are several complimentary options, many of the dining venues do charge an additional fee. 

Luckily, there is the Norwegian Cruise Line Specialty Dining Package (SDP).

This package entitles users to dine at many of the for-fee restaurants on any NCL ship for one set price. More importantly, this specialty dining package is commonly one of NCL’s Free at Sea perks.

The specialty dining package perk is only applicable to the first two guests on the reservation.

At the cruise line’s signature Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro, you can order as many starters, sides, and desserts as you want. However, you can only order one entree. You will need to pay a la carte pricing for any additional entrees.

Further, a SDP meal in Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar, and Wasabi includes 4 menu items per person.

Room Service, Starbucks, The Bake Shop, Coco’s, Dolce Gelato, Jazz Brunch, or Wine Lovers and Murder Mystery lunches are not part of the specialty dining package. Beverages are also not included.

Additionally, cruisers can use a specialty dining meal credit for entertainment-based restaurants for an additional surcharge (like Cirque Dreams). However, if you wish to use a SDP meal credit, you will need to wait until you are onboard the ship to book.

Of course, even if you receive the package for free at part of a promotion, you can always purchase an additional specialty dining package for extra meals.

Prior to your sail date, you may receive promotional offers to upgrade your dining package with additional meals for a discounted price.

How many meals are in Norwegian’s Free at Sea?

As of January 18, 2022, this perk has been updated, or rather downgraded! Now, the number of meals received is based on the length of the cruise AND the stateroom category booked.

Previously, all guests used to receive 1 free meal for 3-5 night cruises and 2 free meals for 6-8 night cruises. Further, 9-10 day cruises qualified for 3 meals, 11-14 days 4 meals, and 15+ days 5 meals.

Now, all guests will receive the following:

• 1 meal for 3-6 night cruises regardless of cabin category
• Balcony and above will receive 2 free meals for 7-11 night cruises
• Guests on 7-11 night cruises who book a studio, inside, or oceanview will only get 1 free meal
• On 12+ night cruises, guests get 2 meals for studio, inside, and oceanview or 3 meals for balcony and above.

See the below chart for the specialty dining breakdown.

Additionally, guests must pay a 20% gratuity on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to their cruise.

Cruisers can use Norwegian Cruise Line Specialty Dining Packages at most specialty venues. These include American Diner, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Food Republic, La Cucina, Onda by Scarpetta , Le Bistro, Los Lobos, Moderno Churrascaria, Ocean Blue, Bayamo, Pincho Tapas Bar, Q Texas Smokehouse , The Raw Bar, and Teppanyaki.

Free Shore Excursions

Another common perk of Norwegian’s Free at Sea promotion is free shore excursions . If you are new to cruising, you may not know the lingo.

The term “shore excursion” can refer to any number of different activities that occur at each port of call. Cruise shore excursions occur off of the ship and are completed during the hours you are docked at the port.

Shore excursions give cruisers the opportunity to maximize their time ashore while eliminating some of the leg work of planning (tickets, transportation, etc.) for a DIY tour. These tours are usually designed to highlight the best attractions that the area has to offer.

NCL’s Free at Sea free shore excursions offer qualifies the first guest only on the reservation for a credit of $50 per port.

Guests can use this credit to purchase any tour offered by the cruise line. If the tour is less than $50, no refund will be issued. If the tour is more than $50, the guest will be responsible to pay the difference.

Latitude member discounts are combinable with this perk. Though, the $50 shore excursion credit does not apply to equipment rentals in Great Stirrup Cay or Harvest Caye ports of call.

Pre-cruise and post-cruise land tours are not eligible for this promotion.

The retail value of this perk will be based on the number of ports of call scheduled for your itinerary.

Another one of Norwegian’s Free at Sea perks is free WiFi. This perk has also changed as of January 18, 2022.

Again, this perk is based on the length of your cruise. While Norwegian Cruise Line does offer an unlimited internet package , guests will only receive a certain number of minutes with this free perk.

NCL’s Free at Sea WiFi perk provides:

• 75 minutes per person for 3-6 Day Cruises
• 150 minutes per person for 7-11 Day Cruises
• 300 minutes per person for 12+ Day Cruises

These minutes are per person , not per stateroom which is an improvement from the past. Bookings will receive two logins per stateroom.

Of note, internet packages are not available on Great Stirrup Cay or Harvest Caye. Further, these minutes can only be used on one device at a time.

It is important to know that while cruise ship internet is getting faster, it may never be as reliable as your internet back home. Cruise ship internet depends on satellite connections and geographical location. The ship’s distance offshore as well as interference from landscapes and weather can all cause variable cruise ship internet speeds.

Thus, you should be able to use these internet minutes for basic tasks like checking email and posting on social media. However, you shouldn’t plan on using these minutes for streaming purposes.

Like the previous perks, you can always upgrade your WiFi package. Cruisers often receive promotions to upgrade at discounted rates prior to their cruise.

The standard price for the Unlimited WiFi package is $25.50 for one device. The Unlimited WiFi with streaming package is $34.99 for one device. There are also 2-device and 4-device packages available.

BOOKING BONUS: Get Additional Perks When You Book Your Next Cruise Now!

Free 3rd and 4th Guest

This Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea perk is exactly what it sounds like. This promotion is also sometimes called Kids Sail Free. Basically, this offer is valid for guests 3-4 sharing a stateroom with guests 1-2 paying full fare.

This offer is only applicable on select sailings. Thus, popular times of the year like school breaks and holidays are not usually part of the promotion.

If there are guests 5-8 in a reservation, those guests will pay prevailing fares.

Free Airfare for 2nd Guest

This offer is valid on select 7+ night sailings only. With this perk, the second guest on the reservation flies for free when buying airfare for the first guest. Offer is not applicable to guests 3-8 on the reservation.

Generally, guests must make the reservation more than 75 days prior to sailing to qualify.

Further, this air offer applies to economy, round-trip flights from select departure gateways only.

Solo traveling guests will receive 50% off Norwegian Cruise Line’s promotional airfare pricing each way.

Airline-imposed personal charges such as baggage fees are not included and are paid directly to the airline.

Terms and Conditions:

• For Domestic flights, airfare will include a maximum of one connection when possible; air schedules permitting
• For International flights, airfare will include a maximum of two connections when possible; air schedules permitting
• If flying from the West Coast to the East Coast of the U.S., guests may receive an overnight flight
• For cruises concluding on the East Coast of the US, guests may receive a flight that departs up to 10:30 p.m.
• For cruises concluding on the West Coast of the U.S. with guests returning home to a city located on the East Coast or central U.S., guests may be reserved on a flight that departs up to 11:59 p.m.
• Guests embarking or disembarking in PortMiami may be reserved on flights arriving or departing at Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Guests embarking or disembarking in Manhattan Cruise Terminal (New York City) may be reserved on flights arriving or departing at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Guests embarking or disembarking in Quebec City may be reserved on flights arriving or departing from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to ensure the most convenient schedule

Does Norwegian’s Free at Sea include gratuities?

NCL’s Free at Sea promotion does not typically include gratuities as one of its perks.

The current rates for NCL cruise gratuities are as follows:

• $25 for guests staying in the Haven and Suites
• $20 for all other staterooms, Club Balcony Suites and below

For bookings made before January 1, 2023, that pre-pay gratuities before the sail date, prices are as follows:

• $20 per person per day for The Haven and Suites
• $18 per person per day for Club Balcony Suite
• $16 per person per day for all other stateroom types

Is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea Good for All Itineraries?

Generally speaking, NCL’s Free at Sea is applicable to all sailings of 3 nights or greater. Chartered sailings and land portions of Cruisetours are the exceptions.

Hawaii sailings offer a slightly modified Free at Sea promotion.

The Hawaii Beverage Package is applicable to Pride of America sailings only, for guests 1-8 on the reservation. This package includes a variety of beverages up to $15. It also includes fountain soda, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffee in the dining room only. The package does not include specialty coffee outside of the restaurants, room service, mini bar purchases, or vending machines.

NCL’s Disclaimer: “The purchase of any alcoholic drinks within the Hawaii Beverage Package may, in certain individual circumstances, be restricted in accordance with Hawaii’s Intoxicating Liquor Law and applicable local rules and regulations.”

Retail value of the Hawaii Beverage Package is $109 per person, per day.

Like the traditional Free Open Bar perk, guests sailing in Hawaii need to pay the 20% gratuity on this “free perk”.

Is Norwegian’s Free at Sea Really Free?

Some of Norwegian’s Free at Sea perks are truly “free” while some are not.

In terms of the Free Open Bar, guests will still need to pay gratuity on this “free” perk. The 20% service charge for a 7-day cruise will cost each guest $152.60 for the Premium Beverage package. The Soda Package gratuity is $1.59 per person, per day. This gratuity is added to the total cruise fare at the time of booking.

While this is a great value, it is still a considerable amount to pay for a “free” perk. Thus, you can choose to opt out of the drink package if offered all 5 perks. If offered two perks, you could choose 2 alternate instead. This is especially applicable to guests who do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Further, if you enjoy specialty coffee or want bottled water, you will have to pay extra to upgrade to the Premium Plus beverage package.

Similarly, guests need to pay gratuity on the specialty dining package as well. This 20% service charge is $10 for a 7-11 day cruise in a studio, inside, or oceanview room. The gratuity is $17.80 per package for balcony and above cabins.

This does not include any additional tips that you would like to provide to your waitstaff.

In terms of the free shore excursions, the $50 credit per stateroom will not cover much. So, you will likely need to pay extra to cover the costs of shore excursions.

Of course, if you planned on booking shore excursions anyway, this is free money. Although, if you are booking them just to utilize the credit, it will likely cost you extra.

When taking advantage of the Friends and Family Sail Free perk, you will still need to pay the Government Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses for “sail free” guests. These fees vary based on the itinerary but will likely cost $200+ each guest.

One final thing to consider. Cheaper room categories often qualify for less perks, but they are CHEAPER. If you are paying more money for a higher room category just to score the free perks, you will need to determine if it is worth it for you.

What Perks Should I Pick from Norwegian’s Free at Sea?

What perks should I pick from NCL’s Free at Sea? This is one of our most frequently asked questions. Of course, this only becomes a consideration if you are not receiving all 5 free perks as part of the promotion.

So, let’s review retail values of each perk based on a 7-day cruise.

• Open Bar- $763 per person
• Specialty Dining- $89 per person for 1st and 2nd guests ($50 for lower room categories)
• Shore Excursions- $50 per port, per stateroom
• WiFi- 150 minutes with two logins per stateroom, valued at $125

Based on retail value, choosing the Free Open Bar is a no-brainer for most. It will save you the most money on your cruise, but only if you drink alcoholic beverages.

Remember, as mentioned above, you are still paying the gratuities on this package. Thus, if you don’t think that both guests will drink at least $150 or so in alcoholic beverages over the week (say 2 drinks/day), then you probably shouldn’t opt for this perk. Or, you might decline this perk if you are given all 5 offers.

If you are sailing with family, the 3rd & 4th guests sail free is the other obvious choice. This perk will save you hundreds of dollars as well.

The other 3 perks are much closer in value. So, it really comes down to your preferences. We usually opt for the specialty dining as we enjoy NCL’s specialty restaurants.

Honestly, the WiFi is slow compared to some other mainstream cruise lines. So, you will likely eat up those minutes pretty quickly. If you do want or need internet during your cruise, we recommend purchasing an unlimited package.

If you are planning to book shore excursions in multiple ports, this perk might be a good value. However, if you plan to stay on the ship at some ports or have a lot of sea days in your itinerary, this might not be the best option.

Further, you don’t need to book shore excursions through the cruise line. You could wander the port on your own or purchase cheaper and often more authentic experiences through local tour providers.

If given 2 free perks, we always pick the drink package and dining package. Of course, timing your booking with a promotion that offers all 5 free perks for a balcony stateroom is even better!

Is Free at Sea worth it?

The answer to this question should be based on your own personal habits. However, the answer is typically yes. If you will likely purchase any of these perks, it is probably cheaper to opt for the Free at Sea promotion.

Remember, if you don’t think you will break even on the gratuity aspect of the drink package or don’t want the dining package, you can opt out and still get the remaining perks.

If you don’t care about alcoholic drinks or specialty dining, or your room location, you can certainly save money with a Sail Away rate.

What is Free at Sea Plus?

Norwegian’s Free at Sea Plus is a newer offering from the cruise line. This package is an upgrade from the promotional Free at Sea package. Guests can upgrade their free perks to a more premium level for $49 per person, per day.

The Free at Sea Plus package includes:

• Premium Plus beverage package for Guests 1&2
• Two additional specialty dining meals for Guests 1&2
• Additional $50 shore excursion credit per tour for Guest 2
• Unlimited WiFi (no streaming) for Guests 1&2

If the second guest on the reservation is a child or you are cruising solo, see here for variations to this Free at Sea Plus package. Of note, the upgrade price will be cheaper for the 2nd guest if under 21 years old ($29). It is also cheaper for solo travelers ($42).

Further, if you want streaming WiFi, you can upgrade the Free at Sea Plus WiFi to streaming for $10 pp/day.

• Available on 3+ night sailings except charters
• Available fleetwide except on Pride of America
• Applicable to all stateroom categories except Sail Away rates
• Offer is capacity controlled
• Solo travelers are not entitled to additional shore excursion credit

Is Free at Sea Plus worth it?

So, with this new perk, it comes down to whether it is worth it or not to upgrade. Should you upgrade from the “free” Free at Sea promotion to the Free at Sea Plus package?

Once again, this is an individual decision. Basically, you will need to decide whether you would spend more than $49 per day on these extra perks.

When looking at the shore excursion credit alone, it would not be worth it as the $50 is only for port days.

When looking at the two additional specialty dinners alone, it would not be worth it either. This package is $99 (or less than $15 per day). Not to mention, you can often score a dining package upgrade on the Free at Sea at a discounted price.

In terms of WiFi, the Unlimited WiFi (in the Free at Sea Plus) is only $25.50 per day to purchase.

Looking at the drink package alone, guests can upgrade to the Premium Plus package for $29 per day.

So, generally speaking, if you plan to purchase the drink package upgrade and at least one other perk, then Free at Sea Plus is probably worth it for you.

If you are interested in two perks, but one of them is NOT the drink package, it’s probably not worth it. Likewise, if you only want one perk it is not worth it either.

For us, we enjoy the added benefits of the Premium Plus drink package, like Starbucks and bottled water. We also enjoy NCL’s specialty restaurants and would upgrade our WiFi package anyway. Thus, the Free at Sea Plus makes sense for us and helps to save us money.

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What are your favorite Norwegian’s Free at Sea perks? Do you find upgrading to the Free at Sea Plus a good value? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising with NCL.

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We’re doing one of these cruises next summer, and it’s me and my husband, and two kids under 18. When I asked about the free drink package, they said my husband and I (guests 1&2) will receive the premium open bar package, but the kids (guests 3&4) will NOT receive the soda package free. They told me that the free soda package only applied if the minors are guests 1 or 2. ?

Of course, now I’m wondering if I could switch my husband to be guest 2 and make my teen guest 2 for his soda package, since guest 3 over 21 still gets the premium bar option free.

This makes no sense to me.

I mean change my husband to guest 3 and my kid to guest 2.

Or book two staterooms. My family is 2 adults, 2 children. We booked two rooms, each with one adult and one child. The cruise itself cost about $150-200 more, but we’re getting two free airfares instead of one, and everyone gets a drink and upgraded dining package… not to mention twice the cabin space!

Thank you for your detailed description. If I’m traveling with my 17 year old daughter in a balcony room and upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, will she be able to order Starbucks, energy drinks, bottled water or just the soda package? I can’t get an answer from NCL.

Thank you for all info. It was very helpful. If you don’t drink alcohol, do they let you substitute that option for another 2 specialty meals? Also, how do you opt out of alcohol pkg if you get 5 free upgrades? My cruise free at sea pkg was just added. I didn’t see a choice to opt out??

Beverages are not included at the specialty dining venues? even if one has the free at sea dining package and the beverage package?

The info you provided here is priceless. Thank you so much –

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Do Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises Include Meals? – Included Food Guide

I’ve been cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line since I was a child, the thing that really keeps me coming back time and time again is the flexible approach to dining.

I love the lack of dress codes and the variety of food available onboard Norwegian Ships

If you’re considering your first cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line you may be wondering what is included in the cruise fare, with regards to food.

Do Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Cruises Include Meals?

Yes. Breakfast lunch and dinner are all included in the fare with Norwegian Cruise Line.

The main dining room and buffet are free on all ships in the fleet and there is usually another free option such as a bar/pub.

Norwegian Cruise Line does feature a lot of ‘Speciality Dining’ options onboard their ships, but these are at an extra charge. 

When I cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line I usually stick to the complimentary options. You do not have to pay extra for any food when cruising on any Norwegian ship if you don’t want to.

During this post, we explore the options that are included in the cruise fare and talk briefly about the paid-for extra options.

Almost all cruise ships have buffets and Norwegian Cruise Line’s are, in my opinion, some of the best.

You can eat as much as you like in the buffet – and everything is free!

The buffet is open for long hours, and you’ll find lots of variety in the food offered.

They tend to have food from around the world with different evenings having different themes.

Most buffets on Norwegian Cruise Line ships are split into sections so you may have an Indian section, a Pasta section, an Omelette station where omelettes are cooked to order etc etc.

Our quintessential buffet offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Action stations include meat carving, made-to-order pastas, omelettes, waffles, soft serve ice cream and more. Norwegian Cruise Line .

The buffet is a great option if you want to grab something to eat quickly, as the buffets are all self-service and there are usually no long lines or queues

When changing from breakfast to lunch and lunch to dinner the buffet will rarely close completely, instead they close off part of the buffet while setting up another.

The buffets on the newer Norwegian Cruise Line ships are really big.

When I sailed on Norwegian Prima, I found the traditional buffet had been replaced by the “Indulge Food Hal l .” This soon became one of my favourite places on the ship!

This is a new concept, where you can order food from your table via a tablet, and the food will be brought to you once it has been specially cooked for you.

Find out more about that, and the other exciting food option on Norwegian Prima in the video below:

During dinner, most Norwegian Cruise Line buffets will include the following sections:

• Meat Carving
• Pasta Station
• Pizza Station
• Grill Station
• Daily Specials
• Indian Section
• Special Diets & Menus
• Bread Section
• Desserts and Cakes
• Ice Cream Machine

Eating in the buffet can be a great option if you are cruising with kids.

Norwegian Cruise Line is one of my favourite cruise lines and that is why I recommend it to families and young cruisers.

To find out why, check out our recommended cruise lines page here:

  Recommended Cruise Lines

Which Drinks Are Available In The Buffet?

Tea, Coffee, Water and some lemonade or flavoured water are usually available in the buffet.

These are available whenever the buffet is open.  At breakfast, juices are also available.

At a minimum, you’ll find orange and apple juice but you also may find things a little more exotic – like pineapple or tomato juice.

Most of the newer Norwegian Cruise Line ships have a bar in the buffet where you can order a drink. This will cost money unless you have brought a drinks package.

Main Dining Rooms

On most Norwegian Cruise Line ships you will have more than one ‘main’ dining room to choose from.

The main dining room is often abbreviated as “MDR” – and basically just means the included restaurants onboard.

Some cruise lines only have one, but Norwegian often have many different restaurants onboard.

It is worth noting that although Norwegian do have different main dining rooms, the menu is usually exactly the same.

On Norwegian Getaway/Breakaway/Epic and Encore, you will find restaurants called “Taste” and “Savor.” These are opposite each other. The menu in both is exactly the same.

It is your decision if you want to eat in the main dining room or the buffet. You don’t have to make reservations for the main dining room or buffet.

Find out more about that here:

What is the Difference Between Eating in the Buffet or the Main Dining Room on a Cruise Ship?

Freestyle Dining Times

One of my favourite things about Norwegian Cruise Line is the lack of fixed dining times.

On most cruise lines you’ll have dinner at a set time and may even be allocated a table to share with other cruisers.

Norwegian don’t do this. To dine on a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise you simply show up at the restaurant the way you would on land.

It’s very easy and I rarely have had to wait for a table.

If you eat at a particularly busy time (7-8 pm usually) or are in a big group you might have to wait for a table and will be given a buzzer for you to take away while you wait.

When you are finished with your meal you simply stand up and leave! It’s amazing not having to wait for a bill/cheque.

You can get into the virtual restaurant queue on the App. They will let you know via the App when your table is ready for you.

Main Dining Room Drinks

Water will be offered to the table for free but any other drinks must be purchased.

If you don’t want to buy any drinks and instead want to stick with the free tap water in the restaurant, this is completely fine. I do it all the time.

Is There Any More Complimentary Food On Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises?

On most ships, you will find a bar/pub which is open 24 hours a day.

On the older ships, this is sometimes called the Blue Lagoon, it is called O’Sheehans on the majority of the ships and on the newest ships it is called ‘The Local’.

Despite the different names the idea behind the restaurants is the same.

It is a quick place to grab food in a relaxed setting. I’m a big fan of having meals in the pub in the UK so maybe that is why I enjoy it so much.

O’Sheehans/The Local typical menu items:

• Chicken Wings
• Fish & Chips
• Apple Pie/Cheese Cake

Asian Restaurant

On quite a few of Norwegian’s ships, you will find a Noodle bar or Asian restaurant. The restaurant serves wok-fried dishes and traditional soups.

I have dined in this restaurant on the Norwegian Epic and really enjoyed it. It does get quite busy so I would recommend you eat at a less popular time if at all possible.

You can dine as many times as you would like, on some cruises I have eaten lunch in a venue and then come back for an afternoon snack.

One of the best things about cruising is that there is no limit to how much you can eat!

What About Room Service?

Room service is available on cruises with Norwegian Cruise Line but it does come at an additional cost.

The new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast, in addition to a wider variety of options available 24 hours. Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge of up to $9.95 USD  will be added to each order placed. Norwegian Cruise Line

They will also charge you a 20% “gratuity and beverage” service charge will be added for “non-complimentary beverages.”

Even if you have a drinks package, any drinks delivered by room service will be chargeable.

If you are staying in the exclusive “Haven” area of the ship, Room Service can be ordered at no additional charge.

Speciality Dining On Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line has a LOT of speciality dining options onboard their ships.

Speciality restaurants are restaurants which cost extra for guests to dine in. They can be priced in two different ways:

• A flat charge to dine in the restaurant
• A charge per item – similar to dining on land.

When eating in the speciality restaurants you will be asked to sign for the meal at the end and then the charge will be added to your onboard account.

How do you Book Speciality Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line?

There are a number of ways you can book speciality meals.

• By phone – There is usually a reservations desk that you can phone free of charge from the phone in your cabin.
• In person at the restaurant – You are normally able to book at the restaurant of your choice.
• On the App – If you are cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line make sure you download the App, you can book speciality meals using it and also check your reservations.
• On the TV – In each cabin, there will be an interactive TV which is capable of booking speciality meals.

Speciality Restaurants

Each ship has different speciality restaurants but there are a number which are on multiple ships.

Below are a few, but not all , of the speciality restaurant options available on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises.

To learn more check out Norwegian’s website here:  Speciality Dining.

• Cagneys (American-style steakhouse)
• Le Bistro (French)
• Moderno (Brazilian steakhouse)
• La Cucina (Italian)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese)
• Food Republic (Worldwide)
• Los Lobos (Mexican)
• Q Texas Smokehouse (BBQ)

I usually don’t find that there is too much up-selling in regards to speciality dining on Norwegian cruises.

The upsell can be quite annoying on a few other lines, but I’m pleased to say that I don’t find that to be the case with Norwegian.

The cruise line will have promotions and of course, want to encourage cruisers to try the more expensive options but I’ve never felt pressured into doing so.

If you don’t want to eat at any extra charge Speciality Restaurants that is no problem at all. I usually don’t. ..

Specialty Meals as a Booking Perk

Norwegian Cruise Line often offers speciality dining as part of its “Free at Sea” booking offer.

This may be in the form of a certain number of meals in speciality restaurants included in your fare.

You can also buy a ‘Dining Package’ which covers a certain number of speciality meals.

If you are somebody who knows that they’ll want to try speciality restaurants, it can make more financial sense to buy the package or book ahead of time.

With a Speciality Dining Package (SDP), you can conveniently sample a wide array of unique restaurants for one set price. Customise your experience by selecting the number of meals you want during your cruise. Go medium-rare at Cagney’s Steakhouse, savour délicieuse French cuisine at Le Bistro or try succulent Brazilian barbecue meats at Moderno Churrascaria. The choice is yours and the flavours endless! Norwegian Cruise Line

Before You Go

Find out everything I ate on my recent sailing on Norwegian Prima below, the food was amazing and there was loads of choice:

Everything I Ate on Norwegian Prima (Menus, Speciality and Included Dining)

Find out if it is better to book directly with the cruise line or use a travel agent to get the best deal here:

Is It Best To Use a Travel Agent or Book Directly With The Cruise Line? (Money-Saving Hints and Tips For Booking, and Much More…)

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Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work

Taking a trip on Norwegian Cruise Line? While you might have already paid for your vacation, there’s one more expense to consider: gratuities (or “service charges” as NCL calls them).

Cruise gratuities are simply a fact of cruising. The payments go toward staff members providing service, including your room steward and dining staff. While some see these tips as forced payments, others see them as a rightly deserved reward to hardworking crew.

Gratuities, however, aren’t always clear to those who are new to cruising. Some people just aren’t sure how they work, who gets the money, and how they are paid.

To help ease any confusion, we’ve explained in detail everything you need to know about gratuities on a Norwegian cruise. We have sailed the cruise line a number of times and know how it all works.

The first thing to know? While we refer to the charges as gratuities or tips below, Norwegian has taken to calling them “service charges.” In this case, all those references mean the same thing. 

Here’s more about what you need to know…

In This Article...

How much are gratuities/service charges on Norwegian?

Norwegian’s tip amounts vary depending the type of stateroom you book, ranging from $20-$25 per person, per day.

Notably, NCL raised their gratuity fees effective January 2023. Sail on the cruise line, and you’ll now pay $20.00 per person, per day if you are sailing in an interior, oceanview, balcony cabin or Club Balcony Suite . Other suites and The Haven see a charge of $25.00 per person, per day.

At the $20.00 rate that most passengers see, a couple traveling on a week cruise will see total gratuity charges of $280.

Notably, these rates are significantly higher than other lines. Carnival and Royal Caribbean, for example, charge $16 per person, per day, for most cabins.

Not sure how much your gratuities will cost? See our free calculator here .

Who is charged gratuities on Norwegian Cruise Lines?

When it comes to who is charged the daily fee, Norwegian is among the most generous lines. While some cruise lines charge every person who sails – no matter their age – Norwegian Cruise Line only charges passengers three years or older.

So if you are a couple traveling with a small child, you get a break on the cost of gratuities. Other than kids under three years old, everyone else will pay the daily gratuity charge.

How do I pay gratuities/service charges?

NCL offers passengers the option to prepay service charges up to 24 hours in advance of sailing. This means you can pay when you book your cruise and have the charge already budgeted into your vacation spending. You can also book your cruise and then prepay later, but before your trip departs.

By prepaying, you not only don’t have to worry about the charges at the end of your trip, but you also don’t have to worry if the gratuity amount increases before you sail. Those who have prepaid will usually have their rates “grandfathered” in.

Don’t want to pay before you receive service? That’s understandable. In that case the amount will be charged to your account while you sail. The cost will then be charged to the card on file at the end of your cruise.

Do I have to pay gratuities on my cruise? Can I change the amount?

Although technically gratuity fees/service charges are discretionary, in practice passengers must pay these fees; the only exceptions being reductions if you receive horrible service. Asking to have the fees waived just to save yourself money is unfair since gratuities pay hardworking staff members.

Norwegian’s website states that “Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.”

If you received bad service and want to deduct part of your gratuities fee, you can discuss the problem with the ship’s Guest Services before the end of your cruise to see about an adjustment.

What if I want to pay more?

There are many people who wish to tip more or simply want to recognize someone specific for their hard word during the cruise. You can do that if you like.

Norwegian’s website states “While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to ‘go the extra mile,’ so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them.”

Who is covered & not covered by gratuities/service charges?

According to NCL, “Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports.”

It’s not specifically laid out who gets how much of the gratuity charge. That said, you can cruise knowing that people like the cabin attendant and staff in the dining room are covered. 

Those offering a service to only some passengers, such as casino dealers, kids camp workers, and spa workers, are not usually included in auto-gratuities. In fact, you’ll find that places like the spa, bars, and specialty restaurants have gratuity charges that are separate from the service charges discussed here.

Furthermore, people who provide you with service on land, such as baggage handlers and shore excursion operators, are not affiliated with the cruise line. They should be tipped separately.

Do I have to pay other tips if I pay the automatic charges?

Most likely you will pay other gratuities in addition to the automatic service charges from the cruise line. Norwegian adds a 20% service charge to all beverage purchases and to specialty restaurant dining. Also, passengers pay an additional 20% spa service charge all spa and salon services.

For example, if you get a $10 drink from the bar, you’ll actually be charged $12 after the 20% tip that’s included.

You should also note that the 20% gratuity is added to Norwegian’s “Free at Sea” ” offer if you select the free beverage package. Even though the package itself is free, you’ll still have to pay 20% on its value, which comes out to about $20 per person, per day.

Finally, if you order room service it is customary to tip the person bringing the food $3-5 as a thank you. 

What else should I know about Norwegian gratuities/service charges?

As mentioned above, remember that if you select the drink package as part of Norwegian’s “Free at Sea” offer, you will still have to pay the 20% gratuity on its value.

Also keep in mind that the 20% gratuity is already added in when you sign the receipt for a drink at the bar. Even so, there will be a line for an additional tip. Feel free to tip more if you like, but know that you’ve already paid, and it’s not required.

If you’re wondering how much you’ll pay for gratuities based on details of your actual cruise (including type of cabin, length, and how many people you’ll be traveling with), then you can use Cruzely’s free gratuity calculator .

Have additional questions about Norwegian’s service charges? Let us know in the comments below.

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Why Norwegan makes their customers pay for their personnel? Shouldn’t be covered in the cruise cost?

So I’m paying near 3000 for a two person trip and the cruise line want to rip off me an additional $400? On top of that an additional 20% on in-cruise purchases?

A compulsory tip is not a tip. Is a rip off. Shame on Norwegian Cruise.

Wish they were more upfront about this charge I just came across the 20$ per day per guest up charge while looking over some things. If one of the 2 in room dont want free at sea can one cancel it and the other keep iy?

You forgot to mention on top of service charges the 20% tax and the 10% tax added to every drink alcoholic, soda and water purchased in Spanish French Italian waters with or without free at sea 😂 packages which you get billed for I just got billed at the end of 7days sailing an extra $249 that’s after already paying upfront gratuities and didn’t have that many drinks 😡😡😡

Please can you forward a op out of gratitude form thank you

Hi, going on Escape Haven in September. I have no problem with tipping,,yet,,not sure of how much for Butler and Concierge..Any advice would be helpful

So they should be taken care of with the automatic gratuity. However, if you’d like to add more, I think $10 per day would be generous.

Just for clarity and accuracy, the NCL Guest Ticket Contract states “The charge, which is automatically added to your onboard account and subject to adjustment at your discretion”. The charge can therefore be removed and is not “must pay” as you state.

What is the best way to book Shore excursions, and can they be full before we depart as interest to understand what is available and book early.

We are going on an upcoming NCL Cruise to Alaska. We have prepaid our gratuities. I love having my coffee in the morning without having to go out for it. That being said, I see on NCL Cruises there is a $9.95 “delivery fee” for stateroom service. Does this “delivery fee” have a tip built in? Cruising is soooooo different today! Tough to understand!

I don’t know for sure if it is built into the delivery charge. I will say that if I was paying $10 for a cup of coffee to be delivered, I’d feel fine not tipping. Especially since NCL already has some of the highest gratuity charges in the industry.

Tipping / Gratuities / Service charges have been a part of cruising on all cruise lines for at least the 20+ years I’ve been sailing. the cruise lines made it automatic instead of giving envelopes to the passengers because of so many people bailing out and not paying them.

The crew and staff work very, very hard. And, they are fairly compensated on an international level… far more than what they would make in their home countries. The tips are usually sent home to their families.

We are cruising with NCL soon and opted to prepay the service charge and the gratuities (for the free at sea package). We don’t drink much and suspect that our total gratuities charged will not actually reach the amount prepaid, what happens to the difference? If we prepaid $400, but the gratuities of 20% is only $300, for example?

There is no “difference.” The gratuity charged is the 20% on the regular cost of the drink package. It’s the same cost no matter if you drink one drink or ten drinks.

Are you shill for the cruise line. You are supporting corporate exploitation. Instead of paying their employees a fair wage from the start you are encouraging to them to pas the buck. Shame on you!!

100 agree. Customer exploitation. And you get aware after you paid your booking fee, which is not cheap.

A compulsory tip is not a tip. Is a steal. Shame on Norwegian Cruise.

I have just booked a cruise online through a third party which included the free at sea package within the overall cost as standard. Do I still pay gratuities on this? Also, is it actually frowned upon to cancel gratuities at the desk with the idea to tip the specific members of staff that we are served or assisted by?

If you got the drink package, you normally pay gratuities on the cost when you book. Not sure of the specifics of your booking, however.

As for cancelling gratuities, I’d recommend not. You’ll be serviced by crew at times that you may never see again. For example, eating in the buffet, the staff that serves you and busses dishes get a stake in the gratuities but it’s unlikely you’ll have the same person twice.

My suggestion would be keep the gratuities and then you can tip additionally for those that really offer standout service.

Leaving soon for 10-day Mediterranean cruise. We always tip (extra) in USD. As we will be in Euro-country, should we tip our room steward, bar and food service people in Euros or USD?

I’d suggest euros. Either will work of course, but euros will have the ability to be spent on shore if the person wants to do so.

I must say I’m very curious as to whether the 20% add-on to beverages actually goes to the servers. The phrasing from NCL is “gratuities and beverage service charge”. This says that the 20% is going to 2 different purposes. Gratuities go to servers. But the “beverage service charge” can mean almost anything and does not necessarily go to the servers. As well, they don’t clarify how much of the 20% goes to gratuities vs. service charges.

I’d really love to know the truth, because if most of that 20% doesn’t go to the servers, I’ll definitely switch to cash tipping.

Your not sure because the service members do NOT get the gratuity paid by passengers – I was told this directly by the Head of Hotels one day while standing in line and just decided to ask – his response was “ I really wish I could tell you yes – but the truth was a no they do not receive the tips – they are awarded by having extra days off / better food choices , etc – all the things they should be getting anyways – the cruise lines have become greedy ! I always have them removed and self tip with cash so the service providers actually get the cash. Do you truly think when you get a promo that indicates “Free Gratuities” the cruise lines puts that money into the fund for you …… that’s why Celebrity is amazing to go with “Always Included” promo –

what are the expected tips for persons on the Land portion of our cruise?I am referring to the trip to Denali

It can vary, but I would say that 10% of the cost of the excursion would be good.

can I just oay what I want as I go to staff and take gratuities off my bill

You can, but that’s not common. As well, you’ll be served by a number of people during the cruise, many of which you won’t notice (like the staff in the buffet that clears plates after you leave). Automatic gratuities are just simpler.

We have a ‘free at sea’ drinks package as part of our European Cruise. NCL website infers the 20% drinks gratuity & service charge is not applicable if the beverage package has been selected as part of the ‘free at sea’ deal. Hopefully this means we won’t have to pay 20% gratuity on every drink we have 🥴

Once on board can I cancel gratuities at the desk and at the end of my cruise hand in tips like it used to be or not anymore?

Yes, you can likely still do that. It’s simply easier to have them automated.

If I prepay gratuities before travel. I’m unclear are you still charged 20% at bar…

Prepaid gratuities apply to things like the dining staff and your room steward. If you buy drinks at the bar or get a massage in the spa (optional services that not everyone uses), there is a 20% gratuity tacked on to that purchase — in addition to your prepaid gratuities.

Not happy that YOU HAVE TO PAY THE GRATUITIES. On other cruise lines you NEVER have to pay the Gratuities, It is optional, and you can cancel them if you like. I think P & O do not charge gratuities any more.

My husband and I are seniors and have the promo drink package. We usually have a glass of wine with dinner, and maybe a cocktail at the show. When we got our invoice we noticed a charge of $138 per person for the service charge. Since we are not big drinkers, can we opt out of the drink promo and just pay for the drinks we order plus the 20% service charge, and retain the rest of promo offerings?

Yes, you can opt out of the promo drink package. Give the cruise line a call or if you haven’t booked yet, there is an option online to deselect it.

So you mentioned above that if you order a $10 drink it actually costs $12 with the automatic 20% added. With the free at sea drink package there is a cap of $15 on drinks, so would I be able to order a drink that costs $15 seeing I already paid the 20% or will it actually cost $18 and I will have to pay $3?

The cap refers to the menu price, NOT the price plus gratuity. So if the drink is $15 on the menu, you are order it with the package.

Sorry my mistake unable to type gratuities. Gratuities are paid for service, not before service. This never happened prior to most cruise lines being taken over but such as Carnival. RCCL and others. Nothing but pure greed. Prior to this take over all on goods bought on board ship especially all drinks were duty free but now its not the passengers who get the reward it is the greedy cruise lines.

I have the free at sea unlimited beverage/ speciality dining package which includes 20% gratuity already paid for in my fare. My question is I have the option on my account to also prepay service charges of $14.50/day. Do I need to prepay this charge (or will I eventually be charged this $14.50/day rate) if I already paid gratuity in the beverage package? Or does the 20% gratuity on that package also cover this automatic service charge (or are they separate charges)?

They are separate. You can prepay the daily gratuity, or it will be automatically charged to your account and paid at the end of your cruise.

I’ve taken the free beverage package and paid pre pay gratuitues but its so unclear as to whether you are still obliged to pay 20% every time you get a drink,,,, please Help

No. When you get the drink package, the 20% is then added onto the package price. In the case of the free beverage package, it will be added to your account each day (unless you simply pay in full ahead of time). When you get a drink, you won’t be charged for the drink or gratuity.

I see that the 20% is added to a drink, but if you have taken the premium beverage package & the prepaid service charge do you still have to pay the 20%

No. The 20% is added to the beverage package. You don’t have an additional 20% each time you get a drink at the bar.

What is the breakdown of the 15.00 p/p per day gratuities? How much goes to the waiter, assistant waiter, & the cabin steward?

Not sure of the exact amounts, but the room steward gets the biggest share.

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Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Picking a cabin on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship isn't always easy.

For starters, there are a huge number of cabins available on some Norwegian ships. The line is known for operating some of the world's biggest cruise vessels — ships so big that some have more than 2,000 cabins each.

However, it's not just the sheer volume of cabins that makes choosing a room on a Norwegian ship a challenge. It's also the number of cabin categories.

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On some of Norwegian's largest ships, including Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, there are a whopping 39 different types of cabins — each a little different from the last.

The backstory here is that Norwegian ships are designed to appeal to a wide demographic, including travelers willing to spend at a wide range of price points. That's prompted Norwegian to offer a wide mix of cabin types.

The room choices the line offers on its ships range from relatively low-cost, windowless inside cabins measuring just 135 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multi-room suites that can be more than 50 times that size.

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at affluent travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to being on a luxury ship, and they truly are among the most spectacular accommodations at sea. Some, such as the giant Garden Villas found on six Norwegian ships — Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star — sprawl over thousands of square feet and have as many as three bedrooms plus separate living rooms and dining rooms.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line

A Norwegian Cruise Line cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Norwegian vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On newer Norwegian ships, the majority of the cabins are balcony cabins. Cruise lines over the years have discovered that cruisers will pay a significant premium to have a balcony with their cabin, and that's prompted a rush to add more balcony cabins to ships.

However, Norwegian's newer vessels are also known for a large number of suites, including suites that are part of upscale private complexes called The Haven.

On Norwegian's 4-year-old Norwegian Encore, for instance, 19% of the 2,040 cabins are suites — a huge percentage for a large, mass-market cruise ship. On Royal Caribbean 's 4-year-old Symphony of the Seas, which launched at almost the same time as Norwegian Encore, by contrast, just 7% of cabins are suites. On Carnival Cruise Line 's 4-year-old Carnival Panorama, just 3% of cabins are suites.

Here is a breakdown of the cabin types on Norwegian Encore, which is typical for the line's newer ships:

Inside cabins: 453 (22%). Ocean-view cabins: 111 (5%). Balcony cabins: 1,090 (53%). Suites: 385 (19%).

On older Norwegian ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer suites — sometimes far fewer. Only 1% of the cabins on Norwegian's oldest vessel, the 1998-built Norwegian Spirit, are balcony cabins.

Inside cabins and oceanview cabins make up nearly half of all cabins on Norwegian Spirit. Here is a breakdown of the cabins on that vessel:

Inside cabins: 387 (29%). Ocean-view cabins: 223 (17%). Balcony cabins: 708 (58%). Suites: 18 (1%).

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a suite on an older Norwegian ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a suite is a must, you'll want to book early to make sure you get one.

Within each of the four broad categories of cabins on Norwegian ships, you'll find multiple subcategories. Norwegian Encore, for instance, has 16 different types of suites alone, from a Club Balcony Suite Guarantee (Category MX) that measures 249 square feet to The Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony (Category H2) that measures nearly six times that amount.

In general, Norwegian cabins have a modern look with clean lines and contemporary furniture, plus lots of storage cleverly worked into the design.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Inside cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Norwegian ship, they are almost always the least expensive option when you're booking a cabin, and you can often save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world. In some cases, you'll find an inside cabin with a window opening up onto a hallway, but the view will be of nothing more than the hallway.

You'll also be in a very small room. Most inside cabins on the ship used in the examples above, Norwegian Encore, measure just 149 square feet. That's about 7% smaller than the typical ocean-view cabin on the vessel, which measures 160 square feet. The typical balcony cabin on Norwegian Encore is 175 square feet, not including a 30- to 110-square-foot balcony.

Related: Why windowless inside cabins aren't so bad

Of note, Norwegian is well-known for one particular type of inside cabin: unusually tiny, interior studio cabins designed for solo travelers.

Norwegian first added such cabins to a ship in 2010, on the then-new, 4,070-passenger Norwegian Epic. They were such a hit the line quickly began adding them to more vessels.

Measuring just 100 square feet but superbly designed to maximize storage space, the solo rooms on Norwegian Epic (there are 128 in all) are clustered around an exclusive Studio Lounge with a bar and television area where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings.

Since 2010, Norwegian has added similar solo cabin complexes with exclusive lounges to seven more new ships. Norwegian Encore has an 82-cabin solo complex spread over three decks.

The similarly sized Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss also have 82-cabin solo complexes, while the smaller Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have solo areas with 59 cabins. The line's two newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva , have 73 solo cabins.

Related: I've been on nearly every Norwegian ship. Here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Norwegian also offers four solo cabins on its Hawaii- based Pride of America.

In most cases, these studio cabins have windows that face an interior hallway, though some solo cabins have windows and balconies.

Ocean-view cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Norwegian's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outward are now built with balconies.

In general, ocean-view cabins on Norwegian ships are bigger than inside cabins but not quite as big as balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). However, you sometimes can find ocean-view cabins that are significantly bigger than what is typical for a balcony cabin. This is sometimes the case for ocean-view cabins at the front of ships, where there can be relatively large but odd-shaped rooms with windows but no balconies.

Several recent Norwegian vessels have some quite large ocean-view cabins at their fronts that measure from 240 to 372 square feet. Dubbed Family Oceanview Stateroom with Large Picture Window, they are designed to hold up to five people and are marketed to families.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian's Latitude Rewards loyalty program

Balcony cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Norwegian is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships.

On the line's new Prima-class ships, which began debuting in 2022, around 57% of rooms are balcony cabins — and that number jumps even higher if you include suites on the ship that have balconies (see below for more details on suites on Norwegian vessels).

Including suites, the percentage of cabins on the first two ships in the series to debut (Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva) that have balconies jumps to 64%. The percentage is even higher on the line's newest Breakaway-plus class vessels, at a very high 72%.

The typical Norwegian balcony cabin has a contemporary look with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. Norwegian balcony cabins typically offer twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk area and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed.

Balcony cabins on Norwegian ships typically measure a bit over 200 square feet, including the balcony space, but some can be significantly bigger.

On Norwegian Encore, a category of balcony cabins known as Large Balcony cabins (category B6) measure 331 square feet, due to enormous balconies that measure 155 square feet. The ship also offers aft-facing balconies (category B1) that measure up to 426 square feet, again due to unusually large balconies.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin

Suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

As mentioned above, Norwegian is known for a large number of suites on its ships. It's also known for some of the very biggest suites in the entire cruise industry.

The Garden Villas found on Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star are truly stunning, with living areas with glass walls looking over the pool areas of the ships. They have as many as three bedrooms plus separate living rooms and dining rooms.

Some of the Garden Villas measure as much as 6,694 square feet — more than twice the size of the typical home in the United States.

Among notable extras, the Garden Villas have private outdoor sundecks and courtyards with hot tubs. Additionally, the Garden Villas on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star include private outdoor dining areas and steam rooms.

On more than half of Norwegian's ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called The Haven. Aimed at luxury travelers, The Haven complexes are located at the very top of the vessels and often come with private lounges, pools, sunning areas and even restaurants.

Related: 7 reasons to splurge on a cruise ship suite

Depending on the ship, top suites can come with such perks as private butlers and concierges who attend to your every need; access to a private restaurant; a private suite lounge and sun deck; reserved seating in entertainment venues; and priority boarding and disembarkation.

Just be ready to look through a lot of suite types if you're booking a Norwegian ship. Some Norwegian ships have up to four types of Penthouse suites available, for instance, and three kinds of family suites.

Bottom line

Norwegian has something for everyone when it comes to cabins on its ships.

You can book a small, inside cabin that will get you on board one of the line's vessels at a very reasonable cost or a super suite that will set you back many times more but that comes with all sorts of perks.

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This Norwegian Cruise sailing takes you on a bucket list adventure: What it's like aboard

F or Kylie Herd, an Australian passenger on Norwegian Dawn’s Feb. 25 southern Africa itinerary, cruising has been the best way to check places off her bucket list.

“I just go with whatever cruise line has the itinerary that I want to do at the time that I’m available. It tends to be Norwegian, and when I saw that Norwegian had all these African cruises, I just thought, ‘I’m going to spend summer in Africa,’ because it’s an amazing itinerary,” she told USA TODAY.

When it comes to cruising, most Americans probably think of bopping around the Caribbean or checking out the wilds of Alaska if they’re feeling especially adventurous, but that’s really just scratching the surface. Cruise lines are increasingly offering diverse itineraries including expedition cruises to remote parts of the globe and introductory sailings to help travelers explore countries and regions they might never visit otherwise.

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Madagascar was the real draw for months of consecutive cruises on the Dawn for Herd.

“I’ve been trying to go to Madagascar for years. I always wanted to go there way before the movies ever came out. It’s one of those places that’s really difficult to get to,” she said. “When I saw Madagascar on a cruise itinerary I was like, ‘I have to do it.’ ”

Although the Feb. 25 sailing had to skip Madagascar for logistical reasons after a delay departing Mauritius, Herd said that she was able to visit the country earlier on her trip and that it was a real highlight.

Norwegian’s Africa itineraries had various changes and missed ports throughout the season. Passenger contracts give cruise lines some leeway to alter itineraries on short notice for reasons including weather or conditions on the ground that prevent ships from reaching or being accommodated safely in a scheduled port. Such changes can be especially common in regions prone to political unrest or that lack sophisticated port facilities.

Even so, Herd said she understood why passengers who missed out would be frustrated, but she encouraged her fellow travelers to keep an eye on the positive. “I understand the disappointment. I was disappointed, too, but we’re still having a great time.”

The Feb. 25 cruise still stopped at Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, which has an active volcano, as well as ports in South Africa where travelers could spot local wildlife.

Safari from a cruise

Norwegian Dawn stopped at four ports in South Africa, three of which offered safari experiences as shore excursions.

▶ From Richard’s Bay, passengers could visit the iSimangasilo Wetland Park , home to elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, zebras and other classic African big game. The park is about an hour and a half drive from the port, and Norwegian’s shore excursion included two game drives, snorkeling and a traditional South African braai, or barbecue.

Just as cruise itineraries can sometimes be subject to last-minute changes, safaris are at the whim of wild animals. Sightings are not guaranteed, but patience and vigilance are often rewarded.

▶ In Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Norwegian Dawn’s passengers could visit Addo Elephant National Park, also about an hour and a half drive from the port.

As the name suggests, Addo is home to a huge and docile population of more than 600 elephants. These animals often congregate around watering holes accessible from well-worn safari tracks.

Even after a strong rainfall the night before the excursion, which allowed elephants to retreat into the bush and temporarily lessen their reliance on overtaxed wells, dozens of the creatures greeted visitors coming from the ship for two-hour game drives.

▶ In Mossel Bay, passengers could also access private game reserves, which often have a higher concentration of wildlife roaming free but can include animals that are not directly indigenous to the area.

Cape Town and the winelands

There’s more to Africa than safaris, and Cape Town is an especially good place to experience metropolitan life and other kinds of outdoor activities on the continent.

South Africa’s legislative capital offers excellent hiking, a great foodie culture, beautiful (if slightly chilly) Atlantic beaches, penguins and more.

For travelers willing to explore beyond the city, South Africa’s wine country is close at hand in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and many vineyards offer tastings and meal experiences. One Norwegian excursion took passengers to the Blaauwklippen wine estate in Stellenbosch, which is best known for its Zinfandel.

Is an Africa cruise worth it?

From a financial standpoint, a cruise around Africa can be an excellent way to explore. For American travelers, however, flights to and from the ship are often more expensive than the cruise itself.

For example, a 13-day Norwegian itinerary that begins in Cape Town on Dec. 7 and ends in Mauritius on Dec. 20 has prices that start at $899 per person for an inside stateroom, but flights can be well over $1,000 round trip. The current cheapest itinerary from Detroit, for example, is a 42-hour slog on multiple airlines via Montreal and Dubai to Cape Town. The return trip is a bit shorter, at 31 hours, also via Dubai and Montreal. That routing would cost $1,694 per person in economy as of March 18, according to Google Flights.

Logistically speaking, though, it can be much easier to book a cruise and rely on the line’s shore excursions to expand one's horizons than to coordinate one's own safari.

“With multiple diverse ports of call within one coastal continental area, our Africa voyages provide our guests the opportunity to explore lush rainforests or volcanoes, experience captivating wildlife tours, learn about the rich culture on the South African coastline, indulge in Cape Town’s incredible wine regions, and so much more,” Brian Gilroy, vice president of revenue management and itinerary planning for Norwegian Cruise Line, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The one thing to keep in mind is that the African cruise market is less mature than the Caribbean – at many ports, there just aren’t comparable facilities to handle big ships. That doesn’t mean the cruises can’t or don’t happen, just that sometimes the operation is a little less fluid than the well-oiled Miami machine.

“Our 11- and 12-day cruises start and end in either Cape Town, South Africa, or Port Louis, Mauritius, and include an overnight stay in one of those magnificent cities, giving our guests the chance to fully explore what these regions offer. The variety of adventures our guests can experience in these destinations are endless, which makes for a truly unforgettable cruise experience," Gilroy said.

Travelers may be more likely to encounter a hiccup on their Africa cruise, but that’s all part of traveling to a new and exciting place. A missed port or an extra sea day can be a great time time to take stock, focus on the highlights, enjoy the experience of unlocking a new destination, and maybe take another sip of the wine your onboard sommelier recommended.

Just take a page out of Herd the Australian’s book. Despite some schedule changes, she said, “I’ve loved every single thing.”

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Norwegian. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This Norwegian Cruise sailing takes you on a bucket list adventure: What it's like aboard

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How Norwegian Cruise Line’s Drink Packages Work

For new or inexperienced cruisers, understanding how drink packages work, and if they’re worth it, is a big challenge. Cruisers on Norwegian Cruise Lines have the added challenge that these cruises are marketed as having “Open bar at sea” Or “Unlimited Drink Package Included.” But is it really free? And what are the limits? We take a look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s four basic drink packages to help you better understand the differences and costs.

• Unlimited Open Bar Package
• Premium Plus Beverage Package
• Soda Package
• Unlimited Starbucks Package

You’ll find a full breakdown of the details below, but we also created this handy chart to quickly help you see the difference between the packages.

Norwegian Unlimited Open Bar Package

The Unlimited Open Bar Package, previously called the “Premium Beverage Package” is Norwegian’s most popular drink package. This is their base unlimited drink package that you get when you select the Unlimited Drink Package as part of a “Free at Sea” offer. It gives you access to a large selection of cocktails, wine, and beer at most venues on the cruise ship. Just be aware, Norwegian offers some “sail away” cabins for lower prices, but they will not include any “Free at Sea” offers. So be sure to read the forms carefully when booking. For people who don’t drink, the “sail away” rates are a great way to save some cash.

What’s Included in Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package?

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. It also includes fountain soda, juice, and non-alcoholic beer. Below is a list of included beverages.

What’s Not Included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package?

• Drinks over $15 (you’ll pay the difference)
• Bottles of water
• Flights, tastings, or liquor experiences*
• Room service
• Bottled wine*
• Mini bar purchases
• Fresh squeezed juices
• Wine dispenser
• Energy drinks
• Vending machines
• Specialty coffee

*A 20% discount will be given on bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights purchased on board.

See full terms and conditions

What Does Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package Cost?

The cost of the package is typically $109 per person per day plus 20% gratuity. The price increased from $99 per day for all sailings after January 1, 2023. If you choose this perk as part of your cruise fare, you’ll still have to pay the gratuities or $21.80 per person per day. You are able to opt out of this “free” offer when booking if you’re not a big drinker.

Is Norwegian’s Unlimited Open Bar Package Worth It?

If you’re getting the Unlimited Open Bar Package as part of a “Free at Sea” promotion, each guest in the cabin would need roughly 2 – 3 alcoholic drinks a day to break even. However, if you’re paying full price for the drink package, it’s closer to 8 – 14 drinks a day per person to get your money’s worth. Our Drink Package Calculator will run the numbers for you based on what and how much you drink. 

Premium Plus Beverage Package

The Premium Plus Beverage Package is an upgraded version of Norwegian’s unlimited drink package. It includes everything in the standard package, plus a few extras. The most notable differences with this package are the inclusion of bottled water, specialty coffees, bottles of wine, and higher-end liquor.

What’s Included in the Premium Plus Beverage Package

This package includes everything above plus the following:

• Freshly squeezed juices
• Bottled water
• Wine dispensers
• Specialty coffee (including Starbucks)
• Select bottles of wine*
• *Non-select bottles of wine, flights, tastings, and liquor experiences will receive 40% discount

What’s Not Included in the Premium Plus Beverage Package

What Does Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage Package Cost?

The cost of the package is typically $138 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity). If you already have the standard Unlimited e already as part of a “Free at Sea” promotion, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus package for $29 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity).

Is Norwegian’s Premium Plus Beverage Package Worth It?

If you’re a big fan of specialty coffees, bottles of water, energy drinks, or bottles of wine, this upgrade may be worth it for you. That being said, if you’re just doing it for the non-alcoholic benefits, it still may be cheaper to pay per drink. It’d take about 4 – 5 of these extra drinks per day per person to break even. If you’re going for bottles of wine and high-end liquor, though, it pays for itself much more quickly. 

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Soda Package

For guests who don’t drink alcohol or guests under the age of 21, Norwegian has a soda package available. With this package, guests can have unlimited sodas around the ship. These used to be two different packages (one for adults and one for children), but in mid-2022 Norwegian combined them into one package.

What does Norwegian’s Soda Package Cover?

In September 2022, Norwegian announced it is switching to Coke products from Pepsi. The transition will be completed by the end of 2022. The soda package will include Cola, Diet Cola, Lemon Lime Soda, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, Orange Soda & Soda Water.

What doesn’t Norwegian’s Soda Package Cover?

The package excludes basically everything but soda. This will not include juices, milkshakes, bottles of water, etc. 

What Does the Norwegian’s Soda Package Cost?

Guests who get the package will pay $9.95 per person per day plus 20% gratuity.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Unlimited Starbucks Package

Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks package was introduced in mid-2022 and was specially made for coffee lovers.

What doesn’t Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks Package Cover?

The Unlimited Starbucks Package includes all the made-to-order drinks you can get from a Starbucks, including classic coffees, teas, and Frappuccinos.

What Does the Norwegian’s Unlimited Starbucks Package Cost?

The Unlimited Starbucks Package costs $12.95 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity). The Unlimited Starbucks Package does not include canned or bottled drinks, food, and merchandise. This package works at any Starbucks on a Norwegian ship as well as on Great Stirrup Cay.

Restrictions on Norwegian’s Drink Packages

All of the packages above have similar restrictions. The biggest restriction is that the package must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom. That means if it’s two adults in a cabin, both will need the package. Likewise, if you’re going to be getting the soda package for children, all the children in the cabin must get the package.

Sharing of the packages with other guests is prohibited. That being said, guests are allowed to get two beverages per person per transaction. 

Where Can the Norwegian Drink Packages Be Used?

The Norwegian drink packages can be used in the ship based restaurants, bars, and lounges. They can also be used while on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island. However, they cannot be used at Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.

CruiseSpotlight is an Amazon Associate. We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods.

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• Star Princess Returns as a Sphere-class Ship

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Alaska 2024 Excursions

Norwegian Cruise Line Alaska 2024 Excursions . The july 21, 2024 cruise on the norwegian encore departs from seattle,. Alaska cruises shore excursions | norwegian cruise line.

Vision of the seas, en route to st. Some cruise lines that offer these excursions include norwegian cruise line, princess cruises, holland america line, celebrity cruises, carnival cruise line,.

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This expedition cruise line will move to all-inclusive pricing later this year

Planning an expedition cruise with HX just got simpler.

The brand is moving to an all-inclusive model beginning this fall, bundling more experiences and amenities in its base fares. Regular-grade cabins will include breakfast, lunch and dinner with house wine and beer; Wi-Fi; gratuities; daily expeditions and activities; expedition gear guests can take home and more (a full list can be found here ).

Most of those already come at no extra charge, but the change brings them under one umbrella and expands the inclusions with alcoholic beverages outside of meals.

“We want our guests to fully embrace being curious travellers when they’re with us,” HX’s Chief Commercial Officer, Alex Delamere-White, said in a news release. “By making things as easy as possible, they can focus on exploring remote parts of the world and learning from our expert team. We believe adventure should be all-inclusive, which is why our daily expeditions, talks and access to the science centre come at no extra cost, alongside delicious food and drink.”

Are cruise drink packages worth it?: Not always

HX made the change following feedback from passengers and partners, he added. The new model will be implemented first on voyages to Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands departing in October before being rolled out to the whole fleet and all destinations the following month.

The news comes after the operator rebranded from Hurtigruten Expeditions in December.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].