How Much Do Drinks Cost on a Cruise Ship? Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Of course, this number of drinks varies slightly based on your drink preferences. Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. The package also brings a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases. You can purchase a Norwegian Cruise Line drink package online pre-cruise or once onboard the ship. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By You guessed it, you have to pay 20% gratuity on the free soda packages as well. You will not be limited by the number of drinks you can consume with any of the Norwegian cruise line drink packages because there is no limit. Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or shipboard wine-dispensing machines. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. When requesting sparkling water, I was offered tonic water or club soda. An upgrade beverage package is rarely needed if you sail with any of these cruise lines. Cruise ship drinks packages: A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Cruise Beverage Packages | Bon Voyage Gifts | Norwegian Cruise Line Cruisers can upgrade by paying the difference in the retail package price ($29) in addition to associated service charges ($34.80 total per person, per day). Find the right card for you. In some cases, there will be more than one tier of such all-encompassing plans. Especially if you do shots in between beers. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. Technically, you are not supposed to use your package to buy drinks for other people. Be sure to check the fine print in your particular line's drinks package before placing an order for a drink to your room. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. Yes. Further vending machine purchases and wine stations are not included. A selection of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer with a value of up to $15 US per drink are included in the complimentary beverage package offered by Norwegian. Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare). . 2-IN-1 LID; Our unique 2-in-1 lid allows you to sip your drinks with the flip up Sip lid, and drink your cold drinks with the Integrated Straw lid, We took your two favorite ways of drinking, and built them into one awesome lid. When selecting this free perk, guests will still need to pay gratuity. This is the drinks package that many travelers get comped as part of Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion (though you still have to pay 20% of the package price for gratuities). Though, it does come at a higher price point. NCL Alcohol Policy, Drink Packages, Wine Prices | CruiseMapper She is always looking for the latest and greatest adventures onboard and ashore, enjoys researching top things to do in ports of call, and loves dressing up for formal nights. Guests can purchase the Premier Beverage Package for $59.99 per person per day. Yes. Sharing is explicitly prohibited. Other packages: Norwegian has two less-inclusive, less expensive alcoholic beverage packages. Passengers staying in the premium Retreat areas on Celebrity ships receive the Premium Drink Package for free. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. This gratuity is added to the total cruise fare at the time of booking. Worth It? Everything About Cruise Line Drink Packages - Cruzely.com This beverage package is available as an upgrade to the Free at Sea Premium beverage package option. Absolutely not! Your analysis is not very useful without the list of brands excluded (or included), which seems to be permanently unavailable. Although you need to be aware of the limit, we dont think most passengers will reach it. As you can see from the different scenarios provided above, the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is likely worth it if you are receiving it as an included Free at Sea perk. One of the most hotly debated cruise topics are drink packages. How Norwegian Cruise Line's Drink Packages Work A wine bottle package also is available. It costs $38 per day. Some people love knowing exactly how much they will spend with the package before stepping on board. includes nearly all of the beverages onboard Carnival cruise ships. The majority of town beer shops are open before 8 p.m. or 6 p.m. on weekends. I enjoy an cocktail before dinner and good wine with, but withotu knowing what the extra cost might be, I have no way of knowing if the $40/day service charge would be worth it for one. Theres a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period. These have bubbles, but theyre not sparkling water. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package. Package name: Premium Drink Package. Package name: Captains Exclusive Beverage Package. The package also features a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases. Home / Cruise Tips / Is the Drink Package Worth it on a Cruise? Norwegian Drops Drink Package Edge it Held Over Royal Caribbean TPG values it at $1,600. In addition to its inclusivity, CHEERS! It is a good idea to keep track of your spending because all those drinks can and will add up. You'll notice it doesn't mention a daily limit. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. 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. Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces). At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." Priced at $138 per day, this is Norwegian's most expensive and highest-end package. Purchasing alcohol in ships' duty-free shop(s): Any alcohol purchased in the onboard shops will be stored until the cruise's conclusion. Royal Caribbeans Deluxe Beverage Package is their highest-tier beverage package. Although cruise line drink packages are expensive, there are some reasons you should consider purchasing one before your next cruise. When Should You Skip The Drink Package On a Cruise? Note: Final prices will add a gratuity to the cost of the package. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Though, given that many non-alcoholic drinks, like bottled water and specialty coffee, are not included in this package, it wouldnt make sense for us to purchase it out of pocket. Premium Beverage Package - Starting at the hefty price of $99 per day (plus 20% service charge), Norwegian 's Premium Beverage Package includes any wines, beers or cocktails priced at $15 or less per glass. With the high price of the package and price restrictions on included beverages, youll need to purchase 6-8 alcoholic beverages every day to break even. Soda, specialty coffees and other nonalcoholic beverages already are included in the fare on Windstar sailings. drink package is one of the most inclusive packages on our list. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. When doing the calculations, dont forget to factor in port days. My husband did max out once on a sea day, but a couple of the drinks he had "bought" for one of the entertainment staff that we had made friends with [a couple beers while he was singing in the bar], and a couple drinks that had gone to waste when you take a couple sips and decide that it just didn't taste good. Even as a perk, the service charge for my wife and I require that we consume a minimum of 4-5 drinks per day to break evenand she doesnt drink at all. While marketed as a limited-time promotion, we often find the promotion available more often than not. Norwegian Introduces Unlimited Starbucks Package Do Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises Include Meals? - Included Food Guide Package name: Premium Plus Beverage Package. Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise. Norwegian has a few other drink package options including. Drink packages are entirely optional and usually not needed for most cruisers. The Cost of Drinking on a Cruise - Cruisewatch Yes. That is, of course, an enormous number more than most people will ever want to order. Celebrity Cruises. A 20% service charge is added to your purchase at checkout. I usually upgrade my package on Celebrity because I want all the free sparkling water and Celebrity has a great coffee bar. This equates to $831.60 per person for a 7-day cruise (including 20% service charge).Analysis of the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package. https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package, The Freestyle Choice information has the following:-, The first two guests can enjoy a drink (who are we kidding, drinks) for the whole cruise vacation for free. And that would have to be 7 drinks actually consumed on the ship itself. Alternatively, passengers can choose the Elevate cruise fare, which includes the Premium Beverage Package and a shore excursion credit for $20 per person per day. That is the only reason I would think they would do that. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. This is the standard alcohol package offered by Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian recently updated its beverage package selection and added a new package option. limit to # of drinks per day on drink package? - Norwegian Cruise Line If you purchase the drink package, you will be charged for every day you are on vacation, even when you spend the day in port. As a comparison, on our cruise, the featured cocktail of the day was $8.95. So, given that it does not include many non-alcoholic items, the Premium beverage package is priced well above its competitors. A relatively newer offering, the Premium Plus beverage package is the most all-inclusive option of the NCL drink packages. Most cruise lines require all guests sharing a cabin to purchase the same beverage plan to prevent sharing between friends and family. If you plan to spend the day in port, you wont be consuming as many beverages as you would on sea days. Other packages: The slightly less expensive Signature Beverage Package only includes drinks costing up to $11. CC Help Jenn Other packages: Oceania offers a less expensive House Select package that includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner. But, youll still be paying full price for the beverage package. In 2021, MSC Cruises updated its drink package offerings, giving passengers a choice between 3 new packages. If you purchase a drink that costs more than the limit, most cruise lines will only have you pay the difference and the gratuity on the difference. How Do I Purchase A Drink Package For My Cruise? If youre planning on purchasing the drink package, the Princess Plus fare is an excellent way to save money. People who want to drink without breaking the bank and enjoy a variety of drinks without . All NCL drink packages are priced as per person, per day. After all, at $109 a day plus a 20 percent gratuity, the Norwegian Ultimate Beverage Package only covers drinks which come in at under $15 (as opposed to the $50 cap on Carnival), and does. And, the, Couldnt that person just get some type of soda package? Essentially, you will need to decide if you will drink at least $29 a day per person of the additional inclusions. The best way to determine if a drink package is right for you is to calculate how much you would be spending on drinks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); High Seas Cruising was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades of cruise vacations. And The value of up to $1888 just refers to the price one would have to pay for the package if it were not free. What it includes: Drinks by the glass including draught, craft and bottled beer; a selection of wine and Champagne by the glass; premium-brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials; a variety of frozen and classic cocktails; soda; juices; nonalcoholic cocktails; energy drinks; hot chocolate drinks; specialty coffees; teas and bottled water. Wine and Champagne are permitted, but you'll have to pay a corkage fee for any that is consumed onboard in staterooms, bars or restaurants. Is There A Limit To How Many Drinks You Can Get Per Day With An Ncl Beverage Package Unlike some cruise lines, Norwegian doesnt currently have a limit on how many drinks you can have per day with any of their packages. If you forgo the beverage package, you can simply pay for each drink. Log in. Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package: Ultimate Guide $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. And again, thats if you are drinking the more expensive drinks and cocktails. When you choose the UDP, the 18 percent of the cost of the package is added to the cost of the cruise. If you would spend more money purchasing individual drinks than the cost of the package, then the drink package is worth it for you. LauraS *Based on a 7-night cruise, balcony & above. Yes that happens and then the bar staff gets questioned about if the guest is sharing drinks or drinking to much. Variety of spirits and cocktails, wines. Find all the details you need here regarding Norwegian Cruise Line's alcohol policy: The drinking age on NCL's ships is 21 for most itineraries; it's 18 for sailings that operate round trip from European or Australian ports (though for beer and wine only). So, for a 7 day cruise, you will be assessed a charge of $124.60 for each adult beverage package. This drink package includes everything in the Premium beverage package, along with other higher end offerings. Other packages: The less costly Topmast Discoveries Beer and Wine Package, at $49 per day, includes a choice of beers and premium wines but not spirits and cocktails. The beverage package also covers bottled water, so you can grab a bottle on your way off the ship and not worry about finding a local convenience store. Thats because while youre shopping or taking part in an exciting shore excursion, you wont be using the beverage package. Offering unprecedented capacity. But, that turned out not to be the case. Related Post: Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $15. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. What it includes: All beverages by the glass (top-shelf spirits, cocktails, beer and wine) and select premium bottles of Champagne and wine. If you decide to purchase the beverage package, booking online ahead of time is better. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. The package does not contain any specialty coffees or . Q: The included beverage package is the House Select. Its easy to go overboard if you are just trying to get your moneys worth from the drink package. By This is a significant consideration for whether the beverage package is worth it. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Norwegian Non-Alcoholic Drinks and their specialty coffees. Limitations related to drink cost: None. Free At Sea Plus, the ultimate holiday upgrade in one package. Drinks served in souvenir glassware and specialty beers are not covered by the package, nor are beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores on ships. I've maxed out once during a sea day. They haven't updated it to say value up to $2048. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails. No, you cannot share the drink package on a cruise. There is no hard limit, but they can and may refuse to serve you if they feel you are excessively inebriated, regardless of number of drinks purchased. Available on: All ships except Pride of America. Once on board, you will often purchase the drink package during the first two days of sailing. In cases where a line offers more than one drinks package, weve highlighted the most inclusive package in detail while also noting other packages cruisers can consider. They do have a limit of two drinks per person per order, which is helpful to know when there's a long line at the pool bar. Trust us; you dont want to spend all that money on a beverage package to have it taken away. That would be a total of $27.60 per day for both people. Unlike drink packages on many other cruise lines, Norwegian's Free Open Bar doesn't include specialty coffees or bottled water. Coffee shops are available onboard as well, and the drink package includes a variety of them. The total cost of all those drinks with service charge was $978.00 for the two of us. It depends. After looking at this page you should have a good idea if the Norwegian Drink Package is good for you or not. Even if you receive a drink package with the cruise lines Free at Sea promotion, you are still responsible to pay this 20% gratuity. Although annoying, it still seemed like we could make good value out of the packages even with the required fee. Learn more. Breakfast lunch and dinner are all included on cruises with Norwegian Cruise Line. There are also a number of other restrictions to bear in mind before diving in and booking that booze-inclusive package. Only one beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). And if you wait until the second day, you will still be paying for the first two days of sailing, even though you didnt use the package. But for those who regularly order several alcoholic drinks a day when cruising, there's a way to save: a flat-fee drinks package. The 15% service charge is waived when pre-booking the package. Based on this cost, if you and your cabin mate will drink on average at least 2 alcoholic drinks/day, then the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is worth getting as a free perk. The cost of the beverage package varies depending on the length of your cruise. Both cruise lines have a 15-drink limit per 24 hours on alcoholic beverages. PDF OLife Choice - Things to Know - Oceania Cruises Check here before booking an award fare. Norwegian assesses a gratuity charge of $19.80 per person per day for its basic Premium Beverage Package. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package was formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package. There's a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period. Every time you book a cruise you have one very important decision to make: "Should I get the cruise drinks package or not?". Cruise lines will often offer discounts if you buy the drink package before you sail. Welcome Aboard! While there is indeed a version of an NCL drink package for purchase thats an. I have the free at sea promotion for a 10 day cruise in Iceland . What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails (soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner already are included in the fare at Viking; so are specialty coffees and teas at all hours). Then there were days where we only had 2 drinks each for the entire day. Note that both prices will have an 18% gratuity tacked on. This happens for every drink you have on the package. As part of its drinks package price hike on Jan. 1, Norwegian will also raise the cost of a less-expensive drinks package it offers that has a $15 cap on the price level of drinks that can be ordered. Cost per day: $64.95 when purchased on board, not including an 18% automatic gratuity charge; $59.95 plus the gratuity charge when purchased in advance of sailing. With the My Drinks Plus package, guests receive premium cocktails, mini bar purchases, prestigious liquor brands, and bottled Corona and Becks. You can not purchase just select days. We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. The package is not available for Australia-based itineraries shorter than seven nights or voyages shorter than two nights in all other regions. There is no sharing of the NCL drink package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers. Related: $12 for a drink made with leftover banana peels? Fine print: If one adult of legal drinking age in a cabin or traveling under the same booking number purchases a package, all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin also must purchase it. Your beverage package will cover a glass of wine as long as it is below the maximum price per drink. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Lines Specialty Dining Package, Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise, should buy a beverage package on a cruise, easy to go overboard if you are just trying to get your moneys worth, Celebrity Edge Will Be the First Cruise Ship to Sail from the U.S. in June. Passengers can receive the Premium Beverage Package for free through Norwegians Free at Sea promotion. The latter offers a wider range of covered drinks but is not available as a free perk. If you are only drinking a few drinks per day, it is probably cheaper for you to not choose the free at sea promos. Cruise line drinks packages let you order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for one flat fee. Package, which covers nearly every beverage -- alcoholic or non-alcoholic -- on the ship, up to $20 per drink. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles and $30 for 1,500ml. Ultimate Beverage Package - limits? - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise For these passengers, the uncertainty of the running bar tab creates too much stress when you should be relaxing. Enrollment required. Also, all guests in the same cabin over 18 must purchase this package. Elevate your cruise experience with our widest beverage selection onboard, more specialty dining, unlimited Wi-Fi and more shore excursion credits.