Are you going on a Norwegian Cruise and wondering if the Norwegian Drink Package is worth it? In this guide, I am going to share my personal opinion about whether or not the free unlimited open bar package is worth the price.
The quick answer to whether or not the Norwegian all-you-can-drink Package is worth it, depends on two key factors. The first is your personal vacation drinking habits. Additionally, it depends on whether or not you get the package through their ‘Free At Sea’ promotion or pay full price.
So in this Norwegian Drink Package Review, I will share a cost breakdown and help you better understand if this package is the right choice for you.
How Much Does The Cruise Beverage Packages Cost?
The stand-alone unlimited drink package on the Norwegian Cruise Line costs $109 per day + 20% gratuity per person.
How Much Does The Drink Package Cost with the Free At Sea Promotion
Since 2020, the Norwegian Cruise Line has been offering the Free At Sea Promotion. This allows you to get the cruise for 50% off, which includes the drink package, 1 specialty dining experience, 100 minutes of free wifi, and a $50 voucher for an excursion. Some of the packages include free airfare and free 3rd & 4th guests. Gratuities are not included in select promotions.
Therefore, the Free At Sea Drink Package is included with the cost of the cruise. But you will still be charged a 20% gratuity for the duration of your cruise, which totals $21.80 per person per day for as long as the cruise duration.
For example, a 3-day cruise (3 days x $21.80) would only cost $65.40 per person in gratuity.
What is included in the NCL Drinks Package?
Most drinks under $15 are included in the Norwegian Drink Package. Bottles of water, specialty coffees, and energy drinks are excluded.
- Select, premium cocktails & spirits (under $15 USD)
- Variety of beer and wine by the glass (under $15 USD)
- 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine (above $15 USD)
- Unlimited soft drinks and juices
What is the Daily Limit for the Norwegian Drink Package?
The Norwegian Drink Package is truly unlimited. There is no maximum drink cutoff.
But according to the NCL Guest Conduct Policy, “The ship’s staff may refuse to serve alcoholic beverages to any guest who does not consume alcohol responsibly”.
Cost of Single Drinks Aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line
- Beer: $6-$9 ($6 for domestic cans – $9 for draft)
- Wine: Starting around $9 per glass
- Cocktails: Starting around $10
- Soda: $3.50
- Water: $6.50
- Energy Drinks: $6.50
- Starbucks: $3.25-$6.45
Is Gratuity Included With The NCL All-You-Can-Drink Package
Gratuity is NOT included with the purchase of a Norwegian Drink Package. An automatic charge of 20% will be charged for each guest. Do note this means every day of the cruise, you will be charged 20% of the $109 cost.
For example, if go on a 7-day cruise, the gratuity would amount to $152.60 per person.
Can One Person Get The Drink Package and Share?
No, each person in the stateroom must purchase the package if they are over the age of 21+.
Premium Drink Upgrade (Starbucks & Premium Liquors and Wines)
There is the option to upgrade the package to include top-shelf liquors and wines. This also includes the unlimited Starbucks package, premium bottled water, and energy drinks.
You can find a list of the premium liquors on the NCL Unlimited Open Bar Package Flyer.
The additional cost for the Premium Plus Package costs $29 extra per day (for a total of $138 per day).
Can you buy The Drink Package On Board?
If you decide last minute you do actually want to add the drink package, you can purchase it during the first 48 hours of the cruise. Ask the customer service desk where to purchase the package.
Quick Cost Breakdown Of The Norwegian Drink Package
I wanted to show some simple math to help you understand whether or not the NCL drink package is right for you.
Let’s say you start drinking in the early afternoon and have one drink per hour. Start with a few cocktails ($10 + $15 + $12 + $13). Then you go to dinner and switch to wine, let’s say you have 2 glasses ($9 + $15). Finally, you go to a show and have 2 more cocktails ($10 + $14).
That’s 8 drinks total throughout the evening and the total is only $98.
So you actually didn’t even break even and this wasn’t totaling in the cheaper drink options on the menu.
Now let’s say you go with the most expensive drink option, every time.
- $109 / $15 = 7 drinks per day
This could make the cost a little more palatable. But I find they still have a great selection of wines and cocktails around $9-$12. And if you are a beer drinker, this cost goes down even more.
The NCL Cruise Beverage Package For Beer Drinkers
If you will exclusively be drinking beer, then I don’t see how the drink package will really benefit you. Unless you plan to drink 12-18 beers every day.
- Domestic Beer $109 / $6 = 18 beers
- Draft Beer $109 / $9 = 12 beers
The Premium Drink Package Cost Breakdown
Okay, so you have classy taste and want to pay the additional $29 per day to have top-shelf liquors and wines. That brings the total up to $138 per day.
Maybe this is just an opinion, but if you are drinking top-shelf, then you probably prefer the taste. Overall meaning, you aren’t really drinking to get wasted. So even $138 / $23 per drink = 6 drinks per day (which is just breaking even).
Plus you still have to buy bottles of wine (although you get 40% off).
You do get the Starbucks package and the premium water package included. Therefore, if you only like top-shelf liquors and wine, this package might make sense for the price.
My Personal Opinion Of Whether Or Not The Norwegian Drink Package Is Worth It
I don’t think the question of whether or not the Norwegian Drink Package is worth the cost is really a one-size-fits-all answer.
Except with the Free At Sea Promotion, I think it’s a no-brainer to add the Norwegian Drink Package. You really only have to pay gratuity, which is $21.80 per day. That’s only about 2 drinks, and if you are on vacation, then you are likely to indulge in a couple more than two, am I right?! 😉
But if I were paying full price for the Unlimited Drink Package on the Norwegian Cruise Line, then I don’t think it is worth the price on its own ($109 per day + 20% gratuity).
You need to consider how many alcoholic drinks you plan on having each day.
For light to moderate drinkers (1-6 drinks per day), you will likely not even reach the $109 per day. And for drinkers above moderate (8+ drinks per day), you might simply break even.
If you are a heavy drinker or know you will be drinking the $15 drinks exclusively, then the package may be a good fit for you.
And another variable to consider is if you are prone to seasickness. Our Alaska Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines experienced some rough seas. Jake got pretty nauseous at times and was definitely drinking a little bit less than if it was a land-based vacation.
I hope this Norwegian Drink Package Review helps you understand the cost breakdown of drinks on the Norwegian Cruise Line and helps you decide whether or not the drink package is right for you.
Related Alaska Posts:
- Want to learn more about Norwegian Cruises? Find our in-depth review of our experience aboard the Norwegian Jewel
- Or are you ready to pack your bag and board the ship? Find our ultimate Alaska Cruise Packing List
Save This ‘Norwegian Drink Package Review’ For Later
