Is alcohol free on NCL?

Norwegian Cruise Line's Premium Beverage Package is included with your Free at Sea perks. This package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 USD and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay.



Alcohol is not "free" by default on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), but it is effectively included for the majority of guests through the "Free at Sea" (or the 2026 updated "More at Sea") promotion. When booking this offer, guests receive an Unlimited Open Bar package covering most spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass up to a $15 retail value. However, it is important to note that you must still pay the daily beverage gratuities (approximately $21.80 per person, per day in 2026) at the time of booking. For those who do not select a promotion, drinks are charged à la carte at standard bar prices. The "Free at Sea Plus" tier, popular in 2026, further expands this to include premium brands like Grey Goose and Casamigos, plus unlimited Starbucks and bottled water, which are typically excluded from the standard "Free at Sea" alcoholic beverage offering.

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On most cruise lines' ships, alcoholic drinks cost extra and incur an automatic 15 to 20 percent service fee. Pricing will vary by line, but it's akin to restaurant and nicer bar prices -- about $12 per cocktail, $8 to $10 per glass of house wine, $14 to $25 for nicer wines.

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What drinks are free of charge?
  1. Water. Water is always free of charge on most cruise ships. ...
  2. Flavored water. Some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean drink package provides their passengers with several options of flavored waters to choose from. ...
  3. Lemonade. ...
  4. Tea and coffee. ...
  5. Hot chocolate. ...
  6. Milk. ...
  7. Fruit juices.


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Cruise line drinks packages let you order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for one flat fee. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time. At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. Basic tiers often just include sodas and bottled water.

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Passengers should not bring the following items onboard any Norwegian Cruise Line ship:
  • Drones (Game Flying Device) ...
  • Samsung Galaxy Note7. ...
  • Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of any kind including water, pop and juices* ...
  • Unsealed food items will not be allowed onboard.


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Fine or surcharge: On many cruise lines, you may be subject to a fine or a surcharge if they catch you sneaking alcohol onto the ship. Confiscation of alcohol: No matter what other disciplinary action the cruise line takes, you can expect them to confiscate your alcohol as soon as they find it.

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Guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages (beer, seltzer, or hard liquor) seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage provided that they are in the original sealed package.

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Eligible guests are entitled to two beverages per person per transaction. Includes premium spirit brands, cocktails, beer, soda, juices, and wines by the glass up to $15 value. Any items over $15 USD will receive an $15 USD discount and the guest will be charged the difference to their account.

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At their core, Norwegian ships are mass-market ships, with entry-level cabins that are affordable to middle-class travelers. However, overlaid across most vessels are high-end suites and services that are at a luxury level, and the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers.

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What Are the Ways One Can Save Money on a Norwegian Cruise?
  1. Tip 1: Avoid beverages on ports. ...
  2. Tip 2: Make use of laundry discounts. ...
  3. Tip 3: Wisely choose spa services. ...
  4. Tip 4: Book the dining package. ...
  5. Tip 5: Carry a camera. ...
  6. Tip 6: Avail of the free at-sea offer.


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Yes, you can choose not to pay your gratuities automatically. All you need to do, when making your booking, is request to pay on-board. Then when the gratuities are added to your on-board account, you can visit Guest Services during your voyage and request to pay cash gratuities instead.

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Only Norwegian offers the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. So follow your mood, not a schedule.

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While purchasing a beverage package prior to your cruise is the most cost effective, you can opt to purchase one on board for a slightly higher price.

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How to Hack (and Share) the Royal Caribbean Drink Package
  1. 1 Buy your drink package before the cruise.
  2. 2 Share the drink package with someone else.
  3. 3 Order top-shelf liquor at the bar.
  4. 4 Take advantage of the non-alcoholic drinks.
  5. 5 Take bottled water with you on excursions.


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In many cases, no. Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drinks package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package.

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