On Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the "Open Bar Gratuities" is a mandatory daily fee charged to guests who select the Unlimited Open Bar Package as part of the "Free at Sea" promotion. In 2026, even though the drink package itself is marketed as "free," NCL requires passengers to pay a 20% service charge on the retail value of the package. This currently amounts to $28.50 per person, per day. For a standard 7-day cruise, this means you will see a charge of approximately $199.50 on your final bill. This fee is designed to cover the tips for the bartenders and lounge staff throughout the ship, so you are not expected to tip extra for individual drinks at the bar. It is important to know that this is a "use it or lose it" charge; even if you only have one drink a day, the full gratuity applies if the package is on your booking. Guests under 21 who receive a soda package instead are charged a lower gratuity fee of $12.50 per day. This allows NCL to maintain a "cashless" tipping environment for beverages while ensuring their staff are compensated for the high volume of service the open bar generates.