NCL Brings Back Free at Sea Plus at $49.99 a Day
Norwegian Cruise Line is bringing back Free at Sea Plus, with a new version priced at $49.99 per person, per day. The optional upgrade can be added to sailings departing February 1, 2026, and later, offering additional inclusions on top of the standard Free at Sea promotion.
While the Free at Sea Plus name will sound familiar to longtime NCL cruisers, Free at Sea has replaced More at Sea, with Free at Sea Plus now offered as the optional upgrade.
Free at Sea Plus includes everything in the standard Free at Sea package, plus:
• Prepaid daily service charges (gratuities)
• Unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, one device per guest
• Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks (one drink per visit)
• Premium beverages, including top-shelf spirits, bottled water (still & sparkling), fresh juices, and energy drinks
• Unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay
• 50 percent off additional specialty dining after Free at Sea meals are used
According to information shared with travel advisors, guests who have already prepaid daily service charges (gratuities) will receive a corresponding credit toward Free at Sea Plus, preventing double charges. Since those service charges are a required onboard cost for all guests, many cruisers may view the upgrade price differently after accounting for them, especially if they were already planning to purchase Wi-Fi.
The Great Stirrup Cay benefit also represents a notable shift. Beginning in March 2026, guests will no longer be able to use the standard FAS drink package on Great Stirrup Cay. Unlimited beverages on the island will be available either with Free at Sea Plus or through a separate Great Stirrup Cay drink package that Norwegian plans to announce in the new year.
For cruisers familiar with earlier versions of Free at Sea Plus, much of this will feel recognizable, though some details have changed. With streaming Wi-Fi, premium drinks, and island access bundled into the upgrade, this version focuses less on adding individual perks and more on consolidating onboard costs many guests already expect to pay.
As with most cruise upgrades, Free at Sea Plus won’t make sense for everyone. How much value it offers will depend on how guests plan to use what’s included during their sailing.
Read more: Planning a Cruise with NCL – Tips You’ll Want to Know
Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.