Your No-Nonsense Guide to NCL Drink Packages
What are the NCL Drink Packages? In this 2025-2026 guide, we’ll explore Norwegian Cruise Line’s Beverage Packages.
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Your cruise fare covers filtered water, regular coffee, tea, and buffet fountain juices. However, with NCL, you can upgrade your experience by opting for the popular Unlimited Open Bar through their More at Sea program. This package offers an expanded selection of unlimited drinks, allowing you to enjoy some of NCL’s signature cocktails. It can also be a cost-effective option if you have more than a few drinks daily.
You can use our cruise drink calculator below to compare costs and determine whether purchasing a soda package or opting for the Free at Sea Open Bar option makes the most financial sense.
Norwegian Beverage Packages Available
- Unlimited Open Bar Package: A wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, beer, wine, and sodas.
- Hawaii Beverage Package: This package, specifically designed for cruises in Hawaii on the Pride of America, includes a selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
- Soda Package: Unlimited fountain sodas and non-alcoholic beverages are available for the cruise.
- Starbucks Package: Unlimited specialty coffees and teas from licensed Starbucks throughout the cruise.
- NCL drink packages that include alcohol are only available to passengers aged 21 and over.
- The cost of the drink package varies depending on the length of your cruise. Any examples provided are based on a 7-day cruise.
- Drink taxes and VAT charges may apply. NCL adds drink taxes while docked in some ports, and VAT is now charged on certain itineraries—even while at sea. This typically affects sailings in European Union countries and Australia.
- Norwegian Cruise Line’s drink packages are not accepted at Harvest Caye, and starting with March 2026 sailings, they will also no longer be accepted at Great Stirrup Cay. For Great Stirrup Cay, new island-specific drink packages will be available for purchase on January 1, 2026.
- Tasty Itinerary is not affiliated with or employed by Norwegian Cruise Line.
NCL Drink Packages Explained
NCL Unlimited Open Bar Package
- Retail Cost: $109 per person, per day, plus a 20% gratuity.
- Included: This package includes a variety of sodas and alcoholic beverages, covering drinks priced up to $15 and select premium options within that range.
- Excluded: Specialty coffee (e.g., Starbucks), energy drinks, bottled water (still and sparkling), certain high-end premium alcohol, room service beverages, canned sodas, and mini-bar items are not included.
- Free at Sea Program: For guests 1–8 aged 21 and over, the Unlimited Open Bar Package is included as part of Norwegian’s Free at Sea 2.0 program. The package is no longer listed as a “free perk” with a separate service charge; instead, NCL now charges a flat rate of $28.50 per person, per day, and gratuities are already included in this price. For a 7-day cruise, that totals $199.50 per person.
Since Norwegian Cruise Line retired More at Sea and reintroduced an updated Free at Sea program, the Unlimited Open Bar Package now operates on a simplified, flat-rate structure. It includes cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks priced up to $15 each, featuring a wide range of premium brands. Guests pay a flat rate of $28.50 per person, per day, and gratuities are already included.
How much does the NCL Unlimited Open Bar package cost?
The package is included as a perk for Guests 1–2 when selecting Free at Sea during booking. That $28.50 per-day rate totals $199.50 per person on a 7-day cruise.
If purchased separately, the Unlimited Open Bar Package costs $109 per person, per day, plus a 20% service charge, bringing the retail price to about $130.80 per day.
Can minors receive this package?
Guests 1–8 who are 21+ receive the Unlimited Open Bar Package as part of the Free at Sea program. If a minor is listed as guest #2, they will receive the soda package instead. Minors listed as guests #3–8 do not receive any package
You can read the terms and conditions for the FAS Unlimited Open Bar.
Is bottled water included?
No, bottled water is not included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package.
What happens if you order a drink that is over $15?
If you have the NCL Unlimited Open Bar Package, it covers alcoholic drinks, liquor, and beverages priced up to $15. If you order a drink that exceeds this limit, you’ll pay the difference out of pocket.
Example: If you order an $18 martini, the Unlimited Open Bar Package will cover $15 of the cost, and the remaining $3, plus a 20% gratuity on that $3, will be charged to your onboard account.
NCL Soda Package
- Popularity: A great option for non-alcoholic drinkers and for minors listed as the 2nd guest under the More at Sea program.
- Pricing: $12.50 per person, per day, including gratuity.
- Inclusions: Enjoy unlimited fountain soda throughout your cruise.
- Exclusions: This package does not include canned soda, mini-bar options, bottled water, specialty beverages, or room service delivery.
Is the NCL Soda Package worth it?
The NCL Soda Package is a great option for those who don’t drink alcohol and want to save money. For $12.50 per person, per day (including gratuity), you’ll get unlimited fountain drinks, which can quickly add value—especially when individual cups of fountain soda cost $3–$4 each. The package easily pays for itself if you drink just 2–3 sodas daily.
If you’re debating between the Soda Package and the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar, here’s how the costs compare: the Soda Package costs approximately $87.50 per person for a 7-day cruise. In comparison, the Unlimited Open Bar Package for More at Sea guests costs about $210 (gratuities included). For an additional $122.50, the Unlimited Open Bar includes not only soda but also mocktails, fruity vacation drinks, and alcoholic beverages up to $15.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your drinking habits and preferences, so take a moment to calculate which option works best for your budget.
NCL Hawaii Beverage Package
- Package: Exclusive to Pride of America sailings.
- Retail Cost: $109 per person per day, plus a 20% gratuity.
- Included: The Hawaii Beverage Package includes unlimited beverages up to $15, such as soda, specialty coffee served in restaurants, and freshly squeezed juices, as well as access to Vero still water dispensers (replacing bottled water after May 2025 dry dock)
- Exclusions: Bottled water (removed after the May 2025 dry dock), specialty coffee outside of restaurants, mini-bar selections, and vending machine purchases are not included.
- Free at Sea (Guests 1–8): Guests 1–8 who are 21 or older receive the Hawaii Beverage Package as part of the Free at Sea program. If either Guest 1 or 2 is under 21, they’ll receive the Hawaii Soda Package instead. Guests 3–8 under 21 do not receive a beverage package or any substitution.
The Hawaii Beverage Package is for guests sailing the Hawaiian Islands on Norwegian’s Pride of America. It includes drinks priced up to $15, plus freshly squeezed juices and specialty coffee served in dining rooms. This package is now part of the Free at Sea program.
Read the updated terms and conditions for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Hawaii Beverage Package.
What are Vero Water Dispensers?
Vero Water dispensers are self-serve stations on Pride of America that provide filtered still water. These machines were installed during the ship’s dry dock in May 2025. If you have the Hawaiian Beverage Package, your keycard grants you access to use them.
Unlimited Starbucks Package
- Package: Unlimited Starbucks drinks.
- Cost: $16.50 per person, per day, including gratuities.
- Included: Unlimited specialty coffee and tea drinks served in cups at Starbucks locations onboard.
- Excluded: Specialty drinks served in dining rooms, bottled water, canned drinks, and food purchases at Starbucks are not included.
- Availability: Exclusive to ships that feature a Starbucks onboard.
Is the Starbucks Package worth it?
If you’re a specialty coffee enthusiast who enjoys lattes, frappuccinos, and teas, the Starbucks Package can be a worthwhile option. It’s especially appealing if you’re not purchasing any other drink package, as it allows unlimited access to your favorite Starbucks beverages onboard.
For perspective, when we cruised on the Norwegian Joy, we spent $19, including a tip, on two lattes at Starbucks one afternoon. While Starbucks drinks onboard are slightly more expensive than those on shore, we found the quality to be even better than that of any Starbucks near us.
So, if you plan to enjoy multiple specialty coffees daily, the Starbucks Package is a great value compared to paying à la carte.
Read the terms and conditions for Norwegian’s Starbucks Package.
Side-by-Side Comparison of NCL Drink Packages
|
Features |
Unlimited Open Bar |
Hawaii Beverage Package |
Soda Package |
Unlimited Starbucks Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alcoholic Drinks |
Yes, up to $15 |
Yes, up to $15 |
No |
No |
|
Non-Alcoholic Drinks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Bottled Water |
No |
No, only still water available via Vero dispensers |
No |
No |
|
Specialty Coffee |
No |
Yes (dining rooms only) |
No |
Yes (official Starbucks stores only) |
|
Fountain Sodas |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Mocktails |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Frozen Drinks |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Retail Cost (Per Person/Per Day) |
$109 |
$109 |
$12.50 |
$16.50 |
|
Free at sea cost (per person/per day) |
$28.50 |
$28.50 |
Not Included |
Not Included |
|
Exclusions |
Bottled water, canned soda, premium alcohol, specialty coffee, energy drinks, minibar items, and room service beverages |
Bottled water, canned soda, premium alcohol, specialty coffee, Starbucks, energy drinks, minibar items, and room-service beverages. |
Canned soda, mini-bar, bottled water, energy drinks, and room service beverages |
Bottled water, canned drinks, and food purchases |
Drink Prices on Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line has updated its drink menus and pricing, which could impact your choice between the Unlimited Open Bar Package or paying for drinks individually. Here’s a breakdown of the current drink prices:
- Cocktails: Included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package, featuring options from “Bartender’s Choice” and “The Classics.” Without the package, these cost $12.50 each.
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks: The package includes mocktails ($12.50), energy drinks ($6.50), fountain soda ($3.50), refreshers ($3.50), wine ($10), and zero-proof beers ($7.50), offering plenty of options for non-alcoholic drinkers. Prices are without the package.
- Wines by the Glass: Standard wines are included in the package, or $10 per glass without it.
- Premium Wines: High-end wines aren’t fully included but come with a $15 discount for package holders. These wines typically range from $17–$23 per glass, so you’d only pay the difference with the discount. For example, a $20 glass would cost $5 with the package plus gratuity.
- Spirits: Popular liquors like vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey are included. Without the package, these are priced at $12.50 per drink.
- High-end liquors aren’t fully included but come with a $15 discount for package holders. These spirits typically range from $20–$35 per drink, so with the package, you’d pay the difference. For example, a $25 drink would cost $10 plus gratuity with the discount applied.
- Bottled Water: Flat and sparkling bottled water aren’t included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package and are priced at $3.50–$7 each.
Gratuities: A 20% gratuity is automatically added to the total cost of drinks priced above $15 when using the Unlimited Open Bar Package or for any drinks not fully covered.
These updates reflect the current operation of NCL’s drink menus and pricing. Use this guide to calculate what makes the most sense for your drinking habits.
Estimate Your Cruise Drink Costs
Not sure which drink package is right for you? Use our cruise drink package calculator to see if the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar Package makes sense for your drinking habits or if paying as you go is a better deal.
Compare your estimated daily drink total against the $28.50 per person, per day rate (gratuities included). You may find that you won’t drink enough to justify the cost of any package, making à la carte pricing the smarter choice.
Cruise Drink Package Calculator
Things to Know About Norwegian Cruise Line’s Drink Packages
Drinks on Norwegian Cruise Line Aren’t Exactly Free
Even though the Unlimited Open Bar Package is included as part of Free at Sea, it’s not completely free. Guests pay a flat rate of $28.50 per person, per day, with gratuities already included. For a 7-day cruise, that comes to $199.50 per person. This covers the cost of the drink package as part of NCL’s bundled offer.
Gratuities Are Included in NCL’s Drink Package — With One Exception
The cost of the Unlimited Open Bar Package under the Free at Sea program already includes gratuities, so there’s no additional service charge added to your daily rate. However, if you order a drink that exceeds the $15 price limit, you’ll pay the difference — and a 20% gratuity will be applied to that overage amount.
The NCL Drink Package Might Be Worth It — Depending on How Much You Drink
The Unlimited Open Bar Package can still be a solid value if you plan to enjoy a few drinks each day. Under the Free at Sea program, the flat rate of $28.50 per person, per day (gratuities included) often works out cheaper than paying for each drink individually. If you regularly order cocktails, wine, beer, or mocktails, the package can easily pay for itself.
How to Calculate Your Drink Costs:
($10 per drink) × (number of drinks you plan to have each day) = Estimated total for one cruise day(Daily total) × (number of days of your cruise) = Estimated total for your entire cruise
The Unlimited Open Bar Package Will No Longer Apply at Great Stirrup Cay
Starting March 1, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Unlimited Open Bar Package, part of the Free at Sea program, will no longer be accepted at Great Stirrup Cay—including for guests staying in Silver Cove Villas. This is a significant change, as the island has always previously honored onboard drink packages.
NCL has confirmed that new beverage packages specific to Great Stirrup Cay will launch in January 2026. Going forward, only those island-specific options will apply.
VAT and drink taxes may still apply—even with a drink package
Even if you have the Unlimited Open Bar or another beverage package through Free at Sea, you may still see VAT or local drink taxes added to your onboard account. These charges depend on the local tax laws in certain countries. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line adds tax while the ship is docked, and on some itineraries—especially those visiting European Union ports or Australia—VAT can apply even while at sea.
Frozen drinks are included in both main NCL drink packages
If you’re sailing with the Unlimited Open Bar or Hawaii Beverage Package, you can order frozen cocktails—they’re included as long as each drink falls within the $15 per-drink limit.
If your second guest is a minor, they’ll receive the soda package instead
When traveling with a minor under the Free at Sea program, the second guest won’t receive the Unlimited Open Bar Package. Instead, they’ll automatically get the Soda Package. You can still order two drinks at a time with your package—including non-alcoholic frozen drinks—and share them with others in your group.
Before you set sail, here are some related articles you don’t want to miss:
- NCL Tips Not to Miss
- Frustrating Changes NCL Has Made Recently
- NCL’s Priority Access: Worth Adding or Not?
- 10 Things to Love About Norwegian Cruise Line
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.
Why is the “Plus” package not offered on Pride of America? The article mentions that the Hawaiian Package is comparable to the NCL Ultimate Beverage Package. Why don’t they also offer a comparable “Plus” Package? My wife and I enjoy fine wine and the Hawaiian Beverage Package limits us to glasses of wine of $15 or less. This is unfair and will ultimately cost NCL revenue as it encourages us to bring our own bottles, and incur the corkage fee, instead of purchasing them from NCL.
I understand the frustration. You will have to contact Norwegian Cruise Line to give them your thoughts. Hopefully, they are working on a special “plus” upgrade program for the Hawaiian Beverage Package. Meanwhile, I wish that the bottled water included in the Hawaiian Beverage Package was included in the Premium Beverage package without having to upgrade to Plus for an additional cost.
So here is our issue.
I drink strictly Starbucks, no sodas whatsoever. My husband only drinks Diet Coke. There are only two of us in the cabin. So do we have to get drink packages galore or what?
Hi Holly – That’s where it gets tricky. NCLs policy is that all passengers within the same cabin must purchase the same package. It is not helfpul in situations like this.
I can totally relate as my husband doesn’t drink alcohol and yet I do, this becomes an issue sometimes when cruising. I pay for alcohol as I go now. However, from personal experience we have been able to purchase a soda package just for him and not me once onboard NCL ship in the past. I’ve read others that have done similar, even with upgrades when one person upgrades a package and the other doesn’t, once onboard. You can try to go that route and wait to see if they’ll allow you to make these separate purchases on board, but it is not a guarantee.
The other dilemma is that I believe that the Starbucks package is sold online and not onboard, don’t believe that has changed. We do have an upcoming cruise on NCL and I’ll be on the lookout to see.
Thank you so much for all the incredible info! Headed out of NYC to Bermuda this summer with our giant family of 21 people ranging from 5 to 80 years old! Trying to manage the expectations of the 20-year old’s in the group in regards to the drinks package. A promotion that was included is the Ultimate Beverage Package for Groups. During a phone call with NCL they explained it as 2 drinks per person per transaction. So I assume that works great say at the pool bar or casino, but they said that would be 2 drinks per sit down meal. Do you know if that’s enforced or is it a little more open at the dinner table to order say a pre-dinner drink, 2 glasses of wine with dinner and then a cordial? Would tipping the waiter help or make things awkward? Sorry first cruise for all of us! Thanks again 🙂
Hi Catherine – NCL’s policy states, a passenger with the Unlimited Beverage Package can order 2 drinks per transaction. Meaning that you can order 2 pina coladas at a time, if you wish.
Perhaps when speaking to customer service, they are see dinner as one transaction and stating that you’ll only be able to have 2 drinks max. That’s not the case, I’ve never experienced any limits ordering multiple drinks at dinner, including a cordial.
What I have experienced at times is the waiter being so busy that I don’t get the chance to order another drink. You should be able to order unlimited drinks that are included in the package.
It doesn’t hurt to get a pre-dinner drink and bring that with you to dinner. Many passengers do this, especially during busy dinner times. There are bars usually easily accessible not far from the dinner venues.
Tips are always appreciated. We always tip at the end of our meal if the service was excellent. Of course, you can tip ahead when placing your drink order and whisper, “keep ’em coming.” I’m sure they’d be happy to oblige.
We have the beverage package and three specialty dinners on the Getaway this fall. Is the beverage package included when we are at one of the specialty restaurants?
Hi Claudia – Apologies for the late reply, we just got off an Alaskan cruise on Norwegian. To answer your question, the beverage package can be used in the dining room and are subject to the same guidelines and restrictions. So if you have a Premium Beverage Package, you can order cocktails and wine up to $15 (you can always pay the difference if you do order anything over $15). If you have the Premium PLUS Beverage Package then you can literally order anything from top shelf cocktails, expensive glasses of wine and even the specialty coffee.
Have a great cruise!
Why don’t any of these blog entries state how much a soda costs? If I knew how much a soda costs, I can determine if the ~$10/day is worth it for me. Thank you!
Hi Ann – Actually, yes, as stated above in the blog a cup of soda is around $3-4.
@Kathy, Thanks! I must have missed it.
No problem. Lots of info to absorb.
I am not a heavy drinker. I plan to only buy 2 beers a day. How much for a single can of say Bud or Miller light?
Hi Andy – A bottle of beer is around $7-8 each.
Currently on Pride of America and the drink package no longer includes bottled water. There are a lot of people complaining about it. Dumb decision on NCL’s part.
Thanks for the heads-up. That’s definitely frustrating—for you and for everyone else onboard. While NCL technically reserves the right to change package inclusions without notice, the least they could do is update their website. As of right now, it still says the drink package includes “fountain soda, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (still and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffee (limited to dining rooms).” If they’re going to pull bottled water, they should pull that outdated info too. Terms can be read here: https://www.ncl.com/terms/hawaii-beverage-package
I did some digging, and here’s what it really comes down to: NCL made changes at the corporate level, but they haven’t updated their website to reflect them. There’s no actual bottled water onboard anymore—just canned, boxed, or aluminum-bottled water—and none of it is included in the drink package. Now they’re claiming that because those aren’t technically “bottled,” they don’t count. It’s a frustrating game of semantics, and it leaves guests thinking they’re getting something that simply doesn’t exist on the ship anymore. And while I haven’t heard anything yet, I’m pretty sure that if you asked for a bottle of sparkling water—like Pellegrino—that’s no longer included either.
Bottled water isn’t included in the More at Sea package on other sailings either. NCL now only offers water in cans, boxes, or aluminum bottles—and none of that is covered. This change ties into their environmental push to eliminate single-use plastic bottles fleet-wide. That’s fair, but the problem is they haven’t updated the wording in their drink package descriptions, which makes it feel like they’re hiding behind the fine print—and passengers just want to know what they’re paying for.
Thanks for the info. That is pretty much what we ascertained from the staff. This is a change since the ship came out of dry dock in May.
You are correct by the way that sparkling water is likewise not included. Water of any type is also not included in the soda package.
To gain access to the new “filtered” water machines, you either need to buy the water package (which includes an aluminum thermos) or have the Hawaiian beverage package (which does not include the thermos).
I did find that NCL quietly updated the fine print under the More at Sea promotion terms here: https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions
Does anyone know how frequently you can get a Starbucks drink if you have the package?
Starbucks drinks are unlimited with the package, but you’re limited to one drink at a time. You can order as many as you’d like throughout the day—just not all at once.
thanks but is there a certain amount of time you need to wait between ordering one drink at a time?
I’m the only adult in my room but if my kids want a fun drink, can i order it immediately after I get mine? (separate order)
There’s no official wait time listed between Starbucks drink orders with the package, but guests say they’ve been able to order again every 10–30 minutes, depending on how busy it is. Technically, you’re not supposed to share the package—even if you’re ordering for your kids—but that really depends on the staff and whether they’re enforcing it. I’d space it out just in case.
can you use the starbucks app to order ahead on the ship if you have the starbucks drinks package?
There’s no mobile ordering onboard, and if you have the Starbucks drink package, you’ll need to show your cruise card since the package is linked to it.