NCL Free At Sea: Everything You Need to Know
What exactly is “NCL Free at Sea”? Dive into the Norwegian Free at Sea promotion and explore the latest NCL Free at Sea Plus addition. Is it a worthwhile choice?
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea offer includes free specialty dining, unlimited open bar, Wi-Fi minutes, shore excursion credits, and sometimes 3rd & 4th guests free and-or free flights. But is it a fit for every cruiser?
After our Norwegian Joy cruise, we debated the value of the beverage package. One of us is completely sober, questioning its worth. But then, on our Norwegian Encore cruise to Alaska, we upgraded to the NCL Free at Sea Plus.
Let’s look at what’s included in your options and help determine if you should take advantage of the NCL’s year-round promotion offers and if upgrading to NCL Free at Sea Plus is worth it. Follow along as we review Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer in 2024.
Which one is your favorite Norwegian Free at Sea perk?
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our full disclosure for details.
What is Norwegian’s Free at Sea?
Norwegian’s Free at Sea is a promotion that allows cruisers of the following perks:
The 5th and 6th perk rotates throughout the year, and sometimes they are both offered at the same time.
**The NCL Free at Sea package does not apply to Sail Away rates and cabins.
Upgrades Available:
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Original Free At Sea Promotions Explained
Let’s dive in and look at the NCL Free at Sea offers so you can decide if they’re right for you.
Save now, share with friends, or come back to it later.
Free Unlimited Open Bar
NCL Free at Sea Open Bar
Premium Beverage Package for cruises over three days (valued at $109 per person daily).
- Covers drinks up to $15; extra charges for exceeding this limit.
- Free-flowing cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages (up to $15) from boarding to disembarkation, including some favorite NCL cruise cocktails.
- You can order two drinks at a time.
- Exclusions: Unlimited bottled water, bottles of wine, energy drinks, specialty coffees, mini bar items, high-end spirits, etc.
- Free open bar for guests 1-8, aged 21 and older; minors get the soda package.
- 20% service/gratuities of the value of the package is added to the cruise fare.
Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea Open Bar?
Yes. Opting for the NCL Free At Sea drink package adds a 20% gratuity to your cruise fare, calculated on the Beverage Package’s value ($109 per person per day for double occupancy) at the time of booking. The service charge is automatically included when you add this perk to your reservation.
Is Norwegian Free at Sea Open Bar worth it?
Whether the cruise drink package is worth it depends on your drink preferences and consumption. Calculate daily drinks at $9 to $15 each, reaching at least $305 for a 7-day cruise for two.
- If the estimate exceeds the service fee, it’s worthwhile.
- If it equals the service fee, it’s still worth considering.
- If it’s half the service fee or less, it may not be the best choice.
The beverage package offers convenience for worry-free ordering, whether you prefer soda or virgin frozen drinks.
Alternatively, a soda package at $9.95 per person daily plus a 20% gratuity is an option. However, after doing the math, you might find the Free Open Bar’s gratuities provide better value.
Calculation example:
($10 per drink) x (how many drinks a day) = estimated total for one cruise day.
(Total of one cruise day) x (# of days of your cruise) = estimated total for the entire cruise.
You can also use our handy Cruise Drink Package Calculator below.
Cruise Drink Calculator
Option to Upgrade to the NCL Free at Sea Plus
Another option is upgrading the Free at Sea Open Bar to the Premium Plus Beverage Package without having to upgrade to the full NCL Free at Sea Plus. The Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $29 per person per day, plus 20% gratuity.
With the NCL Free at Sea Plus, your beverage package will be upgraded to the Premium Plus Beverage Package, which includes Starbucks, all bottled water, high-end spirits, and more.
About the Hawaii Beverage Package
Pride of America sailings does not qualify for the Free at Sea Open Bar offer. It has a similar Hawaii Beverage Package; the difference is that it includes bottled water and specialty coffee (in dining rooms only). It applies to guests 1-8 in the stateroom.
Read more: Norwegian Drink Packages Explained
Free Specialty Dining
NCL Free Specialty Dining
Free Specialty Dining Package Inclusions (NCL):
- Guests enjoy complimentary meals at specialty restaurants.
- The number of meals included in the offer depends on the stateroom type and the length of the cruise.
- Applies to guests 1 & 2.
- Covers one appetizer, soup or salad, main entree, and dessert per guest.
- 20% service/gratuities added to the cruise fare.
- Other stateroom guests: Purchase a dining package or pay a la carte.
- Children can order from the kid’s menu.
How many meals are included in NCl free at sea?
| Length of Cruise | Stateroom Type | # Of Specialty Dining Meals |
|---|---|---|
| 6 nights or less | Any Stateroom | 1 |
| 7 nights or more | studio, inside, and oceanview | 1 |
| 7 nights or more | balcony and above | 2 |
| 12 nights or more | studio, inside, and oceanview | 2 |
| 12 nights or more | balcony and above | 3 |
The free specialty dining is a great offer if you enjoy eating at the cruise ship’s pay restaurants. As foodies, we take full advantage of this offer.
You can make reservations for specialty restaurant dining starting 90 days before embarkation day. You can also book your dining reservations on embarkation day. So, if they seem to be booked full online, don’t worry; the ship only releases a certain percentage of the reservations online. Just wait till you embark on making the reservations.
What is included in the free specialty dining package on NCL?
When dining at an ala carte restaurant, the NCL free specialty dining package will cover one appetizer, soup or salad, a main entree, and dessert for each guest (guests 1 & 2).
If the restaurant cost is a cover charge, then the dining package will cover the cover charge to that restaurant.
Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea Specialty Dining?
Yes, a 20% service fee covers the value of a specialty dining package, which retails at $89 to $119 per person. The service fee is minimal, ranging from $10 to $24 per person.
If you add this perk to your reservation, the service charge is automatically added to the cost of your cruise.
Is Norwegian Free at Sea Specialty Dining worth it?
Since the service fee is minimal, it is well worth the cost of their NCl specialty dining package to dine at the ala carte specialty restaurants. These restaurants serve top-notch gourmet food that differs from the main dining room. Your dinners easily add up to over $100 at a specialty restaurant without a specialty dining package.
This offer allows you to try out some of the best restaurants at sea without breaking the bank.
It may not be worth it if you don’t think you’ll use it or if you plan to eat most of your meals at the buffet.
Option to Upgrade to the NCL Free at Sea Plus
If you upgrade to the Free at Sea Plus, you will receive two additional specialty dining meals for guests 1 & 2.
Want additional specialty dining meals without upgrading to the Free at Sea Plus? Upgrade for $69 per person, plus 20% gratuity for an additional 2 Meal Dining Package.
Free Shore Excursions
NCL Free at Sea Shore Excursions
- Not a free excursion, but a $50 discount.
- Applies only to the first guest in the reservation.
- Credit is applied to shore excursions booked with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Consider it a discount for shore excursions at all ports of call in your itinerary (excluding pre/post-cruise tours). If you discover a shore excursion priced at $50 or less, it could be a “free” excursion for one person.
Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea Free Shore Excursions?
No. There is no service fee added when booking shore excursions.
Is Norwegian Free at Sea Shore Excursions worth it?
It all depends on your port preferences. If you tend to book cruise line-sponsored excursions at every port, this offer can be a money-saver—a handy discount. However, keep in mind that cruise ship-advertised tour costs can be inflated. Before deciding, compare them with independently run tours.
For cruisers who prefer independent exploration or booking their excursions, as we do, this offer might not be the most valuable choice.
In exceptional instances, you might stumble upon tours, tickets, or transfers at port that align with the discount’s value, essentially converting it into a complimentary tour.
Read more: Tips to Book Cruise Shore Excursions On Your Own
Option to Upgrade to the NCL Free at Sea Plus
Thinking about upgrading to Free at Sea Plus? When you upgrade, a $50 credit is added to guest 2 in the cabin. This brings the shore excursion credit to $100 per stateroom per tour ($50 per guest 1 & 2).
Free WiFi
NCL Free at Sea Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi Free offers include internet minutes you can use during your cruise.
- 75 minutes per person (guests 1 & 2) for 3-6 day cruises
- 150 minutes per person (guests 1 & 2) for 7-11 day cruises
- 300 minutes per person (guests 1 & 2) for cruises over 12 days
Is there a service fee for the NCL Free at Sea WiFi?
No service fee.
Is Norwegian Free at Sea WiFi worth it?
It depends on your internet usage plans. The free minutes suffice for checking emails and texts a few times on the cruise until you’re onshore.
Choosing this perk won’t incur any extra cost as part of the “choose all perks” offer.
Option to Upgrade to the NCL Free at Sea Plus
With Free at Sea Plus, you will receive unlimited internet for guests 1 & 2, but it will not include streaming.
You can upgrade your Free at Sea WiFi to Unlimited Wifi without upgrading to the full Free at Sea Plus package.
- Unlimited WiFi (no streaming): $109.03/person (guest 1&2).
- Premium Unlimited WiFi (with streaming): $179.93/person (guest 1&2).
3rd & 4th Guests Sail Free
NCL Free 3rd & 4th Guests
This NCL Free At Sea Offer is free to cruise fare and is known as 3rd & 4th guests Free or at $99 per guest. Sometimes, this promo is also known as “Kids Sail Free.”
- 3 & 4 Guests Sail Free or for $99 per guest, with dates subject to change without notice.
- Only available on select sailings.
- Only valid for guests 3-4 sharing a stateroom with guests 1-2 paying full fare. Guests 5-8 in a reservation must pay fares.
The NCL Free at Sea offer for the third and fourth guests in a stateroom is great for families of four or groups of friends willing to share a cabin.
This offer is not always available as a perk, but it comes up often.
Free Airfare
NCL Free at Sea Airfare
This perk offers a roundtrip economy airfare for the 2nd guest, occasionally a 50% credit. The 1st guest will have to pay full airfare via NCL.
- The promotion applies to guests 1-2 only.
- Does not apply to sail away sailings.
- Not available for sailings less than 7 nights.
- Deviation requests of 2 days before or after the cruise need to be submitted in advance.
How does NCL free airfare work?
Norwegian takes charge of your airfare, determining the flight details closer to the cruise date. This could result in multi-stop flights that might have been direct if booked independently.
Opting for flexibility may lead to significant savings, especially for international cruises with embarkation and disembarkation in foreign destinations.
While the potential savings are considerable, the drawback lies in relinquishing control over the airfare details.
We personally don’t favor NCL’s free airfare due to the lack of control over specifics. Our advice is to handle your airfare independently to avoid surprises.
The Option to Upgrade with Norwegian Free at Sea Plus
What is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea Plus?
NCL Free at Sea Plus is the latest addition to Norwegian’s Free at Sea program. And it is a game changer! You can elevate your Norwegian cruise vacation by upgrading to the NCL Free at Sea Plus for an additional cost per person. It includes an upgraded version of everything in the original Free at Sea promotion.
What is the cost of the NCL Free at Sea Plus?
Upgrading to NCL Free at Sea Plus is an extra $49 per person daily for guests 1 & 2, plus gratuities. It’s important to note that you must have initially selected the original Free at Sea promo to qualify for this upgrade.
What is included in the NCL Free at Sea Plus?
NCL Free at Sea Plus (based on a 7-day cruise on a balcony and above) includes:
- Premium Beverage Plus Package
- 4-night Specialty Dining Package (two nights from the original Free-at-Sea promo, plus two nights from the Free-at-Sea Plus upgrade)
- $100 shore excursion credit per tour ($50 for the 1st passenger from the original promo, plus $50 for the 2nd passenger with the NCL Free-at-Sea Plus upgrade)
- Unlimited Wifi (no streaming)
| Packages/Inclusisons | Free at Sea | Frea at Sea Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Beverage Package (up to $15) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Fountain Soda and Juices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Premium Top Shelf Liquor | Not Included | Unlimited |
| Unlimited Specialty Coffee & Starbucks | Not Included | Unlimited |
| Premium Champagne & Wine | Not Included | Unlimited |
| All Boxed and bottled Water, Premium and Sparkling | Not Included | Unlimited |
| Specialty Dining Meals (applies to guests 1 & 2) | 2 | 4 |
| Wi-Fi | 150 Minutes | Unlimited |
| Shore Excursion Credit Per Tour/Port | $50 1st guest only | Additional $50 for 2nd guest |
Is the Free at Sea Plus worth it?
That is going to be up to your budget and cruise vacation style. Will you drink an additional $700+ on a 7-day cruise? Is two extra nights of specialty dining and free unlimited Wi-Fi (no streaming) important to you?
We upgraded to the Free at Sea Plus Package on our Norwegian Encore cruise and found it valuable, even though my husband is sober. By the end of the cruise, we came out even.
We ordered all the Starbucks we wanted to drink and multiple pellegrinos throughout the day, and I ordered top-shelf drinks and even enjoyed $30 glasses of champagne at Le Bistro. The unlimited Wi-Fi kept us in touch with our dog sitter and family. We tried two extra specialty restaurants, and was worth it since it was a full-capacity cruise and the MDRs were overwhelmed.
It was fun. It was convenient. And it worked for us and what we wanted out of our cruise.
NCL Free at Sea FAQs
How many Norwegian Free at Sea promotions can you choose?
Typically, the number of perks you can choose is determined by the booked cabin category. However, keep an eye out for limited-time offers where all cabin categories may have the option to select all the available offers. The Open Bar perk extends to guests 1-8, while the remaining perks apply to the lead guests 1 & 2 in the stateroom.
Is NCL free at sea really free?
Not entirely. While the package is labeled as “free,” a service fee/gratuity is attached, depending on the selected offers. If you opt for the “free” Open Bar or the “free” Dining Package, a 20% gratuity/service fee, calculated based on the package value, is added to your cruise fare.
In essence, the package is complimentary, but gratuities/service fees are not covered.
The debate about whether it’s genuinely free due to the service fee is subjective—some argue tipping bartenders for drinks is common.
Another important consideration in marketing and promotions is that the cost of many of these “free perks” is likely already included in the overall cruise fare. Despite this, the allure of complimentary perks remains universally appealing.
Does NCL Free at Sea Include Gratuities?
Cruise gratuities are not part of the NCL Free at Sea package. Although there have been instances when free gratuities were offered as a perk, they typically exclude gratuities on beverage packages, dining packages, and other services.
When does Norwegian’s Free at Sea sale happen?
The NCL Free at Sea promotion is ongoing throughout the year. Perks may vary, offering a choice of 2 or all, with occasional additions of other NCL promotions to enhance its appeal.
When does the Norwegian Free at Sea promotion end?
The Norwegian Free at Sea promotion never ends. The perks rotate or change throughout the year and sometimes with additional perks.
Is Norwegian Free at Sea worth it?
The NCL Free at Sea can be worth it, especially if your drinking habits align with the perks and you enjoy dining at specialty restaurants. It becomes a great promotion when you see the additional gratuities as added value.
🚢 Book a CrUISE with NCL
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
- NCL Drink Package List Explained
- Norwegian Cruise Drinks Cruisers Love
- 10 Highlights of Norwegian Cruise Line
- Getting Ready for Your Cruise: 11 Tips
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.
This was very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Appreciate your comment. Happy to hear it helped.