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Norwegian Cruise Line do feature a lot of 'speciality dining' options onboard their ships but these have an extra cost. The drinks package included in Princess Plus is now called Plus Beverage Package. After all, at $109 a day plus a 20 percent gratuity, the Norwegian Ultimate Beverage Package only covers drinks which come in at under $15 (as opposed to the $50 cap on Carnival), and does. Any items over $15 will receive a $15 discount; you will then need to pay only the difference. As a rough estimate, cocktails and wine cost about $10-12 each, beer costs approximately $6-8 each, and sodas, bottled water, energy drinks, and specialty coffees and teas are between $3-6 each. I know Carnival has the Party reputation and I have never gone on Carnival, but I surely would. That's not entirely true. Share. Using our numbers, we saved $700.80 total on alcoholic beverages during our 7-day cruise by timing the booking of our cruise with the frequently run Free at Sea promotion. Most mixed drinks range between $10-$12. Whether you've been daydreaming of hiking to one of Alaska's pristine glaciers, touring ancient ruins in the Greek Isles or exploring one of our other top destinations, get more free when you cruise with NCL. You could purchase the drink package through your travel agent, by calling the cruise line directly, or through your online account if you booked through the cruise lines website. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package was formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package. If you are only drinking a few drinks per day, it is probably cheaper for you to not choose the free at sea promos. A NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package, which includes 20% gratuities, is available for $138 per person per day. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Unlimited Soda / soft drink package for $9.95 per day + 20% gratuity (FYI, NCL now serves COKE branded products) Water Package which ranges from $19.95 to $49.95 for 6 liters to 24 liters of water. Drink packages dont apply when youre running around port or on shore excursions. As with the other cruise lines on the list, you will usually get a better deal if you purchase the drink package before you set sail rather than on the ship. In this post, we complete an analysis to answer the question, Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It?. The package also brings a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Boxed wine is not allowed. Food & Drink Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks Packages Norwegian Joy NCL Drinks. Cost per day: $19.95, including gratuities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When electing to purchase a package, you have to pay for the entire length of the cruise. Additionally, package holders receive a 40% discount on wines priced up to $100 and a 20% discount on wines priced above $100. Through the promotion, guests can receive a free beverage package. You aren't charged for any gratuities when you actually get the drinks. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails. It costs $39.95 per day. The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." Priced at $138 per day, this is Norwegian's most expensive and highest-end package. As part of its drinks package price hike on Jan. 1, Norwegian will also raise the cost of a less-expensive drinks package it offers that has a $15 cap on the price level of drinks that can be ordered. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, View Cruises with 50% off and 300 Airfare Credit, Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15, 2 meals to enjoy at any of our specialty restaurants*. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. As you can see from the different scenarios provided above, the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is likely worth it if you are receiving it as an included Free at Sea perk. You are charged 18% on the cost of the package when you buy it. In that case you don't buy it so do you double benefit by getting the free UDP and not have to pay the 18% like everyone else? Plus Ups are excluded. Why Do Cruise Ships Have Helipads? Our complete analysis will help you answer the question, "Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It?". The Premium Beverage Package covers nearly every onboard drink up to $15 per drink, while the Premium Plus Beverage Package covers all drinks served by the glass, with no limit on the drink price. It's easy to run up a monster bill ordering wine, beer and mixed drinks by the glass on a cruise ship. This is the standard alcohol package offered by Norwegian Cruise Line. Specialty bars on Norwegian vary by ship, but include top spots like the 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar, specializing in margaritas; Shaker's Martini Bar; the Svedka & Inniskillin Ice Bar; Magnum's Champagne & Wine Bar; Maltings Beer and Whisky Bar; and Sugarcane Mojito Bar. If you like a glass of fresh juice with your breakfast or a can of pop at lunchtime, you may benefit from buying the beverage packages. Coffee shops are available onboard as well, and the drink package includes a variety of them. That means you'll pay $19.80 per person per day or $138.60 per person for the 7-day Pride of America sailing. The cost was around $300 and it was a very good deal as it worked out to just over $21 a day. Especially if you do shots in between beers. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles and $30 for 1,500ml.. The Classic Package has a value of $70.80 per person per day, including the service charge. There, no need to be a cheap drunk to make it worthwhile. Drink packages are entirely optional and usually not needed for most cruisers. Although cruise line drink packages are expensive, there are some reasons you should consider purchasing one before your next cruise. So, comparing $13.80 daily to $9.54 daily, the full-priced Adult Soda Package is $4.26 per day. Other packages: Norwegian has two less-inclusive, less expensive alcoholic beverage packages. You must purchase a Norwegian drink package for the entire length of the cruise. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Yes. When you pay-as-you-go, you will get the final bill at the end of your cruise. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package. Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or shipboard wine-dispensing machines. This is the drinks package that many travelers get comped as part of Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion (though you still have to pay 20% of the package price for gratuities). Drinks over $15 (you'll pay the difference) Soda Package. These Are The Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love! This drink package includes everything in the Premium beverage package, along with other higher end offerings. The bar tab functions as a pre-paid onboard credit, which guests can use to purchase drinks on the ship or at the cruise lines private island Beach Club at Bimini. Trust us; you dont want to spend all that money on a beverage package to have it taken away. But for those who regularly order several alcoholic drinks a day when cruising, there's a way to save: a flat-fee drinks package. A relatively newer offering, the Premium Plus beverage package is the most all-inclusive option of the NCL drink packages. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Notably, wine lists onboard were developed in partnership with the Michael Mondavi Family. The Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package, priced at $99 per day, adds spirits and cocktails priced up to $15 (effective Jan. 1, 2023, pricing will go up to $109). Please note: We are looking at packages that include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It also includes fountain soda, juice, and non-alcoholic beer. How Do I Purchase A Drink Package For My Cruise? Unlike most other cruise lines drink packages, this alcoholic beverage package also does not include any premium non-alcoholic drinks. Cruise drinks packages can cost anywhere between 25 and 106 ($30 to $129) per day for all-inclusive alcoholic drinks. Does the Drink Package Include Gratuities? Includes: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Package name: Silver Spirits Beverage Package. Further, there are several other factors you should keep in mind when determining if you should buy a beverage package on a cruise. If you purchase the drink package, you will be charged for every day you are on vacation, even when you spend the day in port. More elaborate (and expensive) tiers will add alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, beer and specialty coffee drinks. And, the, Couldnt that person just get some type of soda package? Note: Final prices will add a 15% gratuity to the cost of the package. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Depending on your ports of call and number of sea days, as well as your hours ashore, you may receive better savings (or less) on your voyage. If you plan on drinking lots of pop or alcohol, but your cabinmate is fine with tap water, youll be better off skipping the beverage package and buying drinks at the bar. Most cruise lines allow guests to bring alcohol on the cruise ship one or two bottles of wine or champagne. My strange night out at Norwegian's new 'zero waste' cruise ship bar. Guests under 21 will receive the soda package. Related: Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? Is the Drink Package Worth it on a Cruise? Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Make sure you consider the reduced consumption during port days to estimate your drink expenses better. You don't need a drinks package to be able to drink alcoholic beverages or any other type of beverage on a ship. The package has limited options compared to the Premium package and only covers drinks served by the glass, up to $9 per drink. At checkout, you will be charged gratuities on the drink package, usually between 15-20%. Typical drinks are much less than that. The Plus package is included when passengers book suite accommodations. Soda packages often are under $10 per person, per day. It is a good idea to keep track of your spending because all those drinks can and will add up. This is a significant consideration for whether the beverage package is worth it. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. The majority of town beer shops are open before 8 p.m. or 6 p.m. on weekends. I've maxed out once during a sea day. Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise. Some people love knowing exactly how much they will spend with the package before stepping on board. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. The Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $128 per person, per day and $138 from January 1, 2023, and it covers all drinks by the glass, with no price cap; still and sparkling bottled water;. For example,Royal Caribbeans CocoCay islandand MSCs Ocean Cay allow you to use your beverage package for drinks on land. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Bringing alcohol onboard at embarkation: Beer and liquor is not allowed -- items will be secured until disembarkation day. NCL has no drink limit per day with the drink package, whether purchased or as a perk. Packages are not available on sailings shorter than three nights with the exception of South America sailings. Children are charged for a less expensive, nonalcoholic package. Be the first to rate this post. Prepaid @ $7.95 USD per person per day x Cruise Days plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. as long as the regular drink package is offered as the free at sea promotion,i find that this is sufficient for my wife and myself, by nature she is not a big drinker (although neither am I) but we will have a glass of champagne or mimosa at breakast and she will join me in a mojito during the afternoon. The Premium beverage package is currently priced at $99 per person, per day. I got the drink package as a perk, for me it will be worth it as I do like to drink well on vacation. LauraS Related Post: Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise. Then, we took the average prices for each drink category to determine how much we would have spent on drinks if we paid a la carte for each item. Cheers to all the spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice, and soft drinks. For a line-by-line guide to drinks package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide. No sharing is permitted and is non-transferable. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. An upgrade beverage package is rarely needed if you sail with any of these cruise lines. Passengers who purchase the drink package should be aware that there is a limit to the number of drinks you can order in a 24-hour time span. On the flipside, if you are visiting NCLs private island of Great Stirrup Cay on your cruise, this gives you more opportunity to use the package while enjoying some fun in the sun. Bring the whole family and pay only taxes for 3rd and 4th guests on select cruises. Note: Final prices will add an 18% service charge to the cost of the package. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Your email address will not be published. Norwegian has a few other drink package options including. Cruise line drinks packages generally are honored anywhere you can order a drink on a ship think bars, lounges and eateries. we have been very satisfied with the regular package on most of our cruises. I've cruised with Carnival before and with their drink package, they have a 15 drink limit per day. If you purchase a drink that costs more than the limit, most cruise lines will only have you pay the difference and the gratuity on the difference. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. This website uses cookies. Rules vary among cruise lines, but generally, if one adult purchases the drink package, all adults sharing the cabin must also purchase the same beverage plan. For these passengers, the uncertainty of the running bar tab creates too much stress when you should be relaxing. Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Cruise ship drink packages are not all-inclusive. Cruise lines will often offer discounts if you buy the drink package before you sail. Free At Sea Plus, the ultimate holiday upgrade in one package. don't-use-real-name 6.1k February 4, 2010 Bloomington MN USA #7 Posted July 4, 2019 There is no. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. You will not be limited by the number of drinks you can consume with any of the Norwegian cruise line drink packages because there is no limit. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. As always, checking with your cruise line to understand what is included and excluded in their drink package is best. Available on: All ships except Pride of America. Premium Beverage Package - Starting at the hefty price of $99 per day (plus 20% service charge), Norwegian 's Premium Beverage Package includes any wines, beers or cocktails priced at $15 or less per glass. With the drink package, you wont need to track your spending, and you wont be surprised by an unexpected bill at the end of your cruise. Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare). You can choose from three different beverage options; Champagne & Bubbly, Premium Wine Selection, and Signature Cocktails. A few friends of mine have, and really liked the food and the overall cruise. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails (soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner already are included in the fare at Viking; so are specialty coffees and teas at all hours). Soda, bottled water and specialty coffees already are included in the fare on Oceania sailings. Read on for the answers in this ultimate guide to cruise line drinks packages. Heres everything you need to know to help you decide if the drink package is worth it on a cruise. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Of course, the price may become more justifiable if you plan on drinking soda, juice, and bottled water throughout the day. While the $99 per person per day base charge will be waved, you'll still be paying the 20% gratuity and beverage service charge on the full retail price of the package. Cost per day: $69, not including a 15% service charge when booked on board. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. This is also the package that guests receive as part of the Free at Sea promotion. No, you cannot share the drink package on a cruise. This gratuity is added to the total cruise fare at the time of booking. No matter what package you purchase, you can order two beverages per person, per transaction. For a full list of included beverages, seehere. Cost per day: $59, not including a 15% gratuity charge. Find the right card for you. Drinks ordered through room service also arent included. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Note that the pricing listed is per person, per day. Other packages: The less expensive Easy Plus package only includes drinks costing up to $9. Note that the package is valid on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises private island in the Bahamas. In fact, we would have actually lost $685.20 compared to just paying out of pocket for all our alcoholic beverages. So as long as you don't share and behave yourself you can drink as much as you want. The exclusions list will vary among cruise lines but typically doesnt include mini bar purchases, room service, bottles of wine or liquor, pitchers, buckets, sharable drinks, or drinks served in a souvenir cup. That is a question that only you can answer based on your own drinking habits. Ultimate Beverage Package - limits? Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! Youre on vacation, after all, and whats not to like about an all-inclusive beverage package? Planning a cruise? I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people. Carnivals CHEERS! If each stateroom has the same package, the package must be . Here's what you get: Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15 USD (such as Patron Silver, Grey Goose and more) A variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15 USD 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine You Want More than Just Water, Coffee, and Tea. Generally speaking, we each drink about 2 non-alcoholic specialty drinks a day plus bottled water. Guest must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to qualify for the Ultimate Beverage Package. No votes so far! Fine print: Theres a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Sharing is explicitly prohibited. Enrollment required. If the Classic Beverage Package isnt enough, passengers can upgrade to the Premium Drinks Package at an additional cost of $12 per person per day. I enjoy an cocktail before dinner and good wine with, but withotu knowing what the extra cost might be, I have no way of knowing if the $40/day service charge would be worth it for one. If the drink package costs more than the amount youd spend on individual drink purchases, then the drink package may cost you more. Another upgrade to this plan is the availability of select bottles of wine at dinner. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. Purchasing alcohol in ships' duty-free shop(s): Any alcohol purchased in the onboard shops will be stored until the cruise's conclusion. Fine print: If one adult of legal drinking age in a cabin or traveling under the same booking number purchases a package, all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin also must purchase it. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. And if you are in a warm climate, such as the Mediterranean, Australia, or the Caribbean, you may want to bring water with you as you explore the ports of call. Virgin Voyages will top up the amount when guests pre-purchase the Bar Tab before sailing. To determine if the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value, there are a few scenarios we will consider. Followers 10. But, there is one scenario where you may want to purchase a package even if you wont be saving money. I have the free at sea promotion for a 10 day cruise in Iceland . Norwegian Non-Alcoholic Drinks and their specialty coffees. Even as a perk, the service charge for my wife and I require that we consume a minimum of 4-5 drinks per day to break evenand she doesnt drink at all.