How Does the NCL Drinks Package Work, and How Can I Buy It?

An NCL drinks package has the potential to save you money when you set sail – but is it really worth it? With so many different options to choose from, it can be difficult to know whether you’re truly getting value for money.

Let us eliminate some of the guesswork for you, by taking a closer look at exactly what’s included, the price you’ll pay and any other questions you might have about the NCL drinks packages.

What is an NCL drinks package?

As with most cruise lines, when you buy a Norwegian Cruise Line drinks package, you’re essentially paying for your onboard beverages up front. The main reasons people decide to choose this option is because it can potentially save them money, and it can prove more convenient than buying drinks on a pay-as-you-go basis.

What drinks are free on an NCL cruise?

Some standard drinks will be free on an NCL cruise, so it’s worth weighing up whether these will be enough to satisfy your needs throughout your holiday. The drinks currently available are:

• Unbottled water
• Tea and coffee
• Iced tea
• Lemonade

Don’t forget you can always buy drinks individually on top of these complimentary options. A drinks package may only be worth it if you’re going to want extras on a regular basis.

What drinks packages will be available on my NCL cruise?

The good news is there’s no shortage of options available for your NCL drinks package.

Quick guide
🥂 Open Bar	$99 pp per day
🍾 Premium Plus Beverage Package	$128 pp per day
🍷 Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package	$65 pp per day
🌴 Hawaii Beverage Package (Pride of America only)	$99 pp per day
🥤 Adult and Teen Soda Programme	$7.95 pp per day
🧒 Children’s Soda Programme	$5.95 pp per day

Your Guide to What’s Included in the Drinks Package

• Open Bar – available for those aged 21 and over – $99 pp per day

Treat yourself to a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer throughout your cruise. Providing the cost of each drink doesn’t exceed $15 then you’re good to go.

The cost of the NCL Open Bar drinks package is $99 per person, per day.

• Premium Plus Beverage Package – available for those aged 21 and over – $128 pp per day

Decadence is the order of the day with the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package. It includes the widest selection of drinks by the glass, including Veuve Clicquot, Patrón Añejo, The Macallan Quest and more. This is in addition to:

• Unlimited soft drinks
• Beers
• Spirits
• Cocktails
• Wines by the glass
• Select bottles of wine with dinner
• Still and sparkling water
• Energy drinks
• Speciality coffee
• Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package – available for those aged 21 and over – $65 pp per day

Enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, and wines by the glass valued up to $15 throughout your cruise. You will also receive unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and when docking at Great Stirrup Cay.

• Hawaii Beverage Package (Pride of America only) – all ages – $99 per person, per day

If you’re sailing on Pride of America then this drinks package could be the one for you. Applicable to drinks valued up to $15, it also includes other beverages such as:

• Fountain soda
• Freshly squeezed juice
• Bottled water (flat and sparkling)
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Speciality coffee (limited to dining rooms only)

Note that the Hawaii Beverage Package doesn’t include speciality coffee outside of the onboard restaurants, room service, mini bar purchases, or vending machines. If you want a drink valued at over $15, you will receive a $15 discount and the difference will be charged to your onboard account.

• Adult and Teen Soda Programme – available for those aged 13 and over – $7.95 pp per day

Get soft drinks on tap throughout your cruise with this package. It includes:

• Pepsi
• Diet Pepsi
• Sierra Mist
• Mountain Dew
• Ginger Ale
• Tonic water
• Club soda

This will be charged at $7.95 per person, per day for everyone over the age of 13.

• Children’s Soda Programme – ages 12 and under – $5.95 pp per day

The same package as above is available for the younger members of your family.

How to buy an NCL drinks package

You can buy an NCL drinks package before you board by logging into your online account.

No matter which drinks package you choose, it will be subject to a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. However, this doesn’t apply if you’ve received the package as part of a More At Sea upgrade.

You’ll also need to bear in mind that you will need to purchase the package for every guest staying in the same stateroom, additional stateroom or adjoining stateroom. Anyone under the age of 21 will need to buy a soda package.