A beverage package can make budgeting for a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation easier, particularly if you expect to purchase several drinks each day. Norwegian offers several beverage options, including its Unlimited Open Bar through Free at Sea, as well as separate packages for soft drinks and Starbucks beverages.
So, how much is a beverage package on Norwegian Cruise? The answer depends on the package, sailing, and whether you receive the beverage benefit through a promotion or purchase a package separately. Norwegian's current published terms list the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar at $28.50 per person, per day for cruises of six nights or longer and $32 per person, per day for cruises of two to five nights, before applicable taxes and fees.
Norwegian also lists an Unlimited Soft Drink Package at $12.50 per person, per day, while its separate Unlimited Starbucks Package is currently listed at $16.50 per person, per day. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added to these published package prices.
Because cruise promotions and package prices can change, always check the price shown for your specific sailing before purchasing.
Norwegian Cruise Line provides several choices depending on what you like to drink.
The Unlimited Open Bar is Norwegian's primary adult beverage package. Norwegian says it includes a selection of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, bottled or draft beer, fountain soft drinks, juice and non-alcoholic beer.
The package also includes premium beverage brands and more than 100 cocktails according to Norwegian's beverage-package information.
However, not every drink is included. Norwegian excludes certain premium and specialty beverages, including drinks from its Connoisseur's Collection and Signature Selection.
If you do not drink alcohol, the Unlimited Soft Drink Package may be a more economical choice.
Norwegian currently lists this package at $12.50 per person, per day. It covers fountain soft drinks such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, Fanta and soda water.
A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge applies.
Norwegian also offers an Unlimited Starbucks Package for eligible guests. The current listed price is $16.50 per person, per day. It includes Starbucks coffee, tea and specialty beverages, subject to the package's terms and exclusions.
Norwegian states that guests must be at least 13 years old at the time of sailing to purchase this package.
For travelers who want a broader selection, Norwegian's Free at Sea Plus program can provide additional beverage benefits.
The current promotional terms list Free at Sea Plus at $49.99 per person, per day for adults. The upgrade can include premium wines, champagne and liquor by the glass, Starbucks beverages, bottled water, specialty water and energy drinks, in addition to other cruise benefits.
The exact availability and terms depend on the promotion and sailing.
Here is a simple overview of Norwegian's currently published U.S. prices:
Beverage PackagePublished Price
Unlimited Open Bar, 2–5 nights$32 per person, per day
Unlimited Open Bar, 6+ nights$28.50 per person, per day
Unlimited Soft Drink$12.50 per person, per day
Unlimited Starbucks$16.50 per person, per day
Free at Sea Plus adult upgrade$49.99 per person, per day
These prices are based on Norwegian's current published information and can change. Additional gratuity, beverage service charges, taxes or other fees may apply depending on the package and itinerary.
For a seven-day cruise, the current published Unlimited Open Bar rate for a cruise of six nights or longer is $28.50 per person, per day before applicable charges.
That means the base package price would be:
$28.50 × 7 = $199.50 per person
The actual amount charged can be higher because applicable gratuity, taxes and fees may be added.
For two adults, the base package calculation would be:
$199.50 × 2 = $399
This calculation is useful for budgeting, but your booking's final price should be treated as authoritative because Norwegian can change package pricing and promotional terms.
Norwegian's current Free at Sea terms state that the Unlimited Open Bar includes:
Norwegian also provides a 20% discount on bottles of wine, champagne and sparkling wine purchased under the applicable package terms.
The package is designed for drinks covered by the package rather than every beverage sold throughout the ship.
Understanding exclusions is just as important as knowing what is included.
Norwegian's current terms exclude several categories, including:
The exact exclusions can vary according to the specific package and promotion.
If you regularly order premium liquor, specialty coffee, bottled water or energy drinks, you should compare the standard Unlimited Open Bar with Free at Sea Plus before deciding.
Not necessarily.
Norwegian's published beverage-package information states that a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added to the listed prices for packages such as Unlimited Soft Drink and Unlimited Starbucks.
For promotional Free at Sea packages, the terms can work differently depending on the offer and booking. Before completing your purchase, review the price breakdown displayed for your reservation.
This distinction matters because a package that initially looks inexpensive can cost noticeably more after service charges and applicable taxes.
For the Unlimited Open Bar package, Norwegian's current terms state that it must be purchased for all guests aged 21 and older on the same reservation. Guests under 21 receive the applicable soft-drink package under the stated promotion terms.
This rule is important when calculating your total vacation budget.
For example, if two adults share a stateroom and both are required to have the package, you generally cannot purchase the alcoholic package for only one adult simply because the other person does not drink.
Always check the terms attached to your particular promotion because eligibility requirements can change.
Norwegian frequently promotes its Free at Sea program, which can bundle the Unlimited Open Bar with other cruise benefits.
Norwegian describes Free at Sea as a package that can include benefits such as unlimited open bar, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and shore-excursion credits.
This means the best value is not always found by looking only at the standalone beverage-package price.
If your cruise already includes a Free at Sea beverage benefit, compare the total package cost with what you would otherwise spend on drinks.
Yes, depending on the package and timing.
Norwegian says guests who already have a cruise booked can add Free at Sea benefits through their online account under the upgrades section or by contacting Norwegian. Its current guidance says this must generally be done at least three days before the cruise.
Norwegian also states that the Unlimited Open Bar package can be purchased onboard during the first two days of the cruise for $45 per person, per day plus 20% gratuity, taxes and fees.
Because onboard pricing can differ from pre-cruise pricing, checking your reservation before departure is worthwhile.
Whether the package is worthwhile depends largely on your drinking habits.
The key is to estimate your realistic daily consumption rather than assuming that unlimited automatically means better value.
Start by estimating what you normally drink on vacation.
The Unlimited Soft Drink Package may be the simplest option if you mainly want fountain soft drinks.
If specialty Starbucks beverages are important to you, compare the cost of the Starbucks package with your expected daily purchases.
The Unlimited Open Bar is the relevant package to examine if you expect to drink alcoholic beverages regularly.
If you want top-shelf spirits, premium wine, bottled water, Starbucks and other upgraded beverages, compare the Free at Sea Plus benefits with the standard package.
Norwegian's beverage packages come with conditions that can affect how you use them.
Guests receiving the Unlimited Open Bar benefit are generally limited to two beverages per person per transaction under the current promotion terms. Packages are personal, cannot be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Alcoholic beverage packages also have age requirements. Norwegian states that guests must be at least 21 years old to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, with certain exceptions for select itineraries where local law permits a lower age.
Package availability and included brands can also vary by ship, season and itinerary.
Do not buy an unlimited package simply because it sounds convenient. Calculate what you realistically expect to consume each day.
If your cruise qualifies for Free at Sea, compare its total cost and benefits before purchasing a separate beverage package.
Look beyond the advertised daily rate. Check gratuities, service charges, taxes and other applicable costs.
If your favorite drink is excluded, you may end up spending additional money even after buying the package.
Norwegian's terms and FAQs show that package pricing and availability can differ depending on when you purchase. Review your reservation before departure rather than assuming onboard pricing will be the same.
Norwegian currently lists its Unlimited Open Bar at $32 per person per day for cruises of two to five nights and $28.50 per person per day for cruises of six nights or longer, before applicable charges.
The Unlimited Soft Drink Package is currently listed at $12.50 per person per day. Norwegian states that a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added at checkout.
Norwegian currently lists the Unlimited Starbucks Package at $16.50 per person per day, with a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added at checkout.
The Unlimited Open Bar package includes a selection of alcoholic beverages such as cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass and bottled or draft beer. However, certain premium and specialty drinks are excluded.
The Unlimited Open Bar is designed to provide unlimited access to beverages covered by the package, subject to Norwegian's terms. Guests can order up to two beverages per person per transaction under the current promotion terms.
For the current Unlimited Open Bar promotion, Norwegian states that the package must be purchased for all guests aged 21 and older on the same reservation.
Norwegian says the Unlimited Open Bar package can be purchased onboard during the first two days of the cruise at $45 per person per day, plus 20% gratuity, taxes and fees.
So, how much is a beverage package on Norwegian Cruise? For the current published U.S. pricing, the Unlimited Open Bar costs $32 per person per day for cruises of two to five nights and $28.50 per person per day for cruises of six nights or longer, before applicable charges. Norwegian also offers less expensive options such as the $12.50 daily Unlimited Soft Drink Package and the $16.50 daily Unlimited Starbucks Package.
The right choice depends on what you actually plan to drink. Before purchasing, check your specific sailing, review the package exclusions, calculate gratuities and taxes, and compare the cost against any Free at Sea promotion attached to your reservation. Since Norwegian can change prices and package terms, the final price displayed for your cruise should always take priority over older pricing information.
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