In this post I will be talking about NCL Drinks Packages, which is a funny one as they seem sooooo expensive compared to other Cruise Line Drinks Packages. However that is technically because you don’t have to pay that price for them. I mean ultimately you do, however they are built into the NCL Free At Sea Package as an option.
The Premium Beverage Package is a drinks package you can choose as part of your cruise fare. Thus the price doesn’t matter should you choose this option. It’s more what’s included in the Norwegian Cruise Drinks Package that matters, so you know exactly what you are getting as part of your NCL Free At Sea Option?
So bear with me whilst I unravel the ins and outs of what included in your package and what options are available.
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NCL Drinks Packages
What Is Norwegian Cruise Line Free At Sea?
Free At Sea is NCLs booking perks package which generally depending on current offers allows to book a number of incentives as part of your cruise package. You can choose from…..
- Beverage Package (Premium Beverage Package)
- Speciality Dining Package ( This includes 2 speciality meals)
- Internet Package (Limited to 150-250 Minutes)
- $50 USD Discount Per Port Shore Excursions
- 3rd & 4th Guest Sail for Taxes only or 50% discount (select sailings)
Check out the Free At Sea offers as they are ever changing, however what I can tell you is there is always an offer allowing to to grab a drinks or dining package as part of your cruise fare.
The Drinks Packages Available On Norwegian Cruise Line Are….
- Premium Beverage Package, $109 pp per day plus 20% service charge
- Premium Plus Beverage Package, $138 pp per day plus 20% service charge
- Adult & Teen Soda Programme, $9.95 pp per day plus 20% service charge
- Water Package (Variety)
- Unlimited Starbucks Package, $12.95 pp per day plus 20% service charge
What’s Included In The NCL Premium Beverage Package?
The NCL Premium Beverage Package allows you to enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, a vast selection of cocktails, spirits and 20 different wines by the glass. Additionally draft beer up to and including $15 USD. The package also includes fountain soda, juice, and non-alcoholic beer. (But not water by the bottle, cups of water only)
The Open Bar Drinks Package On NCL costs $109.00 USD per person per day, plus 20% service charge. (Service charge not applicable if the Beverage Package has been selected as part of the Free at Sea upgrade)
20% discount on bottles of wine, champagne and sparkling wine. Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights purchased on board.
Premium Drinks Brands Available In Premium Drinks Package On NCL
For a list of drinks that are available in the open bar package scroll down. We have also included the drinks prices to help you work out the value of the Premium Drinks Package on Norwegian Cruise Line.
Beers Available And Drinks Prices On 2023 Sailings
- Angry Orchard Cider, $9 on tap in the District and Local or $7 bottle.
- Blue Moon $7
- Budweiser Light and Regular, $9 on tap in the District and Local or $6 bottle
- Coors Light $6
- Corona Extra $7
- Brok Premium $7
- Guinness $7 0n tap in the District and Local
- Heineken $7
- Heineken 0.0 alcohol $7
- Peroni, $7 bottle.
- Pilsner Urquell $7
- Sam Adams $7
- Stella Artois, $9 on tap in the District or $7 bottle
- Strongbow, $7 bottle
- Truly Hard Seltzer $7
Wine By The Glass Included In The Premium Beverage Package On NCL
- Prosecco, $9
- Chardonnay, $9
- Sauvignon blanc, $9
- Pinot grigio, $9
- Cabernet, $9
- Pinot noir
- Malbec, $9
- Merlot
- Shiraz, $9
- Tempranillo
- Port
- Non-alcohol wine
Premium Gin, Rum And Vodka Included In The Premium Beverage Package With Selected Up To Date Prices
- Bombay Dry Gin
- Beefeater London Dry Gin, $9
- Bombay Sapphire Gin, $13
- Tanqueray Special Gin, $10
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka, $13
- Avorza Ultra Premium Organic Vodka, $15
- Absolut Vodka, $9
- Belvedere Vodka, $15
- Grey Goose Vodka, $15
- Good Boy Vodka, $13
- Ketel One Vodka, $13
- Prairie Organic Vodka, $ 13
- Wheatley Craft Distilled Vodka, $9
- Bacardi Superior Rum, $9
- Bacardi 8 Rum, $13
- Brugal Añejo Rum, $9
- Captain Morgan, $9
- Cachaça 51 Rum, $13
- Flor de Caña 4 Years Old
- Flor de Caña 12 Years Old
- Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
- Malibu Coconut Rum
- Los Corrales Silver 100%, $9
- Agave Tequila
- 1800 Reposado Tequila, $10
- JAJA “HaHa” Blanco Tequila, $15
- Patrón Silver Tequila, $15
Premium Liqueurs And Aperitifs And A Selection Of Prices
- Amarula Cream
- Aperol Apéritif, $10
- Averna
- Campari, $10
- Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur
- Disaronno Amaretto, $13
- Drambuie, $13
- Fernet-Branca
- Frangelico
- Jagermeister
- Kahlúa, $10
- Limoncello Bottega
- Licor 43, $10
- Maloney’s Irish Cream, $10 (A great Baileys alternative)
- Pernod
- Pimm’s No. 1
- Southern Comfort
- Sambuca Di Romana, $10
Whiskey, Brandy And Cognac Included In The Premium Drinks Package And Selected Prices
- House of Steward Scotch
- Chivas Regal, $15
- Glenmorangie, $15
- Johnnie Walker Black Label, $15
- Dewar’s 12 The Ancestor Blended, $15
- Scotch
- Canadian Mist $9
- Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Fireball Cinnamon $9
- Ten High Bourbon
- Seagrams 83 American, $15
- Irish Jameson’s, $10
- Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whiskey
- Bulleit Frontier Bourbon
- Wild Turkey 101
- Jack Daniel’s Black, $15
- Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack, $15
- Jack Daniel’s Rye
- 1792 Small Batch Bourbon
- St Remy VSOP French Brandy, $9
- Grappa Botegga Sandro
- Hidago Reserva 12 Year Old Spanish brandy, $10
- Pisco Tabernero
- Godet VS Cognac
A Selection Of Cocktails Included In The Premium Beverage Package With Up To Date Prices
- Long Island Iced Tea $11
- Mango Daiquiri $11
- Strawberry Daiquiri $11
- Mudslide $12
- Moscow Mule $11
- Glacier Blue $12
- Passion Lime Cooler $11
- Moijito $11
- Baham Mam $11
- Aperol Spritz £11
Soft Drinks Included By The Glass
- Cola, $3.50
- Diet Coke, $3.50
- Sprite, $3.50
- Club Soda, $3.50
- Fanta, $3.50
- Red Bull, $3.50
Can You Order More Than 1 Drink At A Time With Your Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drinks Package?
Yes, you are permitted to order two beverages per person per transaction with once card.
What’s Not Included In The Premium Beverage Package On NCL?
Please note the package is not available for sailings of 2 days or less or charters, Pride of America or Harvest Caye.
The Premium Beverage Package doesn’t include: Bottled and canned water, wine and spirit experiences, tastings or Flights, Starbucks, Ice Bars, room service, package sales, bottled water, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated super premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, fresh squeezed juices, Lavazza coffee beverages, wine dispenser, energy drinks or vending machines.
What Happens If You Spend Over $15 On A Drink?
Any beverages over $15 USD will receive an $15 USD discount thus you will be charged the difference to your account.
Can You Upgrade From The Premium Beverage Package To The Premium Plus Beverage Package?
Yes, you are able to upgrade to the Premium Plus NCL Drinks Package from the Premium Beverage Package for $29 plus gratuities per person per day.
THE NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package
The Premium Plus Beverage Package includes the widest selection of beverages by the glass, with super premium drinks such as Veuve Clicquot, Patrón Añejo, The Macallan Quest and so much more. Also including unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and a selection bottles of wine with dinner, plus, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, and speciality coffee!
The NCL Premium Plus Package costs $138.00 USD per person per day plus 20% gratuity and service charge.
Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings, and flights, guest will receive a 40% discount when purchased on board.
An Example Of Super Premium Brands You Can Expect Are?
If you are a lover of champagne this is the package for you, offering the the choice to sip your favourite champagne to your heart’s content, and enjoy your favourite wine by the bottle at dinner. Or indeed order the best Cognac as an after dinner tipple.
Premium Champagnes And Wines Available As Part Of The Premium Plus Beverage Package ..
- Champagne: Pommery Rose and Veuve Clicquot, “Yellow Label”.
- White Wines:
- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen “Eroica” Riesling,
- Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo Chardonnay, La Crema Chardonnay,
- Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Chardonnay
- Red Wines:
- Argyle Pinot Noir, Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, Doglioti Barolo, Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot,
- Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Malbec, Buglioni Il Bugiardo Ripasso Valpolicella,
- Cellier Des Princes Ch Du Pape, Leonardo Davinci Brunello di Montalcino,
- Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo Pian Di Nova, Celeste Crianza Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo,
- Silverado Vineyards, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dow’s “Quinta do Bomfim”Porto
- Non-Alcohol Wine by the Bottle
Tequila And Rum Available As Part Of The Premium Plus Beverage Package
- Patron Añejo Tequila
- Avión Silver Tequila
- Cazadores Añejo Tequila
- Gracias A Dios ESPADIN Mezcal
- Flor de Caña Eco 15 Year Rum
- Zacapa 23 Rum
Vodka And Gin Available As Part Of The Premium Plus Package
- Hendrick’s Gin
- Monkey 47 Gin
- ‘66 by Norwegian Gin
- Absolut Elyx Vodka
- Chopin Potato Vodka
Scotch, Cognac And Whisky As Part Of The Premium Plus Package
- Talisker 10 Scotch
- The Glenlivet Founders Reserve Scotch
- Galveston 12 Year Old Spanish Single Malt
- Paul John Brilliance Indian Single Malt
- The Macallan “Quest” Single Malt Whiskey
- The Macallan “Enigma” Single Malt
- Scotch Whiskey◆
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label◆◆
- Old Forester 1910◆
- Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style◆
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Bourbon◆
- Skrewball Peanut Whiskey Irish Jameson Caskmates
- Blanton’s Small Batch Single Barrel
- Whiskey
- EH Taylor Small Batch◆
- Woodford Reserve
- Whistle Pig Rye
- 1792 Full Proof Bourbon◆
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon◆
- Hennessy XO
- Hennessy VS
- Remy Martin VSOP
◆Brands available in Whiskey bars, ◆◆Brands available in Haven bars
Can One Person In My Cabin Get The Premium Plus Package And 1 Get The Open Bar?
No packages must be purchased by all adults in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
What’s Not Included With The NCL Premium Plus Drinks Package?
Room service, mini bar purchases, vending machines, or pre-cruise wine bottle purchases. It’s also not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. There is no substitute for package if passengers are unable consume all beverages included.
The Unlimited Soda Package On NCL
Adult & Teen Soda Programme is for passengers aged 3 & older and costs $9.95 USD per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.
The package includes Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. Regular price $3.50
Not available for sailings of 2 days or less.
Do All Passengers Need To Purchase A NCL Drinks Package?
Yes, drinks packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with. Passengers under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Programme.( It’s 18 for sailings that operate round trips from European or Australian ports.)
Can The Drinks Packages Be Used In All Restaurants And Bars ?
Package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay aboard Norwegian Cruise Line.
Water Packages
Water packages can be pre-ordered and delivered straight to your cabin and come in the following options.
- 6 litre package – $19.95
- 12 litre package – $34.95
- 24 litre package – $49.95
Is Norwegian Cruise Lines Drink Package Worth It?
It depends if you like a drink or not? I think that when you factor in that you can choose the Premium Beverage Package as part of your cruise price I would consider upgrading to the Premium Plus NCL Drinks Package from the Premium Beverage Package for $39 plus gratuities per person per day.
This seems a great deal if super premium brands and having a bottle of wine with dinner is something that appeals to you. However, I also feel the Premium Beverage Package has so many premium brands included, this is also a great deal if chosen as part of your free at sea package.
More NCL Posts
See Our NCL Drinks Price Calculation Chart
More Drinks Menus On Norwegian Cruise Line 2023
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We’re currently on NCL Epic on a Mediterranean cruise. We’ve got the free at sea package put we have to pay additional taxes and vat on every drink we have whether in port or not. We did another med cruise a few weeks ago with celebrity and weren’t charged this. Advice please.
Hi, as far as we are aware it is due to the individual ports that require collecting tax on the drink. Just recently NCL have also decided to prohibit the sale of alcohol on its ships while in UK ports. So I would imagine it has something to do with this also. Where are you sailing from?