Although packages and prices vary from cruise line to cruise line, some of these packages can cost more than your actual cruise fare! 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). The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Drink Packages. Cruise ship drinks packages: A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy limit to # of drinks per day on drink package? - Norwegian Cruise Line While there is indeed a version of an NCL drink package for purchase thats an. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Note that some cruise lines discount drinks packages if you buy them online in advance of sailing, and some lines offer periodic sales on their drinks packages online. 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. How Norwegian Cruise Line's Drink Packages Work Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Related Post: Best Cruise Lines for Families. There is no limit to how much alcohol you can drink on the road, which is one of the strictest in the world. The ultimate guide to taking a cruise now - Elliott Report These additional inclusions are freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (flat and sparkling), energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer, wine dispensers, and specialty coffee. Children are charged for a less expensive, nonalcoholic package. Other packages: Oceania offers a less expensive House Select package that includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 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. But, youll still be paying full price for the beverage package. October 19, 2021: Log In Issues. New Holland America Line West Coast Cruises Just Released! Two lines that notably don't have such a rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises. I found that it wasnt worth it because I didnt drink that much. . CC Help Jenn I have no way of knowing if my normal call brand of gin or bourbon is under $15 onboard, or excluded, or even available. She is always looking for the latest and greatest adventures onboard and ashore, enjoys researching top things to do in ports of call, and loves dressing up for formal nights. Unlike the majority of cruise lines, Virgin Voyages doesnt offer a traditional drink package. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. I've maxed out once during a sea day. So, unless you and your cabin mate can consistently drink 11+ alcoholic beverages a day, then it would not be worth buying the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package. You guessed it, you have to pay 20% gratuity on the free soda packages as well. You still have to pay the 18% gratuities on the list price of the drink package in advance. If you are only drinking a few drinks per day, it is probably cheaper for you to not choose the free at sea promos. It's actually kind of easy. Although convenient, cruise line beverage packages are a significant investment for your vacation. BTW, if you are on Breakaway class ship, the outdoor venues are a lot of fun. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love, If you consistently drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day, then you will get a lot of value from the (almost) free, This post may contain affiliate links that could result in payment of a commission to this website (at no additional cost to you). In many cases, no. The package also brings a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases for bottles priced up to $100. Package name: Silver Spirits Beverage Package. Norwegian Cruise Line do feature a lot of 'speciality dining' options onboard their ships but these have an extra cost. No actually it is what the UBP would cost for 16 days for two people (at the previous rate of $59/day). Costa Cruises offers two drink packages, My Drinks, and My Drinks Plus. Guests under 21 will receive the soda package, normally $5.95-$7.95 per day. Fine print: If one passenger in a cabin purchases a package, everyone in the same cabin as well as other cabins tied to the same method of payment must purchase the package, too. Cruise Beverage Packages | Bon Voyage Gifts | Norwegian Cruise Line With the Unlimited Open Bar Package, enjoy a wide selection of beverages both on board and at Great Stirrup Cay. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. includes nearly all of the beverages onboard Carnival cruise ships. There is no hard limit, but they can and may refuse to serve you if they feel you are excessively inebriated, regardless of number of drinks purchased. This is a significant consideration for whether the beverage package is worth it. All lattes and cappuccinos incurred a charge. Enrollment required. Some cruise lines will provide discounts on bottles of wine when you purchase a beverage package, but it is best to check with your cruise line as not every package provides discounts on bottles of wine. Notably, this restriction does not apply to alcoholic beverages so, you could get bottles or cans of beer, but not sodas or water. Explore The Wide Selection Of Beers On Norwegian Cruise Line Ships anytime you want with Bottomless Bubbles. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Thus, purchasing a case of water at $44.95 ($6.42 broken down per day) and 2 specialty beverages at $9-10 total, we would not reach the $29 per person, per day fee associated with upgrading. Everything You Need To Know About Carnival's Drink Package - Cruise Radio Of course, the price may become more justifiable if you plan on drinking soda, juice, and bottled water throughout the day. Cost per day: $69, not including a 15% service charge when booked 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. LauraS 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. Though, it does come at a higher price point. 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. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. $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. Yes. Carnival has a 15-drink limit on alcoholic beverages purchased between 6 am, and 6 am. Package name: Premium Plus Beverage Package. Related: $12 for a drink made with leftover banana peels? Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night. When you choose the UDP, the 18 percent of the cost of the package is added to the cost of the cruise. Bottomless Bubbles Package | Drink Packages | Carnival Cruise Line This is also the package that guests receive as part of the Free at Sea promotion. The 15% service charge is waived when pre-booking the package. Some factors to consider are the price of the drink plan, your drinking habits, your cabinmates drinking habits, the cost of individual drinks, and what drinks the cruise fare includes. The cruise was 14 days and the package was called their Silver Spirts package. Windstar also has begun offering optional All-Inclusive Pricing rates for cruises that include unlimited drinks at no extra charge. Thats the equivalent of 2-3 alcohol drinks per day for the couple depending on price. I know Carnival has the Party reputation and I have never gone on Carnival, but I surely would. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Started August 27, 2021, By 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. 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. Of course, convenience is one of the perks we like about having a beverage package. It is simple for many cruise . So, for a 7 day cruise, you will be assessed a charge of $124.60 for each adult beverage package. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and most bottled water. The package was renamed to Premium Beverage Package, while a second program, named Premium-Plus Package, also offered. As always, checking with your cruise line to understand what is included and excluded in their drink package is best. And again, thats if you are drinking the more expensive drinks and cocktails. Depending on the cost of the package, you and your cabinmates will need to drink between 5-10 beverages per day each. 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. Home Cruise Norwegian Cruise Line Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It? We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. Cost per day: $59, not including a 15% gratuity charge. People who want to drink without breaking the bank and enjoy a variety of drinks without . I think they were on one of the newer ships, but not sure which. These Are The Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love! This website uses cookies. Based on this cost, if you and your cabin mate will drink on average at least 2 alcoholic drinks/day, then the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is worth getting as a free perk. If so, you may be able to use your beverage package off of the ship. In addition to that, it consists of non-alcoholic beer, juice, and fountain soda and juice. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Variety of spirits and cocktails, wines. 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? Further, this package includes unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants, and Great Stirrup Cay. Also includes unlimited Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks, bottled water, soda, juices and energy drinks. Wine and Champagne are permitted, but you'll have to pay a corkage fee for any that is consumed onboard in staterooms, bars or restaurants. The majority of town beer shops are open before 8 p.m. or 6 p.m. on weekends. 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. Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles. Your beverage package will cover a glass of wine as long as it is below the maximum price per drink. Wine and Champagne are permitted, but you'll have to pay a corkage fee for any that is consumed onboard in staterooms, bars or restaurants. You are charged 18% on the cost of the package when you buy it. Fine print: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. Yes! If you decide to purchase the beverage package, booking online ahead of time is better. Note: Final prices will add an 18% service charge to the cost of the package. Royal Caribbeans Deluxe Beverage Package, Princess Cruises Premier Beverage Package, Norwegian Cruise Line offers its Premium and Premium Plus beverage packages, Celebrity Cruises offers its Classic and Premium Package, Cruise Ship Anchors: Everything You Need to Know, Royal Caribbean RoyalUp (Guide to Upgrading Your Cabin). Your email address will not be published. Are You Confused by the Cruise Lines' Beverage Packages? I plan on setting a record with most drinks consumed using the UBP! Below is a line-by-line look at available drinks packages at the major lines that offer them. Related Post: Guide to Norwegian Cruise Lines Specialty Dining Package. All major cruise lines will let you buy drinks on an a la carte basis when cruising. 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. That is the only reason I would think they would do that. Category Bottled Water (1 liter) Price $5.00 Total 0 Costs $0.00. Complete guide to cruise ship drink packages - Cruiseable You wont be charged an additional gratuity when you use the beverage package at the bar or dining room because it is already paid for when you purchase your package. Many first-time cruisers are shocked to find that nearly every other beverage must be paid at an extra cost besides basic tea, coffee, and tap water. NCL's Hawaii Beverage Package: A Complete Guide - Prof. Cruise The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. You can choose from three different beverage options; Champagne & Bubbly, Premium Wine Selection, and Signature Cocktails. You must purchase a Norwegian drink package for the entire length of the cruise. With the high price of the package and price restrictions on included beverages, youll need to purchase 6-8 alcoholic beverages every day to break even. Actually, the value "up to $1888" is (and I am assuming) what NCL estimates the package to be worth but the actual cost (at least in CDN on a 7 day cruise is $612.xx per person + 18% grats). Prepaid @ $7.95 USD per person per day x Cruise Days plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. An upgrade beverage package is rarely needed if you sail with any of these cruise lines. Unlike theCarnival Cheers Programwhich limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks a day, NCLs drink packages are truly unlimited. Plus Ups are excluded. But, that turned out not to be the case. Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare). NCL's Unlimited Open Bar Package (formerly known as the Premium Beverage Package or the Ultimate Beverage Package) costs $99.00 per day. There is no service charge on the Australian package. Cruise Drink Packages: The Ultimate Guide - Cruise Mummy But no, as of right now theres no set limit. The package also brings a 25% discount on wine and Champagne bottle purchases. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Norwegian's Unlimited Starbucks Package has a few restrictions. No votes so far! Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Packages: What's Included and is it Does Norwegian have a drink limit? This brings us back to the original question, is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package a good value? What's Not Included in the Unlimited Open Bar Package? The price limit of $20 per drink is the highest among cruise lines. Youll need to consume much more on sea days to compensate for the lack of drink purchases while at the port to break even. To find out more, please. The package does not contain any specialty coffees or . Package name: Prestige Select Beverage Package. Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. Learn More Free Excursions Save $50 per Shore Excursion, Per Stateroom with Shore Excursion Credits. At least it IS better than Holland America, where any drink over $11 is excluded, and you get zero discount from the drink package. You aren't charged for any gratuities when you actually get the drinks. Related Post: Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise. The Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package, priced at $65 per day, includes beer, wines by the glass priced up to $15, soda and juices. I have been lucky enough to travel on multiple continents, as well as several cruise lines. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not the drink package is worth it on your cruise. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $15. Cost per day: $59.95, including gratuities. What's included in a cruise line drinks package and how do they work? The package also brings a 30% discount on wine bottle purchases for bottles costing up to $100. So you would have to drink more than 10 of that price level drink, 30oz Blue Tumbler Stainless Steel Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Mug with Straw and Lid, Cleaning Brush for Cold and Hot Beverages, Hydrapeak Roadster 40oz Tumbler with Handle and 2-in-1 Straw Lid, Insulated Leak Proof Double Walled Stainless Steel Coffee Travel Mug - Keeps Cold for 34 Hours or Hot for 10 Hours (Ice), Beast 40 oz Tumbler Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Coffee Ice Cup Double Wall Travel Flask (Matte Black). Included with the package, guests have access to wines by the glass, beer, spirits, cocktails, bottled water (500 ml only), fresh juices, fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, Red Bull energy drinks, and milkshakes up to $12 per drink. If you wait until youre on the ship to purchase the package, be prepared to pay full price. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The cost of the beverage package varies depending on the length of your cruise. 3-5 Day Cruises upgrade for 99 per person 6-8 Day Cruises upgrade for 149 per person9-11 Day Cruises upgrade for 199 per person 12-14 Day Cruises upgrade for 249 per person 15-17 Day Cruises upgrade for 299 per person 18+ Day Cruises upgrade for 349 per person. How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise, The 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package, These 15 cruise ship bars are not to be missed when cruising, How to plan a cruise with points and miles. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Some cruise lines also let you use your packages when visiting their private islands. Of course, this number of drinks varies slightly based on your drink preferences. 15 $ limit is nice for a free at sea. The limit only applies to alcoholic beverages, so feel free to order unlimited soda, juice, and specialty coffee. Note that the pricing listed is per person, per day. She is a self-confessed thrill seeker, obsessive planner, and over-packer. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Another upgrade to this plan is the availability of select bottles of wine at dinner. Norwegian has a few other drink package options including. Further, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers. Available on: All ships except Pride of America. Guest must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to qualify for the Ultimate Beverage Package. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. The package also covers soda and juices at all bars but no other non-alcoholic beverages. The best way to determine if a drink package is right for you is to calculate how much you would be spending on drinks. The Truth About Those Expensive Drink Packages In total, we drank 76 drinks that were included in theNorwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package. Yes that happens and then the bar staff gets questioned about if the guest is sharing drinks or drinking to much. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Happy cruisingCheers! Norwegian Cruise Line Alcohol Policy To determine if the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value, there are a few scenarios we will consider. If you forgo the beverage package, you can simply pay for each drink. Cruise ship drink packages cover sodas, juice, and non-alcoholic beverages. Your email address will not be published. Also, all guests in the same cabin over 18 must purchase this package. Here are some of the risks. Soda, specialty coffees and other nonalcoholic beverages already are included in the fare on Windstar sailings. Your Cabin Mate Has Different Drinking Habits Than You. All the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drinks packages that, in some cases, can save you money when cruising. Note that the beverage packages can be used not just on Norwegian ships but at Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. While marketed as a limited-time promotion, we often find the promotion available more often than not. Of course, staff do have the right to refuse you bar service if you are intoxicated. Related: The 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package. More Norwegian Cruise Line Redeployments Announced, Norwegian Cruise Drink of the Day on Norwegian Escape, 31 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Every Cruiser Needs to Know, Complete Guide to Princess Cruises Drink Packages, Complete Guide to Drink Packages on Celebrity Cruises (2023), Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Guide (2023), Everything You Need to Know About Norwegian's Free at Sea in 2023, The Complete Guide to Popular Cruise Ships With Pickleball Courts, Complete Guide to Drink Packages on Carnival (2023). The package is not available for Australia-based itineraries shorter than seven nights or voyages shorter than two nights in all other regions. There is no limit to the number of bottles passengers can bring onboard. Guests will receive a 20% discount to all bottles of wine purchased onboard with the Premium beverage package. All NCL drink packages are priced as per person, per day. They do have a limit of two drinks per person per order, which is helpful to know when there's a long line at the pool bar. Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? Learn more. That's unlimited wine, soda, beer and cocktails priced under $15. We usually find the package priced between $65 per person per day and $99 per person per day on most sailings. Exclusive: Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Deals. For a line-by-line guide to drinks package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide. Thats because the package price is $3 cheaper per person per day if purchased before embarkation day. Norwegian Cruise Line Drops a Drink Package Norwegian charges the most for its drink packages and those prices have actually recently gone up.