Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks Packages Guide 2021
The Norwegian Cruise Line drinks packages allow you to pay price to cover most of your non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks onboard.
Norwegian currently offers three drink packages. They range from just unlimited alcohol drinks packages to children’s soda packages.
Is Norwegian’s beverage package worth the cost? What is included? This guide helps you break down everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Lines drinks packages.
The Soda Package
The soda package includes unlimited fountain sodas. These include;
• Pepsi
• Diet Pepsi
• Sierra Mist
• Mt. Dew
• Ginger ale
• Tonic water
• Club soda.
You will also receive a complimentary refillable mug.
How much is the soda package on Norwegian Cruise Line?
The Soda Package for children - under the age of 13- costs $5.95 USD per person, per day plus 20% gratuity. With the gratuity, the children’s package costs $7.14 USD per person per day.
The adult’s soda package costs $7.95 USD per person, per day plus 20% gratuity. With the gratuity, the adult's package costs $9.54 USD per person per day.
Is the Soda Package worth it?
A glass of soda costs about $4 with gratuity. So, on average you need to drink at least 2 sodas a day to break even.
Norwegian Star Sky High Bar
Corks & Caps Package
The Corks & Caps package includes;
• Draft beer*
• Bottled beer*
• Glasses of wine*
• Unlimited fountain soda and juices
• 20% Off Bottles of Wine purchased
*up to and including $15 USD.
How much is the Corks & Caps package on Norwegian Cruise Line?
The Corks and Caps package costs $65.00 USD per person per day plus 20% gratuity. With the gratuity, the package costs $78.00 USD per person per day.
Is the Corks & Caps Package worth it?
Looking at the average prices of beer and wine, you would have to be drinking about 10 beers or 7 glasses of wine a day to break even.
The Premium Beverage Package
What is included in the Norwegian Premium Beverage Package?
The Premium Beverage Package, formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package, includes;
• Spirits *
• Cocktails*
• Draft beer*
• Bottled beer*
• Glasses of wine*
• Unlimited fountain soda and juices
• 20% Off Bottles of Wine purchased
*up to and including $15 USD.
The package is not available for purchase on charter sailings, cruises that two days or less or for sailing on Pride of America.
How much is the Premium Beverage Package?
The Premium Beverage Package costs $99.00 USD per person, per day plus 20% gratuity. With the gratuity, the package costs $118.00 USD per person, per day.
Is the Norwegian Premium Beverage Package worth it?
The average price of cocktails including gratuity is $14 and spirits is $12. This means you would have to be drinking about 8 cocktails every day or 10 shots or spirits every day to break even.
(c)Cruise with Ben & David
Norwegian Drinks Packages FAQ
Where can I use a Norwegian Cruise Line drinks package?
Your drink package can be used at all bars, lounges, restaurants on the ship and Norwegian Cruise Lines private resort - Great Stirrup Cay.
What About Drinks Over $15?
You can buy drinks over $15 USD and only pay the difference plus a 20% gratuity charge. For example, if you order a $17 drink, you pay the $2 difference + $0.40 additional gratuity for a total cost of $2.40.
What Is Not Included?
The drinks package is not accepted on Harvest Caye.
You cannot use your drinks packages for room service, the mini bar, vending machines, the self-service Wine Stations or ship specific promotions - such as wine flights or beer buckets.
Super Premium brands - such as Champagne, bottles of wine, bottled water, freshly squeezed juices, Lavazza or Starbucks coffee and energy drinks are not included.
Special events-such as onboard wine tastings, mixology classes, or liquor tastings-will not be covered in this plan either. You will need to purchase those separately.
Can I buy a drinks package for select days?
No, Drinks packages must be bought for the entire length of your cruise.
How old do you have to be to buy a drinks package?
You must be at least 21 years of age at the time of sailing to purchase any alcoholic package on Norwegian Cruise Line.
Does everyone in my stateroom have to buy the same package?
Yes, drinks packages must be purchased by everyone in the same stateroom or any additional staterooms under the same booking.
For example, if an Adult in the stateroom buys the Premium Beverage Package - all guests over the age of 21 must also purchase the same package and children must purchase the Soda Package.
Additional Charges and Gratuity
A 20% gratuity charge is added per day onto the cost of the drinks package.
You may also need to pay additional VAT or tax while docked in certain ports, such as Miami, or itineraries.
Where Can You Buy You Drinks Package?
All three Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages can be purchased starting 90 days before sailing. You can purchase them using the MyNCL.com account or call NCL to purchase the plans over the phone.
Packages are available onboard, but these may be before expensive and include additional VAT or taxes.
For more tips and advice about Norwegian Cruise Line, read our 9 Things You Need To Know About Norwegian.