Norwegian recently updated its beverage package selection and added a new package option. $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. At several of the biggest cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America, the main drinks packages that include all types of drinks cost about $60 per person, per day. This drink package includes everything in the Premium beverage package, along with other higher end offerings. Unfortunately, Norwegians Harvest Caye, Carnivals Half Moon Cay, and Princess Cays dont allow the use of your drink package in port. Started June 21, 2021, By If you prefer to order a bottle of wine at dinner or want to choose from a selection of high-end wine, they arent included in your drink package. Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drinks package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. Check your cruise itinerary to see if you are visiting any private islands or resorts. Cost per day: $19.95, including gratuities. With the Unlimited Open Bar Package, enjoy a wide selection of beverages both on board and at Great Stirrup Cay. 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. Unlimited Soda / soft drink package for $9.95 per day + 20% gratuity (FYI, NCL now serves COKE branded products) Water Package which ranges from $19.95 to $49.95 for 6 liters to 24 liters of water. 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. To complete these analyses, we tracked all of our beverages consumed over a 7-day cruise. Further, most drink packages have a price limit for drinks. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Alcohol advertising is prohibited in Norway, as it is in the United States. Heidi is a physical therapist by profession, cruise enthusiast at heart, and Princess all the time! Instead, guests can pre-purchase Virgin Voyages Bar Tab. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time. When Should You Get The Drink Package On a Cruise? Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or those ordered through room service. The total cost of all those drinks with service charge was $978.00 for the two of us. The maximum beverage price covered by the package is $15. The cost of the beverage package varies depending on the length of your cruise. You cant use the drink package in most ports. I have been lucky enough to travel on multiple continents, as well as several cruise lines. As a bonus, guests can take advantage of the Princess Cruises Princess Plus fare, which includes the Premier Beverage Package, unlimited WiFi for one device, and daily gratuities. People who want to drink without breaking the bank and enjoy a variety of drinks without . Celebrity Cruises offers its Classic and Premium Package. The Premium beverage package does not include room service, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands, bottled wine or liquor, or mini bar purchases. 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. You don't need a drinks package to be able to drink alcoholic beverages or any other type of beverage on a ship. The package also brings a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases. Heres Your Answer! So keep this in mind when you make your decision. Youll need to consume much more on sea days to compensate for the lack of drink purchases while at the port to break even. Of course, the price may become more justifiable if you plan on drinking soda, juice, and bottled water throughout the day. Most cruise lines require all guests sharing a cabin to purchase the same beverage plan to prevent sharing between friends and family. It would seem effortless for two people to drink 2-3 adult beverages between the two of them. In this post, we complete an analysis to answer the question, Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It?. 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. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles and $30 for 1,500ml. Then there were days where we only had 2 drinks each for the entire day. Finally, many cruise lines have a rule that if one person purchases the drink package, everyone sharing the cabin must also buy the drink package. Carnival has a 15-drink limit on alcoholic beverages purchased between 6 am, and 6 am. as long as the regular drink package is offered as the free at sea promotion,i find that this is sufficient for my wife and myself, by nature she is not a big drinker (although neither am I) but we will have a glass of champagne or mimosa at breakast and she will join me in a mojito during the afternoon. Further, there are several other factors you should keep in mind when determining if you should buy a beverage package on a cruise. There's never been a better time to book your dream cruise. Do you think the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value? Every time you book a cruise you have one very important decision to make: "Should I get the cruise drinks package or not?". No, you cannot share the drink package on a cruise. The beverage package includes a selection of hot drinks such as Vergnano coffee, cappuccino, herbal teas, and hot chocolate. For a line-by-line guide to drinks package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide. How Much Do Drinks Cost on a Cruise Ship? Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Includes: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Does it include everything that was in the previous package? Unlimited Starbucks for $12.95/day + 20% gratuity. Norwegian has no daily limit on the amount of alcohol in its drink packages. Of course, convenience is one of the perks we like about having a beverage package. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. 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. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. Further, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers. That means you'll pay $19.80 per person per day or $138.60 per person for the 7-day Pride of America sailing. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Fine print: If one adult of legal drinking age in a cabin or traveling under the same booking number purchases a package, all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin also must purchase it. Unlike the majority of cruise lines, Virgin Voyages doesnt offer a traditional drink package. Elevate your cruise experience with our widest beverage selection onboard, more specialty dining, unlimited Wi-Fi and more shore excursion credits. It is a good idea to keep track of your spending because all those drinks can and will add up. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. . Related Post: Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise. Depending on your ports of call and number of sea days, as well as your hours ashore, you may receive better savings (or less) on your voyage. I've maxed out once during a sea day. 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. Happy cruisingCheers! What's included in a cruise line drinks package and how do they work? Note: Final prices will add a 15% gratuity to the cost of the package. Unlike some cruise lines, Norwegian doesn't currently have a limit on how many drinks you can have per day with any of their packages. The cost was around $300 and it was a very good deal as it worked out to just over $21 a day. The cruiseline has partnered with JUST Goods Water, replacing single-use plastic bottles with a plant-based carton. Although cruise line drink packages are expensive, there are some reasons you should consider purchasing one before your next cruise. Norwegian offers guests the option pre-order water and have it delivered to their cabin. We dont think the limit will be a problem for most cruise passengers. The bar tab functions as a pre-paid onboard credit, which guests can use to purchase drinks on the ship or at the cruise lines private island Beach Club at Bimini. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20. The Plus package is included when passengers book suite accommodations. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Explore more of the shore with $50 USD Discount Per Port Shore Excursions. This means less time on the ship to take advantage of that drink package. Started August 27, 2021, By Non-Refundable. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. Cost per day: $79.99, not including an 18% gratuity charge. It is simple for many cruise . In some cases, there will be more than one tier of such all-encompassing plans. Alternatively, passengers can choose the Elevate cruise fare, which includes the Premium Beverage Package and a shore excursion credit for $20 per person per day. In total, we drank 76 drinks that were included in theNorwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package. Knowing the total cost of the cruise vacation before you set sail is a smart budgeting trick so that you wont be surprised when you receive the bill at the end of your sailing. 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. includes nearly all of the beverages onboard Carnival cruise ships. Read on for the answers in this ultimate guide to cruise line drinks packages. Just kidding around, but that would be a hard thing to accomplish. How Do I Purchase A Drink Package For My Cruise? There is no limit to the number of bottles passengers can bring onboard. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $13. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. Is There a Limit to the Number of Drinks You Can Buy? A 20% service charge is added to your purchase at checkout. Starbucks does not have an active drink package. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package was formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package. For most cruisers, the drink package is simply not worth the price. The cost of alcoholic drinks on cruise vessels particularly cocktails can be pricey. 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. If you purchase a drink that costs more than the limit, most cruise lines will only have you pay the difference and the gratuity on the difference. If each stateroom has the same package, the package must be . As always, checking with your cruise line to understand what is included and excluded in their drink package is best. Even as a perk, the service charge for my wife and I require that we consume a minimum of 4-5 drinks per day to break evenand she doesnt drink at all. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or ordered through room service. More elaborate (and expensive) tiers will add alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, beer and specialty coffee drinks. Especially if you do shots in between beers. Norwegian assesses a gratuity charge of $19.80 per person per day for its basic Premium Beverage Package. Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare). You Want More than Just Water, Coffee, and Tea. More expensive bottles come with a 20% discount. 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? 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. And some also offer wine-specific packages. The Free Open Bar is likely the top pick for many from Norwegians Free at Sea promotion. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or shipboard wine-dispensing machines. This website uses cookies. When you pay-as-you-go, you will get the final bill at the end of your cruise. $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. Of course, staff do have the right to refuse you bar service if you are intoxicated. 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. It's actually kind of easy. Yes that happens and then the bar staff gets questioned about if the guest is sharing drinks or drinking to much. These Are The Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love! When you order drinks from a US port, you will be charged an additional tax. CC Help Jenn That is, of course, an enormous number more than most people will ever want to order. Our complete analysis will help you answer the question, "Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It?". Those are not free a the rate is higher for the promo. The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Drink Packages. Packages are not available on sailings shorter than three nights with the exception of South America sailings. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Take your tastebuds on a trip with free meals at our Speciality Dining venues. Cost per day: $59.95, including gratuities. Also for a limited time only, get up to 300 per person Airfare Credit on select Cruises. If you decide to purchase the beverage package, booking online ahead of time is better. Hi All - I just booked my first cruise with NCL and am getting the UBP. 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. That's unlimited wine, soda, beer and cocktails priced under $15. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Do you usually purchase beverage packages when you cruise? Most cruise lines will not limit the drinks you can get when you have a drink package. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Drink Packages Drink Packages F A Q s Drink Packages Bottomless Bubbles Enjoy ice-cold refreshments during meals, during shows, during, well. What it includes: All beverages by the glass (top-shelf spirits, cocktails, beer and wine) and select premium bottles of Champagne and wine. Related: Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. The drinks package included in Princess Plus is now called Plus Beverage Package. Cost per day: $59.99, including an 18% gratuity charge. Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. For these passengers, the uncertainty of the running bar tab creates too much stress when you should be relaxing. If your favorite tipple is a more expensive premium single malt Scotch, you will have to pay the difference in price. What it includes: Drinks by the glass including draught, craft and bottled beer; a selection of wine and Champagne by the glass; premium-brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials; a variety of frozen and classic cocktails; soda; juices; nonalcoholic cocktails; energy drinks; hot chocolate drinks; specialty coffees; teas and bottled water. It depends. You can not purchase just select days. The price limit of $20 per drink is the highest among cruise lines. Yes! Princess Cruises is the only cruise line we know of that doesnt require all passengers sharing a cabin to purchase the drink package. The two major exceptions are Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Most cruise lines require every adult in a cabin to purchase the same drink package. Some lines also offer coffee cards that let you get a fixed number of fancy coffee drinks at a shipboard coffee bar for a discounted price. If you forgo the beverage package, you can simply pay for each drink. Weve seen similar promotions offering a $100 top-up. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. A: If a guest wishes to upgrade to the Prestige Select package which includes unlimited premium spirits, champagne, wine and beer, they may do so once on board for an additional charge of $20 per person per day. For a full list of included beverages, seehere. But remember, you will have to purchase the package for every adult in the cabin, even if they dont plan on drinking. After all, at $109 a day plus a 20 percent gratuity, the Norwegian Ultimate Beverage Package only covers drinks which come in at under $15 (as opposed to the $50 cap on Carnival), and does. Fine print: More expensive drinks are available at a 25% discount. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. The stated prices do not include the additional 20% service charge which is added when purchasing the package. Available on: All ships except those sailing in Europe or Australia. When you choose the UDP, the 18 percent of the cost of the package is added to the cost of the cruise. Trust us; you dont want to spend all that money on a beverage package to have it taken away. Other packages: The slightly less expensive Signature Beverage Package only includes drinks costing up to $11. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Essentially, you will need to decide if you will drink at least $29 a day per person of the additional inclusions. Other packages: Norwegian has two less-inclusive, less expensive alcoholic beverage packages. Hawaii-based Pride of America has a single drinks package that costs $99 per day (effective Jan. 1, 2023, prices will increase to $109). To determine if the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value, there are a few scenarios we will consider. Norwegian's Ultimate Beverage Package is currently available as a FREE offer through its Free at Sea Promotion but it is not completely free as it comes with a gratuity charge of 20% which equals $19.80 per person per day, for a week it equals $138.60. Some people love knowing exactly how much they will spend with the package before stepping on board. While it is excellent for most people, wine connoisseurs wont be satisfied by the limited selection and beverages by the glass. Guests will receive a 20% discount to all bottles of wine purchased onboard with the Premium beverage package. Is Starbucks free on Norwegian? At least it IS better than Holland America, where any drink over $11 is excluded, and you get zero discount from the drink package. Other packages: Oceania offers a less expensive House Select package that includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner. The package also covers soda and juices at all bars but no other non-alcoholic beverages. If youre planning on purchasing the drink package, the Princess Plus fare is an excellent way to save money. I enjoy an cocktail before dinner and good wine with, but withotu knowing what the extra cost might be, I have no way of knowing if the $40/day service charge would be worth it for one. Yes. 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). The premium package covers nearly every drink served by the glass for up to $15 per drink. When requesting sparkling water, I was offered tonic water or club soda. No actually it is what the UBP would cost for 16 days for two people (at the previous rate of $59/day). The package also brings a 20% discount to wine-pairing dinners on Oceanias Marina and Riviera. Both cruise lines have a 15-drink limit per 24 hours on alcoholic beverages. Note: Final prices will add an 18% service charge to the cost of the package. Whether you've been daydreaming of hiking to one of Alaska's pristine glaciers, touring ancient ruins in the Greek Isles or exploring one of our other top destinations, get more free when you cruise with NCL. Unlike most other cruise lines drink packages, this alcoholic beverage package also does not include any premium non-alcoholic drinks. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails. In total, five drink packages are available for purchase. Though, given that many non-alcoholic drinks, like bottled water and specialty coffee, are not included in this package, it wouldnt make sense for us to purchase it out of pocket. Related: These 15 cruise ship bars are not to be missed when cruising. So six max-priced drinks would be $90, which is still less than the daily price of the premium package. But for those who regularly order several alcoholic drinks a day when cruising, there's a way to save: a flat-fee drinks package. The drink value can be up to and including $15 USD. 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. In many cases, no. Enrollment required. Absolutely not! The average price for beer is around $7.50, and the average for a glass of wine is $9. Obviously, you should be safe and drink responsibly! 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. Home / Cruise Tips / Is the Drink Package Worth it on a Cruise? The Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package, priced at $65 per day, includes beer . We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. The only limit is your own personal weakness and self doubt about having just one more beverage. we have been very satisfied with the regular package on most of our cruises. This happens for every drink you have on the package. Cruise ship drink packages cover sodas, juice, and non-alcoholic beverages. Learn More Free Wi-Fi But once you are on board, the luxury of ordering drinks and restaurants without worrying about the final bar bill can be worth the price of the package. All NCL drink packages are priced as per person, per day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); High Seas Cruising was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades of cruise vacations. 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 Adult Soda Package is $7.95 per day plus gratuity of $1.59 for a total of $9.54 per day. Youll just have to pay the gratuities. The cost of cruise line drinks packages varies widely by line. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." Priced at $138 per day, this is Norwegian's most expensive and highest-end package. Cost per day: $63 to $89, not including an 18% gratuity charge (pricing varies by ship and itinerary). In 2021, MSC Cruises updated its drink package offerings, giving passengers a choice between 3 new packages. Norwegian Non-Alcoholic Drinks and their specialty coffees. Purchasing alcohol in ships' duty-free shop(s): Any alcohol purchased in the onboard shops will be stored until the cruise's conclusion. $12 for a drink made with leftover banana peels? So, given that it does not include many non-alcoholic items, the Premium beverage package is priced well above its competitors. 2-IN-1 LID; Our unique 2-in-1 lid allows you to sip your drinks with the flip up Sip lid, and drink your cold drinks with the Integrated Straw lid, We took your two favorite ways of drinking, and built them into one awesome lid. Once on board, you will often purchase the drink package during the first two days of sailing. By What it includes: A large selection of beers including craft beers, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, Coca-Cola products, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That said Norwegian Drink Lists are very good, and they offer a great variety of drinks for everyone to experience. Followers 10. Thats because while youre shopping or taking part in an exciting shore excursion, you wont be using the beverage package. Check here before booking an award fare. If you like a glass of fresh juice with your breakfast or a can of pop at lunchtime, you may benefit from buying the beverage packages. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package. Finally, cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Viking Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea Cruises, and Princess Cruises Princess Plus already include a beverage package with your cruise fare. As part of its drinks package price hike on Jan. 1, Norwegian will also raise the cost of a less-expensive drinks package it offers that has a $15 cap on the price level of drinks that can be ordered. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. At the time of writing, the cruise line is offering a $50 top-up when guests add $300 to their tab. Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Through the promotion, guests can receive a free beverage package. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails. It costs $38 per day. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I got the drink package as a perk, for me it will be worth it as I do like to drink well on vacation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I bought a drink package on RCCL, three years ago for around $400.. Here are some of the risks. Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar Package includes a variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer up to $15. Note: Final prices will add a 20% gratuity to the cost of the package. The package does not contain any specialty coffees or . By Ginnie6, January 1, 2016 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Coffee shops are available onboard as well, and the drink package includes a variety of them. Another upgrade to this plan is the availability of select bottles of wine at dinner. Most individual drink prices covered by the beverage package vary between $5 to $15 per day. Are You Thinking About Going on a Cruise With Your Family? Yes. I have no way of knowing if my normal call brand of gin or bourbon is under $15 onboard, or excluded, or even available. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package is good almost everywhere. It adds up and allows us to cruise more. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Dubbed the Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package, this less-pricey package currently costs $99 per person per day. Guest must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to qualify for the Ultimate Beverage Package. Guests who are 21 or over will receive a, Adult alcoholic beverages generally incur charges in the $8 to $10 arrange. Passengers who purchase the drink package should be aware that there is a limit to the number of drinks you can order in a 24-hour time span. You could purchase the drink package through your travel agent, by calling the cruise line directly, or through your online account if you booked through the cruise lines website. Passengers can receive the Premium Beverage Package for free through Norwegians Free at Sea promotion. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Be sure to check the fine print in your particular line's drinks package before placing an order for a drink to your room. Although annoying, it still seemed like we could make good value out of the packages even with the required fee. 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.