If you are planning a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation, you may wonder how many drinks you can actually have each day with a beverage package. This is especially important when deciding whether an unlimited drink package is worthwhile for your cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line currently describes its Unlimited Open Bar as an unlimited beverage package rather than a package with a fixed number of drinks per day. However, there are rules governing how beverages can be ordered. Guests are generally permitted to receive up to two included beverages per person, per transaction.
That means the package does not operate on a simple daily allowance such as 10, 15, or 20 drinks. Instead, eligible drinks can be ordered throughout the day, subject to Norwegian's package terms and responsible-service policies.
The Norwegian Cruise Line Unlimited Open Bar package does not specify a fixed daily drink maximum in its current published terms.
Instead, eligible guests can order up to two beverages per person per transaction.
For example, if you and another eligible guest visit a bar, you may each order beverages according to the package rules. You can return later for another transaction, subject to the applicable onboard policies.
So, if you are asking, "Does Norwegian Cruise Line limit me to 15 drinks per day?", the answer is no based on the current published terms. The commonly mentioned 15-drink limit associated with some other cruise lines should not automatically be applied to Norwegian Cruise Line.
Yes, Norwegian markets its Unlimited Open Bar as an unlimited package for qualifying beverages. Its beverage-package information states that guests can enjoy unlimited beverages onboard and, where applicable, at Great Stirrup Cay.
However, "unlimited" does not mean every beverage is included. Certain premium products and locations are excluded, and Norwegian can apply responsible alcohol-service restrictions.
The standard Unlimited Open Bar generally covers a broad selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Depending on the applicable package and sailing, included options can include:
Norwegian also advertises a selection of premium brands and more than 100 cocktails with its Unlimited Open Bar offering. Beverage availability can vary by ship and season.
No. The standard package has exclusions.
Norwegian's current terms state that the Unlimited Open Bar does not cover beverages from certain categories, including the Connoisseur's Collection and Signature Selection. Eligible guests may instead receive a discount on some of these higher-priced beverages.
Other exclusions can include:
Because selections and exclusions can change, it is sensible to check the package terms for your specific sailing before purchasing.
The two-drink rule is different from a daily drink limit.
Norwegian's terms say eligible guests may receive two beverages per person per transaction.
For instance, you could order:
The rule is designed around each transaction rather than establishing a specific number of drinks that expire at midnight.
The published package terms specify a maximum of two beverages per person per transaction.
Therefore, you should not assume that you can order three or four covered drinks simultaneously under one transaction.
If you are traveling with friends, the package also cannot simply be used as a shared drink account. Each package belongs to the individual guest who purchased or received it.
No. Norwegian states that its beverage packages are personal, non-transferable, and may not be shared.
For example, you cannot use your package to routinely order drinks for a friend who does not have the applicable package.
This is an important distinction when calculating the value of the package. You should base your decision on your own expected beverage consumption rather than assuming you can cover other passengers' drinks.
Yes. The Unlimited Open Bar includes fountain soft drinks and juice among its listed beverage categories.
Norwegian also sells a separate Unlimited Soft Drink Package for guests who primarily want fountain soft drinks rather than alcoholic beverages.
The current published price shown by Norwegian for the Unlimited Soft Drink Package is $12.50 per person per day, although prices and terms can change.
The standard Unlimited Open Bar should not be confused with Norwegian's higher-tier beverage packages.
Norwegian's published terms specifically list bottled water among the exclusions for the standard Free at Sea/Unlimited Open Bar package.
Guests who want bottled water and other premium beverages may need to consider a different package, such as Premium Plus, depending on their sailing.
Norwegian also offers a Premium Plus Beverage Package, which provides broader beverage coverage.
According to Norwegian's current terms, Premium Plus includes everything in the Unlimited Open Bar plus additional options such as:
The Premium Plus package still has exclusions, including certain Connoisseur Collection beverages, room service, mini-bar purchases and vending-machine items.
Like other beverage packages, Premium Plus allows up to two beverages per person per transaction and cannot be shared.
An unlimited package does not guarantee that a guest will always be served alcohol whenever requested.
Norwegian can refuse or restrict alcohol service when necessary under its onboard alcohol policies and applicable laws. The purpose of an unlimited package is to provide access to eligible beverages, not to remove normal responsible-service requirements.
Guests should therefore avoid treating the package as a target number of alcoholic drinks to consume each day.
There is no single ideal number.
The value of the package depends on your normal drinking habits, the price of individual beverages, the length of your sailing and the package price applicable to your reservation.
For example, a passenger who normally enjoys:
may find an unlimited package more useful than someone who drinks mostly complimentary beverages.
The important point is that you do not need to reach a predetermined daily drink number simply because you have purchased an unlimited package.
Whether it is worthwhile depends on your expected consumption.
Before purchasing, consider:
Estimate how many eligible beverages you would realistically purchase each day without a package.
If your favorite drinks are excluded from the package, the value may be lower than expected.
Norwegian's beverage-package pricing can depend on the sailing and package. Current promotional terms, for example, list different per-person daily pricing for shorter and longer qualifying sailings.
If you drink mainly soda, a separate soft drink package may be more appropriate than an alcoholic beverage package.
Think about how much time you will spend ashore. Your onboard beverage consumption may be lower on days when you are away from the ship for several hours.
Norwegian states that the Unlimited Open Bar can be used at Great Stirrup Cay where applicable.
However, the package is not valid at Harvest Caye under the published terms.
This distinction matters when comparing different itineraries.
No. There is no bank of unused drinks that you can save for another cruise.
Norwegian states that there is no credit, compensation or substitution for unused package value.
Therefore, if you have a day when you drink very little, you cannot normally transfer the unused benefit to another day or receive cash for it.
Norwegian's package terms generally require the applicable beverage package selection for guests 1–8 on the reservation, with specific rules concerning guests under 21.
For guests 1 and 2, Norwegian's current terms require them to meet the applicable age requirement for the alcoholic beverage package. Guests under 21 may instead receive the applicable soft drink package under the stated conditions.
Because the exact requirements can depend on the promotion, sailing and reservation, check the terms attached to your booking before assuming that only one person in a stateroom can purchase the package.
Norwegian states that guests must generally be 21 years old at the time of sailing to purchase and consume alcohol under an alcoholic beverage package. Some select itineraries have different legal-age rules, including certain UK and European itineraries.
The age requirement is therefore an important consideration when traveling with younger adults or families.
Yes. Norwegian's package terms state that a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge applies to package purchases in the applicable terms.
The exact amount you pay can also be affected by taxes or VAT depending on the itinerary and location.
Always look at the final price shown for your booking rather than relying only on a headline package price.
Yes.
Norwegian explicitly states that beverage selections, package pricing and terms are subject to change.
That means information found online for an older sailing may not accurately describe the package on your cruise.
For the most reliable information, review the beverage-package terms associated with your reservation and Norwegian's current official package information.
There is no published fixed daily drink allowance for Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar. Eligible guests can receive up to two beverages per person per transaction, subject to the package terms and responsible-service policies.
The current Norwegian beverage-package terms do not state a 15-drink daily limit. The relevant published restriction is up to two beverages per person per transaction.
The Unlimited Open Bar provides unlimited access to eligible beverages, subject to exclusions, the two-drinks-per-transaction rule and applicable alcohol-service policies.
Yes. Norwegian's terms state that eligible guests may receive up to two beverages per person per transaction.
No. Beverage packages are personal and cannot be shared or transferred.
Yes. The standard Unlimited Open Bar includes eligible bottled or draft beer. Certain premium beers or other designated beverages may be excluded.
Eligible wine by the glass is included. Bottled wine is generally excluded from the standard package, although discounts may apply to certain bottles.
Yes. Fountain soft drinks are included in the Unlimited Open Bar. Norwegian also offers a separate Unlimited Soft Drink Package.
Starbucks is excluded from the standard Unlimited Open Bar. The Premium Plus Beverage Package can include Starbucks beverages under its applicable terms.
The Unlimited Open Bar can be used at Great Stirrup Cay where applicable. It is not valid at Harvest Caye under the published terms.
No. Norwegian does not provide credit, compensation or substitution for unused package value.
The key answer to how many drinks you can get a day with a Norwegian Cruise drink package is that Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar is not structured around a fixed daily number of drinks. Instead, eligible guests can order up to two beverages per person per transaction, with additional transactions permitted under the package rules.
The package can include cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass, beer, soft drinks and juice, but important exclusions apply. It also cannot be shared, and unused benefits do not carry over.
For the best value, focus less on reaching a certain number of drinks and more on whether the beverages you normally enjoy are included and whether your expected consumption justifies the package cost. Always verify the current terms for your specific sailing because Norwegian can change package pricing, inclusions and conditions.s
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