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If you are planning a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation, the cost of drinks can quickly become an important part of your budget. Many travelers therefore ask, how much is a beverage package on Norwegian Cruise?
For 2026 sailings, Norwegian Cruise Line offers several beverage options, including the Unlimited Open Bar package available through Free at Sea, Free at Sea Plus, an Unlimited Soft Drink Package, and an Unlimited Starbucks Package. The price depends on the package, cruise length, sailing, and whether you receive the beverage benefit through a promotion.
For qualified promotional bookings, Norwegian currently lists the Unlimited Open Bar package at $32 per person per day for 2–5-night cruises and $28.50 per person per day for cruises of 6 nights or longer, before applicable gratuities or service charges.
The important point is that the advertised package price is not necessarily the final amount you will pay. Norwegian states that an additional 20% gratuity and beverage service charge can apply to beverage packages. Taxes or VAT may also apply on certain itineraries.
The answer depends on which beverage package you choose.
For qualifying 2026 promotional bookings, Norwegian lists these rates:
| Cruise Length | Published Price Per Person, Per Day |
|---|---|
| 2–5 nights | $32 |
| 6 nights or longer | $28.50 |
These figures are published by Norwegian for its current promotion and are subject to the applicable promotion terms. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added to the retail value of the package.
For example, before taxes or other applicable charges:
Your actual booking may show a different amount because Norwegian promotions and package pricing can change.
If you do not need alcoholic drinks, Norwegian offers an Unlimited Soft Drink Package.
The current published price is $12.50 per person, per day, with a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added at checkout. Norwegian says this package includes fountain soft drinks such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, Fanta, and soda water.
This package is available for adults and children aged 3 and older, although it is not available on sailings of two days or less.
Norwegian also sells an Unlimited Starbucks Package for guests who mainly want specialty coffee.
The published price is $16.50 per person, per day, plus the applicable 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. Guests must be at least 13 years old at the time of sailing to purchase it.
The package covers a range of Starbucks coffee, tea, Frappuccino-style beverages, and other specialty drinks, subject to the package terms.
The Unlimited Open Bar package provides considerably more than basic soft drinks.
Norwegian says the package includes a selection of:
Norwegian also advertises premium brands such as Grey Goose, Casamigos, and Woodford Reserve as part of its current Unlimited Open Bar offering.
The exact brands available can vary by ship and season, so travelers should not assume that every advertised brand will be available on every sailing.
Yes. The Unlimited Open Bar package includes alcoholic beverages such as selected spirits, cocktails, wine by the glass, and beer.
However, it is not an unlimited pass for every alcoholic drink sold onboard.
Norwegian specifically excludes drinks from its Connoisseur’s Collection and Signature Selection. Guests with the Unlimited Open Bar package can receive a $15 discount on the retail value of drinks in those collections.
Certain other premium beverages and specialty purchases are also excluded.
Understanding the exclusions is just as important as knowing what the package includes.
Depending on the package and sailing, exclusions can include:
Norwegian's current promotional terms also state that the package does not cover drinks purchased at Harvest Caye venues.
Because exclusions can change, check the package terms associated with your particular sailing before purchasing.
Norwegian has expanded the availability of its beverage benefits at Great Stirrup Cay for qualifying itineraries.
The current Unlimited Open Bar information says the package can be used onboard and at Great Stirrup Cay where applicable.
This is useful for travelers planning to spend the day at Norwegian's private island because they may be able to use their beverage benefit while ashore.
The benefit should not be assumed to apply at every private destination. For example, Norwegian's current promotional terms specifically exclude Harvest Caye venues.
No. The published package price should not automatically be treated as the final amount.
Norwegian states that a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added to applicable beverage package purchases.
For instance, a $28.50 daily package would have a $5.70 20% charge, bringing the total to $34.20 per person per day before any applicable taxes.
Likewise, a $32 daily package would become $38.40 after a 20% charge.
Taxes or VAT can also appear on an onboard account depending on the itinerary and applicable local rules.
Using the currently published $28.50 daily promotional rate for cruises of six nights or longer, the base beverage-package cost for seven days would be:
$28.50 × 7 = $199.50 per person
After a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge:
$199.50 × 1.20 = $239.40 per person
Therefore, a seven-day cruise could cost approximately $239.40 per person for the beverage package and applicable 20% charge, before any additional taxes or itinerary-specific charges.
This is an example using Norwegian's currently published promotional rate, not a guarantee of the price for every seven-day cruise.
For a qualifying 2–5-night sailing, Norwegian currently lists the Unlimited Open Bar package at $32 per person per day.
For five days:
1.$32 × 5 = $160
Adding the 20% gratuity and beverage service charge:
2.$160 × 1.20 = $192
So the illustrative total would be $192 per person, before any applicable taxes or other charges.
Free at Sea is Norwegian's broader cruise promotion that can combine several benefits rather than simply providing a standalone drink package.
Depending on the booking and promotion, benefits can include:
Norwegian says Free at Sea applies to qualifying reservations and that the available benefits can depend on the offer and sailing.
The beverage benefit is therefore particularly important when comparing a regular cruise fare with a fare that includes Free at Sea.
The word "free" can be misleading.
When Norwegian advertises a Free at Sea beverage benefit, the beverage package can be included as a promotional perk, but the guest may still have to pay the applicable service charges or gratuities associated with the package.
Norwegian's promotional terms state that an additional cost is added to optional package selections and that applicable beverage service charges apply.
Therefore, travelers should compare the complete booking price, rather than assuming that a beverage package labeled as a promotion has zero additional cost.
For travelers who want more than the standard beverage benefit, Norwegian offers Free at Sea Plus.
Norwegian currently lists Free at Sea Plus at $49.99 per person per day.
The package includes additional benefits such as:
Norwegian states that guests who already have prepaid service charges or received them through a promotional offer may receive a $15 discount from the Free at Sea Plus price.
This makes Free at Sea Plus different from simply buying a standard beverage package.
One of the most important rules is that the package generally applies to guests in the same stateroom.
Norwegian's current terms state that guests 21 and older in the same reservation must have the applicable beverage package when the benefit is selected. Guests under the required drinking age receive the applicable soft-drink benefit under qualifying promotional terms.
This prevents one adult from purchasing an unlimited alcoholic beverage package while another adult in the same stateroom simply pays for drinks individually, subject to Norwegian's specific terms and exceptions.
Age rules can vary depending on where the cruise operates, so check the rules for your itinerary.
No.
The beverage package is personal to the guest and cannot be shared or transferred. Norwegian also states that package benefits are non-refundable.
For example, one person cannot order two alcoholic drinks and give one to another passenger to use under the same package.
Norwegian's current terms also state that eligible guests can receive two beverages per person per transaction.
Whether the package is worthwhile depends on how much you normally drink.
A beverage package can make sense if you regularly purchase:
It may be less attractive if you primarily drink complimentary beverages and only occasionally purchase alcohol.
The easiest way to decide is to estimate your typical daily spending.
Suppose your effective package cost is around $34.20 per day after the 20% charge.
If your normal daily drink purchases would otherwise total $40, the package could provide savings.
If you would normally spend only $15–$20 per day, paying for the package may not make financial sense.
Remember that this calculation should include only drinks that the package actually covers.
You do not necessarily need a beverage package to have something to drink on a Norwegian cruise.
Depending on the venue and sailing, complimentary options can include basic beverages such as:
Availability can differ between restaurants and venues.
This is one reason occasional drinkers may prefer to pay individually rather than automatically purchasing an unlimited package.
Yes, Norwegian says eligible guests can add Free at Sea benefits after booking, subject to the applicable deadline and terms.
Norwegian's FAQ states that Free at Sea can be added through a guest's MyNCL account or by contacting Norwegian, with the package needing to be added before the applicable cutoff.
The exact deadline can differ according to the promotion or booking circumstances, so it is better not to wait until embarkation.
Do not assume that you can simply board the ship and add any package you want.
Norwegian's promotional terms state that Free at Sea selections generally must be made at least 24 hours before sailing, although bookings made within 24 hours of departure can have different selection procedures.
The safest approach is to review your reservation before departure and confirm whether the beverage benefit has already been selected.
Generally, no.
Norwegian lists Starbucks separately from the standard Unlimited Open Bar package.
Starbucks is included in Free at Sea Plus, subject to the package's one-drink-per-visit terms, while Norwegian also sells a separate Unlimited Starbucks Package.
Therefore, coffee drinkers should not assume that an ordinary beverage package covers Starbucks purchases.
Regular bottled water is not generally included in the standard Unlimited Open Bar package.
Norwegian specifically lists bottled water among the exclusions in its current promotional terms.
Free at Sea Plus provides bottled water at bars and restaurants and premium bottled water in restaurants, making the upgraded package more attractive to travelers who prefer bottled water.
The standard beverage benefit can include juice, but Norwegian's current terms distinguish between included juice and excluded fresh-squeezed juice.
Fresh-squeezed juices are specifically listed among the exclusions from the Unlimited Open Bar package.
Fresh juices are included with Free at Sea Plus.
| Package | Published Price | Main Benefit |
| Unlimited Open Bar | $28.50/day for 6+ nights; $32/day for 2–5 nights under current promotion | Alcoholic drinks, selected premium brands, soft drinks, juice |
| Unlimited Soft Drink | $12.50/day | Unlimited fountain soft drinks |
| Unlimited Starbucks | $16.50/day | Starbucks and specialty coffee |
| Free at Sea Plus | $49.99/day | Expanded premium beverages plus Wi-Fi, Starbucks, water, dining benefits and other inclusions |
Published prices are subject to change, and applicable gratuities, service charges, taxes, and promotion conditions can affect the final cost.
You do not always need to buy the most expensive beverage option.
Estimate what you would realistically spend each day rather than assuming unlimited drinks automatically mean savings.
If your fare already includes the beverage benefit, compare the promotional cost and service charges before purchasing anything separately.
Travelers who do not drink alcohol may save money with the Unlimited Soft Drink Package instead of paying for an alcoholic beverage package.
Free at Sea Plus costs more, but it combines premium beverage benefits with Wi-Fi, Starbucks, bottled water, dining discounts, and other inclusions.
Promotional pricing can change. Norwegian states that package prices can change without notice, so the price displayed for your reservation is the best figure to use when budgeting.
For qualifying current promotional bookings, Norwegian lists its Unlimited Open Bar package at $32 per person per day for 2–5-night cruises and $28.50 per person per day for cruises of six nights or longer. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge applies.
Yes. Norwegian offers an Unlimited Open Bar package that covers selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is available through qualifying Free at Sea options and related bookings.
It can be offered as part of a Free at Sea promotion, but applicable beverage gratuities or service charges still apply. The exact cost depends on the booking and promotion.
Using the current $28.50 daily rate for qualifying cruises of six nights or longer, seven days would be $199.50 before the 20% beverage gratuity and service charge. With that charge, the illustrative total is $239.40 per person before applicable taxes.
Yes. The Unlimited Open Bar package includes selected bottled and draft beer.
Yes. Selected wines by the glass are included. Bottled wine is excluded from the standard package, although Norwegian offers discounts on certain wine purchases under its package terms.
Yes. The Unlimited Open Bar package includes a variety of cocktails, although some premium selections are excluded or subject to additional charges or discounts.
Yes. Norwegian states that a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge is added to applicable beverage package purchases.
No. Beverage packages are personal and cannot be shared or transferred.
The standard Unlimited Open Bar package does not include Starbucks. Starbucks is available through a separate package and is included in Free at Sea Plus under its applicable terms.
Standard bottled water is excluded from the regular Unlimited Open Bar package. Free at Sea Plus includes specified bottled-water benefits.
Eligible guests can add applicable Free at Sea benefits after booking, subject to the promotion's deadline and availability. Norwegian recommends adding benefits before the applicable pre-cruise cutoff.
It can be worthwhile for passengers who regularly drink cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, or other covered beverages. Occasional drinkers may save money by purchasing individual drinks instead.
The answer to how much is a beverage package on Norwegian Cruise depends on your sailing and the package you choose. Under Norwegian's currently published 2026 promotional pricing, the Unlimited Open Bar package is listed at $32 per person per day for 2–5-night cruises and $28.50 per person per day for cruises of six nights or longer, before the applicable 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.
Norwegian also offers less expensive options for soft drinks and Starbucks, while Free at Sea Plus combines enhanced beverage benefits with Wi-Fi, dining-related benefits and other extras.
The best choice depends on how much you expect to drink, which beverages you prefer, and whether your cruise fare already includes Free at Sea. Before paying, review your reservation's exact package price, service charges, exclusions, and itinerary-specific conditions so there are no surprises when you board.
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