NCL Cruise Drink Package: What to Expect and How to Choose

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Scenic view of a coastal town through a decorative circular window, showcasing historic architecture and cruise ships.
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The NCL Cruise Drink Package is a convenient way to budget your onboard expenses.

If you're considering purchasing a drink package on your Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vacation, you'll want to know what to expect and how to choose the right one for you.

There are several drink packages to choose from, including the Ultimate Beverage Package (UBP) and the Premium Beverage Package (PBP).

The UBP includes a wide range of drinks, including cocktails, beer, wine, and soda, as well as coffee, tea, and juice.

What's Included in NCL's Drink Package

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers various drink packages to suit different tastes and preferences. You can get a variety of complimentary beverages, including lemonade, iced tea, a limited selection of juices, chocolate and regular milk, tap water, and standard coffee and tea, which are available in onboard restaurants and some bars and lounges.

These free beverages are perfect for staying hydrated and caffeinated throughout your cruise. If you want to enjoy premium drinks, you can opt for one of NCL's four drink packages.

Cruise Ships Sailing Across Tropical Sea
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The Premium Drinks Package, also known as the Unlimited Open Bar, includes a range of premium cocktails and spirits, beer and wine by the glass, and other drinks. You can enjoy select premium cocktails and spirits, such as Bombay gin, Titos vodka, and Absolut vodka, as well as beer and wine by the glass, including Blue Moon beer and a large selection of wines.

The Premium Drinks Package also includes a 20% discount on wine & spirit experiences, tastings, flights, all wines by the glass, and Connoisseur Collection beverages. However, top-shelf gins, vodkas, whiskeys, brandy, rum, and tequila, as well as select liqueurs and cordials, are not included.

If you prefer to enjoy unlimited fountain soda, you can opt for the Unlimited Soda Package, which includes Coca-Cola products, such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Fanta, as well as ginger ale, tonic water, and soda water.

Here's a summary of the drinks included in the Premium Drinks Package:

  • A variety of gins and vodkas (with brands such as Bombay, Titos and Absolut)
  • A range of whiskeys and brandy (with brands such as Chivas, Johnnie Walker and Jack Daniels)
  • An array of rum & tequilas (with brands such as Bacardi, Malibu and Patron)
  • A large selection of wines by the glass (white, red, port and non-alcoholic wine)
  • A variety of beers, cider, and seltzers (such as Blue Moon, Corona, Strongbow and Truly Hard Seltzer)
  • Sodas
  • Tonics
  • Juices
  • A 20% discount on wine & spirit experiences, tastings, flights, all wines by the glass, and Connoisseur Collection beverages

NCL Cruise Drink Package Options

Young woman enjoying leisure by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and sunhat, perfect vacation vibe.
Credit: pexels.com, Young woman enjoying leisure by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and sunhat, perfect vacation vibe.

If you're looking to upgrade your cruise experience with a drink package, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers several options to choose from.

The Premium Plus Drinks Package is a great option for those who want a more inclusive drink package. It includes everything in the Unlimited Open Bar package, plus top-shelf gin and vodkas, top-shelf whiskey and brandy, premium rums and tequilas, and more.

This package also includes a selection of Champagne, rose, white wines, and red wines by the glass, as well as non-alcoholic wine by the bottle, Starbucks coffee, sodas, and premium bottled water. You'll also get a 40% discount on wine and spirit experiences, tastings, flights, all other wines by the bottle, and Connoisseur Collection beverages.

However, some things are not included in the Premium Plus Package, such as beer buckets, vending machine purchases, room service, mini bar, and drinks experiences.

The Ultimate Beverage Package is another option that's great for those who want a well-rounded drink package. This package includes select premium cocktails under $15, a variety of beer and wine glasses under $15, and 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine. You'll also get unlimited soft drinks and juices.

Woman on Cruise Ship
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This package is automatically included if you book a Free at Sea cruise deal, and it covers your drinks both on the ship and at Great Stirrup Cay.

Here's a comparison of the three drink packages:

The Premium Drinks Package (Unlimited Open Bar) is a great option for those who want to enjoy select premium cocktails and spirits, beer and wine by the glass, and other drinks throughout their cruise. This package includes a variety of gins and vodkas, whiskeys and brandy, rum and tequilas, and more.

However, some things are not included in this package, such as top-shelf gin and vodkas, top-shelf whiskey and brandy, premium rums and tequilas, and more.

Plus Additional Fees

Purchasing a drink package on an NCL cruise can be a great way to save money and simplify your onboard expenses. You'll automatically be charged a 20% additional service charge, which goes to the hardworking staff who provide exceptional service.

Credit: youtube.com, Complete Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages 2023! - Watch Before You Buy!

This service charge takes out the hassle of having to worry about tipping, removing the chance for you to overspend. It's a convenient perk that's included with the purchase of a drink package.

Some premium brands may fall outside of your selected package, so be sure to inquire about extra costs when ordering high-end drinks.

You can enhance your cruise experience with the Premium Plus Beverage Package, which offers the largest beverage selection on board and in Great Stirrup Cay.

NCL

NCL cruise drink packages are a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite beverages on board. The most popular option is the Ultimate Beverage Package, which includes a wide range of drinks, from cocktails and wine to beer and soft drinks.

You can expect to pay around $99 per person, per day, for the Ultimate Beverage Package, although prices may vary depending on your cruise itinerary and accommodations. This package is a great value, considering it includes all the drinks you can consume throughout the day.

Norwegian Gem cruising past the iconic skyline of New York City with modern skyscrapers.
Credit: pexels.com, Norwegian Gem cruising past the iconic skyline of New York City with modern skyscrapers.

Some drinks that are included in the package are beer, wine, and spirits, as well as specialty coffee and tea drinks. You can even enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne during special occasions, like dinner or a wedding.

The package also includes gratuities and taxes, so you don't have to worry about extra fees. This makes it easy to budget and plan your expenses for the cruise.

Hawaii and NCL Cruises

For those sailing on Pride of America, there's a special drink package just for you - the Hawaii Beverage Package. This package allows you to choose from various beverages for up to $15 USD throughout the voyage.

The package cost is subject to change without prior notice, so it's essential to keep an eye on the prices.

Guests are responsible for 20% in gratuities and beverage service fees on the package's retail value.

You can purchase two drinks each per transaction, making it a great value for passengers 1-2 on the reservation.

Cruise Line Drink Packages

Women enjoying a boat cruise in Portugal with drinks and taking selfies.
Credit: pexels.com, Women enjoying a boat cruise in Portugal with drinks and taking selfies.

Cruise Line Drink Packages are a convenient way to budget for your drinks on an NCL cruise. They allow you to prepay for your drinks, which can help you stay within your budget.

The cost of a drink package varies by cruise line, but NCL's drink package is priced at around $60-$80 per person per day. This price includes all drinks, including cocktails, beer, and wine.

You can purchase a drink package for a single day, a partial cruise, or the entire duration of your trip. This flexibility makes it easy to plan your drink budget.

NCL's Free At Sea Program and Other Offers

Unless you're booking a guarantee cabin, your cruise booking probably comes with included Free at Sea perks, like the Unlimited Open Bar package.

The Unlimited Open Bar package is essentially free, as you won't have to pay the daily fee, but you will have to pay the 20% gratuity charge ($21.80 per person, per day).

Refreshing margarita cocktail with lime on a cruise ship deck.
Credit: pexels.com, Refreshing margarita cocktail with lime on a cruise ship deck.

Most people who sail on NCL and plan to drink alcohol or other specialty beverages end up with the Unlimited Open Bar package through Free at Sea.

For $49 per person, per day, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage package, which includes top-shelf liquor and wines, Starbucks beverages, or bottled water.

The Premium Plus package is also included in the Free at Sea Plus upgrade option, which costs an extra $49 per person, per day.

Unlike some other cruise brands, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't put a daily limit on the number of alcoholic drinks you can order when you have a drink package.

Guests with the Unlimited Open Bar package can get two beverages per person, per transaction, while those with the Starbucks package are entitled to just one beverage per person, per transaction.

The Starbucks package might be a good deal if you drink two to three specialty coffees per day, but it won't be worth it if you only plan on having one.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

White Cruise Ship Sailing on the Sea
Credit: pexels.com, White Cruise Ship Sailing on the Sea

In the end, the NCL cruise drink package is a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite beverages on board.

The package allows you to enjoy up to 15 drinks per day, including cocktails, beer, wine, and soft drinks, with a maximum of 2 drinks per person at a time.

You can enjoy your drinks at any of the ship's bars, restaurants, and lounges, making it easy to stay hydrated and socialize with fellow passengers.

The package is available on most NCL cruises, but it's essential to check the specific ship and itinerary to confirm availability.

With the NCL cruise drink package, you can also enjoy a free specialty drink every day, which can be a great way to try new flavors and cocktails.

The package also includes a 20% discount on all bottles of wine, which can be a great value for wine enthusiasts.

Overall, the NCL cruise drink package is a great way to enhance your cruise experience and make the most of your onboard time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy a drinks package on board?

Whether a drink package is cheaper depends on your drinking habits, but it's often a cost-effective option for frequent drinkers. Consider your plans to determine which choice is best for you.

Elmer Kassulke

Lead Assigning Editor

Here is a 100-word author bio for Elmer Kassulke: Elmer Kassulke is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen interest in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for research, Elmer has covered a wide range of topics, from the Port of Bristol to the works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Their expertise spans various categories, including geography, history, culture, and transportation, making them a versatile and reliable voice in the world of journalism.

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