Before deciding to purchase a drink package, we recommend doing a little math to find out if it will save money or be an unnecessary expense. But, there is one scenario where you may want to purchase a package even if you wont be saving money. It would seem effortless for two people to drink 2-3 adult beverages between the two of them. And that would have to be 7 drinks actually consumed on the ship itself. With the high price of the package and price restrictions on included beverages, youll need to purchase 6-8 alcoholic beverages every day to break even. Does it include everything that was in the previous package? Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It? The stated prices do not include the additional 20% service charge which is added when purchasing the package. - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community. Plus Ups are excluded. :D. You might take a minute to review the terms of the UBP before you sail. When calculating, dont forget to factor in port days, where you wont be on the cruise ship for the whole day. The 15% service charge is waived when pre-booking the package. Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or shipboard wine-dispensing machines. Fine print: Theres a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. If you forgo the beverage package, you can simply pay for each drink. It also does not include Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or flights, Starbucks, or Ice Bars. The price limit of $20 per drink is the highest among cruise lines. This is the standard alcohol package offered by Norwegian Cruise Line. If your favorite tipple is a more expensive premium single malt Scotch, you will have to pay the difference in price. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Guests can purchase the Premier Beverage Package for $59.99 per person per day. The drink package is free but the gratuities on it are not included. This happens for every drink you have on the package. The maximum beverage price covered by the package is $15. So get ready to drink to your hearts content just dont go overboard on the alcohol (pun intended). You can not purchase just select days. includes nearly all of the beverages onboard Carnival cruise ships. Below, weve listed the cost of drink packages for some of the mainstream cruise lines to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay. So if you feel like purchasing drinks off of the ship, you will have to pay for them. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The price is $59.95 per person, per day if bought prior to your cruise or $64.95 per person, per day if bought on the ship. Depending on the cost of the package, you and your cabinmates will need to drink between 5-10 beverages per day each. What's included in a cruise line drinks package and how do they work? The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package was formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package. Drinks served in souvenir glassware and specialty beers are not covered by the package, nor are beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores on ships. In addition to its inclusivity, CHEERS! $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. The Premium beverage package is currently priced at $99 per person, per day. 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. This is the drinks package that many travelers get comped as part of Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion (though you still have to pay 20% of the package price for gratuities). Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles. The package has limited options compared to the Premium package and only covers drinks served by the glass, up to $9 per drink. Is the drink package worth it on a cruise? is one of the most common questions we receive. Note that the beverage packages can be used not just on Norwegian ships but at Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces). Below is a list of included beverages. There is no limit to the number of bottles passengers can bring onboard. Your analysis is not very useful without the list of brands excluded (or included), which seems to be permanently unavailable. Windstar also has begun offering optional All-Inclusive Pricing rates for cruises that include unlimited drinks at no extra charge. Do you think the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is a good value? Learn more. Purchasing alcohol in ships' duty-free shop(s): Any alcohol purchased in the onboard shops will be stored until the cruise's conclusion. The Plus package is included when passengers book suite accommodations. Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? Hawaii-based Pride of America has a single drinks package that costs $99 per day (effective Jan. 1, 2023, prices will increase to $109). 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. In addition, you'll enjoy specialty coffee, sparkling water, bottled water and energy drinks. You must order at least two drinks in order to be served. The Premium Beverage Package covers nearly every onboard drink up to $15 per drink, while the Premium Plus Beverage Package covers all drinks served by the glass, with no limit on the drink price. In fact, we would have actually lost $685.20 compared to just paying out of pocket for all our alcoholic beverages. 15 $ limit is nice for a free at sea. I can assume an 18 year old single malt scotch is well over $15but by how much? Prices 6 litre Just Water Package $16.95 12-litre Just Water Package $29.95 24 litre Just Water Package $44.95 The cost of cruise line drinks packages varies widely by line. Enrollment required. 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. Heres everything you need to know to help you decide if the drink package is worth it on a cruise. There are also a number of other restrictions to bear in mind before diving in and booking that booze-inclusive package. Still, whether or not you should purchase one of these beverage packages is an individual choice that depends on several factors. We've purchased the UBP on each NCL cruise we've been on, and we have never experienced an issue with limits. The Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package, priced at $99 per day, adds spirits and cocktails priced up to $15 (effective Jan. 1, 2023, pricing will go up to $109). It seems by the article that the free at sea drink package would be good enough with no need to upgrade on NCL? When Should You Get The Drink Package On a Cruise? 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? Related: Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship? Related Post: Best Cruise Lines for Families. Further, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers. Dont make the mistake of thinking beverage packages are only for alcoholic drinks. The Norwegian beverage package is an excellent value for those who want to enjoy a lot of drinks for a low price. Further vending machine purchases and wine stations are not included. don't-use-real-name 6.1k February 4, 2010 Bloomington MN USA #7 Posted July 4, 2019 There is no. How Do I Purchase A Drink Package For My Cruise? Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. We usually find the package priced between $65 per person per day and $99 per person per day on most sailings. After looking at this page you should have a good idea if the Norwegian Drink Package is good for you or not. New Holland America Line West Coast Cruises Just Released! Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $13. Your Cabin Mate Has Different Drinking Habits Than You. Some cruise lines have private islands or resorts owned and/or operated by the cruise line. . Note: Final prices will add a 15% gratuity to the cost of the package. Norwegian has no daily limit on the amount of alcohol in its drink packages. That is a question that only you can answer based on your own drinking habits. October 19, 2021: Log In Issues. Here are some reasons why a beverage package might be a good idea: If you are new to cruising, you may think that the cruise ships food and drinks are all-inclusive. Most cruise lines will not limit the drinks you can get when you have a drink package. If one adult in a cabin purchases the package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. Below is a line-by-line look at available drinks packages at the major lines that offer them. But remember, you will have to purchase the package for every adult in the cabin, even if they dont plan on drinking. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. In addition to that, it consists of non-alcoholic beer, juice, and fountain soda and juice. Find all the details you need here regarding Norwegian Cruise Line's alcohol policy: The drinking age on NCL's ships is 21 for most itineraries; it's 18 for sailings that operate round trip from European or Australian ports (though for beer and wine only). Weve even seen discounts of up to 40% off! Thats the equivalent of 2-3 alcohol drinks per day for the couple depending on price. Though, it is not likely worth it to purchase out of pocket unless you plan on consuming a considerable number of alcoholic beverages a day. Other packages: The slightly less expensive Signature Beverage Package only includes drinks costing up to $11. Norwegian assesses a gratuity charge of $19.80 per person per day for its basic Premium Beverage Package. At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. Complimentary drinks are available at the Latitudes (past passenger) cocktail party. It costs $54.95 per day. They also generally don't apply to drinks taken out of cabin minibars. is one of the lowest-priced drink packages of the mainstream cruise lines. Check here before booking an award fare. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 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. Starbucks does not have an active drink package. When electing to purchase a package, you have to pay for the entire length of the cruise. I suspect if the system shows 30-35 drinks per person per day (for example) they may also take a closer look Ginnie, Did you ever max out the limit on your Carnival cruise? Essentially, you will need to decide if you will drink at least $29 a day per person of the additional inclusions. Be sure to check the fine print in your particular line's drinks package before placing an order for a drink to your room. 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. Celebrity Cruises. One of the most hotly debated cruise topics are drink packages. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Lines Specialty Dining Package, Everything You Should Book Before Your Cruise, should buy a beverage package on a cruise, easy to go overboard if you are just trying to get your moneys worth, Celebrity Edge Will Be the First Cruise Ship to Sail from the U.S. in June. Norwegian Cruise Line Drops a Drink Package Norwegian charges the most for its drink packages and those prices have actually recently gone up. That said Norwegian Drink Lists are very good, and they offer a great variety of drinks for everyone to experience. Most mixed drinks range between $10-$12. Sharing is explicitly prohibited. With the My Drinks Plus package, guests receive premium cocktails, mini bar purchases, prestigious liquor brands, and bottled Corona and Becks. Ginnie6, January 1, 2016 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Drink packages dont apply when youre running around port or on shore excursions. 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. Note that the package is valid on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises private island in the Bahamas. Does the Drink Package Include Gratuities? Does Norwegian have a drink limit? $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. For a line-by-line guide to drinks package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide. For one flat fee, these cruise ship drink packages offer cruisers the ability to make their cruise more inclusive. By Ginnie6, January 1, 2016 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Passengers can receive the Premium Beverage Package for free through Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion. Norwegian has a few other drink package options including. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Once on board, you will often purchase the drink package during the first two days of sailing. Cost per day: $63 to $89, not including an 18% gratuity charge (pricing varies by ship and itinerary). Available on: All ships except Pride of America. As you can see from the different scenarios provided above, the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is likely worth it if you are receiving it as an included Free at Sea perk. Subscribe to receive travel tips delivered straight to your inbox. Then, we took the average prices for each drink category to determine how much we would have spent on drinks if we paid a la carte for each item. Drinks over $15 (you'll pay the difference) With NCL Premium Beverage Packages, you can get a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for as little as $15.00. Do you usually purchase beverage packages when you cruise? Purchasing alcohol in port: Same rules as above apply for wine and Champagne; all other alcohol will be retained until the end of the cruise. Most cruise lines require all guests sharing a cabin to purchase the same beverage plan to prevent sharing between friends and family. 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. I have been lucky enough to travel on multiple continents, as well as several cruise lines. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. In cases where a line offers more than one drinks package, weve highlighted the most inclusive package in detail while also noting other packages cruisers can consider. I have the free at sea promotion for a 10 day cruise in Iceland . While there is indeed a version of an NCL drink package for purchase thats an. I think they were on one of the newer ships, but not sure which. On the flipside, if you are visiting NCLs private island of Great Stirrup Cay on your cruise, this gives you more opportunity to use the package while enjoying some fun in the sun. It also includes fountain soda, juice, and non-alcoholic beer. Based on this cost, if you and your cabin mate will drink on average at least 2 alcoholic drinks/day, then the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is worth getting as a free perk. In our experience, the drink package on a cruise ship is not worth it for most passengers. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. In total, five drink packages are available for purchase. The Free Open Bar is likely the top pick for many from Norwegians Free at Sea promotion. Yes that happens and then the bar staff gets questioned about if the guest is sharing drinks or drinking to much. Boxed wine is not allowed. Explore more of the shore with $50 USD Discount Per Port Shore Excursions. If your second passenger is under 21 and only receiving a Soda Package, then you'll be charged $11.13 for that package. Required fields are marked *. 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. Premier Beverage Package - $59.99 The Premier Beverage Package on Princess includes unlimited premium beverages and snacks throughout the cruise. we have been very satisfied with the regular package on most of our cruises. I have a 14 day cruise booked and Iam sure I will get my monies worth. The package also brings a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Category Bottled Water (1 liter) Price $5.00 Total 0 Costs $0.00. Happy cruisingCheers! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I bought a drink package on RCCL, three years ago for around $400.. 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. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20. Cheers to all the spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice, and soft drinks. TPG values it at $1,600. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. This is also the package that guests receive as part of the Free at Sea promotion. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. The entire cruise must be purchased. The package does NOT work at Harvest Caye. Only spending $978 on alcoholic drinks over the course of the week, we were a far cry from reaching the break even point. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. This brings us back to the original question, is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package a good value? Prepaid @ $7.95 USD per person per day x Cruise Days plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Most drinks packages have a unit cost upper limit of $12-$15 per drink, depending on the cruise line's policy. 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. Only one beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time. Related Post: Beginners Guide to Cruise Planning. The 20% service charge for a 7-day cruise will cost each guest $138.60 for the Premium Beverage package. The package includes spirits and cocktails along with a selection of soft drinks, juice, draft and bottled beer, and wine-by-the-glass. And, perhaps more to the point, how much do cruise line drinks packages cost? The Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package, priced at $65 per day, includes beer . Unlimited Starbucks for $12.95/day + 20% gratuity. By Learn More Free Excursions Save $50 per Shore Excursion, Per Stateroom with Shore Excursion Credits. You cant purchase the drink package for individual days or portions of the cruise. As part of Celebritys Always Included fare, passengers receive the Classic Package with the standard cruise fare. Cruise line drinks packages generally are honored anywhere you can order a drink on a ship think bars, lounges and eateries. You Want More than Just Water, Coffee, and Tea. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. More expensive bottles come with a 20% discount. I know Carnival has the Party reputation and I have never gone on Carnival, but I surely would. Norwegian Cruise Line offers its Premium and Premium Plus beverage packages for $99 per person per day and $128 per person per day. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. Package name: Premium Plus Beverage Package. Package name: Silver Spirits Beverage Package. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Log in. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. The cruise line offers the Unlimited. Cost per day: $59.99, including an 18% gratuity charge. No sharing is permitted and is non-transferable. The cruise was 14 days and the package was called their Silver Spirts package. Package name: Prestige Select Beverage Package. This unlimited soda program le. Share. 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. Note that both prices will have an 18% gratuity tacked on. Although convenient, cruise line beverage packages are a significant investment for your vacation. The package also brings a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases. The 24-hour period runs from 6 am-6 am. NCL has no drink limit per day with the drink package, whether purchased or as a perk. You'll notice it doesn't mention a daily limit. The total cost of all those drinks with service charge was $978.00 for the two of us. Between your cruise fare, shore excursions, flights, hotel, and the drink package, it can be painful to spend thousands of dollars before stepping on the cruise ship. They do have a limit of two drinks per person per order, which is helpful to know when there's a long line at the pool bar. 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. Click here for information on drink packages. Included with the package, guests have access to wines by the glass, beer, spirits, cocktails, bottled water (500 ml only), fresh juices, fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, Red Bull energy drinks, and milkshakes up to $12 per drink. The main dining room and buffet are free on all ships in the fleet and there is usually another free option such as a bar/pub. Free Unlimited Open Bar Save up to $1,400 on all the spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and soda Learn More Free Specialty Dining Save up to $180 and savor free meals at our Specialty Dining venues.