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Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Price: Is It Worth It?

Published 26 July 2026 · 3 min read · Cruise Questions Canada editorial team

Quick answerNorwegian Cruise Line's Unlimited Open Bar package costs roughly $100–120 USD retail, though it's most often obtained through the Free at Sea promotion where you pay only the roughly 20% gratuity on the retail value per person per day at recent pricing, plus a 20% gratuity, and breaks even at around 5–7 drinks per person per day if bought at retail — far fewer if you receive it via Free at Sea, where the effective cost is only the service charge — so it suits guests who drink steadily from lunch onward and rarely pays for light drinkers, who do better with pay-as-you-go or a soda-and-coffee package.

Norwegian Cruise Line's all-in drink package is a good deal for some guests and an expensive habit for others — the maths below tells you which you are.

The price

Roughly $100–120 USD retail, though it's most often obtained through the Free at Sea promotion where you pay only the roughly 20% gratuity on the retail value per person per day at recent pricing, plus a 20% gratuity added to the package price, bought for every day of the cruise. Pre-cruise purchase through your booking is typically cheaper than the on-board rate. Prices vary by ship and sailing; confirm current figures.

Break-even

With cocktails, wine and premium beer each running roughly $10–16 on board, the package pays for itself at around 5–7 drinks per person per day if bought at retail — far fewer if you receive it via Free at Sea, where the effective cost is only the service charge per person per day. Below that, pay as you go; above it, the package wins. The general framework is in Are Drink Packages Worth It on Your First Cruise.

What's included

Cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass, beer, sodas and juices up to a per-drink cap (around $15 at recent policy); specialty coffees and bottled water are typically not included in the base package. Drinks above the package's per-drink price cap cost the difference.

Who it suits

Sea-day-heavy itineraries (Caribbean, transatlantic) with steady drinking from lunch; Alaska's port-heavy days and early mornings suit it less, as covered in Cruise Vs Flight and Hotel Vacation Costs.

The both-adults rule

Yes when bought at retail — both adults in a cabin must purchase; when included through Free at Sea it applies to the first two guests in the cabin automatically.

Cheaper alternatives

Norwegian Cruise Line's soda, coffee or beer-and-wine packages cost a fraction of the full package; bringing your wine allowance aboard (see Norwegian Cruise Line Alcohol Policy) covers cabin drinking for nothing.

More Norwegian Cruise Line policies

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Getting the package bundled instead

Many Norwegian Cruise Line promotions include the drink package in the fare — for a couple who'd buy it anyway that's worth hundreds of dollars, and it's the first thing worth checking for your dates before paying separately.

Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package?

Roughly $100–120 USD retail, though it's most often obtained through the Free at Sea promotion where you pay only the roughly 20% gratuity on the retail value per person per day at recent pricing, plus a 20% service charge on the package price, with pre-cruise purchase usually cheaper than buying on board; confirm current pricing for your sailing.

Do both adults in a cabin have to buy the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package?