Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has officially reinstated its Free at Sea program, replacing the short-lived More at Sea package. This transition standardizes both the included amenities and the pricing structure, making the value proposition clearer for guests. The new Free at Sea terms are applicable to all new reservations made on or after November 5, 2025, and are available across all stateroom categories, including guarantee cabins. NCL estimates these bundled perks provide over $2,000 in value per stateroom.

Detailed Inclusions of the Standard Free at Sea Package

The standard Free at Sea program combines four primary amenities into one promotional package, designed to cover common cruise expenses:

Unlimited Open Bar: Guests 21 and older receive unlimited access to premium beverages, including spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, beer, juice, basic coffee, and soda. This package covers drinks up to a retail value of $15 USD each.
Specialty Dining: Guests 1 and 2 on the reservation are granted complimentary meals at select specialty restaurants. The number of meals is determined strictly by the length of the voyage:
- 2-4 night cruises: 1 specialty dining meal
- 5-6 night cruises: 2 specialty dining meals
- 7-8 night cruises: 3 specialty dining meals
- 9+ night cruises: 4 specialty dining meals
Wi-Fi Allowance: All guests in the stateroom receive 150 minutes of high-speed Wi-Fi access, powered by Starlink.
Shore Excursion Credits: The first guest on the reservation receives a $50 credit for every port of call. This credit is applicable toward each individual shore excursion booked through NCL.

Costs and Gratuities Explained

The Free at Sea amenities require the prepayment of associated service charges. This nominal fee is paid in advance of the sailing.

Standard Package Gratuity: The mandatory service charge for the Unlimited Open Bar and Specialty Dining components is a fixed rate of $28.50 per person, per day, for guests 21 and older.
Guests Under 21: If Guest 2 is under 21, they will receive the unlimited fountain soda and juice package for a separate daily charge of $12.50 per person, per day. Note that Guests 3 through 8 under 21 do not receive a substitute package.

Expanding Your Amenities with Free at Sea Plus

For a significantly more inclusive experience, Norwegian Cruise Line offers an optional premium upgrade called Free at Sea Plus. This package is available for purchase for sailings embarking on February 2, 2026, and onward.

The Plus Package Inclusions:

More Top-Shelf Beverages: The Plus package expands the selection to include more premium spirits (such as Patrón Añejo and The Macallan 12 Year Old). Guests also receive premium wines and champagne by the glass with over 50 labels, and a 40% discount on bottles of wine purchased onboard.
Coffee and Water: This upgrade covers all Starbucks drinks (one per visit) and unlimited energy drinks and fresh juices. It also includes bottled water at the bar and premium still and sparkling water in restaurants.
Unlimited Streaming Wi-Fi: The 150-minute allowance is replaced with unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi that supports streaming.
Dining Discount: After utilizing the standard complimentary specialty dining meals, the Plus package provides a 50% discount on the cover charges for any additional specialty dining nights.
Prepaid Service Charges: All daily crew service charges (often called Prepaid Gratuities, or PPGs) are included with the Free at Sea Plus package.
Great Stirrup Cay Bar Access: This includes unlimited open bar service at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island.

Free at Sea Plus Pricing:

The Free at Sea Plus package costs $49.99 per person per day. Guests who already have prepaid service charges on their reservation, whether purchased or received as a promotion, will receive a $15 discount off the daily package price.

Important Policy Changes for Great Stirrup Cay

A critical policy update affects Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. Beginning March 1, 2026, the standard Free at Sea beverage package will no longer be applicable for drinks purchased on the island. Complimentary water, iced tea, and juice will still be available. Guests must upgrade to the Free at Sea Plus package to receive the open bar benefit on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I have an existing More at Sea booking? Existing reservations booked under the More at Sea promotion will not be impacted and will still receive the More at Sea amenities at the price paid at the time of booking. However, if you update an existing booking after November 5, 2025, and the effective date changes (such as a reprice or upgrade), the reservation will receive the new Free at Sea package.

Can I add the Free at Sea package after booking? Yes, if you did not select the Free at Sea promotion during your booking, you can add it through your MyNCL online account or by calling NCL's Guest Services up to 24 hours prior to sailing. Note that the specialty dining portion cannot be added once you are onboard the ship.

What if I need more than the included specialty dining meals? Once you have used all your included specialty dining nights, you may still dine in specialty restaurants by paying the standard cover charges plus taxes and fees. Guests with the Free at Sea Plus package receive a 50% discount on these cover charges.

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