Norwegian's drink package on a 7-day sailing costs $99–$118/person/day standalone, or roughly $15–$20/person/day extra when bundled via More at Sea — meaning a couple can spend $1,400–$1,650+ on drinks alone before gratuities. Here's exactly what you get, what it costs, and whether it's worth it.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Let's be honest: Norwegian's drink package math is confusing by design. You're either paying a bundled "service charge" on top of a free promo, or you're buying standalone at some of the highest per-day rates in the industry. After a 7-day sailing, that confusion becomes very real money.
What Norwegian's Drink Package Actually Costs on a 7-Day Cruise
First, a naming note: Norwegian doesn't have a "Cheers" package — that's Carnival's branding. Norwegian's equivalent is the Premium Beverage Package, either bundled through More at Sea (formerly Free at Sea) or purchased standalone. Here's the full cost breakdown for a 7-day sailing.
| Scenario | Daily Rate | 7-Day Total (1 Person) | 7-Day Total (Couple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| More at Sea bundle (service charge only) | ~$15–$20/day | ~$105–$140 | ~$210–$280 |
| Standalone Premium Package (pre-cruise) | $99–$118/day | $693–$826 | $1,386–$1,652 |
| Standalone (onboard, day-of) | $110–$125/day est. | $770–$875 | $1,540–$1,750 |
| Paying per drink (avg cocktail + 20% grat) | ~$13–$16/drink | Varies | Varies |
Important: Norwegian charges a mandatory 20% service charge on all beverage purchases. That's baked into package pricing above — but if you're buying drinks à la carte, add 20% to every price you see on the menu.
Also critical for 2026 sailings: the drink package does NOT work at Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island) effective March 1, 2026. Water, iced tea, and juice are still free there — but your cocktails and beer are out-of-pocket on island day.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
What You Actually Get (And the Catch)
The Premium Beverage Package on Norwegian covers real premium spirits — Grey Goose, Casamigos, Woodford Reserve — which puts it above Carnival's Cheers in terms of brand selection. There's no per-drink cap by price, which matters when top-shelf cocktails run $13–$20 before gratuity.
What's included:
- Cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, spirits
- Non-alcoholic beverages (mocktails, juices, sodas)
- Energy drinks (check current menu — policies shift)
What's NOT included:
- Starbucks (always extra on NCL)
- Bottled water in cabin (buy a case or bring your own)
- Great Stirrup Cay bar service (from March 2026)
- Mini-bar items
All adults in the cabin must purchase the package. No exceptions. If your travel partner is sober, you're still paying for both.
The Break-Even Math for a 7-Day Trip
At standalone rates, you need to drink enough to justify the cost. Here's the honest math:
| Drinks Per Day | Avg Spend Per Drink (with 20% grat) | Daily Spend à la Carte | Package Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 drinks | ~$14 | ~$42 | No — save $57–$76/day |
| 5 drinks | ~$14 | ~$70 | Borderline on standalone |
| 6–7 drinks | ~$14 | ~$84–$98 | Yes on More at Sea bundle; break-even on standalone |
| 8+ drinks | ~$14 | ~$112+ | Definitely yes |
Bottom line: With the More at Sea bundle (where you're paying $15–$20/day extra), you break even at just 2–3 drinks per day. That's the deal. At standalone rates of $99–$118/day, you need 7–8 drinks daily to come out ahead — which is a lot over 7 days.
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive Your Total Cost
1. How you got the package More at Sea bundle vs. standalone is the single biggest cost variable. If NCL offered you the beverage package as a promo perk, grab it — paying $15–$20/day in service charges beats $99–$118/day standalone every time.
2. Sea days vs. port days A 7-day Caribbean itinerary might have 2–3 port days where you're off the ship for 6–8 hours. You're not drinking on NCL's tab while you're at a beach bar in Nassau. Factor in how many true sea days you have — that's where package value concentrates.
3. Great Stirrup Cay sailings (2026+) If your itinerary includes NCL's private island, you lose one full day of package use at the bars. Budget $20–$40 extra per person for that island day if you plan to drink.
4. The couple problem Both adults in the cabin pay. A light drinker traveling with a heavy drinker still pays full price. A sober traveler subsidizes their partner's cocktails. On a 7-day sailing, that's potentially $700–$800 for someone who drinks twice a day — rough math.
5. Gratuities stack The 20% service charge is already baked into package pricing, but it applies to every standalone drink purchase on top. Don't get surprised at checkout.
How to Get the Best Value
Get the More at Sea bundle, not standalone. Book when NCL offers the beverage package as a promo perk and pay only the daily service charge. The math is almost always in your favor at $15–$20/day versus $99+.
Book in advance online. Standalone packages bought pre-cruise are cheaper than onboard prices. If you missed the promo, buy before you board.
Track your spending for the first 2 days. NCL's app shows your onboard account in real time. If you're consistently hitting 7–8 drinks daily by day 2, the package is working. If you're at 3–4, you might have been better off paying à la carte — but that ship has sailed (literally).
Don't buy bottled water through the package system. Bring a reusable bottle. Fill it at the buffet. Bottled water runs $3–$5 each and drains package value if you're using slots on hydration.
Specialty coffee is always extra. Starbucks on Norwegian is never included. Budget $5–$8 per visit, plus 20% gratuity, or use the free drip coffee in the buffet.
For Great Stirrup Cay days: Pack a beach bag with your own drinks if your home port allows (check NCL's policy — they allow small quantities of personal alcohol at embarkation on some sailings), or budget $30–$50 cash/card for island drinks.
Budget, Mid-Range, and Splurge: 7-Day NCL Drink Costs
| Traveler Type | Strategy | Est. 7-Day Drink Cost (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Beer + water only, à la carte, 3 drinks/day | ~$250–$320 |
| Mid-Range | More at Sea bundle service charge | ~$105–$140 |
| Splurge | Standalone Premium Package pre-cruise | ~$693–$826 |
| Worst Case | Standalone bought onboard, cocktails + wine | ~$875–$1,000+ |
The mid-range number being lower than budget isn't a typo — it's why the More at Sea bundle is genuinely one of the better drink package deals in the industry when priced at service-charge-only rates. The catch is you have to book during a promo window.
Want to know exactly how much your specific NCL sailing will cost before you commit to a package? Run your numbers with CruiseMutiny — it factors in your itinerary, sea days, port stops, and whether the More at Sea bundle math actually works for your drinking habits. No spin, just numbers.