Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar package (the Premium Beverage Package) costs $109–$139 per person, per day when purchased onboard, but drops to $79–$99/person/day when booked in advance online — and it's often included free through NCL's Free at Sea promotion.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian's drink package pricing looks like a bargain on the surface — until you read the fine print. The "free" beverage package that comes with Free at Sea still carries a mandatory daily gratuity charge of around $20.40/person/day, and if you're buying it outright, the price swings wildly depending on when and how you book.
What Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar Package Actually Costs
NCL calls their flagship drink package the Premium Beverage Package. It covers spirits, cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages up to a $15 retail value per drink (anything pricier, you pay the difference). Here's what you'll actually pay in 2025–2026:
| Purchase Method | Cost Per Person/Day | 7-Night Cruise (2 people) Total |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-cruise online (early booking) | $79–$89/person/day | $1,106–$1,246 |
| Pre-cruise online (closer to sailing) | $89–$99/person/day | $1,246–$1,386 |
| Purchased onboard | $109–$139/person/day | $1,526–$1,946 |
| Free at Sea ("free" inclusion) | $0 upfront + ~$20.40/day gratuity | ~$285 gratuity total |
| Free at Sea gratuity only (7 nights, 2 people) | — | ~$571 in gratuities |
Bottom line: Even the "free" package costs a real $571 in mandatory gratuities for two people on a 7-night cruise. That's not free — it's just pre-tipped.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Price
1. Free at Sea vs. Buying Outright NCL's Free at Sea promotion is the most common way cruisers get the beverage package. You choose it as one of your free perks, but Norwegian adds $20.40/person/day in gratuities automatically to your booking. You cannot opt out. Do the math before assuming it's the better deal.
2. The $15 Drink Cap The Premium Beverage Package covers drinks up to $15 retail price. Most cocktails, wines by the glass, and domestic/import beers fall under this. Premium spirits and high-end wines often don't. If your drink of choice is a Clase Azul margarita, expect to pay the difference every single round.
3. Everyone in the Cabin Must Buy It This is the rule that kills the math for moderate drinkers. If one person in your cabin wants the package, both adults must purchase it. There are no exceptions. A non-drinker forced into the package at $89/day is pure profit for NCL.
4. Timing Is Everything NCL prices the beverage package dynamically. The same package on the same sailing can be $20–$40/day cheaper if you book it 60–90 days before departure versus the week before. Buying onboard is almost always the most expensive option — sometimes 40–50% more than the pre-cruise price.
5. Specialty Coffee and Fresh-Squeezed Juice These are not included in the standard Premium Beverage Package. Specialty coffees (Starbucks-style drinks) require a separate Coffee Card or are pay-as-you-go. Budget an extra $5–$8/drink if you're a latte drinker.
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line
How to Get the Best Value on NCL's Open Bar Package
Do the drink-count math first. The package pays off if you drink roughly 5–7 alcoholic drinks per day. Cocktails run $13–$16 onboard; beers $7–$9. If you're realistically having 3–4 drinks and some sparkling water, you're probably better off paying as you go.
Book the package pre-cruise, not onboard. Log into MyNCL as soon as your booking is confirmed. Package prices are almost always lower online than at the ship's bar. Set a calendar reminder to check for flash sales, which NCL runs regularly.
Compare Free at Sea math carefully. If you're choosing between Free at Sea perks, run the numbers. Sometimes taking the specialty dining package or shore excursion credit instead of the beverage package — and paying cash for drinks — saves money for light-to-moderate drinkers.
Check for promotional pricing windows. NCL frequently runs sales (especially Black Friday, Wave Season in January–March, and summer promotions) where the beverage package can be bundled for as low as $69–$79/person/day pre-cruise.
Stick to the $15 cap. Know your favorite drinks' menu prices before you order. Ask your bartender upfront if something is over the limit. Small choices add up fast when you're cruising for 7–10 nights.
Is the Norwegian Premium Beverage Package Worth It?
| Traveler Type | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy drinker (6+ drinks/day) | Buy the package | Pays off quickly; simplifies onboard spending |
| Moderate drinker (3–4 drinks/day) | Pay as you go | Package math rarely works out |
| Non-drinker / light drinker | Skip it entirely | Even "free" via Free at Sea costs ~$143/person in gratuities for 7 nights |
| Wine-focused cruiser | Check wine package alternatives | NCL's Wine Package (bottles) may offer better value |
| Party cabin (2 heavy drinkers) | Pre-book online early | Lock in lowest rate; both required to buy anyway |
The package makes genuine sense for travelers who drink consistently throughout the day — poolside drinks, lunch cocktails, dinner wine, after-dinner cocktails. If that's your vacation style, locking in $79–$89/day pre-cruise is a legitimate value. If you're a one-drink-at-dinner type, Norwegian is extracting premium revenue from you.
Use CruiseMutiny to calculate exactly how many drinks you need per day to break even on the Norwegian beverage package — and whether Free at Sea is actually saving you money on your specific sailing.