Norwegian's unlimited open bar (included in Free at Sea promos) runs $109–$129/person/day in standalone cost, while Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package costs $89–$109/person/day — but Norwegian often bundles it 'free,' making NCL the better deal if you drink regularly.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
You're going to spend real money on drinks either way — the question is which cruise line lets you spend less of it. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean both have premium drink packages, but the pricing structures, what's included, and how you access them are completely different. Get this wrong and you could overpay by $400+ per person on a 7-night cruise.
The Core Numbers: What Each Package Actually Costs
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is the one you want — it covers cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks up to $15 per drink. Norwegian's equivalent is the Premium Plus Beverage Package, which covers drinks up to $20 per drink and includes a wider selection of premium spirits and wines.
| Package | Line | Retail Price/Person/Day | Per-Drink Limit | Gratuity Included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Beverage Package | Royal Caribbean | $89–$109 | $15 | No (+18%) |
| Classic Beverage Package | Royal Caribbean | $65–$79 | $13 | No (+18%) |
| Premium Beverage Package | Norwegian | $99–$119 | $15 | No (+20%) |
| Premium Plus Beverage Package | Norwegian | $109–$129 | $20 | No (+20%) |
| Free at Sea Promo (Open Bar) | Norwegian | "Free" (bundled) | $15 | No (+20%) |
Important: Both lines tack on an automatic gratuity — 18% at Royal Caribbean, 20% at Norwegian. On a $99/day package at Norwegian, that's an extra $19.80/day per person. Over 7 nights for two people, gratuities alone add $277. Never ignore this number.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Real Cost
1. Norwegian's Free at Sea Changes Everything NCL regularly runs its Free at Sea promotion, which bundles a beverage package as one of your free perks. The catch: you still pay the gratuity — currently around $20/person/day, so roughly $280 for two people on a 7-night sailing. That's dramatically cheaper than paying full retail, but it's not actually free.
2. Royal Caribbean Sales Hit Hard Royal Caribbean discounts its Deluxe Beverage Package aggressively — sometimes 30–40% off during Black Friday or wave season sales. I've seen it drop to $62/person/day. If you're flexible on timing, waiting for a sale on Royal Caribbean can beat Norwegian's bundled deal on pure dollars.
3. Per-Drink Limits Matter If You Drink Premium Norwegian's standard Free at Sea open bar caps at $15/drink. Premium Plus bumps that to $20. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe also caps at $15. If you're ordering Clase Azul tequila or aged Scotch, you'll pay the overage out of pocket regardless of which line you're on. Know your drink order before you commit.
4. Sharing Is Prohibited (And Enforced) Both lines require every adult in a cabin to purchase the same package. You cannot buy for one person and share. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian both enforce this strictly — don't try to game it.
5. Specialty Coffee and Bottled Water Royal Caribbean's Deluxe package includes specialty coffee drinks and bottled water. Norwegian's standard Free at Sea open bar does not include specialty coffees — you'd need to upgrade to Premium Plus. Small detail, big annoyance if you're a coffee drinker.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money on Either Line
- Book Norwegian during Free at Sea promotions — you'll pay gratuity only (~$20/day/person) versus full retail. This is almost always the cheapest path to unlimited drinks on either line.
- Watch Royal Caribbean's sale calendar — the Deluxe Beverage Package goes on sale multiple times per year. Set a price alert and pounce when it drops below $70/day.
- Pre-purchase, never buy onboard — both lines charge 20–30% more if you wait until embarkation. Buy before you sail, always.
- Do the break-even math — Royal Caribbean's Deluxe at $89/day (plus 18% gratuity = $105/day) means you need to drink roughly 6–7 cocktails per day to break even at $15/drink. If that's not you, the package isn't worth it.
- Consider the Refreshment Package — if you're a light drinker or mixing alcohol and non-alcohol days, Royal Caribbean's non-alcoholic package runs $28–$35/person/day and covers mocktails, specialty coffees, sodas, and juices. Norwegian has a similar option around $30/day.
- Use CruiseHub to compare sailings — sometimes the same itinerary on NCL is $200 cheaper before drink packages are even considered, which shifts the math entirely. Check current deals at CruiseHub.
Which Line Wins for Which Traveler?
| Traveler Type | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy drinker, any budget | Norwegian (Free at Sea) | Pay gratuity only vs. full retail |
| Premium spirits drinker | Norwegian Premium Plus | $20/drink limit vs. $15 |
| Occasional drinker (3–4 drinks/day) | Royal Caribbean on sale | Package math may not work at NCL prices |
| Coffee + cocktails combo | Royal Caribbean Deluxe | Specialty coffee included |
| Budget cruiser, no promo available | Royal Caribbean Classic | Lowest entry price at $65/day |
| Flexible booking window | Royal Caribbean | Deep sale discounts reward patience |
The honest verdict: Norwegian wins on value when Free at Sea is available, full stop. You're paying ~$20/day in gratuity versus $89–$109/day retail on Royal Caribbean. But if NCL isn't running a promo when you're booking, or if Royal Caribbean has a 35%-off sale on their package, the math flips. Run your specific numbers before you commit.
Use CruiseMutiny to model the exact drink package cost for your sailing — plug in your cruise length, number of adults, and drinking habits and it'll tell you whether buying the package or paying per drink actually saves you money.