Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian on Norwegian Cruise Line costs $49–$59 per person for the cover charge, with additional à la carte charges for premium items like lobster and seafood towers that can push your total bill to $80–$120+ per person.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian is one of Norwegian's most impressive specialty restaurants — and one of the easiest places to accidentally spend way more than you planned. That cover charge looks reasonable until the seafood upgrades start landing on your bill.
What Ocean Blue Actually Costs: The Real Numbers
Norwegian charges a cover charge (service charge/cover fee) to dine at Ocean Blue, which gets you access to the standard menu. But the menu itself has additional à la carte upcharges for premium seafood items. Here's how it breaks down in 2025–2026:
| Expense | Cost (Per Person) |
|---|---|
| Cover charge (base entry) | $49–$59 |
| Lobster tail (upcharge) | $15–$25 |
| Seafood tower (shared, split 2 ways) | $20–$35 per person |
| Specialty cocktails | $12–$18 each |
| Wine by the glass | $12–$20 |
| Total (light diner, no upgrades) | ~$49–$59 |
| Total (moderate — one premium item + drinks) | ~$80–$100 |
| Total (full splurge — tower, lobster, wine) | $120–$160+ |
Important: If you have the Norwegian Free at Sea dining package or a specialty dining bundle, the cover charge is typically included — but premium à la carte upcharges still apply and are not covered by the package.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive Your Ocean Blue Bill Higher
1. The À La Carte Upcharge Trap Ocean Blue's menu is structured so the cover charge sounds fair, then premium proteins hit you separately. The seafood tower is the biggest culprit — visually stunning, genuinely worth sharing, but it adds real money fast.
2. Your Beverage Package Status If you're sailing with Norwegian's Unlimited Open Bar package (typically $109–$139/person/day as an add-on, or included via Free at Sea), cocktails and wine are covered. Without it, a couple sharing a bottle of wine adds $45–$75 to the night instantly.
3. Ship and Itinerary Ocean Blue appears on Norwegian's larger ships — including Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Encore. Pricing is consistent across ships, but availability varies. On shorter 3–4 night Bahamas runs, cover charges sometimes land at the lower $49 end.
4. Specialty Dining Packages Norwegian sells dining packages (typically 2, 3, or 5-restaurant bundles) that can bring the effective per-restaurant cost down to $30–$40 per person if Ocean Blue is one of your choices. These are almost always worth buying if you plan to hit 2+ specialty restaurants.
| Dining Option | Effective Cost Per Person at Ocean Blue |
|---|---|
| Pay à la carte (no package) | $49–$59 cover + upcharges |
| 2-restaurant specialty package | ~$35–$40 effective per restaurant |
| 3-restaurant specialty package | ~$30–$35 effective per restaurant |
| Free at Sea dining credit (1 restaurant) | Cover charge waived; upcharges apply |
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Get the Most Value at Ocean Blue
Book the specialty dining package before you sail. Norwegian's pre-cruise package prices are consistently cheaper than onboard prices. A 3-restaurant package purchased online typically runs $99–$129 per person — versus paying $49–$59 per restaurant cover charge separately onboard.
Skip the tower if you're on a budget. The seafood tower is the showstopper item but it's also where the bill jumps. The standard menu — crab cakes, fish dishes, solid apps — is genuinely good on its own and the cover charge already gets you there.
Use Free at Sea wisely. If your fare includes a Free at Sea specialty dining credit, Ocean Blue is one of the best restaurants to apply it to. Just go in knowing the lobster upcharge and premium items aren't covered — don't be surprised at checkout.
Dine earlier in the sailing. Ocean Blue books up fast, especially on 7-night Caribbean sailings. Reserve online before departure — it's free to reserve, you only pay at the restaurant.
Pair with the beverage package. If you're already drinking regularly on the ship, the Unlimited Open Bar package makes the Ocean Blue experience substantially cheaper per-visit since wine and cocktails are covered.
Is Ocean Blue Worth the Price?
For a specialty seafood restaurant at sea, Ocean Blue punches well above typical cruise dining. Geoffrey Zakarian's influence shows in the sourcing and preparation — this isn't reheated buffet fish. For comparison:
| Restaurant Type | Cost Comparison |
|---|---|
| Norwegian main dining room | Included in fare |
| Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian | $49–$59+ per person |
| Cagney's Steakhouse (Norwegian) | $39–$49 per person |
| Le Bistro (Norwegian French) | $39–$49 per person |
| Land-based seafood restaurant equivalent | $70–$120+ per person |
At $49–$59 before upgrades, you're paying roughly half of what a comparable shoreside seafood restaurant charges. If you're a seafood lover, it's one of Norwegian's strongest specialty dining values — as long as you go in with eyes open about the à la carte upcharges.
Want to see how Ocean Blue fits into your total Norwegian cruise budget? Run your full trip cost through CruiseMutiny — it factors in specialty dining, drink packages, excursions, and gratuities so you know exactly what you're signing up for before you sail.