When I stepped on board my first Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship, I was excited for the adventure—and of course, to enjoy a few drinks while soaking up the sun!
But as I soon discovered, those beers, cocktails, and sodas can quickly add up if you’re paying per drink. That’s where NCL’s drinks packages come into play.
I’ve cruised with NCL a few times, and I’ve learned that picking the right drink package (or deciding whether to get one at all) can make a big difference to your onboard experience and your wallet.
In this guide, I’ll break down the drink options, pricing, and whether it’s worth it, so you can cruise stress-free.
NCL Cruise Drinks Package Calculator
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Simply enter the drinks you usually have on a typical day, and it’ll show you in seconds which package gives you the best value.
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NCL Drink Packages at a Glance
Here’s a simple table to show what NCL offers in 2025:
| Package | What’s Included | Price (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| More at Sea Premium Beverage | Beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, sodas, juices (no bottled water or Starbucks) | Included with More at Sea fare |
| More at Sea (Pride of America) | Same as Premium + specialty coffee at dinner, bottled water, ultra-premium spirits | Included with More at Sea fare + 20% gratuity ($21.80/day) |
| Unlimited Soda Package | Unlimited fountain sodas | $12.50 + 20% service charge = ~$15/day |
| Unlimited Starbucks Package | All Starbucks coffees and teas served on board | $16.50 + 20% service charge = ~$19.80/day |
My Experience With NCL’s Drink Packages
Here’s the thing — NCL doesn’t really sell their drinks package separately anymore. Instead, they’ve rolled it into their More at Sea fare.
That’s actually a good thing! When I booked my cruise, I found that I got the drinks package, Wi-Fi, some specialty dining, and shore excursion credit — all bundled together for much less than the drinks package alone used to cost.
👉 Tip: If you want the drinks package, book the More at Sea fare. It works out better than trying to pay for drinks individually.
What’s in the More at Sea Premium Beverage Package?
When you go for the More at Sea package (which I recommend if you like to enjoy drinks freely on your cruise), here’s what you can sip:
- 🥂 Cocktails: 100+ types, from fruity daiquiris to martinis
- 🍺 Beers & ciders: Bottled and draught options
- 🍷 Wines by the glass: Over 20 varieties
- 🍸 Spirits: Vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, brandy (multiple brands for each)
- 🍹 Liqueurs & cordials: 20+ types
- 🥤 Sodas, tonics, juices: Lots of choice
But here’s what’s not included:
- Super-premium brands
- Bottled water (you have to buy separately unless on Pride of America with Premium Plus)
- Starbucks or Lavazza coffee
- Mini bar and room service drinks
- Bottles of wine (except dinner wines on Pride of America)
- Tastings or flights
I’ll admit — I was a bit surprised bottled water wasn’t included, so I made sure to budget for that separately!
On my Norwegian Cruise Line trips, I noticed not everyone wants alcoholic drinks every day. Some people (like a few of my travel buddies) are happy with sodas, mocktails, or a great cup of coffee.
That’s where NCL’s non-alcoholic packages come in—and it’s worth knowing what’s included so you don’t pay more than you need to.
NCL Unlimited Soda Package
If you (or your kids) love a refreshing soda on a hot cruise day, NCL’s Unlimited Soda Package could be a good fit. Here’s what you get:
- Unlimited Pepsi & Diet Pepsi
- Sierra Mist
- Mountain Dew
- Ginger Ale
- Tonic water
- Club soda
💲 Price: $12.50 per person per day + 20% service charge = about $15 per day
👉 I got this for my nephew when we cruised together — he definitely made the most of it!
NCL Unlimited Starbucks Package
This one’s for the coffee lovers (I treated myself to it once because I can’t resist a proper latte at sea):
- All classic teas and coffees
- All specialty Starbucks drinks are made at the onboard Starbucks
💲 Price: $16.50 per person per day + 20% service charge = about $19.80 per day
⚠️ Snacks at Starbucks aren’t included — just the drinks.
How Much Are Drinks Without a Package?
I always like to check what I’d pay if I just bought drinks individually — and honestly, it adds up faster than I expected! Here’s a quick table of typical prices:
| Drink Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Cocktail | $11 – $14 |
| Glass of wine | $9 – $10 |
| Pint of beer | $9 |
| Bottle of beer | $6 – $7 |
| Liquor (per shot) | $10 – $17 |
| Soft drink (fountain) | $3.50 |
| Energy drink | $6.50 |
| Coffee (regular) | $3 – $4 |
| Large bottled water | $6 |
👉 Even on days when I wasn’t trying to drink much, just a beer, a glass of wine, and a soda or two could push me close to $30!
Is It Worth It?
✅ Soda drinkers: If you drink 4 or more sodas per day, the Unlimited Soda Package is probably worth it.
✅ Starbucks fans: Two or more lattes a day, and the Starbucks package pays for itself.
✅ Alcohol drinkers: I found the More at Sea fare with Premium Beverage included a no-brainer. The cost is less than what I’d spend buying drinks individually.
A Little Tip From Me
If you’re cruising with friends or family and one of you gets a drinks package, NCL requires all adults in the same cabin to have the same package.
So no sharing or “one drinks, one doesn’t” situations. And kids must have the soda package if adults have the Premium Beverage package.
What Drinks Are Free on NCL?
When I cruised with NCL, I appreciated knowing where I could grab a free drink without needing any package. Here’s what you can always get at no charge:
- Water (tap water by the glass — totally safe to drink)
- Tea and coffee (in the buffet and dining rooms)
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Flavored water
- Fruit juices at breakfast (orange, apple, etc.)
👉 Note: These are only free in restaurants or buffets — not at bars!
Where Can You Use the Drinks Package?
Your NCL drinks package (like the Premium Beverage Package from More at Sea) can be used:
✅ All bars and lounges
✅ Main dining rooms and buffets
✅ Specialty restaurants
✅ On Great Stirrup Cay (NCL’s private island)
❌ Harvest Caye (NCL’s Belize private island) — drink packages don’t apply
❌ Mini bar, room service drinks, wine dispensers, vending machines
💡 I loved that I could grab a drink at the pool or take one into the hot tub as long as it was in a plastic glass!
Can You Bring Your Own Drinks?
Here’s the deal:
🚫 No outside alcohol is allowed, except for:
- Unlimited bottles of wine (but you’ll pay a $15 corkage fee per bottle)
🚫 No soft drinks or water — unless needed for medical reasons (in which case, bring documentation).
👉 On my cruise, I saw people try to sneak stuff in and get it taken away — not worth it!
Drinking Age Rules
NCL follows U.S. drinking laws unless in international waters:
- 21+ to drink alcohol on board (except…)
- 18–20 can drink beer/wine in international waters IF a parent/legal guardian signs a waiver at Guest Services
- On Pride of America, the drinking age is always 21 — no exceptions
On my Mediterranean cruise, NCL still stuck to these rules even though local drinking ages were lower.
Final Tips From My Experience
✨ More at Sea = best deal if you plan to enjoy alcoholic drinks. The price is better than buying drinks individually or trying to get a separate package.
✨ Do the math: If you don’t drink much, skip More at Sea. Paying as you go for sodas, coffee, or the occasional cocktail could save you money.
✨ Buy before you cruise: Soda/Starbucks packages are cheaper if you pre-purchase — you’ll avoid the extra 20% service charge that applies at checkout onboard.
✨ Keep an eye on Happy Hour: NCL often has buy-one-get-one or 50% off drink specials at certain times. Worth checking the daily schedule!
NCL Drinks Packages Comparison Table
| Package Name | What’s Included | Where You Can Use It | Daily Cost (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| More at Sea Premium Beverage (Open Bar) | Cocktails, beer, cider, wine by glass, spirits, soft drinks, juices | Great for kids/non-drinkers | All bars, lounges, dining rooms, buffet, specialty restaurants, and Great Stirrup Cay | No bottled water, no minibar, no Starbucks, no room service drinks |
| More at Sea Premium (Pride of America) | Same as above + bottled water, ultra-premium spirits, specialty coffee at dining | Same as above | $21.80/day gratuity (package included) | Still have to pay 20% service charge daily |
| Unlimited Soda Package | Unlimited fountain sodas | All bars, restaurants | $15 (after 20% service) | Great for kids / non-drinkers |
| Unlimited Starbucks Package | Starbucks classic/specialty coffees, teas | Starbucks onboard | $19.80 (after 20% service) | No snacks included |
| No Package / Free Drinks | Tap water, tea, regular coffee, iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice (breakfast) | Buffet, dining rooms | Free | Not available at bars |
Example Daily Drink Cost (Without a Package)
Here’s a quick calculator-style example I worked out for my cruise:
| Drink | Qty | Price Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocktail | 2 | $13 | $26 |
| Beer | 1 | $9 | $9 |
| Soda | 2 | $3.50 | $7 |
| Coffee | 1 | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| Daily Total | $45.50 |
👉 More at Sea would’ve been better for me, because I got the drinks plus dining, WiFi, and shore credits for about the same daily price!
If doing all the math sounds like a headache, my drinks package calculator makes it easy to figure out if an NCL cruise drinks package will actually save you money.
Just enter how many drinks you expect to enjoy each day, and you’ll see whether a package or paying as-you-go is the better deal. Get instant access for free below!
Final Thoughts
✅ More at Sea makes sense if you drink alcohol, because it bundles drinks, dining, WiFi, and excursions at a better rate than individual packages.
✅ If you only want soda or coffee, pay as you go — you’ll likely spend less unless you drink a LOT.
✅ Always pre-purchase soda or Starbucks packages — the 20% service charge hits hard if you wait!
