How Much Does Alcohol Cost on Norwegian Cruise Line Revealed

Alcohol prices on Norwegian Cruise Line are surprisingly competitive, with drinks starting at just $6 for beer and $9 for cocktails—especially when purchased via drink packages that can save guests up to 30%. Premium spirits and wine by the glass range from $10–$18, but savvy cruisers can maximize value with the Ultimate Beverage Package, ideal for frequent drinkers. Planning ahead pays off: pre-cruise package purchases offer better rates than onboard upgrades.

Key Takeaways

• Alcohol prices vary by drink type and cruise destination.
• Drink packages save money for frequent drinkers—compare options first.
• Happy hour deals offer discounted drinks at select bars daily.
• Premium brands cost more; opt for house labels to save cash.
• Non-alcoholic options are cheaper and often included in packages.
• Check for promotions like free drink credits during booking.

How Much Does Alcohol Cost on Norwegian Cruise Line Revealed

Imagine this: You’ve just boarded the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship, the sun is setting, and the ocean breeze is gently tousling your hair. You head to the deck bar, ready to order your favorite cocktail, only to hesitate when you realize you’re not sure if your budget can handle the tab at the end of the week. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. For many cruisers, the cost of alcohol on Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the biggest financial unknowns—second only to how much they’ll spend on souvenirs and excursions. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a beer lover, or just enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, knowing what you’re getting into financially can make or break your cruise experience.

As someone who’s sailed with NCL multiple times—once on a budget, another time splurging on the ultimate package—I’ve learned the ins and outs of their pricing, packages, and sneaky little extras that can add up fast. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about alcohol costs on Norwegian Cruise Line, from aperitifs to after-dinner drinks. We’ll cover drink prices a la carte, the value (or lack thereof) of beverage packages, how to save money, and what to expect on different ships and itineraries. By the end, you’ll be able to plan your drinking budget with confidence—and maybe even enjoy that second mojito without guilt.

Understanding Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alcohol Pricing Structure

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to alcohol. Instead, they use a dynamic pricing model that varies based on the ship, destination, time of year, and even the specific bar or restaurant you’re at. This means that a beer in the main dining room might cost less than the same beer at a specialty bar on the pool deck. It’s not always intuitive, but once you understand the system, you can make smarter choices.

Base Prices for Common Drinks (A La Carte)

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re paying per drink—without a package—here’s what you can generally expect in USD. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate slightly depending on the ship and region, but these are solid ballpark figures based on 2023–2024 data:

• Domestic beer (bottle or draft): $6.50–$8.50
• Imported beer (e.g., Heineken, Stella Artois): $7.50–$9.50
• Well drinks (vodka, rum, gin, etc.): $9–$11
• Premium cocktails (margaritas, mojitos, martinis): $12–$15
• Specialty cocktails (e.g., frozen drinks, themed drinks): $14–$18
• Glass of house wine (red or white): $11–$14
• Glass of premium wine (e.g., Pinot Noir, Cabernet): $15–$20+
• Bottle of wine (house): $38–$50
• Bottle of wine (premium): $60–$100+

On longer cruises (7+ nights), I’ve noticed a slight price creep—especially during peak seasons like summer or holidays. For example, on a 10-night Caribbean cruise, the price of a mojito jumped from $13.50 to $15.50 in the second week. It’s subtle, but it adds up if you’re drinking daily.

Regional and Themed Bar Pricing

NCL ships often feature specialty bars like the Spice H2O (adults-only pool bar), The Cellars (wine bar), or Bar 21 (sports bar). These venues often charge more for the same drinks. For instance:

• A mojito at the pool bar might be $15, but only $12 at the main lounge.
• A glass of Champagne at The Cellars could be $18, while the same brand at the main bar is $14.
• Themed bars during events (e.g., “Tropical Night” or “Martini Madness”) may offer limited-time drinks at $16–$20, often with souvenir glasses.

Tip: If you’re on a tight budget, stick to the main dining room, main lounge, or buffet bar for drinks. These tend to have the most consistent and lowest prices.

Service Charges and Tips

Here’s a common surprise: NCL automatically adds a 15% service charge to all drink purchases, whether you order at the bar or have a drink brought to your table. This isn’t a tip you can skip—it’s built into the price. So that $12 mojito? It’s actually $13.80 after the fee. Over a week, with 5 drinks a day, that’s an extra $49 in service charges alone. Ouch.

You can still leave an additional tip if you want, but the automatic charge is non-negotiable. Some guests find this frustrating, but it’s standard across most cruise lines.

Beverage Packages: Are They Worth the Cost?

If you plan to drink more than a couple of drinks per day, NCL’s beverage packages can save you money—or cost you more, depending on your habits. Let’s break down the options and when they make sense.

The Ultimate Beverage Package (UBP)

This is the most popular and comprehensive option. As of 2024, the Ultimate Beverage Package (UBP) costs:

• 7-night cruise: $89–$99 per person, per day
• 4- to 6-night cruise: $99–$109 per person, per day
• 3-night cruise: $109–$119 per person, per day

What’s included?

• All drinks up to $15 in value (including cocktails, beer, wine, soda, bottled water, specialty coffees)
• No service charges on drinks covered by the package
• Access to premium brands (e.g., Grey Goose, Patron, Johnnie Walker Black)
• One bottle of wine per day (if you want)

Is it worth it? Let’s do the math. If you’re on a 7-night cruise and drink:

• 3 cocktails per day at $14 = $294
• 2 glasses of wine at $12 = $168
• 1 beer at $8 = $56
• Total: $518
• With UBP at $99/day: $693

Wait—that’s more than paying a la carte! But remember: the UBP includes no service charges, which would add $77.70 (15% of $518) to your tab. So your actual a la carte total is $595.70. The UBP is now $97.30 more—but you’re getting premium brands, no surprise fees, and the freedom to order without checking prices.

For heavy drinkers (4+ drinks/day), the UBP is usually a clear win. For moderate drinkers (2–3 drinks/day), it depends on your preferences. If you mostly drink beer and wine, it might not be worth it. But if you love cocktails and premium spirits, go for it.

The Premium Plus Beverage Package

This is a newer, slightly cheaper option. Priced at $69–$79 per person, per day, it includes:

• All drinks up to $12 in value
• No service charges
• Access to most premium brands (but not ultra-premium like Dom Pérignon or Macallan)
• No daily wine bottle

This is a good middle ground. If your average drink is under $12, this package could save you 20–30% compared to a la carte. But if you’re ordering $15 cocktails regularly, you’ll hit the limit quickly and have to pay out of pocket.

Other Packages and Add-Ons

• Non-Alcoholic Package: $25–$35/day. Includes soda, bottled water, juice, and specialty coffees. Great for kids or non-drinkers.
• Wine Package: $20–$30/day. 3–5 glasses of wine per day, depending on the cruise length. Only worth it if you drink wine daily.
• Beer Package: $18–$22/day. 5–7 beers per day. A solid deal for beer lovers.

Pro tip: If you’re traveling with a group, check if NCL offers a “buy one, get one 50% off” deal on beverage packages. I scored this on a family cruise and saved over $200 for two of us.

How to Save Money on Alcohol (Without Sacrificing Fun)

You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a drink on your cruise. With a few smart strategies, you can sip in style without breaking the bank.

1. Bring Your Own Wine (With Caution)

NCL allows you to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person, per cruise—but only to consume in your stateroom. You can’t take it to restaurants or bars. If you do, you’ll be charged a $15–$25 corkage fee per bottle. Still, this is a great way to enjoy your favorite vintage at dinner in your room. Just don’t overpack—security checks your bags at embarkation.

2. Attend Free Drink Events

NCL hosts daily events like:

• Happy Hour: 5–7 PM, often with $5–$7 cocktails or 2-for-1 deals
• Captain’s Reception: Free champagne or sparkling wine for all guests
• Wine Tastings: Free 30-minute sessions with 2–3 small pours
• Martini Flights: $15 for 3 mini martinis—cheaper than buying three full drinks

Check the daily schedule (delivered to your stateroom each evening) and plan your day around these. I once scored a free rum tasting at the Havana Bar—ended up buying a bottle, but the experience was worth it.

3. Use the Buffet and Main Dining Room

The buffet and main dining rooms offer free water, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee. You can also order wine, beer, and cocktails here—but prices are often 10–15% lower than at specialty bars. Plus, the servers are usually more generous with pours.

4. Buy a Drink at the Start of the Cruise

If you buy a drink package before boarding (online or during the booking process), you’ll often get a 10–20% discount. I saved $120 on my UBP by booking it 6 months in advance. Also, NCL sometimes offers “early bird” packages with extra perks (e.g., free specialty coffee for a day).

5. Share Drinks (When Appropriate)

Some cocktails—like frozen drinks or large sangria pitchers—are big enough for two. Sharing saves money and reduces waste. Just be mindful of your travel companions’ preferences!

Alcohol Costs on Different NCL Ships and Itineraries

Not all NCL ships are created equal. Newer ships (like the Norwegian Encore or Norwegian Prima) tend to have more bars, better drink options, and slightly higher prices. Older ships (like Norwegian Sun) may have fewer choices and lower prices.

Ship-Specific Pricing Differences

• Norwegian Encore (newer, 4,000+ passengers): Premium cocktails $14–$18, UBP $99/day
• Norwegian Jewel (mid-size, 2,400 passengers): Premium cocktails $12–$15, UBP $89/day
• Norwegian Sun (older, 2,000 passengers): Premium cocktails $10–$14, UBP $85/day

Why the difference? Newer ships have more specialty bars (e.g., The District Brew House on Encore), which drives up average prices. Also, newer ships are often on more premium itineraries (e.g., Alaska, Europe), where demand allows for higher prices.

Itinerary-Based Pricing

Your cruise destination can also affect alcohol costs:

• Caribbean cruises: Slightly lower prices, more 2-for-1 happy hour deals
• Alaska cruises: Higher prices (due to remote ports), fewer discounts
• Europe cruises: Prices vary by port; some countries (e.g., Norway) have high taxes, so drinks cost more
• Hawaii cruises: Prices similar to Alaska—expect $1–$2 more per drink than in the Caribbean

On a 12-night Alaska cruise, I noticed that a $13 mojito on the first day became $15 by the end. The ship was restocking in remote ports, and costs went up.

Specialty Restaurants and Bars

At venues like Cagney’s Steakhouse or Le Bistro, drink prices are 20–30% higher than in the main dining room. A $12 glass of wine at the main restaurant might be $16 at a specialty venue. But the ambiance and food quality often justify the cost—just know what you’re getting into.

Data Table: Alcohol Pricing Comparison (2024)

Drink Type	Average Price (A La Carte)	UBP Coverage (Up to $15)	PP+ Coverage (Up to $12)	Best Value Option
Domestic Beer	$7.50	Yes	Yes	PP+ or UBP
Imported Beer	$8.50	Yes	Yes	PP+ or UBP
Well Drink	$10.00	Yes	Yes	PP+ or UBP
Premium Cocktail	$13.50	Yes	Yes	UBP (better brand access)
Specialty Cocktail	$16.50	Yes	No (over limit)	UBP only
House Wine (Glass)	$12.50	Yes	Yes	PP+ or UBP
Premium Wine (Glass)	$17.00	Yes	No (over limit)	UBP only
Bottle of Wine (House)	$45.00	Yes (one per day)	No	UBP (with daily bottle)

Final Thoughts: Plan, Sip, and Enjoy

So, how much does alcohol cost on Norwegian Cruise Line? The short answer: it depends. But with the right strategy, you can enjoy great drinks without draining your wallet. The cost of alcohol on Norwegian Cruise Line ranges from $6.50 for a beer to $20+ for a premium cocktail, with beverage packages starting at $69/day and topping out at $119/day.

Here’s my final advice: Be honest with yourself about your drinking habits. If you’re a casual drinker, stick to a la carte and take advantage of free events. If you’re a cocktail lover, the UBP is likely worth it. And if you’re somewhere in between, the Premium Plus package offers a nice balance.

Don’t forget the little things: bring your own wine, attend happy hours, and check the daily schedule. And remember—cruising is about relaxation, not stressing over every dollar. A drink in hand, the ocean in view, and good company? That’s priceless.

Now go forth, order that mojito, and cheers to a fantastic cruise!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does alcohol cost on Norwegian Cruise Line?

On Norwegian Cruise Line, individual drinks like beer and cocktails typically range from $8–$15, while premium options (e.g., top-shelf liquor, wine bottles) can cost $12–$30+. Pricing varies by bar and itinerary.

Is there an unlimited alcohol package on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Yes, Norwegian offers the Premium Plus Beverage Package ($129–$149 per person, per day), which includes unlimited cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits. A cheaper Premium Package ($99/day) covers most drinks under $15.

Does Norwegian Cruise Line charge gratuity for alcohol?

Yes, a 20% gratuity is automatically added to all drink purchases, including alcohol packages. This is standard across Norwegian Cruise Line’s bars and restaurants.

Are there any free alcoholic drinks on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Free alcohol is limited but available during select events (e.g., drink tastings, loyalty perks for past guests). Most onboard venues require payment or a beverage package.

How much do wine bottles cost on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Wine by the bottle ranges from $30–$100+ in restaurants, with a 15–20% corkage fee if you bring your own. Wine packages (pre-purchased) often offer better value.

Can I bring my own alcohol on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian allows one bottle of wine or champagne per guest (max 750ml) at embarkation, but corkage fees apply onboard. All other alcohol is confiscated and returned at the cruise end.