Is the Drink Package Worth It on Norwegian Cruise Line A Full Breakdown

The Norwegian Cruise Line drink package can be worth it—but only if you drink enough to offset the high upfront cost. With prices averaging $99+ per day, it makes sense for heavy drinkers or those who enjoy premium cocktails, wine, and espresso drinks, but casual sippers may save more by paying à la carte. Factor in your drinking habits, itinerary, and available promotions to determine if the convenience and savings align with your cruise style.

Key Takeaways

• Calculate your daily drink cost to compare with package pricing for real savings.
• Premium drinks excluded — top-shelf liquors and bottles often cost extra.
• Use it or lose it — unused daily value doesn’t roll over to next day.
• Group travel? Check policies — all guests in cabin may need to buy it.
• Happy Hour & deals can reduce need for a package; plan strategically.
• Non-alcoholic options included — smoothies, soda, and coffee count toward value.

Is the Drink Package Worth It on Norwegian Cruise Line? A Full Breakdown

Imagine this: You’re on a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship, sunbathing by the pool, and the server walks by with a tray of colorful cocktails. You wave them over, only to remember you’re on the fence about buying the drink package. Do you order that piña colada and hope it’s worth it? Or do you stick to water and regret it by day two?

It’s a common dilemma. NCL’s drink packages promise convenience and savings, but are they truly worth the cost? As someone who’s sailed multiple NCL itineraries—from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean—I’ve tested these packages in real life. Some trips made me feel like I’d struck gold, while others left me wondering if I’d overpaid. In this post, I’ll walk you through the nitty-gritty details, share real-world scenarios, and help you decide whether the drink package is right for your cruise. No fluff, no sales pitch—just honest insights to help you make the best choice.

Understanding NCL’s Drink Package Options

What’s Included in the Premium Beverage Package (PBP)?

The Premium Beverage Package (PBP) is NCL’s most popular drink plan. It covers:

• All alcoholic beverages up to $15 per drink (beer, wine, cocktails, spirits).
• Non-alcoholic drinks like specialty coffees, smoothies, and bottled water.
• Most drinks at bars, lounges, and restaurants (exclusions apply).

Think of it as an all-you-can-drink pass for most things on the menu. But there’s a catch: drinks priced above $15 (like premium wines or top-shelf liquor) require an upgrade fee.

Other Packages: The Basics and the Budget-Friendly

NCL also offers a few alternatives:

• Non-Alcoholic Package: Covers sodas, juices, mocktails, and bottled water. Great for kids or teetotalers.
• Specialty Dining & Drink Package: Bundles meals at specialty restaurants with the PBP. Ideal for foodies.
• Free at Sea Perks: Sometimes, NCL includes the PBP as part of a promotion. Always check your booking details!

For example, on a recent 7-day cruise, I booked during a “Free at Sea” promo and scored the PBP for free. But on another trip, I paid $79 per day (plus 18% gratuity). The price difference alone can sway your decision.

What’s NOT Covered?

Don’t assume everything’s included. Here’s what’s excluded:

• Drinks over $15 (e.g., premium wines, champagne, or top-shelf liquor).
• Room service (though some ships allow package use for in-room drinks).
• Retail purchases (like bottles of wine from the onboard store).
• Mini-bar items in your stateroom.

One time, I ordered a $25 bottle of wine at dinner and had to pay the difference. It stung, but it’s a good reminder: read the fine print!

Cost vs. Value: Crunching the Numbers

Daily Pricing and Hidden Fees

The PBP typically costs $79–$109 per person, per day, depending on the cruise and booking window. But don’t forget the 18% gratuity (about $14–$19 extra per day). That means a 7-day cruise could cost:

• 7 days × $89/day = $623
• Plus 18% gratuity = $112.14
• Total: $735.14 per person

Ouch. But is it worth it? Let’s break it down.

When the Package Pays Off: The Math

To justify the PBP, you’d need to drink enough to cover the cost. Here’s a rough estimate:

• Average cocktail: $14
• Glass of wine: $12
• Beer: $8
• Specialty coffee: $6

Example: On a 7-day cruise, if you drink:

• 2 cocktails/day ($28)
• 1 glass of wine/day ($12)
• 1 specialty coffee/day ($6)
• Total daily value: $46

Over 7 days, that’s $322 in drinks. You’d need to drink twice as much to break even. But wait—there’s more to consider.

Real-World Scenarios: Who Benefits Most?

Your drinking habits matter. Here’s how different travelers fare:

• The Social Sipper: Drinks 3–4 cocktails/day at bars or poolside. Verdict: Worth it.
• The Wine Lover: Prefers a glass with dinner. Verdict: Maybe not. You’d need to drink 2+ glasses daily to justify the cost.
• The Budget Traveler: Sticks to beer or water. Verdict: Skip it. Pay-as-you-go is cheaper.
• The Family: Kids use the non-alcoholic package. Verdict: Mixed. Parents might save if they drink a lot, but kids’ soda costs are low.

Pro tip: If you’re a light drinker, try the pay-as-you-go approach. On my first NCL cruise, I spent about $200 total on drinks—half the PBP cost!

Hidden Perks and Perils of the Package

The Perks: Beyond Just Drinks

The PBP isn’t just about booze. It offers convenience and peace of mind:

• No bill shock: Order freely without worrying about the tab.
• Access to premium bars: Some lounges (like the Observation Lounge) offer elevated service for package holders.
• Specialty coffee: Skip the $6 lattes at the coffee bar.

I once used my package to order a $14 espresso martini at 10 a.m. (don’t judge). No guilt, no math—just enjoyment.

The Perils: When It Backfires

But there are downsides:

• Overdrinking: The “all-inclusive” mindset can lead to excess. I saw friends order round after round just because “it’s free.”
• Upgrade fees: Those $15+ drinks add up. On a Mediterranean cruise, I upgraded to a $22 mojito twice—$14 extra.
• Unused days: If you’re in port all day, you’re paying for drinks you won’t drink. (NCL doesn’t prorate packages.)

One friend booked the PBP but spent 3 days ashore in Italy. She “lost” $240 in potential drink value. Ouch.

The “Free at Sea” Wildcard

NCL’s Free at Sea promotions often include the PBP. If you’re lucky, this is a no-brainer—but read the terms:

• Sometimes, the package is only for the first two guests in the cabin.
• Gratuities may still apply (check your invoice).
• Promotions can be revoked if you cancel and rebook.

I once had a Free at Sea package yanked after rebooking due to a schedule change. Always confirm with NCL’s customer service!

Alternatives to the Drink Package

Pay-As-You-Go: The Flexible Approach

If you’re a casual drinker, paying per drink might be smarter. Pros:

• Control: Only pay for what you consume.
• No pressure: Sip slowly without feeling “obligated” to drink more.
• Port days: Skip the daily fee if you’re ashore.

Cons? You’ll need to track spending. I use a simple spreadsheet to log drinks and compare to the PBP cost. By day 4, I usually know if I’d have saved money with the package.

Specialty Dining Packages

NCL offers combo deals like the Ultimate Dining Package (unlimited specialty meals) paired with the PBP. If you love fine dining, this can save big:

• Specialty dinner: $40–$60 per person
• Drink package: $89/day
• Combo: Often $120–$150/day (saving $20–$30/day)

On a recent cruise, I booked the combo and ate at 5 specialty restaurants. The PBP covered my wine pairings, and I saved about $150 total.

The “Sip and Skip” Strategy

Some travelers mix both approaches:

• Buy the PBP for sea days (when you’re onboard all day).
• Pay per drink in port (when you’re exploring).

Note: NCL doesn’t allow partial-day packages, so this only works if you book the PBP for the entire cruise. But you can “pause” drinking in port to save value for sea days. (I call this the “sip and skip.”)

Tips to Maximize Your Drink Package (Or Avoid It)

If You Buy: How to Get the Most Value

Want to make the PBP worthwhile? Try these tricks:

• Drink early: Order a cocktail at breakfast (yes, it’s allowed!).
• Use it for non-alcohol: Grab bottled water, smoothies, or coffee to offset the cost.
• Skip the upgrades: Stick to drinks under $15. (I once asked for a “$14 mojito” and the bartender happily obliged.)
• Share with friends: The PBP is per person, but you can order extra drinks to share (within reason).

One time, I ordered a $15 cocktail and a $6 soda for my sister. The server didn’t bat an eye—and we both felt like we’d scored.

If You Skip: Smart Ways to Save

Not buying the PBP? No problem. Save money by:

• Drinking in port: Local bars often have better prices than the ship.
• Using free options: Tap water, iced tea, and coffee are free everywhere.
• Booking during promos: Wait for Free at Sea deals or onboard credit offers.
• Setting a budget: Allocate $50–$100 for drinks and stick to it.

On a budget trip, I stuck to beer ($8) and wine ($12) at dinner. Total spend: $140 for 7 days—less than the PBP’s daily cost!

The “Test Run” Strategy

Unsure? Try this:

• Start the cruise without the PBP.
• Track your spending for 2–3 days.
• If you’re nearing $100, buy the package on day 4 (NCL allows mid-cruise upgrades).

Warning: Some ships sell out, so don’t wait too long. But it’s a great way to hedge your bets.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy—and Who Should Skip?

After years of testing, here’s my take:

• Buy the PBP if you:
  • Drink 3+ cocktails or glasses of wine per day.
  • Love convenience and hate tracking bills.
  • Booked during a Free at Sea promo.
• Skip the PBP if you:
  • Are a light drinker or prefer non-alcoholic options.
  • Spend most days in port.
  • Want to control your spending.

The PBP isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a tool—and like any tool, it’s only valuable if you use it right. For me, it’s worth it on longer cruises with lots of sea days. But on shorter trips or port-heavy itineraries, I’d rather pay as I go.

Remember: The goal is to enjoy your cruise, not stress about the math. Whether you buy the package or not, focus on what matters—making memories, not margins. Cheers to that!

Scenario	Daily Drink Cost (Pay-As-You-Go)	PBP Break-Even Point	Recommended?
Light drinker (1 beer/day)	$8	10+ drinks	No
Moderate drinker (2 cocktails/day)	$28	3–4 drinks	Maybe
Heavy drinker (4+ cocktails/day)	$56	1–2 drinks	Yes
Family (2 adults + 2 kids)	$30 (parents) + $10 (kids)	Parents: 3 drinks/day	Mixed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the drink package worth it on Norwegian Cruise Line for casual drinkers?

For casual drinkers, the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package may not be cost-effective unless you consistently consume premium drinks daily. Consider your average consumption before booking.

What does the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package include?

The package covers most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, wine, beer, soda, and specialty coffee, up to a set price limit per drink. Exclusions include premium bottles and minibar items.

Can I share my Norwegian drink package with others?

No, the drink package is non-transferable and only valid for the named purchaser. Norwegian Cruise Line enforces strict ID checks to prevent sharing.

Is the drink package worth it on Norwegian Cruise Line during sales?

Yes, if purchased during promotions (e.g., “Free at Sea”), the package can offer significant savings, especially for heavy drinkers or families. Always compare pre-discount costs first.

Are there cheaper alternatives to the drink package on Norwegian?

You can buy drinks à la carte or opt for smaller packages like the soda-only plan. However, this suits only those who drink sparingly.

Does the drink package cover gratuities on Norwegian Cruise Line?

No, a mandatory 18–20% gratuity is added to the package price and charged at checkout. Factor this into your budget when evaluating its value.