NCL Free At Sea 2.0 Explained: What’s Included and How It Works

Norwegian Cruise Line has made another change. More at Sea is out, and Free at Sea is back.

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I’m calling this updated version Free at Sea 2.0 since it’s not quite the same as before. It keeps the same bundle of perks—drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursion credits—but with simplified pricing and equal perks across all cabin categories.

If your cruise was booked before November 5, 2025, you’ll still sail under More at Sea. New bookings fall under Free at Sea 2.0, and you can reprice your existing reservation if you’d prefer the updated terms.

A new Free at Sea Plus upgrade is also being introduced, adding extras such as specialty coffee, bottled water, premium beverages, and unlimited Wi-Fi. I break down what that includes later in this post.

So what’s included in Free at Sea 2.0? Let’s break it down.

What is Norwegian’s Free at Sea?

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea is a bundled perks program that adds popular extras to your cruise at a discounted rate. Instead of paying full price for drinks, Wi-Fi, or specialty dining, you can bundle them into your fare and get more value out of your trip.

The name can be a little misleading. The “free” in Free at Sea comes from NCL’s Freestyle Cruising concept—not because everything is actually free. You’ll still pay a set per-day rate for the package, which includes gratuities, but the overall cost is lower than buying each perk separately once you’re onboard.

The program includes:

Looking for the upgrade? Norwegian also offers Free at Sea Plus, which adds premium beverages, Starbucks coffee, bottled water, unlimited Wi-Fi, and prepaid service charges. The full breakdown is below.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea Program Explained

When booking your cruise, you can choose to include Norwegian’s Free at Sea package, which bundles popular perks like drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursion credits for a fixed daily rate. You can also opt out of the package and pay as you go for drinks and specialty dining meals.

While Norwegian promotes this as added value to your cruise, it’s not automatically the best deal for everyone. We still recommend doing the math to see if it makes sense for your travel style.

Important Things to Know About NCL’s Free at Sea Program

• Effective Date: Free at Sea applies to all bookings made on or after November 5, 2025. Sailings booked before this date still follow More at Sea.
• Applies to Cruises 2 Nights or Longer: Not available on one-night sailings, select charters, or Pride of America (which follows its own Hawaii version).
• Same Package for Everyone in the Stateroom: All guests on the same reservation must select the same Free at Sea offer.
• No Customization: Perks can’t be substituted, exchanged, or shared between guests.
• Age Restrictions: Guests 1–2 must be 21 or older to receive the Unlimited Open Bar. Guests under 21 will receive the Soda Package instead. Guests 3–8 do not receive a substitute beverage package if under 21.
• Two Drinks per Transaction: The drink package allows up to two beverages per person per order.
• Regional Exclusions:
• Not valid for port calls arriving at Great Stirrup Cay on or after March 1, 2026.
• Not valid on Harvest Caye at any time.
• Pride of America uses the Hawaii Beverage Package, which follows Hawaii’s service laws.
• Taxes & Fees: Drink taxes or VAT may be charged in certain ports or regions.
• Repricing Option: If you booked under More at Sea, you can contact NCL or your travel advisor to reprice your cruise to the new Free at Sea package. Be aware that this may change your total fare or promotions.

Be sure to review the official Free at Sea Terms & Conditions before booking. I’ve covered the key details here, but it’s always best to check the fine print directly with Norwegian Cruise Line.

New Free at Sea (2.0) Flyer

Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar

The Unlimited Open Bar Package under NCL’s Free at Sea 2.0 program replaces the previous More at Sea version. Bottled water is still not included, and there’s currently no upgraded beverage package available. Here’s what you need to know:

• One beverage package for all: Guests 1–8 in the stateroom receive the Unlimited Open Bar Package for the entire sailing. Guests 1–2 must be 21 or older to qualify. If either guest is under 21, they’ll receive the Soda Package instead at $12.50 per day. Guests 3–8 do not receive a beverage package if they’re under 21.
• Includes a wide selection: Cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages are all featured, with a variety of premium brands. Your favorite NCL cocktail is most likely already included.
• Not included: Bottled water (sparkling or still), minibar items, energy drinks, Starbucks, room service, specialty coffee, and beverages from the Connoisseur’s Collection or Signature Selection.
• Drink limit per order: Guests can order two drinks per person at a time.
• Discounts: Receive 20% off bottles of wine, including champagne and sparkling wines, and $15 off premium drinks from the Connoisseur’s Collection or Signature Selection.
• Pricing: Flat rate of $28.50 per person, per day, with gratuities included.
• Taxes and exclusions:
• The package is not valid for port calls arriving at Great Stirrup Cay on or after March 1, 2026.
• It is not valid on Harvest Caye at any time.
• Drink taxes or VAT may apply to certain sailings, especially in the European Union and Australia.
• Additional details: The package applies for the entire length of the cruise, cannot be shared, transferred, or refunded, and rates are subject to change.
• For Hawaii sailings: On Pride of America, the package is replaced by the Hawaii Beverage Package, which offers a similar drink selection and pricing but follows Hawaii’s local beverage service laws.

Is there a service fee for the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar?

No, gratuities are already included in the flat daily rate. Under Free at Sea, guests pay $28.50 per person, per day at booking, with no additional service fees added later.

Is the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar worth it?

It depends on your drinking habits. If you usually have a few drinks each day, this package can still offer good value compared to paying per drink at the bar. Most cocktails, beers, and wines by the glass on Norwegian ships range from $9 to $15 each, so the cost can add up quickly. Paying the $28.50 per person, per day rate upfront often works out to be a better deal—and it’s one less thing to think about once you’re onboard.

To see if it’s worth it for you:

• If your estimated daily drink total exceeds the $28.50 per day cost of the package, it’s a great deal.
• If it’s about the same, it still offers convenience and flexibility.
• If you drink much less, paying per drink may be the better option.
• For those who don’t drink alcohol, the Soda Package is available separately at a lower cost.

Want to see if the Unlimited Open Bar is worth it for you? Use this quick formula:

($10 per drink) x (how many drinks a day) = estimated total for one cruise day
(Total of one cruise day) x (# of days of your cruise) = estimated total for entire cruise

Or, save the math and use our handy Cruise Drink Package Calculator below.

Hawaii Beverage Package (Pride of America)

Guests sailing in Hawaii follow a slightly different version of NCL’s drink package. The Hawaii Beverage Package includes cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, fountain soda, juices, and other non-alcoholic beverages for $28.50 per person, per day, with gratuities included. Because it follows Hawaii’s local alcohol service laws, the exact inclusions and taxes may vary slightly from what’s offered on other NCL ships.

Not included: Bottled water (still or sparkling), specialty coffee outside dining rooms, minibar items, and room service orders.

Specialty Dining Meals

As part of the new Free at Sea program, specialty dining meals are included based on the length of your cruise. Guests can enjoy a set number of meals at NCL’s specialty restaurants or pay à la carte for additional nights. Here’s what you need to know:

• Applies to Guests 1 & 2: The Specialty Dining Package applies only to the first two guests in the stateroom. If Guest 2 is under 18, they’re not charged for the package.
• Meal entitlements: Guests can order one entrée, up to three appetizers, and up to three desserts per meal at most specialty restaurants. At Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar, and Wasabi, guests can order up to four menu items total per meal instead.
• Children’s dining: Guests under 18 can order from the kids’ menu at no charge. If they choose to order from the full specialty dining menu, the regular cover charge applies.
• Number of meals included: The number of meals now depends solely on the cruise length, not on your stateroom category (see the table below).
• Additional dining: Once you’ve used your included meals, you can continue dining at specialty restaurants by paying the standard per-person cover charge.

Pro Tip: You can start making specialty dining reservations up to 90 days before embarkation. Guests in Haven Suites can book 130 days in advance, while Club Balcony Suites can book 120 days in advance.

Shore Excursion Credit

Arriving at our Glacier Point excursion from Skagway, Alaska, via an NCL-sponsored tour. At the end of the day, the ship waited while our excursion boat arrived a little behind schedule — one of the biggest perks of booking through the cruise line.

The $50 Shore Excursion Credit is one of the easiest perks to use in the Free at Sea program. Think of it as a small discount on NCL-organized tours. In some cases, you might even find an excursion inexpensive enough that it covers the full cost for one person. Here’s what you need to know:

• $50 credit per port: This credit applies to the first guest in the stateroom, per port.
• NCL excursions only: The credit can be used only on excursions booked directly through Norwegian Cruise Line. It does not apply to independent or third-party tours.
• Can be used on more than one excursion in the same port: If you book multiple NCL excursions on the same day, the $50 credit can be applied across those bookings. For example, on our last cruise in Skagway, we booked the White Pass Scenic Railway in the morning and a Glacier Point excursion in the afternoon, and the $50 credit was applied to each excursion booking.
• Use it or lose it: If an excursion costs less than $50, the remaining balance does not roll over to another port or sailing.

Is the Shore Excursion Credit Worth It?

Since the $50 Shore Excursion Credit is included at no extra cost, it can be a nice perk if you plan to book NCL’s tours. If you prefer cruise-sponsored excursions at every port, it adds up to a decent savings—but remember, cruise line excursions are usually priced higher than independent options.

Sometimes, you might find a tour or transfer that aligns perfectly with the $50 credit, making it essentially free. However, if you prefer exploring on your own or booking with local operators (as we often do), this benefit may not add significant value.

Free Wi-Fi Minutes

All guests in the stateroom receive 150 minutes of complimentary Wi-Fi as part of the Free at Sea program. This is a change from the previous version, where the number of minutes depended on the length of the cruise.

Each guest gets their own login for one device at a time, and the plan covers basic browsing, email, and social media, but not streaming. Wi-Fi isn’t available on Great Stirrup Cay or Harvest Caye, but guests can upgrade to an unlimited plan before sailing or once onboard.

Are the More at Sea WiFi Minutes Enough?

The included 150 minutes are fine for short sailings and light use—like checking emails, texts, or social media every now and then—but if your cruise is longer than a week, it’ll be tough to make those minutes last. For anything beyond basic browsing or to stay connected throughout your trip, it’s worth upgrading to an unlimited plan before sailing or once on board.

Want unlimited access? You can upgrade to an unlimited Wi-Fi plan before your cruise or onboard.

NCL Free 3rd & 4th Guests

Also known as Kids Sail Free, this offer applies to any additional guests sharing a stateroom—not just children. It’s a great deal for families or groups traveling together. Availability is limited, so it’s always worth checking if it applies to your sailing before booking.

• Who qualifies: Guests 3 and 4 sail free or for $99 per person when sharing a stateroom with Guests 1 and 2, who must pay full fare.
• Limited sailings: The offer is available only on select cruises and can change or sell out without notice.
• Additional guests: If your stateroom accommodates more than four guests, those beyond Guest 4 will be charged the standard fare.
• Taxes and fees: Even when sailing “free,” Guests 3 and 4 are still responsible for taxes, fees, and port expenses.
• No deposit required: Guests 3 and 4 do not pay a deposit when booking under this promotion.

NCL Free Airfare Offer

The Free Airfare Offer can be a good way to save money—especially on pricier flight routes—but it does come with restrictions and less flexibility than booking flights on your own. Here’s what you need to know:

• How it works: Guest 1 pays full airfare, while Guest 2 either flies free or at 50% off, depending on the sailing.
• Who qualifies: Applies only to Guests 1 and 2 in the reservation.
• Eligible sailings: Available on cruises seven nights or longer, but not valid for Sail Away categories (IX, OX, BX, MX).
• Flight changes: You can adjust flights up to two days before or after the cruise for a $25 per person fee. Requests must be made at least 110 days before sailing.
• Travel Protection: Cancellation fees apply; NCL recommends purchasing travel insurance.

How does NCL’s free airfare work?

Norwegian arranges your flights, but you won’t receive the details until closer to your sailing date. This often means connections or multi-stop itineraries instead of the nonstop routes you might book yourself. It can still be a great money-saver—especially for longer or international cruises—but you’ll give up some control over flight times and routes.

Because of that, I usually don’t recommend NCL’s Free Airfare offer unless the savings are significant. Booking your own flights gives you more flexibility and fewer surprises.

How Does NCL’s Free at Sea Save You Money?

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Free at Sea is a bundled package that combines drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and more at a lower price than purchasing them individually. But does it really save you money? Let’s take a look.

Unlimited Open Bar Savings

With the new Free at Sea pricing, guests pay a flat rate of $28.50 per person, per day, including gratuities. If you were to buy the Unlimited Open Bar Package onboard, it would cost $109 per person, per day—so booking with Free at Sea saves up to $80 per day per person.

Gratuities are already included in the Free at Sea rate, making it a clear value compared to purchasing them onboard.

Specialty Dining Savings

Dining at Norwegian’s specialty restaurants isn’t cheap—most meals cost around $45 to $65 per person when purchased individually. With Free at Sea, you’ll pay a small flat fee upfront that brings your per-meal cost down to about $20 per meal, depending on the length of your cruise.

Because the pricing is now the same for all stateroom categories, it’s much easier to know exactly how many specialty meals you’re getting and what you’re paying for them. If you already plan to dine at restaurants like Cagney’s or Le Bistro, the savings can add up quickly.

Shore Excursion Credit

Guest 1 receives a $50 shore excursion credit per port when booking through Norwegian Cruise Line. If you usually choose NCL-sponsored tours, it’s an easy way to save a little on each port stop.

3rd & 4th Guests Free or Discounted

Guests 3 and 4 in the same stateroom sail free or for $99 per person (plus taxes and fees), depending on the sailing. It’s one of the best value perks for families or groups traveling together, especially when you’re sharing a cabin with Guests 1 and 2 who pay full fare.

Example Savings with Free at Sea

I’ve done some math for you…

If you’re booking a 7-day cruise in a balcony cabin for two passengers, here’s what Free at Sea could actually save you compared to paying onboard prices (assuming you’d usually purchase the drink package).

1️⃣ Unlimited Open Bar

• Without Free at Sea: $109 per person, per day + 20% gratuity → $1,526 total for two guests
• With Free at Sea: $28.50 per person, per day (gratuities included) → $399 total for two guests
• Savings: ≈ $1,100

2️⃣ Specialty Dining (3 meals per guest)

• Without Free at Sea: $45–$65 per meal → Around $420 total for two guests
• With Free at Sea: $60 per person total → $120 total for two guests
• Savings: ≈ $300

3️⃣ Shore Excursion Credit

• Guest 1 gets $50 off excursions per port
• If you book NCL excursions, that’s a $50 discount
• This can add up quickly—on a 7-day cruise with three or four ports, that’s $150–$200 in savings if you book tours in each one.

Total Potential Savings: $1,550 to $1,600, depending on how many excursions you book.

When Free at Sea Might NOT Save You Money

While Free at Sea includes popular perks at a discounted rate, it may not be worth it if:

• You don’t drink much and wouldn’t usually buy a beverage package.
• You prefer the complimentary dining options instead of specialty restaurants.
• You book independent excursions instead of ship-sponsored ones.
• You’re traveling with only two people in a stateroom, so the 3rd & 4th Guest offers don’t apply.

Free at Sea can be a great deal, but it depends on your travel style and how much you plan to use the included amenities.

Free at Sea Plus: The Optional Upgrade Explained

PinKathy at Le Bistro on Norwegian Getaway

Free at Sea Plus is a paid upgrade to NCL’s standard Free at Sea package. It’s designed for cruisers who already spend extra onboard on premium drinks, specialty coffee, better Wi-Fi, and gratuities. This is not the same Plus package NCL offered in the past; I’m referring to it as Free at Sea Plus (v.2.0). The structure and inclusions differ this time.

Applicable sailings: Free at Sea Plus applies to sailings departing on or after February 1, 2026. Existing bookings made before this date may need to be repriced or updated to add the upgrade.

What You Get with Free at Sea Plus

Expanded Beverage Package
In addition to standard Free at Sea drinks, the Plus upgrade adds:

• Top-shelf spirits and premium wines
• All Starbucks and specialty coffee drinks
• Bottled water (still and sparkling), energy drinks, and fresh juices
• Unlimited drinks at Great Stirrup Cay (where available)

Unlimited Wi-Fi
Upgrades the 150 minutes included with Free at Sea to unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, one device per guest.

Specialty Dining Discount
You don’t get extra meals, but you do get 50% off additional specialty dining cover charges beyond what Free at Sea includes.

Prepaid Daily Service Charges
With Free at Sea Plus, daily service charges are included in the package price and prepaid automatically. Guests who don’t upgrade still pay the same service charges, either by prepaying separately or having them charged to their onboard account during the cruise.

Same Shore Excursion Credit
Still $50 per port for Guest 1 on NCL-sponsored excursions.

When Free at Sea Plus Is Worth It

Free at Sea Plus makes sense if you:

• Order Starbucks or specialty coffee regularly
• Buy bottled water or premium cocktails
• Want unlimited Wi-Fi
• Like having daily service charges rolled into one upfront price instead of billed separately
• Plan to dine at specialty restaurants beyond what’s included with standard Free at Sea

If you’re comfortable with basic drinks, limited Wi-Fi, and included dining, standard Free at Sea is usually sufficient.

Reader Questions About Free at Sea

When Does Norwegian’s Free at Sea Sale Happen?

The Free at Sea program is available year-round andincludes the same core perks: drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and a shore excursion credit.

From time to time, Norwegian adds limited-time bonuses—like Free or Discounted Airfare, 3rd & 4th Guests Free, or even Prepaid Gratuities (though that one’s rare). These promos change throughout the year, so it’s worth checking NCL’s site or a travel advisor to see what’s currently offered before you book.

Is NCL Free at Sea Worth It?

It can be—especially if you plan to enjoy a few drinks each day or dine at specialty restaurants. Paying for the Free at Sea package upfront often saves money compared to purchasing those perks individually, and it lets you relax onboard without worrying about add-on costs.

However, it may not be worth it if you mostly stick to the complimentary dining options and included beverages. If you’re happy with the main dining room, buffet, and basic drinks, you might not get enough value from the package to justify the added cost.

Does NCL Free at Sea include gratuities?

Yes. Gratuities are already included in the flat daily rate for all Free at Sea packages. There are no additional service charges added to the package cost, whether for drinks, dining, or Wi-Fi.

Can I reprice my cruise to get Free at Sea?

Yes. If you booked before November 5, 2025, your sailing is under the More at Sea program. You can contact NCL or your travel advisor to reprice your cruise to the new Free at Sea program if you’d prefer those terms.

It’s usually worth it if:

• Your cruise fare hasn’t gone up since you booked.
• You want the simplified structure with equal perks for all cabin types.
• You prefer having gratuities already included in the daily rate.

It’s not worth it if:

• Your original booking included better promotions (like extra onboard credit or a lower fare).
• You already got a discounted or early-booking rate that’s no longer available.

Before making any changes, compare your total price and inclusions carefully. If you’d lose a better deal by switching, it’s smarter to keep your More at Sea booking as-is.

Is Starbucks included in NCL Free at Sea?

No. Starbucks is not included with standard Free at Sea and must be purchased à la carte or through a separate Starbucks package, if available on your ship. However, Starbucks drinks are included if you upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, which bundles specialty coffee and other premium beverages into the daily rate.

What Happened to NCL’s Free at Sea Plus?

Free at Sea Plus was previously offered as a paid upgrade to Norwegian’s Free at Sea program, adding extras like bottled water, specialty coffee, premium beverages, and upgraded Wi-Fi. Earlier this year, Norwegian replaced Free at Sea with More at Sea and removed the Plus upgrade entirely.

Now that Norwegian has switched back from More at Sea to Free at Sea, the Plus upgrade is returning in an updated form. I’m calling this version Free at Sea Plus (v.2.0) to distinguish it from the original package, as the structure and inclusions are different this time. You’ll find the full breakdown of what’s included and who it’s for in the Free at Sea Plus section above.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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