Cruise Line Quietly Hikes Drink Package Price — But Only For Some Guests

1 May 2026 at 16:36

In a communication that was quietly sent to travel agents, Norwegian Cruise Line revealed a change to their popular Free at Sea package. While some guests will soon find themselves paying more where gratuities on the drink package price are concerned, this change will not be made across the board.

Who Will Pay More For Norwegian’s Drink Package?

Clearly aware that this change would not be well received, Norwegian’s note to travel partners started with a request that they “not share this publicly or discuss it with your clients before May 1, 2026, when this change will apply.”

A bartender pours a drink from a shaker into one of four garnished cocktail glasses arranged on a tray, showcasing the luxurious offerings included in the NCL drink package. — (*Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line*)

And what, exactly, is the change? An increase to the gratuities charged as part of the Free at Sea package. For those not in the know, while the Free at Sea package offers what NCL calls “free, unlimited open bar,” that claim comes with an asterisk. Why? Because as with the associated “free” dining, gratuities are automatically added.

A Norwegian Cruise Line ad shows a tropical resort with water slides and palm trees, promoting 50% off all cruises, a free unlimited open bar included in your drink package price, and up to $500 off on balcony rooms for select 2024 sailings.

It is the gratuities attatched to the drinks package which will be increased on some cruises. As NCL’s missive explains, “the price of our Free at Sea prepaid beverage package gratuities on new bookings for two-to-five day cruises will be $32.00 per person, per day.”

It later adds that “for cruises of six days or longer, which make up the majority of our sailings, the gratuities will remain at $28.50 per person, per day.”

Why They May Have Kept This Change Quiet

Typically, when cruise lines raise gratuities, they inform guests in advance and allow those who want to avoid paying the increase a window of opportunity in which to do so. In this case, however, Norwegian Cruise Line went out of their way to ask that travel partners not inform guests of the change in advance, thus guaranteeing that passengers would be unable to snag themselves the lower gratuity.

The cruise line’s note goes out of its way to provide agents with talking points, including that “even with this change, the Free at Sea beverage package continues to offer exceptional value.”

It’s important to note that impacted guests do still have a way of saving a bit of money. “This change,” Norwegian says, “only applies to prepaid pricing, which remains lower than onboard pricing. As such, we recommend locking in new bookings and adding Free at Sea’s package gratuities prior to sailing to secure the preferred price.”