Norwegian Cruise Line is renaming its Ultimate Beverage Package and introducing a more-inclusive program. The new package, currently available on several ships, will be rolled out across the fleet over the next weeks.
NCL has offered the Ultimate Beverage Package for years, as a “free” perk at the time of booking or as a for-fee addition to the cruise. Now, the package will be renamed to Premium Beverage Package, while a second program, named Premium-Plus Package, will also be offered. The latter offers a wider range of covered drinks but is not available as a free perk.
Currently, the Ultimate Beverage package costs US$118.80 per person, per day (including 20% gratuity) and allows passengers to order wines by the glass, beer (bottled or draft), and any cocktails, that cost US$15 or less. The package includes unlimited juices and sodas at all of the bars, restaurants, and lounges found on the fleet’s vessels, and on the private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay.
The line's new Premium-Plus package is the “top beverage offering” of Norwegian and is designed for passengers who love top-shelf liquors. It covers bottled waters (still or sparkling), energy drinks, specialty coffees (including at Starbucks kiosks), select bottles of wine when dining, and all beverages by the glass with no price cap.
The package also offers a 40% discount on all other bottles of wine, on tastings or flights. It is available to purchase pre-cruise and costs US$153.60 per person, per day (including the 20% gratuity).
The travelers with the lower-level package can order top-shelf liquors and pay the price difference. Those who buy the Ultimate Beverage Package can upgrade to Norwegian's Premium-Plus plan for US$34.80 per person, per day, including the 20% gratuity. Passengers are able to upgrade once they are onboard.
The Premium-Plus package is currently available on Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Star. It is also available on Norwegian Sun sailings that are not all-inclusive. The package is expected to be introduced across all ships of the fleet by the end of March 2019, with the exception of Pride of America and Norwegian Sky.