NCL Alcohol Policy, Drink Packages, Wine

NCL Norwegian Cruise Line's alcohol policy, beverage packages, wine list prices - what is the difference between bringing alcohol onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines ships and other major cruise lines? NCL alcohol policy is slightly different. In general, they have the same rules about not permitting guests to bring their own alcohol on board, but things vary about bringing wine on NCL ships.

NCL Alcohol Policy

Drinking age on all NCL cruise ships is 21. Passengers who are between 18 and 20 years old can purchase and consume wine or beer in international waters. However, this doesn't apply to Hawaii or Alaska sailings. A parent/legal guardian must be with the minor onboard and sign a consent.

Authorization is given only when the parent/legal guardian accompanying the young completes the line's standard "Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver". You can obtain this form and complete it at "Guest Services" Desks upon embarkation on the ship

Passengers 18 years or older can consume alcohol when sailing on round-trip NCL cruises in Europe - without having to complete this form.

NCL Room Service charge

As of April 2015, NCL's stateroom service is chargeable. NCL started testing its new room service menu on the newest Breakaway-class vessels, charging now up to USD 7,95 per room-service order. The service for The Haven Suites and standard Suites guests is still complimentary.

The room service menu was enhanced, currently offering more breakfast items in addition to its 24-hour in-room dining options. The charge was rolled out fleetwide and this news came in addition to the NCL cruise line's instated 18% automatic gratuity on all Norwegian ships' specialty/entertainment dining venues.

Can I bring alcohol on NCL cruises?

Bringing liquor onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines ships at embarkation is not allowed. The "alcohol" exceptions are the champagne and wine. All "bootlegging" items (used for sneaking liquor on the cruise ship) will be confiscated during boarding and secured till the last day of the voyage.

This applies also to any alcohol purchased in duty-free stores on the ship, as well as alcohol purchases in ports of call. The exception to this rule is the wine again.

Bringing wine onboard NCL cruise ships

Most lines allow guests to bring one single bottle of wine onboard. This is definitely not the case with Norwegian Cruise Lines. By contrast, you as NCL guest are allowed to bring as many wine bottles on board as you like. However, a corkage fee will have to be paid. On other lines, corkage fees are usually applied when you plan to drink your wine in public areas. On NCL it is applied everywhere. In fact, when you board with wine, your bottles will be counted at a special table.

Corkage fees will be applied to all bottles brought - not just the ones consumed in the main restaurants (dining rooms). You will be required to pay corkage fee on that spot, even if you plan consuming the wine in the cabin. This is what is vastly different than other cruise lines alcohol policies, and takes away the main incentives to bring your wine on the ship.

Bringing champagne or wine onboard NCL Norwegian ships are allowed, but you are obliged to pay the corkage fee for all the bottles brought onboard. Fees are as following: for 750ml bottles - $15, for 1000ml - $20, for 1500ml - $30. Boxed wine, however, is not allowed.

Note: As of July 15, 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) passengers will be prohibited from bringing any beverages, including beer, liquor and non-alcoholic drinks like water, soda, juices, onboard as carry-on or checked luggage. Norwegian said in a letter to booked passengers, that this would provide a 'smoother and faster embarkation experience'. Exceptions are distilled or purified water in factory-sealed containers for the reconstitution of infant formula or for use with medical devices, and fully sealed/corked wine bottles for personal consumption onboard which is subject to screening and corkage fee (for vacationers 21 years of age or older). On embarkation day and at any call port, open beverages of any kind have to be consumed/discarded at the security check-point.

Purchasing liquor from NCL ships’ duty-free shops and ashore

If you purchase alcohol at call ports or at onboard duty-free shops, Norwegian Cruise Lines will store your purchases safely. Either on final cruise night or on the morning of disembarkation day you will be able to pick it up at a designated area.

Champagne and wine purchased in ports are allowed to be brought on board for consumption in dining rooms. A corkage fee of $15 will be applied per bottle. Just mentioning again, liquor purchases will be held until your disembarkation.

• Tip: Complimentary free drinks are usually available at art auctions, captain's cocktail parties, and at the Latitudes parties.

Beer list

• Draught: Amstel Light, Bass, Dos Equis Lager, Heineken, Miller Lite, Murphy's Stout, Stella Artois.
• Bottled: Some of the following or all of them are available depending on itinerary: Amstel Light, Ayinger Celeb, Bass, Beck's, Boddingtons, Bud Light, Budweiser, Carib Lager, Coors Light, Coopers Pale Ale, Corona, Dos Equis Lager, Foster's Lager, Franziskaner, Guinness, Heineken, Kirin Ichiban, MGD, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Molson, Newcastle, Pilsner Urquell, Red Stripe, Sapporo, Samuel Adams, Tsingtao, Warsteiner.

Specialty bars

NCL Norwegian Cruise Lines ships are famous for their numerous clubs and bars. In addition to those, there is the party-themed "White Hot Night", serving up specialty drinks, such as cinnamon and banana-based "Angeltinis", blue Curacao "Icebergs", "Heavenly Coldatinis" with rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice.

NCL Cruises drink packages

NCL cruise drink prices listed below are in USD. Since December 2017, Norwegian Cruise Lines charge 20% gratuity (raised from 18% before that). Prices below don't include the 20% gratuity. On Mediterranean cruises from/to Italy and Spain, the line is required to charge an additional VAT.

For new bookings, the automatic gratuity tacks on to "Specialty Dining" and "Ultimate Beverage". The increase in charges was not publicized by NCL. The gratuity is automatically added to the “perks” associated with the company's "Free At Sea" program offering various bonus perks to customers upon shipboard booking. The number of available perks is based on the booked cabin category. The perks occasionally change, but the "Specialty Dining" and "Ultimate Beverage" package deals are very popular and usually available for purchasing. The service charge only shows up in the last stage of booking, where it's listed as “Choice Promo Srvc Chrg”.

NCL Beverage Packages include a variety of cocktails and spirits, draft beer, bottled beer, and wines by the glass that are $11 $15 or less, as well as juices and fountain soda. The Corks & Caps package does not include cocktails and spirits.

The drink packages do not include beverages that are sold in the NCL gift shops, mini-bar or room service, as well as bottled water, wine sold by the bottle, fresh-squeezed juices, specialty coffees or energy drinks.

Any package can be booked in advance or on the first/second night of the cruise onboard (for a 3-night cruise only on the 1st night). Make sure, that you have the relevant sticker on your key card if you have purchased a Beverage Package in advance.

All guests residing in the same or additional staterooms under the same payment method must be booked on a Beverage Package. The appropriate package according to the age of the passenger should be selected.

Packages may not be shared and are non-refundable and non-transferable.

NOTE: As of October 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line raised the price of the Ultimate Beverage Package, and the Corks & Caps Wine and Beer Package, and currently the Ultimate Beverage Package cost is US$99 per person, per day (plus 20% gratuity). According to the cruise line, the change was made in order to keep up with the demand. The Corks & Caps package went up from US$59 per person, per day to US$65, plus a 20% gratuity.

In February 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it is renaming its Ultimate Beverage Package and introduced a more-inclusive program. The package was renamed to Premium Beverage Package, while a second program, named Premium-Plus Package, also offered. The latter offers a wider range of covered drinks but is not available as a free perk. 

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 available on all ships of the fleet, with the exception of Pride of America and Norwegian Sky.

Packages breakdown

• European itineraries: Guests who are between 18 and 20 are not permitted to buy the Ultimate Beverage Package; however, they are allowed to purchase the Corks and Caps package. If the Ultimate Beverage Package is selected, it must be purchased by everyone in the cabin who is 21 years of age or older. The Corks and Caps package must be bought by everyone in the stateroom who is 18-20 years of age. Guests in the stateroom between 13-18 years of age, must buy the Teen Soda Package; 3-12 years of age - the Children’s Soda Package. If The Corks and Caps package is selected, it must be purchased by everyone in the cabin who is 18 years of age or older. For guests between 13-18 years of age - the Teen Soda Package must be bought; 3-12 years of age - the Children’s Soda Package.

• Alaska itineraries: The Ultimate Beverage Package or The Corks and Caps package must be purchased by everyone in the cabin who is 21 years of age or older. All passengers must buy the same package. If there is a guest in the cabin who is 13-20 years of age, Teen Soda Package must be bought; for the 3-12 years of age, Children’s Soda Package must be bought.

• All Other Itineraries: The Corks and Caps package cannot be pre-purchased by passengers between the ages of 18-20 (the signed parental consent must be completed, validated and processed onboard). The Ultimate Beverage Package or The Corks and Caps package must be purchased by everyone in the cabin who is 21 years of age or older. All passengers must purchase the same package. If there is a traveler in the stateroom who is 13-20 years of age, the Teen Soda Package must be bought; for the 3-12 years of age, Children’s Soda Package must be bought.

The following NCL drink packages are not available on itineraries:

• Ultimate Beverage Package: 1-2 night sailings; Wine & Beer Package: 3-4 night sailings
• non-European sailings during Spring Break between March 1 and April 15 (if the oldest passenger’s age in the stateroom is less than 25)
• Charter sailings
• On the NCL Pride of America.

For individual Children’s Soda Programs or Adult & Teen Programs, that are not required by all cabin guests, drink packages are available.

Bottled Water

By February 27, 2017, all ships in Norwegian Cruise Line fleet lowered their bottled water prices by 35%. After in 2016 Norwegian Cruise Line banned its guests from bringing their own bottled water on board, cruisers had to purchase it from the cruise line at a premium.

Packs of 1-liter bottles were at prices ranging from $23 for a 6-pack to $60 for a 24-pack. New pricing will sell 6-packs for $15 (nearly 35% less) and 24-packs for $45 (25% less). 12-packs will now sell for $28, down from $40 (a 30% savings). 18-packs will not be available anymore.

An automatic gratuity of 18% will still be added.

NCL Norwegian Cruise Line drinks package prices

Norwegian Cruise Lines Wine

• NCL cruise wine prices listed below are in USD.
• Norwegian Cruise Lines charge 18 20% gratuity (the prices below do not include the 20% tipping).
• On NCL cruises in Europe (from/to Italy and Spain), the line charges an additional VAT.
• NCL wine prices are subject to change.

NCL wine list prices (WHITE WINES By The Glass)

NCL wine list prices (RED WINES By The Glass)

WHITE WINES list prices per bottle

RED WINES list prices per bottle

NCL alcohol policy promotes responsible alcohol use. The line reserves its right to revoke (permanently or temporarily) any guest's drinking privileges if he/she violates NCL Guest Conduct Code or is considered by vessel management to be a danger to himself/herself or others. Continued alcohol abuse while sailing or violation of the NCL cruise alcohol policy will immediately result in disembarkation in the next port of call along the ship's itinerary route.