Is Upgrading to NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package Worth It? List of All Included Drinks & Common Questions
As of October 1, 2024 Norwegian Cruise Line has discontinued the Premium Plus beverage package and combined to one ‘More at Sea’ Package - click here to learn more!
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Click here to see all drinks included in the Unlimited Open Bar and Premium Plus beverages packages through Norwegian Cruise Line.
Planning a trip with Norwegian Cruise Line? One of the choices you’ll make is whether to opt for a beverage package, and if so, which one. Norwegian Cruise Line offers two main beverage packages: the Unlimited Open Bar and the Premium Plus. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you make the best choice for your cruise experience.
What is the difference between the Unlimited Open Bar and Premium Plus packages?
The Unlimited Open Bar package (previously known as Premium or Ultimate) costs $109 per person each day. It includes a variety of liquors, beers, and wines, allowing passengers to order any drink that costs up to $15 at any bar on the ship. If you choose a stateroom with the Free at Sea upgrade, the Unlimited Open Bar package is included in your fare, along with other benefits like specialty dining and basic wifi. Even though the drinks package is included with Free at Sea, you will still need to pay a gratuity at the time of booking.
The Premium Plus package is available for an additional $29 per person each day. This package offers a more extensive range of drinks, including higher-end liquors and wines. You can purchase this upgraded drinks package onboard in the first 48 hours of the cruise, or in the Norwegian App prior to sailing.
Is water included in the NCL drinks package?
In the Unlimited Open Bar package, bottled water is not included. However, in the Premium Plus package, bottled water like Flow, San Pellegrino, and Aqua Panna is included.
Is it worth it to upgrade to Premium Plus?
Upgrading to the Premium Plus package depends on your preferences. With the Unlimited Open Bar package, if you order a drink that costs more than $15 or choose an upgraded liquor, you will pay the difference beyond the $15. If you are content with the basic drink options, this might not be an issue. The Premium Plus package, with its broader selection, eliminates this concern, offering more flexibility in drink choices.
Depending on the amount of Starbucks drinks, energy drinks, fresh juices, or upgraded wines you may drink on your next cruise, the Premium Plus beverage package might be a savings for you. In our experience, pre-paying for the Premium Plus beverage package allowed us to take bottled water off the ship for every excursion, gave us the opportunity to try new Starbucks drinks, and we enjoyed experimenting with new cocktails.
Is Starbucks included?
Starbucks beverages and specialty coffees are included in the Premium Plus package. If you have the Unlimited Open Bar package, you can still order Starbucks, but it will be at full price, which is slightly higher than the prices at Starbucks locations on land.
Are there discounts on wine and tastings?
The Premium Plus package offers a 40% discount on wine & spirit experiences, tastings and flights, Connoisseur Collection beverages and all other bottles of wine.
Which wines are included in Premium Plus?
The Premium Plus beverage packages includes all glasses of wine up to $15, as well as: Pommery Rosé Champagne, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen “Eroica” Riesling, Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo Chardonnay, La Crema Chardonnay, Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Chardonnay, Argyle Pinot Noir, Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, Doglioti Barolo, Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Malbec, Buglioni Il Bugiardo Ripasso Valpolicella, Cellier Des Princes Ch Du Pape, Leonardo Davinci Brunello di Montalcino, Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo Pian Di Nova, Celeste Crianza Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo, Silverado Vineyards, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dow’s “Quinta do Bomfim” Porto, Non-Alcohol Wine by the Bottle. Click here to see the full NCL Wine List.
Which drinks are included in the Premium Plus beverage package on NCL?
The Premium Plus package includes all of the Unlimited Open Bar drinks and sodas, as well as a wider range of liquors. Here are some examples:
Hendrick’s Gin
Grey Goose Vodka
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve Scotch
The Macallan “Quest” Single Malt Whiskey
Woodford Reserve
Hennessy VS
Patron Añejo Tequila
Flor de Caña Eco 15 Year Rum
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Grand Marnier
And many more, including a variety of wines such as Pommery Rosé Champagne and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. This is just a sampling, and a full list of all available options is provided in the linked document.
Does the drinks package work at Great Stirrup Cay?
Both the Unlimited Open Bar and Premium Plus beverage packages are valid on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island. Since the island is owned by the cruise line, it operates as an extension of the ship. This means that guests can use their beverage packages at any of the bars on the island, just as they would aboard the ship, allowing for a seamless and enjoyable experience. Read our full guide to Great Stirrup Cay here.
Does the drinks package work at Harvest Caye?
Harvest Caye operates differently when it comes to Norwegian Cruise Line’s beverage packages. Since the island is not fully owned by the cruise line, the onboard beverage packages, including both the Unlimited Open Bar and Premium Plus, are not valid at any of the bars on the island. Guests visiting Harvest Caye will need to pay à la carte for any drinks or food they wish to enjoy on the island, as these are not included in the onboard beverage packages. This means that any consumption on Harvest Caye will be an additional expense beyond the cost of your selected onboard beverage package.
Are Mini Bar and Room Service Included in the Beverage Packages?
Neither the Unlimited Open Bar nor the Premium Plus beverage package includes the mini bar and room service. These services are separate from the beverage packages offered by Norwegian Cruise Line. If you wish to utilize the mini bar or order room service during your cruise, these will be additional charges outside of your selected beverage package. This means that any drinks ordered from the mini bar or through room service will be charged to your account separately, and are not covered by the Unlimited Open Bar or Premium Plus packages. Want to learn more about the staterooms onboard, click here to tour a balcony room.
