Explained Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea - Updated for 2024!

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In this video, we break down everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea program. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage, understanding "NCL Free at Sea can help you get the most value from your trip. Is it worth it? Will explain all the details in this video to see if you should opt for this popular promotion on your next Norwegian Cruise!

Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Explained
0:00 Introduction
0:55 The Basics of Norwegian's Free at Sea Promotion
2:40 Free Unlimited Open Bar
4:23 Norwegian Specialty Dining Package
6:41 Free Shore Excursion Credit
7:47 Free WiFi Minutes
8:52 3rd and 4th Guests Sail Free
9:34 Free Airfare Offer
10:22 Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities
10:52 The Costs of NCL Free at Sea
13:00 Picking Perks in Norwegian's Free at Sea
15:58 Is NCL's Free at Sea Worth it?
16:28 Upgrading to the Free at Sea Plus Package
19:17 Which Itineraries Qualify for Free at Sea
20:58 The One Perk We Have Never Tried

BASICS OF NORWEGIAN FREE AT SEA
Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea is a popular promotion that offers guests free perks such as drink packages, specialty dining, WiFi, kids sail free (or 3rd & 4th guests sail free), and more. The number of perks varies based on the current sale and the stateroom category booked. Typically, guests can get up to 5 free perks, and occasionally up to 6 if airfare is part of the promotion.

Key Inclusions:
Free Unlimited Open Bar Package: This perk includes a variety of drinks and a 20% gratuity is added to all beverage packages.
Free Specialty Dining: Enjoy dining at NCL's specialty restaurants. This perk is available to the first two guests on the reservation.
Free Shore Excursions: A $50 credit per port for shore excursions.
Free WiFi: Complimentary minutes based on the length of the cruise.
Free 3rd and 4th Guests: Applicable on select sailings, allowing additional guests to sail free when sharing a stateroom.
Free Airfare for 2nd Guest: Available on select sailings, where the second guest flies for free when purchasing airfare for the first guest.

How to Maximize Your Benefits:
Choose Perks Wisely: Select perks based on your preferences and cruising style. For instance, the drink package is highly valuable if you consume alcoholic beverages.
Read the Fine Print: Terms and conditions can change, so always check the details at the time of booking.
Combine Offers: This promotion can often be combined with other offers, such as onboard credits or travel agent deals.

Limitations: Not all perks are available to all stateroom categories or sailing dates. Ensure you understand the limitations before booking.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE FREE AT SEA PLUS
Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea Plus is an upgraded version of the Free at Sea package, offering enhanced benefits for an additional fee of $49 per person per day.
Free at Sea Plus Perks
• Premium Plus Beverage Package for Guests 1 and 2
• Two Additional Specialty Dining Meals for Guests 1 and 2
• Additional $50 Shore Excursion Credit per Tour for Guest 2
• Unlimited WiFi (No Streaming) for Guests 1 and 2

If you plan to take full advantage of the Premium Plus beverage package and at least one other perk, the Free at Sea Plus package is likely a good deal.. However, sticking with the standard Free at Sea promotion might be more cost-effective if you only want one perk or are indifferent to the upgraded benefits.

Our Personal Experience:
We've enjoyed using the "Free at Sea" package on multiple cruises and found it to enhance our overall experience. The flexibility and value offered by the program make it a worthwhile addition to any Norwegian cruise.

#NorwegianFreeAtSea #CruiseTips # #NorwegianCruiseLine

LEARN MORE ABOUT Norwegian's Free at Sea Back on the Blog

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[monikaliebold]

Thanks for the video. I'm a loyal guest to NCL and since free at sea promotion was offered first a long time ago, we always have booked it. For me, either cruising solo or with family/friends, free at sea package is a great value. Btw for me when cruising as solo traveller NCL does a great job - overall it is pioneer of solo cruising and has great deals.

[KevinGonzalez]

I have sailed many times on NCL using both “Free at Sea” and “Free at Sea Plus” and I can attest that with both of these packages, the “flow” water carton bottles are included when obtained at the bars. One must sign a slip when getting these carton bottles but they’re not charged. Also, and this is particularly important with Cruises in both Hawaii and certain European waters, alcoholic beverages are subject to liquor taxes depending on where the ship is sailing. With Hawaii, if the Ship is docked in a Hawaiian Port at the time of an alcoholic drink purchase, a mandatory liquor tax is charged regardless of the drink package entitlements.

[marcusof]

This is my first time sailing with NCL and this video was incredibly helpful. Thank you. I’ve watched it two times already. I’m sure I’ll watch it a couple more times.

[fnbeansover]

Free at Sea is the best deal. Imagine traveling with a group of 4 and paying an additional 259 per person for the Free at Sea Plus package for "water". Sure the Plus packages also includes top shelf liquor which 99% of people don't drink or care about and Starbucks coffee, but water is the main thing.
You can prepay for 6, 12, or 24 liter water bottles to be delivered to your room with 12 liter being 35 dollars which will be more than enough to last your entire trip for most groups of 4.
Basically, your adding the water package for 9 dollars a person instead of 259.

[amadsen]

I upgraded to free at sea plus for $249. I get bottled water (which was my main reason), unlimited Starbucks, unlimited WiFi (which was my second reason), unlimited drinks… top shelf, 2 more specialty (3 total because I’m traveling solo)… I did not get any extra shore excursion credit.

[arnokeller]

having planned our first trip with NCL after some cruises with MSC this video was extremely helpful, thank you very much! As for the flight package I can only tell that the for flight from Germany to Buenos Aires they offered the non-stop flight as the first option at a very reasonable price!

[carlashack]

We are sailing on our first cruise Pride of America 😊 for Christmas in Hawaii with the four of us. We selected the Free at sea offers and took the airfare bogo offer. We chose a balcony room for us and interior room for our kids 21&17. So we are learning what to do prior to the trip to get the most enjoyable experience.

[DB-zpun]

The free at sea is a heck of a lot cheaper than say RC drink package. For 3 of us this December on NCL for a week, the "free" beverage package will cost us $457 in gratuities. That's $150 / person.. That equals out to around $22 per person per day.. If you drink 2 drinks a day, it is worth it. My wife and I are going on a 4 night cruise with RC in april, and right now, for just the 2 of us, with tips and all, the drinks package is about $650. Probably not going to be worth it. So $450 for 3 for 7 days, or $650 for 2 for 4 days.. Plus it (ncl) does include 150 minutes of wifi for 1st 2 guests. Where we are in a club balcony for the first 2 guests, we also get 2 specialty dining each. The gratuities on that is $40 for 2 of us.. so $10 per special meal. And those that are saying "OH NCL is nickel and diming you to death" no they arent.. You do NOT have to take the free at sea stuff. You can happily pay per drink like every where else. You dont have to take the special dining etc etc. So please stop with the nickel and diming crap.. It's getting old.

[monikaliebold]

The $20 daily gratuity term - minute 10:30 - is not correct. NCL calls it daily service charge per person. It will be automatically charged to onboard account, but can also be prepaid before cruise.
Note: All major cruise lines do have this daily kind of fee. Only amount may be different.

[KevinMulvey-oe]

The NCL airline bookings were great. We saved over 50% per ticket using NCL to book our plane tickets. Went to Asia with one stop going there and two stops back. Going to South Korea/Japan, one stop each way. Considering the savings on the plane tickets, fine with me.

[GrandpaRicky]

I agree with all you listed. Especially, the summation of the "second guest fly free". I have found that you can pay "full price" for two people and make MUCH better arrangements (i.e. reasonable times and direct flights) !. However, we fly to port town the day before so it might cost a little more in the long run in money and time (we are retired and have access to "companion" perks on Delta.

[josephorr]

Just did the Hawaii Cruise, with the Airline portion provided by Norwegian. Yep, they did select the flights rather late and were not very convenient time. We had a large layover returning and ended up spending 28 hours on the road to get home. It was pretty brutal. Going out was not much better and we had weird layover locations. We did manage to get upgrades ourselves going direct to the airline. The setup also included the transportation vouchers for airport to hotel, hotel to cruise, cruise to airport. The 3rd party support was HORRIBLE when we got there. Very disorganized and it took a very long time to get to our hotel. The NCL stuff at the ship was GREAT though. They were WELL organized and efficient.

[roc]

This is a very complicated promotion in my opinion.

[southernchristopher]

Great video, very thorough. In the past we have used the flying perk when it was free 2nd guest and we are flying across the country to take the cruise.

[billkallas]

The Free at Sea drink package adds up to about $22 a day in gratuities. If you only have two drinks a day, it's not worth it. I found that the "low ball" airfare program is hardly worth it. You get the cheapest seats, at the worst times, with the cheapest airlines, with no upgrades. In 5 days, I'm flying for 3-1/2 hours, out to Seattle, for an Alaska cruise. 3-1/2 hours is a long time to spend in NCL provided, basic economy, when you are over six feet tall. Instead, I got a great deal to fly out First Class on Delta. I decided to hold off paying for the mandatory gratuities until after the cruise was over because I learned that if any of your excursions have to be cancelled, you are reimbursed with future cruise credit. This way, I can apply the credit to gratuities.
PS. I also have a three week Canal cruise with NCL booked for October, 2024. I also deleted their reduced fare airflight deal and used miles to book a United First Class ticket, on the way out.

[jeffreykaufman]

Free is misleading as most are not technically free as when you select them, the fairs go up... that's not free!

[jameshchetwyndjr]

Free at sea + includes top shelf and Starbucks. May include water in boxes.

[karenjoncour]

Many thanks for this video! I have automatically been assigned the basic free at sea package. Question 1: Does this mean I can have unlimited drinks under $15 every day or drinks to the total of $15 per day? Question 2: Will I pay the same total gratuities on my drinks at the end of the cruise if I drink one drink a day or two drinks a day? Question 3: Re if I have paid upfront for gratuities, is it expected to tip extras during/end of the cruise?

[jackredmond]

NCL’s Free at Sea program doesn’t seem very free to me. How about “Some Stuff is free, but you will have to Pay Additional Amounts above the limit - plus Gratuities at Sea” program?

[mandyrichards]

The 1 free dining . Is it once off. Or 1 everyday. We don't drink alcohol but love specialty coffee bottled water, smoothies, and juices. What the best way to get the best deal on this.