NCL Free At Sea Explained

Hello and once again, welcome to the Rock the Boat podcast. Are you Planning a cruise holiday with Norwegian Cruise Line and wondering if you should add the Free at Sea package?  From drink packages to speciality dining and much more, there's something for everyone. Here's all you need to know and my review.  So, Let's set sail!

Firstly, What's Included With Free At Sea?
The 5 free perks as part of the Free at Sea package are:
Free Premium Beverage Package - Quench your thirst with a wide selection of complimentary beverages
Free Specialty Dining - Indulge in exquisite cuisine at Norwegian Cruise Lines' specialty restaurants without worrying about the additional cost.
Free Shore Excursions - Explore the stunning ports of call and immerse yourself in exciting activities with free port excursion credit.
Free Wi-Fi Package - Stay connected with loved ones back home or share your cruise holiday on social media with the free Wi-Fi package.
Friends and Family Sail Free - With the Friends and Family Sail Free benefit, you can bring along additional guests.  3rd & 4th guests sharing your cabin only pay for government taxes and fees. 

It's worth noting that Speciality dining, open bar drinks package and Wi-Fi package are just for the 1st and 2nd guest in each cabin.  If any other guests want a drinks or Wi-Fi package, they would need to pay for it.

I'm getting a bit thirsty so lets start with the free drinks package. You're probably wondering, what drinks are included? With a wide selection of beverages available, including premium spirits, wine, beer, and cocktails, there's something for everyone's taste. Take advantage of this perk and savour your favourite drinks as you relax and unwind onboard.

Currently, you can enjoy unlimited free drinks including:

• Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15
• A variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15
• 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine
• Unlimited soft drinks and juices
Whether you prefer sipping a refreshing mojito by the pool or toasting with a glass of champagne at dinner, the unlimited open bar package ensures that you can indulge in your favourite drinks without worrying about the cost.

The premium beverage package is included for the 1st two guests in each cabin.  If there's anyone else in your cabin, they can purchase a drinks package if they want.
If the second person in the cabin is not old enough to drink alcohol onboard, they'll receive the soda package instead.

The free beverage package includes almost every drink you'd like, but the package does not include things such as:  Freshly squeezed juices, Energy drinks, Bottles of wine, although you will save 20% off bottles of wine, Vending machines or wine dispensers, Super premium brands, Bottled water, speciality coffee and your Mini bar or room service.

That leaves a good choice of drinks to enjoy.

If you don't have Norwegian's Free at Sea drinks package or want something that's not included, here are the prices onboard.  Prices can change depending on which bar you're in, but prices tend to be around $3 for a soft drink, $6 for a bottle of water, 6 to 7 dollars for a bottle of beer. Most Glasses of wine are 8 to 10 dollars.

Now, a cruise holiday isn't just about spending the night at the bar with a cocktail.

One of the many fantastic perks of taking advantage of the Free at Sea promotions is the $50 shore excursion credit.  Each cabin gets $50 per port.   Just to clarify, the $50 is per cabin and not per person.  So if you're visiting 5 ports during your cruise, you'll get 5 times $50 per cabin.  However, credit doesn't rollover.  If you don't use the credit in one port, you'll lose it.

This credit allows you to save even more money and enhance your cruise experience by exploring and enjoying exciting activities at various ports of call.

It is important to note that the shore excursion credit applies only to the first person on the reservation. This means that if you are traveling with a group or with your family, only the first person listed will receive the credit. However, this does not mean that others in your party will miss out on the fun!

One interesting aspect of this credit is that you can combine it with the latitudes program discount. The latitudes program is Norwegian Cruise Line's loyalty program, which rewards frequent cruisers with exclusive benefits and discounts. By combining the shore excursion credit with the latitudes program discount, you have the opportunity to maximize your savings and enjoy incredible shore excursions at a fraction of the price.

Imagine exploring ancient ruins, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, or immersing yourself in the local culture during your shore excursions, all while saving money. 

When planning your cruise itinerary, consider the various shore excursion options available at each port of call. Whether you prefer adventurous excursions such as zip-lining or jet skiing, or you prefer more relaxed options such as sightseeing tours or beach visits, there's something for everyone.

Make the most of your cruise experience by taking advantage of the $50 shore excursion credit offered through the Free at Sea promotions. Combine it with the latitudes program discount to maximize your savings and create lasting memories during your holiday.

Our Cruise Gurus can also help you book your shore adventures. Just ask when you book.

All these shore excursions are getting me quite hungry.

If you're a foodie, you'll love the free specialty dining package onboard all of Norwegian's cruise ships. This package allows you to dine at specialty restaurants on board for a set price. From gourmet steak and seafood to international cuisine and mouth-watering desserts, the specialty restaurants offer a wide range of culinary delights. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience, the specialty dining package is perfect for you.

Remember, only the 1st and 2nd guests in each cabin will have this included.  Other guests will need to pay if they want to join you.

The number of speciality dining meals will depend on which cabin type you're in and the length of your cruise.  Speak with one of our cruise gurus who can help you find out how many are included.

Whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner at a steakhouse or craving some fresh seafood, the specialty dining options onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines will surely satisfy your culinary desires. Treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience and savour every bite as you dine in style.

And after you've had a lovely dinner, nowadays you need to show it off on Instagram. Stay connected with your loved ones and share your amazing cruise experiences on social media with the complimentary Wi-Fi included in the Free at Sea promotion. The number of minutes may vary based on the length of your cruise, ensuring that you can access the internet and stay connected throughout your voyage. Whether you need to check your emails, browse the web, or stay connected through social media, the complimentary Wi-Fi keeps you connected while you're at sea.

 In today's connected world, staying in touch with loved ones or sharing your cruise experience on social media is important to many travellers. With this fantastic perk, you can do just that without worrying about racking up additional charges.

However, it's important to note that the free WiFi package is only available to the first two people on the reservation. If you're traveling with a larger group, you may need to make alternate arrangements to stay connected.

It's important to note that the Wi-Fi is based on minutes rather than bandwidth. While the exact duration of free Wi-Fi may vary depending on the length of your cruise, it provides you with ample time to check emails, browse the internet, and stay connected. However, if you have more than two people in your cabin who need Wi-Fi access, you may need to purchase additional Wi-Fi packages.

If you're traveling with your family, Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea offers a fantastic perk – kids sail free. With this option, the third and fourth guests in the stateroom can sail for free, making it more affordable for families to enjoy a memorable cruise vacation together. Whether your children want to splash in the onboard pools, participate in age-appropriate activities at the kids' club, or enjoy delicious meals at the various dining venues, the kids sail free perk ensures that the whole family can have a wonderful time without breaking the bank.

Speciality dining, open bar drinks package and Wi-Fi package are just for the 1st and 2nd guest in each cabin.  If any other guests want a drinks or Wi-Fi package, they would need to pay for it.

So, I can hear you asking, How Much Is The Free At Sea Offer?

Prices depend on the length of your cruise and any promotions.  Speak with your Cruise Guru and they'll help you with all the latest prices.  You can upgrade to Free at Sea when you book or later.

And Is It Worth Getting Free At Sea?

Even if you're only going to drink soft drinks throughout your cruise, we think it's still worth getting.  Plus, you'll get a free meal at one of the speciality restaurants too.

If there's 4 people sailing, it can work out better value to take 2 cabins instead of 1.  As the open drinks bar package, speciality dining and Wi-Fi are only for the first 2 guests, it can be better to book 2 cabins ensuring 4 people instead of just 2 can benefit from all that's on offer.

Want a hassle-free NCL cruise?  The easiest way is to let one of our Cruise Gurus do all the hard work for you.  They'll find the best cruise deals tailor-made for you.  Plus, you won't pay any more compared to booking directly with NCL.  In fact, they pay us to look after you and make sure you have the best cruise holiday ever.

So get ready to embark on your next cruise adventure – you won’t regret it! The best way to find out more is to arrange a call back with one of our friendly cruise team.

You can find the links in the show notes or visit rock the boat dot travel. That's, rock the boat, all one word, dot travel and one of our cruise gurus will be happy to help you

If you found this useful, please subscribe so you don't miss any of our future episodes. For now, Happy Cruising.