When planning a Norwegian Cruise vacation, one of the most popular questions among travelers is: "How many drinks can you get per day with a Norwegian Cruise drink package?" Cruise drink packages are designed to make your onboard experience more enjoyable by allowing guests to enjoy unlimited beverages for a fixed price. However, the rules surrounding these packages can be nuanced, including daily allowances, restrictions on alcohol and specialty drinks, and tips for getting the most value. Understanding these details can help you maximize your spending, avoid misunderstandings, and make your cruise more relaxing and fun.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers several drink package options for its guests. The most common are:
Classic Soda Package: Includes unlimited soda and fountain drinks.
Premium Beverage Package: Includes cocktails, wine, beer, specialty coffees, and soft drinks.
Ultimate Beverage Package: Includes all beverages available onboard, including premium wines, spirits, cocktails, and specialty drinks like smoothies and frappes.
Each package has its own pricing, rules, and limitations. The Ultimate Beverage Package is often the most expensive, but for travelers who enjoy multiple drinks daily, it can be the most cost-effective.
One of the first things to know is that Norwegian Cruise drink packages do not strictly limit the number of drinks per day in the way some other cruise lines might. However, there are some key rules and practical limits to be aware of:
One Drink at a Time: Norwegian Cruise Line generally allows one drink per order. Guests are not permitted to order multiple alcoholic beverages at once. This rule ensures responsible drinking and safety onboard.
Daily Pricing Consideration: While there isn’t a formal limit, there is a practical consideration. If your cruise spans multiple days, the value of your drink package depends on how many drinks you actually consume each day. Most guests find that drinking 4–6 beverages daily justifies the cost of the Ultimate Beverage Package.
Sharing Not Allowed: Drinks purchased through a package cannot be shared between guests. Each package is individual, and staff will not serve multiple drinks from one package to multiple people.
Serving Size Limits: Cocktails and specialty drinks may have standard serving sizes, which affects how much alcohol or beverage content you receive per drink.
To determine how many drinks you can realistically get per day with a Norwegian Cruise drink package, it helps to consider pricing and average beverage costs. The Ultimate Beverage Package typically costs around $89–$119 per day per adult, depending on the cruise and promotions. Here’s how you can break down the value:
Standard cocktails on NCL often cost $10–$13 per drink.
Premium wines or craft cocktails can cost $12–$15 per drink.
Soft drinks, sodas, and specialty coffees typically cost $3–$6 each.
From this pricing, you can estimate that if you drink 5 cocktails a day averaging $12 each, you effectively cover the cost of the Ultimate Beverage Package. Any additional drinks become extra value on top of your fixed cost.
While there is no strict daily limit, Norwegian Cruise Line guests often seek ways to maximize their drink package. Here are some practical tips:
Plan Around Dining: Many drinks can be enjoyed during meals. Ordering a cocktail with lunch and dinner or enjoying a soda with snacks can add up.
Avoid Sharing: Since sharing is prohibited, make sure each traveler has their own package to get maximum value.
Try Specialty Drinks: Specialty cocktails, smoothies, and coffee drinks tend to have higher retail prices. Focusing on these drinks maximizes the cost-benefit ratio of your package.
Pace Yourself: Drinking too quickly can lead to fatigue or alcohol-related issues, especially in the sun. Enjoying a few drinks spread throughout the day is safer and more enjoyable.
Track Your Spending: While unlimited, keeping track of what you order helps you assess if the package is worth it on shorter cruises.
To illustrate, let’s consider a 7-day cruise with the Ultimate Beverage Package:
Breakfast: Specialty coffee and juice = 2 drinks
Lunch: Soda and cocktail = 2 drinks
Afternoon snack: Smoothie = 1 drink
Dinner: 2 cocktails or wine glasses = 2 drinks
Evening: Nightcap cocktail = 1 drink
This totals 8 drinks per day, which for a $100 daily package gives an effective value of $12.50 per drink. This is slightly above the average price of cocktails on the ship, showing that the package can be very cost-effective for guests who enjoy multiple beverages daily.
Even though the package offers "unlimited" drinks, Norwegian Cruise Line has a few restrictions:
Minimum Age: You must be 21 or older to purchase the alcohol-inclusive packages.
Responsible Consumption: Staff may refuse service if intoxication is evident.
Excluded Items: Some rare or high-end items, like certain bottles of wine or luxury liquors, may not be included.
Gratuity Charges: A 20% gratuity is automatically added to the price of the drink package, which is important to factor into the overall cost.
For guests who do not consume alcohol, the Classic Soda Package or the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package is ideal. These packages allow unlimited soft drinks, juices, water, and specialty coffees. While the cost is lower (often around $8–$12 per day), guests can still enjoy multiple beverages daily without restrictions, making them suitable for families or non-drinkers.
On cruises shorter than 5 days, the value of a drink package may be less obvious. For instance, if you take a 3-day cruise, you have fewer opportunities to consume enough beverages to justify the daily cost. In these cases, some guests prefer to purchase individual drinks or only a soda package. On longer cruises, like 7–14 days, the Ultimate Beverage Package often becomes more economical if you enjoy multiple beverages daily.
Maximizing your daily drinks isn’t only about quantity—it’s also about understanding etiquette. Norwegian Cruise Line staff are trained to provide excellent service while ensuring safety and fairness. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Order One Drink at a Time: Asking for multiple drinks at once may be denied.
Avoid Overconsumption: Excessive drinking can result in package suspension or denied service.
Respect Limits on Sharing: Each drink package is personal; sharing or attempting to split drinks with other guests violates policy.
Tip Generously: Gratuity is already included in most packages, but being courteous to bartenders encourages attentive service.
For travelers unsure if the Ultimate Beverage Package is worth it, comparing the pay-as-you-go approach can be helpful. On average:
A cocktail costs $12
A glass of wine costs $10–$12
Soft drinks cost $3
If you plan to have fewer than 4–5 drinks daily, paying individually may be cheaper. For daily consumption above 5 drinks, the package generally provides better value.
While unlimited drinks sound appealing, practical tips can prevent waste:
Choose Drinks You Enjoy: Focus on beverages you would actually drink rather than trying to hit a quota.
Mix Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soda to stay hydrated.
Order at Meals: Drinks with lunch, dinner, and snacks ensure steady consumption throughout the day.
Plan Specialty Nights: Try premium cocktails or themed drinks offered during special events or cruises.
Beyond quantity, the drink packages offer convenience, budgeting, and an enhanced cruise experience:
Convenience: No need to carry cash for drinks, simplifying your onboard spending.
Budgeting: Paying upfront locks in your beverage costs, protecting against unpredictable expenses.
Variety: Access to a wide range of drinks encourages guests to try cocktails, wines, and specialty beverages they might not normally order.
Q: Can you drink more than 10 drinks per day?A: Technically, yes. The package is unlimited, but bartenders may refuse service if intoxication is apparent. Practically, 6–8 drinks per day is common for most guests.
Q: Are specialty cocktails included?A: Yes, most specialty cocktails and premium drinks are included, except for certain high-end items or bottles.
Q: Can kids share a soda package with adults?A: No, packages cannot be shared, and children must have their own package if purchasing.
Q: Is gratuity included in the drink package?A: Yes, a 20% gratuity is automatically added to the package price.
Conclusion
The number of drinks you can get per day with a Norwegian Cruise drink package depends on your personal consumption, cruise length, and enjoyment preferences. While there is no formal daily limit, responsible drinking and package rules generally mean guests consume 4–8 drinks per day. The Ultimate Beverage Package is most cost-effective for adults who enjoy multiple drinks daily, especially cocktails, wine, and specialty beverages. By understanding package rules, calculating daily value, pacing yourself, and choosing drinks wisely, you can maximize your experience and enjoy a worry-free cruise.
Whether you prefer soft drinks, cocktails, or specialty beverages, Norwegian Cruise drink packages offer convenience, variety, and potentially excellent value. The key is planning your consumption, following cruise etiquette, and enjoying the beverages responsibly. With careful planning, your daily drinks can enhance your cruise experience while providing the best possible value for your package.
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