Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to compare cruise drinks packages
Cruise drinks packages are beverage bundles that a passenger can add to a cruise booking or receive as part of a booking; on Norwegian Cruise Line, the published options include the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package, Free at Sea Plus, an Unlimited Open Bar package, Unlimited Starbucks, Unlimited Soda and bottled-water packages. [2] [8] Norwegian says pre-purchasing additional packages saves money compared with buying them on board. [8] This guide covers Norwegian Cruise Line only.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Norwegian's drinks line-up ranges from an open-bar package included with a Free at Sea booking to separate Starbucks, soda and bottled-water packages. [2] [8]
- Free at Sea benefits require booking the cruise with Free at Sea; if an existing Free at Sea booking left out the unlimited open bar, Norwegian says to call and add it. [8]
- Free at Sea Plus bundles Starbucks coffee, high-speed Wi-Fi, top-shelf spirits and wines, bottled water at bars and restaurants, a 50% discount on additional specialty dining nights and prepaid daily service charges. [2] [8]
- The Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package is listed for ages 21 and older, and the Hawai'i beverage options are listed for Pride of America only. [2]
What is included in a Norwegian Cruise Line drinks package?
Norwegian separates its beverage choices by drink type: bar drinks, coffee, soda and water appear as different packages, and Free at Sea Plus combines drinks with other onboard extras. [2] [8]
| Package | What Norwegian lists | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar | Premium cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks [2] [8] | Selected while booking Free at Sea; listed for ages 21 and older [2] [8] |
| Free at Sea Plus | Starbucks coffee, high-speed Wi-Fi, top-shelf spirits and wines, bottled water at bars and restaurants, 50% off additional specialty dining nights and prepaid daily service charges [2] [8] | Presented as an upgraded Free at Sea bundle [2] [8] |
| Unlimited Open Bar | Select premium cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks [8] | Listed among purchasable packages [8] |
| Unlimited Starbucks | All Starbucks coffee and specialty coffee drinks from Starbucks locations and restaurants onboard [8] | Separate coffee package [2] [8] |
| Unlimited Soda | Unlimited soda package [2] | Listed among beverage packages [2] |
| Bottled water | Bottled water and energy drinks at the bar; premium still and sparkling water in restaurants [8]; 12-, 24- and 48-bottle packages of 16.9 oz water [2] | Bottle-count packages are listed in 12, 24 and 48 sizes [2] |
| Hawai'i options | Hawai'i Unlimited Open Bar Package and Free at Sea Hawai'i Beverage Package [2] | Pride of America only; the Hawai'i Unlimited Open Bar Package is available for pre-purchase [2] |
The Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package is selected while booking the cruise, and Norwegian also lists an Unlimited Open Bar package among the packages that can be bought. [2] [8] Free at Sea Plus is wider than the bar because it also covers Wi-Fi, bottled water, a specialty-dining discount and daily service charges. [2] [8] Starbucks appears both as a separate unlimited package and as part of Free at Sea Plus. [2] [8] Bottled water can be bought in fixed bottle counts or obtained through the Free at Sea Plus inclusions at bars and restaurants. [2] [8]
Which Norwegian Cruise Line drinks package should you choose?
If you want an open-bar package as part of a Free at Sea booking, select the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package when you book; Norwegian lists premium cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks, and limits that package to ages 21 and older. [2] [8]
If you want coffee, water and onboard extras as well as drinks, Free at Sea Plus adds Starbucks, high-speed Wi-Fi, top-shelf spirits and wines, bottled water at bars and restaurants, 50% off additional specialty dining nights and prepaid daily service charges. [2] [8]
If coffee is the main reason for a package, the Unlimited Starbucks package covers all Starbucks coffee and specialty coffee drinks from Starbucks locations and restaurants onboard. [8] If you mainly want water, Norwegian lists 12-, 24- and 48-bottle packages of 16.9 oz water, and its Bottled Water Package description mentions bottled water and energy drinks at the bar plus premium still and sparkling water in restaurants. [2] [8]
For soda, Norwegian lists an Unlimited Soda package among its beverage packages. [2] For Pride of America, Norwegian lists Hawai'i-specific drinks options: the Hawai'i Unlimited Open Bar Package is available for pre-purchase, and the Free at Sea Hawai'i Beverage Package is for that ship only. [2]
Is it cheaper to pre-purchase a drinks package?
Norwegian says pre-purchasing additional packages, including bottled water and unlimited Starbucks, saves money compared with purchasing them on board. [8] The Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package is selected while booking, and a guest who has already booked with Free at Sea but left out the unlimited open bar can call Norwegian to add it. [2] [8]
What are the age and ship restrictions?
- The Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar Package is listed for ages 21 and older. [2]
- The Hawai'i Unlimited Open Bar Package and the Free at Sea Hawai'i Beverage Package are listed for Pride of America only. [2]
- Free at Sea benefits require booking the cruise with Free at Sea; guests who have an existing Free at Sea booking and omitted the unlimited open bar can call to have it added. [8]
- Free at Sea Plus is broader than a drinks package: it also includes high-speed Wi-Fi, a 50% discount on additional specialty dining nights and prepaid daily service charges. [2] [8]
Frequently asked questions
Can I add the unlimited open bar after booking?
If you booked with Free at Sea but forgot to include the unlimited open bar, Norwegian says to call and it will add it to the booking. [8]
Which package covers Starbucks coffee?
The Unlimited Starbucks package covers all Starbucks coffee and specialty coffee drinks from Starbucks locations and restaurants onboard. [8] Free at Sea Plus also includes Starbucks for daily coffee. [2]
Are the Hawai'i drinks packages available fleet-wide?
Norwegian lists the Hawai'i Unlimited Open Bar Package and the Free at Sea Hawai'i Beverage Package for Pride of America only. [2]
Does Free at Sea Plus include daily service charges?
Yes. Norwegian lists prepaid daily service charges among the Free at Sea Plus inclusions. [2] [8]
What age is the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package for?
Norwegian lists the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar Package for ages 21 and older. [2]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. This page covers Norwegian Cruise Line; other cruise lines and their drinks packages are not covered here.
- Norwegian Cruise Line beverage packages, checked 18 October 2026
- Norwegian Cruise Line onboard packages, checked 18 October 2026