Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion remains one of the most popular cruise upgrade packages available.
For sailings from 2026 onwards, Norwegian Cruise Line has simplified the structure, clarified the pricing and made the inclusions easier to understand. The short lived More at Sea branding has now been discontinued, with Free at Sea returning as the core upgrade offer.
Whether you are planning a Caribbean cruise, Mediterranean sailing or transatlantic voyage, this guide explains exactly what Free at Sea includes, how much it costs, what Free at Sea Plus offers and whether it is worth upgrading.
What Is Norwegian Cruise Line – Free at Sea?
Free at Sea is a paid package upgrade that bundles together four of the most popular cruise add ons into one fixed price.
Instead of paying separately for drinks, speciality dining, Wi Fi and shore excursions, you pay a set upgrade fee based on the length of your cruise.
Despite the name, it is not free. It is a discounted bundle designed to offer better overall value.
What Is Included in Norwegian Cruise Line – Free at Sea?
When you upgrade, you receive four key perks.
Unlimited Open Bar
The Unlimited Open Bar is included within Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks Packages – Free at Sea and covers select premium cocktails, spirits, wines by the glass up to 15 USD, draft beer and soft drinks across most bars and restaurants onboard.
Premium brands such as Grey Goose, Casamigos and Woodford Reserve are included within the 15 USD limit.
If you order a drink costing more than 15 USD, you simply pay the difference plus gratuity. For example, if a cocktail costs 18 USD, you pay the 3 USD difference plus service charge.
There is no daily drink limit.
From March 2026, the standard package no longer includes drinks at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island. Policies can change seasonally, so it is always worth checking at the time of booking.
Speciality Dining
Free at Sea allows you to dine in Norwegian Cruise Line’s speciality restaurants such as Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki and Ocean Blue.
The number of meals included is based purely on cruise length. Cabin category no longer affects your allocation.
2 to 4 nights: 1 meal
5 to 6 nights: 2 meals
7 to 8 nights: 3 meals
9 nights or more: 4 meals
Additional speciality meals can be purchased onboard if required.
Wi Fi Package
Guests one and two in the stateroom each receive 150 minutes of Wi Fi.
Most of the fleet now operates using Starlink technology, providing improved speeds compared to previous years.
If you require unlimited browsing or streaming access, you can upgrade to Free at Sea Plus.
Shore Excursion Credit
Free at Sea includes a 50 USD shore excursion credit per tour.
This credit is applied to the first guest on the reservation and applies to each excursion booked.
For example, if you book three separate tours, you receive 50 USD off each one.
Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Cost
The cost of Free at Sea is a fixed upgrade fee per person and applies to guests one and two in the stateroom.
Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Pricing
| Cruise Duration | Upgrade Cost Per Person | Meals Included | Wi Fi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Days | £99 | 1 Meal | 150 Minutes |
| 3 to 4 Days | £129 | 1 Meal | 150 Minutes |
| 5 to 6 Days | £199 | 2 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 7 to 8 Days | £249 | 3 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 9 to 10 Days | £309 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 11 to 12 Days | £359 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 13 to 14 Days | £409 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 15 to 16 Days | £459 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 17 to 18 Days | £519 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 19 to 20 Days | £569 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
| 21 Plus Days | £619 | 4 Meals | 150 Minutes |
For many travellers, seven to twelve night cruises tend to offer the strongest value.
What Is Free at Sea Plus?
Free at Sea Plus is a higher tier upgrade for guests who want fewer limits.
It costs approximately 49.99 USD per person per day on top of the standard Free at Sea package.
Free at Sea Plus includes:
No 15 USD drink limit
Premium top shelf spirits
Unlimited Starbucks beverages
Unlimited streaming Wi Fi
Drinks included at Great Stirrup Cay
Fifty percent discount on additional speciality dining
This option is best suited to guests who plan to drink premium brands regularly or stream content daily.
Is Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Worth It?
For many guests, yes.
If purchased separately, the drinks package alone can exceed 100 USD per person per day. Speciality dining typically costs 40 to 60 USD per meal. Wi Fi packages can cost 30 USD or more per day. Shore excursions frequently exceed 100 USD per person.
On a seven night cruise at 249 pounds per person, the value can quickly exceed the upgrade cost if you use all the inclusions.
It may not be worth it if you do not drink alcohol, rarely use Wi Fi, prefer the main dining rooms only or plan independent shore days.
Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea FAQ
Is Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea really free?
No. Free at Sea is a discounted upgrade package, not a complimentary inclusion. You pay a fixed fee per person based on cruise length, which bundles drinks, speciality dining, Wi Fi and shore excursion credit at a reduced overall cost.
Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea drinks package unlimited?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of drinks you can order. Under the standard package, drinks are covered up to 15 USD per item. If a drink costs more than this, you simply pay the difference plus gratuity.
Does Free at Sea apply to the third and fourth guest?
Free at Sea typically applies to guests one and two in the stateroom. Norwegian Cruise Line sometimes runs promotions where third and fourth guests pay taxes only, but this varies by sailing and promotion.
What is the difference between Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus?
Free at Sea Plus removes the 15 USD drink limit, includes premium top shelf spirits, unlimited Starbucks, unlimited streaming Wi Fi, drinks at Great Stirrup Cay and a discount on additional speciality dining. It costs extra per person per day on top of the standard Free at Sea package.
Is Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea worth it?
For most guests who plan to drink alcohol, dine in speciality restaurants and use Wi Fi, Free at Sea offers strong value compared to buying each inclusion separately. It may not be worth it if you do not drink alcohol or rarely use the included benefits.
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