Norwegian’s New More At Sea Package: See What’s Different
Last Updated on October 8, 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line has long been known for its “Free at Sea” promotion, which offered passengers a bundle of perks, including Wi-Fi, drink packages, and specialty dining. Now, Norwegian is sunsetting that program and replacing it with “More at Sea.” While the name has changed, the core concept remains the same: Norwegian Cruise Line is offering a package of extras to enhance the passenger experience. We looked at the new “More at Sea” to find the new benefits and downsides of this new promotion.
New “More At Sea” Drink Package
Previously, Norwegian offered two alcoholic drink packages: the Unlimited Open Bar Package and the Premium Plus Beverage Package. The Unlimited Open Bar Package came with the “Free at Sea” package and covered wines, beers, and liquors up to $15 per drink. Guests who wanted higher-end liquor options, premium coffees, sparkling and bottled water could upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage Package for $35 per day and get access to all liquors on board, bottled water, and premium coffees.
Now, there will only be one alcoholic drink package, the More at Sea Beverage Package. According to Norwegian, the package is being upgraded to include many liquors previously under the Premium Plus Beverage Package (they have not yet provided a list of included liquors to compare but mention liquors like Makers Mark and Grey Goose). Norwegian is introducing a new higher-level of cocktails/alcohol, though, the “Connoisseur Collection.” Beverages in this collection are not included in the More at Sea Beverage Package but will receive $15 off the retail value when ordered. Guests who wish to purchase a bottle of wine will receive a 20% discount.
This package also includes unlimited soft drinks and juices, but not premium coffees or bottled water.
38% Cost Increase for Booking More at Sea Beverage Package
Like before, this package isn’t totally free. Previously, guests would have to pay the gratuities for the drink package, which would cost $21.80 per day.
| Nights | Previous Additional Cost | New Additional Cost |
| 1-7 | $21.80 per person per day | $30 per person per day |
| 8-11 | $21.80 per person per day | $27 per person per day |
| 12+ | $21.80 per person per day | $23 per person per day |
With the More at Sea Beverage Package, guests still have to pay a daily fee (although they no longer call it gratuities in the terms and conditions). The cost now varies per the length of the cruise, with 1-7 night cruises costing $30 per person per day, a 38% increase. For two people in a cabin, that’s an extra $115 for a 7-day cruise.
There is one area of cost savings though. Guests will no longer be responsible for taxes on food and beverage sold in US ports, select EU sailings, and those that sail through Italian/Spanish waters starting 1/1/2025. While this issue didn’t impact many sailings, guests on effected cruises would be surprised seeing $2 – $3 costs per drink in certain areas under the old system.
“More at Sea” Has More Included Meals for Some Guests
Norwegian Cruise Line has a lot of specialty dining on their ships, and one of the nicest perks of the “Free at Sea” used to be the free specialty meals. The new “More at Sea” comes with more specialty dining for some people, some more food, and also some more cost.
More Specialty Dining Meals
Inside and Oceanview cabins for people sailing a week or less have no change. But those sailing in a balcony or higher get an extra meal or two. Guests sailing 7 to 11-day cruises will get double the number of included meals.
These meals only apply to first and second guests in a cabin.
More Food
Norwegian is also changing what is included with the specialty dining credit. Now, most meals will include up to 3 appetizers, one entree, and up to 3 desserts. Some restaurants like Food Republic and Sushi, where there aren’t dedicated appetizers, will work slightly differently.
More Cost
Like the beverage package, this benefit is not completely free either. Guests have to pay a service charge. Previously, this gratuity was $11.80 to $9.90 per meal per guest. Under the new package, the additional cost increases to $20 per meal — a 70% increase for a week-long cruise.
No More Specialty Dining Add-ons and A La Carte Pricing
Under the “Free at Sea” package, guests used to be able to purchase additional meal packages before sailings at a discounted cost. With the “More at Sea” program, that’s no longer an option. Instead, guests can choose to purchase extra meals while on board.
In addition, the menus at all restaurants will move from a la carte pricing to a cover charge in 2025. Most Italian, Mexican, and BBQ restaurants will be $40, Brazilian, Asian, and Sushi will be $50, and the Steakhouse, French, Teppanyaki, and Seafood restaurants will be $60 per person.
Expanded Wi-Fi Package
Unlike nearly every other cruise line, Norwegian still offers a metered /limited internet option (most other cruise lines don’t limit minutes or data). As part of the previous “Free at Sea” program, the first and second guests in a cabin would receive 75 to 300 minutes of Wi-Fi access.
The “More at Sea” package is pretty much the same benefit for most people: 75 minutes per guest for 3-6 night sailings and 150 minutes per guest for 7 nights or more. The only guests who will see a downgrade are those sailing 12 nights or more, who will be reduced from getting 300 minutes to 150 minutes. A nice benefit for families is that under the new “More at Sea” program, everyone in the cabin is eligible for free Wi-Fi, not just first and second guests.
Those who need to upgrade to unlimited Wi-Fi can still do so before the cruise or while on board. The Voyage Wi-Fi Pass (speeds of 1.5Mbps) will cost $29.99 per stateroom per day with an additional $5 per day for each extra device in the stateroom. The Streaming Voyage Wi-Fi Pass (speeds of 5 Mbps) will cost $39.99 with the same option to add extra devices for $5 per day.
Norwegian points out that the ships all now use Starlink internet, but not all Starlink is created equal. Norwegian limits speeds to 1.5 Mbps on the standard package and 5 Mbps on the premium which is way below the service that guests sailing on Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean have reported. (On our Norwegian Viva sailing, speeds were 1/10 of what we saw on our previous 2 cruises on Carnival and Royal Caribbean).
Excursion Credit
The “More at Sea” promotion will continue to include an excursion credit. The first guest in the cabin will receive $50 off each tour/excursion they book through Norwegian. This benefit is the same as “Free at Sea”.
Free at Sea Plus
The “Free at Sea Plus” program, which gave bundled-together perks like the Premium Beverage Package, unlimited Wi-Fi, and extra money for excursions, has been discontinued. Guests who previously purchased “Free at Sea Plus” and are sailing on or after January 1, 2025 will still get the unlimited Wi-Fi, two additional dining meals, and an additional $50 credit per excursion. For the drink package, they will receive the new “More at Sea Open Bar” beverage package and will receive a refund for portion that would have previously gone to the “Premium Plus Beverage Package.”
Who’s Impacted
The new More at Sea program will apply to all sailings booked on or after 10/1/2024 for sailings 1/1/2025 and beyond. All other bookings will remain under the previous Free at Sea promotion.
You can read the full terms and conditions of the “More at Sea” program here. You can also view the “More at Sea” FAQ’s here.
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