Norwegian Cruise Line recently retired their popular Free at Sea promotion and introduced a brand-new program called More at Sea. As of October 1, 2024, these changes will affect all NCL cruises starting January 2025.
NCL’s Free at Sea has been a very popular cruise perks package that, while not perfect, many cruisers thought it was a great value. Two of the most popular aspects were the “free” unlimited beverage package and “free” specialty dining.
These benefits aren’t going away, but the offerings and cost structure is changing. In addition to these key features, there are some differences to NCL’s new More at Sea that you’ll want to know.
In this post, I share the details of what Norwegian’s More at Sea includes, the cost and, and how it compares to Free at Sea. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about the new perks program that you’ll likely want to know.
As with all cruise perks packages, there are some pros and cons and this won’t be for everyone. With the cost breakdown, you’ll be able to decide if More at Sea is worth it for you.
What Is NCL More at Sea?
What exactly is More at Sea? More at Sea is add-on promotion that you can choose when booking your Norwegian cruise, much like the old Free at Sea. The key perks include the Unlimited Open Bar, Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi, and Shore Excursion credits.
As with the prior Free at Sea, additional perks like 3rd & 4th Guests Sail Free (or at a discounted rate) on select sailings and Free Air for 2nd Guest are also includes as part of NCL’s More at Sea.
I’ll share how much the package costs, as well as what you can expect below.
How Is More at Sea Different from Free at Sea?
The old and new NCL perks packages are similar, but there are some differences.
Unlimited Open Bar
One of the positives about More at Sea, is the enhanced unlimited beverage package, without a cap of $15 per drink, which was applicable to the old plan.
Guests will have options of premium spirits, cocktails, wine, soda, and juice. Norwegian promises more choice than ever before, with premium brands such as Grey Goose, Casamigos, Woodford Reserve and more. There are over 100 cocktails to choose from.
This is an improvement over the offerings in the basic Free at Sea program of the past.
Related: What’s Included on Norwegian Cruise Line (and What Isn’t)
Specialty Dining
The specialty dining package has been simplified and offers more. NCL cruisers can now order up to 3 appetizers and 3 desserts at each specialty restaurant, included in More at Sea.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s specialty dining is popular. Dining without a package ranges from $60 a person for the steak, seafood and French restaurants to $40 for the Mexican restaurant.
How many specialty dining restaurants are included in NCL More at Sea?
Balcony Cabins & Above receive:
- 3 Nights: 1 Meal
- 4-6 Nights: 2 Meals
- 7 Nights: 3 Meals
- 8-11 Nights: 4 Meals
- 12+ Nights: 5 Meals
Studio, Inside, Oceanview cabins receive:
- 3-7 Nights: 1 Meal
- 8-11 Nights: 2 Meals
- 12+ Nights: 3 Meals
Shore Excursion Credit
The first guest in the cabin receives a $50 credit toward each shore excursion booked through Norwegian Cruise Line. This hasn’t changed from Free at Sea and other guests will not receive additional credits.
This perk can provide good savings if you plan to book excursions directly through Norwegian Cruise Line.
Related: What to Pack in Your Cruise Shore Excursion Day Bag
Wi-Fi Package
All guests in the stateroom now receive Wi-Fi minutes under More at Sea, an improvement over Free at Sea, where only the first two guests got access.
The amount of minutes varies by length of cruise. For 3 to 6 night cruises, each guest received 75 minutes. Each guest receives 150 minutes on sailings 7 nights or longer.
Norwegian Cruise Line has shared that the wifi speed has increased due to Starlink.
This is a good improvement for families of 3 or 4, as each passenger will now get wifi minutes. It’s less beneficial to solo cruisers, who will only get minutes per person and not per cabin (as in previous Free at Sea promo).
The amount of minutes provides is still relatively limited. Cruisers who need more can upgrade to unlimited Wi-Fi, similar to the old program.
Related: 15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid
How Much Does More at Sea Cost?
You’re probably wondering how much NCL’s More at Sea costs and how this works.
If you choose the More at Sea option, you’ll get the perks including Unlimited Beverage Package, Dining Package, Wifi and Shore Excursion credit.
There’s only an additional cost for the beverage and dining packages, which are the gratuities or fees for the value of the packages.
It’s important to note that you can opt out of the extra cost packages.
Cost Breakdown:
Ultimate Beverage Package Cost:
- 3-7 night cruises: $30 per person, per day
- 8-11 night cruises: $27 per person, per day
- 12+ night cruises: $23 per person, per day
For a 7-night cruise in 2025, the cost for the Unlimited Open Bar package will total $210, which is higher than the $152.60 gratuity fee under the previous Free at Sea program.
A 7 night cruise for 2 people in a cabin will be $410, up from $305.20. While the price has increased, you now have access to more premium drink options.
Something to note is that the cost decreases on longer sailings. If you take an 8 day cruise, it’s only $6 more, per person, for the whole cruise. The longer your sailing, the more you save and benefit.
Specialty Dining Cost:
- One meal: $20 (More at Sea) vs. $11.80 (Free at Sea)
- Two meals: $40 (More at Sea) vs. $19.80 (Free at Sea)
- Three meals: $60 (More at Sea) vs. $27.80 (Free at Sea)
When it comes to the dining package, the cost varies depending on your cabin type and length of cruise. As an example, for a 7-night cruise, a guest in a balcony or above cabin would receive three meals, costing $60 under More at Sea. A guest in an inside cabin would receive 1 meal for a night cruise, at a cost of $20.
Related: 7 Best Norwegian Cruises for Families
Pros & Cons of NCL’s More at Sea
As with any change, there are going to be some positives and negatives.
Let’s start with the pros of More at Sea
- This package is relatively simple and easy to understand. “Free” at Sea used to cause some confusion and gripes, as people argued that it wasn’t really free.
- While the cost has increased, it’s still a great value for most people who drink alcoholic beverages and will be cheaper than paying per drink.
- Another less talked about benefit of the new More at Sea package is that NCL will no longer be charging their guests for taxes on drinks when in port, as was the case under Free at Sea.
- The dining packages offer more food options and a simpler price structure. That said, guests can opt out if they don’t want to go to specialty restaurants.
Here are some cons of More at Sea
- The prices on the dining and beverage package have increased, so bottom line, it’s going to be a bit more expensive.
- NCL has removed an option to upgrade to a package that includes specialty coffee and water by the bottle. Many passengers liked Free at Sea Plus for the inclusion of Starbucks and Pellegrino.
- While there’s more wifi minutes and it will be faster, it’s not as good an inclusion as some other cruise line perks packages that offer a basic, unlimited package. Longer cruises have less minutes than they would have had with Free at Sea
Related: Is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Vibe Beach Club Worth it?
Frequently Asked Questions
When does “More at Sea” start?
The “More at Sea” package is available for cruises booked from October 1, 2024, for cruises beginning January 1, 2025.
What Happens if You Already Booked Free at Sea or Free at Sea Plus?
If you booked a cruise before October 1, 2024, for a 2025 sailing, you’re in luck. You’ll keep your Free at Sea package benefits, as well as the new enhanced More at Sea beverage package. Your price will not change.
If you booked Free at Sea Plus, guest on sailings after Jan. 1, 2025, the upgraded package will be cancelled and a refund will be issued.
Related: What to Pack for Your First Cruise (Packing List & Tips)
Is Norwegian’s More at Sea Worth it?
As with any cruise extra, the value is going to depend on what you enjoy most. The nice thing about NCL’s More at Sea is that you can opt out of the dining or drink package, and keep the no-cost benefits if you like.
However, for anyone who enjoys premium alcoholic beverages and wine, at $23-$30 per day, depending on the length of the cruise, this is an excellent value. Any foodies will also appreciate specialty dining for the additional cost.
While there are some things I liked better about NCL’s Free at Sea (like the ability to upgrade to the Plus package as it included Starbucks), that package is no longer an option.
Come January, I’ll definitely give More at Sea a try and experience the new package for myself. By then, we’ll likely have more information and reviews from cruisers as well.
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Do you have an NCL cruise booked? Please let me know your thoughts about Norwegian’s More at Sea in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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We had the Free at Sea package when we did the Panama Canal cruise. I appreciated having the Starbucks privileges and am sad that there is no add-on for that any more. I hope my Starbucks card will work on the ship, though, because I can’t start the day without my espresso macchiato!!