What is Norwegian Cruise Line's 'Free at Sea': The Ultimate Guide

• What is it?: Norwegian Cruise Line's has renamed it's hugely popular 'More at Sea' to 'Free at Sea', with some added benefits.

• Key Benefit: Get the five main perks including unlimited drinks, specialty dining, and 150 Wi-Fi minutes per person for a simple, fixed daily fee.

• The Difference: The package is now simpler with standardised Wi-Fi and dining, removing the old complexity and making budgeting easier.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has recently delighted guests with a major announcement: the return of the 'Free at Sea' name for its popular perks package!

After a period operating under the 'More at Sea' branding, NCL has reverted to its original, well-loved label.

While the name is familiar, the package has received a few updates and enhancements along the way, making it easier than ever to understand and book.

If you’ve been left confused by the recent package switch, fear not.

This is your complete guide to NCL's 'Free at Sea', explaining exactly what it is, what's changed, and how you can take advantage of one of cruising's best value deals.

What is NCL's 'Free at Sea' Package?

In short, 'Free at Sea' is a promotional offer that allows NCL guests to choose from a list of valuable amenities (or 'perks') usually included in their cruise fare for a single, reduced per-person daily fee.

NCL highlights that these perks offer an estimated value of over $2,000 in savings on a typical 7-night sailing, making it an incredible opportunity to budget for extras upfront.

The Big Five Perks

When you opt for 'Free at Sea', you gain access to the following five popular amenities:

1. Unlimited Open Bar: Includes a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

2. Specialty Dining Package: Enjoy complimentary meals in NCL's signature specialty restaurants.

3. Wi-Fi Package: Stay connected with 150 minutes per person allotted for the duration of your sailing.

4. Shore Excursion Credit: Receive a $50 USD credit per port (for the first guest in the stateroom) to apply toward shore excursions booked through NCL.

5. Friends & Family Sail at a Reduced Rate: The opportunity for third and fourth guests in the cabin to sail at a reduced cost on select sailings.

What Has Changed? Key Updates for 'Free at Sea'

While the name is back, NCL has standardised and simplified key components of the package.

Here are the most important updates to note if you have cruised with NCL previously:

• Fixed Gratuity Cost: The fixed daily cost you pay for the package gratuities has been standardised. This replaces the old variable rates that depended on the length of your cruise.

• Simplified Specialty Dining: The dining perk is now simplified and tied only to the length of your voyage, regardless of your stateroom category.

• Standardised Wi-Fi: The Wi-Fi allotment is now a consistent 150 minutes per person for the entire sailing, removing the old system where minutes varied by cruise length.

• Shore Excursion Credit Continues: For those who remember an earlier announcement, it is important to note that the $50 USD per port credit is still included for the first guest in the stateroom.

The New Specialty Dining Allocation

The specialty dining component is now much easier to understand, with a set number of meals per passenger (for the first two guests) based only on the length of your holiday:

• 2–4 Night Sailings: One specialty meal

• 5–6 Night Sailings: Two specialty meals

• 7–8 Night Sailings: Three specialty meals

• 9+ Night Sailings: Four specialty meals

How to Take Advantage of 'Free at Sea'

The process for booking the 'Free at Sea' package is simple:

1. Check Eligibility: The package is available for all sailings booked from the official reintroduction date onwards.

2. Choose Your Perks: When booking your NCL cruise, you will be prompted to select the 'Free at Sea' package for a fixed daily fee.

3. Pay the Gratuities: The fee you pay is effectively the required gratuity for the included perks.

4. Enjoy: Once paid, the perks are applied to your booking, allowing you to enjoy a far more inclusive cruise holiday!

The return of 'Free at Sea' is great news for NCL cruisers. By standardising the options, it removes the guesswork and delivers excellent, quantifiable value, making it easier than ever to plan your perfect getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who pays the daily service charge or gratuity for the 'Free at Sea' package?

The customer is responsible for paying the fixed daily service charge, which covers the gratuities on the included perks like the Unlimited Open Bar and Specialty Dining. This charge is applied when you select the 'Free at Sea' package during booking.

2. Does the Unlimited Open Bar include everything?

The Unlimited Open Bar covers a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, and wines by the glass up to $15 USD per serving. It does not include premium-brand spirits, bottled water, specialty coffees outside of breakfast, freshly squeezed juices, or energy drinks.

3. Can I choose just one or two perks from the 'Free at Sea' list?

No. The 'Free at Sea' package is an all-inclusive bundle; you receive all five perks when you opt for the package and pay the associated daily service charge for the first two guests.

4. Is the 'Free at Sea' package available for all cabin types and sailings?

The package is generally available for all cabin categories (excluding specific studio cabins) on most sailings. However, it is an optional offer, and pricing may vary based on promotional timing and destination. Always confirm package eligibility and cost at the time of booking.

5. How do I book 'Free at Sea' for my cruise?

The 'Free at Sea' package can be added to a variety of NCL sailings. The easiest way to ensure the package is correctly applied to your booking is to talk to a Cruise Consultant about adding it.