One thing that differentiates Norwegian Cruise Line from other lines is its popular Free at Sea program. Guests can opt in to the drinks package and one or more complimentary specialty dining meals (the number of complimentary meals increases based on the length of your cruise). You can remove those items to lower the price, but they add real value.
Read more about Free At Sea and Free At Sea Plus, so you can evaluate them before your next booking.
Disclosure: I had Free At Sea Plus as part of my complimentary media cruise to check out Norwegian's new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no cost to you.
What Is Norwegian Free At Sea?
Norwegian's Free At Sea doesn't mean that everything is free on board. If you include everything in the package, you'll get 150 minutes of Wi-Fi per guest (for the entire sailing), a $50 credit towards eligible shore excursions (for the first guest on the reservation), unlimited open bar (select premium beverages and bottles of wine and champagne cost extra), and complimentary specialty dining meals (number of meals varies based on the length of your cruise).
Note that if you want to visit the new Great Tides Waterpark, admission to that is not included in the $50 excursion credit. However, you can use it on a cabana rental at the water park.
Gratuities for hotel service (room steward, etc), are not included in Free At Sea. But gratuities for open bar service and specialty dining are bundled into the Free At Sea cost.
What Costs Extra with Free At Sea?
Even with the full Free At Sea package, you'll still pay for some things onboard. These include (but are not limited to):
- Wi-Fi beyond the included minutes
- Additional specialty dining cover charges
- Retail purchases
- Starbucks drinks
- Freshly pressed juices
- Bottled water
- Spa treatments
- Spa thermal suite
- Daily onboard service charges
- Select premium beverages and bottles of wine and champagne
While there are things that aren't included, the Free At Sea package really does include most of what you'll need/want when onboard.
What Is Free At Sea Plus?
Free At Sea Plus is an add-on to the standard Free At Sea package. It includes some things that you probably would want to spend money on during your sailing.
Free At Sea Plus is $49.99 per person per day and must be added at least 72 hours in advance of your sailing. Everyone in your stateroom must have the package. Age restrictions, exclusions, and reduced pricing apply to children.
Free At Sea Plus includes:
- Premium wine and champagne (by the glass)
- Top-shelf liquors
- Starbucks drinks (1 beverage at a time)
- Unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, one device per person
- 50% off additional specialty dining cover charges
- Bottled water at the bar, and premium bottled water in restaurants
- Prepaid daily onboard service charges.
- Energy drinks and freshly pressed juices
Is Free at Sea Worth It? How to Determine
If you are considering whether it's worth getting Free at Sea with all the inclusions, or upgrading to Free at Sea Plus, you'll need to decide what value you'll get from the package. It can be worthwhile if you know you'll use the included things.
Here's what to consider:
- Do you drink alcohol, and will you drink enough to make the price worthwhile?
- Will you use the Starbucks inclusion with the Plus plan?
- Do you plan to purchase Wi-Fi, and do you need more than 150 minutes?
- Will you eat at the specialty restaurants, or will you eat only at the included restaurants?
- Do you want to pay one price upfront and have almost everything included (except for the exclusions above)?
It's worth doing some math upfront and pricing out the cost of your trip with and without both Free At Sea and Free At Sea Plus. Then you can consider the cost of the upgrades and decide whether it's worth the extra fee. When evaluating Plus, count only the additional benefits you would use beyond standard Free at Sea, including the prepaid daily service charges.
My Experience
I had Free At Sea Plus during my complimentary media sailing. I didn't pay for it, but I did think about whether or not it would be worth it in the future when it's at my expense.
I don't drink much, but I really enjoyed the mojito bar on board. I also had Starbucks multiple times a day. We ate at one specialty restaurant and used the 50% off on a second one. I also drank lots of water and enjoyed having both bottled water at the bars and sparkling water when dining.
Overall, I would purchase Free at Sea Plus on a future cruise. I enjoyed having Starbucks, bottled water, and unlimited Wi-Fi included, and I appreciated knowing those costs upfront. For me, that convenience has value, even when the package isn’t the least expensive option.
Have you purchased Free At Sea before?
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