I booked an upcoming cruise with Norwegian and they actually emailed me saying I’d get both Free at Sea benefits and the new More at Sea beverage package. Hard to rely on what the phone reps say sometimes; they’re known for giving the wrong info. Just know that if you’re before the final payment date, you can call to rebook under the latest promotion.
@Gray
For those who booked before Jan 2025 but are sailing after that date, they’re giving you the ‘upgraded’ More at Sea beverage package. But heads up: while they call it an upgrade, the gratuity cost has increased, and it still doesn’t include all the top-shelf drinks. Real top-shelf options are now only available by the glass for extra cost, in what they call the ‘connoisseur collection.’
@Sage
Just to clear things up:
If you booked before Oct 1, 2024:
• and sail on or before Dec 31, 2024, you get the Free at Sea drink package.
• and sail on or after Jan 1, 2025, you get the More at Sea drink package.
If you book on or after Oct 1, 2024:
• and sail on or before Dec 31, 2024, you get the Free at Sea drink package.
• and sail on or after Jan 1, 2025, you get the More at Sea drink package.
Wait… does ‘More at Sea’ actually give you less Wi-Fi minutes?
Val said:
Wait… does ‘More at Sea’ actually give you less Wi-Fi minutes?
Yep, especially for solo travelers. ‘Free at Sea’ used to give 300 minutes per cabin, but now ‘More at Sea’ only offers 150 minutes per person.
@Vanya
Actually, I think that’s wrong. I took a cruise on the Breakaway last month in a solo studio, and my Free at Sea package only had 150 minutes. I planned to upgrade it anyway, though.
Case said:
@Vanya
Actually, I think that’s wrong. I took a cruise on the Breakaway last month in a solo studio, and my Free at Sea package only had 150 minutes. I planned to upgrade it anyway, though.
You’re right, it’s 150, not 300.
@Vanya
Got it, thanks for clarifying.
Val said:
Wait… does ‘More at Sea’ actually give you less Wi-Fi minutes?
Now the minutes vary by the length of the cruise and apply to everyone in the room. It’s not really comparable.
Seriously? NCL pulling a bait and switch move? Ugh…
Sayer said:
Seriously? NCL pulling a bait and switch move? Ugh…
Actually, it’s all pretty clearly stated in multiple spots, including on their site.
Sayer said:
Seriously? NCL pulling a bait and switch move? Ugh…
Since we’re on NCL’s tricks… I just got back from one of their cruises, and a bartender told me that it’s not just the dollar limit that decides if a drink is covered by the package. If you ask for a certain vodka, it might be included one week and not the next. If you’re on a back-to-back trip, a drink covered in week one might not be in week two. Plus, staff are trained to tweak recipes to make the same flavors without the more expensive ingredients. I even had to show a new bartender how to make a basic drink because NCL’s guide cuts so many corners. I know cruise lines cut costs, but this feels extreme.
@Wilder
Not sure why this got downvoted! I’m not a fan of cruises but we go for the kids. We booked two close-together NCL cruises recently. Moët was included under the drink package on one, but just a few weeks later, it wasn’t covered—unless you were at Le Bistro bar after 5 pm. They even started stopping people from popping in just to get a glass of Moët, tipping the bartender, and leaving.
Edit: When we booked, Moët was advertised as part of the package for both cruises. It’s not top-of-the-line champagne, but I’d pick that over Pommery any day.
@Nico
My point exactly. Since COVID, NCL is cutting every possible corner to boost profits. Try finding a cookie on your next cruise…