Cruise Advice

11 Frequently Asked Norwegian Cruise Line Questions

Richard Simms

June 21, 2019

Whether you’re considering sailing on the newest, oldest, biggest, or smallest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, odds are you have questions.

While each of those ships offers unique experiences, there are certain questions that just about every person has when they begin researching a trip on NCL. Rather than scouring the internet for the information you need to plan the perfect trip, we’ve compiled a wealth of information you’re likely to find useful.

Everything below is accurate as of June 2019.

So, let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Norwegian Cruise Line.

1. How does the Free At Sea promotions work?

Although considered a “special promotion” that could end at any time, Free At Sea is offered pretty much year-round. The program offers “perks” based on the level of stateroom you book.

Most of the time, inside and studio (solo) staterooms are allowed to pick one perk, balconies receive two, and guests staying in the exclusive Haven area may pick all 5 perks.

The changes are made to the program occasionally (including the period during which all five promotions are offered at lower stateroom levels). The standard perks offered are as follows:

Specialty Dining
Premium Beverage Package
250 minutes wi-fi
$50 per port shore excursion credit
3rd and 4th guests sail free

These perks are offered to the first two guests in the room. Proving there is truly no such thing as “free”, guests must pay a 20 percent gratuity (added on to the cost of the cruise) for the dining and beverage packages.

2. How much does the drink package cost… and what does it cover?

The vast majority of people who sail on NCL and want the drink package wind up getting it as part of the “Free At Sea” promotion mentioned above.

But if, for some reason, that’s not the case, you can buy one of two drink packages: the Premium Beverage Package (formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package) and the recently-introduced Premium-Plus Beverage Package.

The Premium package (which is the option given as a Free At Sea promotion) will run you $99 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity) and essentially covers any drink under $15.

The Premium Plus package costs $128 per person per day (plus 20% gratuity) and covers just about anything you could want to consume-beverage-wise, during your sailing. There are restrictions on both packages.

For example, while they cover cocktails on one of Norwegian’s private islands(Great Stirrup Cay), they do not cover them on the other (Harvest Caye). Neither covers mini-bar drinks, but the Premium Plus package does include things like wine dispensers as well as specialty coffees and energy drinks.

Premium Beverage wine — **The Premium Beverage Package covers most drinks, including glasses of wine, that cost $15 or less.**

3. How does Norwegian deal with upgrades?

For the most part, the legendary “upgrade fairy” concept is dead. While there are still occasions when customers may receive unsolicited offers for an upgrade, Norwegian has largely switched over to a program called Upgrade Advantage. In a nutshell, the program allows select guests to bid on an upgrade.

Generally speaking, you are given the opportunity to bid on staterooms that are up to two categories higher than the one in which you’re currently booked.

This means that if you book an inside stateroom, you can bid on an ocean view or balcony cabin. Not all guests are given the opportunity to bid, and there is no guarantee that a bid will be accepted.

There are pros (potentially getting a sweet upgrade at a relatively low cost) and cons (having no control over where your new stateroom will be located) to the program, and it’s important that you fully understand how Upgrade Advantage works before booking.

4. Do I need to make dining reservations in advance?

dining area Norwegian Cruise Line — Whether you eat in one of the main dining rooms (such as the Manhattan Room, pictured here) or a specialty venue, you’re going to get a great meal. (photo: Norwegian)

While the idea behind “Freestyle Cruising” is the ability to do what you want, when you want — including eating — there are times when you should make a reservation. If there’s a specialty restaurant you’re dying to hit, make a reservation.

This is especially true if you want to celebrate a special occasion on a specific night in a specific restaurant.

For example, a lot of people enjoy ending their cruise by eating at Cagney’s Steakhouse on the final night of the cruise. As a result, you may have difficulty walking up and snagging a table.

That said, if you’re willing to sit and have a drink at one of the nearby bars, odds are good that they’ll be able to seat you eventually.

5. Does Norwegian offer a discounted dining program?

Yes. There are two different ways to get free or reduced dinners in specialty restaurants aboard Norwegian’s various ships.

The first is to take advantage of the “free specialty dining” offer as a Free At Sea bonus (detailed above) on most sailings. How many meals you receive depends on the length of the sailing.

For example, on three and four-night sailings, guests receive one night of specialty dining. On week-long sailings, they’ll receive three. If this particular perk is picked as part of a Free At Sea promotion, a 20 percent gratuity will be automatically added to the cost of your cruise fare.

The second option is to pre-purchase a dining package offering a certain number of dinners for a locked-in price. The 3-Meal Specialty Dining Package currently runs $92.40 (plus 20 percent gratuity).

It’s worth noting that whether you receive specialty dining as a Free At Sea perk or purchase a package, some restaurants may require an additional upcharge.

For example, Bayomo by Ocean Blue (as well as Ocean Blue itself) will cost an additional $10.

delicious ribeye steak — **The ribeye with truffle fries makes for a great meal at Cagney’s, Norwegian Cruise Line’s signature steakhouse.**

6. Does Norwegian have a “formal” or “elegant” night?

Sort of. Norwegian’s Night Out is the line’s version of a “formal night,” but this is a bit different from most things.

Dubbed “Norwegian’s Night Out,” there is no official dress code. Instead, they suggest it’s a great night to dress up… or not.

You’ll see people wandering around dressed to the nines as they head out to one of the specialty restaurants (or to get their picture taken with the captain), but you’ll also see people very casually dressed.

Norwegian Night Out — **Norwegian’s Night Out — like most nights — ends with a dance party!**

7. Does Norwegian charge for room service?

Yes. After introducing what they called an “enhanced room service menu,” which offers a mix of complementary and for-fee items last year, NCL added a “convenience charge of up to $7.95” per order.

Morning coffee and continental breakfast can be ordered without the service charge being attached. Also, guests of The Haven do not have to pay the convenience charge on their room service orders.

8. Does NCL have staterooms for solo travelers?

Norwegian Cruise Line cabin — For the first time on an NCL ship, the solo studio rooms will have a “virtual window.” (Rendering courtesy of NCL)

Most of the newer ships have cabins specifically designed for solo passengers (called Studios) and an entire lounge dedicated to their occupants.

The Studio Lounge offers snacks, games, and a comfortable space in which to hang out. It’s a great area where people traveling alone can meet fellow solo guests for group dinners and activities.

Better still, you don’t have to stay in a Studio stateroom to participate in the events.

9. What can you tell me about The Haven?

Haven on Norwegian Bliss — The Haven aboard Norwegian Bliss. (Photo courtesy of NCL)

Available on most ships, The Haven is NCL’s take on the ship-within-a-ship concept. Most Haven staterooms are located in an area that requires separate keycard access.

However, be careful when booking… some of Haven’s staterooms are mixed in with regular cabins, so if this is important to you… double check!

While each Haven is different, many come with access to a private bar, restaurant, and pool. Other arrangements are often made on some ships that do not have a separate Haven restaurant.

For example, on the Norwegian Gem, Haven guests have exclusive access to breakfast at Moderno restaurant and lunch at Cagney’s.

10. How much is the daily gratuity charge?

(Photo courtesy NCL)

While the gratuity rates can change at any time, as of June 2019, the current rates are as follows:

$18 per person, per day for The Haven, Concierge, and Suites
$15 per person per day for all other stateroom categories

This fee applies to any guest 3 years of age or older and is 100 percent refundable in the event of a cancellation.

11. Can I bring bottles of wine on board?

Yes! While guests are not allowed to bring other types of alcohol, soda, or water on board, they can bring corked, sealed bottles of wine or champagne. At embarkation, passengers are charged a “corkage fee” for each bottle, whether the intent is to consume the wine in a restaurant or in the guest’s stateroom. The corkage fee is $15 for 750 ml bottles and $30 for 1,500 ml Magnums.

Wines gifted to passengers, whether by friends who arrange to have a bottle left in their stateroom or travel agents, are also subject to the same fee. The one exception to the “no bottled water” rule is in regard to factory-sealed purified water needed for medical devices or baby formula.