This big ship cruise line will now include more dining, drinks and Wi-Fi in its cruise fares

01.10.2024 - 13:43 / thepointsguy.com

It's the end of an era. After years of offering variations on its Free at Sea booking perks promotion, Norwegian Cruise Line is sunsetting its signature offering of included drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and specialty restaurant dining.

But don't be sad. The cruise line wants to offer its guests "More at Sea."

That's right, as part of an overarching brand repositioning, Norwegian is embracing the concept of MORE: more to do on board, more to see on vacation and more value.

As part of this rebranding, NCL is swapping out its longstanding Free at Sea booking promotion for a More at Sea booking promotion, offering guests the same categories of freebies but now with more included.

But is there a catch?

"Free at Sea has been part of our lexicon for a long time; it served us well," David Herrera, Norwegian Cruise Line president, told TPG in an exclusive interview. "This is the next evolution. This is the opportunity to upgrade from Free at Sea."

That upgrade translates into more complimentary amenities included in every booking, starting with bookings made Oct. 1 for cruises departing on or after Jan. 1, 2025.

Now, when you book a cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line will include the following More at Sea perks:

Norwegian will continue to offer a $50 shore excursion credit per port for the first guest on the reservation, complimentary airfare for the second guest and free third and fourth guest fares on select voyages when sharing a cabin with two paying guests.

Passengers can opt out of the beverage package and specialty restaurant meals if they so choose.

(Pro tip from Herrera: "If you have more than two drinks a day, it doesn't make sense [to opt out of the drink package]. You should take the More at Sea beverage package; it is a better deal.")

Guests booked on cruises through 2024 will still receive their Free at Sea perks before that offer disappears. Passengers previously booked on 2025 sailings will receive the Free at Sea perks available when they put down a deposit but will be upgraded to the new More at Sea beverage package at no additional cost.

Other changes will help travelers get more from their cruise experience while making the pricing structure (and your bottom line) more transparent.

For example, specialty dining fees will revert from a la carte pricing to a flat-fee cover charge, also beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

"It's just easy," says Herrera. "It's clear. If you want to go back to that same restaurant you went to two nights ago, you know exactly what you're paying." You don't have to add up the separate prices of an appetizer, entree and dessert to know how much you'll spend on a meal.

Beverage prices will be standard across drink types, so one glass of wine will cost the same as another,