It had been over two years since we final sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line. Since then, the cruise line has applied a sequence of coverage modifications which might be reshaping what it’s like for passengers to cruise NCL. So, we determined it was time to hop again onboard to see firsthand how these new insurance policies have an effect on the visitor expertise. Simply again from Norwegian Aqua, we’re sharing our sincere ideas.
Key Takeaways: Norwegian Cruise Line Coverage Modifications 2025-2026
- Major Eating Room Payment: Norwegian now costs $5 for every further entree ordered in the principle eating room, although appetizers, soups, salads, and desserts stay limitless. NCL has additionally launched room service ordering restrictions and no-show charges for specialty eating.
- Nice Stirrup Cay Beverage Modifications: Beginning March 1, 2026, onboard beverage packages will not work at Nice Stirrup Cay. A separate island beverage package deal will probably be obtainable to buy starting January 2026.
- Extra Coverage Updates Since Our Final NCL Cruise: Norwegian has eradicated specialty eating packages in favor of fastened cowl costs, changed Free at Sea with Extra at Sea (eradicating the “Plus” improve possibility), and reduce licensed Broadway reveals.
Norwegian Cruise Line Eating Coverage Modifications
Norwegian Cruise Line has applied a number of eating coverage modifications not too long ago that have an effect on each complimentary and specialty eating experiences. From new charges in the principle eating room and restrictions on room service to the elimination of specialty eating packages and a brand new pricing construction at specialty eating places, these modifications influence how company have to strategy onboard eating and funds for his or her cruise trip.
Extra Entree Payment in Major Eating Rooms
Just like different cruise traces, NCL now charges a $5 fee for ordering further entrees past the primary in the principle eating room. The charge applies solely to further entrees. Appetizers, soups, salads, and desserts stay limitless at no additional cost. The cruise line states this coverage goals to scale back meals waste.
When in comparison with competitor cruise traces, this coverage change is essentially the most restrictive. Royal Caribbean solely costs for extra lobster entrees on formal night time, and Carnival Cruise Line solely costs for third and subsequent entrees.
When you’ll definitely by no means go hungry on an NCL cruise, this coverage change might make you rethink your MDR sport plan. One of many advantages of cruising has all the time been the power to strive new issues, and Don has been recognized to order two entrees every now and then to pattern a pair completely different objects. In fact, you continue to can; you’ll simply need to funds accordingly.
New Room Service Restrictions
Norwegian has additionally quietly up to date its room service policy, limiting company to at least one scorching dish and one chilly dish per individual, per breakfast supply. Visitors might order two objects per individual, per supply from the all-day menu. Ordering further objects requires putting a separate order with further supply charges. On a optimistic word, these supply charges stay the identical, which is $4.95 for breakfast orders and $9.95 for orders from the all-day menu.
With so many further eating choices, we don’t suppose it is a large deal; nonetheless, it’s simply one other call-out to the “nickel-and-diming” strategy. Whereas some cruise traces, like Carnival, value room service objects a la carte, NCL is the primary to position limits on such orders.
No-Present Payment for Specialty Eating
Sure, the 2 eating coverage modifications talked about above could also be a disappointment to some cruisers, however we’re completely happy to see that NCL is now implementing its $10 no-show charge for company who make specialty restaurant reservations and fail to cancel prematurely. In reality, we don’t know why this wasn’t a factor sooner. This aligns Norwegian with comparable insurance policies from different cruise traces.
Personally, we really feel it’s simply widespread courtesy to cancel a reservation in case your plans change. This helps liberate tables for different company who had been unable to get reservations. The cancellation coverage is kind of beneficiant, with company needing to cancel at least two hours previous to their eating time.
Whereas we had been apprehensive that we couldn’t make any specialty restaurant reservations previous to our Norwegian Aqua cruise, we had been capable of safe all our desired eating places at our most popular occasions within the NCL app instantly upon boarding the ship. And we didn’t actually hear any rumblings from different company concerning this coverage replace.
Elimination of Specialty Eating Packages
With the introduction of More at Sea (for sailngs booked October 2024 and past), Norwegian Cruise Line discontinued all specialty eating packages. Beforehand, company may buy packages at discounted charges to complement meals acquired with the Free at Sea promotion. Underneath the brand new system, every specialty restaurant has a hard and fast cowl cost that company pay per go to, versus the earlier a la carte charges if a visitor didn’t have a meal credit score.
With these new cowl costs, company can order as much as three appetizers and desserts for no further charges. Additional entree costs do apply although.
Throughout our Norwegian Aqua crusing, we dined at 4 specialty eating places (two included in Extra at Sea and two cowl costs). Excluding Sukothai, the quilt cost and allotted menu objects had been greater than ample even when the menus had been streamlined a bit since our final crusing. With reference to Sukothai, we did suppose the $50 cowl cost was a bit dear. It might have been good if we may have ordered the pad thai or fried rice as an appetizer; however as a substitute, these dishes depend as entrees and incur an extra $25 second entree charge.
Throughout our different eating experiences at Los Lobos, Onda, and Le Bistro, we truly saved cash with the quilt cost versus ordering the objects primarily based on previous a la carte costs. Given the menu objects we truly ordered, we saved roughly $100 in whole throughout the three eating places.
Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Coverage Modifications
In one other not too long ago introduced shake-up, Norwegian Cruise Line has made some modifications to its beverage package policy, particularly associated to Nice Stirrup Cay.
No Extra Drink Package deal on Nice Stirrup Cay
Beginning March 1, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line’s onboard beverage package deal will not work at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s non-public island within the Bahamas. This can be a large coverage change that has upset many NCL cruisers as they are going to now need to pay for all alcoholic drinks bought ashore.
Whereas company have by no means been in a position to make use of drink packages at NCL’s different non-public island in Belize, Harvest Caye, eliminating this profit at Nice Stirrup Cay now places NCL extra consistent with Carnival’s Celebration Key. Nevertheless, Royal Caribbean’s drink package deal nonetheless works at Perfect Day at CocoCay as does MSC’s at Ocean Cay.
What stays complimentary at Nice Stirrup Cay:
- Water
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Choose juices
Norwegian will introduce a brand new, unique Nice Stirrup Cay beverage package deal beginning in January 2026, although pricing and particular particulars haven’t but been introduced.
This coverage change coincides with NCL’s huge $150 million funding to remodel Nice Stirrup Cay right into a extra developed vacation spot expertise. The transformation will embody:
- A multi-ship pier that permits vessels to dock straight and eliminates tendering
- An expanded pool space
- A brand new waterpark with slides and points of interest
- Enhanced eating venues and bars
- Upgraded infrastructure all through the island
Discount in Specialty Drink Menus
That is possible a minor change for many, however for cruisers who get pleasure from sampling drinks off all of the specialty bar menus, it was a disappointment to study that Norwegian Cruise Line has streamlined its beverage choices.
Whereas we’re uncertain if it is a fleetwide change, most of the bars on Norwegian Aqua served the identical menu. Particularly, I missed the bottled cocktails, like All In regards to the Basil, on the Belvedere Bar. Different favorites like a Smoked Peach Margarita and Rebellious Fish had been no the place to be discovered both. In reality, the one two bars on the ship which have really distinct menus are the Metropolitan Bar and Whiskey Bar.
Leisure Shifts & Broadway Exhibits Minimize
Sure, we all know this isn’t a “new” change however it’s new since we final sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line again in the summertime of 2023. Since then, the cruise line has shifted its leisure focus from Broadway and West Finish productions to all authentic reveals. We’ve all the time mentioned that Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line had the most effective leisure within the trade, however that’s not likely true anymore.
Within the final couple years, NCL has eradicated a number of licensed reveals from its fleet, together with Summer season: The Donna Summer season Musical, Footloose, Kinky Boots, and Six, amongst others. In our opinion, Choir of Man is top-notch, however aside from that, the shift to Norwegian-produced revues makes the cruise line’s leisure choices extra akin to competitor cruise traces fairly than sustaining its earlier distinctive positioning.
Whereas Norwegian Viva does retain Beetlejuice: The Musical for now, Norwegian Aqua debuted with an authentic manufacturing as a substitute. Revolution: A Celebration of Prince is the signature manufacturing on this ship, together with The Value is Proper Reside and Components: The World Expanded. Don’t get us improper, these reveals are entertaining however less than the extent of leisure on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships. The Prince present is well-produced with a dynamic stage setup and excessive vitality, nevertheless it isn’t far more than a live performance expertise.
The Actual Worth of Extra at Sea
As of October 1, 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line changed its longstanding Free at Sea promotion with Extra at Sea. With comparable inclusions, essentially the most vital change for us is the elimination of the “Plus” improve possibility that existed below Free at Sea.
Extra at Sea inclusions:
- Limitless Open Bar (with extra premium manufacturers)
- Specialty eating meals (quantity primarily based on cabin kind and cruise size)
- WiFi minutes (for all company; minutes primarily based on cruise size)
- Tour credit (first visitor solely)
Beforehand, company may decide to improve their included perks to Free at Sea Plus for $49 per individual, per day. This improve tier included the Premium Plus beverage package deal with premium cocktails, specialty coffees at Starbucks, and bottled water, amongst different premium drink choices. Underneath Extra at Sea, no such possibility exists. This implies company who need inclusions like specialty espresso or bottled water should buy them individually à la carte or by standalone packages.
The Free at Sea Plus possibility additionally included two further specialty eating meals, further shore tour credit score, and an improve to limitless WiFi (improve to streaming for an extra $10.80 per individual/day).
Extra at Sea Value Evaluation
our 5-day Norwegian Aqua crusing, we might have paid $109 for the drink package deal gratuity ($21.80 per individual, per day) and $11.80 for the specialty eating gratuity with Free at Sea. For an extra $245 pp ($49 per day), we may have upgraded to Free at Sea Plus and paid an extra $54 to improve to streaming WiFi.
For a complete of $419.80 per individual, we might have acquired 3 specialty meals, the Plus drink package deal (with Starbucks and bottled water included), $50 per port for shore excursions, and limitless streaming WiFi.
With Extra at Sea, we acquired limitless open bar (no Starbucks or bottled water), 2 specialty meals, 75 minutes of WiFi per visitor (full value to improve to streaming WiFi $39.99 per day), and $50 shore tour credit score per port for visitor 1 solely.
With Extra at Sea, we paid $30 per individual, per day for beverage gratuity ($150) and $40 for eating gratuity. Plus, we paid $35.99 per day to improve our WiFi to limitless streaming ($179.95), roughly $30 pp for a water package deal, roughly $65 pp over the 5 days for Starbucks drinks, and $48 pp for an extra third specialty dinner.
This equates to only below $515 per individual, or simply over $100 extra for comparable choices from the previous Free at Sea Plus. To not point out, this Extra at Sea providing can also be much less $100 shore tour credit score for visitor 2 (however we didn’t use this perk anyway). And, our bottled water and Starbucks purchases weren’t limitless with Extra at Sea.
Whereas solely a modest value enhance, having to pay additional for our every day espresso and bottled water did make it really feel much less inclusive when in comparison with different cruise traces. Although, it didn’t actually detract from our general cruise expertise.
Extra at Sea vs. Free at Sea vs. Free at Sea Plus: Our 5-Day Cruise Comparability
| Merchandise | Former Free at Sea | Former Free at Sea Plus | Extra at Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Improve Value | $0 | $245 per individual ($49/day) | $0 |
| Beverage Package deal Gratuity | $109 per individual ($21.80/day) | $109 per individual ($21.80/day) | $150 per individual ($30/day) |
| Specialty Eating Gratuity | $11.80 per individual | $11.80 per individual | $40 per individual |
| WiFi | Included minutes (75 minutes for 5-day cruise) | Limitless; streaming improve for $54 ($10.80/day) | 75 minutes; streaming improve $179.95 ($35.99/day) |
| Specialty Eating Meals | 1 meal included | 3 meals included | 2 meals included |
| Starbucks | À la carte | Limitless (included) | À la carte or buy a standalone package deal |
| Bottled Water | À la carte | Limitless (included) | À la carte or buy a water package deal |
| Beverage Package deal Tier | Commonplace open bar | Premium Plus (premium spirits, specialty espresso, bottled water) | Commonplace open bar (extra premium manufacturers than previous FAS) |
| Shore Tour Credit score | $50 per port (visitor 1 solely); $100 worth for our 5-day cruise | $50 per port (each company); $200 worth for our 5-day cruise | $50 per port (visitor 1 solely); $100 worth for our 5-day cruise |
Ultimate Ideas
Navigating Norwegian’s new coverage modifications now requires extra strategic planning and budgeting. With a seamless shift to extra a la carte pricing, prices can add up rapidly. To keep away from sticker shock on the finish of the cruise, company ought to go into their trip anticipating to pay additional for sure issues.
For max value financial savings and worth:
- Reap the benefits of limitless appetizers and desserts in the principle eating room as a substitute of choosing further entrees
- Rigorously select at which specialty eating places you need to use your Extra at Sea credit
- Buy bottled water packages as a substitute of paying $4.50 for every bottle
- Solely buy a vast Starbucks package deal when you suppose you’ll drink 3+ specialty drinks a day
- Skip room service and go for complimentary choices across the ship like The Native or Indulge Meals Corridor (choices fluctuate by ship)
- Restrict beverage purchases whereas ashore in Nice Stirrup Cay
Regardless of all of the current modifications, the core NCL cruise expertise remains to be the identical—the ships are well-maintained and stylish, the freestyle cruising philosophy supplies final eating flexibility, and pricing remains to be very aggressive.
Nevertheless, for vacationers who beforehand selected Norwegian particularly for its high-caliber leisure and inclusive nature, these modifications are a notable discount in what makes NCL distinctive within the cruise market.
The underside line is that company completely can have a good time on Norwegian Cruise Line. They simply want to pay attention to these modifications to keep away from frustration and disappointment as soon as onboard.
With Norwegian Luna debuting in early 2026 and all of the thrilling updates coming to Nice Stirrup Cay, we are able to’t wait to see what else the long run holds for NCL.
Feedback
What do you consider all of the Norwegian Cruise Line coverage modifications? Do these updates influence your determination to cruise with the model? Drop us an anchor under to share your current NCL cruise experiences.
The put up Norwegian Cruise Line Policy Changes: We Hopped Onboard to Find Out What’s Happened to NCL appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
Trending Merchandise
Coolife Luggage 3 Piece Set Suitcase Spinner Hards...
kensie Women’s Alma Luggage Set, Opal, 20-In...
