Norwegian Free at Sea: What’s Included and What Still Costs Extra?
Free at Sea changes specific items on Norwegian's cruise-only fare. It does not make the week free: several rows stay extra or only partly included.
It’s All Cruises · October 25, 2026
Free at Sea is a fare column, not a blank check. Drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursions move from extra to partly included, and gratuities stay extra unless you step up to Free at Sea Plus.
Quick facts
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Inclusions checked | September 20, 2026 |
| Cruise only drinks and Wi-Fi | Extra |
| Free at Sea Wi-Fi | Partly. 150 minutes per guest, one device |
| Free at Sea Plus Wi-Fi | Included. Unlimited streaming, one device per eligible guest |
| Gratuities | Extra on cruise only and Free at Sea. Included on Free at Sea Plus for the standard daily service charge |
| Sample ship | Norwegian Encore, 169,116 gross tons, space ratio 42.7, built 2019, refurbished 2024 |
Three Norwegian fare columns
| Item | Cruise only | Free at Sea | Free at Sea Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main shows | Included. Main shows; separately priced activities excluded | Included. Main shows; separately priced activities excluded | Included. Main shows; separately priced activities excluded |
| Kids' club | Included. Scheduled youth programmes; age and session rules apply | Included. Scheduled youth programmes; age and session rules apply | Included. Scheduled youth programmes; age and session rules apply |
| Specialty dining | Extra | Partly. 1-4 meals according to cruise length | Partly. Same meal allowance; additional cover charges half price |
| Soft drinks | Extra | Included. With selected beverage package | Included. With selected beverage package |
| Beer and wine | Extra | Partly. Selected beers and wines; package gratuities extra | Partly. Expanded wines and Champagne by the glass |
| Premium drinks | Extra | Partly. Eligible spirits and cocktails; exclusions apply | Partly. Expanded spirits and Starbucks; exclusions apply |
| Wi-Fi | Extra | Partly. 150 minutes per guest, one device | Included. Unlimited streaming, one device per eligible guest |
| Gratuities | Extra. Daily service charge separate unless a specific offer includes it | Extra. Daily service charge separate unless a specific offer includes it | Included. Standard daily service charge; optional-service gratuities extra |
| Shore excursions | Extra | Partly. US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1 | Partly. US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1 |
What still costs extra
- Free at Sea specialty dining is 1 to 4 meals by cruise length, not every restaurant every night.
- The shore benefit is US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1, on both Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus.
- Room service menus can be complimentary, and delivery is still charged: breakfast US$4.95, other orders up to US$9.95. Haven and suite guests are exempt from that service fee.
- The thermal suite still needs a pass on all three fares.
- Package gratuities on the beverage package are extra even when the drink row says partly included.
- A sample week: Caribbean: Harvest Caye, Cozumel & Roatan on Norwegian Aqua, 7 nights, $499 starting cruise fare, as of October 23, 2026. Ports: Miami, Roatán Island, Harvest Caye, Cozumel, Great Stirrup Cay.
Checked September 20, 2026 from Norwegian's US fare terms. Norwegian Cruise Line. Fares are marketing prices, confirmed when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is Free at Sea the same as cruise only plus a free drink package?
No. The recorded Free at Sea column is partly included for selected beers, wines and eligible spirits, with exclusions, and the Wi-Fi allowance is 150 minutes. Read the row, not the word free.
Are gratuities included with Free at Sea?
Not on the Free at Sea column. They are included for the standard daily service charge on Free at Sea Plus. Optional-service gratuities stay extra.
Does every Norwegian ship match Norwegian Encore's size?
No. Encore is one ship: 169,116 gross tons and space ratio 42.7. Check the ship on your sailing.
Is the thermal suite inside Free at Sea?
No. A Thermal Suite pass is required on cruise only, Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus.
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