3 Drinks package GAME-CHANGERS on Norwegian Cruiseline (NCL)

Norwegian Cruiseline (NCL) is making some BIG changes to their drinks package and onboard beverage offerings. I'll walk you through everything you need to know about changes to the Ultimate Beverage package, onboard Starbucks, and soda / soft drink offerings!
UPDATE (January 11, 2023) - Sometime between when this video was published in November 2022 and now NCL has quietly removed all mention of the 6 bottles of water being included with the Open Bar package from their terms and conditions. Thanks to many folks for commenting on social media for bringing this to my attention!
🎬 Watch next: Is it really free? NCL's Ultimate Beverage Package (open bar)
• Is it REALLY FREE? Nor...
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CHAPTERS
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0:00 Intro
00:32 Changes to the Ultimate Beverage Package (open bar)
2:46 Changes to onboard Starbucks
3:34 Major soda package announcement
LINKS & RESOURCES
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Unlimited Beverage Package (terms) - www.ncl.com/ca...
FAQs Bringing alcohol on board - www.ncl.com/ca...
SOCIAL
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📸 - Instagram / cruisewithgrant
☕ - Buy me a coffee www.buymeacoff...
#NCL #Norwegiancruiseline #cruise #Cruisenorwegian #cruiseship

[@lauragwillim1055]

I just bought 6 bottled waters pre cruise. I’ll call and get that refunded. I would have never known had I not watched this! Yay Coke!!

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Laura 👋 Thanks for your comment. I pasted into the comments and description that unfortunately the offer for 6 bottles of water appears to only have been removed very quickly from the NCL offer 👎 It was there until sometime in January when it quietly was removed... Sorry for this bad news!

[@TravelingStageManager]

Are you going to do a video about the FREE AT SEA PLUS package and what it includes? Premium drinks? Bottles of wine? Extra Shore Excursion credits? Love to see you info on this as you are so good about explaining things

[@CruisewithGrant]

🎬 Watch next: Is it REALLY FREE? Norwegian Cruise Line's Premium Beverage Package Perk kzbin.info/www/bejne/qma1i4doaMirkMk UPDATE (January 11, 2023) - Sometime between when this video was published in November 2022 and now NCL has quietly removed all mention of the 6 bottles of water included in the Open Bar package from their terms and conditions. Thanks to many folks for commenting on social media to bring this to my attention!

[@williammcmanus5783]

Watched a lot of your videos. Thanks for all the great videos, they have been very informative.

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi William 👋 Thank you so much! I'm so glad that I get to share something I love and it's helping other folks! 😊

[@merzenapersaud9286]

I really enjoyed watching your videos, Grant. Great job. You look like you're having so much fun, creating these contents for present and future cruisers. Thank you 😊

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Merzena 👋 thank you so much! I get so much energy each time someone says my videos are helpful! Will get home soon from my most recent cruise and then more good stuff coming soon! 🤩

[@kcsopinionsterriblevideoskill]

I wonder if that water thing is only on some ships because in March when we went we didn't get it and I haven't seen anything about it for our cruise in October. 🤔

[@AiTravelswithLove]

WOAH, having taken a fair share of NCL cruises, switching from Pepsi to Coke is indeed very big news!! The Starbucks beverage package is also very intriguing as I can totally see my wife getting that haha.

[@CruisewithGrant]

I'm pretty excited about the switch. With all of the excitement over these changes hopefully you and your wife will be able to avoid caffeine overload 😂😂😂

[@davidfence6939]

Happy with the Coke change. Hopefully rolled out by 2024. Water change is a bit annoying considering amount you're going to pay.

[@DoctorDave42]

Just got off the NCL Breakaway cruise on Sunday. Because I'm a whiskey snob, I purchased the Premium Plus. I was really disappointed. In the list of premium whiskey when I purchased the cruise, and the one I received when I got on board, a bunch of whiskeys were listed that weren't actually available. Macallan had Quest, Terra, Enigma. But only the Quest could be obtained thru Plus (which is supposed to be without limitation). While they had LOTS of Terra and Enigma, they were only available via a tasting board for an extra charge. Johnnie Walker Blue or Platinum were also listed. None of that was available. They claimed supply chain issues, but the Duty Free had tons of both. Yes, I know DF is a different company, but NCL could have just purchased some of their stock in order to meet their obligation. They apparently only had one bottle of Paul John Brilliance, which ran out the first night. Luckily I got a pour. On a side note, they had Jameson Caskmates Stout in the Premium category. While I really enjoy it, it was $16 a pour. I buy bottles for that. I feel like I was the victim of a bait and switch and no one from NCL has reached out. I've been considering making NCL my goto cruiseline (even bought some stock in order to get the perks), but am now rethinking that choice.

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi David 👋 Thanks for sharing your experience with the Premium Plus package. I haven't tried it myself so it's always helpful to hear what people think. I'm sorry that things didn't go as you expected. Perhaps another go to see if the experience is similar? I know I've had a couple of cruises where a restaurant or other part of the cruise didn't quite live up to the usual high standards, but in general it's been a blip. Hoping that you find the things that make you happy so that you can enjoy your time away!

[@SynapticFog]

Hi David. Were there substitutions for those on the list that were unavailable? I am debating on upgrading and agree it would be disappointing if what was listed was unavailable but if they had other premium brands that weren’t listed I might still consider upgrading.

[@DoctorDave42]

@@SynapticFog There were no substitutions provided. They were simply missing a bunch of whiskeys or provided limits on board that were NOT spelled out ahead of time. I was terribly frustrated. For my money, it was still worthwhile. I drank better whiskey than I would have on their basic list. Also, a bottle of good wine at dinner was better than the basic package. Just left a bad taste in my mouth (but not from the whiskey - LOL).

[@jasonlizotte4007]

Thank you for sharing another informative video. Me and 3 of my friends are heading out on the Encore for our 1st cruise ever at the start of December. We are getting so excited. Just making finishing touches with dinner reservations and a couple shore excursions. I have been busy reading up on their FAQ portion of the website to get advice on what to bring and what to leave back home. Keep up the great work with your material. Your videos are very well done and I find helpful. Thank you.... jay

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Jay 👋 Your message absolutely made my day, thank you so much for the kind words! I was on the Encore in April and she's a beautiful ship you'll love her! Any particular restaurants you're excited about? I was so interested in Food Republic and I really enjoyed that one!

[@jasonlizotte4007]

@@CruisewithGrant I am very excited and also feeling a bit overwhelmed being my 1st cruise. I have heard all positive things about the NCL experience and the Encore. The people I am taking with me have not had the chance to experience a fine dining experience so I am looking forward to showing them various options and experimenting with wine pairings. I think we will do Scarpetta, Cagney's steak House, Los Lobos, and Le Bistro. The other nights either the main dining room or try Locals after some entertainment at night. Today I was booking a couple shore excursions. I am counting the days as its closer to check in and then departure.

[@mariecarpin4969]

Would like to see some diet ginger ale, diet tonic water etc added to NCL ! People are diabetic need diet products onboard! Thanks

[@tintina.6159]

Hi Grant, I recently found your channel when I was trying to find information about NCL. I am joining my first ever cruise this October. Excited and anxious at the same time. Watching your videos has truly helped lessen the anxiety part. So thank you for that. I do have a question on tipping though. If we purchase a beverage package, do you still have to tip the bar tender or the person serving drinks? Just trying to learn the custom on board. Thank you!

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Tintin A. 👋 Welcome, I'm so glad you found this little community of ours! You must be excited with your first cruise just around the corner. Being excited / nervous is totally normal. I've done lots of cruises and I still get nervous before i got, every, single, time! You'll have a great time! I'm so happy that i could be part of your journey! In terms of tips, tipping is not mandatory, but I know that many folks certain do it and it's appreciated by the bar staff. Some folks opt to each time they get a drink, others tip toward the end of the cruise, it's totally up to you and what works best. I hope this was helpful! Please do let me know how the cruise goes! 🙌

[@tammystreasures8766]

I had heard about the change over to coke, but thought it wasn’t until later. We are currently on the Bliss and not only do they have coke, they have Coke Zero too!! It was such a pleasant surprise. I bought a large coke on the way to the ship thinking it would be my last for a week. 😂 I was so excited to get a Diet Coke as my first drink. Then today I found out they had Coke Zero. I am so elated!! I’ve had three since I found out. 😂 Loved this video as always. ❤

[@CruisewithGrant]

Wow thanks for sharing Tammy, they seem to have moved pretty fast! I have a cruise coming up later this month and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have on offer. Thanks also as always for the kind words! 🫶

[@tammystreasures8766]

@@CruisewithGrant I hope you have an awesome cruise!

[@tammystreasures8766]

@@CruisewithGrant I hope you have an awesome cruise!

[@Amdamguy]

Love your channel. Good job!

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Runnerguy 👋 Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words; it encourages me to keep going making more content for our cruise community! Hope that you're having an awesome day!

[@andreacohen4730]

Yay! I really am happy about the switch to coke products

[@mrjc12]

Thanks dude!! Great info

[@CruisewithGrant]

Thanks for the comment, so glad it was helpful!

[@BrianLongoria]

Coke all the way. Great news! Thanks Grant.

[@elizabethwalker3002]

This is great news about the corkage bypass. As a new cruiser though, I want to make sure the terminology isn't confusing my understanding... the ultimate beverage package is the same or different from the premium beverage package that comes standard in the Free at Sea deal? On top of this, I also understand there is "premium plus". I don't want to bring on bottles of wine in ports and then get charged.

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Elizabeth 👋 Thanks for your message. I will say if you're feeling a a bit confused about the names you're not the only one, I think they've made changes over the years and so depending on what part of the website you look at it's called different things. The Premium Beverage Package / Ultimate Beverage Package / and Unlimited Open Bar are the same I've included a link below to the FAQ about the corkage. I hope this is helpful. www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/can-i-bring-alcohol-board

[@dawnr8811]

So if I have the free at sea drink pkg we will get the liters of water in our room? Or is it the Plus pkg? Thanks for the great videos 🎉

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Dawn 👋 So I'm sorry to say that there was this brief moment in time when they were including free bottles of water with Free At Sea (which is when I made the video). They've since reversed this decision, and so bottled water is only available with the Free at Sea Plus packages now. Sorry for the crummy news! I do hope you're having an amazing day! Do you have a cruise coming up? More details on the package are linked below in case it's helpful: www.ncl.com/ca/en/terms/unlimited-open-bar-package

[@dawnr8811]

@@CruisewithGrant thanks for your reply. I’ll be bringing refillable sports bottle. Which is what I thought. Cruising Joy to Bermuda late June 😎🍹🎉

[@bhorv67]

I absolutely despise Coke. I'm not a big soda drinker, but it was nice they had Pepsi, and I'm really disappointed this happened. I guess this is just another reason not to have soda at all. I will say that there's been some other changes in the included liquor bands the FAS beverage plan cover - for those that are Crown Royal fans, this is now once again included in the beverage plan, when not too long ago, it was moved to their deluxe list, which meant it was not included unless you had the super premium beverage plan. I never understood why that decision was made in the first place. Wholesale cost of Crown Royal is not anymore than any of the other brands that are included in the free at sea.

[@crebo36]

Hi Grant, Im taking my very first cruise next week 20 January and I super excited, we have the drink package and in your video you say that you can bring champagne or wine, I have contacted NCL today and I was told that guests are not allowed to bring their own liquor on the ship. I contacted them because we wanted to bring our own champagne..

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Craig 👋 Sorry you’re getting the runaround. Below is the link to the NCL website that speaks to this exception. Hopefully it will help! www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/can-i-bring-alcohol-board

[@arkadiuszg2864]

Can you please make a video about NLC free at sea plus 🎉

[@CruisewithGrant]

Thanks for the great suggestion! This was new to me so I'll do some digging! 🕵️‍♂️

[@lakeisharhyant2045]

I'm more of a Pepsi person but I can tolerate coke

[@claudettemoran295]

I don't have a problem with Starbucks. However, my first cruise was on the Norwegian Peal in October of 2008, and you had Cole products back then. it would be far better if NCL included both Coke and Pepsi products throughout their fleet!

[@kristylincoln-yc8iz]

Is the Ultimate Beverage Package different than Free at Sea Plus that we just signed up for our Alaska cruise? 0:41

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Kristy 👋 the Open Bar / Ultimate Beverage Package is the one usually included with Free at Sea. If you’re upgrading to Free at Sea Plus I understand that it’s the Premium Plus Beverage Packages that includes more top tier options. Hope this helps! Have a super day! ☺️

[@sharonnewton4374]

Love the change to Coke! Hope they aso will add Coke zero!

[@tammystreasures8766]

As I mentioned yesterday, we are currently on the Bliss. We don’t drink alcohol, so we purchased the soda package (I have to have my coke). However, I got a coke while we were still in LA waters, so they have to charge sales tax on it. That is the only time I have been asked for my card. Do they not actually charge for soft drinks now? This is my first NCL cruise so I’m certainly not use to this. On carnival, I had to show my card every time and on Royal they had the freestyle machines that we had a cup with a chip in it and we had to serve ourselves.

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Tammy 👋 I hope you're having an awesome time on the Bliss. My experience has been very similar that they don't always take your card every time for the soda package, but usually they ask me to show it to them; they definitely have to swipe every time if you're ordering alcohol. Thanks for sharing your experience!! Would love to hear where you visited on this cruise.

[@tammystreasures8766]

@@CruisewithGrant It’s been so fun! Yesterday we were in Cabo San Lucas. We went to the beach, which was about a five minute walk from where the tender let us off. We then walked the opposite direction and found a much nicer shopping area. Just fabulous. This morning we arrived early in Puerto Vallarta because of an unfortunate medical emergency. We just got off the ship and walked around and did some more shopping. Tomorrow is Mazatlan. I won’t be going ashore. Saturday we will be stopping in Ensenada. Then back to LA on Sunday. It’s going by way too fast!

[@tltfaas]

I can't drink Coke so that is going to impact my choice of where to cruise.

[@dbertran81]

I like water change, I'm curious if it will kick in during my holiday sailing? Dec 23-Jan 3 on NCL Encore. I purchased 24 liters in addition to the premium beverage package but wonder if they will give me more water on Jan 1st?

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi there 👋 that's a great question. I may be worth reaching out to NCL, they have a pretty great chat feature on their website I use pretty often when I'm looking to get a quick answer to a question; that'd be my recommendation to figure it out. You may have tons of water! 🌊🌊🌊

[@scottsaltman]

Question - How long in advance do you start to book your cruise? For me it varies, but usually between 6 months to a year.

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Scott 👋 It really depends, most of the time I'd say I start my planning 3 or so months before the cruise. In generally this lets me see how the prices are moving (up or down); with all of the travel requirements changing so often during the pandemic it was also much harder to plan too far in advance. But 3 months usually gives me a pretty good price.

[@karinjcollstrup7360]

Wow I just tryed a calculator to see if the drinkspackage has value to me. In order to just break even with paying 99$ pr day you should drink MORE then 3 sodas + 2glases of wine + 6 cocktails EVERY SINGLE DAY (including portdays) I might drink that much 1 maybe 2 days but NOT 7 days in a row...

[@hollyvalerius3753]

Can you use Starbucks gift cards onboard in the Starbucks?

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Holly 👋 So while I want to say that I haven't had the chance to try it personally, I have heard from other cruisers that you can indeed use both gift cards and your starbucks rewards cards on board (where there is a fully licensed Starbucks, some ships only service Starbucks products). If you give this a try please be sure to let me know about your experience. I'm super curious also!

[@kimbates5151]

Grant I’m going on the getaway February. I notice there is a $269 charge for Syd Norman’s pour house any idea why such are charge when it was free?

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Kim 👋 Yay for your cruise! Not too far away. That's very strange, there shouldn't be any charges for any of the shows at Syd's, it sounds like it's probably a glitch / error in the system.

[@sag912]

Your wrong I was just on NCL Pearl end of April into May out of Boston and I had the beverage package with Free at sea and 6 cartons of water were Not included I always order them ahead of time but didn't because of this video blog . I had to Pay for them as always.

[@lilyboneta1191]

Grant,love your videos,they are very helpful. I'll be on Epic on New Year's Eve. First timer on NCL. Got Free at Sea. Since I' ll be on the cruise on January 1st,will I recieve the water at my room? And will there be Coca-cola products at this date on Epic? Thank you 🙂

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Lily sorry for the delay in responding as I was also away on a trip. I hope that you had a wonderful time on your new year's cruise. Did you have a great time and now you can tell me, did they have Coca-cola products? I was on the NCL Star and they had already made the switch over.

[@franka4854]

Grant Where can I ask you an NCL question? I don’t have instagram and all that stuff. Thank you.

[@dawnmcgaffick5005]

Does the escape have a Starbucks on board? I prefer Coke over Pepsi so I am excited

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Dawn 👋 I did some digging and found this news release that all NCL ships now have a Starbucks onboard (Prima has more than one!) so you're good to go! www.ncl.com/ca/en/newsroom/norwegian-cruise-line-returns-to-cruising-with-more-variety-of-starbucks-experiences-at-sea

[@jillmelancon8358]

from what i understand, they serve starbucks coffee, but they don't have a free standing starbucks with all the other specialty coffee stuff like frappucinos.

[@CruisewithGrant]

@@jillmelancon8358 So interesting, so I just looked at the deck plans for all of the other Breakaway and Breakaway plus class ships, you're absolutely right they all seem to have a Starbucks, but the Escape has "Atrium cafe". I haven't been on the Escape so curious as to why it would be different, even from its sister ships (If you're interested in having a peek they are all on Deck 6). I learned something new!

[@Happyknight4646]

Hey Grant, love these videos, where did you get that shirt? I need that shirt for my cruise in January 2023 help me out thank you.

[@CruisewithGrant]

Haha I’ve had so many compliments on these shirts. I got them at Aeropostal two years ago. I’ve been looking for more ever since!

[@rickthibodeau9172]

Great information, thanks for the update. We're sailing on the Prima in June, we currently have the Beverage package due to the free at sea. Since we bought it before the upgrade, will we still get waters, or is that for purchases after January 1st and the price increase?

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Rick 👋 Lucky you getting to sail on the new Prima; the photos of her so far look amazing! That's an excellent question about when the new water benefit will kick in. I would assume it's by calendar date of the sailing and not by when you booked. I'd definitely recommend contacting NCL to confirm. They have a great online chat function I find super speedy to get answers to questions like this one. Hope this was helpful!

[@rickthibodeau9172]

@@CruisewithGrant thanks again. Yes, we're looking forward to our sailing. We have a 10 day northern Europe cruise starting in Reykjavik hitting 2 other ports in Iceland 2 stops in Norway then Amsterdam and Brussels finally disembarking in Southampton, England. We're planning on 2 days prior in Reykjavik and 2 days after in London.

[@CruisewithGrant]

@@rickthibodeau9172 this sounds like the perfect getaway! I haven't made it yet to Iceland but I've heard amazing things, even the possibility to see the northern lights! 🤩

[@rickthibodeau9172]

@@CruisewithGrant yes, we're excited. I was hoping to have a chance to see the northern lights, too. Then I realized we're going in June, when its sunlight almost 24 hours.

[@keeperzero]

I saw online that they're also going to be doing an unlimited weed package

[@wickedlady4180]

Eyyyy 🤣

[@tammystreasures8766]

😂

[@arkadiuszg2864]

$999 pppn 😂😂😂😂 all people staying in the same cabin 5 yo and older will be required to purchase this package 😂😂😂😂

[@tammystreasures8766]

@@arkadiuszg2864 why are you leaving out the toddlers? Why do you think they toddle. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JeffreyInPS]

Hi Grant. I enjoy cappuccino instead of drip coffee. I have the ultimate beverage package on an upcoming NCL Gem sailing. I am not a fan of Starbucks. Can I get a cappuccino at bars or restaurants with my drink package?

[@CruisewithGrant]

Hi Jeffrey 👋 Thanks for the question. I have to say it's been a while since I've ordered fancy coffee on board. They definitely offer specialty coffee with alcohol, but I think all of their other fancy coffees (which you can order primarily at the restaurants) are made with Starbucks coffee because of their partnership. I've linked below the NCL link to their beverage package list, there's no mention of coffee except for the Premium Plus Beverage Package which has an extra cost: www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Beverage_Packages_01232023.pdf

[@JeffreyInPS]

@@CruisewithGrant Thank you for the response. That is what I figured.

[@karinjcollstrup7360]

Too bad about switching from pepsi to coca cola! Well unless they will have sprite zero... I only drink light/zero and cokacola zero is the worst of them all...

[@WestCoastCultured]

Worst part of my cruise was the pepsi products maybe they heard my complaints lol

[@CruisewithGrant]

🤣🤣🤣 maybe they did!

[@mark-lz2xc]

I select the beverage package with the free at sea because that is the only option the free at sea had that I wanted and why I bought the trip in the first place. I didn't need the shore excursions. I book my own. Didn't need the Internet or the meal. The guest service manager did offer to apply the beverage package to my account for $1,200.00. Would you pay that for 5 days of drinks under $15? NCL pretty much ruined a planned vacation. I am quite PISSED OFF about it. There were a lot of pissed off people on the Gem out of Venice on Jun 19th. I met 4 people that said the same thing happened to them with the free at sea. NO DRINKS. How about the couple that spent $1,400 for a private tour of Venice? NCL knew 3 months before the sail date that the Gem was not going to Venice, but they didn't inform anyone about that. Why would I book another trip with NCL after what happened to me? Why would anyone book another trip with NCL? There are a lot of other cruise companies out there that care more about the customer than NCL.

[@user-tv9el8el5z]

I'm a coke drink, that a great news for me on my next cruise

[@CruisewithGrant]

I agree I think it's great news!! 🥤

[@sabrinaholly9170]

From Pepsi to coke sounds good to me.