Is NCL More at Sea Better Than Free at Sea? Let's Discuss

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Just a quick update. If you are booked prior to Oct.1 2024 and you sail after January 1, 2025, you will not automatically get More At Sea. You will get the More at Sea beverage package as NCL has no way at that point to delineate the packages. If you purchased Free at Sea Plus that will be removed from your booking and be refunded to your initial payment. Just updating as I see other questions and mentions.

[@cesiliaduarte1781]

What? They will remove my free at sea plus? This is ridiculous. My sailing is this month. Will they take it away?

[@ByteSizeCruises]

⁠you are good

[@cesiliaduarte1781]

@@ByteSizeCruises Thanks, makes me feel better. I paid even the internet after buying free at sea plus. Thanks for replying appreciate it?

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@ByteSizeCruises have 150 minute wi-fi mor is 75minits. Not pleased

[@chrisbernier3889]

NCL also eliminated the VAT and US port taxes with More at Sea. Note: The 1 extra sp dining cost $20.00 Xtra..that's a deal. All specialty dining has been updated to a set price.

[@AMCAquatics]

Grey Goose was included three years ago anyways for a lot less price wise. Such is life now in everything but particularly when it comes to cruising; prices are rising at an incredible rate.

[@MichaelHennessy-h4l]

Good job John. NCL squeezing more $$$ out of each cruiser to add to their bottom line. It’s all about maximizing the return to stockholders.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

I don’t love it

[@DB-zp9un]

Then dont take part in the program.. You dont HAVE to purchase them. The drinks package, in our opinion, still worth it.. Have you priced an RC drinks package lately? The internet actually better for us as we normally have 3 people going and now based on whole cabin.. Specialty dining, that we probably wont do anymore, so they will actually lose that money from us.

[@kenbeck6779]

You have options 1. don't get it 2. Choose another cruise line 3. Stay home.

[@harbringher9546]

There is a Starbucks package upgrade however. My 12 day cruise is charging me $238 per person for it

[@jeffdeutsch]

I'm brand new to cruising and NCL and I have to say I appreciate the attempt but that I'm still confused... : / Am doing an Alaska cruise in April... Gave you a like regardless! : )

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Everyone is... lol

[@LunaLight95]

NCL has gone from having the best and most inclusive drinks package to making me not want to book 🤦‍♀️😥

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Yep. Not great

[@DB-zp9un]

What changed? Unless you are talking the premium plus they discontinued.

[@Kevin_D-i3y]

@@DB-zp9un Premium Plus was a fantastic deal. I made up for the extra cost at the Whiskey Bar the first night

[@billkallas1762]

In 11 more days, I'll be sailing on my second NCL solo cruise, of the year. (a 21 day cruise) I don't have anything booked for next year yet, so I'm going to have to sharpen my pencil to determine who my next cruise is going to be with.

[@daveteller9503]

do you know how the 2 free specialty dinning meals for platinum and above will work

[@ByteSizeCruises]

They are the same. You can use them as you normally would

[@cruiselover4114]

Why not holding back to drink onboard until we get to Senor Frog? Save a ton of money.

[@isabelpiscopo4072]

so prior to this announcement i booked for Dec 2025, 12 day cruise and balcony. Paid free at Sea. Some have said that we will automatically get transfered to More at Sea. Does that mean that instead of 3 speciality dining I now get 5? and if not, can I still buy the special offer for 2 extra speciality dining at previous price? I always did this before. Moreover, I was supposed to have 300 mins of internet. Will I now get only 150mins? Not interested in drinks upgrade because what free at sea offered was ample for us.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Technically from the Cruise Line, only the drink package will be moved from Free at Sea to More at Sea. The remainder of the package will remain the same as booked, but... obviously that could change.

[@macewank]

I'm *very* annoyed that FAS+ is no longer a purchasable option for my December 24 cruise. I understand MAS being the go-to as of 1/1/25 but this change is impacting my 2024 cruise. Waiting for a callback from my Personal Cruise Consultant to explain what this all means for me on that sailing, but I'm not optimistic. Regardless, they need to add a bottled water package. I drink the Aqua Panna and Sam Pelligrino when I'm eating or at the bar, and there's no package that gets me those options anymore. I drink way too much of it to pay a la carte.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

That is silly.

[@macewank]

@@ByteSizeCruises for what it's worth, I was able to get Free At Sea + added to my sailing by talking to my PCC. What a mess.

[@lennysails7823]

I’m booked in 2026, should I change?

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Had an Australia 2026 cruise booked and was going to upgrade to FAS+. Now with these changes I'm leaning towards canceling and going on Princess instead. For the same price I would get EVERYTHING that I would have gotten with FAS+ and a better class of cabin. I'm an NCL shareholder so I understand these changes... Doesn't mean I have to like them.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Totally true.

[@markanderson4163]

so as a shareholder you get it...which is what i've been saying...this is screw the paying customers as long as the shareholders can squeeze out an extra nickel...F NCL

[@brian_wanderlust]

I'm thinking of an NCL cruise this December as a solo cruiser. I've never been on a cruise before so have no idea how the drinks packages work. With a drinks package can one have a glass of wine or cocktail when you are eating at one of the restaurants or are the drinks only available at the various bars?

[@ByteSizeCruises]

You can certainly have a drink in any venue at all. Even the theater.

[@timmcneill7344]

Do you know this affects the Free at sea Plus that I Purchased for my March 2025 cruise?

[@ByteSizeCruises]

It will not. Anything booked will be honored and not changed

[@timmcneill7344]

@@ByteSizeCruises Thank you

[@bridgetmccarthy7333]

Just looked at my reservation and it no longer shows that I paid for the premium plus with Starbucks and bottled water included!

[@chucklawus]

ByteSizeCruises is wrong on this particular point... Free at Sea "Plus" will be REFUNDED to you and gone from your 2025 cruise. (i.e., NO unlimited WiFi (unless you pay/add package, e.g., our 7-day Alaska cruise on Bliss next year will be $209 pp or $418 for couple.) NO $50 shore excursion credit for 2nd person; NO sparkling/still bottled water; NO Starbucks, e.g., our 7-day Alaska cruise will be $276 for both of us; NO 2 additional specialty dining (e.g., 2 additional Cagney/Bistro/Seafood new cover price will be $60 pp = $120 x 2 meals = $240 per couple;) and, NO select wine bottles at dining or P+ premium liquor, e.g., $32 Macallan Quest will now be $15 credit/off and $17 added to your bill.) Our $686 Free at Sea Plus purchase will be refunded, BUT when I added up costs to replicate "Free at Sea Plus" package it's now well above the "to be refunded" cost I already paid.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Yep. I added as a pinned comment. Only for the plus. Not normal free at sea

[@johnl56]

I went away from Ncl a couple years ago because of their pricing and upcharges. This won't bring me back to NCL. Sad because I like the product

[@Podgey25]

Me,too.

[@Bushmaster225]

This is B.S. It’s going to cost more. After 15 cruise I might go back to Celebrity.

[@dBsound100]

Same. I've only cruised with NCL, but I'll be shopping around after this next one. :(

[@johncech8594]

This is a bad deal for free at sea plus.

[@aaronsmarlowe]

You serious? It's hardly an extra expense. That drink package is HALF the price.

[@Bushmaster225]

@@aaronsmarloweI don’t drink alcohol, but like the ice cold drinks without alcohol. Plus on a longer cruise you lose more on WiFi

[@jpentzien]

We are not happy. We have a cruise booked for Dec 2024 and wanted to do FAS+, now that’s gone. We don’t get MAS, so now bottled water/fresh juice, speciality coffee is no longer included and has to be paid per purchase or their .5L gift packages. We will be going back to RCL most likely.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

That sucks.

[@captaindangit6562]

I use to be a travel agent through a separate company but I’m wanting to start by own from the ground up and google is not helping any. I really love NCL and wanted to specialize in them I did complete all of their training and was the highest level I could get before I unfortunately had to step back from that company as it wasn’t working how I hopped with them.

[@jameschetwynd]

Love you Reality new booking cost more money MAS I am confused about my May 2025 Do I get 2 specialty dinners $20 each. Are my platinum dinners also $20 vs free?

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Hi. Thx so much. Truth. It is more. Platinum dinners are free. If you booked after 10.1. You get 1 spec dinner inside or oceanview for 20 or 3 in a balcony on a 7 day for 20 each. If you booked earlier nothing changes other than the drink package

[@jameschetwynd]

@@ByteSizeCruises saw I get 2 as 10 day ocean view on a Ncl page Tried to buy 2 that’s gone Think Ncl made mistake with this change As no change to free And can’t buy Will pay at restaurant May do 4 vs 5 I had planned

[@artimuszertk.881]

hey, i've been trying to understand this new more at sea package, but still confused. Can you, please, clarify something for me. If i don't drink alcohol, can i remove a drink part of "more at sea" but keep other parts. I don't wanna pay those huge gratuities for alcohol i don't even drink

[@ByteSizeCruises]

You can absolutely remove the drink package and just do dining, wifi and shore excursion credits

[@artimuszertk.881]

@@ByteSizeCruises thank you for your response!

[@jimb7216]

Them getting rid of FAS+ and going to the strictly a la carte pricing model, which costs hundreds more, is making us switch from NCL.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Sad but seems like a lot of people feel that way

[@Derek1105]

They added a "Super Premium" alcohol list, so all they did was remove top shelf from their MAS package to make you pay full price for a top shelf drink.

[@ryanreeves70]

Ncl upgraded us for free to the more at sea per email. We booked in Sept for January sailing.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

You will automatically get more at sea beverage only

[@marinafishspakoln8488]

Dining: I get 3 specialty dinings with my cruise. What does it mean, that it costs an additional 15 dollars? So I still have to pay for speciality dining? Even with “more at sea”? (Free at sea) Just less, than without any package?

[@ByteSizeCruises]

If you book a balcony you basically pay 20 per person per meal for your 3 spec dining. Or you can opt out and if you want to do spec dining it’s 60 per person per meal.

[@marinafishspakoln8488]

@@ByteSizeCruises I don’t really get it. so what is the “more/free at sea” there for, if I still have to pay the speciality restaurant? 1. 20 2. 20 3. 20 = 60 for my 3 “dining options” included in more at sea.

[@LunaLight95]

I liked that this year we got free at sea and then was able to upgrade it to more at sea. I was hoping it was going to be like that in the future. I guess it was just so that they could phase out free at sea

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Ugh

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@LunaLight95 royal is $90 pp drink package. So $22 pp died

[@ingridcruz7095]

this was extremelly helpful!!!

[@ByteSizeCruises]

thanks so much!!

[@paulholland1641]

I've listened to a few of these videos no one had said and maybe it's clear but is it the drink package included on the island no one has actually stated that

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Depends on the island. It is included on great stirrup cay but not on harvest caye

[@Sana-vi7sw]

I upgraded to free at sea plus just a few days ago before i saw all these rumors on cruise critic about the changes. Im still trying to understand it all but i think i made a good decision getting fas+ before they got rid of it

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Yep. It’s no longer available now.

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@Sana-vi7sw yes today free at sea gone now more $30 pp plan no Starbucks mostly top shelf 2025 bookings +

[@jpentzien]

You will be getting a refund. It’s gone gone.

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@jpentzien yes I am booked long time for May Prima what is happing with free at sea as now max? Hope minor got 150 min wi-fi. Think do unlimited $200. One excursion $240 deciding on

[@jpentzien]

@@jameshchetwyndjr9739 the way I interpret is you will be automatically upgraded to More at Sea for no additional cost, so look at that product offering for what you receive. MAS is the only “all inclusive” package being offered now effect 1/1/25. Those sailing the rest of 2024 are stuck with just Free at Sea.

[@jcinewilliams8819]

I will have to say I am a little unhappy about this change. Because the free at sea (as far as the drink package was) worked for me. However, I did always upgrade to a premium drinking package Because I am one of those that, like to have no concerns about how much I drink or the cost of things of what I drink. And I like being able to drink as much bottled waters as I could get everyday as well as getting freshly Squeezed juice. Now, none of that is included?😡 so I don't know how I feel about it. Hopefully there is some more Clear explaining that goes along with understanding this more at sea business, but as it sounds to me, I don't think I like it, but I still love Norwegian. I'm just going to have to figure out a different method with drinking.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Agreed

[@williamwchuang]

Yeah I should've booked yesterday.

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@jcinewilliams8819 I agree

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@williamwchuang think now differences between line about gone. Find honest travel agent get 80% off cabin deals For drinks I did bottles = $10 per glass

[@DBrummerCamas]

Just a quick note on the More At Sea Specialty Dining . . . Besides getting more Specialty Dining opportunities, you will also get to choose up to three apps and three desserts with each meal! Here is the text on that from their More At Sea flyer: "Plus MORE apps and desserts at each meal: order up to 3 appetizers and 3 desserts for more to enjoy."

[@skells8609]

I drink wine, if I can get better wines, I'll count it as positive. I got 150 min on my cruises so far, it sounds about the same. The meals, not bad, but on my last cruise the speciality dining was full and people had to us it in the main dinning room to order Cagney steaks. Anyway I'm on a Mexican one in November. I think the entertainment is going to be what drives my future cruise plans

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Thats totally fair

[@lindakeppler8050]

I don’t drink so no drink package for me

[@johnsledz8823]

So now you have to pay extra for speciality coffee and pay extra for bottled water.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

You always did. These were only included in free at sea plus which was an upsell.

[@kenbeck6779]

It looks like my cruise I booked in 2025 they just gave me the More At Sea. Unlimited Open Bar, Specialty Dining Package and the 150 minutes of Wi-Fi

[@crystalsutphin9082]

I have been booked for a January 2025 sailing, 6 days, Large Balcony room I got an email about More At Sea stating my drink package was being upgraded but haven't got any information on if my specialty dining is being upgraded too??

[@ByteSizeCruises]

As far as we have been told, only the drink package will be converted, everything else will remain the same

[@crystalsutphin9082]

@@ByteSizeCruises Ok, thank you!

[@Derek1105]

How can you say you get more drinks on the MAS package, when they refuse to produce a list? Woodford Reserve is not top shelf by any means. $30 bottle bottom shelf stuff. Where's the Weller 12, Blantons,, EH Taylor, etc? I purchased the FAS+ package because I want to drink actual premium bourbon. Why just spew out what NCL tells you when there is nothing to back it up?

[@ByteSizeCruises]

What about my cynicism says that I am happy about this lol

[@Derek1105]

@@ByteSizeCruises Didn't say you were, but until they produce a list (transparency), no one can actually say you will receive more top shelf choices. For a company to roll out a product, but cannot provide details, that is sketchy at best and fraudulent at worst.

[@salliestewart4713]

Thank you

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Of course

[@mariannorton4161]

I'm calling bs on water and soda not being included. Great video, thank you for the heads up. I'm thinking I'm not going to book a cruise.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

It’s just bottles of water and cans of soda. You can still get fountain and tap.

[@mariannorton4161]

@@ByteSizeCruises Thank you so much for clarifying.

[@haroldpaden8755]

Sticking to the people who are well drinkers!

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Yep. Sure are

[@GreyGooserr]

Just one thing. You said if it’s over $15, you would have to pay for the whole drink (like Starbucks, energy drinks). According to the NCL FAQ, if you have More At Sea you will get $15 off any drink from the “Connoisseur Collection”

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Starbucks and energy drinks are not included and need to be purchased a la carte. It is 15 off from the connoisseur club menu. Correct. Super confusing at the moment

[@BryanDavis-d1s]

More at Sea is not “free”. I just booked a cruise for next Sept and I was charged for the More at Sea drinks pkg and speciality dining. In total it cost me an extra about $700. When I asked the NCL customer service about this they said More at Sea is not free. Buyer beware as the literature from NCL is vague and misleading.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Free at Sea wasn't free either. They did not do a great job on this.

[@Kevin_D-i3y]

I am one and done with NCL. Free at Sea Plus was an awesome upgrade. 2 more specialty dining, "unlimited" basic internet, $50 more in Excursion Credits, unlimited Starbucks, water, unlimited top shelf alcohol (including The Macallan) and sodas. This new program is total BS. I am done with cruising. Time to go back to land-based vacations

[@charliedurham4248]

More transparent pricing. Probably conforms more to the spirit of the new pricing transparency regulations. I never liked them calling it "Free" at Sea. Misleading marketing. This is better for that. I am sure they put a lot of work into the drink package decision. It will be interesting to see how many more people start declining the drink package. My total guess is that this drink package change will be about a wash for NCL, but more fair for cruisers, as less non drinkers will be subsidizing the drinkers' package costs.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Totally agree on all counts.

[@brettparnell8254]

I like it overall. MAS will take a lot of the decision-making away from both the passengers and the crew. If you want a specialty dining meal extra, just pay the cover charge. If you want a drink and it's not listed in the connessieur collection, order it. There should be a lot less questions like "do I need to upgrade the drink package? Or do I need more specialty dining?"

[@Derek1105]

@@brettparnell8254 Disagree. When and IF they produce a list of what was moved to "connoisseur collection" vs. what they consider top shelf items claimed to be added to the MAS package, I'll bet you see no added premium bourbon on the new MAS included list. Just more bottom shelf selections. Simply a ripoff.

[@nubiega9016]

I never understood why they never included water

[@ByteSizeCruises]

It’s so silly

[@AndersonWylde-f1s]

Maybell Underpass

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

Ok I think with changes I am not included also

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

Was angery. Over it now. Yes a rip off

[@lennysails7823]

Oh So drink package will happen automatically if you are sailing in 2026.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

correct!

[@rkenzie5235]

Ohhhhh I see- replacing free at sea!

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Yes indeed

[@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731]

Fares up. More drunkenness. Everyone scheduling the specialty dining every night with no control. Three hours in the dining room due to staff cutbacks. We're Sapphire six points away from Diamond and won't be coming back.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Sad

[@PatriciaBlackstone-u1d]

Shannon Rapids

[@ljacobs357]

Watch out with name changes.

[@ianclarke9656]

Your wrong about if already booked as we have been changed already and we booked in September to sail August 25

[@ByteSizeCruises]

It’s very clear it is for new bookings only You will only receive the more at sea drink package as there is no way to discern them from each other without free at sea plus which has been eliminated

[@MattieBurchett-o1j]

O'Kon Manors

[@dinospumoni8860]

This seems overly complicated. It should be included or non existent.

[@markanderson4163]

its "overly complicated" for a reason...so NCL can squeeze a few more dollars out of your wallet.

[@sideout1961]

Still no water included. What a rip off.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Sucks

[@sideout1961]

@@ByteSizeCruises Don’t know what happened but when we started sailing NCL water was included with package

[@SoloonaCruise]

Not liking this. I don't know what NCL managementn is thinking. Shows has gone and drinking booze has become more importannt. As a non alcoholic drinker it would have been better if they included bottled water. Wifi is cr*p, was 300 for longer cruise. This is a reason not the sail with them anymore after having a lot of cruises with them. Are they inxreasing gratuities (again) as well? I am always surprised how badly NCL's communication is with their guests/ clients.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

not increasing gratuities yet....

[@EricEllsworth-c2e]

Ratke Mount

[@autobotdiva9268]

NCL isnt very kid friendly so i dont cruise much on them

[@Star-Boarder]

Excellent

[@ljacobs357]

Great

[@SaroyanJulia]

054 Horace Divide

[@HelinaWillie]

6999 Dickinson Throughway