NCL's New "More At Sea" Or Is It Less?

[@brantthompson199]

We have one more scheduled with NCL to use the rest of our cruise next deposits then I think we are done. Have enjoyed other lines more

[@WheresWalterTravel]

So many cruise lines, so little time.... :) What NCL has really done is made Princess Plus look amazing. :)

[@Carolyn-y9p]

We had cruised with NCL 7 times so far. I just did a mock booking of the 11 day cruise we booked a few mouth ago for Aug, 2025. The previous free-at-sea dining package gives you 2 meals at the specialty restaurants. The charge was only the service fee of $39.60 for two of us. Now the More-at-sea dining package for 4 meals at the specialty restaurants is $160 for 2, not the service fee. They basically charge you $20 per meal per person!! The itemized charge now says dining package, not service fee. Wifi for the free-at-sea was never unlimited. It was only 250 minutes total for 1 device connected at a time. Now it is 150 minutes for 2 devices. Ok, it is 50 minutes total more than before. For free-at-sea drink package, they charge you $400+ for service charge. Now with more-at-sea, they charge over $700 for the drink package for the 11 day cruise. Shore excursion credit is the same. So, I am not sure more-at-sea is you getting more for your $, or you pay more for the extras.

[@WheresWalterTravel]

The More at Sea is a modest increase in price overall. Free at Sea Drink package for 7 nights was about $158/pp. Now it's $210/pp. That's a minimal change. Dining is $20/pp per meal. Yes they are calling them packages now instead of just "Service Charge" but it's still basically the same thing. The weirdest thing for me is they eliminated the Plus program. All of our clients have received word that the Plus Drinks Package has been eliminated from their sailings after January 1. Somehow they think the 'More at Sea' replaces that but it doesn't.

[@dBsound100]

I went NCL this past Feb, and it was 150 minutes per device, not 250.

[@NicoleZurschmiede]

I called and for specialty dining, you can no longer purchase additional packages. You have to pay the cover charge, the menu price and a 20% gratuity. It's a horrible deal. It will cost a fortune. My anniversary cruise is completely ruined. They basically said they don't care and offered to cancel my booking. My ship was almost full for April - suddenly there are a ton of rooms available due to cancellation. Before booking this new package, really really ask what you are losing cause it is a lot. I sail every 5 months and they have lost my business.

[@WheresWalterTravel]

It's hard to believe they have cancelled all the packages but it's true. The new set cover charges are not a great option. The actual "More at Sea" vs "Free at Sea" does technically have more included. But removing the Plus package, removing the optional dining packages was not a great move. I have multiple longtime NCL clients who have already moved their cruises to Princess. Princess Plus and Premier are the two best packages at Sea right now, outside of the luxury brands.

[@keeperzero]

NCL the new name should be this will cost you a whole lot more than it did before

[@melvinjacobs2328]

NCL gives nothing for nothing. I have a cruise booked with the Free at Sea. I called to ask a question about the More at Sea. The rep repriced my cruise with the MAS and it was $400.00 more than my booking. Thanks but no thanks.

[@scittw22]

I was curious about this. Thanks for the info

[@WheresWalterTravel]

According to NCL there is no charge for the upgrade to More At Sea if you're sailing after January 1, 2025. They will upgrade your Beverage package to match the More At Sea. The rest of your Free at Sea package will remain intact. The change in pricing is about $50/pp for the beverage package for a 7 day cruise. From about $158/pp to $210/pp. It's a rather modest increase. The dining is the same, you just get charged more depending on how many meals you have.

[@melvinjacobs2328]

@@WheresWalterTravel I called NCL and the rep said that wasn't true. You keep what you had.

[@1flames952]

@@melvinjacobs2328 the rep needs to be educated. I have a letter from NCL regarding regarding my upcoming cruises… I retain free at sea WITH the more at sea beverage package. That’s a FACT.

[@WheresWalterTravel]

@@melvinjacobs2328 Nope, you get the new beverage package, but keep everything else from the original free at sea. From my NCL representative: They are getting the Beverage package without having to pay the price for More At Sea. They will be getting MORE for the same price they paid for the Free at Sea. With that said, all of the other Free at Sea amenities remain the same.

[@AlexYurchak]

Meh. I have to get my coffee and unlimited wifi.

[@WheresWalterTravel]

The Free At Sea PLUS package is being eliminated so you'll have to add the coffee card or pay for it ala carte. And no more credit for the unlimited WiFi, you will be paying full price for it. You used to be credited for the Free at Sea WiFi and pay the difference. That changes with "More at Sea.'