This large cruise line will now incorporate additional dining options, beverages, and Wi-Fi into its cruise packages.

It's a significant transition. After many years of variations on the Free at Sea promotion, Norwegian Cruise Line is retiring its hallmark offer of included drink packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, and specialty dining.

But there's no need to feel disheartened. The cruise line is introducing a "More at Sea" experience for its guests.

Indeed, as part of a broader brand transformation, Norwegian is adopting the idea of MORE: more activities onboard, more sights to explore, and more value for guests.

In line with this rebranding, NCL is replacing its traditional Free at Sea promotion with a More at Sea promotion, providing guests with similar categories of perks but with even more inclusions.

But is there a hidden catch?

More at Sea benefits

"Free at Sea has been part of our vocabulary for quite some time; it has served us well," said David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, in an exclusive chat with TPG. "This represents the next step forward. It's an opportunity to enhance our Free at Sea offering."

This enhancement means that more complimentary perks will be included with every reservation, starting from bookings made on or after October 1 for cruises set to depart from January 1, 2025, onward.

Now, when you make a cruise reservation, Norwegian Cruise Line will include the following More at Sea perks:

• An enhanced beverage package that encompasses premium drink brands and over 100 specialty cocktails. The cruise line is retiring the current Unlimited Open Bar and Premium Plus beverage packages in favor of a new package that features 45% more beverage brands across all categories.
• Extra specialty dining options on cruises lasting a week or more, allowing up to three appetizers and three desserts per person, per meal. Passengers in balcony cabins will enjoy one meal on three-night voyages, two meals on four- to six-night cruises, three on seven-night journeys, four on eight- to 11-night sailings, and five on cruises of 12 nights or more. Guests in inside and outside cabins will receive fewer meals.
• Increased Wi-Fi minutes, providing a total of 75 to 150 minutes of Starlink Wi-Fi for each guest, depending on the length of the cruise.

Norwegian will still provide a $50 shore excursion credit for the first guest at each port, free airfare for the second guest, and complimentary fares for the third and fourth guests on select voyages when sharing a cabin with two paying guests.

Guests can choose to forgo the beverage package and specialty restaurant meals if they prefer.

(A tip from Herrera: "If you typically enjoy more than two drinks daily, it makes sense not to opt out of the drink package. The More at Sea beverage package offers better value.")

Guests who have booked cruises through 2024 will continue to enjoy their Free at Sea perks until that offer is phased out. Those who booked cruises for 2025 will receive the Free at Sea perks available at the time of their deposit but will be upgraded to the new More at Sea beverage package at no extra cost.

More than just More at Sea

Additional changes will enhance travelers' cruise experiences while making the pricing structure clearer and more straightforward.

For instance, starting January 1, 2025, specialty dining fees will shift from a la carte pricing back to a flat-fee cover charge.

"It's simply straightforward," Herrera states. "It's transparent. If you want to revisit that restaurant you enjoyed two nights ago, you'll know exactly what you'll pay." There’s no need to tally the individual costs of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert to determine your meal expenses.

Beverage pricing will be uniform across all drink categories, ensuring that one glass of wine costs the same as another, and cocktails won’t vary significantly in price.

To enhance guest experiences onboard, Norwegian is revamping its entertainment lineup to emphasize musical productions that appeal to a wide audience, whether they are new or reimagined shows, while also expanding entertainment and activity options beyond the theater.

The cruise line plans to launch a new mobile app by the end of 2024. This app will streamline the cruise check-in process and provide easier access to onboard billing, as well as bookings for restaurants, shows, and shore excursions.

Looking for more itinerary choices? In 2026, NCL will deploy its 20-ship fleet on a wider array of short cruises and various cruise lengths throughout Europe, featuring plenty of warm-weather beach getaways and adventures to distant destinations like Alaska and Asia.

Does More at Sea equate to higher costs?

You don’t need a degree in business to understand that if a cruise line is adding more amenities to its base price, it's likely that cruise fares will rise.

When asked about how the More at Sea rebranding would affect vacationers' finances, Herrera noted that NCL guests prioritize value and simplicity over being nickeled and dimed.

"When potential guests consider Norwegian Cruise Line, they aren't looking for a budget option," Herrera explains. "They're seeking an elevated experience, convenience, and pricing transparency. Our strategy is not only to be authentic and clear but also to demonstrate that there’s value in what we offer. Many of our travel partners advised us to adopt this direction: make it more inclusive, charge a little more, but people will be willing to pay for it."

The exact increase in More at Sea fares is yet to be determined, as pricing details were unavailable at the time of publication. However, Herrera is optimistic that modern travelers prefer the clarity of knowing their expenses upfront rather than tallying various trip costs to save a few dollars. This transparency and simplicity are key components of the overall value proposition alongside the included amenities.

"Everyone enjoys the feeling of returning from a fantastic vacation, but they feel even more satisfied when they believe they received great value," remarked Herrera.