Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has transitioned from its long-standing Free at Sea promotion to a new inclusive package branded as More at Sea. This change affects how guests receive bundled benefits such as beverage packages, dining credits, WiFi access, and other amenities. The More at Sea package is available for cruises beginning January 1, 2025, and represents a rebranding and enhancement of the previous offer. The Free at Sea package is no longer available for new bookings.
Overview of the More at Sea Package
The More at Sea package is designed to provide guests with a comprehensive set of onboard benefits. It replaces the Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus pricing structures. According to Norwegian Cruise Line, the new package offers greater variety and elevated offerings, focusing on premium beverages, expanded specialty dining, and improved WiFi access.
The package is available across the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, which includes 19 contemporary ships as of the latest information. These ships sail to numerous destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska. Guests can book the More at Sea package for voyages starting January 1, 2025.
Key Benefits Included in More at Sea
The More at Sea package includes several core amenities that enhance the cruise experience:
Beverage Package
The beverage component of More at Sea includes access to a wide range of premium alcoholic beverages. Specifically, it covers almost all of the alcoholic beverages currently available on the line’s Premium Plus beverage package. This includes well-known brands such as Grey Goose vodka, Casamigos Tequila, and Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey. The package also includes over 100 specialty cocktails available across more than 80 bars on the ships, including the award-winning Metropolitan Bar on Prima Class ships. Previously, the Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar package had a per-drink price limit for specialty cocktails; under More at Sea, this limit is removed, allowing guests to enjoy these cocktails without restriction. Starbucks drinks are not included in the main beverage package but are available in a separate package.
Specialty Dining
Guests sailing with the More at Sea package receive additional specialty dining meals compared to the previous Free at Sea offer. For guests in balcony cabins, the number of specialty dining nights increases from two to three. The program also allows guests to enjoy more appetizers and desserts—up to three of each per sitting. Additionally, the line will replace its specialty dining a la carte pricing with a flat cover charge, simplifying the dining experience.
WiFi Access
The WiFi offering has been enhanced under More at Sea. Previously, Free at Sea provided 150 minutes of complimentary WiFi access for the first and second guests to split on cruises of at least seven days. With More at Sea, each guest in the stateroom receives 150 free WiFi minutes, including third and fourth guests. Additional WiFi packages remain available for purchase.
Shore Excursion Credit
The More at Sea package continues to offer a $50 credit per shore excursion for the first guest in a cabin. This credit can be applied toward shore excursions booked through Norwegian Cruise Line.
Airfare and Additional Guests
Norwegian Cruise Line continues to offer free airfare for the second guest on select cruises. Additionally, the line offers third and fourth guests sailing free on select cruises, which is a continuation of previous promotions.
Kids Cruise Free
The Kids Cruise Free benefit remains part of the More at Sea package on select sailings, allowing families to save on costs for younger guests.
Pricing and Cost Structure
While the Free at Sea package was marketed as “free,” it actually carried additional costs in the form of gratuities and higher base fares. The More at Sea package is presented as a more transparent offering, though it comes with a set daily fee per passenger. This fee replaces the previous gratuity structure that applied to the “free” drink packages and specialty dining. Under the previous Free at Sea program, a couple on a week-long cruise could expect to pay approximately $300 in gratuities for the drink package alone. The More at Sea package incorporates these costs into a single daily fee, which may result in a clearer overall price for guests.
Availability and Booking
The More at Sea package is available for cruises departing on or after January 1, 2025. Guests can book the package through Norwegian Cruise Line’s official website, by calling 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or through a travel professional. The package is available across the entire Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, including the soon-to-debut Norwegian Luna, scheduled for April 2026, and the Norwegian Aqua, scheduled for March 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line frequently runs promotions, including their Black Friday sale, which may include the More at Sea package as part of the booking offer. For example, a Black Friday sale mentioned in the source material included 50% off all cruises along with the Free at Sea package (now More at Sea). Guests are encouraged to check the official NCL website for current promotions and terms.
Comparison: Free at Sea vs. More at Sea
The transition from Free at Sea to More at Sea involves several key changes:
- Name and Branding: More at Sea is a rebranding of the Free at Sea offer, intended to emphasize increased value and premium inclusions.
- Beverage Package: More at Sea includes premium brands and removes the per-drink price limit on specialty cocktails, whereas Free at Sea had a limit.
- Specialty Dining: More at Sea increases the number of specialty dining nights for balcony cabin guests from two to three and allows more appetizers and desserts per sitting.
- WiFi: More at Sea provides 150 minutes of WiFi per guest, including third and fourth guests, compared to 150 minutes shared among the first two guests under Free at Sea.
- Cost Structure: More at Sea includes a set daily fee per passenger, replacing the gratuity charges that applied to Free at Sea benefits.
Eligibility and Restrictions
The More at Sea package is available to all guests booking qualifying cruises. However, specific eligibility may depend on the cruise itinerary, cabin category, and promotional terms. For example, the free airfare offer for the second guest and the third and fourth guests sailing free are available on select cruises. Guests should review the terms and conditions of their booking to confirm which benefits apply.
The package is available for sailings from a variety of homeports, including Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Tampa, Galveston, New Orleans, New York City, Punta Cana, and San Juan for Caribbean itineraries. Other destinations include Europe, Alaska, and other global locations.
Additional Onboard Enhancements
Norwegian Cruise Line is also introducing a mobile app by the end of the year, which will make it easier for guests to browse and make onboard reservations for dining, shore excursions, and entertainment. The app will also simplify check-in and allow guests to view their purchase history.
Conclusion
Norwegian Cruise Line’s More at Sea package represents a significant update to the previous Free at Sea promotion, offering enhanced benefits such as premium beverages, increased specialty dining, and improved WiFi access. The package is available for cruises beginning January 1, 2025, and is part of Norwegian’s commitment to providing greater value and options to its guests. While the package includes a set daily fee, it consolidates and expands upon previous benefits, making it a comprehensive option for travelers seeking an inclusive cruise experience.