NCL is Full Speed Ahead in 2026 with Departure of NCFs, Return of Free at Sea Plus

Norwegian Cruise Line made some big industry waves during the final days of 2026.

In mid-December, the cruise line announced the availability of Free at Sea Plus, a promotion that takes NCL’s guest-favourite Free at Sea program to the next level. For $49.99 per person per day – commissionable to travel advisors – NCL guests will now have even more ways to enjoy a seamless, stress-free cruise. 

This enhanced offering includes unlimited Starbucks beverages, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, wine and champagne from NCL’s signature collection, bottled water and a 50% discount on any additional specialty dining cover charges. As well, by opting for Free at Sea Plus, guests can also indulge in unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas. 

Combined with Free at Sea’s existing inclusions — specialty dining, unlimited open bar onboard the ship, high-speed Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, and shore excursion credits — Free at Sea Plus means fewer logistics for your clients to manage and total budget control. 

Guests can add Free at Sea Plus to sailings departing from February 1, 2026 forward.

Just before Christmas, NCL dropped more happy news – this time aimed squarely at its advisor partners – when it announced the elimination of all non-commissionable fares across every cruise category, effective Boxing Day for all sailings departing May 1, 2026 and beyond.

 “This is significant – no other cruise line, other than Viking and Virgin, has done this,” said Derek Lloyd, Vice President, National and Strategic Accounts, in a message to Travel Market Report Canada.

In an email to partners, the NCL says the move emphasizes its focus on strengthening advisor partnerships and keeping travel advisor success at the core of its strategy.

“Travel advisors are the backbone of our industry, and their success is our success,” said John Chernesky, SVP of Sales for North America at NCL. 

“Removing NCFs is a meaningful commitment to strengthening our partnership and ensuring advisors are fully rewarded for the value they bring to their clients and to NCL.”