Norwegian Cruise Line Moves from “Free at Sea” to “More at Sea”

Norwegian Cruise Line is doubling down on its promise of “more” with an all-new “More at Sea” value proposition that wraps in more beverages, more dining, and more Wi-Fi into the cruise fare.

The transition, which NCL president David J. Herrera called an “organic evolution of the brand,” has been in the works for some time.

“These are the types of changes that we’ve always talked about as a team,” Herrera told TMR. “Candidly, we wanted to take a good thing and make it better… this is our new ethos.”

He added, that all of the changes that are included in the new “More at Sea” package are based on guest feedback.

“Everything that we’ve done, literally every decision that we make, now more so than ever, is based on consumer research… We’re not just throwing darts here.”

Starting today for bookings of voyages beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the line’s “Free at Sea” package will transition to “More at Sea.” Among the included amenities in “More to Sea” will be a larger list of beverage brands in every spirit category, such as Grey Goose vodka, Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey, and more. Guests will also be able to choose from more than 100 specialty cocktails served across all bars.

Additionally, to make the beverage inclusions easier to understand, the line is getting rid of the $15 cap. Drinks are either included or not included in “More at Sea.” Drinks outside of “More at Sea” will be considered part of the Connoisseur Collection, and guests will receive $15 off the retail value of those drinks.

Because more is being included in the “More at Sea” package — 45% more beverage brands across all categories, according to NCL — the line will no longer offer its premium beverage package starting next year.

For the dining component of “More at Sea,” guests on voyages of seven days or longer will receive additional specialty dining meals and be able to enjoy more appetizers and more desserts with up to three of each include at each sitting.

“Our goal is not to just give someone more,” Herrera said. “If someone is having cheesecake, it’s not just give them more cheesecake. You have more variety. You can have cheesecake, you can have Cuban croquetas, or you can have a croissant.”

Included Wi-Fi minutes will go up to 150 minutes per each guest in a stateroom (up from 250 minutes per stateroom). When asked about the possibility of Wi-Fi ever being all-inclusive, Herrera side-stepped the question and pointed out the line offers an unlimited Wi-Fi package that guests can upgrade to. In fact, he said, a “healthy percentage” of guests do upgrade.

Still included in the package will be a $50 credit per shore excursion for the first guest, free airfare for the second guests, as well as third and fourth guests sail free on select voyages.

Simultaneous with the change from “Free at Sea” to “More at Sea,” NCL is also switching back to a flat cover charge for all of its specialty restaurants, a system that used to be in place prior to 2016. The new pricing will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

New mobile app

Also being introduced for next year is a new mobile app that will have more functionality than the line’s current app. Features include a more intuitive way to browse and make onboard reservations for dining, shore excursions, and entertainment; an easier check-in process with reduced steps; a more transparent folio view of purchases; and more dynamic home screen that displays relevant voyage information.