Question 1

What is included in NCL Free at Sea?

Accepted Answer

NCL Free at Sea includes an open bar with drinks priced up to $15 (cocktails, beer, wine), 150 minutes of basic WiFi per guest (flat, regardless of cruise length), specialty dining (1 meal on 2-4 night sailings, 2 on 5-6 night, 3 on 7-8 night, 4 on 9+ night), and a $50 shore excursion credit per port. Open bar coverage DOES extend to Great Stirrup Cay after NCL's March 2026 policy reversal. Not included: Starbucks specialty drinks, streaming WiFi, energy drinks, and bottled water.

Question 2

Is Free at Sea Plus worth the upgrade?

Accepted Answer

FAS Plus adds premium and top-shelf liquor (Patron, Macallan 12), Starbucks specialty coffees, energy drinks, bottled water, unlimited streaming WiFi (instead of 150 minute basic), 50% off additional specialty dining, and it rolls the $20 daily service charge into the package price. If you drink Starbucks daily, need streaming WiFi for work, or plan to eat at specialty restaurants beyond the included meals, the upgrade often pays for itself.

Question 3

Does Free at Sea include drinks at Great Stirrup Cay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. NCL originally announced an exclusion of Great Stirrup Cay drinks from the standard Free at Sea package, but reversed the policy on March 28, 2026 after guest backlash. Free at Sea open bar coverage now extends to GSC indefinitely -- no FAS Plus upgrade required for drinks at the private island.

Question 4

How much is the NCL service charge per day?

Accepted Answer

NCL charges $20 per person per day for Club Balcony Suite cabins and below, and $25 per person per day for The Haven and Suites. Both rates apply to guests age 3 and up. Free at Sea does not include the service charge -- you pay it separately. Free at Sea Plus rolls the service charge into the package price, so there is no additional daily charge (the price drops to $34.99/person/day if service charges are already prepaid on the reservation).

Question 5

Can you get Free at Sea through Costco?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Booking NCL through Costco Travel passes through all Free at Sea perks (whichever tier is running at the time). On top of that, Costco typically provides a Costco Cash Card worth 5-8% of the cruise fare, delivered digitally 2-4 weeks after the cruise. Buyer's Choice sailings add a photo package, internet minutes, bingo credit, casino play, spa credit, wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries on top.

NCL Free at Sea Calculator

No Package

Free at Sea

Free at Sea Plus

Frequently Asked Questions