For many cruisers, building the perfect vacation package can feel like stacking Tetris blocks—one perk clicks into place while another throws the whole plan off. Norwegian Cruise Line seems to understand the struggle.
After spending the past year testing its upgraded More at Sea program, the line has quietly brought back its familiar Free at Sea package, a move many travelers had been hoping would return in some form.
Fans had long said they missed the simplicity and predictability of Free at Sea, especially as More at Sea introduced sliding scales and variable charges that some found harder to navigate. And even if it isn’t a perfect match to the old version, some cruisers say it’s the satisfying click they were waiting for.
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Free at Sea Returns—With Simpler Rules and a Few Trade-Offs
The switch back took effect November 5, and many passengers are only now noticing the change. NCL says the restored Free at Sea package offers over $2,000 in value on a standard seven-night itinerary—bundling open bar, Wi-Fi, specialty dining meals and shore excursion credits. Essentially, the cruise line kept the premium perks introduced under More at Sea while stripping away the sliding scales that confused many travelers.
One of the biggest shifts is pricing consistency. Under More at Sea, beverage package costs varied based on cruise length, ranging from $23 to $30 per person per day. Free at Sea simplifies that to a flat $28.50 per day, which NCL frames as gratuities for guests 21+. Soda packages remain at $12.50. Specialty dining has also been standardized: meal counts now depend solely on voyage length, not cabin category—something many families applauded.
Wi-Fi, however, took a noticeable hit. Free at Sea now includes 150 minutes per guest, replacing the variable allotments that once reached 300 minutes on longer sailings. And the shore excursion credit remains limited to $50 for the first guest only, a sticking point for cruisers who feel they’re paying per person but not receiving equal benefits.
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How the Changes Help Some Travelers—and Frustrate Others
Reactions online show the split clearly. Many applaud the simplicity—especially those who disliked More at Sea’s moving targets and tiered dining rules: (“Free at Sea Plus being resurrected is the Christmas gift I hoped for LOL,” wrote one commenter.) Balcony and suite guests say little has changed for them, while parents cruising with kids welcome equal dining perks across all stateroom categories; as one commenter shared, “My parents book interior… now it’s nice to not have to ‘share’ specialty dining with them.”
Others appreciate that the premium spirits added under More at Sea remain available, even if the true “top shelf” inclusions still spark debate.
But the return of drink caps, reduced Wi-Fi minutes and higher effective costs on longer sailings are giving heavy users pause. Some cruisers say they now pay more for benefits they use less, while others worry about rising drink prices, energy drinks no longer being included and the possibility of a pricier “Free at Sea Plus” tier on the horizon.
Still, one thing is clear: NCL listened to guests who missed the Free at Sea simplicity—and tried to reboot it in a way that feels familiar but financially sustainable. Whether cruisers see it as a win or a watered-down compromise depends entirely on how they cruise, how much they drink and how much they use their phones at sea.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.