Norwegian Cruise Line hikes drink package fee for some cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line's popular Free at Sea cruise package offers an enticing deal for vacationers who want to enhance their cruises with a beverage package, specialty dining meals, and WiFi - but it isn't actually free. If you choose to take advantage of the offer, gratuities will automatically be added to your cruise booking for the beverage package and specialty dining.
And if you're planning to book a short cruise with Norwegian, you'll now pay more for those package gratuities. As of May 1, the cruise line is now charging more for the opportunity to enjoy unlimited open bar on a shorter getaway.
The cruise line notified travel agents in advance of the change, but asked them not to notify their clients ahead of time, preventing cruisers from having the opportunity to lock in lower pricing ahead of the gratuity fee hike. The change only applies to new bookings, so if you already have a short cruise booked, you won't be charged more. But if you had your eye on a short Norwegian sailing, it will now cost you more to book it with the Free at Sea beverage package.
Doug Parker shared details on what cruisers will now pay for beverage package gratuities on short Norwegian cruises, and cruise news from Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group, on the May 1 edition of Cruise News Today.
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Norwegian Cruise Line raises Free at Sea beverage package gratuities for short cruises
Cruise News Today Transcript:
Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning, here's your cruise news for Friday, May 1st.
Norwegian Cruise Line is adjusting pricing on its Free at Sea beverage package for shorter sailings. Now starting today, prepaid gratuities for the drink package will increase to $32 per person, per day on shorter cruises - so sailings from two to five days. That's up about 12% from $28.50.
Gratuities on those six days or longer sailings, they will remain unchanged at $28.50. The change applies to new bookings only.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line's beverage packages explained
Carnival Corporation facing lawsuits over data breach
And Carnival Corporation is facing multiple lawsuits following a major data breach reportedly impacting millions of records. Now, we first brought you this earlier this week.
At least three class action lawsuits have been filed accusing the company of negligence and inadequate cybersecurity protections. The breach, which is linked to a well-known hacking group, is believed to have exposed sensitive personal information, including customer data and internal company records.
Carnival said it did detect unauthorized activity tied to a single user account. They shut it down; notified law enforcement. The company says it's still reviewing the scope of the incident and warns that some online reporting may not be accurate. Okay.
Royal Caribbean Group reports stronger first quarter earnings
And finally, Royal Caribbean Group reported stronger than expected earnings in the first quarter of the year. The company posted a profit of $900 million, driven by strong demand and higher prices.
Executives say bookings remain solid despite a brief slowdown earlier this spring tied to the Middle East. The company also noted higher fuel costs, which are expected to impact operations moving forward.
Royal says it still expects continued growth supported by strong demand and new ships entering the fleet like Legend of the Seas in July.
Related: Royal Caribbean bets bigger on Icon Class cruise ships
And the photo of the week comes from Josh of Celebrity Edge here in French Polynesia. Great day and what a great sailing - sailing over to Seattle, I believe, or Vancouver.
You can send your pictures in: photos@cruiseradio.net. All photos are subject to broadcast.
And cruise stocks were up on Thursday. Carnival Corporation: up 3.5%, 26.51. Royal Caribbean: up 3.8%, 263.76. Norwegian: up 2.3%, 18.18. And Viking: up 4.3%, 81.91.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@cruiseradio.net. Here in Los Angeles, got the airport behind me - I believe that's Runway 24, I believe - got a Boeing 747 out there turning right now. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great weekend.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 9:37 AM.