What Costs Extra On An NCL Cruise: Be Prepared

If you’re sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) soon and wondering about the hidden costs of NCL cruises, you’re not alone. Cruising can be expensive, even once you’ve paid your cruise fare and are on board. We have cruised often on Norwegian and will go over what costs extra on an NCL cruise so you won’t be surprised.

All dollar amounts mentioned in this post are in US dollars.

Some may feel cruise lines will nickel and dime you with all the extras, but I see it differently. Rather than charge you an exorbitant amount for your cruise fare and include absolutely everything, most cruise lines allow you to tailor your cruise how you want, adding and paying for only the extras that you will take advantage of.

What Is Included In Your Cruise Fare

First, let’s go over what is always included in your cruise fare on NCL:

• Most meals at dining venues such as in the buffet, main dining rooms, and other complimentary venues like The Local and Shanghai’s
• Basic beverages like iced tea, fountain orange juice and lemonade, regular coffee, iced water, and hot tea
• Most entertainment options onboard, including shows, live music, most seminars, workshops, games like trivia challenges, cocktail parties, dance classes, dance parties, and pool activities
• Access to fitness facilities, sports court activities, ropes courses, giant chess, and ping-pong
• The use of the main outdoor pools and hot tubs, water slides, dry slides, and kids aqua park
• Kids and teens clubs, which offer supervised activities for younger cruisers

Extras You Might Pay For

Now, let’s look at what will cost extra on your cruise on NCL. Prices quoted are accurate as of this writing but are subject to change.

Food and Beverage

Although much of what you might eat or drink is covered in your cruise fare, there are extras to consider. Alcoholic beverages and specialty meals are at the top of the list of food and beverage extras.

• Specialty Restaurants: Specialty restaurants incur a cover charge of $59 or more unless you have a specialty dining package.
• Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine, and liquor are for sale unless you have a beverage package, and then alcoholic beverages over $15 per glass incur an extra charge.
• Soft Drinks and Specialty Coffee: Soft drinks and specialty coffees are for sale unless you have a beverage package.
• Room Service: Room service is available 24/7 for a $9.95 convenience charge, except for certain suite classes.
• Tastings: Wine, beer, or liquor tastings incur a fee, even with a beverage package.
• Premium Foods: Some upgrades like lobster or filet mignon might incur a charge in the main dining rooms.
• Sweets Venues: Items at Dolce Gelato and Coco’s are priced à la carte.

Certain Services

Some services will cost extra on your cruise if you choose to partake in them. These include:

• Spa and Salon Services: Services at the spa are extra, such as haircuts, blowouts, manicures, pedicures, shaves, facials, massages, and medi-spa treatments.
• Spa Thermal Suite: Day and cruise-long passes can be purchased; the cost varies by ship and itinerary.
• Fitness Services: Personal training and body analyses cost extra.
• Internet Access: WiFi is available via several packages.
• Photo Packages: Photos taken by ship photographers are offered for sale, as well as studio photo packages.
• Laundry Services: If you send out clothing to the laundry, you will be charged about $29 per bag.
• Medical Center Services: Any visits to the medical center and associated charges will be added to your final bill, and then you can file for potential reimbursement through your health insurance provider and travel insurance provider.

Activities

NCL ships offer a variety of activities, the most exciting of which tend to incur a fee. Note that other cruise lines also charge fees for the most exciting activities.

• Go-Karts: A single session costs $15 for adults and children. Cruise-long passes can be purchased; prices vary by length of cruise.
• Laser Tag: A single session is $9.95 per person.
• Galaxy Pavilion: Individual games cost $9 each except for the Formula 1 simulator, which costs $20 per play. A one-hour pass for games can be purchased for $29, or $49 for a day pass. A cruise-long pass is also offered for games.
• Arcade Package: $25 per day to play select games.
• Mini-Golf: Regular mini-golf is free, but high-tech mini-golf at Tee Time on the Prima-class ships costs $10 to play 9 holes.
• Bowling: Bowling costs about $10 per person per game.
• The Bull’s Eye: Your group of up to six people can have 50 minutes for $40.
• Deal or No Deal: Deal or No Deal cards are offered for sale at $15 each or you can choose a package of several cards at a discount.
• Bingo: Several packages with various numbers of bingo cards are offered.
• Casino Tournaments: Slots and blackjack tournament qualifiers cost $35, and Poker tournaments $120. Tournament finals have larger entry fees.
• Classes: Canvas By U painting classes cost $35, and fitness classes are $20.
• Escape Room Experience: The escape room experience costs $15 per person.

Service Charges

You are billed service charges – per day, per person – to cover the gratuities for crew members such as your cabin attendant and others who work behind the scenes to ensure your cruise is enjoyable. These charges depend on your suite level:

• $25.00 per person per day for The Haven and Suites
• $20.00 per person per day for Club Balcony Suite and below

Service charges do not apply to guests ages 3 and under.

Related Posts

Gratuities

One thing that might surprise you is the gratuities added to all extras you purchase, either pre-cruise or onboard. When budgeting for your extra purchases, add 20% to your estimates to cover automatic gratuities.

Also, you may want to budget for extra tips you give crew members who provide service that is above and beyond.

Miscellaneous

Other extras you may want to budget for include:

• Shore Excursions: Shore excursions from economical to extravagant are less expensive if purchased pre-cruise.
• Travel Protection: Travel insurance is critical when you travel, so be sure to purchase travel protection through the cruise line or a third party. Annual plans are a cost-saver if you plan to travel three or more times per year.
• Art Auctions: Attending an auction is free, but winning bids will be added to your account.
• Shopping: Many shops have free prize drawings, but purchases will be added to your account.
• Behind The Scenes Tour: Ship tours are available for $149.
• Vibe Beach Club: Access to the adults-only Vibe Beach Club is available for a fee on a first-come first-served basis. Prices start at $229 per person for a seven-day pass.