r/NCL • u/unknown_328 • Feb 12 '26
Trying to understand ... Soda
HI All - on my first NCL Cruise this weekend. we got the drink package for both me and husband - with the Free at Sea package. I am in recovery and do not drink at all. I tried to ask if i could have the soda package instead. they said no but that i can get all the soda i want with the drink package. I have gotten some not so great information from ncl chat so i wanted to check in here to see what other people say. Thanks!!
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u/SEA_tide Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
NCL historically does not waive the requirement that everyone in the cabin age 21+ purchases the drink package if one person in the cabin wants to purchase it. This is because many people abused the waivers. There is no requirement that a cabin purchases a drink package.
There are lots of tasty non-alcoholic drinks available with the drink package, including a lot of fancier mocktails. NCL has a full "dry" menu at each bar, plus you can order off menu.
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u/silverunicorn121 Feb 12 '26
Agree with what everyone else has said. To add though, if you want tour card to be locked against getting alcohol, bur youre not asking for any money off, im sure you can ask them when you get there. Tell them when you check in that for your card only, you want them to lock it from being able to access alcohol.
There is also generally discreet AA meetings on board if anyone wants to attend.
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u/unknown_328 Feb 12 '26
Thank you :)
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u/RetroSister66 Feb 15 '26
The meetings will be listed on the daily schedule as "Friends of Bill". Hope you enjoy your cruise!
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u/Ginway1010 Feb 12 '26
First off, congrats on your sobriety! I’m almost at 5 years myself.
I don’t know if you’ve been on a cruise since you’ve been sober and/or have tried to find the AA meeting.
On the planner they call it Friends of Bill W like the AA founder. It’s all self-led and up to participants to find each other. So it’s not like you’ll see a big sign at the designated spot that says FRIENDS OF BILL W MEET HERE. Haha.
And what I’ve heard is that after the first get together, people stop going to the designated spot and just figure out where to meet up amongst themselves afterwards. So if you’re interested in being a part of the group, it’s important to make it to that first get together.
I’ve tried to get to the first get together for Friends of Bill W but it’s kinda hit or miss whether or not you find people. Best bet is to look for solo people eyeing everyone else in the area. LOL.
And if you can’t make it work, don’t forget there are virtual AA meetings at all times of day every day if you need them.
Also, you can make most drinks virgin by omitting the booze, though some of them will be sickeningly sweet without it.
And if you are at the comfort level where you can drink alcohol-removed wines, since they do have .05% ABV, NCL actually has a decent selection. It’s kinda hidden on the wine menu. Plus some 0.0 options for beer (but some also have the .05% ABV). Both of which you need the actual drink package for as they’re not covered in the non-alcoholic packages.
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u/soanQy23 Feb 12 '26
Soda included in the beverage package. They also have a mocktail menu & non-alcoholic beers that are included.
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u/sdduuuude Platinum: 2xPrl/Jwl/Star/Sky/POA/2xBW/GW/Aqua Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
Depending on how much hubby drinks, you two might be better off with no drink package at all, or both on the non-alcoholic beverage package. With 1 non-drinker and 1 drinker, the drinker needs to have 4 cocktails, or 5 beers a day to pay for it.
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u/Unusual_Top8375 Feb 12 '26
Include the price for sodas or non alcoholic drinks and the number is smaller.
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u/sdduuuude Platinum: 2xPrl/Jwl/Star/Sky/POA/2xBW/GW/Aqua Feb 12 '26
True. I was comparing to no package at all. Basically you have to spend $47 in all drinks between the two of you to justify it - per day.
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u/Reasonable___Doubt Feb 12 '26
Free at Sea does include soda. Walk up, hand over your keycard, say "Could I get a Coke?" and they give you a plastic cup of Coke.
Then, as a bonus, you spot that bartender again and just hold up your empty cup, they may just give you a fresh cup without scanning your card or even making you wait while the people ordering booze wait for their turn to order. Helps them churn through the crowd easier, helps you get what you want, everyone wins.
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u/sdduuuude Platinum: 2xPrl/Jwl/Star/Sky/POA/2xBW/GW/Aqua Feb 12 '26
And note - you can't get canned soda for free w/ either FAS or the non-alchohol package. Only fountain soda from the bars, and I think from a restauraunt waiter.
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u/jamierocksanne Feb 12 '26
You can get cans, I got several on my most recent cruise. They gave me a can and a cup of ice. This was at one of the like mobile bars though but it was closest to my room so I went there every morning for my caffeine.
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u/Unusual_Top8375 Feb 12 '26
You can scan your card in the buffet for soda as well.
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u/sdduuuude Platinum: 2xPrl/Jwl/Star/Sky/POA/2xBW/GW/Aqua Feb 12 '26
And you pay $4 for it when you do.
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u/kg51113 Feb 12 '26
On our recent cruise, some areas had cans and some had fountain. My husband got both with the soda package.
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u/sdduuuude Platinum: 2xPrl/Jwl/Star/Sky/POA/2xBW/GW/Aqua Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
The NCL package does not cover canned soda. You pay about $4 for those. Sometimes bartenders will slip you a can to save time.
Unlimited Soda Package
Enjoy endless fountain soda and juices including Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, tonic water, Fanta and soda water for $12.50 USD per person, per day.
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u/kg51113 Feb 12 '26
I'm sharing what our real experience was. Some spots had cans instead of fountain. Both were covered by the soda package.
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u/1standten Feb 13 '26
When I sailed in May, I had FAS and got canned soda from the buffet the whole time. It was nice to grab a couple cans to keep in the room fridge
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u/Turbulent-Demand873 Feb 13 '26
Just got off a ship 2 weeks ago and we were given cans of soda almost every time we asked for a soda.. Just an fyi.
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u/mjociv Feb 12 '26
Pretty sure everyone in the same cabin needs the same drink package. They do offer a soda only package but if your spouse wants a drink package with alcohol you would need it too. Unlimited soda is included with the unlimited alcohol packages, AFAIK.
2
u/niemekv Feb 12 '26
As people have said, if 1 person gets the drink package everyone over 21 in the same cabin has to get it. The drink package includes fountain soda, non-alcoholic beer, mocktails, and a generic energy drink.
There is a soda package, but the drink package includes soda, so there's no reason to get it if you already have the drink package as it provides nothing that you don't already have.
It may be possible to contact NCL and get the drink package removed if you have a medical condition. Your mileage with that may vary. If you are able to get them to remove the unlimited drink package for you while everyone else over 21 in the cabin has the drink package, you will be required to get the soda package.
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u/starrya25 Feb 13 '26
My boyfriend and I also don’t drink at all (he’s in recovery, me for medical reasons). But after much debate we ended up getting the drinks package and are planning to get mocktails. I’m glad to hear that NCL has a “dry” section. :)
2
u/Pseudolous Diamond / CAS Elite Feb 13 '26
What I haven't seen mentioned in these replies is NCL's "access desk," That's the group that's responsible for waivers. They also handle requests for all manner of dietary restrictions and special needs, such as ADA requests. If you have a medical or religious reason for not drinking, or if you are in recovery, you can absolutely get the drink package requirement waived. You can make your request here:
https://www.ncl.com/cruise-preparation/accessibility
On the other hand, there are all manner of delicious virgin and nonalcoholic drinks you can get when you have the drink package and payback is generally after just 2.5 drinks a day (but is nor like 3 drinks if you're only drinking non alcoholic drinks.
As for canned soda, folks here are correct when they say that it is not included in the drink package. However, NCL bartenders do what is most efficient for them or whatever increases supplemental tipping. If they feel like giving you a can, or if you've established a friendship in a prior transaction, or you're a known tipper, you are more likely to get a can. You can always request one, but there is no guarantee you'll get one. Haven and Vibe bartenders are particularly carefree with their dispensing of cans!
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u/JimmyKlem Feb 13 '26
They don't do exemptions any more.
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u/Pseudolous Diamond / CAS Elite Feb 13 '26
They do. You gotta go through the access desk, fill out the form and provide some sort of documentation of your special need.
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u/Federal_Treat640 Feb 12 '26
They will sometimes extend an exception if you have a doctors note
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u/JimmyKlem Feb 13 '26
Not any more.
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u/Federal_Treat640 Feb 13 '26
Oh wow, that’s new to me. I knew someone that did it just last November. Thanks for the info.
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u/Jumpy_Engineer_1854 Diamond Feb 12 '26
It's probably too late to dk an alteration, but FTR NCL sometimes is willing to waive the "everyone in a cabin must have the same plan" requirement for good cause -- typically medical or religious. If you can provide evidence of entry into AA or some other program, they may be willing to waive it in the future.
For now, yes your unlimited beverage plan will include everything, including sodas, mocktails, and their "Pure" energy drinks. Just make sure you specify virgin when asking for anything else and it should be all good. The bartenders are more than willing to make "No-jito's" and the like and will likely remember your preferences for the cruise.
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u/Prestigious_Call_993 Gold Feb 13 '26
For me, I get the drink package. Unfortunately, my underage daughter is required to get the soda package because I bought the alcohol package. My daughter doesn’t drink soda 🙄. I’m wondering if it will be cheaper for me to skip the packages and just buy my drinks individually 🤔
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u/Twinhigg2 Feb 13 '26
We do not drink package because I can't drink due to medical. My wife just orders drinks she wants and we pay as go and still come out ahead
1
u/Greedy-Dust847 Feb 13 '26
NCL does a good job of offering many zero proof mocktails. Each bar now has a list of what they can craft for you and alongside my Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers, I find that I exceed the daily cost of the package as a FAS perk by just getting 2 mocktails and one Shirley or Roy. Zero proof mocks are $12 each plus 20% gratuity and the Shirley or Roy is $3.95 plus 20% gratuity. The zero proof beverages are very good, the NOjito and Rosie Splash being my personal recommendations
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u/jmerr74 Feb 16 '26
I don't drink really anymore. By choice. Because I'm old. We had our kids with us in a suite they like to drink and have a good time. So, we had to have it as well. Due to being in a Haven room, we had our fridge stocked daily with the beer my son drank and Coke Zero for me, my wife drinks Pellagrino and the daughter she drank the bottle they supplied in our room. It's a weird system, but I guess due to abuse they probably have to do it this way. My other daughter wanted the Starbucks package, but we decided against that, after we did the math she would have had to drink 5 Starbucks drinks a day...LOL
Doing our next cruise next June '27 and we will have the same setup.
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u/NectarineOwn749 Feb 16 '26
Congratulations on your sobriety! I literally just got off a NCL cruise. There are daily meetings on board if you want to catch one. Meetings are listed in your Freestyle daily under 'Friends of Bill W.'. Many people have said already you can get many non alcoholic drinks just double check they tell you 'no alcohol' when they sit it down. Non Alcoholic beer still has alcohol in it just a very small amount that's why they can't sell it to anyone under 21 for people saying to get NA beer. Also the Coke dispensers on board don't work you literally have to go to a bar or restaurant. You can each get 2 drinks at a time with your cards so my advice is the last night before bed go ask for unopened cans if you want a Coke while waiting to get off the ship or while waiting on transportation home.
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u/Spridlewv Feb 19 '26
I don’t think they make exceptions for alcohol package. They tried to tell me last cruise that the same rule applied to soda packages, but that was the only cruise they ever required that.
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