Norwegian Cruise Line Just Brought Back Its Most Popular Package—And Cruisers Are Celebrating

If you’ve been following Norwegian Cruise Line lately, you know there’s been some drama brewing. Back in October, the cruise line made a controversial decision that had loyal cruisers up in arms—they discontinued their beloved “Free at Sea” package and replaced it with something new called “More at Sea.”

Well, guess what? Norwegian just hit the undo button.

On November 5, 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line announced they’re bringing back the Free at Sea package with “new enhancements”—and they’re doing it just in time for their Black Friday sale. Talk about listening to your customers.

What Happened to Free at Sea?

For those who missed the saga, here’s the quick version: Free at Sea has been Norwegian’s signature promotion for years, offering cruisers a bundle of perks that could save them thousands of dollars. It was popular. Really popular. The kind of popular that made people choose Norwegian over other cruise lines.

Then in October 2024, Norwegian announced they were replacing it with “More at Sea” for all 2025 cruises. The new package was supposed to be better, more inclusive, more… something. But cruisers weren’t having it. The backlash was swift and loud enough that Norwegian decided to reverse course entirely.

The Free at Sea Package Is Back (And Better?)

Starting November 5, any new reservation for a cruise of two nights or longer will be eligible for the relaunched Free at Sea package. And Norwegian claims it’s been enhanced, though the core benefits look pretty similar to what made it popular in the first place.

Here’s what you get with Free at Sea:

• Unlimited beverage package with premium spirits, plus 20% off wine bottles
• 150 minutes of high-speed Wi-Fi with discounts on unlimited upgrades
• Three multi-course specialty dining meals for the first and second guests
• $50 shore excursion credit per booking for the first guest

According to Norwegian, these perks add up to “more than $2,000 in savings” on an average 7-night cruise. The catch? You still pay gratuities separately (about $28.50 per person, per day for the beverage package alone).

The Black Friday Sweetener

To make the comeback even more enticing, Norwegian is bundling Free at Sea with a massive 50% discount on cruises. Yes, you read that right—50% off nearly 350 destinations across their entire fleet.

This includes sailings on the brand-new Norwegian Aqua (which just debuted) and the upcoming Norwegian Luna launching in March 2026. You can book cruises departing from nine home ports to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about one cruise line changing its promotions—it’s a case study in listening to your customers. Norwegian tried to “improve” something that wasn’t broken, and their loyal cruisers told them exactly what they thought about it. To Norwegian’s credit, they didn’t dig in their heels. They pivoted.

The return of Free at Sea also shows just how competitive the cruise industry has become. With Margaritaville at Sea and Virgin Voyages offering similar all-inclusive packages, Norwegian can’t afford to lose customers over promotional changes. By standardizing benefits across stateroom types and extending eligibility to more passengers, they’re making Free at Sea more accessible than ever.

What This Means for Your Next Cruise

If you’ve been waiting to book a Norwegian cruise, now might be the time. The combination of Free at Sea perks and the 50% Black Friday discount creates genuine value—especially if you were planning to buy these add-ons anyway.

But here’s the thing to remember: “Free at Sea” isn’t really free. When you factor in gratuities and the fact that these perks are often built into slightly higher base fares, you’re still paying for these amenities. They’re just bundled in a way that feels like you’re getting a deal.

Still, if you like unlimited drinks, specialty dining, and shore excursions—and you were going to pay for those anyway—having them included (with gratuities) is better than paying à la carte prices.

The Bigger Picture

Norwegian’s quick reversal sends a clear message to the cruise industry: cruisers know what they want, and they’re not afraid to speak up about it. In an era where everything feels like it’s being nickel-and-dimed, a comprehensive package deal has real appeal.

Whether Free at Sea 2.0 will satisfy the critics who loved the original version remains to be seen. But at least Norwegian is giving cruisers what they asked for—and that’s worth celebrating, even if you’re not popping champagne bottles from the unlimited beverage package just yet.