pplwatcher

Well, that's even better. I'm used to shelling out a few bucks for them on other cruise lines. Thanks!

Ah, thank you very much. That seems like the right approach. The one that I experienced last year was the Norwegian "Free at Sea" program. They offered a "free beverage program", but it really cost $21.80 per day in surcharges even if you don't have a single drink. (Source: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ncl-free-at-sea-cruise-promotion/) I like Norwegian and enjoyed the cruise, but I thought it was pretty misleading to promote a "free" offer that was going to cost over $400 in required surcharges over a three-week cruise. Thankfully, I noticed it and they had an option to reject the offer. I do drink soda and fruit juices, so I'd use the SM package if it covers those, and I don't mind tipping on whatever I buy. I just don't want to pay a charge if I don't get anything in return.

Sorry to ask what is likely a naive question, but with the "free drinks package" (Simply More), do they add required tipping to your bill? I went on another cruise last year that offered a "free drinks bonus package", but when I read the fine print they planned to add some notable daily amount ($14 or $18 or something) to the bill to cover "required gratuities". I'm not an alcohol drinker, so I wouldn't use any of the benefits and would have been charged for the tipping as if I was getting multiple drinks per day.. Fortunately, that cruise line (Norwegian, I think), let me opt out of not-so-free free bonus. I don't see any language about required tipping with the Oceania "simply more" beverage package, but I was planning to purchase a cruise and their site doesn't allow me to decline the package. Can anyone enlighten me about whether there are hidden charges for tips? I recognize that they add to the bill for regular tips, by the way. My question is specific to the beverage program.