Free at Sea.

[Haddonqueen]

Hi,  We’ve just booked a  2 week cruise and got the Free at sea.    It’s been a while since we’ve been with NCL so I’m not sure how this works.   
Are the drinks free only when at sea or all the time,   I know we can have the gratuities  added to the bill. But will there be other taxes and anything. Thanks

[KAYKAY121]

12 minutes ago, Haddonqueen said:

Hi,  We’ve just booked a  2 week cruise and got the Free at sea.    It’s been a while since we’ve been with NCL so I’m not sure how this works.   
Are the drinks free only when at sea or all the time,   I know we can have the gratuities  added to the bill. But will there be other taxes and anything. Thanks

Depending on  your itinerary you could have to pay taxes while in port and you do pay taxes in US ports on drinks. If you choose the alcohol pkg that is offered with FAS,  you pay the gratuities with your cruise fair and it covers alcoholic beverages up to $15. It is a great package. 

Edited September 27, 2022 by KAYKAY121

[Two Wheels Only]

When you booked with the FAS drink package (PBP), the 20% service charge for the package was added to your total. You won't be charged a service charge on your drinks unless you go over the $15 per drink limit. If you go over, you only pay the difference plus 20% on that difference. A $20 shot will cost $5 plus $1 service charge ($6 total). 

 

If you choose to tip beyond that, it is up to you. 

 

A tax can be collected on drinks while the ship is in port and within a certain distance from land (depends on where you are). It's usually less than 10% of the cost of the drink. For example, a $12 drink while the ship is docked in Miami will cost  about $1 on your onboard account. The $12 is covered by the package and the service charge on the drink is covered by what you already paid when you made final payment. The same drink while the ship is at sea won't cost anything to your onboard account. Everything will be covered by what you're already selected/paid. 

 

EDIT

 

Didn't notice that the OP was in the UK. 🤐

See KeithJenner for all things UK related. 

 

Edited September 27, 2022 by Two Wheels Only

[KeithJenner]

As you are in the UK you don't pay the gratuities on the beverage or dining packages. Instead you will have paid an amount when you selected free at sea. It works out fairly similar, but I just didn't want you to think that was an extra charge that would be coming.

[JamieLogical]

The only charges you will see for drinks onboard are if you are docked in a port that charges tax or if you order a drink over $15.

[Haddonqueen]

Thanks everyone,   It’s a South American itinerary. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

The only charges you will see for drinks onboard are if you are docked in a port that charges tax or if you order a drink over $15.

Is it only while docked, or is there some minimum distance (like casino hours)?

[Shiraus82]

How do you know which ports charge tax? Do I just have to "try my luck" and see if I get a receipt with a charge on it? I have the free at sea drink package and the itinerary is Canaries/Morocco/Spain/Portugal.

[KeithJenner]

54 minutes ago, Shiraus82 said:

How do you know which ports charge tax? Do I just have to "try my luck" and see if I get a receipt with a charge on it? I have the free at sea drink package and the itinerary is Canaries/Morocco/Spain/Portugal.

The staff should let you know, and there should be signs around or a note in the freestyle daily.

 

It is difficult to know for sure in advance though, especially in Europe. I have done identical itineraries where I have been charged sometimes and not at others. Spain seems the most random.

 

You could ask previous cruisers for their experience, or check reviews, but nothing is guaranteed.

[CaptainBazz]

13 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Is it only while docked, or is there some minimum distance (like casino hours)?

We were just on the Bliss sailing from Seattle to Alaska and return. When we were sailing towards Victoria all the drinks I purchased had a tax charged to them. When I questioned it at Guest Services I was told it was a tax because we were in Washington waters...there were no signs posted and they refused to refund it...only totalled about $6. I think they make things up as they go along because when we left Seattle there was no tax charged even as we were just leaving the harbour.