Why is there a service charge?
The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programmes that your service charge supports.

 

How much are the service charges?

For bookings made on or after January 1, 2023:

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

 

For bookings made before January 1, 2023, that pre-pay their service charges before their sail date:

• $20.00 USD per person per day for The Haven and Suites;
• $18.00 USD per person per day for Club Balcony Suite;
• $16.00 USD per person per day for all other stateroom types

 

For bookings made on or after April 1, 2022, that prepay their service charges before their sail date:

• $20.00 USD per person per day for The Haven and Suites;
• $18.00 USD per person per day for Club Balcony Suite;
• $16.00 USD per person per day for all other stateroom types

 

Guests sailing to Hawaii will be charged an additional 4.712% Pre Paid Service Charge GET Tax

 

Are service charges across the board for all guests?
All guests 3 years or older.

 

How do I prepay my service charges?
Contact your travel professional and request that it be added to your cruise reservation. If you have not made final payment this will be included in your final payment amount or if final payment has already been made we will require full payment at the time it is added.

 

At what point in the booking process can the prepaid charges be added?
They can be added at anytime up to 24 hours prior to sailing.

 

Why would I prepay my service charges?
The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board.

 

If I cancel my cruise are the service charges refundable?
Yes! The service charges are 100% refundable.

 

If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board?
Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction programme designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

 

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION POLICY

Passengers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol while in US sailings.

Parental consent is required for guests 18 to 20 to consume only beer and wine while vessels is in international waters. Authorisation will be given only when the accompanying parent completes the Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form. This form can be obtained and completed at the Guest Services Desk upon embarkation of the vessel. In Alaska and Hawaii waters parental consent is NOT permitted for guests 18 to 20 years old.

Please note that with the exception of Wine and Champagne, all guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships. If you purchase any alcohol at one of our ports-of-call or in our onboard shops, we will safely store your purchase(s) and either on the final night of the cruise or the morning of debarkation it will be available for pick up in a designated area.

China/Asia:
Do not serve or sell alcohol to guests under 21 years of age. Parental consent is NOT permitted for guests 18 to 20 while in China/ Asia waters.

Roundtrip Australian, European and New Zealand Itineraries:
Do not serve or sell alcohol to guests under 18 years of age. Parental consent is NOT required for guests 18 to 20 years old to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

 

Wine & Champagne Policy

Guests may bring bottles of wine and champagne on board. When bottles are brought on board and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room area or in their stateroom, a corkage fee will be charged according to bottle sizes noted below.
750 ml Bottle: $15.00 USD
1,500 ml Magnum: $30.00 USD

Wine or champagne sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. or from another retail source, are subject to the same fees. Box wines are not allowed on board.

Guests who purchase a beverage package, or who have a beverage package as part of More At Sea, will not be charged a corkage fee.

* Norwegian encourages the responsible use of alcohol and accordingly reserves the right to permanently or temporarily revoke the drinking privileges of any guest who violates Norwegian's Guest Code of Conduct or who is deemed a danger to himself, herself or others by vessel management. Continued abuse of alcohol while sailing and/or violation of Norwegian's alcohol policy may result in immediate disembarkation.

 

Non-Alcoholic Beverages Policy

Effective for sailings July 15, 2016 and beyond, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages -- including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soft drink and juices -- on board either as carry-on or checked luggage, with the exception of purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers for use in conjunction with medical devices or for the reconstitution of infant formula; and fully sealed and/or corked wine bottles for personal consumption onboard that is subject to screening and a corkage fee (for guests 21 years of age or older). Open beverages of any kind must be consumed or discarded at the security check-point, on embarkation day and at any port of call. This revised policy brings the company in line with other best practice travel security protocols and reduces the need for individual time consuming screening and package inspection of large volumes of beverages.

 

For more information read our FAQ about "Can I bring water or soft drink on board?"

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For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to your Onboard account. Sign up when you check in, establishing your method of payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB Card, Diner's Club. You may also use your debit card however please be advised that we obtain pre-authorisation, as we do for all Credit Cards, and some banks hold these funds for up to 30 days. The maximum initial pre-authorisation amount for all credit and debit cards is $300. Cash can also be used as a method of payment to settle your account with an initial deposit paid in advance.

Using your debit or ATM card

• Norwegian does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard folio.
• Please be advised that multiple holds will be placed on your debit card account based on your onboard purchases.
• After settling your onboard folio, these debit card holds may remain on your account up to 30 days after the cruise ends.
• To avoid overdraft charges from your bank, please make sure that you have enough available funds in your account during this hold period.
• Norwegian will not be responsible for overdraft charges resulting from holds placed on Debit Card accounts.

 

Traveller's Check / Cash Procedures

A cash deposit may be placed on your onboard account in the following amounts:

7 day cruises - $300 USD per person
Less than 7 days - $150 USD per person
More than 7 days - $450 USD per person

Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you'd like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess.

**Personal checks will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed on board.

• Accommodation
• Transportation to some of the most beautiful places on earth via cruise ship
• Dedicated Kids & Teen (ages 3-17) programming & spaces during at sea days until 10:30 pm and from departure until 10:30 pm during port days
• Meals in one of our many complimentary dining venues
• 24-hour Dining venue (on select ships)
• Room service menu items (convenience charge may apply)
• Outdoor Buffet (on select ships)
• Pool Bar and Grill (on select ships)
• Coffee Bar (regular coffee and pastries included, specialty coffees at nominal extra charge)
• Iced Tea, some juices in the buffet (for breakfast), regular coffee, tea and ice water
• All entertainment onboard (with the exception of dinner and lunch theatre entertainment)
• Art Auctions
• Poolside activities
• Access to fitness facilities
• Select onboard presentations
• Sports Court activities
• Use of outdoor pools and hot tubs
• In-stateroom TV programming (except for on-demand movies)
• Phone calls onboard the ship (stateroom to stateroom)
• Use of private Studio Lounge if staying in Studio accommodation on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Pride of America, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape
• Suite Guests receive additional amenities, based on the category of accommodation.
• Taxes, fees and port expenses
  • Effective 7/1/2024, Norwegian Cruise Line will be incorporating applicable taxes, fees and port expenses into our advertised pricing. It will also include Hawaii GET tax where applicable. Fees associated with additional offerings such as More At Sea dining and beverage packages are separate additional charges. For more information, refer to details about the California law below.

 

The following items are not included in the cruise fare:

• Service Charges
• Additional costs associated with More At Sea optional package selections
• Meals in Specialty Restaurants
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Soft drinks and some other non-alcoholic beverages
• Spa and Salon Services
• Exercise classes
• Casino
• Dining Entertainment
• Transfers (unless pre-purchased with air/sea packages)
• Hotel Stays pre-/post-cruise (unless pre-purchased)
• Shore Excursions Credit
• Photography
• Internet Access
• Baby Sitting Services
• Specialty Onboard Seminars
• Art purchases
• Gift shop purchases
• Video Arcade
• Phone calls off the ship
• Wi/Fi & Satellite connection for tablets, phones/mobile devices
• Laundry Services
• Use of the Medical Centre
• Convenience Charge for Room Service (does not apply to The Haven and Norwegian Suites)

What is the new California consumer protection law?

California's Senate Bill 478 is a new consumer protection law that requires businesses to advertise a comprehensive price for any product offered for sale. To comply with this new law and to simplify the booking experience for all our guests based in the U.S. and Canada, Norwegian Cruise Line will be incorporating applicable taxes, fees and port expenses into our advertised pricing by July 1, 2024

Will this change impact your cancellation/refund policy? Also, now that your pricing is all in, how do I determine how much my refund will be?

There will be no changes to cancellation fees and refunds. Cancellation fees will be assessed on the amount of the advertised price excluding the taxes, fees and port expenses. Refunds will be provided for the taxes, fees and port expenses in the event of cancellations. Refer to your cruise confirmation for the breakdown of cruise fare vs. taxes/fees/port expenses.