Things to know about NCL

Every cruise line has unique nuances and differences on how they operate. Following are some things we think are important to be aware of and be prepared for when sailing with Norwegian.

All referenced pricing is subject to change, but believed to be accurate as of 12/25.

• Onboard Expenses.  We want to make sure you are aware of these onboard expenses, and can budget accordingly to minimize unexpected surprises once onboard.
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  • Soda, bottled water and alcohol will cost extra – they are available ala carte, in a drink package, or as one of our group amenities (however you will still be responsible for associated package fees).  Norwegian has a policy that no outside beverages of any kind can be brought onboard.  If you use juice boxes to treat lows, you will need to submit NCL’s accessibility form here to have that request added to your reservation.
  • There are several specialty restaurants onboard, and cost extra.  Most have ala carte pricing, a couple have cover charges, in a dining package or as one of our group amenities (three meals for $60/pp).  We typically stick with complimentary restaurants on most of our cruises and generally find those options sufficient, however we are not foodies.
  • There will be plenty of opportunities to spend money onboard, including shore excursions (you can purchase through Norwegian, or through a third party, such as our shore excursion partner, SEG), retail stores, casino, spa.
• Gratuities. Like nearly all cruise lines, there is a daily per person gratuity which is not included in your cruise fare. Most items and services purchased onboard will have a 20% gratuity added.  Current daily gratuities are $20/pp per day and $25/pp per day for suites.  This is the one effectively mandatory charge in addition to your base cruise fare.  These can be prepaid with your reservation (which will lock pricing, should there be an increase between booking and sailing) otherwise they will be added to your onboard account and charged at the end of your cruise.
• Cashless. With the possible exception of the casino, cruise ships are effectively cashless.  All purchases onboard are charged to your onboard account, which is charged to the credit card on file on the final day of your cruise. You can set up limits for each guest to control spending.
• Suites.  Norwegian’s Haven suites are like a luxury ship-within-a-ship.  If you’re going to splurge, we really like Norwegian’s Haven suites. They offer a private observation lounge and sun deck reserved exclusively for The Haven guests, along with amazing amenities such as butler service, private pool, lounge and restaurant.
• CGM Cloud Access. Norwegian has agreed to provide unlimited access to CGM cloud servers!  The CGM wearer and one follower will be provided unlimited access to CGM cloud data.  This is intended to be utilized for CGM data, and may not include full internet access.*Note that access is satellite based, which is less reliable than land based service, but significantly better than nothing, and we’ve had very reliable service through Starlink.
• Group Amenities.  Norwegian not only offers a donation to our partner nonprofits as part of our group, but provides two additional amenity packages that can be selected on each reservation!  You can choose your amenity option once booked. Ocean view and above categories receive all four amenities from either option and inside staterooms can choose two amenities from either option 1 or option 2. Note that you’re not obligated to take the beverage and/or specialty dining if you’re prefer to avoid those charges.
  • Amenities apply to guests 1 & 2 only unless otherwise specified. 
  • Option 1 You will be charged a discounted $199.50/pp for the Beverage package and $60/pp for the Specialty Dining package (3 per person).
    • Unlimited Open Bar – Norwegian requires all adults on the reservation (including guests 3+) to take the beverage package regardless if they drink alcohol or not, with very few exceptions. If your reservation is for two guests, and guest two is a minor, they will be assigned the soda package (and charged associated gratuities based on the soda package retail price). If guests 3+ are minors, they will not receive a beverage package.  Includes a variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer.  Includes fountain soda, juice and non-alcoholic beer. 
    • Specialty Dining – guests 1 and 2 only. 3 specialty dining meals per person.
    • $50 shore excursion credit per excursion, but only for guest 1
    • 300 minutes wi-fi
  • Option 2 has no additional costs associated
    • 10 photo package
    • $50 shore excursion credit per excursion, but only for guest 1
    • 300 minutes wi-fi
    • $100 onboard credit
• Refundable Deposits. Norwegian offers fully refundable deposits for reservations, which we feel is a huge benefit for our group.  Booking early will provide a not-to-exceed price (with the added benefit that we monitor for price drops and will request lower prices be matched all the way up to final payment), the best selection of staterooms and access to categories which tend to sell out rapidly, including suites, solo and connecting rooms.
  • Non-Haven suite rooms: Usually on a half off promotion equaling $125/pp (list price is $250/pp)
  • Haven suites: 10% of voyage fare deposit
  • Final payment date: February 21st, 2026
• Itinerary.  We will be sailing one of the most popular Western Caribbean itineraries, visiting four ports, including one of NCL’s private islands.
  • 6/21/25 Depart Miami@ 4pm
  • 6/22/25 Cruising
  • 6/23/25 Cozumel, Mexico 7am – 5pm
  • 6/24/25 Roatan, Honduras  8am – 5pm
  • 6/25/25 Harvest Caye, Belize 8am – 5pm
  • 6/26/25 Costa Maya, Mexico 8am – 5pm
  • 6/27/25 Cruising
  • 6/28/25 Arrive in Miami 7am
• Medical Needs.  If you have specific medical needs, including bringing juice boxes or other beverages onboard to treat lows, please complete this Accessibility Questionnaire ASAP after making your reservation.  We can flag reservations for gluten free diets, so please let us know if and who requires gluten free.
• NCL Direct Sales Reps.  A small percentage of Norwegian inside sales reps. have had a history of aggressively soliciting customers working with travel advisors, despite being against corporate policy.  If you receive a solicitation from the NCL inside sales team, particularly if they claim that they can offer better pricing (they can’t!) or don’t respect that you’re working with a travel advisor,  please report any such solicitation to us!  Please note their name and/or forward e-mail solicitations to us.
• Military Appreciation Program.  NCL has a very generous Military Appreciation Program open to members of the military, veterans and their spouses.  They provide an additional 10% off all cruise fares, including our discounted group rates!  You will need to register for this benefit at https://www.ncl.com/military, which will confirm eligiblity through ID.ME, and then attach the benefit to your Latitudes loyalty program number.  If you don’t have a Latitudes number, one will be created for you.  Please make sure you provide this number to us (we should be able to associate it even after booking).  NCL is the only cruise line we’ve seen offer military benefits to every itinerary and every type of cruise fare.

The Griffins
[email protected]
866-2-1SWEET (866-217-9338)