Norwegian Cruise Line has updated their beverage carry-on policy and is no longer allowing passengers to bring on cases of bottled water and soda. However, there will be an exception for water used in conjunction with medical devices.
This new policy goes into effect for sailings on or after July 15, 2016. The following statement can be found on NCL.com concerning bringing on soda and water on Norwegian cruise ships.
“Effective July 1, 2016, for sailings July 15, 2016 and beyond, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages — including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soda 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.”
Norwegian offers bottled water packages that can be pre-purchased prior to a cruise that start at $47.14 for a 12 pack, and $53.04 for a 24 pack of Aquafina.
Norwegian Cruise Line offered the following statement regarding this policy change;
“At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority. To ensure a safe and enjoyable onboard environment for all, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages — including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soda and juices — on board the company’s ships 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.
To provide our guests with a smoother and faster embarkation experience, we will be implementing this updated policy effective July 15. 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.”
Norwegian also stated that the reason for the change is for due to the following: “The inspection of large volumes of beverages has an impact on the embarkation process and security resources. As one example, guests who attempt to smuggle alcoholic beverages onboard often try to do so in beverage containers. This means all beverages must be personally screened, taking both time and dedicated personnel.
This modified policy will now bring us in line with other travel industry procedures for transporting beverages and allow security personnel to focus on other screening efforts and not individually inspecting all beverages being brought onboard.”
Norwegian is the first cruise line to not allow passengers to bring cases of soda on board with them. Last summer, Carnival Cruise Line became the first cruise line to ban passengers from bringing cases of bottled water on board with them.
However, Carnival does have affordable packages available for passengers to buy cases of bottled water. Packages start at $3.99 per case if purchased prior to the cruise.
brilliant news ,i may get served at the bar now instead of waiters/bartenders filling glasses with FREE ice for the cheapskates who bring their own on drinks on board . I think one of the reasons they have done this is because a lot of people were smuggling Spirits in water bottles so they only have themselves to blame. Well done NCL
Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Frank Del Rio’s NCL…….his 32 Million $ salary and bonuses has to be recovered somehow. Its bad enough that they took the drink packages and made it so the bar staff and waiters/waitresses no longer earn tips. the 13.50/day per person “gratuity” does not a penny go to the crew. Its a sham that they pass these on to the crew. Just look shortly after these conveniences comes in Del Rio makes 32 million a year…..All their top execs saw massive increases in salaries and bonuses. Go ask a crew member the last time their salary went up?
NCL is ripping the piss out of their staff and you the consumer. all to pay a charlatan like DEL RIO
You may want to consider switching to Carnival Cruise lines. They only charge $3.99 for a 12 pack of 16 oz bottles of water. An 8 pack of 50 oz bottles is only $20, And they still allow you to bring on canned sodas, just nothing in bottles.
I wouldn’t pay that much for bottled water if it came from the “fountain of youth”. You must think your customers are crazy. We were loyal NCL cruisers but not any more. I guess we’ll go back to Princess. I guesst this is mind over matter. NCL don’t mind and the customers don’t matter.
It’s all about making more money for the stockholders. Unfortunately, the stockholders mean more than the passengers to the company.. For the short term it’s ok..long term the loss of passengers is going to reduce the stock holders dividends.
well I think this is like Vegas charging their customers for parking. I would have no problem with this rule if they charged carnival prices for the water. This is their business decision and it’s just something more to consider when looking for a future cruise. It may be a benefit for those who are locked into ncl only. A different cruise line may open eyes and a new sense of adventure. But all in all its their right and you have one too
MGM Resorts IS now charging for parking in Las Vegas.. Money maker as well. I will NEVER pay for parking in Vegas and will simply take my business to another casino or hotel.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mgm-resorts-charge-parking-las-vegas-strip-casinos
Are you kidding me? This is ridiculous to charge that amount for bottled water. Guess we also will be switching to Carnival.
We just booked a Panama Canal cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines and we knew that there were many extra costs if we wanted them; but when we booked bringing a case of bottled water or soda on board was acceptable but now neither of these being allowed on board and with an onboard charge of $53 for case of water, which is so ridulous … we are questioning whether cruising is for us! This is our first time cruising!
Although I agree that the fees are outrageous, we cruise a lot. You can get lemonade and iced tea along with hot tea and coffee in the cafeterias. Bring along a sealed cup or bottle that you can refill and carry with you all day. Cruising can still be the best way to travel. Besides, the Panama canal is a great trip.
I need Diet Coke in can daily for caffin or get headaches and as diabetic drink a lot of bottled water I carry both on but buy the soda packaged as well. But than sail Royal Caribbean. Going on NCL for New Years Eve but now may have to cancel. Not worth suffering with
Migraine and shakes from caffin withdrawal and digestive problems
With out Diet Coke. No Pepsi doesn’t work. Have written to cruise line but no response. The prices they want for water a natural required element for
Life is crazy.
I am a travel agent and will be sure to not recommend families travel other lines for cost effectiveness
a) caffeine
b) ncl has water available from tap, basically filtered water, for free.
they are just overwhelmed searching peoples stuff trying to find the hidden booze.
I’m not real thrilled with the choice either but if you are a travel agent then at least do some research before you go sending off comments with only part of the info
John I used to work for NCL. THE TAP WATER IS NOT SAFE TO DRINK!!! I would not recommend anyone to drink the water! They didnt even want their own employees drinking it. At one time we couldn’t even wash clothes because the water had gotten so bad. The water was so bad almost everyone had problems with their skin. And I had to use an very expensive lotion everyday to keep my skin from over drying. Cruise ships are different because they are mostly at sea all the time. And don’t have the time to get fresh water all the time when docked. I think it’s great that she would want to recommend her guest to another place that is affordable. If I had a travel agent do that for me that would make me have trust for her and also recommend others. Thank you Joan!
Really? $4/bottle of water when ordered in advance? I usually carry on Monster, which I drink instead of coffee which causes hot flashes. Cruise lines don’t sell it. I also normally bring or order a case of water. Chalk up one more bad decision for NCL.
Bottled water is necessary for a lot of medical conditions and you are forcing your guests to drink your water on board the ship, which a lot of people cannot drink, or pay an exorbitant price for purchasing of bottled water on board.
This is not right and I may not cruise on your line because of this.
You may want to rethink this ridiculous decision.
Yet another reason to never go on Norwegian. At least carnival gives you a affordable alternative. and the drink package is a farce if you do not drink diet colas as that is the only diet drink they ahave
Can you spell ripoff. You can get 3, 24 packs for $10.00 at Winn Dixie.
We just cruised with Carnavel in May and we could bring our cokes and water! Will stay with Carnavel I think!
We are getting ready to give up cruising altogether. NCL you are going to lose a lot of cruisers. Lower your price. And I think it’s freaking stupid you can bring a bottle of wine but not water. Be prepared for a lot more medical emergencies with dehydration.
They need to bring down the price of the water as that is insane $ 47 for water is it laced with gold ??
This is terrible if you hate Pepsi products, the exclusive company for soft drinks of NCL. I HATE Pepsi and have always checked in and gone to my cabin and then left again to go ashore and buy sufficient Coke Cola for the cruise.
My Medical Doctor says for me to drink Coke Cola for upset stomach and NOT Pepsi!!!!
Now what will NCL do if I bring a Medical statement???
Dumb Idea NCL. I am a Platinum level customer and also with a high level (VIP) in your casino at sea program and highly resent that I am not allowed to bring my soft drink of choice.
i agree, this sucks big time, if they want just limit the carry on to 1 fridge pack or 12 pack of water per person, that sounds reasonable to me
This is crazy… Just nothing good about it other than a company trying to make more more more money off of someone – people that want to take a family vacation. While I’m not saying this is a deal breaker for us it makes us reconsider a lot to stick with NCL – this is just foolish. How about 1 – 12pack per person and they have to carry it on themselves… problem solved. My wife enjoys a cherry coke once and a while and we take a few cans on with us…guess we will drink water more from the bathroom sink – don’t bring your water bottle to the buffet line.
NCL best rethink their bottled water pricing or be in store for an onslaught of angry customers especially since Carnival sells theirs at such a bargain.
NCL. When Carnival did this they dropped the cost of pre ordered bottled water. Your profit margin must be a thousand percent which is rape of your guest.
Are you crazy on the price. I’ll just bring a filter and a bottle and drink on board water.
I have traveled NCL 6 times always brought soda and water with us and purchased a soda package. Im sorry $ 54.00 for a case of water is price ridiculous! ! Makes me second guess cruising with NCL again.
This is pure greed, plain and simple. Security could clearly see if a case of water was opened and tampered with. If a case of water is clearly wrapped in the manufacturer’s wrapping, it would take all but 5 seconds to inspect. Luggage and carry-ons would take longer. Norwegian is just pissed nobody wants to buy a $53 case of water they could get for $3.99!!
$53 for a case if 24!! R u frickin kidding me?? Stick it NCL
I agree.
this sucks canal water, what is their problem, what if you dont like pepsi, and want to bring a pack of coke to keep in your room for the evening, this is pushing more people away from cruising, why not limit the amount of soda and water to bring on board, like1 12 pack of soda or water per person, i hate this
$4 for a bottle of water? Jeepers….
The Cruise companies were losing too much money due to people smuggling liquor on board!! What a lot of people were doing was emptying out their water bottles and refilling them with clear liquor like vodka! I think that Carnival’s prices are pretty decent. Of course; I can buy cheaper water at Wal-mart.