Norwegian Cruise Line Overturns Controversial Beverage Policy at Great Stirrup Cay
In a significant victory for cruise passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has overturned its contentious beverage package policy at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. The company announced this week that guests will now be able to continue using their “Free at Sea” and “More at Sea” drink packages indefinitely on the island.
The policy reversal comes in the wake of widespread passenger dissatisfaction following NCL’s October 2025 announcement. The initial plan stated that shipboard beverage packages would no longer be valid at Great Stirrup Cay starting March 1, 2026. Under this plan, guests would have been required to upgrade to the pricier “Free at Sea Plus” package at a rate of $49.99 per person per day, a significant increase from the standard $28.50 rate.
“We are committed to providing the best vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and at the destinations we visit,” an NCL spokesperson confirmed. “In response to feedback and to enhance the guest experience, the Free at Sea and More at Sea beverage packages will once again extend beyond the ship to include beverages on the island.”
Travel agents were among the first to be notified of the change, and Great Stirrup Cay has been removed from the exclusion list on NCL’s website. The decision has been met with widespread approval from passengers who had already booked 2026 Bahamas cruises, restoring the value proposition that many travelers anticipated when they originally selected their itineraries.
Source: Cruise Hive