Cruising Hawaii on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is a senior favorite for its no-passport convenience and daily island stops. When booking, one of the biggest decisions is whether to go with NCL’s Free at Sea promotion or consider upgrading to the new Free at Sea Plus. As a senior solo cruiser who’s sailed Pride of America, here’s a clear, practical comparison to help you decide what delivers real value without overspending.
What Is NCL’s Free at Sea?
“Free at Sea” is NCL’s core promotional bundle available anytime once you pay the initial down payment. The name of the package “Free at Sea” creates some confusion with cruisers who think that the package comes included in the cruise fare. It does not.
It’s not entirely “free”, you typically prepay gratuities (around $20–$28.50 per person per day depending on the sailing) but it bundles popular extras for better overall value.
Key inclusions (standard for 7-day sailings like Pride of America):
- Unlimited Open Bar: Premium spirits, cocktails, wine, beer, juices, and soda (drinks up to ~$15–$20 value). On Hawaii sailings, this ties into the Hawaii Beverage Package with bottled water options.
- Specialty Dining: 3 meals on a 7-day cruise (more on longer voyages) at specialty restaurants like Cagney’s Steakhouse or Teppanyaki.
- Wi-Fi: 150 minutes of internet (basic package).
- Shore Excursion Credit: Often $50–$100 per port or total credit toward NCL tours.
- Other perks: Sometimes include free 3rd/4th guests or airfare deals.
What I liked about the “Free at Sea” Package
One of my favorite perks of the Free at Sea package was being able to enjoy drinks without constantly worrying about the cost. The gratuities on the beverage package are already included, so there’s no need to tip the bartender every time you order a drink, although you’re always welcome to leave an extra cash tip for exceptional service.
The specialty dining package was another highlight for me. Once I’m onboard a cruise ship, I develop a serious case of FOMO if I know other passengers are enjoying the specialty restaurants and I’m missing out! During my cruise, I dined at Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, and both were outstanding. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the overall dining experience was well worth it. For me, these restaurants alone added a lot of value to the Free at Sea package.
What Fell a Little Short on the Free at Sea Package
While I was happy with most of the Free at Sea perks, the Wi-Fi was the biggest disappointment for me. I found that the connection dropped frequently, especially when I was trying to upload photos, check email, or browse the internet. There were times when I had to reconnect several times before I could get online again.
If you’re just planning to send the occasional message or quickly check your email, the package will probably be enough. However, if you need a reliable internet connection to work remotely, make video calls, or regularly upload content to social media, I wouldn’t count on it. Cruise ship internet has improved over the years, but in my experience, Norwegian’s Wi-Fi still wasn’t as dependable as I had hoped.
That said, I reminded myself that I was on vacation. The unreliable connection actually encouraged me to put my phone away, spend more time enjoying the ship, and be more present in the moment. It wasn’t a deal-breaker for me, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind before you sail. You might want to add an extra eSIM for added coverage.
Shore Excursion Credit in the Free at Sea Package
The Free at Sea package also includes a $50 shore excursion credit per port, but there are a couple of important details to know. The credit is applied only to the first guest on the reservation, so that guest must be the one who books the excursions for the credit to be applied. It’s a little confusing at first, and it’s easy to miss if you don’t read the fine print.
While I appreciate receiving the credit, it doesn’t go very far because Norwegian’s shore excursions can be quite expensive. In most cases, the $50 simply reduces the cost rather than covering a large portion of the excursion.
Personally, I usually book with Shore Excursions Group instead of the cruise line. I’ve found them to be reliable, their tours are often less expensive than Norwegian’s, and they offer a return-to-ship guarantee, which gives me extra peace of mind. I still compare prices and itineraries before booking, but they’ve been my preferred choice on many cruises.
3rd and 4th Person Travel Free
The package sometimes includes free cruise fare for the third and fourth person, but you still have to pay port charges and taxes and they do not get the drink package. You would have to add that separately.
If you’re traveling solo and looking for Cruise Lines & Cruises for solo travelers, Norwegian is an excellent choice. You can book solo balconies without the added single supplement.
I did the math and found that the added perks make this package worthwhile. Even if you don’t drink much alcohol, you have juices, water and sodas included. The specialty restaurants alone can be up to $60.00 per person, so if you want one or two nice dinners and need occasional connectivity for family check-ins, it adds up.
I’ve tried to do cruises without the package but the added stress of not knowing what the bill will run up to in the end is not worth it. I don’t like to be thinking about money while I’m having a good time! This is also important when you’re looking for the Best Hawaii Shore Excursions on Norwegian Pride of America. The package also has includes $50.00 shore excursion credit that is available for the cruise lines’ excursions only. If you mix and match with the lower priced Shore Excursions Group, you can save a good amount of money.
Free at Sea Plus: The Premium Upgrade – Is It Worth It?
For an even more inclusive experience, NCL offers Free at Sea Plus (available for 2026 sailings, ~$49.99 per person per day). This upgrade builds on the standard package and is especially appealing for seniors who want less nickel-and-diming and enjoy premium alcohol.
What Free at Sea Plus adds:
- Prepaid gratuities/service charges (saves ~$20/day hassle).
- Higher-end drinks, wines, and bottled water (beyond standard limits).
- Unlimited Wi-Fi (including streaming).
- Potentially more specialty dining or enhanced credits.
- Overall, closer to a true all-inclusive feel.
Cost example for a 7-day Pride of America cruise (per person): Standard Free at Sea might add $200–$300 total per person (mainly gratuities). Free at Sea Plus runs ~$350. If you drink moderately, dine out once or twice, and use Wi-Fi daily, Plus often breaks even or saves money compared to buying à la carte.
Is Free at Sea (or Plus) Worth It for Senior Hawaii Cruisers?
Even though you might not drink alcohol at all, the added perks make it worthwhile in my humble opinion.
Pros:
- Convenience & Value: Bundles eliminate daily decisions. On Pride of America’s active itinerary, having drinks and a couple of specialty meals included reduces stress and lets you enjoy your vacation.
- Senior-Friendly: Lighter drinkers can still benefit from sodas, juices, and occasional cocktails. Prepaid gratuities simplify budgeting.
- Hawaii Specifics: The bundle works well with local beverage options; excursion credits help offset popular (but pricey) tours.
Cons:
- If you drink very little or if specialty dining is not for you, it might not be worth it. À la carte can be cheaper for light users.
- Wi-Fi minutes are limited in the base package, upgrade to Plus for unlimited if you need it for photos or grandkid calls.
- Pride of America has a mature crowd, so the package feels like a good fit without the party vibe of bigger ships.
My Recommendation as a Senior Solo Traveler: Go with standard Free at Sea if you want solid value. Upgrade to Free at Sea Plus if you value premium drinks, unlimited internet, and prepaid tips. It’s often worth it for comfort and peace of mind on a Hawaii cruise. Run the numbers in your booking portal or call NCL to compare your specific sailing.
Pro Tip: The shore excursion credit is applied to the first guests’ account. This means the $50.00 credit will only be applied to his/her account if there are other guests in the cabin.
Book early for the best rates and promotions. It’s always best to purchase before boarding the ship. The package is available to you at the discounted price up to 24 hours prior to sailing. If you decide to purchase it onboard the ship, the price will go up to $89.00 per day per person, plus taxes and fees.
Over the years I’ve booked my excursions through Viator and Shore Excursions Group and I’ve had great experiences with both. They offer tours that are very similar-or even the same as those sold by Norwegian. I also like that the tour groups are often smaller, prices are usually more competitive and both companies offer an return-to-ship guarantee.
I recommend comparing prices before your cruise. You can check the latest excursions using the links mentioned above.
Final Thoughts
I always dreamed of island hopping in Hawaii. While I wasn’t able to do it in my youth, I finally fulfilled a bucket list item. If you’re considering it as well, the article Norwegian Pride of America Review 2026: The Ultimate Hawaii Cruise Experience. Is it Worth It? will hopefully answer more of your questions.
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About the Author: Evie is the founder of Wanderwithevie.com, a travel blog for seniors focused on helping readers enjoy stress-free cruising and destination travel. With 40 years in the travel industry and extensive firsthand travel experience, she combines professional expertise with practical advice to help readers plan with confidence. Evie personally cruises and researches itineraries across the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean to ensure every guide is practical, realistic and based on real travel experience.
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