Free at Sea vs Free at Sea Plus — What's Included
Details
Overview
Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus are promotional bundles offered by a cruise line to add value to a base cruise fare. Each bundle includes a selection of add-ons such as beverages, specialty dining, and internet. The Plus tier increases the included benefits compared with the standard Free at Sea package.
Beverages — what’s included with Free at Sea
- Spirits (Premium Brands): Includes, but is not limited to:
- Vodka: Grey Goose, Tito's, Absolute, Smirnoff
- Gin: Hendrick's, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Citadelle
- Rum: Bacardi, Mount Gay, Goslings, Captain Morgan, Malibu
- Tequila: Casamigos Blanco, Patron Silver, 1800 Reposado, Cazadores
- Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch: Bulleit Rye, Woodford Reserve, Jameson, Bushmills, Crown Royal, Jack Daniel's
- Brandy/Cognac: Courvoisier VS, St-Rémy VSOP, Metaxa 7 Stars
- Cocktails: Over 100+ options, including Mojitos, Margaritas, Piña Coladas, Mudslides, Martinis, Long Island Iced Tea, Moscow Mules, Mai Tais, and Aperol Spritz.
- Wine: A selection of red, white, and sparkling wines by the glass.
- Beer & Seltzer: Domestic and imported options, including Lagunitas IPA, Blue Moon, Sam Adams, Corona Extra, Heineken, Stella Artois, White Claw, and Angry Orchard.
Key Details & Limitations
- Price Cap: Drinks priced up to $15 are included. If a drink exceeds $15, you pay the difference.
Free at Sea also typically includes a basic beverage package covering:
- - Non-alcoholic beverages such as fountain sodas, juices, coffee and tea
- - Bottled water or water dispensers (policy may vary by ship)
Beverages — what’s included with Free at Sea Plus (what Free at Sea does not include)
- Free at Sea Plus typically upgrades or expands beverage coverage to include:
- - An unlimited premium top-shelf spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass valued up to $50 per drink. This upgrade covers a much wider selection, including over 100 premium cocktails and more than 50 labels of premium wine and spirits.
- - Specialty coffee drinks and premium bottled water brands (when not in the basic package)
- - Higher drink price caps per item for specialty cocktails, wines by the glass, and premium beers.
Dining — what’s included on Free at Sea
- Free at Sea commonly includes at least one specialty-dining credit or a limited number of complimentary specialty-dining reservations per stateroom (for example, a single free specialty restaurant meal or a fixed-dollar credit per person).
- Main dining room, buffet, and included casual venues remain part of the standard cruise fare regardless of the bundle.
- Specialty restaurants beyond the included credit remain available for an additional charge unless covered by the package.
- The "cover charge" or "gratuity charge" can be confusing. You will not pay any additional at the restaurant unless you upgrade to something premium and tips are included.
Dining — what’s included on Free at Sea Plus
- Free at Sea Plus usually increases specialty-dining benefits:
- - Multiple complimentary specialty-dining reservations per stateroom or a larger per-person credit that can be applied toward higher-end restaurants
- - Priority reservations or preferred seating at participating specialty venues on some sailings (varies by cruise and sailing)
Key differences (dining)
- Quantity: Plus often gives more complimentary specialty-dining opportunities or larger credits than the base Free at Sea package.
- Value: Plus can cover more expensive specialty restaurants or multi-course experiences that exceed the smaller credit provided in the basic package.
Internet — what’s included on Free at Sea
- Free at Sea may include a basic internet package with limited data (typically up to 150 minutes of data) or a lower-speed connectivity tier intended for messaging and light browsing.
- This basic internet option may be limited to a single device or a low daily allowance; specifics vary by sailing and ship.
Internet — what’s included on Free at Sea Plus
- Free at Sea Plus generally upgrades internet to a faster or more generous plan:
- - A premium or more robust package that supports streaming, multiple devices, and higher data allowances
- - Possible inclusion of Wi‑Fi for multiple devices or higher-priority bandwidth on ship networks
Key differences (internet)
- Speed and data: Plus offers higher speeds and larger data allowances suitable for streaming and multiple-device use, while basic Free at Sea targets light usage.
- Devices: Plus often covers more devices simultaneously; Free at Sea may be limited to one device.
Other common differences and extras
- Shore excursions: Some promotions tie in shore excursion credits or discounts to the Plus tier but this is variable.
- Onboard credits and perks: Plus packages sometimes include higher onboard credit amounts, priority boarding, or other conveniences.
- Eligibility and blackout dates: Both packages may be subject to eligibility rules, cabin-type limits, and blackout dates or limited availability on select sailings.
Practical tips for choosing between them
- If you regularly drink alcoholic beverages, order cocktails, or prefer name-brand spirits and wines, Free at Sea Plus is likely more economical.
- If you mainly use the internet for messaging and occasional browsing, and rarely pay for specialty dining or premium drinks, the basic Free at Sea package may be sufficient.
- Compare the cruise-line’s published beverage brand list, menu price caps, specialty-dining credits, and internet speeds for your specific sailing before purchasing.
- Consider how many people in your cabin will use included benefits — some packages are priced per person, some per cabin — and verify whether the benefit applies to each guest.
Common exclusions and fine print to check
- Look for per-item or per-day price caps, excluded brands, wine-by-the-bottle exclusions, and whether the package excludes certain venues (third-party bars, specialty experiences, or premium tastings).
- Confirm whether gratuities, service charges, taxes, or corkage fees are included or added to billed items.
- Verify whether the internet package is per device or per cabin and whether streaming services are permitted.
- Check cancellation/rescheduling terms for specialty-dining reservations and whether unused credits are refundable or transferable.
Final note
Actual inclusions vary by cruise line, ship, itinerary, and the specific promotional terms for each sailing. Always review the cruise line’s official Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus terms and the booking confirmation for exact details before relying on inclusions.