NCL Retreats from Controversial Drink Package Change on Private Island
Key Aspects:
Unlimited beverage packages will continue to be honored at Great Stirrup Cay through March 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line had previously announced the packages would not be valid after February.
A new drink package for the private island is reportedly in development but has not yet been announced.
Norwegian Cruise Line guests will get to raise a glass (for free!) when they visit Great Stirrup Cay for the next few weeks, as the cruise line has temporarily extended drink packages to include onshore beverages for a little while longer.
Cruise Hive has previously reported that beginning March 1, 2026, various shipboard drink packages would no longer extend to Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas.
At that time, a new drink package was said to be in development that would be “crafted exclusively for Great Stirrup Cay” and would be available for purchase from January 1. No new drink package is yet listed on the cruise line’s website, however.
Now, Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests on sailings to the private island to alert them that their beverage packages will still work during their visit to the beach day paradise.
“Guests who purchased one of our unlimited beverage packages, including More at Sea, Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus will now enjoy their favorite drinks from ship to shore,” the email notification read. “Beverages on Great Stirrup Cay will be included in the abovementioned packages through March.”
Guests were understandably frustrated when it was first announced that drink packages would no longer work on the island. That frustration has not been entirely eased now that the package use has been extended for another month.
In particular, guests who already purchased the upgrade from “More at Sea” or “Free at Sea” to the “Free at Sea Plus” package are wondering whether that cost can be refunded, now that drinks will be included.
It should be noted, however, that “Free at Sea Plus” does have more benefits than just including drinks on the private island. The “Plus” package includes everything the “Free at Sea” package offers, as well as:
Upgraded top-shelf spirits and premium wines
Energy drinks, specialty coffee, and bottled water
50% off cover charges for specialty dining meals
Unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi
All daily gratuities
Cruise Tools: Cruise Drinks Package Calculator
At this time, there is no indication whether or not the beverage inclusion will be extended beyond March 31. This may be a decision Norwegian Cruise Line will make one month at a time as guest feedback and package planning continues.
What Would a New Package Involve?
There have been no details released about what a new Great Stirrup Cay drink package might include. It could be a full extension of onboard packages or there might even be something new and exclusive to the island, such as signature drinks, souvenir glasses, or a specialty bar.
In the meantime, Great Stirrup Cay is undergoing significant enhancements with the new 1.4-acre Great Life Lagoon, Vibe Shore Club, and Great Tides Waterpark all being added.
A new children’s play area and island-wide tram service are also being added, ensuring great accessibility and fun for guests of all ages.
It is possible that the new drink package may not be unveiled until the island’s new features are complete, which is expected to be in summer 2026.
The island’s new pier opened in late December 2025, permitting two ships to dock securely each day rather than rely on tender boats to get to shore. Great Stirrup Cay has been notorious in the past for cancelled port visits due to wind and swells, even when it may seem like a perfect beach day.
NCL Retreats from Controversial Drink Package Change on Private Island