If you’ve ever spent a day on Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, you know it’s the perfect place to kick back with a frozen drink in one hand as you work on a tan to make your friends back home jealous. But if you’ve got a cruise booked for 2026 or beyond, there’s a big change coming that might make that drink taste a little different – because it’s no longer going to be covered by your beverage package.
Starting March 1, 2026, Drinks on Great Stirrup Cay Will Cost Extra
According to a statement sent to travel agents and confirmed by multiple outlets including Cruise Industry News, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that starting March 1, 2026, shipboard beverage packages will no longer be honored for drinks purchased on Great Stirrup Cay.
The cruise line says complimentary non-alcoholic beverages such as water, iced tea, and juice will still be available, but guests who want alcohol will need to either pay per drink or purchase a new, island-exclusive beverage package that will debut alongside the change.
The update comes as part of NCL’s larger enhancement project for Great Stirrup Cay. The island is getting a serious glow-up – a new pier (bye, tenders you won’t be missed), an expanded pool area, a kids’ splash pad, and a massive waterpark with 19 waterslides and an 800-foot lazy river opening in 2026. The cruise line says these upgrades are designed to “transform the on-island experience,” and that the new beverage policy gives guests “the flexibility to curate how they experience” the destination.
That all sounds nice, but let’s be honest – this change is going to tick off a lot of cruisers.
For years, Norwegian cruisers have enjoyed being able to use their Unlimited Open Bar or Free at Sea drink packages on Great Stirrup Cay just as they would onboard. Your card got scanned, your drink showed as $0.00, and life was good.
So when NCL suddenly says that starting in 2026 you’ll have to buy a separate island package or pay per drink, it feels like the rug’s been pulled out from under loyal guests. Many book Norwegian specifically because of that “free drinks everywhere” perk – and now one of the best places to enjoy those perks is being taken off the table.
NCL has already made a few controversial changes lately, including charging for extra entrées in the main dining room and adding no-show fees for specialty restaurants. This new policy just adds fuel to the “nickel-and-diming” argument many longtime cruisers already make.
But Here’s the Thing: NCL Isn’t Alone
While this move feels like a punch in the pina colada, charging for drinks at private destinations isn’t exactly new in the cruise world.
Let’s break it down:
- Carnival Cruise Line – Does not honor drink packages at its new private destination, Celebration Key, or at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, which it shares with sister line Holland America. You’ll pay à la carte for all drinks at both.
- Holland America Line – Same story at Half Moon Cay – the onboard beverage package doesn’t apply there either.
- Princess Cruises – Also part of Carnival Corp, Princess doesn’t extend its Plus or Premier beverage packages to Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Drinks there are purchased separately.
- MSC Cruises – Does honor drink packages on its private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which is a major plus for guests sailing with them.
- Royal Caribbean – Extends its drink packages to Perfect Day at CocoCay and other private destinations, which many cruisers consider a big win and one of the reasons Royal has such loyal fans.
- Disney Cruise Line & Virgin Voyages – Neither offers traditional drink packages, so this doesn’t apply.
So, Norwegian isn’t breaking new ground here – they’re just stepping into territory Carnival Corp. brands have occupied for years. But because NCL cruisers have been enjoying island drinks as part of their package for so long, it’s going to sting more.
What to Expect Going Forward
Norwegian hasn’t released full details on how the new Great Stirrup Cay Beverage Package will work or what it’ll cost, but you can bet it won’t be cheap. Considering the Unlimited Open Bar package already runs about $109 per day (plus 20% gratuity), it’ll be interesting to see if the island version is priced per day, per visit, or à la carte.
And if you’re wondering whether current bookings will be grandfathered in—no word on that yet either. Based on similar policy shifts in the past, it’s likely that the new rule will apply to all sailings that visit Great Stirrup Cay on or after March 1, 2026, regardless of when you booked.
This change is another reminder that cruise lines are constantly reevaluating what’s “included.” While Norwegian’s investment in Great Stirrup Cay is exciting and the upgrades look impressive, taking away beverage package privileges feels like a step backward for guests who value that all-inclusive experience.
In the grand scheme of things, paying for a few drinks on the beach isn’t the end of the world. But it does chip away at what made NCL’s Free at Sea program stand out from competitors.
If nothing else, this will make comparing cruise line perks even more important – especially since MSC and Royal Caribbean still let you use your drink package on their islands. For some travelers, that might be reason enough to look elsewhere when booking their next Caribbean escape.