Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced major changes for 2026 and most cruisers have no idea they’re coming. If you’re booked on NCL or even thinking about it, you need to watch this before you sail.
I’m breaking down the biggest NCL changes just announced for 2026 – new costs, updated policies, and rule changes that will directly affect your cruise experience. This includes updates to the new NCL Free at Sea & Free at Sea Plus, including the new cost updates for the drink package on shorter cruises.
After 50+ cruises and more than a decade in the cruise industry, I’ll tell you exactly what these changes mean for YOU and what to do about them right now.Some of these updates are actually good news. You’ll want to know before you book an NCL cruise or board your cruise.
What I cover in this video:
New NCL fees and pricing changes you need to budget for
Policy updates that affect what’s included on your cruise
Rule changes that could impact your onboard experience
What to do NOW if you’re already booked on NCL for 2026
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
Some of the B-Roll used in Great Stirrup Cay segment courtesy of NCLH
36 Comments
Correction: Burn the Floor is moving to Viva, not going away
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It’s so weird that there are cabins that connect to Havens that aren’t part of the Haven
Get rid of the game shows in place of shows. You have to pay to participate, no thanks. Have them during the day for people do choose that, not during evening show times replacing them.
Chior of man and Kinky boots were amazing, but as long as they have a show every night instead of game shows, I am ok with the change.
Yes, please do a video on the Free At Sea programs
We order room service at least a couple times every time we sail and we have never had a problem with how many hot items we order at a time.
This change in NCL leadership is good. Found it to be a little too problematic earlier. It seemed like they wanted to make a statement and not back the passengers. This should be good and, honestly, I was thinking I would walk away from the Cruise line.
Will see this week, 05/22/26 going on an Alaskan Cruise on the Joy. Keeping my mind, and hopes up, for a positive trip.
Yes to the 2 for 1 offer on board for some specialty restaurants. It's the obvious ones that are included like the Italian and other fares that are not the $60 popular ones after day 2/3. Many people reserve the expensive cost options for their included 3 meals so the other restaurants are left with availability. I have seen it on Jade NYE cruise and Encore St Paddy's cruise, I'm assuming it's everywhere else as well at this point.
Free at sea and free at sea plus please
I never do NCL flights!!! Any time they offer bogo when I price out the flights, NCL Bogo is always way more than if I book it on my own. Not only that but you get the worst flights when NCL books them, as in you get in late or you have to sit in the airport all day after you disembark. No thank you!! I'll save money and get better flights if I book them myself!!
Long ago vowed to never never cruise NCL, a great choice!
25 cruises, 8 cruise lines, 8 on NCL…I think NCL is the best bang for the buck.
Going on Luna at end of July. Would love your insight ! Thanks
Yes, please do a video on Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus, i've take NCL in years past, and have been cruising with Princess for the last five yeas, but now have booked a 14 day Japan trip, and find the two plans confusing, and even the agents aren't clear on the informatiion, I've had different agents tell me different things, and also the info on line can be confusingm, to me anyway!… would love clarity!! Please, please!
Just disembarked from a B2B on the NCL Bliss and they did in fact have the 2-for-1 dinning promotion during both cruises. Seems obvious, but keep in mind you must pay for one to get the second one free, your SDP credits does not count toward this promotion. Also, this promotion typically applies to the less popular speciality dining restaurants – for example on the Bliss, the restaurants that qualified were Q Texas Smokehouse, Food Republic and La Cucina. Also, the 2-for-1 is per meal, not restaurant. So for example, 2 guests can eat at La Cucina for the price of 1 – that's how we ended up using the promotion.
I’m going on the NCL escape in November of this year looking forward to my 2nd cruise ❤❤❤
As a Gold member who has taken many cruises with NCL, I’m really disappointed with the new policy. Charging an extra 10% on drinks when sailing in Spain adds up quickly, about $2 per drink, which significantly increases the cost, especially for a celebration like my birthday cruise. It feels even more frustrating considering how light the cocktails already are. This change takes away from the overall experience and value I’ve come to expect from NCL.
At Great stirup cay it's a long walk, do they have any carts to take you to the island?
Upgraded to FAS plus is a most for us! Can’t wait for our Bermuda cruise in July!
I’m sad about the Broadway shows. On the Bliss, I loved Jersey Boys and preferred it over the other show. Oh, well…
About to be first time cruiser with my family. Aqua. Bermudan. Very excited. Would love to see a deeper dive into the Free at Sea packages.
Yes please free at sea and free at sea plus videos! IYanla , love your videos , I have learned a lot from you and took my first cruise in 2024 wel researched and prepared because of you!
Thank you for the information. Please provide a video on the free at sea vs free at sea plus program.
Free at sea is NOT free. $20.50/person/day is not free.
It should be called Package at Sea to avoid it being classified as Bait & Switch.
Yes We’re going tomorrow. 31st May to NCL Dawn at Lisbon to Barcelona.. 😊
Not interested – it’s extortionate. My inept is included in my mobile.
I will always dress for dinner.😊
So…. let me get this straight: I pay [up front] for the "Free at Sea" package, but then I STILL have to pay daily gratuities (2:05)? So, it's not "free"? And those gratuities add $28.50 per day? What? I mean… can they make this any more confusing?
Yes, please do a remedial "Free at sea vs. Free at sea plus" video 👌
In house shows = CHEAP. I'd rather pay much more $$$ for top shows than the current garbage they are pushing on the public.
Yes
We just got of the Luna yesterday. We Are loyalty NCL cruisers, but have a lot of feedback for theme! We didn't had a upgrade cruise experience, because of this New ship.
Unfortunatly we missed a lot of the cruise experience. This Is because of the small veneus that were full when we were visiting.
That did not happen on smaller( read older ships).
So we will not be sailing with Luna or Aqua any time soon.
I dont travel in The Haven …. I travel in The Hell !!!!
so confusing….
I’m going on the Luna in October I got the free at sea package can’t wait for this
Do you have a Luna video
Yes, more info on Free at sea. Thinking of doing a transatlantic cruise next fall on NCL Gem. I've never cruised NCL only Princess and regular balcony rooms seem small.