Cruising is an exciting way to travel, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) makes it even more special with their unique Freestyle Cruising experience. No matter if you want to gift a loved one a memorable vacation or treat yourself to a sea adventure, a Norwegian Cruise Gift Cards could be the perfect choice.
What Are Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Cards?
Norwegian Cruise Line gift cards were prepaid cards loaded with a specific amount of money. They could be used to pay for a cruise, onboard expenses like dining or spa treatments, or even shore excursions. These gift cards were a great way to give someone the gift of a cruise or to budget for your own trip. However, there is an important update you need to know: Norwegian Cruise Line suspended their gift card program on December 31, 2021. They made this decision to improve the consumer experience, as they felt it wasn’t meeting their standards.
Instead of gift cards, NCL now encourages people to purchase onboard credits. These credits work similarly, allowing you to spend money on board for things like restaurants, spa services, or excursions. You can also gift onboard credits to friends or family for their cruise.
Why Choose a Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Card or Onboard Credit?
Even though the official gift card program is paused, understanding why they were popular can help you decide if onboard credits or other gift options are right for you. Here is why people loved NCL gift cards and why onboard credits are a great alternative:
- Flexibility: Gift cards could be used for cruise fares, onboard purchases like drinks or spa treatments, or even shore excursions. Onboard credits offer the same flexibility for onboard spending.
- Perfect Gift: A cruise gift card was a thoughtful present for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. Onboard credits are now the go-to option for gifting a cruise experience.
- Easy to Use: Gift cards worked like credit cards for online or phone bookings and could be applied to onboard accounts. Onboard credits are just as simple to apply during a cruise.
- Memorable Experience: A cruise is more than just a trip; it’s an adventure with stunning destinations, entertainment like the Blue Man Group, and delicious dining. Onboard credits let you enhance that experience.
Since the gift card program is suspended, onboard credits are the best way to give someone money to spend on their NCL cruise. You can buy these credits through NCL’s website, and they come in amounts like $25, $50, or $100.
Where Can I Buy Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Cards?
Since NCL stopped their gift card program, you can’t buy new gift cards directly from their website or by calling their customer service. However, if you are wondering where to buy Norwegian Cruise Line gift cards, there are still ways to find them through third-party retailers or marketplaces.
Here’s where you can look:
- Online Retailers
Some online stores may still have Norwegian Cruise gift cards available, especially if they were purchased before the program ended. Websites like Amazon, Walmart, or GiftCards.com sometimes carry cruise line gift cards. Always check the seller’s reputation to ensure the gift card is valid.
- Gift Card Marketplaces
Websites like Raise or CardCash specialize in selling discounted gift cards. These platforms sometimes offer Norwegian Cruise Line gift cards at a lower price than their face value. For example, Gift Inventory claims you can save up to 55% on NCL gift cards, though availability depends on stock.
- Physical Stores
Retailers like Walmart, Target, or Best Buy sometimes sell cruise line gift cards in their gift card sections. While NCL gift cards are less common now, it is worth checking with these stores, especially during holiday seasons when gift card promotions are popular.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Website for Onboard Credits
Since gift cards are no longer sold directly by NCL, you can buy onboard credits instead. Visit www.ncl.com and look for the “Gifts” or “Onboard Credit” section. You’ll need the recipient’s booking number or birth date to send the credit. Onboard credits are available in amounts like $25, $50, or $100 and can be used for dining, spa services, or excursions.
Can You Find Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Card Discounts?
Finding discount Norwegian Cruise gift cards is tricky since the program ended, but it’s not impossible. Here are some ways to save:
- Gift Card Marketplaces
Sites like Raise, CardCash, or Gift Inventory often sell gift cards at a discount. For example, you might find a $100 NCL gift card for $80, saving you 20%. These discounts depend on availability, so check regularly. Always verify the card’s balance and authenticity before buying.
- Retailer Promotions
Stores like Walmart or Target sometimes offer gift card deals, especially during holidays. For example, you might get a 5% discount if you use a Target RedCard to buy a gift card. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales or promotions that include a Norwegian cruise gift card discount.
- AARP or Other Reward Programs
In the past, AARP offered discounted gift cards for cruise lines like Princess or Royal Caribbean, but NCL gift cards were not always included. Still, it is worth checking AARP Rewards or similar programs for deals on onboard credits or other cruise-related gifts.
- Onboard Credits as an Alternative
Since NCL gift cards are harder to find, consider buying onboard credits directly from NCL. While they’re not discounted, you can sometimes bundle them with cruise packages or promotions to save money overall. For example, NCL’s Free at Sea perks might include onboard credits as part of a booking deal.
Can You Use Starbucks Gift Cards on Norwegian Cruise Line?
Many NCL ships, like the Breakaway, Encore, Prima, and Viva, have licensed Starbucks locations on board. If you’re a coffee lover, you might wonder if you can use Starbucks gift cards to pay for your drinks. The good news is yes, you can use Starbucks gift cards on Norwegian Cruise Line ships! Here’s what you need to know:
- Accepted Payment: Starbucks gift cards, both physical and digital (via the Starbucks app), are accepted at onboard Starbucks locations. Just present the card or scan the app’s barcode to pay.
- Limitations: You cannot redeem Starbucks Rewards Stars for free drinks or discounts on NCL ships. You also won’t earn new Stars for purchases made on board.
- Starbucks Coffee Package: If you plan to drink a lot of coffee, NCL offers a Starbucks Coffee Package for unlimited drinks. This might save you money compared to using gift cards for multiple purchases.
If you don’t have a Starbucks gift card, you can charge drinks to your onboard account using your room key card or pay with a credit card. However, using a gift card is a great way to budget for your coffee without adding to your onboard bill. map of great stirrup cay,
How to Use Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Cards or Onboard Credits
If you manage to find an NCL gift card from a third-party seller, here’s how they worked before the program ended:
- Cruise Fare: Use the gift card to pay for your cruise when booking online at www.ncl.com, over the phone, or through a travel agent. Select “Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Card” as the payment type and enter the card details.
- Onboard Expenses: Apply the gift card to your onboard account at the Guest Services Desk. You could use up to three gift cards per transaction.
- Limitations: Gift cards could only be used for purchases in USD and were not valid at ship terminals or for foreign currency transactions.
Onboard credits work similarly but are only for onboard spending. To use them:
- Purchase onboard credits through www.ncl.com, providing the recipient’s booking number or birth date.
- The credits are applied to the recipient’s onboard account and can be used for dining, spa services, excursions, or other expenses.
- Guests use their room key card to make purchases, and the credits are deducted from their account.
If you have an old NCL gift card, check its balance at www.norwegiangiftcard.com or call 1-888-976-6904 to see if it is still valid. If lost or stolen, report it immediately to request a replacement (a $6.95 fee may apply).
Wrapping It Up
Norwegian Cruise Line gift cards were a fantastic way to share the joy of cruising, but since the program ended in 2021, onboard credits are the best alternative. You can still find gift cards through third-party retailers or marketplaces, sometimes at a discount, but always verify their authenticity. Starbucks gift cards are a great option for coffee lovers on NCL ships, though they come with some limitations.
