Norwegian Cruise Line to stop offering open bar

Norwegian Cruise Line is ending a popular feature of its
short cruises out of Florida — an open bar.

Starting Sept. 7, the Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun will
transition to the traditional way of charging for drinks.

The open bar began on the Sky in 2016 as a means of
separating the ship from other short-cruise alternatives. It also increased the
fare, boosting commissions for travel agents.

Norwegian did not say why the program was ending. The Sky
and Sun were two of the ships affected when cruises from the U.S. to Cuba were
banned by a change in U.S. policy on June 6.

Norwegian said any guests sailing on Norwegian Sun and Sky
after Sept. 7 who booked a cruise which included open bar at time of purchase
will still be able to enjoy that feature.