I tried Norwegian's 'Free at Sea' promo for complimentary drinks, excursions, and more. My cruise was a great value but not as all-inclusive as it seemed.

NCL's "Free at Sea" promotion comes with various perks, but the exact benefits available vary based on several factors, including the length of the sailing, what type of stateroom you choose, and more.

For example, I booked an ocean-view stateroom for my sailing, which entitled me and my husband to one complimentary meal in the specialty dining restaurant of our choice. However, guests who opted for a pricier balcony or suite room received additional dining credits.

Before booking, it's important to research and read all the fine to better understand what's included with your sailing.

Of the included perks, the unlimited bar package was a hit for me and my husband.

Although I generally don't opt for unlimited drink packages on cruises as I don't order enough to justify the hefty price tag, having beverages included on this sailing was a carefree addition to my vacation.

We did have to pay for the gratuities for this package, which amounted to $218 per person for our 10-night sailing, but we felt this was a relatively small price to pay for the convenience of not paying per drink. Plus, it was still a great deal because the unlimited drink package usually costs over $100 per person per day.

However, unlike drink packages offered by competitors such as Royal Caribbean, NCL's did not include bottled water or specialty coffees. These items still required an upcharge, as did premium alcoholic drinks costing more than $15.

With the promo, my husband and I also each received a 150-minute internet package for use during our sailing. This was an amazing addition to our cruise as it gave us enough time to check in with the "real world" without feeling glued to our devices.

Like many other included benefits, this package was only provided to the first two people on the booking. So, my 10-year-old son did not receive an internet package of his own.

As an avid gamer, he was disappointed — especially since onboard gaming options at the ship's virtual-reality arcade, Galaxy Pavilion, were limited. However, as a parent, I was happy to see him (mostly) unplugged for a change.

In my opinion, the most misleading part of the "Free at Sea" offer had to be the "Free Excursions" listed on the NCL website.

Just next to that offer, the site reads that each stateroom is actually only entitled to $50 off per tour for the first guest on the booking. A $50 excursion could be free with this promo, but all of the ones on my cruise cost well over $50.

For example, the Land of the Trolls excursion in Alesund, Norway, cost my family of three $577, or $527 after the $50 credit was applied.

Saving money on excursions is always welcome, but I wish the language of the promotion had been more straightforward.

Representatives for Norwegian Cruise Line didn't respond to a request for comment from Insider.

With eight specialty restaurants on the Norwegian Prima, the complimentary dining voucher from the "Free at Sea" promo was a clear winner. The restaurants, which are not included in the cost of the cruise, have seafood, steak, sushi, tapas, and more.

My husband and I loved getting one free specialty dining meal — and we only had to pay $10 per person in gratuities.

Again, this benefit was only for the first two people booked in my stateroom, so my son did not get complimentary dining unless he ordered from the standard kid's menu.

This menu, which included generic kiddie fare such as chicken nuggets, was the same every night of the cruise, making it a less-than-exciting option for my budding 10-year-old foodie.

As such, we allowed him to order off the adult menu while dining with us at the ship's Italian eatery, Onda by Scarpetta, which cost us an additional $44.35.

Norwegian Cruise Line's "Free at Sea" promo sometimes includes other perks, such as discounted flights, and it often can be combined with other ongoing deals that provide additional savings.

It's this combo of compelling offers that helps make NCL a great choice for anyone looking to get a lot of bang for their buck.

Not only did my family save hundreds of dollars on drinks, dining, and shore excursions, but also we enjoyed things we likely would not have splurged on otherwise, such as the internet package.

So, although I was a little underwhelmed with some of the savings advertised, I believe the "Free at Sea" promotion offers good value for travelers, and it greatly enhanced my family's vacation experience.