№ 15Life on Board
Cruise Drinks Packages Explained: Are They Worth It?
All-inclusive or pay-as-you-go? We break down cruise drinks packages so you can decide what's right for your sailing.
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Should you buy a drinks package on your P&O or Cunard cruise? Here's everything you need to decide — packages, prices, break-even points, and tips to get the best value.
№ 01The question
Are Drinks Packages Worth It?
The honest answer: it depends on how much you drink. A full alcoholic drinks package costs £52–65 per person per day. At typical cruise bar prices, you need around 5–6 alcoholic drinks per day just to break even — and that's before counting sea days vs port days.
Quick Decision Guide
Do you typically have 5+ alcoholic drinks per day on holiday?
Do you mainly drink beer/wine, or prefer cocktails and premium spirits?
How many sea days does your itinerary have?
Do you value "all-in" peace of mind?
A package IS worth it if…
- • You enjoy 5+ drinks per day (including cocktails/spirits)
- • Your cruise has several sea days
- • You prefer not worrying about a running bar tab
- • You drink speciality coffee throughout the day
- • You're on a celebration cruise and planning to indulge
A package is NOT worth it if…
- • You only have 1–2 drinks at dinner
- • Your itinerary is heavily port-based
- • You mainly drink beer or house wine
- • You prefer to choose premium wines by the bottle
- • You're happy with the free tea, coffee and water
Pro tip: The "peace of mind" factor is real. Many cruisers say the package is worth it just to avoid constantly checking prices and worrying about the final bill. If that sounds like you, the maths don't need to add up perfectly.
№ 02P&O
P&O Drinks Packages
P&O Cruises offers three main drinks package tiers. Prices vary by itinerary and how far in advance you book — the ranges below reflect typical pre-cruise pricing.
Soft Drinks Package
£8–10/dayFamilies, non-drinkers, those wanting unlimited water
Included
- Unlimited soft drinks by the glass
- Juice, squash, fizzy drinks
- Bottled water (still & sparkling)
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Speciality coffees
- Smoothies and milkshakes
- Minibar items
Limit: One drink at a time
Non-Alcoholic Package
£15–20/dayCoffee lovers, non-drinkers who want the full range
Included
- Everything in Soft Drinks package
- Speciality coffees (latte, cappuccino, espresso)
- Premium teas
- Smoothies and milkshakes
- Premium juices
- Mocktails
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Minibar items
Limit: One drink at a time
Alcoholic Drinks Package
£52–62/daySocial drinkers, cocktail fans, those who want to relax without a tab
Included
- All non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, juice, soft drinks)
- Beer, cider and ales (draught & bottled)
- House wine by the glass
- Cocktails and mixed drinks
- Spirits and liqueurs
- Speciality coffees
- Bottled water
Not included
- Wines/spirits over £8.50 per glass
- Premium champagnes
- Bottles of wine (only by the glass)
- Minibar items
- Room service drinks
Limit: One drink at a time, drinks up to £8.50 per serve
Watch out: P&O's alcoholic package has a per-serve limit of £8.50. Premium cocktails, top-shelf spirits or wines above this price will incur a "top-up" charge. Always check the price on the menu before ordering to avoid surprises.
№ 03Cunard
Cunard Drinks Packages
Cunard offers a tiered system with a key distinction between Classic and Premium. The Premium package is particularly strong for cocktail and champagne lovers.
Soft Drinks Package
£8–10/dayFamilies, kids, non-drinkers
Included
- Unlimited soft drinks
- Bottled water
- Juice and squash
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Speciality coffees
- Smoothies
- Minibar items
Limit: One drink at a time
Classic Drinks Package
£45–52/dayCasual drinkers who stick to beer, wine and basic cocktails
Included
- Beers, ciders and ales
- House wines by the glass
- Well spirits and standard cocktails
- Soft drinks, juice, water
- Speciality coffees and premium teas
Not included
- Premium spirits and cocktails
- Wines over £7 per glass
- Champagne (except house sparkling)
- Wine by the bottle
- Minibar items
Limit: Drinks up to £7 per serve, one at a time
Premium Drinks Package
£55–65/dayThose who enjoy cocktails, premium spirits, or a nice glass of wine with dinner
Included
- Everything in the Classic package
- Premium spirits (single malts, top-shelf brands)
- Premium cocktails
- Wines up to £12 per glass
- Champagne by the glass
- Smoothies and speciality drinks
Not included
- Ultra-premium wines/spirits (above £12 per serve)
- Wine by the bottle
- Minibar items
Limit: Drinks up to £12 per serve, one at a time
Cunard Grills Suite Guests
If you're booked in a Princess Grill or Queens Grill suite, you already receive complimentary drinks as part of your fare — including wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks in the Grills Lounge and restaurants. You likely don't need a separate package. See our cabin types guide for more on Grills benefits.
Pro tip: Cunard's Premium package includes champagne by the glass — a unique perk compared to P&O. If a glass of fizz before dinner is your thing, it's hard to beat.
№ 04The maths
Break-Even Calculator
How much do you need to drink each day to get your money's worth? We've modelled three typical scenarios using a £55/day package and average on-board prices.
Light Drinker
Not worth itA glass of wine at dinner and a coffee in the morning
On a 7-night cruise
Overpay £312
Moderate Drinker
BorderlineCoffee, a couple of drinks at lunch, wine with dinner, a nightcap
On a 7-night cruise
Difference £63
Social Drinker
Saves moneyCocktails by the pool, wine flights at dinner, drinks at the show
On a 7-night cruise
Save £172
Drinks Needed Per Day to Break Even
Based on a £55/day package and typical à la carte prices
Most people drink a mix of these. A realistic break-even is around 5–6 drinks of varying types per day.
Pro tip: Don't forget to count coffees and soft drinks! On a full alcoholic package, those 2–3 speciality coffees per day (£7–10 worth) push you much closer to break-even. Many people forget to factor in the non-alcoholic drinks they'd also be paying for.
№ 05Complimentary
What's Included Without a Package
Even without any drinks package, you won't go thirsty. Both cruise lines include a range of complimentary beverages as part of your fare.
P&O Cruises — Free Drinks
Cunard — Free Drinks
Watch out: "Speciality" coffee (cappuccino, latte, espresso from a barista machine) is not free on either cruise line. Only standard filter coffee and tea bags are complimentary. If you need proper coffee every morning, factor in a package or budget £3–4 per cup.
№ 06Side by side
Package Comparison Table
A side-by-side look at the key differences between P&O and Cunard drinks packages. For a full comparison of the two cruise lines, see our Cunard vs P&O guide.
| Feature | P&O Soft | P&O Alcoholic | Cunard Classic | Cunard Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per day | £8–10 | £52–62 | £45–52 | £55–65 |
| Soft drinks | ||||
| Bottled water | ||||
| Speciality coffee | ||||
| Beer & cider | ||||
| House wine | ||||
| Standard cocktails | ||||
| Premium spirits | Up to £8.50 | |||
| Premium cocktails | Up to £8.50 | |||
| Champagne (glass) | ||||
| Wine by the bottle | ||||
| Per-serve limit | — | £8.50 | £7 | £12 |
| Minibar included |
Pro tip: If you're a cocktail lover, Cunard's Premium package (up to £12 per serve) covers most of the cocktail menu. P&O's £8.50 cap means some signature cocktails will incur a top-up. Check your priorities before choosing.
№ 07Bar prices
Individual Drink Prices
If you decide against a package, here's what you'll pay à la carte. These are typical on-board prices — use them to estimate your own daily spend and decide whether a package saves you money.
Beer & Cider
| Drink | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| Draught pint | £5.50–6.50 | £5.50–7.00 |
| Bottled beer | £4.50–6.00 | £5.00–6.50 |
| Craft / premium | £6.50–8.00 | £6.50–8.50 |
Wine
| Drink | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| House wine (glass) | £5.50–7.00 | £5.50–7.00 |
| Mid-range (glass) | £7.50–10.00 | £7.50–10.50 |
| Premium (glass) | £10.00–15.00 | £10.00–18.00 |
| Bottle of house wine | £18–24 | £20–26 |
Cocktails
| Drink | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| Classic cocktail | £8.00–10.00 | £8.50–11.00 |
| Signature cocktail | £10.00–13.00 | £10.00–14.00 |
| Frozen / blended | £9.00–11.00 | £9.00–12.00 |
Spirits
| Drink | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| House spirit + mixer | £5.50–7.00 | £5.50–7.50 |
| Premium spirit + mixer | £8.00–12.00 | £8.00–13.00 |
| Single malt whisky | £8.00–15.00 | £8.00–20.00 |
Speciality Coffee
| Drink | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| Cappuccino / latte | £3.00–3.50 | £3.00–4.00 |
| Espresso | £2.50–3.00 | £2.50–3.50 |
| Iced coffee / frappe | £3.50–4.50 | £3.50–5.00 |
Soft Drinks
| Drink | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| Soft drink (glass) | £2.00–2.50 | £2.00–2.50 |
| Bottled water | £2.00–3.00 | £2.00–3.00 |
| Fresh juice | £3.00–4.00 | £3.00–4.50 |
| Smoothie | £4.50–6.00 | £4.50–6.00 |
Quick maths: If you drink two coffees (£7), two beers (£12), two glasses of wine (£14), and a cocktail (£10) in a day, that's £43. A package at £55 costs £12 more — so you'd need one extra drink to break even. On sea days when you're on board from breakfast to midnight, it's easy to hit that number.
№ 08Value
Tips for Getting Value
Whether you buy a package or not, these tips will help you get the best value from your cruise drinks budget.
Book Pre-Cruise for the Best Price
Drinks packages are almost always cheaper when booked before you board. P&O and Cunard both offer early-bird discounts — sometimes 15–20% off. Check your cruise planner or the app regularly for flash sales.
Pre-Order Wine for Your Cabin
Both cruise lines offer wine or champagne packages delivered to your cabin. These are often better value than buying bottles on board and perfect for enjoying a glass on your balcony before dinner.
Look for Drink of the Day Specials
Most bars run a daily cocktail special at a reduced price — typically £5–7 instead of £10+. Even without a package, these can keep your bar bill reasonable if you stick to the special.
Happy Hour Is Your Friend
Many bars run happy hours (often late afternoon, 4–6pm). Two-for-one cocktails or discounted pints can halve your daily spend without a package.
Share a Bottle of Wine at Dinner
A bottle of house wine (£18–26) shared between two is often cheaper per glass than ordering individually — and the sommelier will keep the remainder for your next meal.
Bring Bottled Water On Board (Port Days)
At many ports you can buy a multipack of water bottles cheaply on shore. This saves on the £2–3 per bottle charge on board and keeps you hydrated on excursion days.
Use the Loyalty Programme Bar
P&O's Peninsular Club and Cunard's loyalty members sometimes get complimentary drinks at welcome parties or dedicated events. Check your loyalty tier benefits before buying a package.
Track Your Spending the First Day
If you haven't pre-booked a package, keep a mental note of what you spend on day one. If it's heading over £40–50, it may be worth adding a package at the Guest Services desk (though mid-cruise prices are higher).
Pro tip: If you're sailing with P&O, check the app for flash sales on drinks packages in the weeks before your cruise. Discounts of 15–20% are common and make the package significantly better value.
№ 09Alcohol-free
Non-Alcoholic Options
You don't have to drink alcohol to benefit from a drinks package. Non-alcoholic packages cover speciality coffees, mocktails, premium juices and soft drinks — and can be excellent value for coffee addicts.
P&O Soft Drinks Package
£8–10/dayP&O Cruises
- Soft drinks
- Bottled water
- Juice & squash
Best for: Basic hydration, families with kids
P&O Non-Alcoholic Package
£15–20/dayP&O Cruises
- All soft drinks
- Speciality coffee & tea
- Smoothies
- Mocktails
- Premium juices
Best for: Coffee addicts, mocktail fans, non-drinkers
Cunard Soft Drinks Package
£8–10/dayCunard
- Soft drinks
- Bottled water
- Juice
Best for: Basic needs, families
Cunard Classic (for non-alcoholic use)
£45–52/dayCunard
- All soft drinks
- Speciality coffees
- Premium teas
- (Also includes alcohol — but works for coffee lovers)
Best for: Heavy coffee drinkers who also want unlimited soft drinks — no standalone non-alc premium option on Cunard
Pro tip: Travelling with someone who doesn't drink alcohol? A non-alcoholic package for one person and a full package for the other is a smart combination — you both get unlimited coffees and soft drinks, and only one of you pays for booze.
№ 10Booking
Package Booking Tips
When and how you buy your package can save you a significant amount. Here are the key things to know before you commit.
Book Pre-Cruise for the Best Deal
Both P&O and Cunard offer packages at a reduced rate when purchased before sailing — typically 15–20% cheaper than on-board prices. Check your booking's "Manage My Cruise" portal or app regularly, as flash sales sometimes bring prices down even further.
Adding a Package Mid-Cruise
Yes, you can add a package once on board by visiting Guest Services. But you'll pay the full on-board rate (no early-bird discount) and you're charged for all remaining nights — you can't pro-rate by the hour. Best to decide before you sail.
Per-Person Rules
Packages are per person and tied to your cruise card. You can't share a package — each person who wants one needs their own. However, on both lines, one person in a cabin can buy a package without the other being required to.
How the Charge Works
You're charged the daily rate multiplied by the number of cruise nights. On a 7-night cruise at £55/day, that's £385 per person. On a 14-night cruise: £770 per person. There's no way to buy a package for selected days only — it's all or nothing.
Watch out: Some cruise fares advertised as "all inclusive" already include a drinks package in the price. Before buying a separate package, double-check your booking confirmation to make sure drinks aren't already included — especially on promotional or sale fares. Check our cheap cruises guide for more on spotting inclusive deals.
№ 11Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about cruise drinks packages on P&O and Cunard.
Can I share a drinks package with my partner?
Do both adults in a cabin need to buy a package?
Do children need a drinks package?
Is the package charged per day or per drink?
What about room service drinks?
Are premium brands included?
Can I cancel or get a refund?
Can I add a package mid-cruise?
Does the package work at all bars and restaurants?
What about port days — is it worth it if I'm off the ship?
Are smoothies and milkshakes included?
№ 12Further reading
Related Guides
Continue your cruise planning with these in-depth guides.
Cunard vs P&O Cruises
A full comparison of the two biggest UK cruise lines
Cruise Cabin Types Explained
Inside, oceanview, balcony or suite — find your perfect cabin
Cruise Dining Guide
Everything you need to know about eating on board
First-Time Cruiser Guide
Essential tips for your maiden voyage
How to Find Cheap Cruises
Insider tips for getting the best cruise deals
Cruising With Kids
Family-friendly cruise tips, kids' clubs, and more
Set a course
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Browse sailings from P&O and Cunard with real-time pricing. Track price drops and find the perfect voyage — then decide on your drinks package.
Further reading
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First-Time Cruiser's Guide: Everything You Need to Know
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