One of the most common questions cruisers ask before booking a P&O Cruises holiday is surprisingly specific: how many drinks can you actually have per day with a P&O Cruises drink package? It’s a fair question. Cruise drink packages promise convenience, predictability, and potential savings—but the fine print can feel confusing, especially for first-time cruisers.
If you’re imagining endless cocktails by the pool, glasses of wine at dinner, soft drinks throughout the day, and maybe a nightcap after the show, you’re not alone. But cruise lines, including P&O Cruises, structure their drink packages with clear limits and rules designed to balance value with responsible service.
In this guide, we’ll break everything down in plain language. You’ll learn how many drinks per day you’re allowed, how the limit works in real life, what counts toward your total, and how to make the most of your package without stress. Whether you’re sailing for relaxation, celebration, or just love the convenience of an all-inclusive feel, this article will help you decide if a P&O Cruises drink package is right for you.
Before getting into numbers, it helps to understand how P&O Cruises approaches drink packages in general. Unlike some cruise lines that advertise “unlimited” beverages, P&O Cruises operates with daily drink limits for alcoholic packages. This policy helps maintain a relaxed onboard atmosphere and ensures guests can enjoy drinks responsibly.
P&O Cruises typically offers several types of drink packages, which may vary slightly depending on ship, itinerary, and region. Broadly, they fall into two categories:
Alcoholic drink packages
Non-alcoholic drink packages
The question of “how many drinks per day” mainly applies to alcoholic packages, as non-alcoholic packages usually don’t have the same numerical cap.
With a P&O Cruises alcoholic drink package, you can have up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day per person.
This is a firm daily maximum. Once you reach 15 alcoholic beverages in a single day, the system will not allow additional alcoholic drinks to be charged to your package until the next day begins.
The daily count resets every 24 hours, typically based on the ship’s operational day rather than midnight exactly, though for most guests it effectively feels like a calendar day reset.
Not all drinks are created equal, but when it comes to the daily limit, each alcoholic beverage counts as one drink, regardless of type or strength.
Here are examples of what counts toward your 15-drink daily allowance:
A glass of wine
A pint or bottle of beer
A cocktail or mixed drink
A shot of spirits
A liqueur or aperitif
Alcoholic drinks ordered at bars, lounges, restaurants, or poolside
Whether it’s a mimosa at breakfast, a cocktail in the afternoon, or a whisky after dinner, each alcoholic beverage is counted individually.
No — non-alcoholic drinks do not count toward the 15-drink limit.
If your package includes soft drinks, mocktails, specialty coffees, or bottled water, you can generally enjoy these throughout the day without worrying about hitting a cap.
Non-alcoholic beverages may include:
Soft drinks and sodas
Fruit juices
Mocktails
Hot chocolate
Specialty teas
Barista-style coffees (depending on package)
Bottled water
This is great news for guests who like to mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks or stay hydrated between cocktails.
Yes, the limit is enforced electronically using your cruise card.
Every time you order an alcoholic drink, your card is scanned, and the system tracks your daily count. Once you reach 15 alcoholic drinks, bartenders will politely let you know that you’ve hit your daily allowance. From that point on, you can still order alcoholic beverages, but they’ll be charged to your onboard account at regular menu prices.
This system removes guesswork and keeps everything transparent. There’s no awkward conversation or judgment—just a clear policy applied consistently.
If you don’t use all 15 drinks in a day, they do not roll over to the next day.
For example, if you only have 5 alcoholic drinks today, you still start fresh tomorrow with a maximum of 15. Unused drinks are simply lost.
This is an important consideration when deciding whether a drink package offers good value for your personal drinking habits.
Technically, you could order multiple drinks in a short period, but P&O Cruises practices responsible service. Bartenders may refuse service if they believe someone is intoxicated, even if that person has not reached their daily limit.
The drink package is designed for enjoyment, not excess. The limit allows for flexibility throughout the day rather than encouraging rapid consumption.
For most P&O Cruises itineraries, if one adult in a cabin purchases an alcoholic drink package, all other adults in that cabin must also purchase it.
This rule prevents package sharing and ensures fairness across guests. It’s something to factor into your budget if one person drinks significantly less than the other.
Non-alcoholic packages, however, are often more flexible and may be purchased individually.
Yes, embarkation day counts as a full day for drink package purposes.
Once you’re onboard and your package is active, your daily drink limit applies immediately. This is great news for guests who like to start their holiday with a celebratory drink as soon as they step on board.
However, keep in mind that embarkation days can feel shorter due to boarding times, so you may not realistically use the full allowance.
Port days also count as full days under your drink package.
If you spend most of the day ashore, you may only use a few drinks onboard. Again, unused drinks do not carry over, but many guests enjoy a cocktail before heading out and a few drinks in the evening after returning to the ship.
Most bars, lounges, and dining venues accept drink packages, but there may be some exclusions depending on the ship.
Generally, you can use your drink package in:
Main dining rooms
Buffet restaurants
Pool bars
Lounges and pubs
Entertainment venues
Room service drinks may or may not be included, depending on package terms.
Yes. P&O Cruises drink packages usually include drinks up to a certain value per drink. If you order a drink that exceeds the package’s price cap, you’ll typically pay the difference.
For example, if your package covers drinks up to a set price and you choose a premium wine or top-shelf spirit above that threshold, you’ll only be charged the extra amount—not the full price.
This allows flexibility while still offering strong value for most standard drinks.
For most cruisers, 15 alcoholic drinks per day is more than enough.
To put it in perspective, 15 drinks could look like:
A mimosa at breakfast
Two beers by the pool
A glass of wine at lunch
A cocktail in the afternoon
Two glasses of wine at dinner
A couple of cocktails during evening entertainment
A nightcap before bed
That’s a full day of steady enjoyment, and many guests find they don’t even come close to the limit.
A P&O Cruises drink package tends to offer the best value if:
You enjoy multiple alcoholic drinks most days
You like cocktails, wine, or spirits rather than just the occasional beer
You prefer not to worry about individual drink prices
You enjoy specialty coffees, mocktails, or soft drinks throughout the day
You want a more all-inclusive cruise experience
If you only drink one or two alcoholic beverages per day, paying as you go may be more cost-effective.
Here are a few smart ways to get the most from your package without feeling pressured to “drink more”:
Mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to stay refreshed.
Try new cocktails you might not normally order if paying per drink.
Enjoy specialty coffees and soft drinks between meals.
Use your package at dinner instead of purchasing bottles separately.
Hydrate often, especially on sea days and in warm climates.
Remember, the goal is enjoyment, not consumption for the sake of value.
One frequent misconception is that P&O Cruises offers unlimited alcoholic drinks with no restrictions. In reality, the 15-drink daily limit is clearly defined, and understanding it upfront helps avoid disappointment.
Another misunderstanding is that drinks can be shared. Drink packages are strictly non-transferable, and sharing drinks can lead to package cancellation without refund.
With a P&O Cruises alcoholic drink package, you can enjoy up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, plus non-alcoholic beverages included in your package. The limit is generous enough for most cruisers, easy to track, and designed to support a relaxed, enjoyable onboard experience.
For many guests, the real value of a drink package isn’t just the number of drinks—it’s the freedom to order without checking prices, the ability to try new beverages, and the peace of mind of knowing your bar bill is already covered.
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