One of the most common questions people ask when planning a P&O Cruises holiday is simple but important: how much is the P&O Cruises drink package? Drinks can make up a surprisingly large part of your onboard spending, so understanding the cost, options, and value of P&O’s drinks packages can help you budget better and avoid unwanted surprises when your final bill arrives.
P&O Cruises offers a few different drink package options depending on the ship, itinerary, and whether you’re sailing with adults only or with family. Prices are typically charged per person, per day, and must usually be purchased for all adults sharing a cabin. While the exact cost can change from sailing to sailing, understanding the general pricing structure and what’s included will give you a clear idea of whether a drinks package makes sense for you.
In this guide, we’ll break down how much the P&O Cruises drink package costs, what drinks are included, what’s not included, and how to decide if it’s worth the money for your cruising style.
Unlike some cruise lines that offer a wide range of beverage bundles, P&O Cruises keeps things relatively simple. The most well-known option is the Deluxe Drinks Package, which is designed primarily for adults who plan to enjoy alcoholic drinks throughout the cruise. On some sailings, particularly family-friendly cruises, a Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package may also be available for adults or children.
The key thing to understand is that P&O Cruises prices its drink packages on a per person, per day basis. Once you multiply that daily cost by the length of your cruise, the total price can add up quickly. That’s why many cruisers want to know not just the price, but whether the package actually saves money compared to paying for drinks individually.
Another important point is that drink packages are generally purchased in advance or on the first day of the cruise. They usually apply for the full duration of the sailing and cannot be shared between guests.
The P&O Cruises Deluxe Drink Package typically costs in the region of £40 to £50 per person, per day. The exact price can vary depending on factors such as:
The ship you are sailing on
The length of the cruise
Whether you book the package in advance or onboard
Promotional offers included with your fare
For a seven-night cruise, this can mean paying roughly £280 to £350 per person for the full cruise. For a two-week sailing, the total could exceed £600 per person.
While this might seem expensive at first glance, it’s important to compare that cost to the individual price of drinks onboard. Cocktails, spirits, glasses of wine, and beers are not cheap on cruise ships, and a few drinks per day can quickly add up.
The Deluxe Drinks Package includes a wide selection of beverages up to a certain price limit per drink. This typically covers:
Spirits and mixers
Cocktails and mocktails
Glasses of wine
Draught and bottled beers
Ciders
Selected liqueurs and aperitifs
Soft drinks
Fruit juices
Bottled water
Hot drinks such as specialty coffees and teas
There is usually a maximum price cap per drink, meaning very premium or top-shelf beverages may not be included or may require a small surcharge. However, most standard cocktails and popular brands fall comfortably within the package limit.
The package can be used in most bars, lounges, and dining venues across the ship, making it easy to enjoy drinks wherever you are onboard.
Even with the Deluxe Drinks Package, not absolutely everything is included. Some exclusions may apply, such as:
Bottles of wine or champagne
Extremely high-end or rare spirits
Drinks served in souvenir glasses
Room service beverages
Mini-bar items in your cabin
It’s always worth checking the specific terms of your sailing, as inclusions and exclusions can vary slightly by ship and itinerary.
On selected sailings, P&O Cruises may offer a Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package, particularly on family-friendly cruises. This package is generally cheaper than the Deluxe Drinks Package and focuses on:
Soft drinks
Fruit juices
Bottled water
Specialty teas and coffees
Mocktails
Prices for non-alcoholic packages are usually lower, often around £15 to £25 per person, per day, depending on the cruise. These packages can be a good option for guests who don’t drink alcohol but still enjoy multiple beverages throughout the day.
One of the most important rules to know is that P&O Cruises typically requires all adults sharing a cabin to purchase the Deluxe Drinks Package if one adult does. This policy is designed to prevent sharing of drinks.
For families, adults and children are treated differently, and children are not required to purchase an alcoholic package. However, they may have access to non-alcoholic options if a suitable package is available.
To understand whether the drink package is worth it, it helps to know the typical cost of individual drinks onboard. While prices can vary, you can generally expect:
Cocktails: moderate to high price range
Glass of wine: similar to restaurant pricing
Beer and cider: slightly cheaper than cocktails but still not inexpensive
Specialty coffees: priced higher than standard café drinks
If you enjoy two or three cocktails in the evening, plus a few beers, coffees, or soft drinks during the day, you may find that you quickly approach or exceed the daily cost of the drink package.
The P&O Cruises drink package usually becomes active once you board the ship and continues until the final night of the cruise. On disembarkation day, the package may end at a specified time, often late on the final evening rather than the morning you leave.
This means you’ll typically get full use of the package for the majority of your cruise, including sea days and evenings.
In most cases, yes. The Deluxe Drinks Package can be used in:
Main bars and lounges
Poolside bars
Restaurants during lunch and dinner
Entertainment venues
Some specialty dining venues may have exceptions, particularly for premium wines or exclusive drinks, but there is usually a wide selection included.
Whether the drink package is worth the cost depends entirely on your drinking habits and cruising style.
You enjoy several alcoholic drinks per day
You like trying cocktails and wines
You don’t want to worry about budgeting onboard
You plan to spend a lot of time relaxing on the ship
You drink very little alcohol
You mostly drink water, tea, or basic coffee
You spend most days off the ship on excursions
You prefer to pay only for what you consume
A good rule of thumb is to estimate how many drinks you would realistically have per day and compare that to the daily package cost.
P&O Cruises operates both adults-only ships and family-friendly ships, and this can affect the drink package experience. On adults-only ships, the Deluxe Drinks Package is particularly popular, as many guests enjoy leisurely days with cocktails, wines, and evening entertainment.
On family-friendly ships, guests may spend more time ashore or focused on activities with children, which can reduce overall drink consumption and make the package less appealing for some travelers.
No, drink packages are strictly non-transferable. Each drink is ordered using your cruise card, and sharing beverages is against the terms and conditions. Crew members are trained to monitor usage, and misuse can result in the package being cancelled without a refund.
If you decide to purchase a drink package, a few smart strategies can help you get the most from it:
Try different cocktails and wines you might not normally order
Take advantage of specialty coffees and bottled water
Use the package throughout the day, not just in the evening
Stay hydrated with bottled water included in the package
These small habits can significantly increase the overall value you get.
So, how much is the P&O Cruises drink package? In simple terms, you’re looking at around £40 to £50 per person, per day for the Deluxe Drinks Package, with lower-priced options available for non-alcoholic drinkers on some sailings.
While the upfront cost may seem high, the package can offer peace of mind, convenience, and potential savings for guests who enjoy multiple drinks each day. For lighter drinkers, paying as you go may be the better option.
Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your personal preferences, your itinerary, and how you like to spend your time onboard. By understanding the pricing and what’s included, you can make an informed decision and enjoy your P&O Cruises holiday without worrying about every drink you order.
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