Going on a P&O Cruises holiday is all about relaxing, switching off from everyday life, and enjoying a stress‑free experience at sea. For many passengers, a big part of that enjoyment includes having a drink by the pool, a glass of wine with dinner, or cocktails during the evening entertainment. If you’re planning your trip, one of the most common questions you might have is: how do you pay for drinks on a P&O Cruises ship?
Understanding how onboard payments work can help you budget better, avoid surprises, and make the most of your cruise. P&O Cruises offers several ways to pay for drinks, including pay‑as‑you‑go options and pre‑purchased drinks packages. Each approach has its own advantages depending on how much you plan to drink and the type of holiday you want.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about paying for drinks on a P&O Cruises ship. We’ll cover onboard payment systems, drinks packages, pricing expectations, rules to be aware of, and practical tips to help you decide what works best for you.
One of the first things to know about paying for drinks on a P&O Cruises ship is that the onboard experience is almost entirely cashless. You won’t need to carry cash or cards around the ship when ordering drinks. Instead, everything is charged to your onboard account.
When you board the ship, you’ll be given a cruise card. This card serves several purposes: it acts as your cabin key, your identification while onboard, and your payment method for drinks, food not included in your fare, spa treatments, and other extras.
Each time you order a drink at a bar, restaurant, or lounge, the crew member will swipe your cruise card and add the cost to your onboard account. This makes ordering quick and convenient, especially when you’re moving between venues or enjoying entertainment in the evenings.
At the end of your cruise, or sometimes during it, the balance on your onboard account is settled using the payment method you registered before or during embarkation. This could be a credit card, debit card, or, in some cases, cash.
Before you can pay for drinks onboard, you’ll need to set up your onboard account. This is usually done either online before your cruise or at the terminal when you embark.
Most guests link a credit or debit card to their account. This allows all onboard spending, including drinks, to be automatically charged. Some cruises may also allow you to register cash at the start of the cruise, though card payments are generally more convenient and widely used.
Once your account is set up, you don’t need to worry about payment each time you order a drink. Everything is recorded electronically, and you can usually check your balance through your cabin television or at guest services.
This system is designed to make your cruise feel seamless, letting you focus on enjoying yourself rather than handling payments.
The simplest way to pay for drinks on a P&O Cruises ship is to buy them individually as you go. With this option, you only pay for what you order, and each drink is charged directly to your onboard account.
This approach is ideal for passengers who don’t drink much alcohol, prefer soft drinks, or only plan to have an occasional drink during their cruise. If you’re happy with water, tea, coffee, and juices included in your fare, you might find that paying individually for the odd cocktail or glass of wine works out cheaper than buying a drinks package.
Drink prices can vary depending on the type of beverage and the venue. Cocktails and premium spirits typically cost more than beers, house wines, or soft drinks. Specialty coffees and mocktails may also come at an additional charge.
Pay‑as‑you‑go gives you flexibility and control, but it does require some awareness of your spending, especially on longer cruises where small charges can add up over time.
For many passengers, drinks packages are the most convenient and cost‑effective way to pay for drinks onboard. P&O Cruises offers several drinks packages designed to suit different preferences and budgets.
A drinks package allows you to pay a fixed price per person, per day, in exchange for a wide range of included drinks. This can include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and sometimes bottled water.
The main advantage of a drinks package is peace of mind. You know upfront how much you’ll spend on drinks, which makes budgeting much easier. It also allows you to relax and enjoy your holiday without worrying about the cost of each individual drink.
However, drinks packages aren’t for everyone. Whether one makes sense for you depends on how much you drink and what types of drinks you usually order.
Alcohol drinks packages are popular with passengers who enjoy beer, wine, spirits, or cocktails throughout the day and evening. These packages typically include a selection of alcoholic drinks up to a certain price limit per drink.
With an alcohol package, you can usually order drinks at most bars and restaurants onboard. There may be limits on how many drinks you can order at one time, and drinks are generally for personal consumption only.
These packages are best suited for social drinkers who like to have a few drinks by the pool, wine with meals, and cocktails or spirits in the evening. If this sounds like you, an alcohol package can offer excellent value.
If you don’t drink alcohol, P&O Cruises also offers non‑alcoholic drinks packages. These are designed for guests who enjoy soft drinks, mocktails, specialty coffees, hot chocolate, and other non‑alcoholic beverages.
A soft drinks package can be particularly useful for families, teenagers, or adults who prefer fizzy drinks and premium non‑alcoholic options that aren’t included in the standard fare.
These packages help avoid repeatedly paying for individual soft drinks and can be surprisingly good value if you regularly order branded sodas or specialty beverages.
While basic tea and coffee are usually included in your cruise fare, specialty coffees often come at an extra cost. This includes drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and flavoured coffees.
If you’re someone who enjoys a couple of barista‑style coffees each day, it’s worth considering whether a drinks package that includes specialty coffees makes sense for you.
Paying individually for these drinks is straightforward, but costs can add up quickly over a long cruise, especially if you treat yourself to premium hot drinks several times a day.
One important thing to understand about paying for drinks on a P&O Cruises ship is where your drinks package can be used. In general, drinks packages are valid at most bars, lounges, and restaurants onboard.
However, there may be exclusions. Some specialty restaurants, branded venues, or room service orders might not be fully included, or may only be covered up to a certain value.
It’s always a good idea to check the specific terms of your drinks package so you know exactly where and how it applies during your cruise.
When dining in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants, drinks are not usually included unless you have a drinks package. If you’re paying as you go, wine, beer, and other beverages ordered with your meal will be charged to your onboard account.
With a drinks package, you can typically order eligible drinks during meals without any additional charge, as long as the drink falls within the package’s price limit.
This can significantly enhance your dining experience, allowing you to enjoy wine pairings or cocktails without worrying about the bill at the end of the meal.
If you enjoy relaxing in your cabin with a drink, it’s important to understand how room service works. Drinks ordered through room service are usually charged to your onboard account.
Some drinks packages may include room service drinks, while others may not. There may also be a service charge associated with room service orders, even if the drink itself is covered by a package.
Checking the details of your package can help you avoid unexpected charges.
P&O Cruises operates fair use policies on drinks packages. This means there may be limits on the number of drinks you can order within a certain time period.
These policies are in place to ensure responsible consumption and to prevent misuse of drinks packages. For most guests, these limits are generous and won’t affect normal enjoyment of the cruise.
If you’re paying for drinks individually, there are generally no specific limits beyond standard responsible service guidelines.
Drinks packages on P&O Cruises are strictly for individual use and cannot be shared. If one person in a cabin purchases a drinks package, other adults in the same cabin may be required to purchase the same package.
This policy helps prevent sharing and ensures fairness across all guests. It’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether a drinks package is right for you.
There are several ways to manage and reduce your spending on drinks during a P&O Cruises holiday. One option is to purchase a drinks package before your cruise, which can sometimes be cheaper than buying onboard.
Another tip is to take advantage of included drinks, such as tap water, tea, and basic coffee, and save paid drinks for when you really want them.
Keeping an eye on your onboard account balance throughout the cruise can also help you stay within budget and avoid surprises at the end of your trip.
Ultimately, the best way to pay for drinks on a P&O Cruises ship depends on your personal preferences and drinking habits. If you enjoy multiple drinks each day and like the idea of an all‑inclusive feel, a drinks package is likely the best choice.
If you’re an occasional drinker or prefer to stick mostly to included beverages, paying as you go may be more economical.
Taking a little time before your cruise to think about how you like to enjoy drinks can help you make the right decision and ensure a relaxed, enjoyable holiday.
Paying for drinks on a P&O Cruises holiday is designed to be simple, flexible, and convenient. With a cashless onboard system, a range of drinks packages, and the option to pay individually, there’s something to suit every type of cruiser.
By understanding how the system works and choosing the option that matches your lifestyle, you can focus on what really matters: enjoying great drinks, beautiful destinations, and a memorable time at sea.
Whether you’re sipping a cocktail at sunset, enjoying a coffee in the morning, or celebrating a special occasion with a glass of champagne, knowing how to pay for drinks on P&O Cruises helps you relax and enjoy every moment of your journey.
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