Is the P&O Cruises drinks package worth it?
Cruise Advisor planning guide. Verify changing prices, policies and itineraries with the relevant provider before booking.
Wondering if a P&O Cruises drinks package is worth it? In 2026, P&O offers multiple tiers that bundle coffees, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages for a fixed daily cost. The value you’ll get depends on what you drink, your itinerary, who you’re sharing a cabin with, and a few P&O policies that can swing the maths. This guide gives a quick verdict, a decision table by traveller type, a straightforward break‑even method, and practical ways to save if a package isn’t the right fit. If Arvia is your ship, the Arvia drinks menu guide explains the current-menu and package-symbol checks to make for your sailing.
It’s worth it if you reliably drink enough included items every day of the cruise to meet or beat the package’s daily cost — including on port days. Light or irregular drinkers, port‑intensive itineraries, and cabins where not everyone wants a package often get better value paying as you go. Always confirm current package tiers, inclusions and rules on P&O’s official site before buying.
P&O lists several package tiers that commonly cover: a soft‑drink option (for sodas and selected non‑alcoholic choices), an alcohol‑free package (mocktails and specialty coffees are often featured), and two alcoholic tiers (frequently described as Classic and Deluxe) with a per‑drink price cap. Names, exact inclusions, and drink-price caps can change, so treat this as a framework and verify the current details on P&O’s website for your specific ship and sailing before purchasing. Key mechanics to look for when you check the official page: - Per‑drink price cap: drinks priced above the cap are either not included or may attract a surcharge equal to the difference. - One‑drink‑at‑a‑time rule: bartenders generally serve one drink per package holder at a time, in line with responsible service. - Package duration: packages are usually for the full cruise, not single days. - Inclusion scope: specialty coffees, bottled water, mocktails, fresh juices, premium mixers, and room service beverages may or may not be included, depending on tier. - Venue exclusions: some high‑end or event venues can be excluded. We avoid quoting inclusions or limits that could change; check P&O’s official drinks package page for the latest wording before you commit.
You don’t need exact price lists to test value. Use this repeatable method tailored to your habits and itinerary: 1) List your realistic daily drinks. Example: two cappuccinos, one soft drink by the pool, a pre‑dinner beer or glass of wine, and a cocktail after the show. 2) Adjust for your itinerary. Sea days usually mean more onboard time (and more included usage); port‑intensive sailings often mean fewer drinks on the ship. Multiply your sea‑day consumption by the number of sea days, and your port‑day consumption by the number of port days. 3) Check what’s actually included in your chosen tier. If you love bottled water, premium coffees or mocktails, ensure your tier covers them without surcharge. 4) Compare against the package’s daily cost for your sailing. If your realistic daily tally is consistently below the package cost — especially after accounting for port days — paying as you go likely wins. 5) Factor in cabin rules. If P&O requires all adults in the same cabin to buy the same alcoholic package, you must re‑run the maths for everyone in the cabin. One light drinker can tip the value calculation.
Objective pros - Predictable costs: easier to budget in pounds before you sail. - Convenience: no mental tallying of each latte, soft drink or sundowner. - Encourages variety: you can try different options within the cap without worrying about the bill. Potential drawbacks - Cabin rules can force extra spend: if all adults must buy the same alcoholic tier, value depends on the lightest drinker. - Port-day wastage: city-heavy itineraries reduce onboard usage. - Per-drink caps: if you like premium labels or large-format beverages, check for surcharges or exclusions. - Full-cruise commitment: packages are usually for the entire sailing and may not be refundable once activated; verify current terms.
Official sources
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