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Is the P&O Cruises Drinks Package Worth It in 2026? The Complete UK Guide

By Cruise Advisor Editorial Team · Updated 2026-07-25 · 11 min read

Two guests toasting on the deck of a P&O Cruises ship at sunset with cocktails and sea view

UK-focused, Planning Guide to P&O Cruises drinks packages in 2026. See exact inclusions, typical prices in £, break-even maths, real bar prices, when it’s worth it (and not), and how P&O compares with Cunard, MSC, Royal Caribbean and Marella.

If you’re eyeing up a P&O Cruises holiday and wondering whether the drinks package is worth it in 2026, you’re in the right place. Below we’ll break down the latest P&O packages, typical prices in pounds, what’s included, the fine print, and the exact break-even maths. We’ll also compare P&O to other cruise lines and share practical, research-based tips for British cruisers sailing from Southampton and beyond.

P&O Drinks Packages in 2026: What’s on Offer?

P&O simplified and refreshed its packages in recent years, and by early 2026 most sailings offer a tiered line-up that covers everything from soft drinks to premium spirits and cocktails. While exact inclusions and prices can vary slightly by ship and sailing, this is the current picture you’ll typically see on the Cruise Personaliser and once onboard.

Package	Typical 2026 Price (per person, per day)	What’s Included	Per-Drink Price Cap	Notes
Refresh (Soft Drinks)	£10–£13	Fountain soft drinks, selected juices, squash; often mocktail discount	N/A	Good for kids/teetotal; check mocktail inclusion per ship
Alcohol-free	£27–£33	Soft drinks, juices, mocktails, zero-proof beers & spirits, alcohol-free cocktails	Usually covers full NA menu	Ideal for sober-curious or drivers
Classic	£43–£49	Beers, wines by the glass, classic cocktails, spirits and mixers, soft drinks, mocktails, basic speciality coffee/tea selection	Often up to ~£7 per drink	Discount (e.g., around 20%) may apply above cap
Deluxe	£53–£59	Wider cocktail list, premium spirits, higher-tier wines by the glass, soft drinks, speciality coffees/teas	Often up to ~£10 per drink	Best for cocktail lovers
Hot Drinks	£11–£14	Speciality coffees/teas (e.g., Costa outlets onboard), hot chocolate	N/A	Great for coffee lovers; varies by ship
Children’s	£7–£9	Unlimited soft/fountain drinks, selected juices	N/A	Ages usually 16 and under

Packages with alcohol include a per-drink price cap (Classic about £7; Deluxe roughly £10). If you pick something above the cap, you’ll usually pay only the difference or receive a discount (commonly around 20%)—check your sailing’s exact terms. P&O typically has a maximum alcoholic drinks limit per day (often approximately 15), and staff may refuse service if you appear intoxicated. Importantly for value, P&O bar prices already include service—there’s no automatic around 15–20% gratuity added to each drink, which makes the maths kinder than on US lines.

What’s Included vs Not Included

Let’s make it crystal-clear what your package generally covers in 2026 and what it doesn’t. This avoids surprises at the bar.

Drinks up to the package’s per-drink cap (Classic or Deluxe)
Beers, ciders, house wines by the glass, most spirits with mixers
A curated cocktail list (wider selection on Deluxe)
Soft drinks, juices and mocktails
Alcohol-free beers/spirits on the Alcohol-free package
Speciality coffees/teas under the Hot Drinks package (and often a basic range under Classic/Deluxe—check menus)

Full bottles of wine or spirits
Mini-bar items in your cabin
Room service beverages (varies by ship)
Souvenir glasses and premium craft cocktails above the cap
Drinks from venues not covered by the package (rare, but can happen with pop-ups)
Shore-side purchases

How Much Are Drinks on P&O if You Pay As You Go? (2026 Guide Prices)

To judge package value, you must know pay-as-you-go prices. Menus can vary slightly by ship and season, but this is a realistic guide for planning.

Drink	Guide Price
Draught beer/pint (standard)	£5.50–£6
Bottled beer/cider	£5–£6.50
House wine by the glass (175ml)	£6.50–£7.50
Prosecco by the glass	£8–£9.50
Spirit (25ml) + mixer (standard)	£6.50–£8
Classic cocktail (e.g., Aperol Spritz, Mojito)	£7.50–£9.50
Premium cocktail (e.g., Espresso Martini with top-shelf spirit)	£10–£12
Speciality coffee (latte/cappuccino)	£3–£3.50
Soft drink (fountain)	£2–£3
Bottled water (500ml)	£2–£2.50

Break-even Maths: Classic Package

The Classic package tends to be the P&O sweet spot for many British cruisers. Here’s what it takes to break even based on typical 2026 prices.

Scenario	Your Day’s Drinks	Pay-As-You-Go Cost	Package Outcome
Light social	2 beers (£6 each), 1 house wine (£6.75), 1 soft drink (£2.50)	~£21.25	Not worth it
Moderate	3 beers (£6), 2 house wines (£6.75), 1 coffee (£3.30)	typically £34.80	Borderline on lower price; not worth it on higher
Typical sea day	3 beers (£6), 2 cocktails (£8.75), 1 wine (£6.75), 1 soft (£2.50), 1 coffee (£3.30)	expect around £50.05	Worth it
Cocktail-leaning	3 cocktails (£8.75), 2 wines (£6.75), 1 beer (£6), 1 coffee (£3.30)	in the region of £49.05	Worth it on most sailings
Port day casual	2 beers (£6), 1 wine (£6.75), 1 coffee (£3.30)	close to £22.05	Not worth it

If your average pattern on sea days is five to seven drinks including a couple of cocktails or wines, Classic makes sense—especially if you enjoy speciality coffee and soft drinks too. If your pattern is three or fewer on port days, the package won’t pay for itself those days, but it can still be worthwhile across the full cruise if your sea days are heavier or you value the ‘all-in’ convenience.

Break-even Maths: Deluxe Package

Deluxe brings in premium cocktails, longer spirit lists and a higher per-drink cap—worth it for craft cocktail fans and premium spirit sippers.

Scenario	Your Day’s Drinks	Pay-As-You-Go Cost	Package Outcome
Premium cocktail fan	4 premium cocktails (£10.50), 1 wine (£7), 1 coffee (£3.30)	an estimated £56.30	Worth it
Mixed premium	2 premium cocktails (£10.50), 2 classic cocktails (£8.75), 1 beer (£6), 1 coffee (£3.30)	£47.80 or so	Borderline/not worth it
Spirits-first	3 doubles premium spirits + mixers (estimate £10 each), 1 wine (£7), 1 soft (£2.50)	generally £39.50	Not worth it unless doubles pricier
Cocktail tasting	5 classic cocktails (£8.75), 1 coffee (£3.30)	normally £47.05	Not worth it
Long evening	3 premium cocktails (£10.50), 2 wines (£7), 1 beer (£6), 1 coffee (£3.30)	somewhere around £54.30	Worth it on most sailings

If you regularly order premium cocktails or higher-end spirits that bump into the Classic cap, Deluxe prevents annoying top-up charges and gives you the freedom to order ‘off the top shelf’. If your tastes are simple (beer, house wine, classic cocktails), Classic is usually better value.

Alcohol-free and Refresh Packages: Great Value for Non-Drinkers and Families

The Alcohol-free package is a standout for sober-curious guests, designated drivers in port, and families who’d still like a sense of all-inclusive. The Refresh package is a budget-friendly way to keep kids happy with sodas and juices without nasty surprises on your bill.

Non-drinkers who love mocktails and zero-proof spirits/beer
Parents of teens who drain soft drinks on sea days
Coffee and soft-drink-heavy couples who share alcohol sparingly (consider a mix of Alcohol-free + pay-as-you-go)
Fitness-focused travellers staying hydrated with soft drinks and juices

Package	Day’s Drinks	Pay-As-You-Go Cost	Package Worth It?
Refresh (£10–£13)	4 softs (£2.50), 1 juice (£2.50)	in the order of £12.50	Yes at £10–£12; borderline at £13
Alcohol-free (£27–£33)	2 NA cocktails (£5.95), 2 NA beers (£4.95), 2 softs (£2.50), 1 coffee (£3.30)	£29.10 or thereabouts	Yes at £27–£30; borderline at £33
Hot Drinks (£11–£14)	3 speciality coffees (£3.30)	about £9.90	Not at £11+ unless you add tea/hot choc

Hot Drinks Package: The Coffee Maths

Costa-style coffee culture is big on P&O’s newer ships. If you’re a two-lattes-before-lunch sort of cruiser, the Hot Drinks package can make sense—but only if you reliably drink three or more barista coffees a day. Otherwise, consider paying per cup and using the free tea/coffee in the buffet between meals.

Daily Habit	Pay-As-You-Go Cost	Hot Drinks Package Value (estimate)
2 speciality coffees/day	roughly £6.60–£7.20	Usually not worth £11–£14
3 speciality coffees/day	approximately £9.90–£10.80	Borderline at £11; decent at £11 with hot chocolates/teas
4 speciality coffees/day	usually £13.20–£14.40	Worth it on most sailings

Sea Days vs Port Days: Why Your Itinerary Matters

Conversely, a Canary Islands itinerary with long sea days can make a package shine. If at least a third of your days are sea days, and you like a drink by the pool plus pre-dinner and after-dinner rounds, you’ll likely hit break-even comfortably.

List a typical sea day: pool drink, pre-dinner, dinner wine, show cocktail, nightcap, plus coffees/softs—add the prices.
List a typical port day: perhaps just pre-dinner and dinner wine, plus a coffee—add the prices.
Multiply by your actual itinerary mix (e.g., 3 sea/4 port on a 7-nighter).
Compare to the package cost for the full cruise.
Add a small ‘convenience premium’ if you value not thinking about the bill.

Couples, Solos and Families: Cabin Rules and Real Strategies

Remember the cabin-wide rule: if one adult buys an alcoholic package, all adults in the cabin usually must buy it. Solos can decide freely. Families can mix Children’s, Refresh and Alcohol-free packages as suits their habits. If one adult barely drinks, consider skipping Classic/Deluxe altogether and using pay-as-you-go for alcohol plus a Refresh/Hot Drinks package where it makes sense.

Couples with uneven drinking: Skip alcohol packages; get one Alcohol-free or Hot Drinks package and pay-as-you-go for alcohol.
Families with teens: Children’s or Refresh for the kids; parents pay-as-you-go unless both drink consistently.
Friends sharing: Be honest about habits; if one is light, a package may create resentment—consider separate cabins if price allows.

How P&O Stacks Up Against Other Cruise Lines in 2026

P&O’s big advantage is that there’s no automatic service charge added to drinks, which often makes packages and pay-as-you-go look better compared to US-based lines once you factor tips. Here’s how P&O compares with Royal Caribbean, MSC, Cunard and Marella in 2026.

Line	Typical Daily Price (alcoholic)	Bar Gratuity Policy	Drink Cap	Notes
P&O Cruises	Classic £43–£49; Deluxe £53–£59	No automatic gratuity on drinks	Classic close to £7; Deluxe an estimated £10	Strong value for UK travellers
Royal Caribbean	Deluxe £50–£75 (dynamic) + 18%	18% added to packages and drinks	Often up to $14+	Frequent sales; high US tipping inflates cost
MSC Cruises	Easy £36–£50; Premium £52–£70	15% service on individual drinks; included in package price	Caps vary by tier	Many UK promos include a package
Cunard	Beers, Wines & Spirits somewhere around £55–£69 + 15%	15% service added	typically $12 cap	Elegant vibe; pricier for cocktails
Marella	Included (All-Inclusive)	Tips included	N/A	Upgrades to Premium about £16–£20/day

If you’re a UK cruiser who dislikes surprise tips, P&O’s structure is refreshingly simple. Versus Royal Caribbean and Cunard, P&O often wins on pure value because there’s no roughly 15–20% add-on at the bar. MSC can be excellent value when packages are included in a sale price, but watch the specific cap you’re getting. Marella’s all-inclusive model is the easiest to budget for; Premium upgrades are relatively modest if you want branded spirits or better wines.

An Illustrative Sea Day on Iona: Does It Add Up?

Let’s model a typical sunny sea day on Iona in the Med. You enjoy a beer by the pool, an afternoon iced latte, a pre-dinner Aperol Spritz, a glass of wine with dinner, an after-show cocktail, and a nightcap G&T. Add a couple of soft drinks through the day.

Drink	Guide Price
Pool beer	£6.00
Iced latte	£3.40
Pre-dinner Aperol Spritz	£8.75
Wine with dinner	£6.75
Show-time cocktail	£8.75
Nightcap G&T	£7.50
2 soft drinks	£5.00
Total PAYG	£46.15
Classic Package (midpoint £46/day)	£46.00
Result	Worth it (break-even + convenience)

Norway Fjords: Port-Heavy Week When It’s Not Worth It

On a 7-night fjords cruise, you might be ashore for long days and return tired. In that case, paying as you go beats Classic or Deluxe by a long shot. Consider Alcohol-free or Refresh if soft drinks and coffees dominate your day.

School holiday cruises with hot weather and sea days favour packages. Cooler climates or cultural itineraries (Baltic, Fjords, some Canaries with many ports) shift the equation towards pay-as-you-go.

Speciality Restaurants and Your Drinks Package

On P&O, your package generally follows you into speciality venues (e.g., The Glass House, Sindhu, The Keel & Cow), but the same caps apply. If a premium wine by the glass or cocktail exceeds your cap, you’ll either pay the difference or get a discount—check the menu before ordering. Bottles of wine are not included, but your sommelier can suggest great by-the-glass options covered by Classic or Deluxe.

If you prefer bottles, packages won’t help much. P&O’s wine lists are fairly priced by cruise standards. Buying a bottle at dinner and saving what’s left for the next night is often more economical for wine-first travellers.

Bringing Your Own Drinks on P&O (2026 Policy Snapshot)

P&O maintains a sensible alcohol policy that lets you bring a limited amount for cabin consumption while keeping bars lively. Here’s what UK cruisers should know in 2026.

You may bring up to one 75cl bottle of wine or Champagne per adult at embarkation to consume in your cabin.
Additional bottles may be subject to corkage if consumed in restaurants/bars (guide: expect around £20 per bottle) or held until the end of the cruise—check onboard.
Spirits and fortified wines are generally not permitted to be brought onboard; if purchased ashore, they may be held until disembarkation.
Soft drinks and water policies vary by port/security; small quantities usually fine, but always check pre-cruise documentation.
Attempting to bring large quantities of alcohol is likely to result in confiscation per P&O’s terms.

Booking Tactics and Sales in 2026

P&O periodically adjusts package pricing and sometimes runs modest onboard credit offers that indirectly offset your drink spend. While you won’t see the wild ‘BOGO some 50%’ beverage sales common on US lines, timing still matters.

Pre-purchase in the Cruise Personaliser: locks price and reduces onboard admin; often refundable per your fare’s conditions until a cutoff.
Buy on Day 1: easy, but queues can form—use quieter venues mid-afternoon.
Upgrade onboard: If you start with Classic and quickly realise you’re bumping the cap, ask about upgrading to Deluxe early.
Short cruises: Be cautious—fewer sea days make break-even tougher.
Long cruises: Consider mixing Alcohol-free or Refresh on port-heavy segments and paying by the drink otherwise.

Health, Moderation and Enjoyment

Packages can be tempting. Our advice is simple: don’t chase value by drinking more than you want. P&O staff will happily pour alcohol-free alternatives, and there’s no shame in spacing out alcoholic rounds with mocktails, soda water with lime, or a coffee. You’ll enjoy your ports—and your sea days—far more.

Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soda. Schedule a mid-afternoon coffee to avoid the 6pm slump. And don’t forget a good breakfast on days when you plan a couple of poolside drinks in the sun.

Shore Days, Excursions and UK Departure Quirks

On UK-departure sailings, you’ll often be ashore most days in the early itinerary. Think realistically: a 10-hour shore day plus sailaway and dinner rarely equals seven paid drinks. In the Med at peak summer you may drink more at sailaway parties and late-night deck events; in Norway or the Canaries shoulder season (spring 2026), cooler evenings and early starts tend to reduce orders.

If fewer than one in three days are true sea days, and you’re not a cocktail devotee, pay-as-you-go usually wins. If it’s 40 or so% sea days or more—and you enjoy coffees, softs and a few rounds—Classic can be great value.

The Verdict: Is the P&O Drinks Package Worth It in 2026?

- Yes for: cocktail fans, beer-and-wine drinkers who also enjoy coffees/softs, sun-soaked itineraries with plenty of sea time, and anyone who values the convenience of not signing every slip.
- Maybe for: mixed couples where one partner is light—consider Alcohol-free plus pay-as-you-go rather than forcing both onto Classic/Deluxe.
- No for: light drinkers, port-heavy itineraries, and wine-only drinkers who prefer bottles at dinner.
If you’re cocktail-obsessed or love top-shelf spirits, Deluxe is the indulgence you’ll actually use. Otherwise, keep your freedom and pay as you go.

A sunlit deck scene on P&O Iona with guests relaxing by the pool, colourful cocktails on a table, and the ocean horizon beyond.

P&O Drinks Package FAQs (2026)

FAQ 1

Q: Do both adults in a cabin have to buy the same P&O drinks package? A: Yes, in most cases if one adult buys an alcoholic package, all adults in the cabin must purchase the same package for the full cruise. Exceptions are rare and at the ship’s discretion (e.g., for medical reasons).

FAQ 2

Q: Are gratuities included on P&O drinks? A: Yes. P&O does not add an automatic service charge to bar prices, which are menu-priced to include service. You can tip extra if you wish, but there’s no approximately 15–20% auto-gratuity like on many US lines.

FAQ 3

Q: What’s the daily limit on alcoholic drinks? A: P&O typically applies a responsible service policy with a daily limit often 15 or thereabouts alcoholic drinks. Staff may refuse service if you appear intoxicated. Check your ship’s exact terms on embarkation.

FAQ 4

Q: Can I use my drinks package in speciality restaurants and at shows? A: Generally yes—the package follows you across most onboard venues, subject to the per-drink cap. Bottles of wine are excluded. Always confirm any venue-specific exceptions onboard.

FAQ 5

Q: Is the P&O drinks package worth it on a Norway fjords cruise? A: Often not. Fjords cruises are port-heavy and weather is cooler, so many guests average only 2–3 paid drinks per day. Pay-as-you-go or the Alcohol-free/Refresh packages usually make more sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both adults in a cabin have to buy the same P&O drinks package?

Yes, in most cases if one adult buys an alcoholic package, all adults in the cabin must purchase the same package for the full cruise. Exceptions are rare and at the ship’s discretion (e.g., for medical reasons).

Are gratuities included on P&O drinks?

Yes. P&O does not add an automatic service charge to bar prices, which are menu-priced to include service. You can tip extra if you wish, but there’s no an estimated 15–20% auto-gratuity like on many US lines.

What’s the daily limit on alcoholic drinks?

P&O typically applies a responsible service policy with a daily limit often some 15 alcoholic drinks. Staff may refuse service if you appear intoxicated. Check your ship’s exact terms on embarkation.

Can I use my drinks package in speciality restaurants and at shows?

Generally yes—the package follows you across most onboard venues, subject to the per-drink cap. Bottles of wine are excluded. Always confirm any venue-specific exceptions onboard.

Is the P&O drinks package worth it on a Norway fjords cruise?

Often not. Fjords cruises are port-heavy and weather is cooler, so many guests average only 2–3 paid drinks per day. Pay-as-you-go or the Alcohol-free/Refresh packages usually make more sense.