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P&O Drinks Packages 2026 Full Guide

By Cruise Advisor Editorial Team · Updated 2026-08-12 · 12 min read

P&O Cruises bar with cocktails and ocean view in 2026

Everything UK cruisers need to know about P&O drinks packages in 2026. Prices, what’s included, when to buy and research-based money-saving tips.

This P&O drinks packages 2026 full guide explains the options, prices and smart ways to use a drinks package on P&O Cruises in 2026. We’ll also share on-board tips, current prices in £ and examples from specific ships like P&O Iona, Ventura and Britannia. For Azura, continue with the ship-specific drinks menu and package-check guide.

What are the P&O drinks packages for 2026?

P&O Cruises continues to offer tiered drink packages in 2026 to suit different passenger needs. The main packages available on most P&O ships this year are: the Premium Drinks Package, the Soft Drinks Package, and the Tea & Coffee Package. Some sailings also offer a specialist Wine Package for a selection of bottles or a Champagne add-on. The Premium Drinks Package typically covers alcoholic drinks up to a specified price (see price section), plus soft drinks and selected speciality coffees. Soft Drinks packages cover cans, fountain drinks and selected bottled soft drinks. The Tea & Coffee Package is aimed at coffee lovers and covers speciality coffees and hot drinks ordered in venues that charge a la carte.

Which ships carry the packages?

All year-round ships including Iona, Arvia, Britannia, Ventura and Azura carried P&O drinks packages in 2026. Some limited-season or repositioning sailings may have slightly different availability or promotional pricing. If you’re booking a 2026 cruise on Iona or Arvia, note that these ships often have promotional bundle offers including drinks and onboard spend when booked early.

P&O sets price caps and per-day pricing for their packages. The Premium package usually includes drinks up to a set price per glass. If you order a drink above the limit, you’ll pay the difference. Each package operates per person per day, and there may be limits on the number of drinks you can order at once (for example, a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per transaction). Packages are non-transferable between passengers and are typically charged for full cruise duration unless purchased as a day pass or shore excursion add-on in specific promotions.

2026 prices — what you can expect to pay

Prices vary by ship, length of cruise and whether you buy before sailing. As of 2026, typical price ranges in £ for P&O packages are as follows: Premium Drinks Package: £35–£40 per person per day if bought in advance; onboard price can be higher, around £40–£45. Soft Drinks Package: about £8–£12 per person per day. Tea & Coffee Package: around £5–£8 per person per day. Wine packages or Champagne bottles vary widely — expect approximately £90–£120 for a curated 3-5 bottle wine pack, and Champagne bottle add-ons start at roughly £45–£60. Remember these are approximate 2026 UK prices and can be lower in promotional windows or bundled with deposit deals.

<table><thead><tr><th>Package</th><th>Typical Advance Price (£/day)</th><th>Onboard Price (£/day)</th><th>What’s Included</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Premium Drinks Package</td><td>£35–£40</td><td>£40–£45</td><td>Alcoholic drinks to a limit, cocktails, beers, soft drinks, selected speciality coffees</td></tr><tr><td>Soft Drinks Package</td><td>£8–£10</td><td>£9–£12</td><td>Fountain drinks, canned/bottled soft drinks (certain branded items may be excluded)</td></tr><tr><td>Tea & Coffee Package</td><td>£5–£7</td><td>£6–£8</td><td>Speciality coffees and hot drinks in chargeable venues</td></tr><tr><td>Wine Pack (example)</td><td>£90–£120 (per pack)</td><td>Price varies</td><td>Selection of 3–5 bottles chosen by sommelier or retailer</td></tr></tbody></table>

Examples from specific ships

On Britannia a summer 2026 sailing listed the Premium option at £40 per day prepaid and £44 onboard. Arvia promotions in early 2026 bundled a £20 on-board credit and the Premium Drinks Package for a limited-price fare — always check the specific fare conditions on your booking.

Buying in advance generally gives the best price. Many P&O bookings in 2026 display drinks packages as an optional extra during the online check-in or final payment stages. If you wait until onboard, prices may be higher and package availability could be restricted on busy sailings. However, if you’re uncertain about how much you’ll drink, P&O sometimes sells day passes or offers short-duration packages during the cruise, especially on transatlantic or repositioning sea days.

Buy online during final payment to lock in the advance price where possible.
Check whether your booking already includes drinks or a complimentary drink voucher; some fare types or promotions include drinks in 2026.
If cruising as a couple and one person drinks very little, compare pay-as-you-go costs vs two full-price packages.
Look for bundle deals that include drinks plus gratuities or onboard spend: these can represent savings.

How the Premium Drinks Package works

The Premium Drinks Package is designed for guests who expect to have multiple alcoholic drinks or cocktails each day. In practice in 2026 this covers beers, wines by the glass up to the set limit, cocktails on the standard cocktail menu, and spirits by measure. It also usually covers juices, soft drinks, and selected speciality coffees. Drinks above the per-glass limit will be charged separately. Keep in mind that premium or sparkling wines by the glass and some limited edition drinks may be excluded.

Examples of included and excluded items

Included: draught and bottled beer, house wines by the glass up to the limit, standard cocktails, spirits and mixers, soft drinks, frappés and some mocktails. Excluded: bottles of fine wine or Champagne beyond the allowance, some premium craft spirits, special tasting flights, room service minibar charges, items sold via shop or bonded stores, and specialty experiences such as mixology masterclasses.

P&O enforces sensible ordering limits to discourage over-ordering — commonly a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per order and no more than a certain number per hour in busy venues. Staff will check ID for any guest who appears under 25, in line with UK licensing and company policy. If you’re celebrating or need a special bottle, you can buy it separately at an additional cost.

Soft Drinks & Tea & Coffee packages explained

Not everyone needs alcohol included. The Soft Drinks Package is ideal for families or passengers who want unlimited soft drinks without paying retail prices per can or bottle. The Tea & Coffee Package suits guests who buy speciality coffees frequently: on Dine Times or in coffee bars these can add up. In 2026 the Soft Drinks package is typically less than £10 per day, making it cost-effective for children or non-drinkers who would otherwise usually pay £2–£4 per drink.

Family and children considerations

Children normally cannot be included on adult alcoholic packages. P&O often offers soft drink family packages or per-child pricing. On many 2026 family sailings, parents could add a Soft Drinks Package for children for about £5–£6 per child per day; check your specific booking as terms vary. Remember, under-18s are not permitted to have alcohol under UK and international rules enforced by P&O.

<table><thead><tr><th>Feature</th><th>P&O (2026) (estimate)</th><th>Cunard (2026) (estimate)</th><th>Marella (2026) (estimate)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Premium-style package</td><td>£35–£40/day (advance)</td><td>£30–£40/day (Select Package)</td><td>£30–£35/day (High-end option)</td></tr><tr><td>Soft drinks option</td><td>£8–£10/day</td><td>£7–£9/day</td><td>£6–£9/day</td></tr><tr><td>Tea & Coffee</td><td>£5–£7/day</td><td>£4–£6/day</td><td>£4–£6/day</td></tr><tr><td>Family-friendly policies</td><td>Child soft drink options available</td><td>Child options vary by sailing</td><td>Often very family-focused and cost-effective</td></tr></tbody></table>

How P&O compares in style

P&O’s drinks packages are targeted at mainstream family and adult market, with a good range of cocktails and branded drinks included in the Premium option. Cunard traditionally offers a slightly more formal wine and cocktails selection and sometimes lower per-day pricing on Select packages aboard Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 in 2026. Marella tends to focus on value, frequently offering aggressive bundle deals that include drinks and tips with fares.

If you’re sailing with P&O on a week-long cruise and enjoy two or more alcoholic drinks daily, the Premium Drinks Package often pays for itself. For shorter cruises or very light drinkers, pay-as-you-go may remain cheaper. Always run the maths: estimate the drinks you’ll have per day and compare to the per-day package price. Use the templates later in this guide to calculate break-even points.

How to calculate if a package pays off

Do a quick calculation before booking. Example: Premium at close to £40/day on a 7-night cruise typically costs £270. If you expect two cocktails (an estimated £7 each) and two beers (£4 each) per day, that’s £20/day or £150 for the cruise — cheaper than the package. But add in a couple of glasses of wine at dinner and speciality coffees, and the total can exceed the package price.

Note the package price per day (eg. Expect around £40).
Estimate drinks per day and their typical prices (eg. 2 cocktails £7 each + 1 glass of wine £6 = £20/day).
Multiply daily spend by cruise nights.
If your estimated total exceeds package cost, the package saves you money.
Factor in gratuities if they differ between package and pay-as-you-go scenarios.

P&O typically includes service charges on drinks prices; however, packaged prices sometimes include automatic gratuities. Check whether the package price already includes service charge; paying by the glass may add an estimated 12.5% service charge in some bars in 2026. On some promotions drinks packages include reduced or waived service charges as part of the bundle — a subtle saving to consider.

Promotions, bundles and how to spot a good deal

P&O runs seasonal promotions in 2026 including drink package discounts, free cabin upgrades and onboard spend. Look for early-booking promotions offering drinks packages from somewhere around £35/day or bundle offers that include the Premium Drinks Package and gratuities. Some agents and P&O direct offers bundle drinks with deposit reduction. If you see a bundle that reduces your overall fare while including drinks and a small onboard credit, it can be a very good deal — but always compare the headline price without extras to see actual saving.

Book during P&O’s seasonal sale windows in January and September 2026.
Check email offers for previous P&O guests; loyalty status can unlock better prices.
Compare agent offers and the P&O website to spot added perks.
Read our MyCruiseAdvisor guide on booking tips Booking Deals for detailed strategies.

Practical on-board tips to get the most from your package

Make the most of your package by understanding venue rules. Pool bars, main bars and speciality venues may have slightly different menus or exclusions. Order drinks in the main bars where menu prices match the package inclusions. If a cocktail is listed as an up-charge or signature item, check whether the package covers it; if not, ask the bar team for an equivalent included cocktail. Keep your Sea Pass or account handy; some bars will make you sign each drink to avoid confusion.

On many P&O ships room service drinks incur a charge even if you have a package; check the room service menu. Mini bar items are usually excluded and will be charged separately. If you want bottled water in your cabin, purchase larger bottles in the shop or request complimentary tap water; hotels-style small bottled items tend to be charged.

Special occasions and group bookings

If celebrating a birthday or anniversary, contacting the dining team in advance can yield complimentary touches and guidance on drink options. For groups, P&O may allow pre-purchase packages for all passengers in a cabin or group booking. When booking for a group in 2026, ask your travel agent to negotiate for a group drink package rate — agents sometimes secure small reductions or onboard credit.

How to buy, change or cancel your drinks package

You can add a drinks package when booking online, during online check-in, at final payment, or onboard at the Guest Services desk or bar. To change or cancel, contact P&O’s customer service or your travel agent. Cancellation terms vary: many pre-paid packages can be changed up to a set date before sailing, often the final payment deadline. If you need to drop a package at short notice, the best approach is to speak to P&O customer services as soon as possible — some discretionary refunds may be available depending on the fare rules in 2026.

Onboard you can normally add a drinks package at Guest Services; prices may be higher. If you expect to drink heavily on a sea day, you can purchase a day package when available. Note that some promotional packages purchased prior to sailing cannot be added onboard if the promotional window has closed.

Special cases: transatlantic and repositioning sailings in 2026

Transatlantic sailings and repositioning cruises in 2026 often have different bar usage patterns and promotional opportunities. With more sea days you may drink more — a drinks package often becomes better value on such itineraries. P&O sometimes discounts packages for longer cruises or runs a limited-time offer for transatlantic departures; always check the terms for long itineraries as package pricing may be pro-rated differently.

Money-saving hacks and lesser-known tips

Share housekeeping of spare drinks: if only one person needs a full package in a cabin with two adults and the other is a very light drinker, consider a split approach: one premium package plus occasional pay-as-you-go for the other person. 2) Use happy hour specials: bars sometimes run promotions that aren’t included in the package, so ask if the package or promotion applies. 3) Order non-bottled wine by the glass instead of buying a bottle you won’t finish. 4) Consider buying a bottle of wine in port if duty-free prices are better and bring aboard if allowed by the ship’s policy. 5) Take advantage of free still or sparkling water if offered at dinner to reduce soft drinks spend.

If you booked a package-inclusive fare or have a loyalty benefit that includes drinks, re-evaluate whether you need an additional package. Upgraded dining options sometimes include complimentary drinks or wine-by-the-glass promotions. Cross-reference your MyCruiseAdvisor account articles like Loyalty Benefits 2026 for the latest loyalty entitlements that may affect your package decision.

Troubleshooting: disputes, billing mistakes and refunds

On rare occasions you might find an item charged that should have been covered by your package. Keep your receipts or check your on-board account through the P&O app daily. If you spot an error, go straight to Guest Services with details and receipts; staff can usually resolve straightforward billing issues. If you need a post-cruise refund for an incorrectly charged item, retain all documentation and contact P&O customer services and your payment provider if needed.

If you fall ill or disembark early

If you disembark due to illness or itinerary changes, pre-paid packages are usually non-refundable unless you have insurance covering change-of-plans. Travel insurance that covers cruise interruptions is highly recommended. For last-minute medical disembarkations, ask Guest Services to document events — this helps with insurance claims.

Check that your travel insurance covers non-refundable extras such as drinks packages. Some policies reimburse prepaid services if you must cancel for a covered reason.

Sustainability, drinking responsibly and health

P&O encourages responsible drinking. In 2026 ships continue to support sustainability initiatives including reducing single-use plastics: many soft drink dispensers use reusable cups where appropriate. If you need low-sugar, alcohol-free or low-ABV options, the Soft Drinks package plus mocktails can be a healthier choice. Always pace yourself at sea — seasickness and alcohol don't mix well.

Key takeaways

For short sailings, a mix of pay-as-you-go and selective purchases often works better. Track your own habits: keep a simple tally of daily drinks before you sail — that will make the package decision straightforward.

Specific 2026 promotions to watch (examples)

In 2026 P&O ran several promotions that affected drinks package value: early-booking bundles on Arvia included a package discount; select seasonal itineraries offered drink discounts for Britannia sailings during off-peak months; and some winter sun cruises bundled drinks and gratuities with low deposit fares. These promotions change quickly — always check the booking page and sign up to P&O emails or follow our MyCruiseAdvisor articles for updates: P&O Sales 2026.

Experienced agents can sometimes secure extras like drink package vouchers or onboard credits with your booking. If you value having an expert help manage changes, using an agent may be worthwhile. For direct online bookings, keep screenshots of the included extras and confirm what is promised in writing.

Checklist before you buy a P&O drinks package

Check package inclusions and any price caps.
Confirm whether the price quoted includes service charges.
Compare advance vs onboard pricing.
Estimate your likely drinks spend.
Verify child and family policies if travelling with children.
Look for promotional bundles or loyalty benefits.
Ensure your travel insurance covers non-refundable extras.

Carry ID and Sea Pass daily.
Sign transactions immediately and check receipts.
Ask bar staff if unsure about package coverage.
Avoid sharing drinks charged to your Sea Pass with other guests.
Be courteous to staff — tipping culture may vary by package and region.

Summary: is a P&O drinks package right for you in 2026?

If you enjoy several drinks daily, the Premium Drinks Package often delivers value and convenience on P&O Cruises in 2026. For light drinkers or non-drinkers the Soft Drinks or Tea & Coffee packages provide value. Buy in advance where possible to secure the best price, check the fine print for exclusions and gratuities, and use the practical tips in this guide to maximise savings. For more on related topics read our MyCruiseAdvisor articles on packing, gratuities and ship reviews: Ship Reviews and Gratuities Guide.

FAQ Placeholder

See FAQs below for detailed answers to common questions about P&O drinks packages in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a P&O drinks package for part of the cruise in 2026?

You can add a drinks package during the cruise at Guest Services, but pricing and options may differ from advance purchases. Some sailings offer day passes or allow pro-rata additions, but this varies by itinerary. Always ask Guest Services early in the cruise if you want a partial-duration package.

Are children allowed on adult drinks packages?

No. Alcoholic drinks packages are for adults only. Children can be added to a Soft Drinks package in many cases, but terms vary. P&O enforces age rules and will check ID when needed.

Do P&O drinks packages include room service and mini bar charges in 2026?

Room service drinks often incur an additional charge even if you have a package; mini bar items are usually excluded. Check the specific ship’s room service menu and the package terms for your sailing.

What happens if I order a drink above the package limit?

If you order a drink above the package limit you will usually be charged the difference. Bartenders should advise you, but always check the menu price if you suspect an item may be excluded or over the limit.

Can I share my drinks package with my partner?

Packages are non-transferable and intended for the named passenger only. Sharing or transferring benefits is against policy and can lead to removal of the package without refund.

Are there any pregnancy or medical exceptions for drinks packages?

Pregnant guests cannot be included in alcoholic packages. If you have medical concerns, discuss with Guest Services. For cancellations or changes due to medical reasons, contact P&O and your travel insurer — documentation may be required for refunds or claims.

How do I know if my booking already includes a drinks package?

Check your booking confirmation and the 'Inclusions' section on your P&O online account. Promotional fares sometimes include drinks; if unclear, contact P&O customer service or your travel agent to confirm what’s included in your fare.

Is tipping included with P&O drinks packages in 2026?

Service charges may be included or shown separately depending on the package and promotion. Some promotional packages include gratuities as part of the bundle. Check your booking terms or the package description to confirm whether tipping has already been applied.