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What is included in Cunard cruise fare (UK 2026)?

By Cruise Advisor Editorial Team · Updated 2026-10-21 · 11 min read

Cunard’s fare covers your stateroom and core dining, but it isn’t all‑inclusive. This UK guide explains exactly what’s included, what you’ll pay extra for, how Cunard Fare compares with Saver options, and how to budget smartly in 2026.

If you’re pricing up a voyage with Cunard, the key question is simple: what is included in Cunard cruise fare — and what will you need to budget on top? In 2026, Cunard’s base fare for UK bookings still buys a classic ocean experience with your stateroom or suite and substantial dining in the main venues. However, it’s not an all‑inclusive package. Drinks, Wi‑Fi, the hotel service charge and some speciality options remain extra and should be planned for before you pay the balance.

This guide uses Cunard’s own UK pages (accessed 21 October 2026) to outline inclusions and extras, then helps you choose between Cunard Fare and Saver options without confusing booking benefits with onboard inclusions. For a wider comparison across lines, see our UK hub: What Is Included in a Cruise Fare? What Is Included in a Cruise Fare UK.

What your Cunard fare definitely includes

Cunard sets out a solid core that’s part of every voyage, regardless of whether you sail for a long voyage or a short break. According to Cunard’s UK inclusions and dining pages, your fare includes:

• Your stateroom or suite accommodation, assigned to a main dining grade (Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill or Queens Grill) depending on what you book.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner in your allocated main dining venue, plus buffet dining. This is the foundational meal coverage on every day at sea and in port.
• At least one Gala Evening per cruise with a celebratory multi‑course menu in the main dining room. Cunard highlights up to five courses with touches like amuse‑bouche and petit fours.
• Afternoon Tea, which Cunard describes as included.
• Golden Lion pub fare, which Cunard’s dining guide lists as included.
• A complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed menu available to all staterooms. Note that beyond this specific complimentary breakfast selection, room‑service terms differ by accommodation grade (explained below).
• Children’s clubs and activities for ages from six months up to 17 years, with age‑grouped programming (Cunard names groups for 2–7, 8–12 and 13–17).

Important boundaries to remember:

• Alternative dining venues and certain experiences may carry a cover charge or require a deposit that is redeemed against your final bill; availability and prices vary by ship and voyage. Do not assume all restaurants are included—check your itinerary and vessel.
• Cunard can accommodate many dietary requirements (including vegetarian and vegan) when notified in advance; always confirm via My Cunard or your agent before you sail.

Editorial view: For many UK travellers, this core covers the heart of the ocean‑liner experience without needing daily add‑ons. Where costs can creep in is drinks, Wi‑Fi and speciality options—so plan these consciously rather than drifting into onboard spend.

What is not included (budget these separately)

To avoid surprises, treat the following as separate budget lines unless your specific booking states otherwise:

• Hotel service charge: Cunard currently shows a per‑person, per‑day amount added automatically to your onboard account (see the dedicated section below). This is not part of the advertised fare.
• Wi‑Fi: Internet access is sold as optional Essential or Premium plans by day or by voyage. You can access Cunard’s My Voyage planner on the ship’s network without a plan, but that is not general internet.
• Drinks and packages: Everyday beverages and any beverage package are optional purchases or may be bundled only if you add a Signature Package.
• Alternative dining: Some venues and experiences have a cover charge or require a deposit redeemed against the bill; check your ship and time.
• Room service beyond the complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed menu: Britannia stateroom room service has additional charges; Britannia Club and Grill Suites receive dishes complimentary unless otherwise stated.
• Wine experiences: Cunard lists tastings and classes as chargeable, bookable in My Cunard.
• Shore Experiences: Tours are paid extras; Cunard says pre‑booking via My Cunard can save 10% versus booking onboard.
• Travel insurance: For UK bookings, suitable insurance is mandatory and a guest without it may be denied boarding.
• Travel to the terminal, passports/visas and any entry requirements: These remain your responsibility to arrange and pay for.

Availability, pricing and policies can vary by ship, voyage and stateroom grade. Always verify the latest details in your booking and on Cunard’s official pages before you sail.

Wi‑Fi, the free My Voyage planner and staying connected

Cunard sells two optional Wi‑Fi plans—Essential and Premium—available by day or for your whole voyage, which you can purchase in My Cunard before sailing or once onboard. A few key points to shape your decision:

• Access to My Voyage, Cunard’s digital planner for onboard services, does not require a paid internet plan. You can connect to the ship’s Wi‑Fi to use My Voyage at no charge.
• A purchased plan is limited to one device at a time per plan. If you want to use multiple devices simultaneously, you’ll need multiple plans.
• Connection performance and plan pricing can vary by voyage and ship, so review your specific sailing in My Cunard.

Editorial advice: Decide whether you truly need full‑time connectivity, or whether occasional check‑ins will do. For a deeper look at whether paid ship Wi‑Fi is worth it, see Cruise Ship Wi‑Fi: Is It Worth It?.

Drinks and Signature Packages: how they work

Cunard treats drinks as a paid choice, not a built‑in inclusion. You can buy drinks individually or consider a Signature Package that bundles a beverage package, an internet plan and a dining credit. Cunard currently describes two tiers: Signature (with drinks up to US$13.50) and Premium (with drinks up to US$20). Packages must be bought for all guests sharing a stateroom, are for guests aged 18+ at embarkation (with stated child rules), and pricing varies by voyage duration and package type. Cunard advertises potential savings of up to 30% versus buying the same items separately onboard, subject to availability.

Editorial boundary: Exact drink lists and package pricing vary. Before deciding, review the latest menus and terms for your sailing in My Cunard. For package thresholds, buying rules and practical comparisons, read our focused guide: Cunard Drink Prices 2026.

Alternative dining and room service: where charges appear

Cunard’s alternative dining experiences can enrich a voyage, but they aren’t universally included. Cunard says some carry a cover charge or require a deposit that’s redeemed against the final bill, and it uses venues such as The Verandah and Aji Wa as examples on specific ships. Check your ship and voyage for what’s operating when you sail.

Room service needs particular attention:

• Britannia staterooms: Room service has additional charges, beyond the complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed menu.
• Britannia Club and Grill Suites: Room‑service dishes are complimentary unless otherwise stated.
• Complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed: Available to all staterooms, but it’s a specific breakfast selection, not a blanket waiver on other room‑service items.

Editorial tip: If you value in‑room dining, factor your accommodation grade into your budget, and consider whether Britannia Club or a Grill Suite’s inclusive room‑service terms are part of the value you want.

Families: what the fare covers for children

Cunard’s children’s clubs are included in the fare and span from six months to 17 years, with age‑grouped activities for 2–7, 8–12 and 13–17. Programme names, hours and specific activities can vary by ship and sailing date, so don’t assume a particular session will run on every voyage. As a parent or carer, plan around the included main‑venue meals and Afternoon Tea, and consider how speciality dining nights and shore experiences will fit your family’s rhythm.

Budgeting thoughts for families:

• Drinks and Wi‑Fi can multiply quickly when more people are involved. Decide early whether to share a device plan (one device at a time) or keep everyone offline outside of My Voyage.
• If your children enjoy trying new foods, you may not need paid alternative dining at all—Cunard’s main restaurants and buffet provide broad variety. Save speciality venues for a single treat night if you wish.
• Check any age‑related limits for packages and experiences in My Cunard before you buy.

Shore Experiences: optional and bookable in advance

Cunard’s Shore Experiences are not part of the base fare. They’re selectable and payable in My Cunard, with pre‑booking open from one year before departure on most voyages. Cunard states that pre‑booking via My Cunard provides a 10% saving compared with booking onboard. Availability varies by port, and exact prices depend on your specific tour and date.

Editorial suggestion: Choose a few priority experiences early—especially in marquee ports—and leave some time unstructured. Not every day needs a paid tour. For budgeting, add a flexible line in your spreadsheet rather than fixing a single number too early.

Travel insurance and travel documents for UK bookings

For bookings made in the UK (direct, via a UK travel agent or the UK Contact Centre), Cunard requires suitable travel insurance regardless of your nationality or passport country. Cunard states that a guest without appropriate insurance may be denied boarding. Treat insurance as a compulsory cost of the trip, not a benefit included in the fare.

Cunard’s essential travel information also places responsibility on you for an in‑date passport, any required visas or documents and compliance with entry or vaccination rules. You must also plan and arrange your travel to the cruise terminal. Verify all requirements against your itinerary and government advice in good time.

Cunard Fare vs Saver options: what actually changes

Cunard sells multiple fare types to UK guests. These affect your booking flexibility and eligible benefits, not the core onboard inclusions like main‑venue meals. Key points from Cunard’s UK pages:

• Cunard Fare (available on all cruises): Choice of stateroom number and priority for upgrades; 15% deposit with a flexible balance payment; amendments allowed up to the balance due date; complimentary shuttle buses at ports as a listed benefit; priority dining for Britannia guests; and, on eligible voyages over seven nights, one selectable benefit per booking—either free car parking or return coach travel—subject to availability and qualifiers.
• Early Saver (selected cruises and grades): 15% deposit; Britannia guests can state a preferred dining time that’s confirmed onboard, subject to availability. Other flexibility/benefits are more limited than Cunard Fare.
• Late Saver: Payment in full at booking; pre‑allocated stateroom; 100% cancellation fee and cannot be amended without that fee.

Parking/coach qualifiers matter: Complimentary car parking and return coach travel apply only on selected round‑trip Southampton voyages of seven nights or more, are subject to availability, are limited to one space or one return coach per booking and must be arranged within set deadlines. Only one such benefit can be selected per eligible Cunard Fare booking, and benefits aren’t combinable with certain promotions. Always check your individual sailing’s terms.

Feature	Cunard Fare	Early Saver	Late Saver
Deposit / payment	15% deposit; flexible balance date per booking	15% deposit	Pay in full at booking
Amendments	Permitted up to balance due date	More restricted; check booking confirmation	Not permitted without 100% cancellation fee
Stateroom selection	Choose specific stateroom; priority for upgrades	Selected grades only	Pre‑allocated by Cunard
Dining for Britannia guests	Priority dining	Preferred time stated; confirmed onboard, subject to availability	Not stated
Port shuttle buses	Listed as a benefit (availability varies by port/itinerary)	Not stated	Not stated
Parking/coach on eligible 7+ night Southampton round‑trips	Choose one benefit (car parking or return coach) per eligible booking; subject to availability and deadlines	Not included	Not included
Cancellation risk	More flexible than Saver types	More restrictive than Cunard Fare	100% fee if cancelled

Is Cunard Fare worth the premium?

Editorial assessment: It often is—if you value flexibility, want to choose your exact stateroom, prefer the strongest shot at your preferred dining and can make use of eligible parking or coach travel on round‑trip Southampton sailings of seven nights or more. Those specific benefits can offset part of any premium compared with Saver rates.

If you’re price‑driven, flexible about the exact stateroom and certain your plans won’t change, an Early Saver or Late Saver can be attractive. Do note the Late Saver’s strict terms: full payment on booking, pre‑allocated stateroom and a 100% cancellation fee if you need to change. None of the fare types turn your voyage into an all‑inclusive holiday—the same onboard extras (drinks, Wi‑Fi, service charge, certain dining, shore experiences and insurance) still apply.

Traveller type	Likely best fare	Why (editorial guidance)
Driving to an eligible 7+ night round‑trip from Southampton	Cunard Fare	Potential to select car parking (subject to availability) can add clear value; you also keep flexibility and stateroom choice.
First‑time family travelling in school holidays	Cunard Fare or Early Saver	Cunard Fare gives better control over stateroom location and dining; Early Saver works if you just want to state a preference and keep costs down.
Couple who want a specific stateroom number	Cunard Fare	Lets you choose your exact stateroom and benefits from upgrade priority.
Last‑minute deal hunter	Late Saver	Can be the lowest price but requires payment in full and accepts a pre‑allocated stateroom with strict cancellation terms.
Solo traveller prioritising change flexibility	Cunard Fare	Amendments up to balance due date help if plans evolve.
Guests booking Britannia Club or Grill Suites	Cunard Fare	Pairs well with higher‑grade expectations, dining priority and stateroom choice.

Gala Evenings: included and worth planning for

Cunard promises at least one Gala Evening per cruise, and the celebratory menu in the main restaurant is included in your fare. The menu is described as up to five courses and may include small touches like an amuse‑bouche and petit fours. The atmosphere is a highlight for many guests. Exact themes and details vary by voyage: your Daily Programme and My Voyage will confirm what’s scheduled.

Dietary requirements and dining allocations

Cunard states it can accommodate vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements when it’s told in advance. If you have specific needs, note them in My Cunard and confirm before your sailing. Your main dining room is assigned by the accommodation grade you book—Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill or Queens Grill. If you are particular about dining time and venue, read our overview of how lines assign tables in Fixed vs Flexible Cruise Dining and tips in our Cruise Ship Dining Reservations Guide.

Budgeting realistically: the UK cruiser’s checklist

To avoid mid‑holiday surprises, use this checklist before you pay your final balance.

• Confirm your fare type (Cunard Fare, Early Saver or Late Saver) and understand the flexibility and benefits it actually provides for your specific sailing.
• Verify your stateroom grade and the main dining venue it assigns; check any dining time preferences in your booking.
• Check your booking confirmation for any Cunard Fare benefits you’ve selected (e.g., eligible parking or coach travel on Southampton round‑trips of seven nights or more) and the deadlines to arrange them.
• Look up the current hotel service charge for your grade and voyage on Cunard’s UK page and note the daily total for your party.
• Decide on Wi‑Fi: Essential vs Premium, per day vs whole voyage, or going mainly offline. Remember one device per plan at a time.
• Make a drinks plan: pay‑as‑you‑go vs a Signature Package bundle (drinks threshold and internet included) based on your actual habits.
• Choose whether to book any alternative dining and understand cover/deposit rules on your ship and date.
• Shortlist Shore Experiences and pre‑book the key ones in My Cunard (Cunard indicates a 10% saving vs onboard booking).
• Arrange suitable travel insurance for all guests on the booking; confirm cover meets Cunard’s requirements.
• Confirm passports, visas and any entry/vaccination rules for your ports; plan travel to the terminal.

• Daily hotel service charge (added to your onboard account, amount varies by grade as shown by Cunard)
• Wi‑Fi plan (Essential or Premium; one device at a time per plan)
• Drinks and/or a Signature Package bundle (package thresholds currently US$13.50 and US$20 per drink tier)
• Alternative dining cover charges or deposits (varies by venue/ship)
• Room‑service supplements for Britannia staterooms (beyond the complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed menu)
• Wine‑tasting classes and similar experiences
• Shore Experiences (pre‑book for the Cunard‑stated 10% saving vs onboard)
• Travel insurance (mandatory for UK bookings)
• Transport to/from the cruise terminal; any required visas or entry documents

How Cunard’s inclusions compare with other UK lines

Within the UK market, Cunard’s pattern is traditional: your fare covers the stateroom and the main dining/buffet core with some signature experiences like Afternoon Tea and Gala Evenings. It does not bundle drinks or Wi‑Fi by default. If you’re weighing lines, start with our broader comparisons in What Is Included in a Cruise Fare UK and the general explainer What Is Included in Cruise Fare. From there, compare any bundle offers you see on your exact dates rather than relying on assumptions.

Money‑saving ideas specific to Cunard

• Use what’s already included: main‑venue meals, buffet, Afternoon Tea and Golden Lion pub fare can feed the whole trip without paying speciality surcharges.
• Be selective with speciality dining: choose one treat night; check if your chosen venue uses a cover or a deposit credited back to the bill.
• Pre‑book priority Shore Experiences in My Cunard for the 10% saving Cunard advertises compared with booking onboard.
• Right‑size connectivity: consider buying one Wi‑Fi plan and taking turns if you only need occasional check‑ins; remember one device at a time per plan.
• Do the package maths: a Signature Package can be good value if you would already buy a beverage package plus Wi‑Fi and plan to use the dining credit. If not, pay‑as‑you‑go may be cheaper.
• Consider Cunard Fare on eligible 7+ night Southampton round‑trips if you’ll use parking or coach travel—select the benefit at booking and meet the arrangement deadlines.
• Give dietary notice early: confirming requirements before sailing helps you rely on the included dining and avoid last‑minute paid workarounds.

Step‑by‑step: confirm your exact inclusions

1. Open your booking confirmation and note your fare type, stateroom grade and assigned dining venue.
2. In My Cunard, check the Dining section for venue opening times on your dates and any alternative dining running on your ship.
3. Review the Service Charges page and calculate your party’s daily total by grade.
4. Decide on Wi‑Fi: view plan details and prices for your exact sailing in My Cunard.
5. If you’re considering a Signature Package, review both thresholds (US$13.50 and US$20) and the stateroom‑wide purchase rule.
6. Browse Shore Experiences and pre‑book any must‑dos for the 10% saving vs onboard purchase.
7. If you booked Cunard Fare for a Southampton round‑trip of seven nights or more, select either parking or return coach travel (one benefit per booking) and arrange it before the deadline.
8. Add travel insurance details to your records and carry proof; verify passport and visa requirements for all ports.

Key takeaways

• Cunard’s fare includes your accommodation, main‑venue dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner), buffet, Afternoon Tea, Golden Lion pub fare, at least one Gala Evening menu and a complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed selection, plus children’s clubs.
• It does not include the hotel service charge, Wi‑Fi, drinks/packages, most alternative dining surcharges, wine experiences, shore experiences or required UK travel insurance.
• Fare type changes booking flexibility and eligible benefits (e.g., port shuttles; on eligible Southampton 7+ night round‑trips, one selectable benefit of parking or coach travel), but it does not convert the cruise into an all‑inclusive holiday.
• Prices, availability and programme details vary by ship, voyage, stateroom grade and date. Verify everything in My Cunard and on official pages before you pay your balance.

Sources and verification

We compiled this guide from Cunard’s official UK pages, accessed on 21 October 2026. Before you book or pay your balance, re‑check the latest:

• What is included on your Cunard voyage: https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/whats-included
• Guide to dining with Cunard (inclusions, Afternoon Tea, Golden Lion, room service by grade, alternative dining rules): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cunard-stories/dining-guide
• Children’s activities (included clubs and age groups): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/children
• Service charges and fees (current daily amounts and grade differences): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/service-charges
• Staying connected on board (Essential/Premium Wi‑Fi, My Voyage access and device rules): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/staying-connected
• Cunard Signature Packages (bundle components, drink thresholds and rules): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-deals/cunard-cruise-packages
• Wine experiences (chargeable): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/daytime/wine-experiences
• Shore Experiences (pre‑booking and 10% saving vs onboard): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/shore-excursions
• Cruise travel insurance (mandatory for UK bookings): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence/insurance
• Essential travel information (documents and responsibilities): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence
• Choosing the fare that suits you (Cunard Fare, Early Saver, Late Saver benefits): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/our-fares
• Cunard Fare terms and conditions (eligibility and deadlines for parking/coach travel, benefit rules): https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/advice-and-policies/terms-and-conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Cunard cruise all‑inclusive?

No. Your fare includes your stateroom or suite, main‑venue meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), buffet dining, Afternoon Tea, Golden Lion pub fare, at least one Gala Evening menu in the main restaurant, a complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed selection and children’s clubs. It does not include the daily hotel service charge, Wi‑Fi, drinks or beverage packages, most alternative dining surcharges, wine experiences, shore experiences or required UK travel insurance. Verify your specific voyage in My Cunard.

Are gratuities included in Cunard fares for 2026?

Cunard presents a daily hotel service charge as an onboard charge added to your account, not part of the base fare. The current UK page shows US$18 per person per day for Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms, and US$19 per person per day for Princess and Queens Grill Suites. This applies to all guests per Cunard’s page. Amounts and policies can change—check the official Service Charges page before you sail.

Is room service free on Cunard?

There is a complimentary breakfast‑in‑bed menu for all staterooms. Beyond that, room‑service terms depend on your grade: Britannia stateroom room service has additional charges, while Britannia Club and Grill Suite guests receive dishes complimentary unless otherwise stated. Check your ship’s menu and notes in My Cunard for any exceptions.

Are drinks included on Cunard?

Drinks are not included by default. You can pay as you go or buy an optional Signature Package that bundles a beverage package (with drink thresholds currently referenced at US$13.50 and US$20), an internet plan and a dining credit. Packages must be bought for all guests sharing a stateroom, are for guests 18+ at embarkation (with child rules), and pricing varies by voyage. For details, see Cunard Drink Prices 2026.

Is Wi‑Fi included on Cunard?

No. Internet access is sold as optional Essential or Premium plans by day or for the whole voyage. You can use Cunard’s My Voyage digital planner on the ship’s Wi‑Fi without buying a plan, but that is not general internet access. Each paid plan covers one device at a time; multiple simultaneous devices require additional plans.

Does Cunard include free shore excursions?

No. Shore Experiences are optional and carry an extra charge. Cunard says pre‑booking them in My Cunard provides a 10% saving versus booking onboard. Availability and pricing vary by port and date.

Are port shuttle buses included in every port?

Cunard lists complimentary port shuttle buses as a benefit of the Cunard Fare, but availability depends on the itinerary and port operations. Not every port will offer a shuttle. Check your specific voyage information and Daily Programme.

Does Cunard include parking or coach travel from Southampton?

Only on eligible Cunard Fare bookings for selected round‑trip Southampton voyages of seven nights or more, and only one benefit (car parking or return coach travel) per booking. Benefits are subject to availability and must be arranged in advance by the deadlines (Cunard’s terms state at least 35 days before departure for parking and 30 days for coach travel). They are not included on Saver fares and not available on all sailings.

Is Afternoon Tea included on Cunard?

Yes. Cunard’s dining guide describes Afternoon Tea as included. Times, venues and presentation can vary by ship and sailing day, so check My Voyage for the schedule on your dates.

Is travel insurance compulsory for UK bookings with Cunard?

Yes. For bookings made in the UK (direct or via a UK travel agent), Cunard states that suitable travel insurance is mandatory irrespective of nationality. Guests without appropriate cover may be denied boarding. Arrange cover early and carry proof.

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