Complete Cunard drinks package guide – is it really worth it?

Like many cruise lines, Cunard offers a selection of different drink packages for every kind of traveler – whether you’re more of a clean juice and matcha type person or like to live it up on vacation with a free-flow of cocktails. Choosing a package can be a smart move as it’s often both convenient and cost-effective. 

However, as drinks package prices range from cruise line to cruise line, it’s worth considering how much you actually drink while on vacation. If you’re more of a foodie and aren’t that fussed about drinks, or are likely to spend lots of time off the ship, out and about on excursions, it might be that you’ll save more by paying as you go. 

Cunard drinks package prices vary depending on the length of your cruise and which option you pick. So, are Cunard drinks packages worth it? And if so, which one should you pick? Let’s take a look. 

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The perfect choice if you’re looking to swerve alcohol and like to stay hydrated, without being stuck with just water. Includes:

• Unlimited draught soft drinks
• Selected fruit juices 
• Squash
• Cordials

Price: $13.50pp per day if pre-booked. If booked onboard, $15pp per day. 

For hot beverage enthusiasts: The Specialty Hot Drinks Package

If you’re someone who needs to know a coffee or tea can be on hand at any moment, this is likely the package for you. Includes: 

• Unlimited speciality coffees
• Tea Forté infusions
• Hot chocolates

Price: $15.75pp, per day. If booked while onboard, $17.50pp, per day

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For anyone seeking a near-full range of non-alcoholic options to enjoy without limits, this package is a great choice. Includes: 

• All benefits of the Soft Drinks Package
• Small bottled waters (330ml and 500ml)
• Fresh juices
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Specialty hot drinks
• A 20 percent discount on non-alcoholic drinks not included in the package

What does the 20 percent discount apply to? Smoothies, large bottles of water (750ml +), hot and cold Godiva chocolate drinks.

Price: If pre-booked, this package comes in at $40.50pp per day. If booked onboard, $45pp per day.

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By far Cunard’s most popular drinks package, this option includes a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, on top of all the benefits of the premium non-alcoholic package. Includes: 

• A wide selection of beers, wines, spirits, liqueurs, and cocktails priced up to $13.50 per serving
• All benefits of the Premium Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package
• 20 percent discount on drinks priced above $13.50, select bottles of wine, and certain onboard drinks-related activities, such as Cocktail Master Classes. 

Price: pricing for this Cunard drinks package depends on the length of your cruise. 

• For cruises less than five nights, it’s $85.50pp per day if pre-booked. $95pp per day if booked onboard. 
• Cruises between five and 14 nights are $72pp per day if pre-booked. $80pp per day if booked onboard. 
• Cruises of 15 to 74 nights are $67.50pp per day if pre-booked. $75pp per day if booked onboard. 
• Cruises of 75 nights or more are $49.50pp per day if pre-booked, $55pp per day if booked onboard.

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Without knowing the individual cost of drinks on Cunard cruises, it’s difficult to know whether opting for a drinks package is the best choice for you. As Cunard is a high-end cruise line, drinks prices tend to be a little higher than you might be accustomed to in your local pub or cafe. Below are a number of classic drinks and their prices, as a guideline.

• Pint of draught beer = $8.30
• Glass of wine = $16 
• Glass of soda = $4.50
• Mocktail = $11.50 
• Alcoholic cocktails range from $9.50  to $17.50. An Aperol Spritz, for instance, is $10.75 while a Kir Royale is $17.50. 
• Hot chocolate = $4.80

The verdict: Is the Cunard drinks package worth it?

When weighing up the important decision of whether to purchase a drinks package on your Cunard cruise, you’ll want to consider your personal drinking preferences. Not a fan of alcohol but can’t be without an endless supply of hot drinks? 

It makes sense to go for the specialty hot drinks package. Not a fan of alcohol but are smoothie-mad? You’re probably best paying as you go, as smoothies aren’t included in any drinks packages. 

As for the alcohol side of things, the Beers, Wines, and Spirits Package works out at around the same price as seven to eight alcoholic beverages per day. If this sounds like you then it’s a perfect match – plus you’ll get unlimited soft drinks on top of that!  

The main thing to remember is that if you do decide to go with one of the four Cunard drinks packages, then make sure to book in good time ahead of your cruise. That way you’ll save 10 percent. Book through the ‘My Cunard’ portal online.

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