Food & Drink

Feeling thirsty? All you need to know about P&O Cruises drinks

We’ve put together the ultimate guide to P&O Cruises drinks, from speciality bars to all the latest drinks packages.

P&O Cruises drinks offering ensures one of the most important things of all holidays is well taken care of: the drinks. There’s just nothing quite like watching the sunset with your favourite tipple in hand or coming back from a day of exploring to a refreshing beverage.

P&O Cruises‘ drinks selection has endless options, with an array of scenic bars and lounges across its seven ships to quench your thirst in, plus partnerships with major drinks brands including Costa Coffee and Teapigs. Four P&O Cruises drinks packages have also been designed to suit every type of traveller. So, If you enjoy a drink or four on your cruise holiday, settle in as we have the answers to all your questions.

Water, coffee and tea are all free of charge to guests onboard P&O Cruises ships but all other drinks are priced. The cruise line offers a range of drinks packages varying in cost, which tend to give holidaymakers the best deal.

P&O Cruises packages are available on any cruises lasting more than five nights. While they each offer a great range of drinks, none of the packages offer a fully ‘all-inclusive’ option, with items such as Champagne and whiskies always coming at an additional cost.

– READ MORE: P&O Cruises guide for foodies –

‘The Refresh Drinks Package’ is a great option for anyone looking to stick to soft drinks during their holiday and so is an ideal package for families with children. Soft drinks are available on tap, as are fruit juices and squash. At just over £10 per person per day, this is certainly the wallet-friendly option.

Next comes ‘The Alcohol-Free Package’, which includes all of the above plus selected speciality coffees, teas and hot chocolate, and all non-alcoholic beers, cocktails, spirits and wines.

The most popular P&O drinks package is ‘The Classic Drinks’ package. On top of everything available in the alcohol-free package, this gives you a selected range of cocktails, wines, spirits and proseccos, as well as beers and ciders! You also receive a 20 percent discount on all drinks outside of the drinks package. Coming in at £44.95 it’s easy to see why this package is the go-to choice.

For the ultimate indulgence to get you in the holiday mood, ‘The Deluxe Drinks Package’ offers the widest array of drinks. Inclusive of all beverages in the ‘Classic’ package, this also allows for the full range of hot drinks plus an extensive selection of cocktails, spirits, wines and craft beers. It even includes milkshakes! To top it all off, if you’re travelling with a child under 17, they’ll receive a free Refresh package when you book the Deluxe.

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What’s included in the P&O Cruises Refresh drinks package?

Satisfy your thirst all day long with a wide range of soft drinks with this, well, refreshing drink package. Indulge in timeless favourites such as R.Whites Lemonade, Pepsi and juices, all offered at a fixed price per person per day, ensuring a perfect daily refreshment whether you’re poolside or at the bar.

Furthermore, if you’re travelling on P&O with kids aged 16 and under and opt for either the Classic or Deluxe drinks package, P&O Cruises generously includes this Refresh drinks package at no additional charge.

How much does the P&O Cruises Refresh drinks package cost?

Price before your holiday: £9.85 | Onboard price: £10.95 (per person, per day)

What’s included in the P&O Cruises Alcohol-Free drinks package?

Want an espresso but without the martini? The Alcohol-Free P&O Cruises drinks package [below, left] caters for coffee enthusiasts, soft-drink aficionados and hot chocolate fans.

P&O Cruises’ selection of fresh, fruity and flavour-packed drinks will keep you satisfied throughout the day and into the night. Experience the utmost bang for your buck with an invigorating morning cappuccino or treat yourself to a refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail by the pool as the sun sets.

The P&O Cruises Alcohol-Free drinks package encompasses everything from the Refresh package plus Costa Coffee, teapigs and an extensive range of superb soft drinks, all available at a fixed price per person per day.

How much does P&O Cruises Alcohol-Free drink package cost?

Price before your holiday: £22.45 | Onboard price: £24.95 (per person, per day)

What’s included in the P&O Cruises Classic drinks package?

Want the hydration but with an added kick? The Classic P&O Cruises drinks package incorporates everything from the Refresh and Alcohol-free packages along with a smorgasbord of zinging spirits, fabulous wines and timeless cocktails, elevating every toast to a moment of ah-this-is-the-life!

What’s more, guests have the exclusive opportunity to sample P&O Cruises’ Marabelle Gin and Golden Tide Rum, perfectly paired with your preferred mixer. All of these enticing offerings come at a fixed price per person per day, ensuring you get the best value.

If you’re travelling with children aged 17 and under and opt for the Classic drinks package, you’ll bag the Refresh drinks package at no extra cost, ensuring everyone, young and old(er) enjoys a selection of their favourite drinks.

And that’s not it! You’ll also receive a 20 percent discount on select drinks not covered by this package, providing the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to that special bottle of Champagne or any other exclusive beverage of your choice.

How much does the P&O Cruises Classic drinks package cost?

Price before your holiday: £40.45 | Onboard price: £44.95 (per person, per day)

What’s included in the P&O Cruises Deluxe drinks package?

If it’s the all-inclusive vibe at sea you’re after, it’s P&O Cruises’ most generous drinks package you’ll want – the Deluxe number.

Whether you’re eager for beloved classics or open to trying new and exciting tipples, the Deluxe P&O Cruises drinks package [below] has it all. From delicious cocktails to fine spirits and everything in between, it surpasses the offerings of all the line’s other packages.

Sit back and relish popular brands, a diverse range of spirits to suit every mood, craft beers and glasses of fizz, all to the backdrop of ocean waves and romantic sunsets.

And remember, if you’re travelling with children aged 17 and under and choose either the Deluxe drinks package, the Refresh drinks package is thrown in for free. You’ll also benefit from a 20 percent discount on select drinks not covered by this package – bottoms up!

How much does the P&O Cruises Deluxe drinks package cost?

Price before your holiday: £49.45 | Onboard price: £54.95 (per person, per day)

Consider yourself a wine lover? P&O Cruises offers both the Captain’s Collection and Commodore’s Collection for aficionados of fine plonk.

Captain’s Collection

Discover the treasures of P&O Cruises’ Captain’s Collection wine list and select either six or 12 bottles to delight in throughout your cruise. Relish the wide array of wines at your fingertips, ranging from rich and velvety reds to refreshing and crisp whites, and delightful, sweet rosés.

Create your personalised assortment by mixing and matching from P&O Cruises’ exclusive range of wines and enjoy the added benefit of saving 15 percent off the onboard prices.

Commodore’s Collection

Explore a world of possibilities with P&O Cruises’ Commodore’s Collection wine package, with which you can discover your beloved favourites or sip on something new. Indulge in the finest wines carefully curated to perfection and rest assured they will be kept chilled until the moment your vino cravings need satiating.

Take your pick from this exclusive selection of wines, and whether you choose six or 12 bottles, enjoy the added advantage of saving 15 percent off the onboard prices.

If you don’t fancy opting for a package, you’ll find that drinks prices on P&O Cruises are roughly similar to what you might expect at your local pub. If you live in London however, it may even feel like a bargain. *Simultaneously cries and jumps for joy at a pint being under £6*.

To give an idea, a pint of beer is around the £5 mark, while glasses of wine range from £6-9. Cocktails are about £8.

– READ MORE: Which cruises have the best onboard p ubs? –

Brodie's beer flight in the Great British Pub

Each of P&O Cruises’ seven ships has a diverse range of bars and lounges, each with differing drinks menus. For example, the onboard pubs have a wide selection of craft beers, while the cocktail bars focus on jazzy cocktails.

Speciality bars include The Glass House wine bar & restaurant, with a wine list of 38 wines by the glass plus guided food and wine pairings, or The Crow’s Nest which offers a gin menu of over 20 UK gin brands.

A partnership between P&O Cruises’ newest ship Arvia and Jersey-based rum brand ‘The Tidal Rum’, has led to the creation of Golden Tide Rum, available exclusively on P&O Cruises drinks menus. Golden Tide Rum is a golden-aged spiced rum, infused with foraged coastal botanicals, said to bring the Caribbean and British Isles together.

Special rum tastings led by the ship’s onboard rum expert explain the craft behind each sip.

Yes! Each guest may bring up to 12 soft canned drinks with them, as long as they are packed in their hand luggage. Make sure to steer clear of any glass, plastic or Tetra pack bottles and cartons though, as these are not permitted.

All passengers of age are also allowed to bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne. Until recently, beer, spirits and liqueurs were permitted too, however due to a new rule effective from 7th May 2024, you may now only take one litre of wine or Champagne onboard. If you consume your own alcohol in any of the ship’s public spaces, a £20 corkage fee is charged, however there’s no corkage fee if drunk within your cabin.

When can you buy P&O drinks packages?

Drinks packages on P&O Cruises are exclusively available on voyages lasting five nights or more and cannot be obtained on a daily basis. You have the option to purchase these packages in advance of your cruise or within the first two days of being onboard.

It’s important to note that once bought onboard, the packages become non-refundable. Additionally, all adults sharing the same cabin are required to purchase the same package. Drinks prices are inclusive of any gratuities and taxes.

How many drinks can you have on the P&O Cruises drinks package?

To ensure responsible consumption, all drinks packages on P&O Cruises are limited to 15 alcoholic beverages per 24-hour period, while non-alcoholic drinks included in the package can be quaffed without restrictions. Note staff reserve the right to refuse service to any guests who may appear inebriated, following the line’s alcohol policy guidelines.

Please be aware that certain drinks are not covered by the package and the availability of individual drinks may vary. Age restrictions also apply to the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

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– READ MORE: Top cruises for iconic parties –

Published 17.09.24