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.

Across P&O Cruises’ seven ships, you’ll find bars, lounges and partnerships with leading brands like Costa Coffee and Teapigs. There are also four drinks packages designed to suit every traveller — whether you’re all about mocktails or martinis.

So, if you enjoy a drink or four on your cruise holiday, here’s everything you need to know.

– READ MORE: Complete guide to drinks packages on cruise ships –

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 drinks packages are only available on sailings of five nights or longer and must be purchased for the entire cruise duration. 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.

Seasonal cocktail menus and guest partnerships, such as with José Pizarro, may also influence the onboard drinks offering.

– READ MORE: Everything you need to know about dining on P&O Cruises ships –

The Refresh Drinks Package
Best for: Families and soft drink fans
Includes: Unlimited soft drinks, fruit juices and squash
Price: £9.85pp per day in advance | £10.95pp per day onboard

The Alcohol-Free Drinks Package
Best for: Non-drinkers and hot drink lovers
Includes: Everything in Refresh, plus selected speciality teas, coffees, hot chocolate and non-alcoholic beer, wine, spirits and cocktails

The Classic Drinks Package
Best for: Most cruisers
Includes: All of the above, plus a selected range of alcoholic drinks (beer, cider, wine, Prosecco, spirits, cocktails)
Also includes: 20% off drinks not included in the package
Price: £44.95pp per day

The Deluxe Drinks Package
Best for: Those who want maximum choice
Includes: Everything in Classic, plus premium spirits, craft beers, extra cocktails, all hot drinks and even milkshakes
Bonus: If you book this package and are travelling with a guest under 17, they get the Refresh Package free

– READ MORE: Is P&O Cruises any good for families and children? –

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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 the 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*.

Pint of beer: approx. £5
Glass of wine: £6–£9
Cocktails: from £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.

Can you take soft drinks on a P&O Cruise?

Yes – but with limits.

Soft drinks: Up to 12 canned drinks (no bottles or cartons), in hand luggage only
Alcohol: One litre of wine or Champagne per adult

If you drink your own alcohol in a public area, a £20 corkage fee applies. No fee if consumed in your cabin.

– READ MORE: Rum tastings & beyond: P&O Cruises Caribbean excursions –

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. Drink 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.

– READ MORE: Top cruises for iconic parties –

FAQs

Are drinks included on P&O Cruises?
Tea, coffee and water are included, but most drinks must be paid for. P&O Cruises offers four paid drinks packages.

How much are P&O Cruises drinks packages?
Refresh Package: From £9.85pp per day
Alcohol-Free Package: From £22.45pp per day
Classic Package: From £40.45pp per day
Deluxe Package: From £49.45pp per day

What’s the difference between the Classic and Deluxe drinks packages?
The Deluxe Package includes everything in Classic plus premium spirits, milkshakes, craft beers and more cocktails.

Are there limits to how many drinks you can have?
Yes. Guests are limited to 15 alcoholic drinks in 24 hours. Non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited.

When can I buy a drinks package?
Packages can be purchased before sailing or within the first two days onboard on cruises of 5+ nights.

Can I bring my own drinks onboard P&O Cruises?
Yes – up to 12 cans of soft drink and 1 litre of wine or Champagne per adult. Corkage fees apply if consumed in public.

What are drinks prices on P&O Cruises?
Pints: approx. £5 | Wine: £6–£9 a glass | Cocktails: from £8

Do all cabin guests need to buy the same package?
Yes. All adults sharing a cabin must purchase the same package.