P&O Cruises Drinks Packages Explained: Are They Really Worth the Money?
A selection of drinks that are available from the Club House on P&O Iona
One of the biggest questions we see from cruisers planning a P&O Cruises holiday is simple: "Should I buy the drinks package?"
With P&O Cruises introducing all-inclusive packages that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, and speciality dining credit together, the decision has become a little more complicated. At first glance, paying £49 or £59 per person per day might seem like a hefty upfront expense. However, when you start adding up the cost of premium coffees, daily internet access, and evening cocktails individually, these bundled packages can begin to look like surprisingly good value.
Let us take a closer look at what is included and, more importantly, whether P&O Cruises' all-inclusive packages are worth your hard-earned holiday budget.
P&O Cruises Offers Two All-Inclusive Packages
Unlike some cruise lines that automatically include drinks for everyone or stick to loose pay-as-you-go menus, P&O Cruises allows guests to choose exactly how they want to upgrade their holiday.
There are two primary options available on eligible sailings of five nights or more:
Classic All-Inclusive Package: From £49 per person, per day
Deluxe All-Inclusive Package: From £59 per person, per day
Both options bundle together your daily drinks, Wi-Fi access, and a tiered speciality dining credit. Plus, there is a fantastic perk for families: children and under-18s travelling in the same cabin receive a complimentary Refresh drinks package when two adults purchase either all-inclusive option.
The main differences lie in the tier of drinks you can order, the speed of your internet, and the amount of dining credit you receive.
Dom form Tom and Dom Travel, enjoying a glass of red wine in the Beach House
What Is Included in the Classic Package?
The Classic package is designed for guests who enjoy a few drinks throughout the day and want the ultimate convenience of having their cruise extras wrapped up in one predictable price.
The included drinks cover a wide range of popular onboard choices:
Alcoholic Drinks
Guests can enjoy a variety of beers, ciders, spirits, and wines by the glass, including:
Beers & Ciders: Heineken, Birra Moretti, and John Smith's.
House Wines: Quality choices of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Malbec, and Prosecco (125ml).
Spirits (25ml): Popular brands like Smirnoff Vodka, Bell's Whisky, Marabelle Gin, and Golden Tide Rum.
Popular Cocktails: Cruising classics like a Piña Colada, Cosmopolitan, and Mai Tai.
Soft Drinks and Hot Drinks
Pepsi, Pepsi Max, and R. White's Lemonade on tap.
Selected fruit juices and small bottled waters.
Costa Coffee: Small sized barista favourites, including lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolates.
Pukka Teas: A great selection of herbal and traditional teas.
Added Perks
You also get the Essential Wi-Fi package (ideal for browsing, emails, and social media text) and a speciality dining credit of up to £55 per person, depending on the length of your cruise.
What Extra Do You Get With Deluxe?
The Deluxe package costs an additional £10 per person, per day, but it offers a noticeable upgrade for those who prefer the finer things onboard.
Premium Spirits and Extended Wine Lists
Instead of standard house brands, you can opt for top-tier spirits like Grey Goose Vodka, Salcombe Gin, Johnnie Walker Whisky, and The Tidal Rum. Your wine options expand to larger 250ml glasses and premium varieties like Sauvignon Blanc or Côtes de Provence Rosé.
An Expanded Cocktail Menu
The cocktail list opens up to include premium serves, craft variations, and upscale favourites like an Aperol Spritz, Sunset Cooler, or a decadent Raspberry and Hazelnut Brûlée.
Better Coffee Options
If you are a regular at the onboard coffee shops, Deluxe upgrades you to include medium-sized Costa coffees, iced frappés, fruit coolers, and premium tea selections.
Ultimate Wi-Fi
This is perhaps one of the most underrated upgrades. While the Classic package covers basic browsing, the Deluxe package includes P&O's Ultimate Wi-Fi. This is essential if you want to stream video, make Wi-Fi video calls, browse media-heavy apps like TikTok and YouTube, or stream your favourite music playlists by the pool.
Enhanced Dining Credit
Your speciality dining credit gets a bump up to £80 per person on longer itineraries, allowing you to sample premium venues like Sindhu or The Epicurean with much less to pay on your final bill.
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Tom from Tom and Dom Travel in the Epicurean on P&O Ventura enjoying a glass of English Sparkling wine
Who Should Buy the Classic Package?
Social Drinkers
If your typical sea day involves a morning latte, a lunchtime beer, a poolside soft drink, a pre-dinner cocktail, and wine with your meal, you will easily hit the daily value of this package.
Families
The complimentary Refresh package for children is a massive money-saver. Soft drinks and juices can add up incredibly fast on a family holiday, so getting those covered for the kids for free is a huge win.
Budget Conscious Cruisers
There is a unique peace of mind that comes with knowing your holiday bill is completely taken care of before you even step onboard. It completely removes the mental math of calculating your bar tab at the end of the night.
Who Should Skip the Packages?
Light Drinkers
If you only tend to have one or two alcoholic drinks a day, you simply will not recover the daily cost of the package. P&O's standalone bar prices are actually quite reasonable compared to other global cruise lines, closely matching typical UK pub prices.
Digital Detoxing Guests
If your idea of a holiday is putting your smartphone inside the cabin safe and leaving it on airplane mode for a week, a major portion of the package value is instantly lost.
Anyone Happy with the Basics
Do not forget that standard P&O Cruises fares already include tap water, fruit juices at breakfast, and standard tea and coffee in the buffet stations and main dining rooms. If you are content with those, paying for a package is unnecessary.
Tom and Dom Travel in Havana on P&O Ventura during Celebration night
Our Verdict: Is It Worth the Money?
P&O Cruises notes that these all-inclusive packages can save guests up to 32% on Classic and 34% on Deluxe compared to buying the individual elements separately onboard. For a lot of cruisers, that math absolutely checks out.
The key question is not just whether the package is good value on paper, but whether you will actually use everything that is bundled inside it.
If you love having a few drinks throughout the day, enjoy premium barista coffee, need reliable internet access, and want to treat yourself to a speciality restaurant, the Classic package pays for itself remarkably fast. For heavy internet users and premium spirit drinkers, the Deluxe package is well worth the extra £10 upgrade.
However, if you are a light drinker who likes to unplug from technology, sticking to a pay-as-you-go approach will keep more money in your pocket. As always, take a quick look at your own holiday style and do the math before booking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the all-inclusive packages once I am onboard?
No. P&O Cruises' All-Inclusive Classic and Deluxe packages are optional add-ons that must be purchased at the time of booking your cruise. They cannot be added to an existing booking later or purchased once you are onboard the ship.
Do both adults in a cabin have to buy the package?
Yes. To prevent sharing, P&O Cruises requires all adults sharing the same cabin to purchase the same all-inclusive package.
Is there a daily limit on the number of drinks you can order?
P&O Cruises operates a responsible service of alcohol policy. While there is no strict numeric daily limit like you find on some American cruise lines, the crew will monitor consumption to ensure guest safety, and the package is strictly for your personal consumption only.
What happens if I want a drink that exceeds the package price limit?
If you fancy a premium beverage or a bottle of wine that is not covered by your specific package, you do not have to pay full price. Both the Classic and Deluxe packages grant you a 20% discount on any drinks or bottles of wine that fall outside the standard package inclusions.
Author: Tom and Dom Travel
2 Jul 2026
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