P&O Cruises drinks package prices (Is it cheaper to pre-book?)

A drinks package can either be the best value add-on you buy or money quietly poured down the drain. With P&O Cruises, the answer comes down to one thing: how much you actually drink. Here is what the packages cost, what they include, and the simple sum that settles the debate.

The packages at a glance

P&O offers a few tiers, and the names change occasionally, but they broadly fall into three groups:

• Soft drinks / refreshment package - unlimited soft drinks, mocktails and speciality coffees. Great for families and non-drinkers.
• Classic drinks package - covers most beers, wines by the glass, spirits and soft drinks up to a per-drink price cap.
• Premium drinks package - the same as classic but with a higher price cap, opening up premium spirits, cocktails and better wines.

Each package is charged per person, per day, and must usually be bought by every adult in the cabin. You cannot have one person on a package while their cabin-mate pays as they go.

Roughly what it costs

Prices shift by season and itinerary, but as a guide you are looking at:

• Refreshment package: around £10-£15 per person, per day
• Classic drinks package: around £40-£50 per person, per day
• Premium drinks package: around £55-£65 per person, per day

On a 7-night cruise, a classic package for two can therefore add £560-£700 to your bill. That is a serious number, so the maths matters.

Is it cheaper to pre-book?

Generally, yes - P&O often discounts packages bought before you sail compared with buying on board. Pre-booking also locks in the price and spreads the cost before the holiday, which many people prefer. If you know you want a package, buying in advance is almost always the smarter move.

The break-even maths

Here is the only calculation you need. Take the daily package price and divide by a typical drink price (a beer or glass of wine is roughly £6-£8 on board):

Classic package at £45 per day ÷ £7 per drink = about 6-7 drinks a day to break even.

So ask yourself honestly: across a sea day and an evening, will you reliably have six or more drinks? If you start with a morning coffee, enjoy a couple of glasses of wine with lunch, a cocktail by the pool and wine with dinner, you will clear that bar easily and the package wins. If you are more of a two-drinks-with-dinner couple, pay as you go.

Hidden value people forget

The package is not just alcohol. Speciality coffees, bottled water, fresh juices and mocktails all count, and those add up faster than you think. A family on the refreshment package who drink several coffees and soft drinks a day often save without touching a drop of alcohol.

Our honest recommendation

• Light drinkers: skip the alcohol package, maybe take the refreshment one.
• Steady social drinkers: the classic package usually pays for itself, especially pre-booked.
• Cocktail and premium wine fans: the premium package is the only one that avoids the price cap topping up your bill.

Do the break-even sum against your real habits, pre-book if it stacks up, and you will never wonder whether you overpaid.

Want a cruise where the package maths works in your favour? Take our quiz and we will find your ideal sailing.