One of many sensible issues about cruising is that you recognize you’ll by no means go hungry. Nevertheless, one factor I at all times marvel earlier than becoming a member of a cruise is whether or not to purchase the all inclusive drinks package deal – will it’s value it? Forward of our Caribbean cruise we have been severely tempted by the P&O drinks package deal.
However did we go for it? On this publish, I check out whether or not the P&O drinks package deal is value it and offer you some options you would possibly like to think about.
2024 replace: the worth of drinks on P&O cruises and the P&O drinks package deal included on this publish have been correct after we sailed. I’ve up to date this publish with details about P&O’s revamped drinks packages to make it related for 2024.
Up to date P&O drinks packages
In 2023 P&O scrapped the Final Drinks Package deal and gave their drinks packages a revamp, introducing 4 new choices for passengers onboard for 5 nights or extra:
- The Refresh drink package deal
- The Alcohol-free drink package deal
- The Traditional drink package deal
- The Deluxe drink package deal
However what’s included in every?
The Refresh Drink Package deal – beforehand identified on the P&O Youngsters’s drink package deal
This very fundamental packages is greatest suited to youngsters and adults who can’t be with out a few fundamental mushy drinks. It consists of common and huge mushy drinks (Pepsi, Papsi Max and Lemonade) on faucet and small glasses of juice or squash all through your cruise.
The Refresh drink package deal prices £10.95 per particular person, per day.
If you’re crusing with youngsters aged 16 or underneath and purchase both the Traditional of Deluxe drink packages (see under) your youngsters will get the Refresh Drink Package deal at no cost.
The Alcohol-Free Drink Package deal
This package deal is greatest fitted to adults who need free flowing non-alcoholic drinks. It consists of the identical mushy drinks and juices because the Refresh drink package deal, plus:
- 300ml bottles of water
- Mixers
- Bottled juices and soda together with sugar-free
- Non-alcoholic drinks (over 18s solely)
- Chosen Costa Espresso (small) and teapigs
- Non-alcoholic cocktails (over 18s solely)
This Alcohol-Free Drink Package deal prices £24.99 per particular person, per day
The Traditional Drink Package deal
This packages works greatest if you wish to add alcohol to your drinks package deal. It consists of the whole lot within the Alcohol-free package deal plus:
- Chosen cocktails like Piña Colada and Mai Tai
- Chosen 25ml measures of spirits like Marabelle Gin, Golden Tide Rum, Smirnoff Vodka, Bell’s Whisky
- Beers and ciders like Birra Moretti, Heineken, John Smith’s
- Chosen 175ml glasses of wine like Pinot Grigio, Rioja, Malbec
- Fortified and dessert wine like Graham’s Port
- 125ml glasses of Prosecco
If you wish to high up your spherical with premium drinks you will get 20% off on merchandise excluded from this drinks package deal like bottles Champagne, massive bottles of water, craft beers, the total vary of Costa Espresso and premium wines, cocktails and spirits.
The Traditional Drink Package deal prices £44.95 per particular person, per day.
Save extra: get 10% off the Traditional Drinks Package deal when bought on the time of reserving an Early Saver and Choose Worth vacation of 5 nights or extra crusing from March 2024.
The Deluxe Drink Package deal
P&O’s high tipples drink package deal is for passengers who get pleasure from premium drinks. It consists of the whole lot within the Traditional Drink Package deal plus:
- The complete vary of Costa Espresso drinks together with Frappés and Fruit Coolers
- Premium cocktails like Aperol Spritz and the Sundown Cooler
- 50ml spirits like Gray Goose, Salcombe Gin, The Tidal Rum and Johnnie Walker
- Craft beers like St Austell Brewery Tribute and Okell’s IPA
- 250ml glasses of wine like Côtes de Provence Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot
- Good serve vary of spirits like Gray Goose Vodka, Salcombe ‘Begin Level’ and The Tidal Rum
If you wish to high up your spherical with premium drinks you will get 20% off on merchandise excluded from this drinks package deal like bottles of wine and Champagne, massive bottles of water and signature spirits.
The Deluxe Drinks Package deal prices £54.95 per particular person, per day.
How a lot is the P&O drink package deal?
I’ve included all the costs above however in abstract:
- The Refresh drink package deal – £10.95 per particular person, per day
- The Alcohol-free drink package deal – £24.99 per particular person, per day
- The Traditional drink package deal – £44.95 per particular person, per day
- The Deluxe drink package deal – £54.95 per particular person, per day
To double examine, yow will discover the most recent drinks package deal costs right here.
My evaluation about whether or not the P&O drinks package deal is worth for cash is unlikely to alter considerably 12 months to 12 months.
Is the P&O drinks package deal value it?
To chop to the chase, the P&O drinks package deal, and certainly any cruise drinks package deal, is simply value it if you’ll get worth from it.
You want to ask your self:
- What number of drinks will you’ve every day?
- Will you get worth from a P&O drinks package deal in case you have extra days ashore than at sea?
- How a lot do drinks value on P&O cruise ships and would shopping for individually work out higher?
It’s additionally value noting that P&O don’t cost gratuities or a service cost on high of the worth of your drinks, so there’s no additional value to paying as you go.
Right here’s what we determined
On our 15 night time Caribbean cruise on P&O Azura we determined to not get the drinks package deal. Let me clarify why…
Don’t get me incorrect. We get pleasure from a drink and may simply sink a bottle of wine with dinner and some bevies afterwards. We additionally like a drink by the pool through the day.
Add to {that a} very competitively priced P&O drink package deal (it was £39.95 per grownup in a cabin on the time we sailed) and it would appear to be a no brainer.
Caffeine followers may also have as many primo speciality coffees as they need from Costa Espresso onboard. Add to that bottles of water in your cabin.
Pub costs
Nevertheless, after we sailed in December 2019 we discovered the drink costs on P&O have been no dearer than what you’ll discover in a fairly priced pub within the UK.
So except you might spend £44 down your native all day, on a regular basis (or practically £90 for a pair) then you definitely’re going to be falling in need of getting good worth from the highest drinks package deal.
After we did the maths and factored in days ashore and days after we needed to present our livers a break, the P&O drinks package deal wasn’t value it for us.
What about with youngsters?
Had we been cruising with our two youngsters we’d have thought once more.
It’s because should you purchase the P&O Traditional or Deluxe Drinks Package deal for the adults in your cabin the children mechanically get the P&O Refresh drinks package deal included. That is value £10.95 per baby, per day.
In case your youngsters can get via quite a lot of mushy drinks, juices and fruit cordials every day then that’s value fairly a bit to you.
So, as I’ve already talked about, the P&O drinks package deal could also be worth for cash for some folks.
If you’re travelling with youngsters (the extra you’ve the higher worth it turns into) or intend to completely chill out and spend your days by the pool, then who wouldn’t need a piña colada by their facet all through the day?
Plus, the package deal consists of gratuities and is rather a lot cheaper than the packages I’ve seen marketed by different cruise strains.
Details in regards to the P&O Drinks Packages
As with all cruise drinks offers there are T&Cs. These might have an effect on the worth you get out of your P&O drinks package deal.
Right here’s a number of the vital questions answered:
When can you purchase the drinks package deal?
Your P&O drinks package deal will be purchased whenever you guide your cruise proper via to midnight on the second night time of your cruise. It’s not out there after day two and have to be purchased for on daily basis of your cruise from that time.
Is it cheaper to purchase a drinks package deal on board?
No, P&O don’t provide reductions for drinks packages purchased onboard.
You would possibly truly discover it cheaper to purchase prematurely relying on presents out there at time you guide.
What does the P&O Cruises drinks package deal embody?
Every of the 4 drinks packages have an in depth record of what’s included. See my clarification above or go to the P&O web site for the hottest info.
When you by the Traditional or Deluxe packages you get a 20% low cost off drinks that aren’t included.
Is there a restrict on the variety of drinks you’ll be able to have?
Sure. You possibly can ‘solely’ have as much as 15 drinks every day and there have to be quarter-hour between your orders.
Your day by day allowance resets at 6am every day.
You can not order doubles or bigger spirit measures, or glasses of wine bigger than your package deal permits.
Are you able to share your drinks with different folks?
No. You possibly can’t give drinks to different folks.
You possibly can solely order one drink at a time and in case you are seated the employees will take your glass away earlier than bringing you one other.
Does everybody in you cabin must have a drinks package deal?
Everybody aged 18 or over in your cabin will need to have the identical drinks package deal.
If you’re in the identical cabin as youngsters aged 16 and underneath they’ll obtain a complimentary Refresh Drinks Package deal the place all adults have bought a Traditional or Deluxe Drinks Package deal.
Any company aged 17 years should buy both a Refresh or Alcohol-Free Drinks Package deal when any adults in the identical cabin buy a Traditional or Deluxe Drinks Package deal.
Bear in mind that the Traditional and Deluxe Drinks Packages can solely be bought by company over the age of 18 on UK, European and Asian cruises, or these aged over 21 in case your cruise visits USA or UAE waters.
Does P&O provide a non-alcoholic drink package deal for adults?
Sure. The P&O non-alcoholic drinks package deal prices £24.95 and consists of bottled water (500ml solely), draught mushy drinks, juices, sodas, primo Costa coffees, chosen pigteas, and non-alcoholic cocktails.
Different non-alcoholic drinks, corresponding to canned drinks, will be purchased at a 20% low cost.
Is your cabin’s mini bar included within the package deal?
No. Mini bar and room service drinks usually are not included in any P&O drinks package deal.
Are you able to get a P&O drinks package deal on a mini-cruise?
No, sadly not.
This may be a kind of events when you might get worth for cash however drinks packages are solely out there on cruises of 5 nights or over.
Different P&O cruises drinks package deal choices
So, we didn’t go for the P&O Drinks Package deal.
However we did get different drinks packages whereas onboard and know we acquired worth for cash verses paying as we drank.
You have to to examine if these can be found in your cruise whenever you board as they can’t be purchased prematurely.
The P&O wine packages
Two wine packages have been out there on P&O Azura after we sailed. These got here in packages of six or 12 bottles.
Purchase certainly one of these and you may make a saving on buying a bottle every night time with dinner.
After we sailed, we purchased the Captain’s wine package deal of 12 bottles for £230, which labored out at £19.16 a bottle. It’s not grocery store costs but it surely’s nonetheless a saving to purchase in bulk.
There have been purple, white, rose and glowing wines (not champagne) included on the package deal wine record.
If you’re glad to pay a bit extra then there’s the Commodore’s wine package deal (£270 for 12 bottles on the time we sailed), however we loved each bottle within the Captain’s record.
You should purchase a wine package deal at any time throughout your cruise and get a booklet of vouchers to present at hand over in the primary restaurant.
Take excellent care of this little booklet as it’s paper and will simply get misplaced.
We had a panic one night time after we thought Mr Tin Field had put it via the wash in certainly one of his shirt pockets.
Draught beer package deal
On Azura, there was additionally a draught beer package deal that labored in the same technique to the wine packages.
They don’t seen to promote this off the ship however we noticed details about it onboard. We have been in a position to get a guide of 10 or 20 vouchers and saved 15% on shopping for pints individually.
You’ll have to examine if that is out there in your P&O ship.
You will discover out extra about most of P&O’s drink packages on their web site.
What in regards to the P&O Youngsters’s drink package deal?
That is now the Refresher Drinks Package deal and prices £10.95 per baby and consists of draught mushy drinks (Pepsi, Pepsi Max and Lemonade), chosen juices and fruit cordial by the glass.
Every baby in your cabin has to have the package deal and it could actually’t be shared.
The excellent news for any mums and dads who purchase the Traditional and Deluxe Drinks Package deal is that your youngsters get the Refresher Drinks Package deal at no cost.
That is useful for households with youngsters who eat a lot of mushy drinks every day and provides so much worth of the grownup drinks package deal.
Nevertheless, in case you are cruising with a child or younger youngsters you gained’t get the profit.
How a lot do P&O mini bar drinks value?
In your cabin you’ve a collection of mini bar drinks together with lager, gin in a tin and mushy drinks. You possibly can ask your steward to take these away to make room to your personal drinks.
The mini bar is barely costlier than the ship’s bars, however no extra so than a lodge mini bar.
You’ll additionally discover a big bottle of nonetheless water in your cabin quickly after boarding. That is complimentary and comes with a type hooked up to enroll to get six extra bottles for a set value.
The water in your cabin has a chemical style however is drinkable.
If the style will hassle you then get the water package deal or deliver some cordial. We at all times journey with a mini Robinson Sauash’d tremendous concentrated cordial bottle.
What drinks are included in your cruise?
You will get faucet water, tea and low within the buffets and in your cabin on P&O cruise ships.
Some juices are additionally out there within the buffets. So that you don’t want to purchase drinks in any respect in case you are proud of these fundamental drinks.
Prime tip: for a free glass of bubbly, ensure you attend the Captain’s drinks reception. Wine will also be on provide at purchasing and gallery occasions throughout your cruise.
Price of drinks on P&O Azura
When you’re questioning how a lot it prices to purchase drinks on a P&O cruise right here’s just a few of the drinks menus from onboard in December 2019 to January 2020.
Costs may have been up to date since then so take these as indicators of what you would possibly anticipate plus inflation.
Right here’s the menu from the Terrace Bar, Aqua Bar and The Retreat.
P&O lounge and bar drinks menu
Right here’s the menu for the Planet Bar, Mala Bar and Brodie’s Bar.
What number of bottles of alcohol are you able to deliver onboard P&O cruise ships?
Don’t overlook which you could deliver alcohol onboard whenever you embark your P&O cruise.
We every introduced a litre bottle of spirits that we’d purchased in obligation free on the airport on our technique to the Caribbean.
You may use your allowance to deliver a litre of wine, Champagne, or beer as an alternative. We opted to deliver our personal pre-dinner drinks.
When you purchase the rest in port throughout your cruise this shall be taken away whenever you board the ship.
It isn’t gone perpetually although. You might be given a ticket and can get your booze again on the finish of your cruise.
Pay attention to private allowances for spirits in case you are flying again to the UK.
So, is the P&O drinks package deal value it?
It wasn’t for us, however that doesn’t imply different folks wouldn’t get worth.
When you like a lot of alcoholic or premium drinks whereas on vacation then it’s value wanting into, particularly in case you have a lot of sea days.
It’s additionally one thing to think about should you don’t need to deliver your individual one litre bottle allowance onboard.
What do you consider cruise drink packages? Do you assume they provide worth for cash or do you favor to pay as you go?
Extra cruise studying
Right here’s some extra posts I’ve written about cruising:
Want extra assist planning your subsequent cruise?
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