Definitive Guide to Drinks Packages on P&O Cruises 2025/2026

The Latest Guide to Drinks Packages on P&O Cruises 2025/2026

Updated September 2025

P&O Cruises Drinks Packages – Everything You Need to Know

P&O Cruises drinks packages explained – rules, prices, limits, how to buy, and whether they’re worth it. Find the best option for your next cruise.

Compare all P&O Cruises drinks packages – Refresh, Alcohol-Free, Classic and Deluxe. See inclusions, exclusions, real drink costs and try our Drinks Calculator to decide if a package is worth it.

A Guide to P&O Cruises Drinks Packages

Whether you’re a social drinker, enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, prefer soft drinks, or can’t start the day without that extra-special coffee, there’s a P&O Cruises drinks package to suit your style. These packages are designed to help you save money onboard while enjoying your favourite tipples stress-free.

💷 Not sure if a drinks package is worth it?
Try our P&O Cruises Drinks Package Calculator to compare costs and see what suits your sailing.

P&O Cruises Drinks Package Options (2025/2026)

Cocktail by the pool anyone?

P&O Cruises currently offers four drinks packages: a Refresh package, Alcohol-Free package, Classic package and Deluxe package. Each option caters to different tastes and budgets, so whether you want unlimited soft drinks, barista coffee, cocktails, or premium wines and spirits, you’ll find a package that works for you.

All drinks packages are available on cruises of five nights or more, and can be used in every bar, café and restaurant onboard. This makes them a flexible and convenient way to enjoy your holiday exactly as you like it – without worrying about the bill at the end.

1️⃣ Refresh Package (£14.45 pp/pd)

• Unlimited draught Pepsi, R. Whites Lemonade, juices, squash

• Included free for under-16s if adults in the same cabin purchase Classic or Deluxe

2️⃣ Alcohol-Free Package (£26.95 pp/pd)

• Includes everything in Refresh

• Plus: alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, mocktails

• Small Costa Coffees, teapigs™ teas, hot chocolate

3️⃣ Classic Package (£48.85 pp/pd)

• Includes everything in Alcohol-Free

• 25ml spirits, 175ml wines, 125ml prosecco

• Wide choice of beers, ciders, cocktails

• P&O’s own Golden Tide Rum and Marabelle Gin

• Costa Coffee favourites (small size)

4️⃣ Deluxe Package (£60.50 pp/pd)

• Everything in Classic

• Premium spirits (50ml), full Costa Coffee menu

• Wines by the glass up to 250ml

• Expanded cocktail and liqueur list

P&O Cruises Drinks Package Rules & Restrictions

Before deciding if a P&O Cruises drinks package is right for you, it’s worth knowing the key rules and restrictions:

P&O Cruises Drinks Packages Rules Infographic 2025-2026

• Available only on cruises of 5 nights or more

• All adults in the same cabin must choose the same package

• Daily cap of 15 alcoholic drinks (between 6am–6am) – unlimited soft drinks are included

• One drink every 15 minutes to prevent misuse

• Purchase window: Pre-cruise (up to 3 days before sailing) for 10% off, or onboard by the end of Day 2

• Excluded items: Mini-bar, room service, shop or vending machine drinks, large bottles of water, and some specialty beverages

Do You Have to Buy a Drinks Package on P&O Cruises?

Absolutely not! Drinks packages are optional extras. You can simply order drinks individually at any bar, restaurant or café, with the cost added to your onboard account. For light drinkers, this can sometimes be better value than a package. Below is an example of an example daily spend on drinks without a drinks package.

Cost vs Package: Is It Worth It?

Example Average Daily Spend on Drinks on P&O Cruises (Prices Correct Sept 2025)

👉 Classic Package (£48.85) only makes sense if you’ll drink an extra cocktail or wine each day.

👉 Deluxe Package (£60.50) is best if you want premium spirits, more wine, and full Costa access.

👉 Light drinkers will almost always save more by paying per drink.

Check your own choices on my P&O Cruises sample bar menu.

Use our Drinks Package Calculator to see how your daily favourites stack up against the cost of each package, and see if the P&O package is worth it for you.

Which Drinks Package is Worth It on P&O Cruises?

If you must have that caffeine fix, choose the right package.

Whether a drinks package is worth it depends on your drinking habits. If you enjoy several coffees, soft drinks, or alcoholic beverages each day, the packages usually work out cheaper than paying as you go. Families with children benefit most, as the Refresh package is included for under-16s when adults purchase Classic or Deluxe. However, if you only drink occasionally or prefer bringing a small allowance of wine on board, you may find it better value to pay individually.

Lowdown: If you’re likely to order more than a few drinks a day, a package can save money and hassle. If not, paying as you go may be the smarter choice. Either way, you won’t go thirsty on a P&O Cruise!

Who Needs a Drinks Package?

A common question is: Can just one person in a cabin buy a drinks package, or can we share?

The rules are clear:

• All adults in the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package

• Children under 18 receive the Refresh package free of charge if the adults in their cabin purchase the Classic or Deluxe package

Is Tax Added to P&O Cruises Drinks Packages or Drinks?

Good news: the price you see is the price you pay. All drinks and drinks packages onboard P&O Cruises include taxes and gratuities. There are no hidden extras added at checkout.

How to Purchase a P&O Cruises Drinks Package (Pre-Cruise & Onboard)

Before You Sail

Log in to My P&O Cruises with your booking number and select your chosen drinks package. If you qualify for a loyalty discount, it will be applied automatically. Booking in advance also gives you 10% off the onboard price.

Onboard

You can purchase your package from any bar within the first two days of your holiday. Onboard spending money (if you have it) can be used, and any applicable loyalty benefits will be applied.

Activating Your Drinks Package

Once purchased, your cruise card will be stamped to show you have a drinks package. Waiters and bar staff will recognise this immediately, and your package will be activated straight away.Do You Have to Buy a Drinks Package on P&O Cruises?

Can you share a drinks package?

Sharing is caring - but not with a drinks package.

P&O Cruises clearly state that all adults in the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package - you cannot share or buy drinks for others. If the case of the Refresh Package, all children sharing a cabin must each have the drinks package individually.

Are bottles of wine included in any P&O Cruises Drinks Packages?

Whilst wines by the glass are included on both Classic and Deluxe drinks packages, neither package includes wines by the bottle. There is however two separate Wine Packages.

Can I buy bottles of wine on board P&O Cruise?

Bottles of wine are available to purchase onboard, but not included in the drinks packages. If you want to buy a bottle of wine at dinner, or in bars, the cost will be added to your cruise card. Alternatively, you can purchase a separate wine package.

P&O Cruises Drinks Packages Explained

Compare P&O Cruises Drinks Packages 2025/2026 – Refresh, Alcohol-Free, Classic & Deluxe. Prices, inclusions, exclusions & best value tips.

Comparison Table for P&O Cruises Drinks Packages including cost and inclusions

What’s Included in a P&O Cruises Package?

What’s included in the Refresh Package (£14.45 pp/day) +

Perfect for: Guests who prefer soft drinks or travel with children.

• Classic fizzy drinks including Pepsi and R. Whites Lemonade
• Choice of orange, pineapple and apple juices
• Unlimited draught soft drinks in bars and restaurants

Excludes: Bottled water, canned drinks, smoothies, room service and minibar items.

What’s included in the Alcohol-Free Package (£26.95 pp/day) +

Perfect for: Guests who enjoy mocktails, coffee and soft drinks without alcohol.

• Everything in the Refresh Package
• Unlimited draught soft drinks and an extended range of juices
• Non-alcoholic beers, ciders, cocktails, wines and spirits
• Heineken 0%, small bottles of still or sparkling water (500ml)
• Small Costa Coffees, teapigs™ teas and hot chocolate

Excludes: Premium bottled water, smoothies, room service and minibar drinks.

What’s included in the Classic Package (£48.85 pp/day) +

Perfect for: Guests who enjoy wines, beers, spirits and cocktails.

• Everything from the Refresh and Alcohol-Free Packages
• Beers and ciders
• Selected cocktails and Prosecco (125ml)
• Selected 175ml wines and 25ml spirits
• 20% discount on drinks excluded from this package
• Complimentary Refresh Package for children aged 16 and under

What’s included in the Deluxe Package (£60.50 pp/day) +

Perfect for: Guests who want the most premium drinks experience onboard.

• Everything from the Classic Package
• Beers, ciders and craft beers
• Extended cocktail list and Perfect Serves
• Prosecco (125ml) and 250ml wines
• 50ml spirits and a wider soft drink selection
• Full Costa Coffee range and teapigs™ teas
• 20% discount on excluded drinks
• Complimentary Refresh Package for children aged 16 and under

What’s excluded from a P&O Cruise Drinks Package?

Exclusions are shown for each individual package below.

🚫 Refresh Package Exclusions +

• Bottled water and canned soft drinks
• Premium juices or smoothies
• Hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate)
• Mini-bar, self-service or vending machine drinks
• Room service beverages

🚫 Alcohol-Free Package Exclusions +

• Large bottled water (750ml / 1.5L)
• Medium or large Costa Coffees or hot chocolates
• Premium bottled or canned juices and smoothies
• Mini-bar, vending machine or room service drinks
• All alcoholic beverages

🚫 Classic Package Exclusions +

• Full range of Costa Coffee (small & medium) and teapigs™ teas
• Extended range of cocktails
• Extended range of 50ml spirits
• Extended range of 250ml wines
• Craft beers and Perfect Serves

🚫 Deluxe Package Exclusions +

• Champagne and fine wines
• Signature or premium spirits
• Freakshakes and speciality drinks
• Large bottled water

🚫 What’s Excluded from All Drinks Packages

All Drinks Packages exclude the following:

• All signature whiskies, cognacs and rums
• Bottles of wine, Champagne or spirits
• Selected glasses of fine wine
• Large bottled water
• Freakshakes
• Seven Wonders or Seven Treasures cocktails in Amber and Emerald Bar
• Exclusive cocktails in Anderson’s Bar
• Drinks sold in onboard shops
• Wine, beer and spirit flights or buckets of beer
• Drinks from self-service or vending machines
• Room service orders
• In-cabin water and mini-bar items
• The Retreat menu items
• For guests under 18: non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits and Red Bull are not available
• Use at special events such as P&O Cruises cocktail parties, weddings or other private functions

Additional Information:
Drinks Packages can’t be combined with onboard promotions, multi-buy offers or used toward speciality dining charges. They aren’t valid for experiences such as Wine Tastings, Cocktail Masterclasses or Spirit Workshops. The Classic Drinks Package also excludes 50ml spirits, 250ml wines and medium-sized Costa Coffee drinks. On UK sailings, customs regulations mean that only non-alcoholic beverages are served once the ship re-enters British waters before disembarkation.

Check out full Drinks Packages Terms & Conditions here.

The Lowdown

Choosing the right P&O Cruises drinks package really comes down to how you like to holiday. If you or your family mainly stick to soft drinks, the Refresh or Alcohol-Free Package will easily cover your needs. For those who enjoy a glass of wine at dinner, a G&T by the pool or a couple of cocktails in the evening, the Classic Package is often the best-value option. If you like premium spirits, larger pours and a wider choice of wines and cocktails, then the Deluxe Package means almost everything on the menu is included.

Remember:

• Refresh → Perfect for kids & soft drink lovers

• Alcohol-Free → Best for non-drinkers who still want coffee/mocktails

• Classic → Most popular, balances value with variety

• Deluxe → Premium choice for wine, cocktails & Costa Coffee fans

• Packages are available on cruises of five nights or more

• All adults in a cabin must purchase the same package

• Buying in advance saves you 10%

👉 Bottom line: Calculate your daily spend using output P&O Drinks Package Calculator. If you’ll hit £40–50 in drinks, Classic or Deluxe is a good buy. Otherwise, pay as you go and save.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your drinking habits, your budget, and the kind of holiday experience you’re looking for. With options for every style of traveller, there’s a package to make your P&O Cruise even more enjoyable.

So, is a drinks package worth it on a P&O Cruise? Only you can decide based on how much you usually drink, but the good news is that you now have all the details to make an informed choice. Cheers! Mine’s a Cosmopolitan – what’s yours?

🍹⚓

See also: Can you take your own on P&O Cruises?