A complete guide to Cunard’s drink packages, including what’s included, how much they cost, and tips to help you decide if one’s right for you.
Once you’ve booked your Cunard cruise, one of the next questions is whether to buy a drinks package or not. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this one. Everyone’s habits and budgets are different, so what works for one person might not work for another.
Personally, I don’t usually buy one. I tend to find I don’t drink enough to make it worthwhile, and I’d probably end up spending more with a package than if I just bought my drinks as I went along.
That said, lots of people love the convenience of pre-paying for their drinks so they don’t have to think about it once they’re onboard. If that sounds more like you, then a package might make sense.
The good news is that Cunard caters for both types of cruiser. You can simply pay as you go and charge drinks to your onboard account, or you can pick from one of several packages that bundle things together.
Cunard drink packages – At a glance
If you don’t have time to read the whole post, here’s a quick rundown of what each package includes and how much it costs.
- Premium Beverage Collection – Drinks up to $20, includes alcohol, speciality coffees and soft drinks. From $108 per person per night ($120 onboard).
- Beverage Collection – Drinks up to $13.50, includes alcohol and soft drinks. From $94.50 per person per night ($105 onboard).
- Premium Alcohol-Free Collection – Alcohol-free cocktails, juices, smoothies and hot drinks up to $12. From $45 per person per night ($50 onboard).
- Alcohol-Free Collection – Soft drinks, fountain soda and hot drinks up to $4.50. From $18 per person per night ($20 onboard).
- Wine Collections – Choose 6 or 12 bottles, from $310 to $750 depending on the collection.
Why you might buy a drinks package
There are plenty of reasons why a drinks package can be a good idea. From convenience to value for money, these are some of the main benefits.
Convenience
The big advantage of having a drinks package is that it makes things easy. You don’t have to keep track of what you’re spending or do quick mental maths every time you order a drink. You just hand over your cruise card, and that’s it.
I’ve had a drinks package included in my fare a couple of times, and even though I don’t usually buy them, I did find it made life simpler onboard.
Variety
Most drink packages cover a wide range of options so you can mix it up from day to day. It’s also a good way to try new drinks without worrying about wasting money if you don’t like something.
Value for money
Depending on what and how much you drink, a package can work out cheaper than buying everything individually. When you think about all the teas, coffees, juices, and drinks you might have in a day, it can add up quickly.
Peace of mind
Having your drinks already covered means you can just enjoy your cruise and not worry about a big bar bill at the end.
Why you might skip it
Drinks packages aren’t for everyone. Depending on your habits and plans, you might find it makes more sense to pay as you go.
Cost
If you’re not a big drinker, the cost of the package might outweigh what you’d actually spend buying drinks as you go. It can be better to put that money toward something else, like a shore excursion or a special dinner.
Port days
If your cruise has lots of port stops, you’ll be off the ship for much of the day. On those days, you won’t get the full value out of your package.
Overdoing it
When you’ve paid for a package, it’s easy to feel like you need to make the most of it. That can mean drinking more than you normally would just to feel like you’ve got your money’s worth.
Cabin rules
If you’re sharing a cabin, everyone usually has to buy the same package. That can be an issue if one of you drinks and the other doesn’t.
Not everything is included
Some premium drinks, cocktails, or wines might not be fully covered by the package. If you prefer higher-end options, you could still end up paying extra.
What drinks are free on a Cunard cruise?
Before you spend extra on a package, it helps to know what’s already included in your fare. You might find you already have everything you need.
Tea, coffee, water, and juices are available in the buffet. On Queen Mary 2, that’s in Kings Court, and on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, it’s in the Lido Restaurant.
In the main dining room, you’ll get water during meals and coffee afterwards. I’ve often found that’s enough when I’m dining there. But if you like a glass of wine with dinner, that’s worth factoring in when you’re working out whether a drinks package will be cost-effective.
Cunard drink packages overview
Now that you know what’s already included in your fare, let’s take a closer look at the different drinks packages Cunard offers and what each one includes.
Premium Beverage Collection
The Premium Beverage Collection is Cunard’s most comprehensive drinks package. If you’d rather just enjoy your cruise without worrying about the cost of each drink — or watching your bar bill add up — this could be the one for you.
It covers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, including:
- Champagne and fine wines
- Spirits and liqueurs
- Craft cocktails and beers
- Speciality coffees, teas, and soft drinks
If your drink costs more than $20, you’ll just pay the difference.
You’ll also get 25% off bottled wines and Wine and Bar Academy activities, plus all the perks of the Premium Alcohol-Free Collection. That means unlimited soft drinks, speciality coffees, and even gelato (on Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth) are all included.
Pricing
All prices are per person per night.
| Nights | Booked pre-cruise | Booked Onboard |
| 1-6 nights | $108.00 | $120.00 |
| 7-14 nights | $90.00 | $100.00 |
| 15-74 nights | $76.50 | $85.00 |
| 75+ nights | $63.00 | $70.00 |
Beverage Collection
The Beverage Collection is Cunard’s everyday drinks package and a great middle-ground if you like to enjoy a few drinks without going all out on the premium option. It covers a wide range of alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks priced up to $13.50, and if you fancy something that costs a little more, you’ll just pay the difference.
You’ll also get 15% off bottled wines and Wine and Bar Academy activities, along with all the benefits of the Premium Alcohol-Free Collection, so your favourite soft drinks, speciality coffees, and even gelato (on Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth) are still included.
Pricing
All prices are per person per night.
| Nights | Booked pre-cruise | Booked onboard |
| 1-6 nights | $94.50 | $105.00 |
| 7-14 nights | $76.50 | $85.00 |
| 14 – 74 nights | $63.00 | $70.00 |
| 75+ nights | $49.50 | $55.00 |
Premium Alcohol-Free Collection
If you don’t drink alcohol, the Premium Alcohol-Free Collection is a great option to look at. It includes a huge variety of refreshing choices, from hand-crafted alcohol-free cocktails to soft drinks, bottled mineral water, freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, milkshakes, and speciality hot drinks, each priced up to $12.
Pricing
All prices are per person per night.
| Nights | Booked pre-cruise | Booked onboard |
| 1-6 nights | $45.00 | $50.00 |
| 7-14 nights | $40.50 | $45.00 |
| 14 – 74 nights | $36.00 | $40.00 |
| 75+ nights | $31.50 | $35.00 |
Alcohol-Free Collection
If you prefer to skip the alcohol but still want something refreshing throughout the day, the Alcohol-Free Collection is a good option. It includes unlimited fountain soda along with a selection of soft drinks, juices, and hot drinks priced up to $4.50 per serving.
You can enjoy up to 15 alcohol-free drinks or gelato servings every 24 hours, plus plus unlimited fountain soda throughout your cruise.
Pricing
All prices are per person per night.
| Nights | Booked pre-cruise | Booked onboard |
| 1-6 nights | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| 7-14 nights | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| 14 – 74 nights | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| 75+ nights | $18.00 | $20.00 |
Wine Collections
If you are a wine connoisseur, or just like a nice bottle of wine with dinner, then this may be the drinks package for you. Cunard’s sommeliers have handpicked wines from around the world to create two collections.
Captain Collection
This collection includes seven red wines, six white wines and a rose. 6 bottles will cost you $310 while 12 bottles is $550. You also save up to 20% off the regular wine list.
Commodore Collection
This collection includes wines that are the critic’s favourites. 6 bottles will cost you $445 while 12 bottles is $750. You also save up to 25% off the regular wine list.
If you can’t decide between the packages or would like a mix of both, you can create your own collection.
Note, the Wine Collection is not available to book on Queen Elizabeth currently.
Things to know about Cunard drink packages
Before you decide which drinks package to go for, it’s worth knowing a few of the rules and restrictions that come with them. Cunard’s packages are designed to make things easy once you’re onboard, but there are a few important details to keep in mind.
- Buying one of these packages covers your drinks and service charge for those drinks
- You can purchase a package before you travel or once on the ship. However they are usually slightly discounted if you buy in advance
- If you are sharing a cabin, every guest must purchase the same package
- You are not allowed to share drink packages. So no buying rounds for your friendsfdi
- Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period which runs between 6.00 am – 6.00 pm
- Wine is served in 175ml measures while spirits are served in 25ml measures with a mixer. Premium mixers are available on request
- Drink packages aren’t refundable once bought onboard, so make sure it’s the right choice for you before you commit
How to buy a Cunard drink package
You can buy your drinks package before you sail or once you’re onboard. Here’s how each option works and which might be better for you.
If you know you want to buy a drink package you can purchase it before you cruise. The advantage of this is that you’ll save a small amount on the cost of the package. To do this, you just log into My Cunard and purchase which package you want.
Buying onboard
If you are unsure and want to decide at the last minute, you can purchase once on the ship. However, you can only do this on the first two days of your cruise and it will cost you slightly more than buying in advance.
That said, the advantage of doing it this way is that you can see how it goes on your first day and get a feel for how many drinks you may get through on your cruise. If you think you’ll get good value out of the drinks package, you still have the option to buy.
The last word
Buying a drinks package on a Cunard cruise really depends on how much you think you’ll drink. There’s no right or wrong answer, but hopefully this guide has made it easier to work out what’s best for you.
Whether you’re a coffee lover, a cocktail fan, or somewhere in between, Cunard’s range of packages means there’s something to suit everyone
You may also like…
- Cunard Cruise Review: Queen Mary 2
- Queen Mary 2 – Sheltered Balcony Cabin Review
- What to wear on your Cunard Cruise
Previously on a cruise if I purchased a bottle of wine one night at dinner and didn’t finish it, they would save it for me to finish the following night. Is this an option on Cunard?
Hi Jennie. I don’t drink wine so haven’t tried this but I believe they do offer that option. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
What is the best drinks package and how much is it in English money
Hi Chris, I think the best package is the one closest aligned to what you think you might drink onboard. It’s a bit hard to recommend one as most people have different views as per their own circumstances. Maybe jot down what you think you might drink in a day and then compare to the different packages. For me personally, the packages would generally cost me more than paying individually. However, for others they can work out good value for money. Emma