Cruise Lines, P&O Cruises

Are P&O Cruises Drinks Packages Worth It?

Last Updated November 11, 2025 by emmaonline

Thinking about a P&O Cruises drinks package? Here’s what’s included, how much they cost and how to tell if it’s worth it for you.

Once you’ve booked your P&O cruise, one of the next decisions you’ll need to make is whether to buy a drinks package or not. P&O Cruises include a lot in their fares, from great food to top-class entertainment, but drinks aren’t included apart from tea, coffee and water in the buffet or The Quays.

If you enjoy a morning Costa coffee, a cocktail by the pool and a glass of wine with dinner, a drinks package might save you some money and make life easier. But if, like me, you’re happy with a few cups of tea from the buffet and the occasional drink in the evening, paying as you go will probably work out cheaper. You can see the full list of options and up-to-date prices on the P&O Cruises drinks package page.

So it’s worth taking a bit of time before you sail to work out what will suit you best. In this guide, I’ll explain what’s included in each of P&O’s drinks packages, how much they cost and share a few tips to help you decide if one’s right for you.

A glass of white wine on a marble table in a dimly lit P&O Cruises cocktail lounge (710 Club), with a modern sculptural candle and a purple-lit stage in the background.

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At a glance

Here’s a quick look at each of the P&O Cruises drink packages.

Packages	Price per day	Includes	Best for
Refresh	£16	Soft drinks, juices	Kids
Alcohol-Free	£29	Mocktails, 0% beers, Costa Coffee	Non drinkers & coffee lovers
Classic	£55 (£50 for 15+ nights)	Beer, wine, prosecco and cocktails	Most adults
Deluxe	£65 (£60 for 15+ nights)	Premium spirits, full Costa Coffee range	Those that like to indulge

Overview of P&O drinks packages

Most drinks aren’t included in your cruise fare, so P&O make things easier with four different drinks packages available on cruises of five nights or more.

The options are:

Refresh Drinks Package
Alcohol-Free Drinks Package
Classic Drinks Package
Deluxe Drinks Package

Choosing one of these can make your cruise feel almost all-inclusive. As long as you stick within the package limits, you won’t need to worry about surprise charges at the end of your trip.

You can buy a drinks package before your cruise or up until the end of day two once you’re on board.

Here’s what each package includes.

Refresh drinks package

Price: £16.00 per day

The Refresh Drinks Package is P&O’s soft drinks option and includes classic favourites like R. Whites Lemonade and Pepsi, along with orange, pineapple and apple juices.

It’s ideal if you just want something fizzy or fruity throughout the day without paying bar prices each time. Families with kids often find this one great value too, as it covers unlimited refills on tap.

If you’re mainly after soft drinks and juices rather than coffee or mocktails, this is the simplest and cheapest package to go for.

Alcohol-Free drinks package

Price: £29.00 per day

If you prefer to skip alcohol, P&O’s Alcohol-Free Drinks Package could be a good option. It includes everything from the Refresh package plus a wider selection of non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll get mocktails, 0% beers like Heineken 0%, small bottles of still or sparkling water, and selected Costa coffees, hot chocolate and teapigs teas.

I tried a few of the alcohol-free cocktails on Iona, and thought most were nicer than their alcoholic versions. It’s great if you still want to enjoy a drink with a bit of flair, or you like having premium coffees and soft drinks included throughout the day.

Classic drinks package

Price: £55 (5-14 nights) / £50 (15+ nights)

The Classic Drinks Package includes just about everything most people want while cruising. It covers beers, ciders, selected cocktails, prosecco (125ml), wines (175ml) and spirits (25ml). You’ll also get everything included in the Refresh and Alcohol-Free packages, so soft drinks, mocktails and Costa coffees are all covered too.

You’ll also get 20% off any drinks that fall outside the package.

If you’re travelling with children under 16, they’ll get a complimentary Refresh Drinks Package when you buy the Classic.

This tends to be the package that suits most adults who enjoy a few drinks each day, enough to feel all-inclusive without going overboard.

Read more: If you’re wondering where to make the most of your drinks package, Iona has 15 bars to choose from. You can find my full guide to Iona’s bars here.

Deluxe drinks package

Price: £65 (5-14 nights) / £60 (15+ nights)

The Deluxe Drinks Package includes everything from the Classic package, plus a wider range of premium drinks. You’ll find popular brands like Grey Goose Vodka, Tidal Rum and Salcombe Gin, along with craft beers, an extended cocktail list and larger servings of wine (250ml) and spirits (50ml).

It also includes the full range of Costa Coffee and teapigs teas, soft drinks and fruit coolers. So whether it’s a morning flat white or an evening Aperol Spritz, you’re covered.

You’ll also get 20% off any drinks not included in the package.

If you don’t want to think twice about what’s covered or you enjoy trying premium spirits and cocktails, this is the most all-inclusive option P&O offer.

As with the Classic package, children under 16 receive a complimentary Refresh Drinks Package, and anyone aged 17 or over will need to buy either a Refresh or Alcohol-Free package if you choose this one.

What drinks are free on P&O Cruises?

When you’re deciding whether a drinks package is worth it, remember that some drinks are already included in your fare.

You’ll find water, tea and coffee available in the Horizon Restaurant (the buffet) across all P&O ships. On Iona and Arvia, you can also pick these up from The Quays, and fruit juices are included at breakfast. Both ships also have water refill points, so if you bring a refillable bottle you can top up whenever you like. I used this a lot on both my Iona cruises.

The free options might be limited, but they can make a difference when you’re adding up how much you’ll actually drink each day. For example, I drink a lot of tea but I’m happy to grab one from the buffet or The Quays. So even though Costa Coffee and teapigs tea are included in the drinks packages, it still wouldn’t be good value for me to buy one.

Advantages of purchasing a drinks package

If you like to have a few drinks on holiday or just don’t want the hassle of keeping track of what you’re spending, a drinks package can make life onboard a lot easier. Ordering is simple, Just ask for your drink and swipe your cruise card.

As long as you stay within the package limits, there is nothing extra to pay, so you know exactly where you stand.

It can also be a good way to try drinks you might not usually go for, without worrying about wasting money if you do not like them.

Disadvantages of purchasing a drinks package

While a drinks package can make life easier on board, there are a few downsides worth keeping in mind.

Each adult in the same cabin has to buy the same package, so you cannot mix and match or share between you. Not all drinks are included either, so it is worth checking what is covered before you buy.

You can only order one drink at a time and need to wait at least 15 minutes before ordering another. There is also a limit of 15 drinks per person in a 24-hour period, starting from 6am each day. Some people find that limit makes them feel like they need to “get their money’s worth,” but it is still best to pace yourself and drink sensibly.

Drinks from the onboard shops, room service, cabin minibars and vending machines are not included in any of the packages.

Are P&O drinks packages worth it?

Whether a drinks package is worth it really depends on your own habits. What feels like good value for one person might not be for another.

Paying for a package upfront can help you keep track of costs, especially if you like knowing everything is already covered. As long as you stick to the drinks within the package, you will not have any surprise charges at the end of your cruise.

If you prefer the occasional drink or like options that are not included in the package, you might find it cheaper to just pay as you go. That extra money could easily go towards an excursion, a speciality meal or even saving for your next cruise!

What to consider before buying a drinks package

Before you decide whether to buy a drinks package, it is worth asking yourself a few questions.

How many drinks do you think you will have each day? Will it really be close to 15, or just a few?
Are you likely to have any alcohol-free days during your cruise?
Would it work out cheaper to pay as you go instead?
How many port days do you have, and will you be off the ship for most of them?
Is everyone in your cabin happy to have the same package?
Are you travelling with children who could use the complimentary Refresh package?

You can also take up to a litre of spirits and unlimited soft drinks on board to enjoy in your cabin. If you like a pre-dinner drink on your balcony, you do not need to use your package or carry a drink back from the bar.

There are water stations on some of P&O’s ships too, so you can easily refill a water bottle. And if you are a big tea drinker (like me) or enjoy a coffee now and then, you can pick these up for free from The Horizon Restaurant or The Quays.

Because drinks packages can be bought up until the end of day two of your cruise, it can help to wait and see how you get on before deciding. If you find yourself ordering more than expected, you can still add a package and only pay for the remaining days.

The Last Word

Drinks packages can make life easier if you enjoy a few drinks each day, but for lighter drinkers they often cost more than they save. It really comes down to finding what works best for you.

On my last cruise, my drinks bill came to just under three days’ worth of the package. That included a couple of cocktails, a few glasses of prosecco and some teapigs tea from Vistas.

I had a few alcohol-free days, which helped keep the total down, but I didn’t restrict myself. I ordered what I fancied when I fancied it and still spent less than if I had bought a package.

For most people, the drinks packages are probably not the best value for money. However, if you know you will have more than a dozen drinks a day, whether that is cocktails, soft drinks or coffees, or you like the idea of having everything covered upfront, then one of the packages might be worth considering.