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If you are considering a P&O Cruises holiday, understanding the drinks package allowance can help you decide whether it is worth adding one to your booking. One of the most common questions is how many drinks you are actually allowed to order each day.
The answer depends on the specific P and O drinks package you choose and the package rules that apply to your cruise. P&O Cruises offers different beverage options, and the terms can vary depending on the package and sailing.
For passengers considering a drinks package, it is important to understand the daily allowance, what counts toward it, which drinks are included, and what happens when you reach the limit.
P&O Cruises drinks packages have a daily drinks allowance, rather than allowing unlimited alcoholic drinks throughout the day.
For eligible packages with a daily alcoholic drinks limit, the allowance is generally 15 alcoholic drinks per person per day. The limit applies to alcoholic drinks covered by the package.
Once you reach the daily alcoholic-drink allowance, additional alcoholic drinks are not covered by the package for that day. You would normally need to pay separately if further alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.
The allowance is designed to provide a defined amount of drinks coverage rather than unlimited alcohol consumption.
Yes. The drinks allowance operates on a daily basis.
For example, if your package provides an allowance of 15 alcoholic drinks per day:
Day 1: Up to 15 eligible alcoholic drinks
Day 2: The allowance starts again
Day 3: The allowance starts again
Remaining cruise days: The same daily allowance applies
Unused drinks do not normally accumulate for use on another day. If you have five drinks on one day, you cannot generally carry the remaining allowance over to the next day.
The exact drinks included depend on the package you purchase. A package may cover selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages up to the applicable price limit.
Depending on the package, drinks can include options such as:
Beer
Wine
Spirits
Cocktails
Soft drinks
Bottled water
Selected hot drinks
Other beverages listed within the package terms
The important point is that not every drink on the ship is automatically included.
Premium brands, specialty beverages, or drinks above the package's applicable price threshold may be excluded or may require an additional payment, depending on the package conditions.
The daily limit generally applies to alcoholic drinks that are purchased using an eligible drinks package.
This can include drinks such as:
Eligible beers can count toward the daily alcoholic allowance. The particular beers available will depend on the ship, venue and package.
Wine by the glass may be included when it falls within the applicable package conditions. Bottles of wine are subject to separate rules and should not automatically be assumed to count in the same way as individual glasses.
Selected spirits and spirit-based mixed drinks may be covered when they meet the package requirements.
Many cocktails can be included if they fall within the permitted price range and package conditions.
It is worth checking the drink's individual price before ordering if you are unsure whether it qualifies.
The alcoholic-drink allowance should not be confused with the availability of non-alcoholic beverages.
Non-alcoholic drinks can be treated differently under the package terms. Depending on the specific P&O drinks package, soft drinks, water and other non-alcoholic beverages may be included without using one of the alcoholic-drink allowance slots.
This distinction matters if you are travelling with someone who wants a mixture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Always check the conditions of the particular package attached to your booking because inclusions can differ between packages.
P&O Cruises may apply rules concerning the purchase of drinks packages by guests sharing a cabin.
This is particularly important for couples or families where one person drinks alcohol and another does not. You should not assume that only one guest can purchase a package without checking the booking conditions.
The rules can also differ depending on the age of passengers and the type of drinks package selected.
Before purchasing, check the package terms for your specific sailing and passenger combination.
No. A drinks package is intended for the individual passenger who purchased or was assigned the package.
You should not use your package to purchase drinks for another passenger. Sharing drinks packages can violate the package conditions and may result in the package being cancelled or other action being taken under the cruise line's terms.
Each passenger should use their own eligible package for their own drinks.
Once you reach the daily alcoholic-drink allowance, the package does not normally continue providing unlimited alcoholic drinks.
If you want another alcoholic beverage after reaching the daily limit, you may need to purchase it separately at the applicable onboard price.
For this reason, passengers who regularly approach the daily allowance should understand exactly what counts as an alcoholic drink under their package.
You should also remember that the daily limit is not a target. Drinking fewer than the maximum allowed amount does not mean you are losing money on every unused drink.
The package is intended for personal consumption and is subject to P&O Cruises' responsible service policies.
Ordering multiple drinks at once does not provide a way around the daily allowance. Drinks purchased under the package are still subject to its conditions and applicable limits.
Crew members can also apply responsible alcohol-service practices when serving guests.
This is an important detail when choosing a p and o drinks package.
Packages can have a maximum drink price or other eligibility conditions. If you order a beverage that falls outside the package's permitted range, you may have to pay an additional amount or the full price, depending on the applicable terms.
For example, a premium spirit or higher-priced cocktail should not automatically be assumed to be included simply because you have purchased a drinks package.
Checking the current package menu and conditions before sailing can prevent unexpected charges.
Whether a drinks package represents good value depends heavily on your drinking habits.
It may be useful for passengers who regularly purchase several eligible drinks throughout the day. However, someone who mainly drinks water, soft drinks or an occasional alcoholic beverage may find that paying for individual drinks works differently for their budget.
Consider:
How many alcoholic drinks you normally have in a day
Whether you drink enough non-alcoholic beverages to use the package
The price of the package
The types of drinks you usually order
Whether your preferred drinks are included
The length of your cruise
Any package-specific restrictions
Do not base the decision simply on the maximum number of drinks allowed. The maximum allowance tells you the upper limit, not how much you need to consume to make a package worthwhile.
P&O Cruises can update package options, prices and conditions, so it is sensible to check the terms associated with your specific booking.
Pay particular attention to:
Confirm the current number of alcoholic drinks permitted each day.
Check whether your preferred beer, wine, spirit or cocktail falls within the package's permitted price range.
See which soft drinks, water, coffee, tea and other non-alcoholic beverages are included.
Check whether all eligible passengers in your cabin need to purchase a package.
Package availability and conditions can vary according to the cruise and booking.
Find out whether drinks above the package price limit are excluded or can be purchased by paying an additional amount.
A drinks package is easier to manage when you understand its rules before boarding.
If you regularly consume alcoholic drinks throughout the day, keeping track can help you avoid unexpectedly reaching the daily limit.
Cruise ship bars and restaurants can offer a wide range of beverages. Check the price and package eligibility before ordering premium drinks.
Do not order drinks simply because they are included. The package should fit your normal habits rather than encourage unnecessary consumption.
The allowance applies on a daily basis, so unused alcoholic drinks generally cannot be saved for another day.
The most reliable information for your particular cruise is the package information provided with your booking, because package terms and inclusions can change.
A P&O drinks package is not the same as unlimited alcohol. For packages that use the standard alcoholic-drink allowance, passengers can generally have up to 15 eligible alcoholic drinks per day. The allowance resets each day, and unused drinks do not normally carry forward.
The package can also cover selected non-alcoholic beverages and eligible drinks, but the exact inclusions, price limits and restrictions depend on the package you purchase.
Before booking a p and o drinks package, check the current terms for your specific cruise. Understanding the daily allowance and what is actually included will make it much easier to decide whether the package suits your holiday plans.
How many alcoholic drinks can you have on a P&O drinks package?
For applicable P&O Cruises drinks packages, the daily alcoholic-drink allowance is generally 15 alcoholic drinks per person per day. The exact terms should be checked for the package and sailing you have booked.
Can you have unlimited drinks on P&O Cruises?
No. A drinks package with a daily alcoholic allowance does not mean unlimited alcoholic drinks. Once the applicable daily limit has been reached, further alcoholic drinks may need to be purchased separately.
Do unused drinks carry over to the next day?
Generally, no. The alcoholic-drink allowance is calculated on a daily basis rather than accumulating throughout the cruise.
Can two people share one P&O drinks package?
No. Drinks packages are intended for the individual passenger to whom the package applies. Using one package to purchase drinks for another passenger is not permitted.
Are cocktails included in a P&O drinks package?
Selected cocktails can be included when they meet the package's conditions and applicable price limit. Premium or higher-priced cocktails may not be included.
Are soft drinks included in the drinks allowance?
Non-alcoholic beverages are treated separately from the daily alcoholic-drink allowance, depending on the package. Check the specific package terms to see which soft drinks and other beverages are included.
What happens when I reach 15 alcoholic drinks?
If your package has a 15-drink daily alcoholic allowance, reaching that limit means further alcoholic drinks are no longer covered by the package for that day. Additional drinks may be charged separately.
Can I buy a drinks package after boarding?
Package purchasing rules and availability can vary. Some packages may be available onboard, while others may have booking or timing requirements. Check your cruise booking information before sailing.
Does everyone in a cabin need a drinks package?
There can be rules requiring eligible guests sharing a cabin to purchase certain packages. The requirements depend on the package and passenger circumstances, so check the terms for your booking.
Can I use my P&O drinks package at every bar?
Eligible drinks packages are generally designed for use across applicable onboard venues, but particular drinks, venues or services can have exclusions. Always check the package conditions for your sailing.
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