Veteran cruisers and newcomers alike have come to see the Cunard drinks package – or the “World of Drinks” – as a guaranteed winner for their holidays, but how exactly does a drinks package work? This is one of the most common questions we get, so in this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Cunard drinks packages and give you top tips for identifying the perfect package for your getaway.
How Does A Cunard Drinks Package Work?
To begin, let’s cover what a drinks package means for your cruising experience. Purchasing a drinks package means that you cover your bar tab in advance of your cruise, paying ahead of time so that you can drink without worrying about payment once aboard.
Different fixed-price options are available, each covering different beverages that guests will then be able to access without further payment during their holiday. From as low as $18, these packages can be purchased for the most value-for-money experience.
There are a few conditions to keep an eye out for when booking a Cunard drinks package. All adults in the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package, and packages are only available for purchase on sailings of five nights or longer, so this may exclude some short breaks.
What Drinks Packages Are Available With Cunard?
There’s nothing quite like cruising the Mediterranean with an ice-cold drink in your hand, but what drinks are available with a Cunard drinks package? Despite what you might think at first, not all drinks packages are geared towards alcoholic beverages, so there are options available for all the family.
Whether you love a steaming coffee in the morning or a freshly squeezed juice with your lunch, there are Cunard drinks packages to suit every taste and preference. Below, we’ve put together a quick guide to the available packages and the costs (US$) per day per person.
| Drinks Package | 1-6 nights | 7-14 nights | 15-74 night | 75+ nights |
| Premium Beverage Collection | $108 | $90 | $76.50 | $63 |
| Beverage Collection | $94.50 | $76.50 | $63 | $49.50 |
| Premium Alcohol-Free Collection | $45 | $40.50 | $36 | $31.50 |
| Alcohol-Free Collection | $18 | $18 | $18 | $18 |
What’s Included in Cunard Cruises Drinks Packages?
It can be difficult deciding which drinks package to go with. Whether you’re travelling solo or as part of a larger group, knowing exactly what you’re getting for your money can help you decide what drinks package to pick, so we’ve compiled all the details you need.
Premium Beverage Collection
For those looking for a comprehensive package that offers variety and flavour, this offering covers the widest range of alcoholic beverages served by Cunard. Guests gain access to a range of draught beers, spirits, champagnes, and cocktails.
This collection allows guests to order drinks up to $20 in value and offers a 25% discount on wine bottles up to $150 in value. Guests also gain access to Cunard Wine and Bar Academy Masterclass activities.
Beverage Collection
Much like the Premium package, the Beverage Collection includes a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including beers, spirits, and cocktails. Guests can order drinks up to $13.50 in value and enjoy a 15% discount on wine bottles up to $150 in value. Guests also gain access to Cunard Wine and Bar Academy tasting events.
Premium Alcohol-Free Collection
You don’t need alcohol to appreciate the sparkling Caribbean seas, and this package offers a wide range of soft drinks, bottled water, fresh juices, speciality hot drinks, and mocktails to enjoy as you soak up the sunshine. Raise a glass of crisp lemonade or wake up with a steaming latte, all included in this package. This collection allows guests to order unlimited drinks up to $12 in value.
Alcohol-Free Collection
This package includes hot and soft drinks and unlimited fountain soda. Drinks can be ordered up to the value of $4, though bottled water is excluded.
Are Cunard Drinks Packages Worth It?
Perhaps the ultimate question – is buying a Cunard drinks package worth the money? We find that drinks packages work out to be good value for money, but don’t just take our word for it. Let’s look at the numbers.
If you choose to go with the Premium Beverage Collection, the value of individual drinks ($12) can quickly rise above the daily package payment of $63 on a cruise of 75 days or longer. Or look at the Alcohol-free Collection – staying refreshed throughout the day can add up to more than $18 in no time.
How Do I Buy a Cunard Drinks Package?
If the maths adds up, the next question is how to purchase a Cunard drinks package. There are two ways to do this.
By logging into My Cunard, guests can purchase a drinks package as soon as they have booked their cruise. A section will appear to choose drinks, displaying the various packages and prices available for the relevant sailing. You can also ask your Cruise Expert here at Bolsover Cruise Club to add a drinks package to your reservation at the time of booking.
Guests can wait until they’re on board to purchase their drinks package. By visiting any bar or lounge on their ship, guests can speak with a member of staff to purchase the package of their choosing. Something to keep in mind is that purchases on board can only be made within the first two days of a cruise.
Whether you want to hold a warm mug between your fingers on the Alaskan coast or enjoy a tall glass of something fizzy in the Canary Islands, there’s a package and payment option available for everyone!
Discover Your Perfect Cruise Getaway with Bolsover Cruise Club
Get ready to book your next cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
60 thoughts on “A Guide to Cunard Drinks Packages”
Hello,
Do you have a list of drinks included in the Beers, Wine & Spirits Package (or those not included). I normally only drink cocktails and want to make sure they are included in the package before purchasing it.
Thanks
I am considering the $70 drinks package on the Queen Victoria. Do you know if things like liqueur coffees are included in the package please? Also just to confirm, and check I am reading it correctly, it is only the alcoholic drinks that are limited to 15 per day and all others beverages like soft drinks, water, non alcoholic cocktails and specialty teas and coffees additional to any alcoholic drinks are unlimited?
Are there any restrictions that we should be aware of that aren’t mentioned?
Thank you
Good morning Angie,
Please find more information in what’s included in the drinks packages here: https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/bars-and-lounges/a-world-of-drinks
It is just the alcoholic drinks that are limited to 15 a day.
Hi could you please confirm that the drink packages are in American dollars.
Good morning, yes drinks packages are in US dollars.
When you quote say $7.50 glass of wine do we have to add on the 15% service charge
Good morning Marilyn, yes that is correct.
Will I be able to buy my drinks using cash and do I need to bring dollars on board.
Cunard use a cashless system onboard, everything you purchase will be added to your onboard account and clear with the payment card registered on check in. You do have the option to take cash and clear your account this way. Thank you.
What does a Beer, Cocktail and Glass of Wine cost roughly? I’m thinking pay-as-you-go might work out cheaper if I have say a drink with each meal.
Hi Brian, to give you an idea of the cost of drinks on board, a cocktail is roughly $9, a glass of wine $7.50 and soft drinks are around $3. Thank you.
Hello
Confused. Do you buy drinks package daily ? Or for all seven days even the days boarding and unboarding and also if out on excursions all day. Just need some guidance
Hi Linda,
You will buy the drinks package for the duration of your cruise, so if your cruise is 7-nights, your drinks package will include your embarkation drinks. Usually, when you disembark at then end of your cruise, your onboard account is usually closed in the early hours of the morning. I hope this helps.
So I take it that if I purchase the alcoholic drink package my husband will have to purchase the same although he doesn’t drink! How much will this work out on the Queen Elizabeth per day?
Hi Diane,
Cunard’s Alcoholic drinks package is from $70 per person, per day inclusive of the 15% service charge. Yes, you’re correct if you purchase this package, your husband will have to have the same. I hope this helps. Please find some more information about the drinks package here:
https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/bars-and-lounges/a-world-of-drinks
Hi I’ve just booked a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth. As my friend dies t drink alcohol there is obviously no point in me buying the drinks package . How does the wine package work? Can I buy 6 or 12 bottles of wine to take to restaurants and my cabin? For $299 that might be a better option for me .
Good morning Don,
Yes, if you buy the wine collection of either the 6 or 12 bottle choice, you will be served this at the restaurant. To consume in your cabin their will be a corkage fee. If you’d like any other advise, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Do any of the drinks packages include cocktails and liquers?
Hi Jan, yes they are up to the value of $12. Thank you.
Hi ,on the alcoholic drinks package I know that a mixer is included , however if u order say a vodka & coke but you want a can of coke not a dash is that classed as x1 drink or x2 drinks from your total daily allocation of x15 drinks ?
Hi Alex, this would be classed as two drinks. Thank you.
We do not embark until 8pm. Will this day be included
In my $70 drinks package.
Good morning John, if you purchase the drinks package online, it will start as soon as you’re onboard. Alternatively, you can purchase within the first 24 hours of being on the ship. Thank you.
My wife and I are cruising in June I drink my wife does not how can you justify charging me 138 dollers for one person to drink bearing in mind I would struggle to benefit from just my own cost greed is not on my mind convenience is surely there must be a way of making this available to one person in a room
Is this correct if my husband had a $69 package then I am compelled to have the same if I want a drinks package? this does not make sense
Hi Sharon, both adults in the cabin must have the same drinks package. Thank you.
If I WAS TO PURCHASE THE WINE PACKAGE FOR $299 FOR MY WIFE DO I HAVE TO ALSO PURCHASE THE SAME PACKAGE FOR MYSELF SEEING THAT I DO NOPT DRINK ANY TYPE OF ALCOHOL.
Hi Donald, both adults int he cabin must purchase the same drinks package. Thank you.
My son and I will be sharing a cabin
He would like the premium soft drinks package and I would like the hot drinks package as I only drink Tea and Hot Chocolate
It is totally unreasonable that this combination is not allowed it’s as if Cunard don’t trust their customers which I can’t help but feel offended by.
This must be a recent policy change because on previous cruises we have had different packages or one person not choosing to have a drinks package.
Surely the simplest fix is to limit all packages to let’s say 15 drinks, then it doesn’t matter what drinks ordered are intended for. Another example of Cunard making what should be a luxurious cruise less appealing. At the end of the day people will vote with their feet.
I have traveled with Cunard for many years but will not be travelling with them again when I can get much better service from other cruise lines. And that’s with genuine regret
Hi Jean, this is the policy on most Cruise Lines that offer drinks packages, both cabin occupants have to purchase the same level of package. Thank you.
The $69 drinks package allows drinks up to $12. Is the $12 the list price of the drink on the menu or is the limit after the service charge has been added?
Hi Paul, this is the price on the drinks menu. Thank you.
Another question: If we have purchased a bottle of wine to have with dinner and do not finish it, can we have it recorked for consumption on the following evening or have with our lunch the next day? Or alternatively, can we take it back to our suite? My husband are not big drinkers and like to have a couple of alcohol free days per week therefore the $69 package would be wasted on us.
Hi Jane, you can do either of those, take back to your cabin or it will be recorked until the next evening. Thank you.
Could you please advise if the $69 drinks package can be purchased per day or does it have to be purchased for the entire cruise? For instance if you were spending an entire day in port or on an excursion then there would be no value in having a $69 package if you were only having a couple of glasses of wine with dinner. Also, please advise if it would be better value to purchase a soft drink package and one bottle of Cunard house wine per day if that is all my husband and I would normally have to drink.
Hi Jane, the drinks package has to purchased per person for the duration of the cruise. Please see link to a Cunard drinks menu with prices. https://www.cunard.com/content/dam/cunard/my-voyage/pdfs/qv/qv_deck_bar_menu_aug_2022a.pdf
Hi Sarah,
I’m still a little confused about the $69 drinks package. Can you use it in every bar where they serve drinks on the ship providing you don’t go over your $12 limit it counts?
Just to confirm that the $69 is the total you pay for the package and the 15% is included in this price.
Hi Dianne, the drinks package can be used in all bars throughout the ship and the price is total per day. Hope this helps. Thank you.
How many drinks per day are you allowed on a drinks package.
Hi Maureen,
On the Cunard alcoholic drinks package, you can have up to 15 a day up to the value of $12 a drink. The terms and conditions to the package is available here:
https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/bars-and-lounges/a-world-of-drinks/a-world-of-drinks-tcs
Please let us know if there is anything else we can help with.
Kindest Regards
Does the 69$ package include mixers for something like rum and coke
Hi Maureen,
Yes, it includes mixers. 🙂
At $69 per person per day, this is our most comprehensive drinks option. Choose whatever you like from an incredible array of beers (including our own Cunard Craft Beers, exclusively brewed by award-winning microbrewery Dark Revolution), wines by the glass, spirits, liqueurs and cocktails up to $12 per serving, as well as all the benefits of the Premium Soft Drinks option.
You will also receive a 20% discount on drinks above $12, some bottles of wine, and large bottles of water.
Oh boy , first time Canuck cruiser but this alcool things is weird. My wife drinks and I don’t except for the occasional wine at super. Going on a 13 day trip therefore if I understand correctly it would cost us let say 69 x2 = $138 x 13 days = $1794 (us) so Canadian would be $2750 !!!!
Got to be another option except to stop drinking on a Cunard vessel right ?
Hi Marc,
Thank you for your query.
If you don’t really drink and don’t think you’ll benefit from the package, you can just purchase drinks without having the package, and you can also consider the Soft Drinks package too.
Hi…
Can you please tell me if Cunard offer a “Non Alcohol” package and if so how much does this cost and what is included..
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your query. I’ve looked into this for you. You can purchase a Soft Drinks Package, here is the details:
Premium Soft Drinks option ($29 per person, per day).
Enjoy a range of soft drinks, small bottled waters, juices, speciality hot drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails, and receive a 20% discount on any non-alcoholic drinks not already included.
Speciality Hot Drinks option ($10 per person, per day).
Savour unlimited illy speciality coffees, Tea Forté infusions and hot chocolates, whenever you please.
Soft Drinks option ($10 per person, per day).
Unlimited draught soft drinks, selected fruit juices, squash and cordials.
If you have a cruise booked already, you are able to pre-book this online here:
https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/bars-and-lounges/a-world-of-drinks#book-now
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further advise.
Hi — Does the $69 drinks package include specialty coffees, tea and hot chocolate … and juice?
Hi Carol, yes it does include these. Thank you.
Can you please advise the price of a glass of house red ordered with a meal?
Hi Dennis, prices for a glass of wine are from approx $7.50. I hope this helps.
Thank you for the information. My question is, can the $69 drinks package be used in all of the restaurants, pubs, champagne bars, etc.? Is there an option for the “free/paid for drinks” everywhere? I understand if I want something premium then I would pay that price?
Hi, yes it can be used throughout the ship. If a drink is not in the drinks package limit, you would pay for this individually. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Hi there. Thanks for the very useful post.
I wonder if you know whether any drink, maybe a glass of water or a cup of tea, is included with the main meal in your inclusive restaurant?
Hi Tom, water, tea and coffee are offered in the restaurants. Any other drinks will need to be purchased.
Why should I purchase a drinks package for my wife who seldom drinks alcohol.On other cruise lines we have been with we have been able to have different packages, so if the wife does fancy a alcoholic
drink we know we have to pay for it,$69 per day is a ridiculous amount to charge a person who MIGHT have 1 alcoholic drink on a 12 day cruise
Hi Anthony, most of the cruise lines that offer drinks packages make it compulsary that both passengers in the cabin have to purchase the drinks package. Thank you.
1) If the drink I want is $15(for example) and I’m on the drinks package, do I have to pay the extra $15 less 20% or the difference less 20% ( ie $3 less 20%)
2) Does the $69 package include the 15% gratuity or is it added on top of $69
3) Is it more expensive to order a drinks package on board than if you pre-booked ?
Hi Lynn, if you order a drink that isn’t included in the drinks package, you would pay full price for the drink minus 20% discount. The package price included the gratuity and it’s the same price online and onboard. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Hi, if I take the Beer, Wine & Spirits package. Can I order a glass of wine from that package whilst seated in the restaurant?
Hi David, yes this is correct, drinks packages apply to the restaurants too.