The Cunard drinks package – or a World of Drinks as it’s officially known – has become a firm favourite with fans and newcomers to the cruise line alike. It’s been available for a fair few years now, but ‘How does the Cunard drinks package work?’ remains one of our most asked questions.
Drinks packages are a convenient and cost-effective addition to your cruise and, while they can appear a little confusing at first glance, they’re actually really easy to understand once you know how. Here’s our advice on the various drinks packages available from Cunard and how you can buy one on your next cruise.
Cunard Drinks Package – World of Drinks
Coffee or cocktails? That is the question. (We’re only kidding, you can totally have both…)
How does the Cunard Drinks Package Work?
Buying a Cunard drinks package means you can cover your bar tab in advance by choosing from a number of fixed-price options. Drinks packages cover most drinks available on board Cunard ships and are available to buy from as little as $10 per person, per day. All adults in your cabin will need to purchase the same drinks package and they are only available on sailings of five nights or more.
What different drinks packages are available on my cruise?
There are five different drinks packages on Cunard ships and we reckon they’re pretty good value. It’s time to get mathematical: If you consider that wine, beer and spirits are included up to the value of $12 in some of the Cunard drinks packages, you can soon recoup your costs. You can order up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, which excludes room service and the drinks you’ll find in your mini bar.
And not every drinks package is geared towards alcoholic drinks. If you’re a fan of speciality coffees or freshly-squeezed juices, there’s also an option for you.
| Quick guide | |
| Beers, Wine & Spirits Option | $70 pp per day |
| Premium Soft Drinks Option | $30 pp per day |
| ☕ Speciality Hot Drinks Option | $12.50 pp per day |
| Soft Drinks Option | $10 pp per day |
| Wine Collections | Starting from $299 |
(All drinks package prices include a 15% service charge)
A full guide to what is included in the drinks package
- Beers, Wine & Spirits Option – $70 per person, per day
The most comprehensive drinks page offered by Cunard includes numerous draught beer, wine served in 150ml measures, spirits and liqueurs served in 1oz measures, valued at up to $12 each. But that’s not all.
You’ll also enjoy 20% off drinks over that amount, a select number of bottles of wine and large bottles of water.
- Premium Soft Drinks Option – $30 per person, per day
Raise a non-tipsy toast to time spent at sea with a choice of soft-drinks, small bottled waters, freshly-squeezed juices, speciality hot drinks and mocktails.
There’s also a 20% discount on any non-alcoholic drinks not included in the package.
- Speciality Hot Drinks Option – $12.50 per person, per day
If you can’t contemplate a week or two without really good coffee, Cunard’s Speciality Hot Drinks Option is the one for you. Let someone else put the kettle on for a change and enjoy unlimited Tea Forté infusions, illy speciality coffee and hot chocolates.
- Wine Collections – Fine wines from around the world – Prices from $299
Cunard’s expert sommeliers have created two unique wine collections featuring fine wines handpicked from around the world. The Commodore’s Collection and the Captain’s Collection feature exceptional fine wines, creating your own tailor-made selection of either six or 12 bottles. To find out more, ask the restaurant sommelier on your Cunard ship to show you the Wine Collection brochure.
Can I get a drinks package on any Cunard ship?
You sure can! It doesn’t matter whether you want to warm your cockles with a cappuccino as you sail to icy wilderness of Alaska, or toast the New York skyline with a Manhattan cocktail in your hand, the Cunard drinks package lets you do it affordably.
How do I buy a Cunard drinks package?
If you’ve convinced yourself that a Cunard drinks package is the way to go, the next step is to buy it. You can do this by logging into My Cunard as soon as you’ve booked your cruise, where they’ll be an option to choose your drinks. Alternatively, you can wait until you get on board, where you will be able to buy your drinks package in any bar or lounge. However, they’ll only be available to purchase during the first two days of your cruise, so don’t dither if you are still undecided!
So, there you have it – all your Cunard drinks package questions answered! Of course, the next step is to find a ship to drink all these amazing beverages on. Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered, too. Take a look at our Cunard cruises by clicking here.
60 thoughts on “How Does the Cunard Drinks Package Work, and How Can I Buy It?”
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.