Cruise drinks packages - are they worth it? Help please?

[crazycatladyof6]

So DH and I are going on a Norwegian Fjords cruise for a week. There are drinks packages - the non-alcoholic and the alcoholic but obviously both with caveats on what is and isn’t included.

so just wondering if anyone has done this and what package did you go for and did you feel it was worth it.

we are average drinkers. On hols DH will have a couple of beers in the day. I’m a gin drinker.

https://www.pocruises.com/onboard-activities/bars-and-lounges/ultimate-drinks-package

We like a drink, but wouldn’t drink that much, maybe a bottle of wine at dinner, drink at lunch and a couple of drinks in the evening. The ultimate package is nearly £40 per day and include 15 alcoholic drinks, unlimited water, coffee, tea and soft drinks. We’ve been to the Fjords twice with P&O, the cruises were fantastic. My adult son and gf are going on a cruise next year, they will definitely be buying the drinks package. You can also take 1 litre each of alcohol when you board to consume in cabin.

Most peoole do seem to get a drinks package but I don't drink so we don't bother. The ships won't let you bring spirits on board (you can but they hold it for you) but they're OK with soft drinks. You really need to calculate how much you'll spend. It does include wine with meals and when you're dining with other people, you do tend to drink more.

I'd take my own wine. Can you not do that?

I’ve not sailed P&O before but we usually do buy a drinks package. There was a thread here recently discussing this. I’ll see if I can find it and link it. Basically, P&O seem to restrict their drinks included within the package to around £6.95 each. Someone said they didn’t think it was worth it. That said, when we go away, I factor in a couple of proper coffees per day, numerous bottles of water, fresh orange juice at breakfast and then a couple of soft drinks, cocktails at the pool and wine with dinner. That all mounts up.

I’ll be back when I find that post.

And on p&o coffee, tea and water us free throughout the day anyway in the cafeteria.

You are allowed to bring on board 1L per adult of spirits or wine. Any alcohol that you purchase e.g. in port will be held until end of your cruise.

www.cruisemummy.co.uk/cruise-drinks-package-calculator/

We took a litre each of gin and rum with us along with cans of soft drinks, and our steward refilled our ice bucket daily for us.

In addition, we found the onboard drinks reasonably priced - cheaper than most pubs here.

Thanks all. That’s really helpful ;)

We are doing a P and O cruise later this year and have decided against the drinks package. We don’t drink load’s and can’t imagine £80 a days worth because some days you will be off the ship all day! It’s a shame you can’t just buy the drinks package for at sea days but I guess that’s how they make their money🤷‍♀️

The p&o drinks package is really limited. We did it on our last one and found that the number of drinks that weren't included far outnumbered those that were.

We did the Fjords on Iona last year and the only cocktails included were the sickly ready mixed types. The speciality gin bar wasn't included as standard and neither were the nicer mixtures. Although you get the kids package included if the adults in the cabin buy it it only includes draught sodas and juices. Virgin mocktails and bottled water need to be paid for if ordered by kids.

We're away with p&o again in the summer and going to PAYG.

We went on Iona in February and didn't have one. We had on board credit so used that for drinks. We had wine with dinner and probably an additional one or two drinks a day each (DH and I) so didn't really need it.