This guide explains the Cunard beverage packages and drinks options. A drinks package may be worthwhile purchasing because beverages are not generally included in a Cunard cruise fare – even for the most expensive Grills tickets.
There are 6 different Cunard drinks packages:
- Stateroom Water Package.
- Soft Drinks package.
- Premium Non-Alcoholic Package.
- Beers, Wines & Spirits Package.
- The Captain’s Collection.
- The Commodore’s Collection.
This guide will help you decide which package is right for you. However, it’s always worth remembering that there is the option of paying per beverage on board.
About Cunard beverage packages
There are water packages and soft drink packages as well as beer, wine and spirits packages. In addition, there are wine by the bottle packages.
It’s important to note that Cunard drinks packages are only available on voyages of 5-nights or more. Also, you must purchase your drinks package within the first two days of your voyage and that package must be for all the remaining days of your voyage (excluding disembarkation day).
Insider’s tip: Guests staying in Queens Grill category rooms have a complimentary in-suite mini-bar stocked with free water, soda and two bottles of spirits.
Punch Romaine à la Carpathia is a US$15 cocktail served in the Commodore Club on Queen Elizabeth.
Stateroom Water Package – US$19.50 for 6 litres
The Stateroom Water Package is the most basic Cunard beverage package. It includes six 1-litre bottles of water, delivered to your stateroom. Alternatively, you can buy single bottles for US$3.90 each.
It’s important to note that this package does not include gratuities, so a 15% service charge will be added.
Soft Drinks package – US$10.00 per person per day
The Soft Drinks Package includes unlimited draught soft drinks (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, R Whites Lemonade, Britvic Indian Tonic Water, Soda Water), selected long-life fruit juices, squash and cordials.
You can only drink items from the Soft Drinks Package in the bars, service areas and dining venues.
It’s worth noting that this package doesn’t include items from your stateroom mini-bar, bottled water or canned/bottled soft drinks and juices. It also excludes alcoholic beverages, mocktails, smoothies and specialty coffees and teas.
Each guest older than 3-years of age in the same stateroom must buy the package, or one of the other Cunard beverage packages. Sharing is not allowed. The price of the Soft Drinks Package includes a 15% gratuity.
Premium Non-Alcoholic Package – US$29 per person per day
The Premium Non-Alcoholic Package includes everything in the Soft Drinks Package as well as mocktails, canned/bottled small soft drinks and juices, small bottles of mineral water, specialty coffees, teas and hot chocolate.
The brochure for the Premium Non-Alcoholic drinks option.
In addition, there is a 20% discount off the price of non-alcoholic drinks that are excluded from the package.
It’s worth noting that the package does not include large bottles of water (750ml, 1ltr and 1.5ltr), freshly squeezed juices or drinks from the stateroom mini-bar.
Each guest staying in the same stateroom must buy the package. However, the cost of the Premium Non-Alcoholic Package is inclusive of a 15% gratuity.
Beers, Wines & Spirits Package – US$69 per person per day
The Beers, Wines & Spirits Package is the only Cunard drinks package that includes alcoholic beverages by the glass. However, not all drinks are included. For instance, champagne is not included in the package. This is because only drinks priced at US$12 or less are covered, as indicated in the price guide below:
- Budweiser – US$6.80
- Prosecco – US$8
- Margarita – US$12
- Aperol Spritz – US$12
- Glass of champagne – US$16
- Kir Royal – US$17
That said, a good range of beers, spirits, liqueurs, cocktails and wines are included. Also included are soft drinks, juices, mocktails and small bottles of mineral water, as well as specialty coffees and teas. While drinks priced over US$12 are not included, the package offers a 20% discount on beverages priced over US$12.
It’s worth noting that you can only drink items from the package in the bars, service areas and dining venues.
The package does not include large bottles of water (750ml, 1ltr and 1.5ltr), freshly squeezed deluxe juices, smoothies and any items from the stateroom mini-bar.
The price of the package includes a 15% gratuity. All adults staying in the same stateroom must purchase the package.
Wine By The Bottle packages
In addition to the range of Cunard beverage packages, there are also two different Wine By The Bottle packages.
The Captain’s Collection
The Captain’s Collection offers some of the most popular wines on the Cunard fleet, selected for their positive reviews from Cunard guests. It offers savings of up to 20% off regular wine list prices.
There are usually at least six white and six red wines in the Captain’s Collection, as well as an Italian Prosecco and a sweet wine.
6 Bottles: US$310.
12 Bottles: US$590.
At the time of writing, some of the wines included were: Château La Fleur des Graves Blanc (France), Assyrtiko/Malagousia Sillogi White (Greece), Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Berton Vineyard (Australia), Valpolicella Classico Superiore (Italy).
The Commodore’s Collection
The Commodore’s Collection has been curated by Cunard’s wine experts to represent the finest examples of the most popular styles. Indeed, the wines represent a highly regarded and diverse collection from all over the World.
There are generally six or more white and red wines in the Commodore’s Collection, as well as two sparkling wines (not champagne), a rosé and a sweet wine.
The Commodore’s Collection offers savings of up to 35% off regular wine list prices.
6 Bottles: US$395.
12 Bottles: US$725.
At the time of writing, some of the wines included were: Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV (New Zealand), Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc (France), Whispering Angel Rosé (France), La Grola Allegrini (Italy), Sandeman 10 Year Tawny (Portugal).
Insider’s tip: Cunard have an extremely large wine list. Indeed, it is like a wine bible with some exceptional vintages and great value end of bin offers. On the other hand, the Wine By The Bottle packages have a somewhat limited selection. So you might like to check the onboard wine list before deciding if this package is right for you.
Cunard beverage package conclusions
In my opinion Cunard’s beverages are relaitvely expensive, so a Cunard beverage package can be cost effective.
However, it’s worth remembering that beverage packages do not cover all drinks available on board. In fact, many of the signature cocktails in venues like the Commodore’s Club are priced over US$12 and so not included.
In addition, it is important to remember to buy your beverage package within the first two days of your voyage. It’s also worth noting that there is generally no discount for buying Cunard beverage packages in advance of your cruise.
For more information visit the Cunard website.
Can a regular bottle of white wine which usually sells for $15-$21on land be substituted for the champaign that we get upon boarding in our cabin?
Hi Bruce
Thank you for your question. Champagne is the only wine offered on embarkation: A half bottle in Britannia Staterooms, and a full bottle in Grills Suites.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Jason Kerr
Managing editor