Cunard Drinks Packages 2026: What You Really Need to Know

We’ve sailed Cunard enough times now to see the same pattern play out again and again. Some guests absolutely rinse their drinks package and love it. Others quietly realise halfway through the cruise that they’ve overpaid… by quite a lot.

So let’s cut through the marketing and talk honestly.

Cunard’s World of Drinks Collections are prepaid beverage plans that allow you to enjoy most onboard drinks without paying per order. Unlike traditional cruise Cunard drinks packages, this system is built around price caps per drink, rather than rigid drink lists.
That means:

• You can order any drink up to the collection’s price limit
• Service charges (15%) are already included
• You don’t need to worry about constantly checking your onboard account

The collections are available on voyages of 5 nights or more and must be purchased for the full length of the cruise and by each person in your stateroom or suite. You can save around 10% by booking in advance through My Cunard rather than waiting until you’re onboard.

Costs
Advanced Purchase: $18 per day
Onboard Purchase: $20 per day

This is Cunard’s most basic drinks package and is particularly popular with families. Enjoy unlimited fountain soda, plus a range of soft drinks, juices, and hot drinks for up to US$4.50.

Best for: Families, children, light drinkers, or anyone who rarely orders premium drinks

What’s Included

The Alcohol-Free Collection covers everyday non-alcoholic drinks up to approximately US$4.50 per serving, including:

• Fountain sodas (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, etc.)
• Selected fruit juices
• Basic hot drinks (tea and standard coffee)
• Still and sparkling water served in venues

Why It Works

This collection is all about simplicity and predictability. Soft drinks on Cunard aren’t cheap once service charges are added, so if you or your children drink several sodas a day, this can quietly save money.

It’s also useful for adults who don’t drink alcohol but still like something other than water throughout the day — especially on sea days when you’re lounging, reading, or watching the ocean go by.

When It’s Not Worth It

If you’re happy sticking to free water, breakfast juice, and cabin tea/coffee, you may not use this enough to justify the cost.

Costs:
Advance Purchase: $31.50 – $45 per day
Cost (onboard): $35 – $50 per day
Dependent on the length of the cruise

Best for: Non-alcohol drinkers who still want variety, indulgence, and choice

What’s Included

This collection expands significantly on the basic Alcohol-Free option and includes drinks up to US$12 per serving, such as:

• Everything in the Alcohol-Free Collection
• Handcrafted mocktails
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Smoothies and milkshakes
• Bottled mineral water
• Premium coffees, teas, and hot chocolates

Why It Works

This is a genuinely strong option for cruisers who don’t drink alcohol but still enjoy:

• Trying different flavours
• Treating themselves during the day
• Sitting in lounges with something “special” rather than a soda

From experience, mocktails and speciality drinks add up very quickly when paid individually. This collection removes that mental friction and lets you order freely.

Ideal For

• Health-conscious cruisers
• Parents who want better non-alcoholic options
• Anyone who feels left out of drinks packages because they don’t drink alcohol

This one surprised us with how popular it is — especially among early risers and coffee lovers.

Costs:
Advance Purchase: $49.50 –  $94.50 per day
Cost (onboard): $50 per day
Prices vary depending on the length of the cruise

Best for: Most adult cruisers who enjoy alcohol but don’t need premium pours

What’s Included

The Beverage Collection includes drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) up to US$13.50 per serving, covering:

• Beers and ciders
• Wines by the glass
• Classic cocktails
• Standard spirits and mixers
• Mocktails and premium soft drinks

You also receive:

• 15% off bottled wine purchases
• 15% off Cunard Wine & Bar Academy experiences

Why This Is the “Default” Choice

For the majority of cruisers, this is the sweet spot. Most Cunard cocktails, wines by the glass, and standard spirits fall under the $13.50 cap, meaning you can order confidently without worrying about extra charges.

If you order something priced above the limit, you pay the difference, rather than the full amount — a major improvement over Cunard’s older system.

Best Used When

• You enjoy a few drinks most days
• You like variety rather than sticking to one type of drink
• You don’t necessarily care about ultra-premium brands

Costs:
Advance Purchase: $63 – $108 per day, depending on cruise length
Cost (onboard): $70 – $120 per day, depending on cruise length

Best for: Cocktail lovers, wine enthusiasts, and indulgent cruisers

What’s Included

The Premium Beverage Collection raises the drink limit to US$20 per serving, giving you access to:

• Premium cocktails
• Higher-end spirits
• Better Champagne and sparkling wine options
• Top-tier wines by the glass

You also benefit from:

• 25% off bottled wine purchases
• 25% off Cunard Wine & Bar Academy experiences
• Why This Appeals to Luxury Cruisers

If you enjoy:

• Ordering what you want without checking prices
• Premium wines with dinner
• Signature cocktails in Cunard’s elegant lounges

…this collection removes almost all restrictions.

On longer, sea-day-heavy itineraries, this can feel genuinely luxurious — especially if you’d otherwise be paying full price for premium drinks.

Who Should Skip It

If you mostly drink beer, house wine, or basic cocktails, the extra cost often isn’t justified.

Prices vary depending on voyage length, but as a guide, expect to pay :

Cunard Wine Packages: What You Need to Know

While Cunard’s World of Drinks Collections cover wine by the glass, Cunard also offers separate wine packages designed specifically for guests who prefer to enjoy bottled wine with meals rather than ordering by the glass at bars.

These wine packages operate outside the World of Drinks Collections and can be purchased whether or not you have a drinks collection.

Cunard’s Premium Wine Bundles

For guests who prefer higher-end bottled wine over house selections, Cunard offers two premium wine packages that supersede the standard wine bundles. These are not drink packages — they are curated bottle collections aimed at serious wine drinkers.

Captain’s Collection

Best for: Wine lovers who want quality without going ultra-premium

The Captain’s Collection features a curated selection of recognisable, well-regarded international wines, typically a step up from Cunard’s standard wine packages.

What to expect:

• Higher-quality appellations and producers
• A mix of reds, whites, and sometimes Champagne
• Wines chosen to pair well with Cunard’s main dining menus

This collection is ideal if you:

• Drink wine mainly with meals
• Prefer bottled wine to by-the-glass pours
• Want better quality without paying top-tier prices

That said, flexibility is still limited — once chosen, the selection is fixed.

Commodore Collection (Premium Wines)

Best for: Premium wine enthusiasts and celebratory cruises

The Commodore Collection is Cunard’s top-tier wine package, designed for guests who value prestige, vintage quality, and refined pairings.

You’ll typically find:

• Premium Champagne
• Recognised Old World wine regions
• Higher-rated, more complex wines

This collection works well for:

• Milestone cruises or special occasions
• Guests who know exactly what they like
• Cruisers who plan to drink wine almost exclusively

However, it comes at a premium price — and again, choice is limited to the bundle.

We tend to choose the wine package option when we are on a longer cruise, which also offers a discount on other wines, should you wish to do so.

Typical Prices (Before Gratuity)

• Beer: $6.50–$7.00
• Cocktails: $12–$17.50
• Wine by the glass: $9.50–$15.50
• Prosecco by the glass: $9.50 – $15
• Champagne by the glass: $18–$23
• Spirits: $10.50–$19.50

Once the 15% gratuity is added, that “$12 cocktail” is closer to $14.