How to use this P&O drinks package calculator
This tool helps you compare two options for your cruise: buying a drinks package up front versus paying for each drink individually on board. You can tailor the numbers to your own travel style, your planned drink mix, and typical menu prices.
The calculator is designed to answer one key question: will the package save me money? It does this by estimating your total spend for the full trip under both options, then showing the difference in pounds.
What the calculator includes
1) Cruise length and number of adults
Most packages are sold per adult, per day. So the cost multiplies quickly on longer sailings and with more adults sharing a cabin.
2) Your expected daily drink volume
The form separates drinks into four categories so your estimate is more realistic:
- Alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails)
- Soft drinks and mocktails
- Speciality coffees/teas
- Bottled water and juices
3) Your own average menu prices
Instead of forcing one fixed assumption, you can enter the prices you actually expect. If you usually choose premium cocktails, your average may be higher. If you mostly drink basic beers and house wines, it may be lower.
4) Optional service charge
If your sailing applies a service percentage to pay-as-you-go drinks, add it in the field. The calculator applies that uplift only to the pay-as-you-go side so your comparison is fair.
Understanding your result
After calculation, you will see:
- Estimated package total for the whole cruise
- Estimated pay-as-you-go total for the same period
- Savings or extra cost so you know which option is cheaper
- Break-even drinks/day based on your selected drink mix
If the package total is lower than pay-as-you-go, the package is financially better. If pay-as-you-go is lower, skip the package and buy drinks as needed.
Simple break-even logic
At break-even, your daily per-person drink spend is equal to the package daily price. If your real daily spend is above that point, the package usually wins. If it is below, paying individually is normally cheaper.
Real life still matters: sea days, port days, drinking less on excursions, and days when you simply want fewer drinks can all shift the final outcome.
Practical tips before you buy
Be honest about your habits
Many people overestimate what they will drink on holiday. If you are not sure, run three scenarios: conservative, typical, and high-consumption. That gives you a realistic range.
Check package rules
Always read the latest terms for your sailing. Things like price caps per drink, exclusions, embarkation/disembarkation day rules, and who must buy the package can affect value.
Use a “port-day adjustment”
On heavy port itineraries, on-board drink consumption may drop. Consider lowering daily counts for those days and rerunning the calculator.
Remember non-financial value
Some travelers like the convenience of prepaying and not signing every drink bill. Others prefer flexibility and lower commitment. Both choices can be “right” depending on your style.
Example planning workflow
- Start with your honest average per day.
- Run the calculator once with no service charge and once with the expected service charge.
- Test a low-drinking and high-drinking scenario.
- Compare outcomes and choose the option that fits both budget and comfort.
This approach gives you confidence before you board and helps prevent overspending.
Final word
A drinks package can be excellent value for some cruisers and poor value for others. The key is not guessing—it's calculating with realistic assumptions. Use the tool above as your pre-cruise decision aid, then update it any time package prices or your plans change.