How many drinks can you get a day with a Cunard Line cruise drink package?

Cunard Line is celebrated for its timeless luxury and elegant voyages, offering passengers a world-class cruising experience. While the ambiance, fine dining, and entertainment stand out, one question often arises when planning a Cunard voyage: “How many drinks can I get a day with a Cunard Line cruise drink package?”

For many travelers, purchasing a drink package can be a practical way to enjoy beverages without worrying about costs adding up. However, it’s important to understand the daily drink limits, package rules, and restrictions before deciding if it’s right for you.

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of Cunard’s drink package allowances, covering daily limits, types of drinks included, hidden rules, and whether these packages are worth it for your lifestyle.

Understanding Cunard Line Drink Packages

Before diving into limits, it’s essential to understand what Cunard offers. Unlike some cruise lines that bundle drinks into fares, Cunard sells packages separately, giving passengers the option to tailor their onboard experience.

Cunard offers the following main drink packages:

Soft Drinks Package
Specialty Hot Drinks Package
Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package
Beer, Wine & Spirits Package (Premium Drinks Package)
Bottled Water Packages

Each package has different inclusions and exclusions, but when it comes to daily limits, Cunard has clear policies across the board.

How Many Drinks Per Day with a Cunard Line Drink Package?

The General Rule

With the Premium Drinks Package (Beer, Wine & Spirits), passengers are allowed:

Up to 15 drinks per day (within package rules).

This limit is in place to promote responsible consumption while still offering excellent value. The daily allowance resets at 5:59 a.m. each morning, meaning you can enjoy a fresh quota every day.

Non-Alcoholic Packages

For non-alcoholic packages (Soft Drinks, Specialty Hot Drinks, and Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package), the same 15-drink limit applies. This means even coffee, juices, sodas, and mocktails fall under this rule.

What Counts as “One Drink”?

Not all beverages are equal, so let’s clarify what counts as a single drink under Cunard’s policy:

Beer (pint or bottle) = 1 drink
Cocktail (up to $13 value) = 1 drink
Glass of wine (up to $13 value) = 1 drink
Soft drink can or fountain soda = 1 drink
Specialty coffee = 1 drink
Juice or mocktail = 1 drink

Note: Drinks above the $13 price threshold are not included in the package. If you order one, you’ll pay the difference plus a 15% service charge.

Package Restrictions

Cunard has implemented some rules to ensure fairness and responsible use of drink packages.

1. Time Gaps Between Orders

You cannot order multiple drinks at once. Staff typically enforce a 10–15 minute gap between orders on the same card.

2. No Sharing

Packages are non-transferable. Guests may not “share” their package by ordering drinks for others. Crew members are trained to monitor this.

3. One Drink at a Time

Each swipe of your cruise card counts as a single drink transaction. Even if you’re at dinner, you can only order for yourself.

4. Cabin Rule

If one adult in a stateroom purchases the Premium Drinks Package, all adults in that stateroom must also buy it.

How Many Drinks Do People Actually Consume Per Day?

To help visualize whether 15 drinks a day is realistic, here’s a sample breakdown of what a passenger might consume:

Breakfast: 1 cappuccino + 1 juice = 2 drinks
Poolside: 1 soda + 1 beer = 2 drinks
Lunch: 1 wine + 1 sparkling water = 2 drinks
Afternoon: 1 latte + 1 cocktail = 2 drinks
Dinner: 1 wine + 1 cocktail = 2 drinks
Evening Show/Bar: 2 cocktails = 2 drinks

Total = 12 drinks

As you can see, reaching 15 drinks is possible but requires consistent ordering throughout the day. For most people, 8–12 drinks is average.

Value of the Daily Drink Limit

The limit of 15 drinks per day is generous compared to actual consumption levels. Let’s calculate potential value:

Cocktail: $12
Wine glass: $11
Beer: $8
Coffee: $5
Soft drink: $4

If you consume:

10 drinks daily (mixed), you’d spend around $90–100 per day without a package.
With the Premium Drinks Package at around $70 per day, you save money.

How Cunard Compares to Other Cruise Lines

Cunard’s 15-drink-per-day rule is in line with industry standards:

Norwegian Cruise Line: 15 drinks/day
Princess Cruises: 15 drinks/day
Royal Caribbean: No official limit, but bartenders monitor usage
MSC Cruises: No set limit, but similar monitoring

This shows Cunard’s policy is competitive and designed to balance guest enjoyment with responsible service.

Tips to Maximize Your Drink Package

Start Early

If you want to take full advantage, begin with specialty coffees or juices at breakfast.

Mix Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Don’t forget that sodas, mocktails, and lattes also count toward your daily allowance. This helps spread your usage throughout the day.

Use Different Venues

Bars, lounges, pool decks, and restaurants all accept the package. Explore them to maximize value.

Consider Port Days

On days with long shore excursions, you may not hit your daily limit, making the package less valuable.

FAQs About Cunard’s Daily Drink Limits

Can I roll over unused drinks to the next day?

No, unused drinks do not carry over. Your allowance resets daily.

What if I want a premium drink above $13?

You’ll pay the difference plus 15% service charge.

Is the 15-drink limit strictly enforced?

Yes, but staff monitor responsibly rather than rigidly. Passengers rarely reach this number.

Can I get bottled water with my allowance?

Yes, in most packages bottled water counts as a drink. However, there are also separate water packages.

Can children use drink packages with limits?

Yes, children’s soft drink packages also have limits, though most kids don’t reach 15 sodas a day.

how many drinks can you get a day with a Cunard Line cruise drink package? The answer is 15 drinks per person, per day, covering everything from cocktails and wines to sodas and lattes.

For most passengers, this is more than enough to cover daily consumption. If you typically drink 8–12 beverages per day, you’ll likely find great value in Cunard’s packages, especially the Premium Drinks Package.

Ultimately, whether the package is worth it depends on your lifestyle, port schedule, and beverage preferences. But with a clear daily limit and inclusive options, Cunard ensures passengers can indulge responsibly while enjoying their luxury cruise experience.