Views on Drinks packages
#46

Join Date: Feb 2025
Location: BHX
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I am headed on QM2 in a few weeks TATL. (East to West) really to see if it's viable compared to flying. We are retired so time pressure isn't really there.
I haven't looked into drinks package other than checking its $72/day each so $1000 (Ł740). It *seems* unlikely we would want to drink over Ł100 a day - every day. However as we have never set foot on a cruise before we dont really have any idea of the prices for alcoholic drinks anyway. Does anyone have any kind of list or a good memory. I know if I had the drinks package I'd be drinking Old Fashioned a LOT, without it'll be easier to show restraint. So how much will we pay for a couple of cocktails each every day? We probably wont drink with our meals, though if it were included... so any idea of prices would be a great help.
OK I did a trawl around and found a bar menu, it gives me a ballpark idea say Ł12 an old fashioned. So I can have 4 a day and still beat break-even. I guess I might manage that a couple of times on a 7 day trip but even on holiday I doubt I'll *average* that. Plus my wife could drink 4 large glasses of wine to hit the same level. Again not every night and we really shouldn't be day drinking every day either.
I'll try to attach the menu I found here...
hmmm lets try making a couple of screenshots and adding those. Its not complete but gives a ballpark idea.







I haven't looked into drinks package other than checking its $72/day each so $1000 (Ł740). It *seems* unlikely we would want to drink over Ł100 a day - every day. However as we have never set foot on a cruise before we dont really have any idea of the prices for alcoholic drinks anyway. Does anyone have any kind of list or a good memory. I know if I had the drinks package I'd be drinking Old Fashioned a LOT, without it'll be easier to show restraint. So how much will we pay for a couple of cocktails each every day? We probably wont drink with our meals, though if it were included... so any idea of prices would be a great help.
OK I did a trawl around and found a bar menu, it gives me a ballpark idea say Ł12 an old fashioned. So I can have 4 a day and still beat break-even. I guess I might manage that a couple of times on a 7 day trip but even on holiday I doubt I'll *average* that. Plus my wife could drink 4 large glasses of wine to hit the same level. Again not every night and we really shouldn't be day drinking every day either.
I'll try to attach the menu I found here...
hmmm lets try making a couple of screenshots and adding those. Its not complete but gives a ballpark idea.







Last edited by oleum; Sep 8, 2025 at 11:03 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 34,900
I am headed on QM2 in a few weeks TATL. (East to West) really to see if it's viable compared to flying. We are retired so time pressure isn't really there.
I haven't looked into drinks package other than checking its $72/day each so $1000 (Ł740). It *seems* unlikely we would want to drink over Ł100 a day - every day. However as we have never set foot on a cruise before we dont really have any idea of the prices for alcoholic drinks anyway. Does anyone have any kind of list or a good memory. I know if I had the drinks package I'd be drinking Old Fashioned a LOT, without it'll be easier to show restraint. So how much will we pay for a couple of cocktails each every day? We probably wont drink with our meals, though if it were included... so any idea of prices would be a great help.
OK I did a trawl around and found a bar menu, it gives me a ballpark idea say Ł12 an old fashioned. So I can have 4 a day and still beat break-even. I guess I might manage that a couple of times on a 7 day trip but even on holiday I doubt I'll *average* that. Plus my wife could drink 4 large glasses of wine to hit the same level. Again not every night and we really shouldn't be day drinking every day either.
I'll try to attach the menu I found here...
hmmm lets try making a couple of screenshots and adding those. Its not complete but gives a ballpark idea.








I haven't looked into drinks package other than checking its $72/day each so $1000 (Ł740). It *seems* unlikely we would want to drink over Ł100 a day - every day. However as we have never set foot on a cruise before we dont really have any idea of the prices for alcoholic drinks anyway. Does anyone have any kind of list or a good memory. I know if I had the drinks package I'd be drinking Old Fashioned a LOT, without it'll be easier to show restraint. So how much will we pay for a couple of cocktails each every day? We probably wont drink with our meals, though if it were included... so any idea of prices would be a great help.
OK I did a trawl around and found a bar menu, it gives me a ballpark idea say Ł12 an old fashioned. So I can have 4 a day and still beat break-even. I guess I might manage that a couple of times on a 7 day trip but even on holiday I doubt I'll *average* that. Plus my wife could drink 4 large glasses of wine to hit the same level. Again not every night and we really shouldn't be day drinking every day either.
I'll try to attach the menu I found here...
hmmm lets try making a couple of screenshots and adding those. Its not complete but gives a ballpark idea.








I was on the Queen Elizabeth with a drink package and had no trouble staying under $13.50 per drink. I was drinking mostly Old Fashioneds, Cosmos and Mojitos and wine with dinner. BTW, Once I tried that Smokey Whiskey Sour on the menu above I switched to that from the OF-- Excellent drink. Actually that was one place that Cunard did well..cocktails were always very good. I didn't order any bubbles by the glass other than what came with the champagne tea. Food, not good. Since you are full time at sea, you may drink more than you expect. Plus factor in the specialty dining restaurants that are included with the drink package.
#48

Join Date: Feb 2025
Location: BHX
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Posts: 333
You bought a drinks package bundled with restaurants and WiFi? I've yet to even get my Cunard log in sorted out, only booked yesterday. How do I find that?
#49
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 34,900
Cunard's website is a total cluster so I understand your frustration. I think I would call the 800# and ask about it. The website will only confuse you.
#51

Join Date: Feb 2025
Location: BHX
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum (STE+)|TK Elite (*G)||Hilton Diamond|Radisson VIP|GHA Platinum
Posts: 333
We decided yesterday to grab the drinks package. I'm not sure we will break even but the things that swayed us were these
Convenience of being able to get both alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages anywhere
No need to sign for anything - not sure whether this would happen as it looks like cards are used?
15% gratuity added to drinks which are paid for
5% extra discount on drinks package takes it down to $68.4/day instead of $72
Can try things out to see if we like them. I read that you could try a cocktail you hadn't previously tried and if it wasn't to your taste just grab a different one. This seems significant as it will give us a much better experience/choice
Out of all these the convenience factor was probably the biggest one.
I'm not sure whether we will get any kind of record of what we "spent" with the drinks package afterwards? Do you get some kind of printout?
In any case I'll let you know how it went in a few weeks time
Convenience of being able to get both alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages anywhere
No need to sign for anything - not sure whether this would happen as it looks like cards are used?
15% gratuity added to drinks which are paid for
5% extra discount on drinks package takes it down to $68.4/day instead of $72
Can try things out to see if we like them. I read that you could try a cocktail you hadn't previously tried and if it wasn't to your taste just grab a different one. This seems significant as it will give us a much better experience/choice
Out of all these the convenience factor was probably the biggest one.
I'm not sure whether we will get any kind of record of what we "spent" with the drinks package afterwards? Do you get some kind of printout?
In any case I'll let you know how it went in a few weeks time
#52




Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Queretaro
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 5,228
We decided yesterday to grab the drinks package. I'm not sure we will break even but the things that swayed us were these
Convenience of being able to get both alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages anywhere
No need to sign for anything - not sure whether this would happen as it looks like cards are used?
15% gratuity added to drinks which are paid for
5% extra discount on drinks package takes it down to $68.4/day instead of $72
Can try things out to see if we like them. I read that you could try a cocktail you hadn't previously tried and if it wasn't to your taste just grab a different one. This seems significant as it will give us a much better experience/choice
Out of all these the convenience factor was probably the biggest one.
I'm not sure whether we will get any kind of record of what we "spent" with the drinks package afterwards? Do you get some kind of printout?
In any case I'll let you know how it went in a few weeks time
Convenience of being able to get both alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages anywhere
No need to sign for anything - not sure whether this would happen as it looks like cards are used?
15% gratuity added to drinks which are paid for
5% extra discount on drinks package takes it down to $68.4/day instead of $72
Can try things out to see if we like them. I read that you could try a cocktail you hadn't previously tried and if it wasn't to your taste just grab a different one. This seems significant as it will give us a much better experience/choice
Out of all these the convenience factor was probably the biggest one.
I'm not sure whether we will get any kind of record of what we "spent" with the drinks package afterwards? Do you get some kind of printout?
In any case I'll let you know how it went in a few weeks time
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 34,900
We decided yesterday to grab the drinks package. I'm not sure we will break even but the things that swayed us were these
Convenience of being able to get both alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages anywhere
No need to sign for anything - not sure whether this would happen as it looks like cards are used?
15% gratuity added to drinks which are paid for
5% extra discount on drinks package takes it down to $68.4/day instead of $72
Can try things out to see if we like them. I read that you could try a cocktail you hadn't previously tried and if it wasn't to your taste just grab a different one. This seems significant as it will give us a much better experience/choice
Out of all these the convenience factor was probably the biggest one.
I'm not sure whether we will get any kind of record of what we "spent" with the drinks package afterwards? Do you get some kind of printout?
In any case I'll let you know how it went in a few weeks time
Convenience of being able to get both alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages anywhere
No need to sign for anything - not sure whether this would happen as it looks like cards are used?
15% gratuity added to drinks which are paid for
5% extra discount on drinks package takes it down to $68.4/day instead of $72
Can try things out to see if we like them. I read that you could try a cocktail you hadn't previously tried and if it wasn't to your taste just grab a different one. This seems significant as it will give us a much better experience/choice
Out of all these the convenience factor was probably the biggest one.
I'm not sure whether we will get any kind of record of what we "spent" with the drinks package afterwards? Do you get some kind of printout?
In any case I'll let you know how it went in a few weeks time
No, we did not get any record of our drinks (thankfully, it was bad enough that we got our casino damage on our bill every day) and it was never close to double digits so easy to keep track in our heads. and yes, no issue with tips or anything. They just swipe the card when you order. Only once did I try a drink that wasn't to my liking so i just ordered something else (& card got swiped again but the maximum is so high that i wasn't worried about going over).
Bon voyage and be sure to report back!
Last edited by corky; Sep 14, 2025 at 12:43 pm
#54

Join Date: Feb 2025
Location: BHX
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum (STE+)|TK Elite (*G)||Hilton Diamond|Radisson VIP|GHA Platinum
Posts: 333
Ugh Ive downloaded a new menu and the cocktails are all bumped up 0.50 Not a biggie but the Old Fashioned is now $14 which is over the $13.50 limit. Any suggestions as to an alternative to my favourite cocktail thats in any way similar?
#55




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Diamond & Million Miler
Posts: 1,424
Was this Cunard?
There's a current discussion on the cunardcruises reddit.

