This is fantastic news…..or is it?

This week Cunard have announced an selection of drinks packages to be rolled out across their 3 ships.

This is fantastic news….. on a cruise, drinks are added to your on board account and the cost of these can soon add up, particularly on days at sea. Customers are always asking if it is possible to purchase an all inclusive drinks package, or even a soft drinks package and Cunard were one of the few cruise lines to not offer one.

This is fantastic news…..they now offer a choice of 4 different packages, giving something for everyone.

• The ‘Beers Wines and Spirits’ option (commonly known as All Inclusive drinks to everyone else) – a choice of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails as well as soft drinks, teas and coffees.
• The ‘Premium Soft Drinks’ option which includes juices and sodas, small bottles water, specialty hot drinks and non alcoholic cocktails.
• The ‘Soft Drinks’ option – draught sodas, juices, squashes and cordial.
• The  ‘Specialty Hot Drinks’ option – coffees, teas and hot chocolate.

This is fantastic news….. until you see the price. The Beers, Wines and Spirits option is $69 per person per day. £53 at today’s exchange rate. To me that seems expensive, P&O charge £39.95pp and MSC  are approximately £35. Celebrity offer a Classic package at $55 and a Premium one  at $10 more.

Now it may be that Cunard will argue that by including drinks up to $11 in cost, they are offering a really premium product. I just can’t see customers going for it though. In my experience more customers purchase the standard drinks packages i.e. Celebrities Classic package rather than upgrading to including the more expensive beverages. I have a feeling Cunard just want to be seen to be offering a drinks package, without actually wanting people to buy it.

I also have one other grip with these packages….the lack of water in the soft drinks package. Water is a really important  and healthy drink and soft drinks are not. I am a big fan of coke, juices etc but appreciate that as a nation we are becoming over weight and struggling with tooth decay. As a mother I am encouraged to give my child water and as a healthy adult I like to drink it myself. With so much in the news about healthy lifestyles and cutting back on sugars I personally feel that it is irresponsible of Cunard and other cruise lines to not include water in their packages.

What do you think?