P&O Keeping up with the times?

So those of you that are avid cruisers will know all about drinks packages and if they are good value or not.  So, I thought it was great news that P&O have finally caught up with the times and decided to trial an “Unlimited Drinks Package”, so I am hear to tell you a bit more about this package – and you can make up your own mind whether it is worth it.

So the trial is starting from 21st July 2018 for 1 month and it will be onboard the Azura, if it is successful then they may look at offering it across the fleet, it is worth noting as well, that it can only be purchased onboard and not prebooked via your cruise personaliser.  Get to the nitty gritty I hear you say!

What does the package include?  It includes an array of beers, , single measure spirits, cocktails, wine by the glass up to £6.95 as listed on their menus.  Unlimited draft soft drinks, mocktails, primo Costa Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and small bottled water.  Within the cost, you also received 20% on drinks above £6.95, bottles of wine, large bottles of water, canned and bottled soft drinks, juices and smoothies.  And the bonus is if you are travelling with children under 16, they will have a children’s package for free!!

Now as you all know, with every great offer there are some “restrictions” or terms & conditions as they are officially called.  Every adult in the cabin must have a drinks package; Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24 hour period; only one drink at a time may be ordered (with a minimum 15 minutes waiting time between orders), you must be 18 or over (21 if in USA Waters), and finally all bottles and cans will be served open (so no storing them)

With all this in mind, what is the price I hear you ask – well the price for this package is £39.95 per person per day!  And is only valid on sailings on 7 nights or more.  Do you think that it is worth it?  Have P&O entered this too late, and what do you make of the restrictions?

Personally it’s not the restrictions that bother me as you are either on an excursion, roaming the ship etc, as I know I can drink 15 beers throughout the day (plenty of practice playing rugby), but it’s the price, I think the £39.95 per person per day is a bit steep, although I’m not tight, but when you consider a lot of my customers sail for 14 nights and some possibly even more, this can add up, and there has been no word of P&O reducing the cost or offering a “discounted” package for the longer durations.

But with all that said, there is no final confirmation as to whether it will be created as a permanent feature on P&O ships, so I guess the proof will be in the pudding as they say.

If you would like any further information on this drinks package or any other drinks package, call me on 0333 300 2662.