Understanding Why P&O Cruises Are Not All Inclusive
P&O Cruises are not all inclusive. Instead, they operate on a full board basis, which means your accommodation, main meals in designated dining rooms, and most entertainment are included in the ticket price. Extras such as alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, spa treatments, and shore excursions generally require additional payment on board.
- P&O Cruises operate on a full board, not all-inclusive, basis.
- Accommodation, main meals, and standard entertainment are included in your fare.
- Drinks, specialty restaurants, and shore excursions usually incur extra charges.
- Pre-purchasing drinks packages can help manage onboard spending.
Recognising the distinction between full board and all inclusive is critical for budget management. When you book a full board holiday, you are essentially paying for the infrastructure of the cruise—the room, the transport between ports, and the basic amenities. You are not paying for the premium lifestyle choices that occur at your discretion. For many travellers, this model provides better value, as it avoids inflating the ticket price with services you may not actually utilise.
Full Board vs All Inclusive: The Definitions
In the travel industry, full board refers to a pricing structure that includes your accommodation and three main meals per day. It does not include drinks outside of standard breakfast beverages, nor does it cover premium services. This contrasts with an all-inclusive model, where the upfront cost bundles alcohol, gratuities, and sometimes even excursions into a single, higher price point.
Understanding this structure allows you to compare like-for-like when browsing holidays. If you assume a cruise is all inclusive, you may find yourself surprised by the final bill at the end of the voyage. By treating the base fare as a fixed cost and everything else as variable, you can model your spending more accurately before you even step aboard.
Breakdown of Your Standard Fare Inclusions
When you purchase a ticket for a P&O cruise, several core elements are guaranteed. You are not just buying a bed; you are purchasing access to a floating resort. The following table highlights the core differences between what is covered in your standard fare and what typically requires a supplemental payment.
| Category | Included in Fare | Extra Cost Likely |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Standard Cabin | Room Upgrades/Suites |
| Dining | Main Dining Rooms/Buffet | Specialty Restaurants |
| Beverages | Tea, Coffee, Water, Juice | Alcohol, Soda, Barista Coffee |
| Entertainment | Theatre Shows, Pools | Some Masterclasses/Workshops |
| Gratuities | Service charge not added | Optional Tipping for Service |
The value proposition of the base fare relies on the variety of the included dining rooms. These venues often change their menus daily, offering a broad range of cuisine without a cover charge. If you are a flexible diner, the standard fare provides sufficient variety to avoid needing to pay for specialty options.
Log into your official cruise portal as soon as your booking is confirmed to view the specific dining and entertainment schedule, as this allows you to identify which paid activities you might genuinely value before you arrive.
Identifying Hidden Costs and Variable Expenses
The primary area where travellers encounter unexpected expenses involves discretionary spending. While gratuities are not automatically added to your bill—a significant departure from many other cruise lines—other costs accumulate quickly. Alcohol, soft drinks, and premium coffees are the most frequent additions to an onboard account. These are items that, on an all-inclusive holiday, would be pre-paid.
Specialty dining is another area to monitor. These restaurants offer a more intimate or curated culinary experience compared to the main dining rooms. If you choose to dine in these venues frequently, your holiday cost will increase significantly. Shore excursions also represent a major variable. While you are free to explore ports independently, organised tours booked through the cruise line carry a cost that is rarely included in the base fare.
How to Manage Spend When P&O Cruises Are Not All Inclusive
Because the baseline is full board, you have the autonomy to control your total expenditure. The most effective strategy is to decide your budget threshold before you board. If you know you will consume alcohol daily, purchasing a drinks package before you sail is often more cost-effective than paying for individual drinks on board.
Another strategy involves reviewing the pre-booking options for specialty dining. These often come with a discount if booked in advance through the online platform. This converts a variable cost into a fixed cost, giving you greater clarity over your total holiday expenditure. By moving these costs into the pre-departure phase, you remove the psychological friction of paying for individual items while you are trying to relax.
Set a specific daily spending limit on your onboard account as soon as you check in; this acts as a hard stop for your discretionary spending and prevents any surprises on your final statement.
Evaluating the Break-Even Point for Upgrades
To decide if you should opt for add-ons like drinks packages, you must calculate your break-even point. This is the volume of consumption required to make the pre-paid package cheaper than buying items individually. For example, if a drinks package costs a certain amount per day, count the number of alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and sodas you realistically consume.
If your consumption is consistently below the package price, you are better off paying as you go. If you are a light drinker, the 'pay-as-you-go' model is almost always the financially superior choice. Conversely, if you prefer to have a fixed budget where you do not need to check prices, the package offers peace of mind, even if it is not the most economical choice on paper.
The most successful travellers on a full board cruise are those who treat their onboard budget with the same discipline they apply to their everyday household finances.
Next Steps for Your Cruise Planning
Once you understand that the cruise is not all inclusive, your planning should shift toward the official booking management system. This is where the actual costs for your specific voyage are transparent. Compare the prices of the available drinks packages against your personal habits and check the availability of specialty dining at the times you prefer to eat.
Finalise your choices well before departure. Many of the most popular experiences, such as limited-capacity workshops or specific specialty restaurant slots, sell out. Securing these in advance ensures you are not disappointed, and it keeps your holiday spending predictable. Review your booking confirmation to see if you have any existing onboard credit, as this can be used to offset the cost of the extras you identify.
Conclusion
P&O Cruises offer a versatile product that allows you to control the cost of your holiday. By avoiding the rigid structure of a mandatory all-inclusive fare, they provide the flexibility to choose when and where you spend your money. Your total cruise expenditure is ultimately a reflection of your own choices rather than a fixed, bundled price.