Drinks served at a cruise ship bar, illustrating what a Cunard drinks package covers

Cunard Drinks Package 2026: Prices, Rules and Is It Worth It?

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCunardFood and drink

The Cunard drinks package range for 2026 is called A World of Drinks, and it has four tiers: the Alcohol-Free Collection from US$18 per person per day, the Premium Alcohol-Free Collection, the Beverage Collection (drinks up to US$13.50) and the Premium Beverage Collection (drinks up to US$20). On a typical 7–14 night voyage, the alcoholic packages cost US$76.50 or US$90 per person per day if you pre-book. That’s 10% less than buying on board. The packages are worth it if you’ll have about six or more paid drinks a day. Lighter drinkers usually spend less paying as they go.

Below you’ll find current prices, what each package covers, the rules that catch people out, and the newer Signature Packages that combine drinks with Wi-Fi and dining credit. You’ll also get a simple way to work out whether a package pays off for you. Prices are taken from Cunard’s UK website at the time of writing (October 2026). They change regularly, so check your My Cunard account before you buy.

Cunard drinks package prices for 2026

Cunard sets drinks prices in US dollars on board. The cost per person, per day goes down as the voyage gets longer. Pre-booking through My Cunard saves 10% on the on-board price. The table shows the pre-booked price first and the on-board price in brackets.

Package (price cap per drink) 1–6 nights 7–14 nights 15–74 nights 75+ nights
Alcohol-Free Collection $18 ($20) $18 ($20) $18 ($20) $18 ($20)
Premium Alcohol-Free Collection (up to $12) $45 ($50) $40.50 ($45) $36 ($40) $31.50 ($35)
Beverage Collection (up to $13.50) $94.50 ($105) $76.50 ($85) $63 ($70) $49.50 ($55)
Premium Beverage Collection (up to $20) $108 ($120) $90 ($100) $76.50 ($85) $63 ($70)

The package prices already include the service charge. For a couple on a 10-night Mediterranean voyage, the Beverage Collection costs US$1,530 in total if pre-booked ($76.50 × 2 people × 10 days). If you add the Beverage Collection when you book a qualifying Cunard Fare or Early Saver voyage, UK guests are charged in sterling at the time of booking, with the same 10% saving.

What each Cunard drinks package includes

Alcohol-Free Collection

This is the basic option. It covers soft drinks from the fountain, juices and standard hot drinks up to about US$4.50 per serving, plus gelato. It suits guests who drink a lot of tea, coffee and soft drinks but don’t want speciality coffees or mocktails.

Premium Alcohol-Free Collection

This covers speciality coffees, fresh juices, smoothies, bottled mineral water, milkshakes and alcohol-free cocktails, as well as alcohol-free beers, wines and spirits, all up to US$12 per serving. There’s no daily limit on how many drinks you have. Under-18s, pregnant guests, and guests who avoid alcohol for medical reasons can choose this package even if the adults in their stateroom buy an alcoholic one.

Beverage Collection

This is Cunard’s main alcoholic package. It covers beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, and wine and sparkling wine by the glass up to US$13.50 each. It also includes everything in the Premium Alcohol-Free Collection. You get 15% off bottles of wine priced up to US$150 and a discount on Wine and Bar Academy sessions. If you order a drink above the cap, you pay the difference plus service charge.

Premium Beverage Collection

This raises the cap to US$20 per drink, so Champagne by the glass, finer wines and premium cocktails are covered. The bottle discount goes up to 25% on wines priced up to US$150. It’s worth considering if you like a glass of Champagne before dinner or prefer wines from further down the list.

Bartender pouring cocktails at an elegant bar, the kind of drinks covered by a Cunard drinks package
Cocktails, wine by the glass and spirits up to the price cap are covered by the alcoholic packages. Photo: Alexandru Cojanu on Pexels

Cunard Signature Packages: drinks, Wi-Fi and dining credit

On selected voyages from March 2026, Cunard also sells two bundles called Signature and Premium Signature. They’re available across the fleet, including Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and the newest ship, Queen Anne. Cunard says they can save up to 30% compared with buying each part separately on board. Prices are in sterling per person, per day:

Voyage length Signature Premium Signature Dining credit (Signature / Premium)
1–6 nights £70 £80 US$15 / US$25
7–9 nights £60 £70 US$25 / US$40
10–14 nights £60 £70 US$50 / US$80
15–74 nights £50 £60 US$70 / US$100
75+ nights £40 £50 US$100 / US$150

The Signature Package includes the Beverage Collection’s drinks (up to US$13.50), the Essential Internet package for one device, and a dining credit for speciality restaurants and premium dishes. Premium Signature adds the Premium Beverage Collection (up to US$20), the faster Premium Internet package for streaming and video calls, and a larger dining credit. The dining credit is given once for the whole voyage, not every day. A Signature Package becomes part of your fare and follows the same payment and cancellation terms. Bookings made through a travel agent have to be changed through that agent.

The bundles make the most sense for guests who were going to buy Wi-Fi anyway. If you don’t need internet at sea, compare the bundle with the Beverage Collection on its own at current exchange rates before you decide.

Cunard drinks package rules to know before you buy

  1. Everyone in the stateroom buys the same package. If one adult buys an alcoholic package, the other adults in the stateroom must buy it too. The exceptions are under-18s and guests with a medical reason, who can choose an alcohol-free option. A child under 18 sharing with only one adult is charged the package price but gets the alcohol-free version.
  2. There’s a daily limit of 15 alcoholic drinks. The alcoholic packages cover up to 15 alcoholic drinks per guest in each 24-hour period, running from 6am to 5:59am. Soft drinks aren’t limited.
  3. The package covers one drink at a time, for you only. You can’t buy rounds for friends on your package, and each order covers one drink per guest.
  4. Some things aren’t covered. Packages don’t cover the minibar, room service, retail purchases or drinks on disembarkation day.
  5. Timing matters. Pre-purchase through My Cunard up to three days before embarkation, which is also when free cancellation ends. On board, you can only buy a package during the first two days, and those purchases are non-refundable.
  6. The service charge is included. When you pay for drinks individually, Cunard adds an 18% service charge. Package prices already include it.

Cunard doesn’t let guests bring their own spirits, beer or wine on board for use in public areas, so plan to buy drinks on the ship. For a wider look at how these rules compare with other lines, see our guide to cruise drinks packages compared across the major lines.

Two glasses of red wine on a dinner table set for an evening meal at sea
Wine with dinner adds up quickly, which is where a drinks package can pay off. Photo: Julia Filirovska on Pexels

Is the Cunard drinks package worth it?

Many guides skip the maths, so here it is. If you don’t buy a package, each drink costs its menu price plus the 18% service charge. A drink priced at US$10 actually costs about US$11.80, and one at US$13 costs about US$15.34. Divide the daily package price by what your usual drink costs to find how many drinks you need each day to break even.

Package (7–14 nights, pre-booked) Daily price Break-even at $10 drinks (+18%) Break-even at $13 drinks (+18%)
Beverage Collection $76.50 About 6.5 drinks About 5 drinks
Premium Beverage Collection $90 About 7.6 drinks About 6 drinks (or about 4 Champagne-level drinks at $18)
Premium Alcohol-Free Collection $40.50 About 6 speciality coffees or mocktails at around $6 Not applicable

These are worked examples, not menu prices, so check current bar menus in the Cunard app or on board. Remember to count everything you would drink in a day: a cappuccino at breakfast, a bottle of water ashore, a cocktail at sail-away, two glasses of wine at dinner and a nightcap in the Commodore Club. That’s often six or seven drinks without trying.

Good value if you:

  • Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, wine with dinner and a drink after the show most nights
  • Are on a port-light itinerary such as a Transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2, where you’ll spend more time on board
  • Prefer not to look at a bar bill, or would book Wi-Fi anyway (in that case, look at the Signature Package)
  • Are on a longer voyage, where the daily price drops a lot

Probably not worth it if you:

  • Have two or three drinks a day, or one partner rarely drinks (both of you would still have to buy the package)
  • Have a port-heavy itinerary, such as a Queen Anne voyage around the Greek islands like this 19-night Greek islands cruise, where you’ll spend many days ashore
  • Mainly drink wine by the bottle. The package discount on bottles may save less than you’d expect

What about Grills guests?

Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites come with some drinks in the suite, such as a stocked minibar. The details vary by grade, so check your booking. Drinks in the bars and restaurants are still charged unless you buy a package, and the same rules apply. If you’re still choosing a suite grade, our comparison of Queens Grill vs Princess Grill explains the differences.

How to buy a Cunard drinks package

  • When booking: Add the Beverage Collection or a Signature Package when you book your cruise (eligible fares only, and numbers are limited).
  • Before sailing: Log in to My Cunard, open the drinks section and buy up to three days before embarkation to get the 10% saving.
  • On board: Visit the Purser’s Office or any bar during the first two days of the voyage. Prices are about 10% higher and purchases can’t be refunded.

Full details and current prices are on Cunard’s A World of Drinks page.

If you are weighing up a British-style cruise line, see how the Fred. Olsen drinks package compares on price and what is included.

FAQs

How much is the Cunard drinks package per day?

For a 7–14 night voyage, the Beverage Collection costs US$76.50 and the Premium Beverage Collection costs US$90 per person per day if pre-booked. On board, they cost US$85 and US$100. Shorter voyages cost more per day, and longer ones cost less.

Does the Cunard drinks package include the service charge?

Yes. Package prices include the service charge. Drinks you pay for individually have an 18% service charge added.

How much does a glass of wine cost on Cunard?

Prices vary by wine and ship. Wines by the glass up to US$13.50 are covered by the Beverage Collection, and up to US$20 by the Premium Beverage Collection. Without a package, you pay the menu price plus 18% service charge.

Can you bring your own alcohol on a Cunard cruise?

Cunard doesn’t let guests bring spirits, beer or wine on board for use in public areas. Check Cunard’s current policy before you sail.

Do all adults in a cabin have to buy the Cunard drinks package?

Yes. All adults sharing a stateroom must buy the same alcoholic package. Under-18s, and guests who don’t drink alcohol for medical reasons, can choose an alcohol-free package.

Cunard-Queen-Mary.jpg

Is Cunard Too Posh For Me? I Cruised on Queen Mary 2 To Find Out

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCunard

I’ve taken over 40 cruises but I’d never really fancied Cunard.

With over 300 cruise ships at sea and striking differences between them, I always say that there’s a cruise line for everyone. And honestly, I didn’t think Cunard was for me.

Cruise Mummy wearing sunglasses smiles at the camera while standing on the deck of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship, with the ocean and a setting sun in the background. The ship's deck features a pool and sun loungers.

When I think of Cunard I think of butlers wearing white gloves, afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches and time spent doing not much more than crossword puzzles and starting at the ocean.

And while it’s true that you can do all of those things on a Cunard cruise, there’s more to it than that, as I would discover.

Is Cunard stuffy?

As a working-class mum with two young kids, I thought that I was far from the typical Cunard cruiser. I expected to stand out like a sore thumb amidst a sea of grey-haired couples who reside in the Home Counties and speak using the Queen’s English.

Cunard is synonymous with Royalty, with the ships named after famous British Queens. The logo features a crown, a lion and a laurel wreath, signifying the connections to the British Royal Family.

Cruise Mummy smiles at the camera while holding a glass of champagne on the deck of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship. She is sitting on a blue lounge chair with a regal emblem embroidered on the headrest.

And while yes, there are quite a few guests on board that wouldn’t look out of place at a Buckingham Palace garden party, on this cruise, the clientele were mixed.

As I took a short sailing from Southampton and Hamburg and back (which was a segment of the longer transatlantic voyages that Queen Mary 2 is famous for) there were plenty of Germans and Americans on board too.

While some of the Brits like to don a bow tie for breakfast, the international guests were a little more relaxed. And yes, some were even wearing jeans!

I booked this cruise because I spotted it on sale for £198pp for four nights – a price that was less than half of the going rate. I shared the deal on my Facebook page and with my email list and the remaining places were sold that day.

If you’d like to hear about the best cruise deals I find each week, you can leave your email address here and I’ll send them to you.

You get what you pay for

Cunard and P&O Cruises are both part of the Carnival group and there are many similarities between the two brands.

I love P&O Cruises but, like many, I’ve noticed that what’s included in the fare has become gradually less over the years, with the little extras like a nightly turn-down with chocolates on the pillows no longer part of the service.

Read more: 20 Things That P&O Cruises Used To Offer That They No Longer Do

On Cunard, all the little extras are there for you. Each cabin has a bottle of sparkling wine in the fridge, there’s 24-hour room service at no charge and the crew members seem to be extra friendly and helpful.

My hand holds a bottle of Pol Acker sparkling wine inside a cabin on the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship. The background shows part of the cabin with light wooden furniture and a balcony with a glass door.

Yes, there are some niggles, and there will always be those who like to focus on the things that aren’t perfect rather than those that are. But on the whole, Cunard offers a level of luxury that matches the price point.

Queen Mary 2 is an older ship

The last of the world’s great ocean liners, Queen Mary 2 is iconic. She’s one of the fastest passenger ships in operation, with a maximum speed of 30 knots.

Of course, she’s been fully refurbished many times since her launch in 2024 and some areas of the ship look brand new. However, she is an incredibly quirky ship by design.

I’ve never known a cruise ship that was so difficult to find my way around. The lower decks, in particular, are like a maze, with certain areas only accessible by taking unusual routes that you wouldn’t expect. Without the paper deck plan that Cunard gives to every guest on embarkation, you will most definitely get lost.

A deck plan of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship, showing labeled diagrams of each deck from Deck 1 to Deck 13. The plan includes a side view of the ship with corresponding deck sections and details on various facilities and amenities.

The Planetarium and the G32 nightclub are two areas that some cruisers never manage to discover, even on a week-long crossing.

Some unusual features

One of most fascinating things about Queen Mary 2 is that she is the only cruise ship in the world that allows guests to bring their pet dogs and cats onboard. Indeed, the ship has its own kennels where pets can stay for transatlantic crossings.

A dog on a leash walks along the deck of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship, near a red fire hydrant. The deck area is designated for pet kennels, with city views in the background through the glass panels.

The prices aren’t cheap, at $800 to $2000 for a dog (depending on the size) and $1600 for a cat. But for anyone relocating across the pond with their pets, it provides a handy way to travel.

Queen Mary 2 is also the only cruise ship to feature a planetarium. With its domed ceiling and fully reclining seats, it’s an attractive feature designed to make you feel as though you’re in space. Unfortunately, the planetarium wasn’t open during my four-night cruise, which was disappointing.

The interior of the planetarium on the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship features rows of plush, patterned seats facing a central stage and screen. The room is adorned with ornate decorations and has a large circular ceiling design, creating a luxurious and immersive atmosphere.

Those with an interest in maritime history will be sure to enjoy the Maritime Quest exhibit which chronicles the history of Cunard with rare artifacts, photos and interactive displays. There’s also an extensive library, one of the largest at sea, with over 8,000 books.

Cunard cruisers are a loyal bunch

Upon arriving at the main dining room, I was offered the option to share a table or sit alone. I always opted to share, as I love to meet new people and learn about their lives. One thing that struck me was that almost every person I dined with had cruised on Queen Mary 2 many, many times already.

Some of these had tried other cruise lines too, but described these as ‘just not Cunard’. It’s clear to me that for many people, Cunard ticks every box, prompting them to return every year.

The main dining room on the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship features an elegant, two-story space with a grand stained-glass ceiling, large mural, and marble columns. The dining area is set with round tables adorned with white tablecloths and floral centerpieces, creating a refined and luxurious dining atmosphere.

So, is Cunard for me?

I love all kinds of cruise ships, from 6,000-passenger mega-ships, to yachts and river boats that accommodate just a couple of hundred. I also enjoy all ends of the luxury scale, with an appreciation for £30-per-night bargain breaks to ultra-luxury boutique yacht-style vessels.

My trip on Queen Mary 2 offered just what I needed for my solo trip – a quiet space to work, delicious food that met my dietary needs, an extensive gym and promenade deck for exercise and a super-comfortable bed. And, luckily, lots and lots of warm sunshine!

Cruise Mummy wearing sunglasses and a colorful bikini relaxes on a lounge chair covered with a striped towel on the deck of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship. She is enjoying the sunny weather, lying on a spacious deck area with additional lounge chairs in the background.

But, if I were to take a week-long cruise with my family or friends, with an absence of sunshine, I’m sure that we would quickly become bored.

While many people delight in spending days with their head buried in a book and evenings listening to the sounds of a tinkling piano with a glass of the finest whiskey and a cigar, that’s not for me.

A cozy lounge area on the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship features several plush leather armchairs arranged around small tables with glass ashtrays. The space includes a wall of wooden cabinets displaying a collection of cigars and other items, creating an inviting atmosphere for relaxation.

I prefer a jam-packed schedule, acrobatic performances, water slides and rock climbing walls.

So, while Queen Mary 2 is a beautiful ship that’s just perfect for many people. She’s not my favourite. And that’s okay. 

Cruise Mummy in an orange top gives a thumbs-up while sitting on the deck of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship. Behind her, an orange lifeboat is visible, along with some outdoor seating and railings. She appears to be enjoying her time on the ship.

I made a vlog of my Cunard cruise. You can see that below if you’re interested and subscribe to my YouTube channel to see future videos.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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Cunard-Cruise-1.jpg

I Took A £99 Cunard Cruise

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsCunard

The price you see advertised for a cruise is never what you actually pay. There are always extras, some are mandatory, some are optional, but they all add up.

I found an absolute bargain – a 2-night Southampton to Hamburg cruise for £99. I also booked the back-to-back return trip, two nights from Hamburg to Southampton for another £99.

So, did my four-night Cunard cruise cost £198? The short answer is no. Far from it! Here’s how much I actually spent (including my VERY surprising bank statement!)

Cruise Mummy smiles while holding a glass of white wine on a Cunard cruise ship, seated on a deck chair with a navy cushion featuring a gold embroidered emblem.

Single supplements – £160

As I opted to travel solo on this trip, I had to pay a single supplement of £80 for each segment.

Yes, I could have just paid £38 more and brought a friend along for the four nights. But, I planned to spend the vast majority of this trip working so I wouldn’t have been much fun. Plus, I like to spend some time alone, I find it invigorating.

A Cunard cruise ship stateroom featuring a neatly made bed with navy blue bedding and Cunard branding, flanked by two nightstands with lamps, a comfortable chair, and a table with cruise brochures.

Gratuities – $64

Cunard charges $16 per person per day for gratuities. So for the four nights, I was billed $64.

That money goes to the crew members to help supplement their wages.

I did meet one person who said that she would be removing the gratuities as she didn’t think that the service was very good. While you can do that by visiting guest services, I wouldn’t advise it.

Crew members work very hard and don’t get paid a lot. And many of them work behind the scenes doing the jobs that you don’t see.

Suggested read: Can You Refuse To Pay Gratuities On A Cruise?

A spacious dining room on a Cunard cruise ship, featuring elegantly set tables with white tablecloths, flower centerpieces, and large windows offering an ocean view.

Extra tips – $24

Tipping extra on top of the gratuities is completely optional. However, each time you order a drink or room service, you’ll be asked to sign for it and there’s a box where you can add an extra tip.

I tipped cash to my cabin stewards and added a small tip for the servers who brought me room service. You don’t need to do that, but if it makes you happy, and it makes them happy too, then why not?

Suggested read: How Much Extra People Usually Tip Cruise Crew

A room service tray on a Cunard cruise ship, featuring covered plates with food, a bowl of sauce, salt and pepper shakers, and neatly arranged napkins and cutlery on a small table.

Drinks – $47

The included drinks with Cunard are very good. As well as the standard tea, coffee, water and fruit juices with breakfast, you do get some drinks included that I didn’t expect.

You can get fruit juice in the buffet at any time of the day, not just at breakfast as on most cruise ships. You can also get cranberry juice and lemonade. The lemonade is particularly delicious and I drank lots of that.

Cunard allows you to bring a bottle of wine on embarkation to drink in your cabin. There’s also a half bottle of sparkling wine in the fridge which was a very nice and unexpected touch.

With so many included drinks, I didn’t buy many. Just two pints of lager, a mojito, a glass of wine and a diet Coke. These five drinks added up to $47 (including the 15% service charge).

A Mojito cocktail with lime and ice sits on a wooden bar counter on a Cunard cruise ship, with a background of various liquor bottles and glassware.

Wifi – $72

As I spent much of this cruise working, I did buy the wifi package for the two sea days. That cost $36 per day for the fast wifi.

It’s powered by Starlink and was fast enough to do anything I wanted to do, including video calls with clients.

On the port day, I stayed on the ship but used my 5G connection. This didn’t work in my inside cabin, but was fine to use outside or in the public areas near a window.

Cunard does give you one hour of free internet access per cruise, so if you don’t have work to do you could just use that as well as your 5G when the ship is docked.

A work area on a Cunard cruise ship, featuring a cubicle with a computer, a laptop, hand sanitizer, a sign reminding guests to sanitize equipment, and a comfortable office chair.

My Total Spend

My initial cruise fare was £198 plus an extra £160 for single supplements. I then spent $207 (£163) on board on tips, wifi and drinks. ($20 of this was paid in cash to the room stewards)

In total, over the four days, I spent £521.

I don’t think this is a bad price for a four-night solo cruise. Especially as the next night I stayed at a Premier Inn in London for the Sailawaze Excellence Awards and paid £230 for a basic room!

My Surprise Bill!

When I returned home from my cruise and checked my online banking statement, I had a bit of a shock!

My card had been charged six times while I was on board, totalling £288.48.

I would have expected to be charged about £150 based on my spending, so I was really shocked to see the actual amount billed was almost double this.

Bank statement showing transactions on Queen Mary 2

I have contacted Cunard via their website to ask for a breakdown of the charges and will update this here once I hear back from them.

Freebies

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Cunard includes some extras that you don’t get with sister lines like P&O Cruise and Princess Cruises.

In my cabin, there was a bottle of sparkling wine in the fridge. There were also some slippers in the wardrobe that I took home with me after the cruise. I also took the notepad and pencil as a souvenir. In fact, I have a full list of things you can ‘steal’ from cruise ships.

A hand holding a bottle of Pol Acker sparkling wine inside a stateroom on a Cunard cruise ship, with a glimpse of the balcony and outdoor furniture in the background.

When I went to the buffet I was impressed to see that fruit juices were available all day. This definitely saved me money on on soft drinks, which were particularly pricey at $4.50 each, plus a 15% gratuity.

A beverage station on a Cunard cruise ship, featuring coffee, juice, and water dispensers, with signs instructing passengers to use provided cups for hygiene purposes.

Wine was also expensive to buy on board, at $12, plus 15% gratuity for a glass of house rose.

Being able to bring a bottle on board with me saved me some money there. And as my cruise was technically two back-to-back cruises, I could have brought on another bottle in Hamburg if I wished.

The complimentary hour of wifi was also a nice touch that I wish more cruise lines would offer.

The nightly chocolates on the bed were welcomed too. And I love that room service was free!

Cruise Mummy smiles beside a room service tray on a Cunard cruise ship, featuring a bowl of tomato soup, a slice of bread, croutons, a bowl of mixed fruit, and a pitcher of water.

On the first of my back-to-back cruises, I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that the inside cabin I had booked had been upgraded to an obstructed view balcony! I’ve never had a free upgrade in over 40 cruises, so well done Cunard for being the first!

A Cunard cruise ship stateroom with an obstructed view balcony, featuring two neatly made twin beds with navy blue bedding, a desk with a lamp, and a small seating area near the balcony door.

Many other cruise lines like MSC, Princess and Celebrity make guests ‘bid’ how much they will pay for the upgrades.

It’s great that Cunard give these for free. I wasn’t the only one, I spoke to other cruisers on board who had the same thing happen to them too.

What I didn’t buy

I do sometimes like to use the thermal suite of the spa on a cruise. But at $59, I felt that this was a little expensive for a sauna and soak in a hot tub. Instead, I used the hot tubs by the pool. It wasn’t busy so I had them to myself most of the time.

I also brought my own snacks with me. I spotted some M&Ms in the ship for $11.25 so I was glad I did that! 

Bags of family-size Salted Caramel M&M's on display aboard a Cunard cruise ship, with the front and back of the packaging visible, including nutritional information and a colorful M&M character illustration.

To conclude

Although my cruise cost considerably more than £99, I still felt that it offered good value for money. Short cruises like this are perfect when you want to decide if a cruise line is right for you or not.

I’m hoping that the overcharging was indeed a mistake and that I will be refunded for it soon. I’ll let you know.

If you’re interested to see whether I would cruise with Cunard again, you can read my next article which is coming soon for you! You can sign up to my email newsletter to be notified about that one.

Related Posts:

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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Ocean liner on a calm sea at sunset, the setting for Cunard Queens Grill and Princess Grill voyages

Cunard Queens Grill vs Princess Grill: Benefits, Suites and Is It Worth It?

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCunard

The main difference in Cunard Queens Grill vs Princess Grill is the level of service and how much is included. Princess Grill gives you a larger suite, a reserved table in a private restaurant and use of the Grills lounge and terrace. Cunard Queens Grill adds a bigger suite, a butler, a stocked in-suite bar, Champagne on arrival and off-menu dining at every meal.

Both are part of what Cunard calls the Grill Suites, a “ship within a ship” that sits above Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms. This guide sets out what each tier includes, how big the suites are on each ship and when paying for Queens Grill makes sense. It also covers the fleet changes Cunard has announced for 2026 to 2029, because they affect where you can book a Grill Suite.

Cunard Grill Suites explained

Every Cunard ship has two Grill tiers:

  • Princess Grill Suites (grades P1 and P2) are the entry point to Grills living. Think of them as roomy mini-suites with a balcony and their own restaurant.
  • Queens Grill Suites (grades Q1 and below) run from Queens Suites and Penthouses up to Master Suites, Grand Suites and the Grand Duplex apartments on Queen Mary 2.

Both tiers share the private Grill Suites Lounge, the Grill Suites Terrace and a dedicated concierge team. The two restaurants are separate, though, and so are the drinks, service and many of the small extras. That gap is the real question when you choose between the two.

Queens Grill vs Princess Grill at a glance

Feature Princess Grill Queens Grill
Restaurant Reserved table in the Princess Grill restaurant Reserved table in the Queens Grill restaurant, with off-menu ordering
Cabin service Stateroom steward Butler, who can also unpack your cases
Welcome drink Bottle of Cunard prosecco Laurent-Perrier Champagne with chocolates or strawberries
In-suite bar Not included Complimentary bar stocked with your choice of wine, Champagne or spirits
Canapés Not included Daily pre-dinner canapés
Priority services Priority embarkation Priority embarkation and disembarkation, plus priority tenders (Q1 to Q4)
Grills Lounge, Terrace and Afternoon Tea Yes Yes
Typical suite size Roughly 300 to 513 sq ft Roughly 484 sq ft up to 2,249 sq ft

Cunard Princess Grill benefits

Cunard’s own inclusions list sets out the Princess Grill benefits:

  • A permanently reserved table in the Princess Grill restaurant, so you can arrive at any time during dinner service
  • A dedicated stateroom steward and an in-suite room service menu
  • Priority embarkation
  • A welcome bottle of Cunard prosecco
  • Grill Suites Afternoon Tea, served in the Grills areas
  • Access to the Grill Suites Lounge, Terrace and, on most ships, the Courtyard
  • Robes and slippers, Penhaligon’s toiletries, a pillow menu, personalised stationery, bottled water, fresh fruit on request and nightly turndown

The restaurant is the main draw for most people. It is far smaller than the Britannia restaurant and you keep the same table and waiters for the whole voyage. Cunard serves an à la carte menu with tableside dishes such as Dover sole and a rack of lamb carved for two. Drinks are not included in Princess Grill, so wine and bar drinks go on your account unless you add a drinks package.

Spacious suite with a sofa, king bed and a private balcony overlooking the sea, similar to a Grill Suite
Princess Grill suites add a seating area and a balcony to the standard cabin layout. Photo: Hoàng Luân on Pexels

What is a Cunard Princess Grill Suite like?

A Princess Grill Suite is a large balcony stateroom rather than a multi-room suite. Expect a queen or twin beds, a sitting area with a sofa, a walk-in wardrobe on most ships, a bathroom with a bath and separate shower on the older ships, and a private balcony. Sizes run from about 302 sq ft on Queen Anne to about 513 sq ft for the largest P1 suites on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. For many UK cruisers, the Princess Grill Suite is the sweet spot: you get the Grills restaurant, lounge and terrace at a much lower fare than a Queens Grill Suite.

Cunard Queens Grill benefits

Queens Grill guests get everything in Princess Grill. On top of that, Cunard lists these Queens Grill benefits:

  • A butler as well as your steward. Your butler can unpack and pack for you, serve meals course by course in your suite and handle special requests.
  • A complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your choice of wine, Champagne or spirits
  • Laurent-Perrier Champagne on arrival, with chocolates or strawberries
  • Daily pre-dinner canapés and a gala night turndown treat
  • Off-menu ordering at breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Queens Grill restaurant
  • Priority disembarkation and priority tenders (Q1 to Q4 grades), as well as priority embarkation
  • A library and board games in the suite

The top named suites, such as the Grand Suites and Grand Duplexes, add extras like binoculars, a Penhaligon’s scent set and a proper writing desk. On Queen Anne they also include a Dyson hairdryer.

What is on the Cunard Queens Grill menu?

Cunard publishes sample menus only and changes them regularly. Dishes reported in the Queens Grill include lobster Thermidor, beef Wellington carved at the table and caviar at breakfast. The bigger difference is flexibility. In the Queens Grill you can ask for dishes that are not on the menu, often with a day’s notice. In the Princess Grill you order from what is listed.

Exclusive Grills areas and Afternoon Tea

Both tiers share the Grills spaces, which are often the best quiet corners on board:

  • Grill Suites Lounge: a private lounge with a concierge desk, where you can book shore trips, spa slots and speciality dining.
  • Grill Suites Terrace: a private sun deck. On Queen Mary 2 it has a whirlpool.
  • Grill Suites Courtyard: a sheltered outdoor area for al fresco lunches. It is best known on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
  • Afternoon Tea: a separate Grills sitting, so you skip the crowds in the main Afternoon Tea venue.

Cunard Grill suite sizes by ship

Suite sizes vary by ship, so the same grade name can mean quite different space. The approximate figures below come from Cunard materials and UK travel agents. Check the deck plan for your actual suite before you book.

Ship Princess Grill (approx.) Queens Grill (approx.)
Queen Mary 2 About 381 sq ft From about 506 sq ft up to 2,249 sq ft (Grand Duplex)
Queen Victoria About 335 to 513 sq ft About 484 to 757 sq ft, plus larger Master and Grand Suites
Queen Elizabeth About 335 to 513 sq ft About 484 to 671 sq ft, plus larger Master and Grand Suites
Queen Anne About 302 sq ft (P1 and P2) 507 to 647 sq ft for Queens and Penthouse Suites, 896 sq ft Master Suites, 1,440 sq ft Grand Suites

Cunard says its Q1 and Q2 suites range from 896 to 2,249 sq ft, and each has a living room, a dining area and a private terrace.

Queen Anne Grills are laid out differently

Queen Anne is the newest ship and is set up a little differently. It has 127 Princess Grill Suites and 65 Queens Grill Suites. Its Princess Grill Suites are the smallest in the fleet at about 302 sq ft. Cunard also notes that Grill Suites on Queen Anne do not have the walk-in wardrobe or separate bath and shower found on the other ships. If those matter to you, compare layouts carefully.

Elegant table set for dinner with white linen and wine glasses in a cruise ship restaurant
Both Grills tiers dine in their own smaller restaurant away from the main dining room. Photo: Julia Volk on Pexels

Cunard fleet changes that affect Grills bookings (2026 to 2029)

Before you book, it is worth knowing what Cunard has announced:

  • Queen Anne is leaving Cunard. In early October 2026, Carnival Corporation confirmed that Queen Anne will stay with Cunard through her 2028-29 World Voyage. She will then be refitted, renamed and handed to P&O Cruises from May 2029. After that, Cunard returns to three ships: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Read more in our report on Queen Anne’s move to P&O Cruises. Grill Suites on Queen Anne can still be booked for sailings up to then, such as the 19-night Greek Islands voyage on Queen Anne.
  • Queen Victoria has been refurbished. She returns to service on 7 November 2026. Her Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites have new furnishings and design, and there is a new Britannia Deluxe Oceanview stateroom category.
  • Queen Mary 2 goes into a 2027 refit. She enters drydock at Damen Shiprepair in Brest on 31 March 2027 and returns on 9 May 2027. The refit adds 31 new staterooms, including 16 new Princess Grill Suites. Every Grill Suite gets new interiors and redesigned bathrooms, and both Grills restaurants are being refreshed with extra outdoor deck space.

Is upgrading to Queens Grill worth it?

It depends on how you will use it. Queens Grill fares are usually well above Princess Grill fares for the same voyage, and the gap grows quickly on long crossings and world voyages. Here is a practical way to decide:

  1. Add up what you would drink. The stocked in-suite bar and daily canapés can offset a fair amount of the extra cost if you enjoy wine or Champagne. If you hardly drink, that value disappears.
  2. Think about voyage length. On a seven-night crossing the extra space matters less. On a three-week voyage or a world cruise segment, a larger suite and a butler make daily life noticeably easier.
  3. Check the ship. On Queen Anne the Princess Grill Suites are compact, so the size jump to Queens Grill is bigger. On Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, the larger Princess Grill Suites close part of that gap.
  4. Be honest about dining. Off-menu ordering is a real perk if you are a keen or fussy eater. Many guests find the Princess Grill menu more than enough.
  5. Watch the timing. The QM2 refit adds Princess Grill Suites and refreshes both restaurants from May 2027. If you are booking QM2, sailings after the refit offer the newer product.

Our verdict: Princess Grill gives the best value for most couples. You get the private restaurant, lounge, terrace and Afternoon Tea, which are the things that change the feel of a Cunard voyage most. Queens Grill is worth it if you want a butler, real living space and drinks taken care of, especially on longer voyages. If you are price-checking, our cruise deals for 2027 roundup is a good place to start. Always compare Grills fares directly on Cunard’s official site as well.

Grills guests who still want more than the included drinks can compare options in our Cunard drinks package guide.

Grills dining varies a little between the Queens, so see our guide to all four Cunard ships to choose the right ship as well as the right suite.

FAQs

How big is a Cunard Princess Grill Suite?

Princess Grill Suites range from about 302 sq ft on Queen Anne to about 381 sq ft on Queen Mary 2 and about 335 to 513 sq ft on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, all including a private balcony. Sizes vary by ship and grade, so check the deck plan for your suite.

What are the main Cunard Queens Grill benefits?

A butler, a complimentary stocked in-suite bar, Laurent-Perrier Champagne on arrival, daily canapés, off-menu dining in the Queens Grill restaurant and priority embarkation, disembarkation and tenders, plus everything included in Princess Grill.

What do you get in Cunard Princess Grill?

A larger suite with a balcony, a reserved table in the Princess Grill restaurant, a stateroom steward, a prosecco welcome, priority embarkation, Grills Afternoon Tea and access to the Grill Suites Lounge and Terrace.

Do Princess Grill and Queens Grill guests eat in the same restaurant?

No. Each tier has its own restaurant. Both tiers share the Grill Suites Lounge, Terrace and Courtyard and the Grills Afternoon Tea.

Are drinks included in Princess Grill?

No. Apart from the welcome prosecco and bottled water, drinks are charged unless you buy a package. Only Queens Grill includes a stocked in-suite bar.

Is Cunard Queens Grill worth it?

It is worth it for longer voyages, if you value a butler and extra space, or if you would otherwise spend heavily on drinks. For most first-time Grills guests, Princess Grill offers better value.