Are P&O Cruises all-inclusive? What’s included and what’s extra

Last updated: 27/04/2026

If you’re considering a P&O Cruises holiday, one of the first questions you might have is what’s actually included in the price. 

Cruises are often described as all-inclusive, but that isn’t always the case. With P&O Cruises, a large part of your holiday is included upfront, but there are also some extras to be aware of.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what’s included in the price of a P&O cruise, what costs extra, and how much you might realistically spend once you’re onboard. Whether you’re new to cruising or simply new to P&O Cruises, this will help you understand what to expect before you book.

P&O Cruises are not all-inclusive, but your cruise fare does include a large part of your holiday. 

Your fare covers accommodation, main meals, entertainment and a range of onboard activities. These inclusions allow you to enjoy much of the onboard experience without additional cost. 

There are some additional costs to be aware of. Drinks, speciality restaurants, shore experiences, spa treatments and Wi-Fi are not included. 

In short, the essentials are included, with extras available if you want them. 

When you book a P&O Cruises holiday, your fare includes much more than just your cabin.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s included in the price of a P&O cruise: 

Your cabin is included for the duration of your cruise, whether you choose an Inside, Ocean View, Balcony or Suite. Each option is designed to provide a comfortable space to relax and unwind, with everything you need for your stay. Daily housekeeping is also included, so your cabin is regularly cleaned and refreshed throughout your holiday.

A significant portion of your dining is included in your cruise fare, meaning you won’t need to pay extra for most meals onboard. The main dining rooms offer a more traditional experience with delicious multi-course meals. Buffet restaurants are a more flexible option throughout the day. You’ll also find more casual food available, from lighter bites to snacks. 

Read next: What is dining like on P&O Cruises? A complete guide 

Entertainment is a big part of the P&O Cruises experience and is included as standard. Throughout your cruise, you’ll find a full programme of shows, live music and events taking place across the ship. From theatre productions to quizzes, there’s always something happening. 

There’s also a wide range of activities and facilities included in your fare. You’ll have access to fitness and wellness facilities, like swimming pools, whirlpools, and gyms. There’s also a range of daytime activities, too, like talks, classes and social events. This gives you the flexibility to fill your day or simply enjoy the ship at your own pace. 

If you’re travelling with children, kids’ clubs (The Reef) are included for different age groups. These offer supervised activities throughout the cruise, giving younger guests their own space to have fun while adults make the most of the ship. 

Your cruise fare covers the core elements of your holiday, like accommodation, meals and entertainment. Anything else is an additional cost. 

While your cruise fare covers the essentials, some elements are charged separately. 

Let’s take a closer look at what isn’t included in the price of a P&O cruise: 

Most drinks beyond tea, coffee, water and fruit juice at breakfast are not included. This means alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and speciality coffees (including Costa coffees on many ships) are typically charged separately. For guests who plan to enjoy drinks regularly, this is often one of the main additional costs to consider.

To find out more about the options available, read our guide to P&O Cruises drinks packages. 

Although there’s plenty of included dining, some restaurants onboard charge an additional fee. These are separate from the main dining venues and offer a different style of cuisine or dining experience. 

Exploring destinations is a big part of the cruise experience. With P&O Cruises, organised shore excursions are not included in the cruise fare. These can vary in price depending on the destination and type of experience. They are usually one of the main extras guests budget for. 

While access to the gym and some facilities is included, spa treatments and salon services are available at an additional cost. Many guests choose to book these as part of a more relaxing sea day.

Internet access is not included as standard. Wi-Fi packages are available onboard at different levels depending on usage. The cost will depend on how much you plan to use it during your cruise.

Most extras on a P&O cruise are optional upgrades rather than essentials. This means you can choose to keep things simple and stick to what’s included, or add extras depending on how you want to spend your time. 

One of the most common questions people have when booking a cruise is how much they’re likely to spend once they’re onboard. The honest answer is that it varies. But, for many guests, it’s relatively easy to keep overall spending under control. 

For those happy to stick to what’s included, it’s entirely possible to get through your cruise without spending any extra. Accommodation, meals, entertainment and most activities are already covered. So, any additional spending tends to come down to personal choice rather than necessity. 

In practice, the highest additional costs for most guests are drinks and shore excursions. If you’re planning to enjoy alcoholic drinks regularly or head off on shore excursions, costs are likely to add up. But if you’re happy to limit drinks or explore ports independently, your overall spend can stay relatively low. 

Other extras, such as speciality dining, spa treatments or Wi-Fi, are typically more occasional purchases. Many guests treat these as one-off additions during their cruise rather than something they use every day.

A helpful way to approach budgeting is to think about what matters most to you before you travel. If exploring destinations is a priority, you may want to allow more for excursions. If you’re more focused on relaxing onboard, your spending might be much lower.

Ultimately, how much you spend comes down to your preferences. Some guests choose to keep additional costs low, while others add extras. 

Yes, it is possible to enjoy your cruise without spending extra. 

Because so much of the core experience is already included, you can enjoy life onboard without any additional costs. Many guests happily stick to the main dining rooms, enjoy the included entertainment and make use of the ship’s included facilities. 

In practice, this means you could spend very little. But that’s only if you’re happy to avoid additional costs like alcoholic drinks, speciality restaurants and shore excursions. Instead, you might choose to explore destinations independently or relax onboard during port days. 

Of course, most guests do spend something during their cruise, even if it’s just the occasional drink or a small treat. But the key point is that these extras are optional, not essential.

Ultimately, a P&O cruise can be as budget-friendly or as indulgent as you choose. 

For many travellers, P&O Cruises offers good overall value. 

Your accommodation, meals, entertainment and a wide range of onboard activities are all covered upfront, which can make it easier to manage your holiday budget. Compared to many land-based holidays, where costs can quickly add up, having these essentials included can make a cruise feel more straightforward and predictable.

Where P&O Cruises stands out is its flexibility. You’re not required to pay for extras to enjoy your holiday, but you do have the option to enhance your experience if you choose. Whether that’s upgrading your dining, booking excursions or adding a drinks package, you’re able to shape the holiday around your preferences rather than committing to everything upfront.

Of course, value will always depend on what you’re looking for. If you’re expecting a fully all-inclusive experience with everything covered, it’s important to understand that some elements are charged separately. However, if you’re happy with what’s included and like having control over what you spend, P&O Cruises offers a good balance. 

This balance of included elements and optional extras makes P&O Cruises a good fit for a range of budgets. 

Yes, some extras can be booked in advance, such as drinks packages, shore excursions and speciality dining. Pre-booking can sometimes offer better availability and help you spread the cost before you travel.

Yes, you can manage your onboard spending through your account once you’re on the ship. Many guests choose to monitor their balance throughout the cruise to stay within budget, which can be done on the My Holiday app. 

P&O Cruises operates using a cashless system, with all purchases charged to your onboard account. This is usually settled in pounds sterling (£) at the end of your cruise.

There are no hidden charges. But, optional extras such as drinks, excursions and spa treatments can add to your overall spend if not planned for. As long as you understand what’s included and what isn’t, it’s easy to manage your spending. 

No, P&O Cruises ships operate as cashless environments. You’ll use your cruise card (or onboard account) to make purchases, which are then settled at the end of your cruise.

In some cases, booking extras such as drinks packages or excursions in advance can be more cost-effective. However, availability and pricing can vary, so it’s worth checking both options.

If you don’t make any additional purchases, you won’t be charged anything beyond your original cruise fare. Your onboard account will simply remain unused.