Booking a cruise should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Yet for first-time cruisers and seasoned sailors alike, understanding P&O Cruises fare types can feel a little confusing. From Select Price to Saver Fare, each option comes with different benefits, flexibility and value.
In this complete guide to P&O Cruises for 2025 and 2026, we break down every fare type, explain exactly what is included in your cruise price, explore the latest drinks packages, and share expert tips to help you secure the best deal for your next holiday at sea by fully understanding P&O Cruises’ fare types.
Whether you are dreaming of Norwegian fjords, Mediterranean sunshine, or winter warmth in the Canary Islands, this guide will help you book with confidence.
P&O Cruises Fare Types Explained
P&O Cruises offers three main fare types. The right one for you depends on how much flexibility you want, how important cabin choice is, and whether you are looking for the lowest possible price.
Regardless of the fare you choose, all guests enjoy the same excellent service on board. There are no first or second class passengers, and everyone has access to included dining, entertainment, pools, gyms and family facilities.
1. Select Price: A Flexible P&O Cruises Fare Type
Best for: Families, groups, first-time cruisers and anyone who wants maximum choice and peace of mind.
Select Price is P&O Cruises’ most flexible fare and is available on all cruises at all times. While it is usually the highest-priced option, it also offers the greatest range of benefits.
Key benefits of Select Price include:
- Cabin choice: Choose your exact cabin number and location at the time of booking
- Dining priority: Priority to select dining style, preferred seating time and table size
- Flexibility: Ability to change your booking up to the balance due date, usually 90 days before departure, and transfer once to another cruise of equal or higher value
- Complimentary shuttle buses: Included in ports where P&O operates shuttle services
- Select Price perks: On cruises of 7 nights or more, you can choose between onboard spending money, car parking in Southampton, or return coach travel to the port
If you value control, flexibility and added extras, Select Price delivers excellent overall value.
2. Early Saver: A Popular P&O Cruises Fare Type
Best for: Travellers who want to save money while keeping some booking flexibility.
Early Saver offers a balance between price and reassurance. It is often cheaper than Select Price, while still allowing changes under standard terms.
What to expect with Early Saver:
- Cabin: You choose the cabin grade, such as a balcony or inside cabin, while P&O assigns the specific cabin number closer to departure
- Dining: You can request a dining preference, confirmed later and is subject to availability
- Flexibility: Changes are allowed within standard cancellation terms
- Price: Generally lower than Select Price
Early Saver is ideal if you are relaxed about cabin location but still want a degree of flexibility.
3. Saver Fare: The Lowest Priced P&O Cruises Fare Type
Best for: Flexible travellers chasing the lowest possible price.
Saver Fares are last-minute offers released on selected cruises, usually within a few months of departure.
Important things to know about Saver Fares:
- Limited availability: Only offered on selected sailings close to departure
- Full payment: The full balance is required at the time of booking
- No flexibility: Saver Fares are non-refundable with a 100 per cent cancellation charge
- Cabin and dining: Both are allocated by P&O shortly before departure, with no choice of location or dining time
If you are flexible, adventurous and happy to take a gamble, Saver Fares can offer outstanding value.
P&O Cruises Cancellation Policy: What You Need to Know
Understanding cancellation charges is essential when choosing your fare.
Select Price and Early Saver Cancellation Fees
- 91 days or more before departure: Loss of deposit
- 90 to 57 days: 50 percent of the cruise price
- 56 to 42 days: 60 percent
- 41 to 16 days: 75 percent
- 15 to 6 days: 90 percent
- Less than 6 days or failure to embark: 100 percent
Saver Fare Cancellation Fees
From booking until departure: 100 percent cancellation charge
What Is Included in a P&O Cruise Fare?
One of the biggest advantages of cruising with P&O is the amount that is already included in the price, with no daily service charges added to your onboard account.
Included in your cruise fare:
- Gratuities: Tipping is not required; great service is included
- Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in main restaurants, buffets and poolside venues
- Entertainment: West End-style shows, live music, comedy and family entertainment
- Kids clubs: The Reef for children and teens, noting a current trial of paid sessions on Iona only
- Flights and transfers: Included on fly cruise holidays, such as Caribbean Cruises and Canary Islands Cruises
Extra costs to budget for:
- Speciality dining restaurants
- Drinks without a package
- WiFi packages
- Room service outside complimentary breakfast hours
| Select Price | Early Saver | Saver Fare | |
| Cabin choice | Choose your cabin number at the time of booking. | Your cabin will be allocated to you by P&O around 4 weeks before departure. | Your cabin will be allocated to you by P&O around 2 weeks before departure. |
| Dining choice | Shuttle buses in the port | Second priority to choose your dining time and table size. This will be confirmed onboard. | Your dining time and table size will be confirmed once you board. |
| Benefits | Choice of onboard spending money, car parking or coach transfers on selected cruises. | No extra benefits | No extra benefits |
| First priority for automatic upgrades is subject to availability | Complimentary | Chargeable | Chargeable |
| Upgrades | Second priority for automatic upgrades, subject to availability | Third priority for automatic upgrades, subject to availability | Priority for automatic upgrades is subject to availability |
| Payment | Standard deposit | Standard deposit | Full payment |
| Cancellation | Standard cancellation terms apply | Standard cancellation terms apply | Non-refundable |
| Availability | Select Price is available on all cruises at all times | Available on most cruises | Only available on select cruises around 3 months prior to departure |
P&O Cruises Drinks Packages 2025 and 2026
For cruises of five nights or more, P&O Cruises offers four drink packages. All adults in the same cabin must purchase the same package.
The Four Drinks Packages
Refresh Package (£16 per person per day)
Unlimited draught soft drinks and juices. Free for children when adults purchase Classic or Deluxe.
Alcohol Free Package (£29 per person per day)
Includes Refresh benefits plus alcohol free beers, wines, cocktails and selected Costa coffees.
Classic Package (£50 per person per day)
Beers, ciders, wines, spirits, selected cocktails and P&O exclusive Marabelle Gin and Golden Tide Rum.
Deluxe Package (£60 per person per day)
Premium spirits, larger wine measures, expanded cocktail list and the full Costa Coffee menu.
From March 2026, P&O will also introduce new All Inclusive packages combining drinks, WiFi and speciality dining credit on cruises over five nights.
Is a P&O Drinks Package Worth It?
Each package has a daily cap of 15 alcoholic drinks within 24 hours. If you enjoy cocktails, wine with dinner and a few daytime drinks, the Classic or Deluxe packages can offer excellent value.
Typical prices onboard include:
- Wine: £5.75 to £8.95 per glass
- Cocktails: £7.25 to £9.95
If you would comfortably spend around £50 per day, the Classic package often pays for itself. Light drinkers may prefer to pay as they go.
Expert Booking Tips for the Best P&O Cruise Deal
- Book early for choice: Select Price is ideal if you want a specific cabin, dining time or added perks
- Book late for value: Saver Fares can deliver big savings if you are flexible
- Pre-purchase drinks packages: Buying before sailing usually saves around 10 percent
Ready to Find Your Next P&O Cruise?
Whether you want total flexibility or a last-minute bargain, there is a P&O Cruises fare to suit every style of traveller. With generous inclusions, no tipping and a strong British feel on board, P&O continues to offer fantastic value for 2025 and 2026 sailings.
Explore our latest P&O Cruises deals today and start planning your next unforgettable voyage.
I should like to be sent details of any cruises costing up to £1,999 and 1)sailing from Southampton to one of the following places:-
Iceland
Alaska
Montreal
or to see
Northern Lights
Of course Anna, we’ll have a look at some options for you and send them across shortly.