How Many Drinks Are Included In Ponant: What Ponant Guests Should Know for 2026
This is one of the questions our advisors hear most often about included drinks and beverage packages on Ponant - here's what's actually true.
What's actually bundled comes down to the beverage package structure: Gratuities are generally included in Ponant's fare, consistent with French hospitality norms and the line's more all-inclusive luxury positioning.
Rules on included drinks and beverage packages can shift by ship and season, so it's worth a quick call to +1-800-406-8495 before you finalize plans. For groups sharing a cabin, it's worth checking whether everyone in the room is required to buy the same package. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks are included in Ponant?
It depends entirely on your fare type and any beverage package you've purchased - base fares typically include only water, coffee, tea, and juice, while paid packages unlock unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. That's the short version, at least.
Is water and coffee always free onboard?
Yes, basic non-alcoholic beverages like water, coffee, tea, and often lemonade or iced tea are included in virtually every cruise fare. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Do I need to buy a drink package for everyone in my cabin?
Most lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same beverage package, rather than letting one person buy it and share. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I buy individual drinks instead of a package?
Yes, à la carte drink purchases are always available and charged to your onboard account, which can make sense if you don't drink often enough to justify a package. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Is the beverage package worth it for a week-long cruise?
It depends on your habits - if you'd normally have 4+ drinks a day, a package often pays for itself, but light drinkers usually come out ahead paying per drink. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. That's the short version, at least.
What beverage package options does Ponant offer?
Our advisors can walk through current package pricing and what's included - call +1-800-406-8495. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Are mocktails included if I don't buy the alcohol package?
Non-alcoholic specialty drinks like mocktails are sometimes included in a non-alcoholic beverage package, though a basic fare without any package usually only includes water, coffee, tea, and similar basics. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Does Ponant count a bottle of wine as 'one drink' toward package limits?
Package terms vary - some treat a bottle of wine as several drink equivalents against a daily cap, while unlimited packages don't cap it at all; check your specific package's fine print. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Can I gift my unused drink package days to someone else in my cabin?
Generally no, drink packages are tied to the individual guest who purchased them and aren't transferable to other travelers in the same cabin. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Is the drink package cheaper if purchased for the whole cruise versus day by day?
Yes, buying the full-cruise package almost always works out cheaper per day than purchasing single-day packages, especially if bought in advance rather than once onboard. If dietary restrictions are a factor, flagging them with the cruise line ahead of time usually gets a better result than asking once onboard. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.