Cunard Signature Packages: Everything You Need To Know

Cunard has introduced two bundled packages that combine drinks, Wi-Fi and onboard dining credit into a single daily rate. If you're trying to work out whether either package makes sense for your voyage, here's a full breakdown of what's included, what it costs, and whether the maths actually adds up.

What Are the Cunard Signature Packages?

The packages come in two tiers: the Signature Package and the Premium Signature Package. You can add either one at the time of booking, or up to four days before you sail. Both are priced per person, per day, and Cunard says you can save up to 30% compared to buying each element separately.

There are two packages because Cunard's audience isn't one-size-fits-all. Some guests want the basics covered. Others want streaming, video calls, and a higher drinks allowance. The tiers reflect that.

The Signature Package

The standard tier costs £60 per person, per day, regardless of whether you're sailing for 7 nights or 14.

The drinks allowance covers a wide range of alcoholic and alcohol-free options up to US$13.50 per drink. That includes beers, spirits, liqueurs, cocktails, and the Cunard Collection of wines. If you order something that costs more than US$13.50, you pay the difference. You also get 15% off Wine and Bar Academy activities and bottled wine.

The dining credit gives you up to US$50 to spend in Cunard's alternative dining venues. That figure is based on a 14-night voyage, so on a shorter trip, the credit will be lower.

Wi-Fi is the Essential plan, which covers web browsing, email, and social media. It's fine for staying in touch and doing a bit of reading, but it won't handle streaming or video calls.

The Premium Signature Package

The Premium tier costs £70 per person, per day, and the savings are slightly better: 30% on a 7-9 night voyage, and 31% on a 10-14 night sailing.

The drinks allowance rises to US$20 per drink, which opens up a wider range of cocktails and premium spirits. The discount on Wine and Bar Academy activities and bottled wine goes up to 25%.

Dining credit increases to up to US$80, again based on a 14-night voyage.

The biggest practical difference over the standard package is the Wi-Fi. The Premium Wi-Fi plan adds music and video streaming and video calling on top of the basics. If you're planning to catch up on a series, make video calls home, or use Spotify, this is the tier you'd need.

What Does It Actually Cost?

Here's where it gets useful to look at the numbers side by side.

For a 7-9 night sailing, the Signature Package works out at a total value of around US$110.73 per person, per day (based on the beverage collection at US$85, the Wi-Fi plan at US$22, and US$25 dining credit). You're paying £60 per day for that, which at the current exchange rate represents a saving of around 27%.

On a 10-14 night voyage, the daily value rises slightly because the dining credit portion increases. The saving remains at 27% for the standard package.

The Premium Package on a 7-9 night trip has a daily value of around US$136, and you're paying £70. That's a 30% saving. Stretch to a 10-14 night voyage, and the saving edges up to 31% as the dining credit increases to US$80 per person.

Worth noting: all these figures are based on the US dollar comparison before exchange rate conversion. The package prices you'll pay are in sterling.

Which Package Is Worth It?

It depends on how you cruise.

If you're a fairly light drinker, only need basic internet access, and aren't planning to eat in the specialty restaurants much, neither package may be the best use of money. You'd be paying for a bundle weighted towards things you won't use.

But for most Cunard guests, especially on longer voyages, the Signature Package is where we'd start. The drinks allowance is generous for everyday use, the Wi-Fi handles most needs, and the dining credit takes the edge off trying the alternative restaurants without having to budget separately. On a 14-night Queen Mary 2 crossing, for example, spending US$50 across the alternative venues is very achievable.

The Premium Package makes sense if you're a heavier cocktail drinker, want to video call family back home, or know you'll use the streaming capability. The step up to US$20 per drink unlocks some of Cunard's more premium bar options that you'd otherwise pay a top-up on regularly. If you'd naturally be spending the difference anyway, the bundle makes it simpler.

When Can You Add a Package?

You can add a Signature Package at the time of booking, or any time up to four days before departure. If you've already booked and didn't add a package, it's worth logging in and checking whether the option is still available. You can also upgrade from the standard to the Premium Package if you change your mind.

A Few Things to Bear In Mind

The packages are non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased. They're also priced per person, so both guests in a cabin would need to purchase the same package, not just one.

The dining credit is based on a 14-night voyage, which means if you're on a shorter sailing, the credit amount will be lower.

The Wi-Fi plan covers one device. If you and your travel companion both want internet access, factor that in. Two people on the Essential plan could end up needing to buy a second device connection separately.

The packages are a straightforward way to pre-budget a significant chunk of your onboard spend. For most couples on a 10+ night voyage who drink regularly and plan to try at least one or two of the specialty restaurants, the maths usually works in your favour. If that sounds like you, the standard Signature Package is the sensible starting point.