Sailing from its home port of Southampton, P&O Cruises flies the British cruise flag with wallet-friendly holidays designed to suit UK tastes. It offers ‘no-flight’ cruises as well as affordable fly-by-night holidays to the Caribbean, Northern Europe, North America and the Mediterranean from London and nine regional airports.
The line’s seven ships have Britons in mind. Along with carefully crafted cocktails, Elemis facials and body-sculpting boot camps, there are kettles (and Twinings tea) in every cabin, and passengers can always find a good beer. Shore experiences and drinks can be bought in advance in pounds, and passengers can split the cost of their holiday over monthly payments at no extra cost when booking direct with the line.
In a new partnership with children’s food writer Annabel Karmel, all restaurants will have their children’s menus renewed and children’s tea will be served as an early dinner option.
As well as theatre shows, live bands and comedy, it also offers free 24/7 kids’ clubs, supervised on its family-friendly ships. The “Food Heroes” chef partnerships with Marco Pierre White, José Pizarro, Shivi Ramoutar and Kjartan Skjelde are popular, and wine critic Olly Smith curates an interesting selection of wines at The Glass House.
Fees include shuttle service, dining at main restaurants and poolside venues, kids’ clubs, babysitting and flights and transfers on flights.
1. Where does it travel to?
There are over 200 destinations to choose from in the British Isles, Northern Europe (including Iceland and Norway), the Mediterranean, Portugal and Spain (including the Canary Islands) and North America and the Caribbean. P&O Cruises offers World Cruises and short break cruises to Bruges, Amsterdam, Cherbourg, St Peter Port and Hamburg.
Winter 2024/5 cruise holidays to the Caribbean are available on Arvia from Barbados or Antigua and Britannia. Britannia will be offering new Caribbean cruise holidays in the winter 2025/26 season calling at Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk.
Iona will continue to offer a programme of holidays to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, with Azura visiting Tangier for the first time on her Canary Islands cruise itinerary. Aurora will embark on a 14-night northern lights cruise departing from Southampton and returning to Southampton in December 2025.
In January 2025, Arcadia will sail round-trip from Southampton on a 99-night Western Around the World Cruise visiting the USA, Central America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Shorter sector fares are available to book.
2. Who is it addressed to?
The five family-friendly ships, Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Azura and Ventura, have several pools, cinema screens, kids’ clubs and babysitting services – all to suit families looking for short-haul fun and winter sun.
Artist Nicole Scherzinger is the creative force behind the contemporary late-night shows in the SkyDome on Iona and Arvia, and Gary Barlow is the musical director of The 710 Club on these ships.
Aurora and Arcadia are for adults only.
3. P&O Cruises fleet
There are seven ships in the P&O Cruises fleet and no two are the same – do your research before booking.
Arvia (5,200 passengers)
The line’s newest ship has 30 dining and beverage venues, and the ship’s SkyDome houses some of them, a pool and entertainment under a retractable glass roof. Elsewhere, guests will find a spa, three more pools, a swim-up bar and a 174-foot-high ropes course. Guests can pay extra for a VIP outdoor deck area with cabanas, drinks and snacks, and outdoor spa treatments.
Travel destinations: Caribbean, Mediterranean and Spain, Portugal and France
Iona (5,200 passengers)
Both Arvia and Iona are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Iona also has more than 30 dining and beverage venues, four pools and a spa with 18 whirlpools. It features the first gin distillery at sea, in collaboration with Devon’s Salcombe Gin, and live music at the 710 Club is curated by Gary Barlow.
Travel routes: Norwegian fjords, Canary Islands, Northern Europe and Scandinavia
Britannia (3,647 passengers)
Refurbished ahead of its 10th anniversary in 2025, Britannia features contemporary spaces, a sumptuous spa and a world-class outdoor decked Retreat and Salon. Eleven dining venues include the intimate Limelight Club, Epicurean and wine expert Olly Smith and Mediterranean tapas venue The Glass House, helmed by Local Food Hero José Pizarro.
Sailing locations: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords
Ventura (3,100 passengers)
Family-friendly Ventura has a broad appeal. Four pools and a sports court for tennis, cricket, five-a-side and basketball will appeal to young travellers. Kids can make friends at the age-specific Reef kids’ club, and adults can relax at the spa. Nine restaurants include Olly Smith’s The Glass House, The Waterside, and the whole family can enjoy a meal at casual venues such as The Beach House.
Travel destinations: Caribbean, Canary Islands and Spain, Portugal and France
Azura (3,100 passengers)
The family-friendly Azura is a well-rounded hotel, offering similar service to sister ship Ventura. There are four pools and good sports facilities (tennis, cricket, five-a-side and basketball), and a cinema under the stars for all the family. The theatre hosts shows and talks, and there’s a small casino and a spa. Nine restaurants include The Glass House and The Waterside. For speciality dining, try the Indian-inspired Sindhu and The Epicurean.
Expeditions: Mediterranean and Canary Islands
Aurora (1,874 passengers)
The smallest ship in the fleet has a more intimate feel and is suitable for those who prefer a low-profile cruise. The adults-only ship features a luxury spa and retractable roof over the pool, as well as two-story Penthouse Suites for those looking for more opulent cabins. The ship will enter dry dock in April 2025 for a refit.
Places he traveled: Spain, Portugal and France, the Mediterranean and the British Isles
Arcadia (2,094 passengers)
This is a mid-sized, adults-only ship for travelers looking for fine dining and fewer onboard distractions. There’s a large spa, an art gallery, a three-story theater, and a boutique cinema. Arcadia is the only ship in the fleet with a Marco Pierre White restaurant called Ocean Grill. There’s also the upscale Indian restaurant Sindhu. The cabins are comfortable, but a bit dated; the ship was last renovated in 2017.
Travel routes: Mediterranean, Northern Europe and World Tour
4. Loyalty Program
P&O Cruises Peninsular Club has six tiers. Nights spent on board earn points towards future cruises. Benefits include priority bookings and onboard credit.
5. Accessibility on board
Accessible cabin types include fully wheelchair accessible, partially accessible and suitable for a mobility scooter or profiled bed.
