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P&O has a distinguished history as a British cruise operator and can lay claim to have invented cruising. Now part of Carnival plc, P&O Cruises tailor their holidays for British customers with UK-based cruises sailing from Southampton, as well as many fly-cruise options around the globe.
Arcadia, Oceana and the new Ventura focus on younger, new-to-cruising passengers as well as attracting seasoned cruisers. Aurora, Oriana and Artemis offer a more traditional cruise experience.
Most cruises are 14 nights long although mini-breaks of two to seven nights are also offered. Oriana, Aurora and Artemis sail on longer cruises of up to 100 nights, some sailing around the world.
The majority of cruises are to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic islands. Oceana and Arcadia offer winter sunshine cruises in the Caribbean. Further destinations include North and South America, Australasia, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. See our P&O Cruise Deals.
P&O’s new Ventura superliner is designed for the British market and makes regular sailings from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Baltic and the Canaries. From October to March she offers 14 night Caribbean fly-cruise holidays from Barbados. Highlights onboard include a restaurant created by Marco Pierre White, a 3D cinema, a giant Scalextric racing track and a rock school for teenagers.
Dining on P&O Cruises
P&O offer three dining options. Club Dining means that you dine at the same table each night at the same time. Select Dining allows you to choose when you want to dine, with the focus on speciality restaurants with at least one on each ship. Freedom Dining, available on Oceana and Ventura only, means that you choose the venue and the time each night in a more informal setting.
Arcadia and Oriana feature restaurants by Gary Rhodes. Ventura features 10 restaurants, including a speciality restaurant by Marco Pierre White, the British chef with three Michelin stars.
Entertainment on P&O Cruises
The shows on P&O are some of the most lavish at sea, with compilations of West End shows and tributes to some of the best-loved music stars. Cinemas show classic and newly released films. Elsewhere onboard are numerous themed nightclubs, casinos as well as music lounges and poolside bars. Each ship provides a well-equipped ocean-view gym, salon and spa complex.
Families on P&O Cruises
Perfect for a family holiday, Aurora, Oceana, Oriana, and Ventura are designed to keep everybody happy. The Reef is the kid’s club where qualified Reef Rangers supervise children in four age groups. Entertainment and activities range from events with children’s favourites Noddy and Mr Bump, to basketball courts, games arcades and discos for teenagers. There are night nurseries and listening services for younger children. Arcadia and Artemis are childfree ships, with no passengers under 16.
Cabins on P&O Cruises
There is a wide choice of cabins available, from standard inside twins to outside cabins (most with balconies) and suites. All cabins are tastefully decorated, spacious and air-conditioned. Some cabins have extra bunks or sofa beds, perfect for children.
Excursions on P&O Cruises
A wide range of reasonably priced excursions with English speaking guides are available at every port of call. Excursions include city tours and museum visits, hiking trips, helicopter and seaplane rides, water sports and submarine dives. If you prefer to explore on your own, shuttle buses take you to and from the heart of a destination.
Gratuities on P&O Cruises
Tipping is at the discretion of each passenger; £3.75 per person per day is suggested. Most passengers hand it to their steward on the last day. Freedom Dining on Oceana and Ventura brings an automatic service charge of around £1.60 per day, added to your shipboard account. This can be changed at reception.
The onboard currency is the British Pound.
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