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P&O has a long and 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 UK customers and their UK-based cruises sail mostly from Southampton to many destinations around the globe.
Renowned for high levels of service and traditional elegance they are now introducing innovative features and are expanding their fleet to bring the enjoyment of cruising to a wider audience.
P&O Cruises is the largest operator catering to the British cruise traveller, sailing from Southampton for most of the year, with most cruises being around 14 nights long. However, it offers a selection of shorter mini-breaks of two to seven nights as well. Oriana, Aurora and Artemis set sail on long cruises of up to 100 nights, some voyaging around the world.
The majority of itineraries are to destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic islands. Oceana and Arcadia winter in the Caribbean, based in Barbados, where again, they offer mainly 14-night Caribbean cruises.
See our P&O 2008 Late Deals and our P&O 2009 Early Booking Offers.
P&O’s new Ventura ‘superliner’ is designed for the British market and will make regular sailings from Southampton from April to October to the Mediterranean, Baltic and Atlantic Islands. From October 2008 to March 2009 she will offer 14 night Caribbean fly-cruise holidays from Barbados. Highlights include a restaurant created by Marco Pierre White, a 3D cinema, a giant Scalextric track, 7000 works of contemporary art and a circus school.
Find a P&O Ventura cruise
Cruise Review of P&O Cruises
The fleet is divided into three groups devised to offer different experiences for different types of passenger:
Contemporary and Innovative
Arcadia, Oceana and Ventura focus on a younger clientele new to cruising, although both ships attract seasoned cruisers too. Arcadia is a child-free ship, with no passengers under the age of 16. In contrast, Oceana very much welcomes youngsters. The new Venturaextends these ideas, as an exciting resort ship appealing to whole family.
Original and Authentic
Under the tag, Aurora and Oriana, both with good facilities for children, offer resort ship amenities in smart, welcoming surroundings.
Traditional and Intimate
The child-free Artemis is their smallest ship enabling it to visit smallest, more exclusive ports. Artemis is also a child-free vessel.
Family Cruises with P&O
Aurora, Oceana, Oriana, and Ventura have much to keep the entire family happy. Some cabins have extra bunks or sofa beds, the qualified Youth Crew supervise children’s clubs (in four age groups) and there’s plenty of entertainment and activities from nightclubs and internet cafes to a huge Scalextric set and a rock school on Ventura. There are night nurseries and listening services for younger children. Noddy and Mr Bump will take to the seas on Ventura and the other P&O family-friendly ships.
Cuisine and Dining on
P&O Cruise Ships
P&O offer three dining concepts to choose from:
Club Dining means that you dine at the same table each night at the same time. Available on all ships.
Select Dining allows you to choose when you want to dine, with the focus on speciality restaurants with at least one on each ship. Available on all ships.
Freedom Dining means that you choose the venue and the time each night in a more informal setting. Available on Arcadia, Oceana, Ventura.
Arcadia features a restaurant by Gary Rhodes called Arcadian Rhodes. Oriana also has a Gary Rhodes restaurant. Ventura will feature 10 restaurants, including a speciality restaurant by Marco Pierre White, the British chef with three Michelin stars.
Gratuities (tipping) and currency
Tipping is at the discretion of each passenger; however the following amounts are expected for good service:
Cabin Steward: £1.40 per person per day. Most passengers hand it to their steward on the last day. Restaurants: Around £1.50 per day, or £21.00 per passenger for a 14 day cruise.
You may also reward the Head Waiter, the amount is at your discretion, presented on your last evening meal. Oceana has an automatic service charge added to your ship board account. This can be changed at reception.
The onboard currency is the British pound |
