If you love a holiday but hate the hassle—the airport queues, the currency exchange maths, the “can I drink the water?” panic—then P&O Cruises is going to be your new favourite thing.
This is Britain’s favourite cruise line for a reason. It’s designed entirely with us in mind. Walking onto a P&O ship feels like walking into a high-end British hotel that just happens to be parked in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.
It’s familiar, it’s friendly, and it’s arguably the easiest holiday you will ever take.
Destinations and Departures: No Flying Required
P&O Cruises is the king of Southampton. The vast majority of their holidays start right here in the UK.
The “Drive-and-Go” Holiday: You drive to Southampton, porters take your bags from your car, and the next time you see them, they are in your cabin. You can be sipping a gin and tonic on your balcony while everyone else is still taking their belt off at airport security.
The Fjords & The Med: From Southampton, you can head north to the stunning Norwegian Fjords (waterfalls, mountains, fresh air) or south to Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean for the heat.
Caribbean Fly-Cruises: If you want guaranteed winter sun, they fly you straight to Barbados (often on a chartered plane where your bags are taken at check-in in the UK and go straight to the ship). You wake up in paradise.
The Ships: Modern Resorts & Adult Escapes
The fleet is a mix, so you can pick the vibe that suits you.
The “Excel” Class (Arvia, Iona): These are the new big boys. They are massive, modern floating resorts. Iona has a gin distillery on board and a “SkyDome” (a glass roof over the pool deck so you can swim even if the weather is British). Arvia has a high-ropes course and a swim-up bar.
The Flagship (Britannia): You’ll recognise her by the massive Union Jack on the bow. She’s stylish, contemporary, and feels like a boutique hotel.
Exclusively for Adults (Arcadia, Aurora): If you want a break from kids (yours or anyone else’s), these smaller ships are strictly 18+. They are quieter, more traditional, and very relaxing.
Rooms: A Proper Cuppa
P&O understands the British psyche.
The Kettle: Every single cabin has tea and coffee making facilities (and biscuits). It sounds small, but being able to make a tea in your pyjamas before facing the world is essential.
The Setup: Even the inside cabins are well-designed with UK plug sockets (no adapters needed!).
Conservatory Mini-Suites: On Arvia and Iona, these are brilliant. They have a “winter garden” area between your room and the balcony—a chill-out space that connects the inside and outside.
Things to Do
Entertainment: P&O has serious connections. Gary Barlow is the Music Director for the newer ships (yes, he actually helps curate the acts). Expect proper West End-style shows, aerial acrobatics, and live bands.
The Reef (Kids Clubs): If you are taking the family, the kids’ clubs are free and split by age group. They are fantastic, giving you time to escape to The Retreat (an adults-only open-air spa terrace).
The Cinema: Most ships have a proper cinema screening huge blockbusters throughout the day.
Guest Speakers: On sea days, you can often catch talks from famous faces, cricketers, TV chefs, or historians.
Dining Options
The food is top-tier, and they work with “Food Heroes” to design the menus.
Freedom vs. Club Dining: You can choose. “Club Dining” means you have the same table and waiters at the same time every night (great for getting to know people). “Freedom Dining” means you turn up when you’re hungry—just like a normal restaurant. Both are included in the price.
The Food Heroes:
Marco Pierre White: He designs the gala night menus in the main restaurants.
Olly Smith: The TV wine expert curates the wine lists in The Glass House (a wine bar with amazing small plates).
Sindhu: An upscale Indian restaurant created by Atul Kochhar. It’s incredibly popular, so book it early.
The Keel & Cow: On the newer ships, this is a proper gastropub serving massive steaks and the “Prime Minister” burger.
Good to Know
This is the section that usually seals the deal for British travellers.
Tips are INCLUDED: This is huge. Unlike American lines where you get hit with a bill for hundreds of dollars at the end, P&O includes tipping in the price you pay upfront. No awkward envelopes, no daily service charges.
Prices in Sterling: The bar prices are in pounds, and they are reasonable (think standard UK pub prices, not London hotel prices). No mental currency conversion required.
Dress Code: It’s a mix. Most nights are “Evening Casual” (smart jeans/trousers and a shirt). But they do love a “Black Tie” night. If you love dressing up, it’s a great excuse for a tuxedo or ballgown. If you hate dressing up, the buffet is always casual, so you can skip the formal stuff entirely.
Ready for a hassle-free holiday?
Check out our P&O Cruises deals below. Whether you want a short break to Bruges or two weeks in the Caribbean, it’s the easiest holiday you’ll ever book.
