A complete guide to P&O Cruises: Everything you need to know before you book

Last updated: 18/06/2026

If you’ve been researching cruise holidays, there’s a good chance you’ve come across P&O Cruises. As one of the UK’s best-known cruise lines, it’s a popular choice for couples, families and anyone looking to explore the world by sea. 

But before you book, it’s natural to have questions. Which ship should you choose? What’s included in the cruise fare? Do you need a drinks package? How does dining work? And what can you expect once you’re actually onboard?

That’s exactly what this guide is here to help with. We’ve brought together everything you need to know about P&O Cruises in one place, from choosing the right ship and cabin to understanding dining, Wi-Fi, dress codes and life at sea. Along the way, you’ll also find links to our more detailed guides if you’d like to explore a particular topic further. 

Read first: Why should I book a P&O cruise? 

For many people in the UK, P&O Cruises is the cruise line they know before they’ve ever stepped onboard a ship. 

With a history stretching back almost two centuries, it has grown into one of Britain’s most recognisable cruise brands. Today, the fleet includes seven ships sailing to over 200 destinations. 

What makes P&O Cruises slightly different from many international cruise lines is its focus on the UK market. Many itineraries depart directly from Southampton, and the onboard experience has been designed primarily with British guests in mind. 

The fleet includes both family-friendly and adults-only ships, along with itineraries ranging from short breaks and week-long holidays to world cruises. In short, there’s a huge variety of holidays available under the P&O Cruises umbrella. 

If you’re considering a P&O Cruises holiday, the next step is understanding which ship, cabin and itinerary best match the type of holiday you’re looking for. 

Booking a cruise is a little different from booking a hotel holiday. Rather than simply choosing a destination, you’ll also need to think about things like the ship, cabin type and what’s included in the price. 

The good news is that P&O Cruises offers plenty of choice. The challenge is deciding which options are right for you. 

If there’s one decision that will have the biggest impact on your holiday, it’s choosing the right ship. 

While all P&O Cruises ships offer restaurants, entertainment, pools and comfortable accommodation, the onboard experience can feel very different depending on which ship you book. 

For example, Arvia and Iona are the newest and largest ships in the fleet. They’re packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and family-friendly facilities, making them particularly popular with families and first-time cruisers. 

Britannia, Ventura and Azura also offer plenty to do onboard but have a slightly different feel, striking a balance between lively entertainment and traditional cruising.

If you’re looking for a quieter holiday, Arcadia and Aurora are reserved exclusively for adults. These ships tend to appeal to couples and guests who enjoy a slower pace at sea.

If you’re unsure where to start, our guide to choosing the right P&O Cruises ship compares every vessel in the fleet and explains who each one is best suited to. 

Useful links: Arcadia | Arvia | Aurora | Azura | Britannia | Iona | Ventura 

Once you’ve chosen your ship, it’s time to think about where you’ll stay on board. 

P&O Cruises offers four main cabin types: Inside, Sea View, Balcony and Suites. The best option for you will depend on your budget and how much time you expect to spend in your cabin.

Inside cabins are usually the most affordable and are popular with guests who plan to spend most of their time exploring the ship and destinations. Ocean View cabins offer natural light, while Balcony cabins give you your own private outdoor space - something many guests particularly enjoy on scenic itineraries such as the Norwegian Fjords. 

Suites offer the most space and often come with additional benefits, making them a popular choice for special occasions or longer cruises.

One of the questions we hear most often is whether a Balcony cabin is worth the extra cost. The answer really depends on how you like to travel. Some guests barely spend any time in their cabin, while others love having somewhere private to enjoy a morning coffee or watch the sunset. 

Read next: P&O Cruises cabins explained: Which cabin should you choose? 

One of the reasons many people choose a cruise holiday is that so much is included in the upfront price. 

Your fare covers your accommodation, meals at included dining venues, theatre shows, live entertainment, children’s clubs, swimming pools, fitness facilities and travel between destinations. Unlike a traditional holiday, you’re not paying separately for hotels, transport and entertainment throughout your trip. 

For first-time cruisers, this is often one of the biggest surprises. Once you’re on board, there’s already plenty available without spending anything extra. 

Of course, not everything is included. Certain restaurants, drinks packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and spa treatments come at an additional cost. However, many guests find they can enjoy a fantastic holiday using primarily the facilities and experiences already included in their fare. 

Before booking any cruise, it’s worth understanding which extras you may want to budget for. 

For some guests, that might simply mean buying the occasional drink or booking a shore excursion. Others may choose to add a drinks package, speciality dining experiences, spa treatments or Wi-Fi for the duration of their holiday.

The important thing to remember is that these extras are optional. It’s entirely possible to enjoy a P&O Cruises holiday without purchasing every add-on available. In fact, many guests pick and choose the extras that matter most to them rather than trying to include everything.

Drinks packages are often one of the first things people research before booking, particularly if they enjoy wine, cocktails or speciality coffees. Wi-Fi is another common consideration, especially for guests who want to stay connected while they’re away. 

Understanding these potential costs before you book can help you build a more realistic holiday budget and decide which extras are genuinely worth it for your travel style. 

Once your cruise is booked, the fun part begins. Before embarkation day arrives, there are a few things worth sorting out in advance to help your holiday get off to the smoothest possible start.

If there’s one thing we recommend doing before your cruise, it’s downloading the P&O Cruises My Holiday app. 

Think of it as your onboard companion. During your cruise, you’ll use it to browse daily activities, check restaurant menus, view your onboard account and keep track of what’s happening around the ship. 

It’s particularly useful on sea days when there can be dozens of events, activities and entertainment options taking place across different venues. Rather than carrying paper schedules, most guests simply check the app throughout the day. 

Two of the most common questions first-time cruisers ask are, “What should I pack?” and “Do I need to book restaurants?” 

The good news is that P&O Cruises is generally much more relaxed than many people expect. Daytime dress is casual, while evening dress codes vary depending on the venue and whether a formal evening is taking place.

It’s also worth looking into the dining options before you travel. Alongside the main dining rooms and buffet restaurants, many ships offer speciality restaurants that can be reserved before you cruise.

If you’re unsure what to pack or how dining works on board, we’ve created dedicated guides that cover both topics in more detail:

• P&O Cruises dress code explained: What to wear onboard 
• What is dining like on P&O Cruises? A complete guide

When people first think about cruising, they often focus on the destinations. In reality, sea days are frequently among the most enjoyable parts of the holiday.

They’re the days when you have time to properly explore the ship, try new restaurants, watch a theatre show, join a quiz or simply relax with a drink and enjoy the ocean views.

Every guest approaches sea days differently. Some like having a full schedule from breakfast through to the evening, while others are perfectly happy to find a quiet spot and slow down for a day. Knowing what your ship offers beforehand can help you make the most of your time onboard.

Not everyone approaches Wi-Fi in the same way.

Some guests purchase internet access as soon as they board and stay connected throughout their holiday. Others see a cruise as a chance to switch off for a week and only use their phones when the ship is in port.

Neither approach is right or wrong, but it’s worth deciding what works best for you before you travel. Understanding how P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi packages work - and how mobile roaming works at sea - can help you avoid unexpected charges and choose the option that best suits your holiday. 

If you’ve never been on a cruise before, life on board is often the hardest part to picture. What does a typical day actually look like? What is there to do on board? 

The reality is that life on board quickly settles into whatever routine suits you. Some guests start the day with breakfast on deck before heading ashore, while others are perfectly happy finding a quiet corner of the ship with a coffee and watching the sea go by.

What surprises many people is how flexible cruising feels. These are activities, entertainment and organised events taking place throughout the day, but there’s no expectation that you have to join in. You can keep yourself busy from morning until night or do very little at all.

The atmosphere on P&O Cruises is generally relaxed and sociable without feeling overwhelming. You’ll find guests enjoying a drink before dinner, chatting after a theatre show or simply taking in the views from an open deck.

Perhaps that’s why so many people enjoy cruising once they’ve tried it. Life onboard can be as busy or as laid-back as you want it to be, and there’s no single ‘right’ way to experience your holiday. 

No cruise line is perfect for everyone, which is why it’s important to think about what you’re looking for from a holiday. 

P&O Cruises tends to appeal to travellers who want a relaxed, easy-going cruise experience with plenty of choice. The fleet includes ships aimed at families, couples and adults travelling without children, while the range of itineraries means you can choose anything from a short break to a longer adventure overseas. 

It could be a good fit if you like the idea of sailing from Southampton, enjoy having plenty of dining and entertainment options available, or simply want a cruise line that feels familiar and straightforward to navigate. 

Of course, the best way to choose a cruise line is to compare your options and think about the type of holiday you genuinely enjoy.  Some travellers are looking for ultra-luxury, while others simply want a comfortable ship, interesting destinations and a relaxed atmosphere.

If that sounds like you, P&O Cruises is certainly worth considering. 

Finding the right cruise isn’t just about choosing a destination. It’s also about choosing the right ship, cabin and itinerary - and that’s where expert advice can make a real difference.

At ROL Cruise, our team knows P&O Cruises exceptionally well. Many of our co-owners have sailed with the cruise line themselves, giving them first-hand knowledge of the ships, cabins, destinations and onboard experience.

Whether you’re comparing Arvia and Iona, deciding if a Balcony cabin is worth it or trying to narrow down hundreds of itineraries, our team can help point you in the right direction.

When you book with ROL Cruise, you’ll also earn Cruise Miles®, which can be redeemed against future holidays. Better still, Cruise Miles can be earned alongside P&O Cruises’ own Peninsular Club loyalty programme, allowing you to benefit from both. 

Alongside expert advice, we regularly offer exclusive cruise deals and added-value packages, helping our guests get even more from their holiday. So, whether you’re researching your first P&O Cruises holiday or planning your next one, we’re always happy to help. 

There’s no single best time to book, as it depends on your priorities. Booking early often gives you the widest choice of cabins and sailing dates, while last-minute deals can sometimes offer excellent value. If you have a specific ship, itinerary or cabin type in mind, it’s usually worth booking as far in advance as possible. 

P&O Cruises typically releases itineraries well in advance, with some sailings available to book more than a year before departure. Popular cruises, particularly school holiday sailings and world cruises, can sell out quickly. 

Absolutely. Many guests choose P&O Cruises for birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons and other celebrations. From speciality dining and spa treatments to Suite accommodation and memorable shore experiences, there are plenty of ways to make a special occasion even more memorable. 

Yes. P&O Cruises can cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and certain allergy-related requests. It’s always best to notify the cruise line of any dietary needs before you travel. 

Yes, P&O Cruises includes discretionary daily service charges in the cruise fare, meaning guests don’t need to budget separately for daily gratuities during their holiday. 

Yes - while many guests travel as couples, P&O Cruises also welcomes solo travellers. Some ships offer dedicated single cabins, while others provide activities and social opportunities that can help solo guests meet like-minded travellers during their cruise. 

Yes, P&O Cruises offers a range of family-friendly sailings throughout the year, including cruises during school holiday periods. These are often among the most popular departures, so it’s worth booking early if you’re tied to specific travel dates.