10 Reasons To Book With P&O Cruises

• Great Value: Enjoy a holiday where gratuities, main meals, and children’s clubs are all included in the fare, with no hidden surprises.

• Home Comforts: Experience a "home away from home" with British plug sockets, tea and coffee making facilities in every cabin, and currency in GBP.

• Star Quality: Sail with the stars thanks to partnerships with Gary Barlow and culinary legends like Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith.

P&O Cruises has been a favourite for British passengers since they began cruising way back in the 1840s.

The cruise line is incredibly well-known and well-loved for its mix of family-friendly and exclusively adult-only ships, excellent service, and an exceptional range of itineraries.

This friendly yet relaxed style of cruising has gained P&O Cruises a loyal legion of fans who adore the line's focus on British tastes and comforts.

But if you are yet to sail away with them, you may be keen to dig deeper and learn more about what makes this fleet so special.

To help you get a snapshot of what is on offer, we detail the top 10 reasons why you should book with P&O Cruises.

1. So Much Is Included

If you are keen to book a cruise that doesn't break the bank, P&O Cruises is one of the best choices out there.

From the moment you step aboard, your accommodation, main dining, entertainment, and gratuities are all taken care of.

However, for the ultimate worry-free holiday, you can now upgrade to one of two fantastic All-Inclusive Packages that bundle everything you need into one price:

• The Classic All-Inclusive Package: Perfect for the relaxed traveller. This includes the Classic Drinks Package (covering popular spirits, wines, and Costa Coffee), Essential Wi-Fi for browsing and emails, and Speciality Dining Credit to treat yourself to a meal in a fabulous venue like Sindhu.

• The Deluxe All-Inclusive Package: The ultimate indulgence. This upgrades you to the Deluxe Drinks Package (including premium spirits, craft beers, and cocktails), Ultimate Wi-Fi allowing you to stream music and video, and an Enhanced Speciality Dining Credit.

Family Bonus: Here is the best part for families - if two adults in the cabin buy the same All-Inclusive package, under 18s get the Refresh drinks package for free!

2. Incredible Kids Clubs

There is no shortage of fantastic activities to keep the whole family happy onboard family-friendly ships Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura, and Azura.

All five onboard age-appropriate clubs - Nursery, Splashers, Surfers, Scubas, and The Scene - are completely free and staffed by qualified Reef Rangers.

A standout feature is the Night Nursery, available for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Open from 6pm to 2am, it allows parents to enjoy a meal or a show while their little ones sleep in a quiet, supervised area.

Registration is easy: you can register children for the clubs 14 days before departure via the My P&O Cruises portal.

3. Pay In Pounds

Stressing over foreign currency? Forget the hassle and relax by paying in Sterling. From the moment you book, everything is priced in British currency, so there is no need to worry about fluctuating exchange rates or bank transaction fees.

Onboard, all purchases - whether in the boutique shops, the spa, or the bars - are charged in pounds. This makes it incredibly easy to keep track of your spending and ensures there are no nasty shocks when you check your statement at the end of the holiday.

4. Star-Studded Entertainment

There is never a dull moment on a P&O cruise. Days are filled with movies at Ocean Studios, dance classes, and quizzes. However, it is the evening entertainment where they truly shine.

P&O Cruises collaborates with Gary Barlow as their Music Director regarding the 710 Club on Iona and Arvia, and they stage West End-style productions in the theatre.

Shows include Festival, a summer-themed extravaganza, and Greatest Days, the official Take That musical. Best of all, admission to these stellar productions is included in your fare.

5. Tips Are Always Included

Great service doesn't come with an extra price tag. P&O Cruises is one of the few cruise lines where tipping is not required.

While many international lines add a daily service charge (often $15-$20 per person, per day) to your bill, P&O Cruises includes this in the initial cost of your holiday.

This transparency allows you to budget effectively, knowing the price you see is the price you pay.

6. The Food Heroes

P&O Cruises is famous for its "Food Heroes" - a collection of esteemed culinary masters who curate menus and wines across the fleet.

• Marco Pierre White: The godfather of British cooking creates special gala menus for the main dining rooms.

• Olly Smith: The TV wine expert curates the wine list for The Glass House, a signature venue on most ships.

• José Pizarro: bringing the taste of tapas to the high seas on Iona and Arvia.

On select sailings, these heroes are actually onboard! These foodie-focused cruises can include live cooking demos, book signings, and exclusive Q&A sessions.

7. Huge Choice Of Itineraries

Whether you want a two-night mini-break to Bruges or a 99-night World Cruise, P&O Cruises has an itinerary to suit.

They are the experts in "Ex-UK" cruising. With a massive presence in Southampton, they offer hundreds of holidays where you can drive to the port, park your car, and walk straight onto the ship without going near an airport.

Destinations range from the Norwegian Fjords and the Canary Islands to the Caribbean and Dubai.

8. Great Value Drinks Packages

If you choose not to opt for the full All-Inclusive bundles mentioned above, you can still purchase standalone drinks packages to suit your style.

While drinks prices onboard are akin to standard UK pub prices, purchasing a package can offer even better value.

They offer four distinct tiers:

• The Refresh Package: Soft drinks and juices.

• The Alcohol-Free Package: Includes mocktails and premium hot drinks.

• The Classic Package: Standard spirits, wines, and beers.

• The Deluxe Package: A wider range of cocktails and premium spirits.

9. Home Comforts & Superb Service

One of the main reasons Brits love P&O Cruises is the "home away from home" feeling. You will find kettles with tea and coffee facilities in every single cabin - a rarity in the cruise world! You also get standard UK three-pin plug sockets, so there is no need to pack travel adapters.

Combined with the intuitive, friendly service from cabin stewards and waiters, you will feel relaxed and looked after from the moment you board.

10. The Peninsular Club Loyalty Scheme

If you board your first P&O Cruise and end up loving the experience, you will be rewarded for returning. The Peninsular Club is the line's loyalty scheme.

You automatically join after 15 nights onboard. As you rise through the tiers (Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltic, and Ligurian), you unlock perks such as:

• Onboard spend discounts (ranging from 5% to 10%).

• Priority boarding.

• Complimentary champagne.

• Invitations to exclusive senior officer cocktail parties.

Ready to Set Sail?

P&O Cruises offers a unique blend of British familiarity and global adventure. Whether you are drawn to the convenience of sailing from Southampton, the incredible value of their all-inclusive packages, or the promise of a perfectly brewed cup of tea in your cabin, it is easy to see why they remain Britain’s favourite cruise line.

Frequently Asked Questions: P&O Cruises

1. Which P&O Cruises ships are for adults only?

If you are looking for a peaceful getaway without children running around, you should book Arcadia or Aurora.

These two ships are exclusively for adults, offering a more traditional and relaxed cruising experience with a focus on refinement and relaxation.

2. Is there a luggage limit?

One of the biggest perks of sailing from Southampton with P&O Cruises is the generous luggage allowance.

If you are sailing roundtrip from the UK, there is no restriction on the amount of luggage you can bring, as long as it fits comfortably in your cabin!

However, if you are on a fly-cruise (e.g., to the Caribbean), standard airline weight restrictions (usually 23kg) will apply.

3. Is there a dress code on P&O Cruises?

Yes, and many passengers love it! P&O Cruises upholds the tradition of "Black Tie" nights.

Depending on the length of your cruise, there will be one or more evenings where guests dress up in tuxedos, suits, or cocktail dresses.

On other nights, the code is "Evening Casual" (smart jeans, shirts, dresses), but swimwear and sportswear are not permitted in the main restaurants in the evening.

4. Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?

Yes, you can. P&O Cruises allows each guest aged 18+ to bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, or non-alcoholic spirit onboard at embarkation.

Please note that spirits (like vodka or gin) are not permitted and will be confiscated until the end of the cruise.

5. Can I smoke or vape on my balcony?

No. P&O Cruises operates a strict no-smoking policy, which includes electronic cigarettes and vapes, in all cabins and on cabin balconies due to fire safety. There are designated smoking areas located on the open decks.

6. Can I cruise solo with P&O Cruises?

Absolutely. P&O Cruises is very welcoming to solo travellers.

All ships in the fleet have dedicated single cabins (both inside and balcony options) which are priced specifically for one person, avoiding the dreaded "single supplement" charge found on other lines.

They also host solo traveller coffee mornings to help you meet fellow passengers.

7. Is travel insurance mandatory?

Yes, it is essential. You will not be allowed to board a P&O Cruise without valid travel insurance.

Your policy must cover you for medical costs and repatriation (getting you home) with a minimum cover of £2 million. It is important to ensure your policy specifically covers "cruise holidays."

8. Do I need an app to cruise?

P&O Cruises utilises the "My Holiday" web app onboard. You don't need to pay for Wi-Fi to use it; you simply connect to the ship's network for free.

It is an incredibly useful tool that allows you to book dining tables, join virtual queues for restaurants (so you don't have to wait in line), view the daily entertainment schedule, and check your onboard account statement.

9. What is "Freedom" vs "Club" Dining?

P&O Cruises offers two styles of dining in the main restaurants. Club Dining is the traditional style where you sit at the same table at the same time (6:30pm or 8:30pm) every night.

Freedom Dining allows you to turn up anytime you like between usually 6:00pm and 9:30pm, giving you total flexibility. You can choose your preference when you book your cruise.

10. Do they cater for dietary requirements?

Yes, very well. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have specific allergies, P&O Cruises can accommodate you.

It is highly recommended that you register your dietary requirements when you book or via the online portal before you sail so the maitre d' is prepared for your arrival.