P&O Cruises vs Princess Cruises: Which Cruise Line Should You Choose?

• Onboard Atmosphere: P&O Cruises delivers classic British culture with Sterling pricing and included tips, whereas Princess Cruises offers an international style powered by MedallionClass technology.

• All-Inclusive Options: Princess relies on popular Princess Plus and Premier packages bundling drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities, while P&O offers standalone drink packages alongside all-inclusive fare add-ons.

• Dining & Entertainment: Enjoy traditional Sunday roasts, curry houses, and West End-style theatre with P&O, or world-class steakhouses, Italian trattorias, and outdoor cinema with Princess.

Both owned by Carnival Corporation, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises represent two of the most popular choices for British travellers departing from Southampton or flying worldwide.

While both lines deliver outstanding service and varied itineraries, their onboard culture, dining styles, and fare options create distinctly different holiday experiences.

To learn more about P&O Cruises, click here. To learn more about Princess Cruises, click here. Or continue reading to learn how the two compare.

Onboard Style & Vibe

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises delivers an unmistakably British experience tailored specifically to UK holidaymakers. Stepping on board feels instantly comfortable and familiar, with all prices listed in Sterling (£) and crew gratuities already built into your cruise fare.

Cabins come equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, British three-pin electrical sockets, and UK tea brands.

The shipboard culture balances relaxed seaside leisure with time-honoured traditions, such as lively pub quizzes, traditional Black and White gala evenings, and cheerful British hospitality across every deck.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers a refined, premium resort atmosphere with an international flair. Operating in US Dollars ($), the general vibe is sleek, stylish, and relaxed. A hallmark of the Princess experience is its revolutionary MedallionClass technology.

Each guest receives a quarter-sized wearable device (the OceanMedallion) that automatically unlocks stateroom doors as you approach, enables touchless payments, and allows you to order food, drinks, or extra towels to be delivered directly to your sun lounger, poolside chair, or theatre seat.

Target Audience & Passenger Demographic

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises caters exceptionally well to British families, multi-generational groups, couples, and solo travellers. For families, mega-ships like Iona and Arvia feature dedicated youth clubs, outdoor splash zones, and family-friendly dining.

Meanwhile, travellers seeking an adult-only environment can choose classic ships like Arcadia and Aurora, which strictly cater to guests aged 18 and over.

P&O is ideal for anyone who wants a straightforward, value-driven holiday without navigating foreign currency exchange or calculating daily service charges.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises attracts a destination-focused demographic, alongside couples, multi-generational families, and experienced cruisers seeking an elevated experience.

While Princess ships welcome families with excellent Youth Zone facilities, partnered with Discovery Channel for educational enrichment, the general atmosphere on board remains sophisticated and calm.

It is particularly well suited to travellers who appreciate fine dining, cultural shore excursions, and a polished resort feel rather than high-energy waterparks and party decks.

Dining & Culinary Options

P&O Cruises

Dining on board P&O Cruises is tailored to British tastes with a strong focus on quality and familiar comfort. Main Dining Rooms feature multi-course menus that include traditional Sunday roasts, fish and chips, and afternoon tea.

P&O also collaborates with famous culinary figures, known as their "Food Heroes." Guests can enjoy exquisite Indian fine dining at Sindhu curated by Chef Atul Kochhar, artisanal tapas and curated wine pairings at Olly Smith's The Glass House, prime cuts at the Keel & Cow steakhouse, and bespoke dessert menus created by master patissier Marco Pierre White.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is globally renowned for its culinary excellence, regularly winning awards for the best dining at sea.

Highlights include Crown Grill, an upscale American steakhouse serving aged beef and fresh seafood, and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, which offers handmade pasta and authentic regional dishes.

For casual bites, Gigi's Pizzeria (or Alfredo's) serves freshly prepared, hand-tossed pizzas that are widely considered among the best afloat.

Guests looking for an extraordinary culinary event can reserve the exclusive Chef’s Table Experience, featuring a behind-the-scenes galley tour and a multi-course tasting menu paired with fine wines.

Drinks Packages & All-Inclusive Options

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises offers four straightforward, tiered drinks packages priced in Sterling: the Refresh package (soft drinks), the Alcohol-Free package, the Classic package, and the Deluxe package.

Individual drink prices on board are remarkably reasonable, closely matching standard UK pub pricing (typically £4 to £7 for beers and a glass of wine).

Guests booking early can also opt for All-Inclusive Fare upgrades or take advantage of pre-sailing discounts on drinks packages through the online cruise personaliser portal.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises simplifies onboard spending through its highly popular bundled fare options, Princess Plus and Princess Premier.

Available for a fixed daily fee, Princess Plus includes the Plus Beverage Package (covering up to 15 drinks per day up to $15 each), Wi-Fi, casual dining meals, OceanNow on-demand delivery, and prepaid crew appreciation (gratuities).

For an extra upgrade, Princess Premier expands this to cover premium spirits (up to $20 each), multi-device Wi-Fi, unlimited speciality dining, digital photo packages, and reserved theatre seating, delivering outstanding overall value.

Entertainment & Onboard Facilities

P&O Cruises

Entertainment on P&O Cruises caters directly to British tastes with West End-style musical productions, stand-up comedy from UK comedians, pub quizzes, and live sports screenings in the onboard pubs.

On newer ships like Iona and Arvia, guests can enjoy The 710 Club, an intimate live music lounge curated by Music Director Gary Barlow, as well as The Limelight Club, which combines fine dining with cabaret performances from top British talent.

Family ships also boast high-ropes courses, escape rooms, and the retractable glass Skydome for daytime swimming and evening aerial shows.

Princess Cruises

Entertainment on Princess Cruises centres around high-calibre production shows, classical music performances, and interactive events.

The central Piazza atrium serves as the ship's vibrant heart, featuring street performers, musicians, and traditional champagne waterfall celebrations.

Outdoors, guests can enjoy Movies Under the Stars, watching blockbuster films on a giant poolside screen with fleece blankets and fresh popcorn.

Princess also hosts The Voice of the Ocean singing competitions, while adults seeking pure relaxation can retreat to The Sanctuary, an exclusive outdoor sun deck featuring plush loungers, cabanas, and dedicated steward service.

Fleet & Destination Routes

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises operates a seven-ship fleet specifically tailored for UK departures and seasonal fly-cruises.

The line offers year-round sailings out of Southampton to popular destinations like the Norwegian Fjords, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, and the Baltic.

During the winter season, P&O deploys ships to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, featuring convenient direct flights from major UK airports.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises operates a vast global fleet of over 15 ships, ranging from Royal-class vessels to the innovative Sphere-class ships (Sun Princess and Star Princess).

While Princess maintains a strong seasonal presence in Southampton for European sailings, its primary appeal lies in its worldwide reach.

Princess is an industry leader in destination cruising, offering iconic voyages through Alaska, Asia, Australia, South America, the Panama Canal, and full World Cruises.

Cruise Line Comparison

Deciding between these two leading cruise lines ultimately comes down to the style of holiday you prefer. If you value a home-away-from-home feel with British comforts, transactions in pounds, and included gratuities, P&O Cruises provides exceptional value and familiarity.

On the other hand, if you are drawn to cutting-edge wearable technology, award-winning international dining, and bundled all-inclusive packages, Princess Cruises offers a premium ocean journey across the globe.