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P&O Cruises fleet
P&O Cruises has seven ships in its fleet, all of which are aimed squarely at Britons. Case in point? The Union Jack flag appears prominently on the bows (front) of the vessels, while there are kettles, Tetleys tea, bags and British plugs in every cabin. Elsewhere, shore experiences, spa treatments, and drinks packages can be purchased in sterling.
Five ships are family-friendly – step forward Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Azura and Ventura – with the two smallest, Arcadia and Aurora, reserved exclusively for adults (although there will be eight sailings on Arcadia and 12 on Aurora available to families between December 2026 and September 2027).
All feature theatres, swimming pools, a plethora of bars and restaurants, and “Food Heroes” chef partnerships with Marco Pierre White, wine critic Olly Smith and José Pizarro, who contribute their expertise to the onboard experience.
Alongside its ex-UK itineraries, P&O Cruises offers good value (flights and transfers are factored into the fare) fly-cruise holidays to destinations including the Caribbean.
Who does P&O Cruises appeal to?
Being a British line (although confusingly, since 2003, it's been owned by US-based Carnival Corp, which also has Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard and Costa Cruises in its portfolio), P&O Cruises primarily appeals to British holidaymakers who appreciate the British food, entertainment, and currency on board.
The line’s largest audience is arguably couples and retirees seeking a sociable yet relaxed atmosphere, as well as families looking to take advantage of the complimentary children’s clubs and babysitting services found on the five family-friendly ships.
Elsewhere, Aurora and Arcadia, the two primarily adults-only vessels, cater to guests seeking a more sedate and mature environment.
P&O Cruises also offers some of the most affordable cruise fares around. A one-week half-term sailing to the Norwegian fjords departing on February 13, 2027, works out to be £2,032 for a family of four, making the company an attractive choice for those on a budget.
Destinations and itineraries
P&O Cruises’ fleet travels to all four corners of the world. Close to home, its ships sail to destinations in the British Isles, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Portugal, Spain and the Canary Islands, primarily from Southampton.
Further afield, the line offers fly cruises to North America, including Hawaii, as well as South America and the Caribbean – where it has home ports in Barbados and, from November 2027, St Kitts.
Itineraries range in length from short getaways of two to four nights to world cruises, which typically average several months. One of the line’s longest voyages, a 124-night ‘Epic World Explorer’ cruise will take place in 2028 on board Arcadia. This mid-sized ship will set sail from Southampton on January 6, 2028 and arrive back on the south coast on May 10, 2028, after stopping in South Korea, Thailand, Japan (for the first time since 2019), San Francisco in the USA, Cape Verde and Sydney in Australia.
P&O Cruises’ fleet
Discover the ships making up the P&O Cruises fleet.
Arvia (5,200 passengers)
Christened in 2023 by the singer Olly Murs, Arvia – dubbed the “sunshine ship” – is the line’s second vessel to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the marine industry’s most advanced fuel technology to date.
On board, you’ll find 30 places to eat and drink, including the American-style 6th Street Diner and established P&O outlet Glass House. Here, passengers can look forward to a tapas menu by José Pizarro and a wine list curated by Olly Smith.
Elsewhere, those with a head for heights will adore Altitude, a 54m-high ropes course. More sedate pastures include an island-themed mini-golf course and a spa specialising in treatments that utilise Elemis products.
When it comes to accommodation, plump for a conservatory mini-suite, which is halfway between a balcony cabin and a suite.
Sails to: The Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer
Iona (5,200 passengers)
Arvia’s sister ship, Iona, was launched in 2020 and can also accommodate 5,200 guests.
Like its sibling, Iona boasts more bars and restaurants than it’s possible to frequent on a one or two-week cruise, and you’re sure to find something to suit – from the lively Keel and Cow gastro-pub to the Mediterranean-themed Olive and bustling Brodies pub.
Iona also features the first gin distillery at sea (it was then rolled out on Arvia), which was developed in partnership with Devon’s Salcombe Gin.
After a few G&Ts, head to the adults-only Limelight Club for a black tie dinner and show – performers include the charismatic West End star, Jonathan Wilkes,
Sails to: The Norwegian fjords, the Canary Islands, northern Europe and Scandinavia.
Britannia (3,647 passengers)
Named by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, Britannia will be based in Southampton year-round from 2027.
Refurbished in 2024, this is a stylish ship: Richmond International, the company that worked on luxury London hotels like The Langham and Mandarin Oriental, is responsible for the interiors.
The ship features the Cookery Club, which was the UK’s first culinary school at sea and foodies and oenophiles can expect to be joined by Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith on select sailings.
Sails to: Atlantic Islands, Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Northern Europe
Ventura (3,192 passengers)
Launched in 2008, Venture is aimed at families owing to its four pools, colossal sports court, and large kids’ club called the Reef.
With their ankle biters happily occupied and entertained, parents can be pampered in the spa or head to the Retreat, a private sundeck reserved exclusively for adults.
Nine restaurants include casual options such as The Beach House and the Waterside buffet.
Sails to: Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands
Azura (3,100 passengers)
The sister ship to Ventura, family-friendly Azura has a cinema under the stars, a small casino, sports facilities, four pools, a theatre which stages shows and talks, a spa and the Reef kids’ club.
You’ll also find a New York-inspired cabaret lounge – fittingly called Manhattan – and Malabar, a vibrant, Mumbai-inspired show lounge. (World of Cruising loved the gold-leaf ceilings).
Sails to: The Canary Islands and Mediterranean
Aurora (1,874 passengers)
Aurora is P&O Cruises’ smallest ship and subsequently has a more intimate feel and will suit those in search of a more peaceful and traditional cruising experience. That said, despite Aurora’s smaller size, there’s still plenty to keep you entertained on board, including a sculpture by John Mills, a luxurious spa and pool with a retractable roof.
If you’re feeling plush, the two-tiered Penthouse Suites are the ones to book.
A dozen sailings on Aurora will be available to families from December 2026 to September 2027.
Sails to: The British Isles, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, and the Americas
Arcadia (2,094 passengers)
The second of P&O Cruises’ adults-only ships, the mid-sized Arcadia is the oldest in the fleet, but that doesn’t mean it’s outdated, having undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment in April 2025.
Facilities include 15 restaurants (one of which is the upscale Indian, Sindhu), bars, a three-tier theatre staging everything from musicals to magic shows, a boutique cinema, and a large spa.
Arcadia is also famed for being the first P&O Cruises ship to offer weddings at sea and is the only ship in the fleet to have the Marco Pierre White restaurant, Ocean Grill.
Sails to: Europe, the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Canary Islands, the US and Canada
Loyalty programme
The multi-tiered Peninsular Club is P&O Cruises official loyalty scheme, rewarding guests for their custom.
For each night you spend on board, you’ll be awarded 10 points. Pacific tier (the entry level), rewards passengers with a club magazine, a dedicated hotline, and discounts of five per cent off select cruises.
Progress to Ligurian level, the top tier, which requires 2,501+ points, and you’ll enjoy exclusive invitations to inaugural events, an officer-hosted fine dining event, plus priority embarkation and disembarkation, among other perks.
Family friendly?
Absolutely. Five of the line’s seven ships appeal to families with sports facilities, swimming pools, kids’ clubs, and non-stop entertainment.
Access for guests with disabilities?
P&O Cruises is generally considered suitable for guests with disabilities and offers accessible cabins (as well as wheelchair-friendly public areas and specialised services).
One caveat: you’ll need to book early as accessible cabins and assisted travel spots are limited. The line also asks guests with disabilities to complete its on-board ‘Needs’ questionnaire as soon as possible after booking, and at least two weeks before sailing.
Value for money
Exceptional. A 14-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing in December 2026 costs from £1,629pp including return flights from the UK, transfers, tips (always a big plus) and meals in the main dining rooms.
Of course, speciality restaurants, drinks, excursions and WiFi can soon push the price up, so if you’re watching the pennies, careful planning is important.
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