P&O UK

🎯 Who is P&O Cruises Best For?

• UK-based travellers looking for no-fly cruises

• Traditional cruisers who enjoy elegant dining and formal nights

• Adults seeking a relaxed, refined break

• Families (especially during school holidays)

• Solo travellers and retirees looking for comfort and convenience

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✨ Key Features & Highlights

• UK Departures: Frequent sailings from Southampton mean no airport queues, no baggage weight limits, and easier accessibility for many.

• British Style: From onboard currency (GBP) to roast dinners, Marmite at breakfast, and tea in proper cups — expect home comforts at sea.

• Ship Variety: Dedicated family ships (Iona, Arvia) and adult-only ships (Arcadia, Aurora) cater to different travel styles.

• Entertainment: West End-style shows, Strictly Come Dancing partnerships, and guest appearances from celebrities and authors.

• Food & Drink: British pub grub, afternoon tea, The Glass House wine bar (by Olly Smith), and Epicurean fine dining.

• Dress Code Options: Choose between Gala Evenings with formalwear or laid-back smart-casual nights — it’s up to you.

• Kids Clubs: The Reef programme includes activities for tots through teens, run by trained staff and tailored to school holiday crowds.

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🚢 P&O Cruises Fleet Overview

💡 Aurora and Arcadia are adult-only ships. Arvia and Iona run on LNG fuel and represent P&O’s newest, most sustainable class.

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⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros:
✔ Easy no-fly cruises from the UK
✔ Familiar British food, entertainment, and pricing
✔ Good choice of family or adult-only experiences
✔ Excellent value for money
✔ Wide range of itinerary lengths and destinations

Cons:
✘ Mostly suited to UK travellers (less international atmosphere)
✘ Add-ons like drinks packages and gratuities can increase costs
✘ Limited thrill-based attractions compared to US lines
✘ Wi-Fi and tech features lag behind newer competitors

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🌍 Destinations & Itineraries

• Mediterranean (fly-cruise or no-fly from Southampton)

• Canary Islands

• Norwegian Fjords

• Northern Europe (e.g., Bruges, Hamburg, Amsterdam)

• Caribbean (fly-cruise options to Barbados)

• USA & Canada

• Longer world cruise sectors

🗺️ View current itineraries on the P&O Cruises website

 

🎥 Julia’s Cruise Corner: My View from the Sunlounger

P&O I will have to be honest I have a few hits and misses with — I prefer the newer bigger ships, to the smaller ones. It’s easy, familiar, and the no-fly option is a massive win if you hate airports.

There’s something quite comforting about knowing you can get proper tea, watch a West End-style show, and tuck into a Sunday roast — all without needing to exchange currency or explain what a Jaffa Cake is.

I personally like the split between adult-only and family-friendly ships, which means you can tailor your sailing depending on your vibe. Aurora and Arcadia offer that calmer, more grown-up cruise, while Iona and Arvia are full of modern sparkle and perfect if you’re sailing with a group or teens.

It’s not the flashiest line out there and in full honesty sometimes the ships staff can seem overwhelmed, and service can suffer, at no fault of their own — but if you want relaxed, British cruising without the faff, P&O delivers.

🎬 Watch my P&O ship tours and cruise vlogs on YouTube for a real-life look at life onboard:
https://www.youtube.com/@Theworldyouroyser

All opinions in Julia’s Corner are based on my own personal voyages — and a fair few cocktails in The Glass House.