Cruise line guide

P&O Cruises

A British cruise line with a broad choice of Southampton departures, fly-cruises and ship styles.

About the cruise line

What to expect from P&O Cruises.

P&O Cruises is often a reassuring place to start if you want a familiar onboard feel and a straightforward route into cruising. Its seven-ship fleet ranges from larger family-friendly ships to quieter adult-focused choices, with many holidays beginning in Southampton.

The ships

Ships to know.

P&O Cruises has seven distinct ships: Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura, Azura, Arcadia and Aurora. Scale, atmosphere and the spaces on board vary enough that the ship deserves as much thought as the route.

Ship style

Arvia

A large, contemporary ship designed around warm-weather holidays, broad dining choice and sociable sea days.

A natural starting point for families, groups and first-time cruisers who want the ship to feel like a lively resort at sea.

On board

What to look for.

Bright, varied and deliberately sociable, with places for pool time, live music and informal meals throughout the day.

SkyDome

A glass-covered pool and entertainment setting that shifts easily from daytime relaxation to evening spectacle.

Grand Atrium

Arvia's light-filled social heart, with sea views, places to meet and a strong sense of movement between decks.

The 710 Club

An intimate live-music venue with a more grown-up, late-evening atmosphere.

6th Street Diner

A playful American-style diner for relaxed breakfasts, comfort food and an informal change of pace.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

Ship style

Iona

A spacious, modern ship whose scale, glass-covered SkyDome and sea-facing spaces suit scenic and cooler-weather routes particularly well.

Consider Iona for Norwegian fjords and Northern Europe when you want dramatic scenery alongside a wide choice of dining and entertainment.

On board

What to look for.

Sea views are central to Iona's character, from its glass-fronted atrium to the sheltered SkyDome and open aft terrace.

Grand Atrium

A contemporary, glass-fronted gathering place designed to keep the changing view close throughout the day.

SkyDome

A covered pool, dining and entertainment space that helps Iona work across changeable northern weather.

The Keel & Cow

A relaxed gastropub-style venue known for steaks, British favourites and an easy, informal atmosphere.

Aft infinity-pool terrace

An open-air place to watch the wake and surrounding landscape on a clear scenic-sailing day.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

Ship style

Britannia

A confident contemporary all-rounder with an elegant central atrium, varied dining and a balance of family and adult spaces.

A useful middle ground for couples, families and groups who want plenty to do without choosing the fleet's very largest ships.

On board

What to look for.

Britannia mixes polished public rooms with places to learn, dance or step away into a quieter adults-only setting.

Grand Atrium

The ship's sculptural centrepiece and principal meeting point, surrounded by cafés, bars and sweeping stairways.

The Crystal Room

A polished dance and entertainment venue with a glamorous evening character.

Cookery Club

A hands-on culinary space for hosted classes and food-led experiences during the sailing.

The Retreat

A quieter, adults-only open-deck area with loungers and a more secluded pace.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

Ship style

Ventura

A family-friendly ship with a more traditional cruise layout, a broad programme and plenty of indoor and outdoor social space.

Worth considering when a varied family sailing from Southampton matters more than having the newest ship design.

On board

What to look for.

Ventura's onboard character is energetic and familiar, moving from its multi-level atrium to live entertainment and open-air pool time.

Three-deck Atrium

A lively central hub connecting cafés, shops and evening meeting places across several levels.

Havana

A show lounge and late-evening venue with cabaret, music and room for a more energetic night.

Tamarind Club

A smaller entertainment lounge for comedy, music and a drink in a more intimate setting.

Laguna Pool

An open-air family pool deck for brighter-weather sea days and relaxed time between ports.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

Ship style

Azura

A sociable, family-friendly ship often associated with Mediterranean and Caribbean fly-cruises, outdoor living and warm evenings.

A strong fit when sunshine, pool time and a port-rich fly-cruise matter more than sailing directly from the UK.

On board

What to look for.

Azura comes into its own on warm itineraries, with open-deck cinema and pool time balanced by classic dining and evening entertainment.

Three-deck Atrium

A bright central meeting place linking shops, cafés and the everyday flow of the ship.

Manhattan

Azura's theatre-style show lounge for live music, cabaret and later evenings.

Peninsular Restaurant

A principal dining room with a traditional cruise-dinner rhythm and a polished, comfortable setting.

SeaScreen pool deck

An outdoor pool and cinema setting made for films under the sky on warm-weather sailings.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

Ship style

Arcadia

An adults-only, mid-sized ship with a quieter pace, classic proportions and itineraries that often favour longer or more destination-led journeys.

A thoughtful choice for couples who value calm public rooms, fewer family facilities and a more traditional ship atmosphere.

On board

What to look for.

Arcadia's adults-only character is measured and comfortable, with familiar pub, performance and covered-pool spaces for longer sea days.

Atrium

An elegant central space that sets a quieter, more traditional tone for the ship.

The Globe

A theatre and cinema venue for performances, films and evening entertainment.

The Rising Sun

A familiar British-style pub for conversation, quizzes and an informal drink.

Neptune pool

A pool beneath a retractable glass roof, giving Arcadia useful sheltered deck space in mixed weather.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

Ship style

Aurora

The fleet's smallest adults-only ship, with a distinctly classic profile, intimate scale and a loyal following for longer voyages.

Look closely at Aurora when a traditional atmosphere, easier navigation and a quieter ship matter more than headline attractions.

On board

What to look for.

Aurora feels more intimate than the larger ships, with classic public rooms and sheltered facilities that suit long, unhurried journeys.

Atrium

A compact central space defined by its monumental sculpture and traditional multi-deck arrangement.

Curzon Theatre

A dedicated theatre for production shows, visiting performers and evening entertainment.

Carmen's

A cabaret and social venue for live music, dancing and a relaxed later evening.

Crystal Pool

A sheltered pool beneath a retractable roof, useful across both sunny and cooler itineraries.

Illustration-led cues, not exact deck plans or a promise that every cabin, restaurant or area will look the same on every sailing.

The images in this guide are original artist’s illustrations, created from real ship and interior references to convey the atmosphere rather than reproduce photography. When you enquire, Elenel will confirm the exact ship, cabin and sailing being considered.

Who it suits

Is it the right fit?

First-time cruisers who would rather sail from the UK

Families and groups who want dining, entertainment and choice

Couples seeking an adult-focused ship or a quieter itinerary

What it can feel like

A look at the holiday.

Original illustration inspired by a contemporary cabin aboard P&O Cruises Arvia — Your own place on board
Cabin location, layout and outside space can materially change the holiday, particularly on scenic routes and longer sailings.

Original illustration board showing public spaces aboard P&O Cruises Iona — A ship for the route
Iona's sheltered spaces suit scenic northern sailing, while Arvia and Azura place more emphasis on warm-weather deck life.

Original illustration board showing public spaces aboard P&O Cruises Britannia — Evenings your way
Across the fleet, dinner, theatre, live music and a quieter drink can form very different versions of the same evening.

Live availability

Ask for today’s P&O Cruises sailings.

There is no suitably verified fixed-date P&O Cruises offer in the current edit. Elenel can check live itineraries, cabins and fares without presenting an old or weak deal as current.

Check live P&O Cruises offers

Continue comparing

Keep the whole holiday in view.

Compare the atmosphere of the other lines, explore ocean cruising more broadly or use the cruise finder for a considered starting point.

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Talk to Elenel

Let’s find the right P&O Cruises sailing.

We will compare the live itinerary, cabin, fare and any relevant extras before bringing back options that suit you.

Ask Elenel about P&O Cruises

What to expect from P&O Cruises.

Arvia

Iona

Britannia

Ventura

Azura

Arcadia

Aurora

Your own place on board

A ship for the route

Evenings your way

Ask for today’s P&O Cruises sailings.

Keep the whole holiday in view.

Let’s find the right P&O Cruises sailing.