P&O Cruises flies the flag for Great Britain when it comes to affordable family-friendly and adult-only cruises to a variety of destinations.
The seven cruise ships across the P&O Cruises fleet feature images of the union flag across the bow and many of the sailings are targeted at the British market as they provide the convenience of departing from Southampton and have plenty of home-themed food, bars and entertainment on board.
Now part of the Carnival Corporation, P&O Cruises actually dates back to the 19th century.
The cruise line combines tradition on board with formal nights and quality entertainment as well as modern attractions such as rope courses, escape rooms and a SkyDome that hosts pools and hot tubs by day and live shows at night.
There’s also the chance to cook with top chef Marco Pierre White and to raise a glass with wine expert Olly Smith during select sailings throughout the year.
The ships visit a range of destinations such as the Norwegian fjords, northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Passengers can also explore further afield on sailings around the Caribbean, South America and Australia.
Read more: The best Royal Caribbean cruises
Tips are included on all P&O Cruises ships, which can help save money on a cruise, plus many deals also include flights as part of the fare to more distant locations.
There are different types of fare to look out for, with Saver and Early Saver options coming up cheaper but they don’t provide extra perks such as choosing your cabin, port car parking, shuttle buses or onboard spend that you get with ‘Select Price’ fares.
Two of the ships – Arcadia and Aurora – focus on adult-only sailings while the rest cater for all ages.
Families will be able to sail on Arcadia and Aurora during select multi-generational sailings between December 2026 and September 2027.
Here is a pick of the best sailings with P&O Cruises.
Arvia: Caribbean Transatlantic
Bridgetown – Fort de France – Basseterre – Tortola – St Maarten – Antigua – Grenada – Castries – Bridgetown
Start the new year in the Caribbean on P&O Cruises’ newest ship Arvia.
The 14-night sailing starts in Bridgetown where passengers can visit the neo-Gothic Barbados Parliament and the Garrison barracks that once housed 15,000 British troops. Other destinations include Castries in St Lucia, where you can try to spot the resident parrots and hummingbirds, as well as the courtyard cafes and markets of Saint Maarten.
The cruise fare includes return flights from the UK to Bridgetown, making it convenient for UK passengers to get home.
Arvia is the largest capacity ship in the P&O Cruises fleet. It has capacity for 5,200 passengers but you can beat the crowds across its 30 restaurants and bars onboard. Its SkyDome also offers great views of land and sea from the pool or street food stalls before turning into an entertainment venue at night.
Daredevils can also try the ship’s Altitude Skywalk, set 54 metres above the ocean and there is even an onboard escape room for a more grounded challenge.
Departs 3 January 2026. From £1,559pp. Return flights included.
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Azura: Central Mediterranean Fly-Cruise
Valletta – Korcula – Zadar – Trieste – Split – Valletta
See the best of the central Med aboard Azura.
This seven-night sailing starts in the Maltese capital of Valletta. There is lots of variety, with visits to the Croatian cities of Korcula, Zadar and Split, where you can explore the old towns and medieval history as well as sipping coffee in Trieste, known as the caffeine capital of Italy.
Passengers should be able to relax in the sun during this sailing while watching a film in Azura’s open-air SeaScreen cinema or get active across its four pools, tennis and basketball courts.
The ship, which can fit 3,100 passengers, also hosts nine restaurants including wine expert Olly Smith’s The Glass House and The Waterside as well as the Indian-inspired Sindhu and The Epicurean specialty dining venues.
Departs 1 4 May 2026. From £1059pp. Return flights included.
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Iona: Norwegian Fjords
Southampton – Stavanger – Olden – Innvikfjorden – Nordfjord – Alesund – Haugesund – Southampton
Set sail for the beautiful scenery of the Norwegian fjords on a round trip from Southampton aboard Iona – the sister ship to Arvia.
This seven-day sailing takes in the spectacular scenic fjordland and glaciers across Norway and you can even enjoy panoramic views of Alesund after taking a cable car or walking the 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla.
After enjoying a day of amazing views, the 5,200 capacity Iona has its own gin distillery in collaboration with Devon’s Salcombe Gin to explore, where you can raise a glass before enjoying live music curated by Gary Barlow at the 710 Club.
Departs 4 April 2026 2025. From £799pp.
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Britannia: Iceland
Southampton – Cobh – Reykjavik – Isafjordur – Akureyri – Eyjafjordur – Hrisey Island – Kirkwall – Invergordon – Southampton
Discover the Land of Fire and Ice aboard the brand’s flagship Britannia.
This 14-night cruise includes an overnight stay in the capital Reykjavik, giving guests a chance to go on a glacier safari tour or to visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before exploring Icelandic fjords.
Britannia had a multi-million refurbishment in 2024 ahead of its tenth anniversary this year. Changes include new décor in its Sunset Bar and Crystal Room as well as an improved splash area for children and celebration dinner menus created by Pierre White.
Departs 3 July 2026. From £1,719pp.
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Ventura: Spain, France and Portugal
Southampton – Vigo – Lisbon – Leixoes – Cherbourg – Southampton
Capture some sun on this seven-night sailing from Southampton to Spain, France and Portugal aboard Ventura.
Passengers get a sea day before reaching Vigo in northern Spain, where you can visit the beaches or even the fish market.
A visit to Lisbon gives you a chance to grab a genuine pastel de nata, while the stop in Leixoes provides access to Porto.
The family-focused Ventura ship has four pools and a sports court to appeal to young cruisers, as well as its Reef Kids Club for age two to 17. There is also an adult-only open-air spa terrace called The Retreat, where passengers can escape from the kids.
Ventura is the sister ship to Azura so features similar restaurants and bars such as The Glass House but also has its own British pub called the Exchange.
Departs 11 July 2026. From £879pp.
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Arcadia: Christmas in Spain Portugal Canary Islands
Southampton – La Coruna – Vigo – Tenerife – Arrecife de Lanzarote – Gran Canaria – Madeira – Lisbon – Southampton
Enjoy Christmas at sea this year on P&O Cruises’ mid-sized ship Arcadia.
You could share the festive season with 2,094 passengers on a 16-night sailing from Southampton that should give you some winter sun on visits to destinations such as La Coruna, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, as well as an overnight stop in Madeira.
There are seven sea days, including on Christmas Day, giving you time to sleep off all that mulled wine and turkey.
This is an adult-only ship, giving passengers ample opportunities to relax in the spa and enjoy shows in the theatre and cinema as well as chances to dine in Marco Pierre White’s onboard Ocean Grill.
Departs 21 December 2025; from £2,949pp.
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Aurora: Epic South America Journey
Southampton – Gran Canaria – Mindelo – Recife – Salvador – Buzios – Rio de Janeiro – Santos (tours to Sao Paulo) – Montevideo – Port Stanley – Cape Horn (cruise-by) – Beagle Channel (cruise-by) – Magellan Straits (cruise-by) – Punta Arenas – Amalia Glacier (cruise by) – Pio X Glacier (cruise-by) – San Antonio (tours to Santiago) – Coquimbo – Arica – Callao (tours to Lima) – Manta – Fuerte Amador – Panama Canal (full transit) – Cartagena – Oranjestad – Grenada – Bridgetown – Castries – Antigua – St Maarten – Ponta Delgada – Southampton
P&O Cruises doesn’t only do short or week-long sailings. Passengers can embark on a 75-night voyage to South America aboard Aurora.
Starting from Southampton, you could escape the winter blues as you approach the beaches of Gran Canaria. There is sun and sand to enjoy on stops such as Mindelo in Cape Verde before you hit Recife in Brazil by day 14. There is the chance to tour Sao Paulo in Brazil and see a variety of scenery from glaciers in Chile to the sun-kissed Caribbean before making your way back to Southampton in time for spring towards the end of March.
Aurora is the smallest ship in the fleet, with capacity for 1,874 cruisers. But it is also adult-only, giving it a more intimate and peaceful feel where you can enjoy its spa and three pools as well as 19 restaurants and bars and seven entertainment venues.
Departs 3 January 2026; from £7,499pp.
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