P&O International Cruises

What it’s like to sail with P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is a distinctly British holiday at sea. The tone is relaxed and unpretentious — think afternoon tea, a pint at the pub, live sport on the big screen, and formal nights that feel celebratory rather than obligatory. The fleet is large enough to offer serious variety, yet every ship carries the same unhurried, sociable atmosphere that keeps passengers coming back year after year. If you want a holiday where the ship is genuinely part of the experience rather than just the vehicle, P&O delivers that in spades.

Life on board — venues and atmosphere

Days at sea are built around choice. On most ships you’ll find a British pub — Brodie’s Bar & Lounge serves the largest selection of British and international beers, ciders and ales on board, with live sport, quizzes, karaoke and game shows filling the day and evening. If you prefer something quieter, the Crow’s Nest offers sweeping ocean views by day and intimate live piano by night. For a touch of glamour before dinner, bars like Intermezzo and the Red Bar mix handcrafted cocktails in elegant surrounds, while Havana brings Cuban-inspired energy — Salsa rhythms, DJ sets and cabarets — for those who want to dance until late.

Coffee drinkers are well catered for too. Caffè Vivo offers a Mediterranean-style retreat with espresso, fresh juices and light bites, while Tazzine serves authentic Italian coffee for a quieter moment at sea. The fleet’s entertainment spaces — from Carmen’s show lounge with its cabaret performances and disco nights to the Crystal Room’s chandeliered dance evenings — mean there is always something happening, and always somewhere peaceful to escape to if you’d rather not.

Where P&O Cruises sails

The vast majority of P&O sailings depart from Southampton, making them a natural fit for Australians who want to combine a cruise with time in the UK. The range from that single homeport is remarkable: Norwegian fjords, the Canary Islands, the Western Mediterranean, the Southern Caribbean, the British Isles, North Africa, and even round-the-world voyages stretching to 124 nights. Sailings also operate from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Valletta in Malta and Charlestown on the island of Nevis, giving you the option to fly into a warm-weather port and join the ship there. For dedicated sun-seekers, the Caribbean itineraries board in Bridgetown, Barbados and Antigua, so you can be in the tropics from day one.

Trips run from four nights to grand world voyages, with a median sailing of fourteen nights — long enough to feel like a proper break, short enough to plan around work. If the Caribbean or Mediterranean appeals, or you’ve always wanted to explore Norway‘s fjords, P&O’s schedule covers all three across the season.

Who P&O Cruises suits

P&O is at its best for couples and groups of friends who want a full social programme without the pressure of ultra-formal dining or a heavily regimented daily schedule. The multi-generational family market is well served too — the ships are large enough for everyone to find their own rhythm. Adults who want a quieter, adults-only experience should look closely at Arcadia and Aurora, both of which carry a more sedate atmosphere suited to longer voyages. Conversely, Arvia and Iona are the line’s newest and largest ships, built for those who want the widest range of on-board spaces and an energetic, resort-style feel. The fleet’s breadth means P&O rarely has a wrong answer — the key is picking the right ship for the right trip, which is where a conversation with our consultants pays off.

Planning your P&O cruise from Australia

Because every P&O sailing on this page departs from ports in the United Kingdom, Spain, Malta or Barbados, your cruise is the centrepiece of a longer journey from Australia. Cruise1st can put the whole holiday on one booking — flights from Australia, a hotel either side, airport transfers and the cruise itself — as a Cruise1st Package. That means one call, one reference number, and no gap between your flight landing and your ship departing.

We back every booking with our Best Price Guarantee, and our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week if you want to talk through cabin grades, fare inclusions or which itinerary makes the most of your time in port. Sailings range in length and region, so whether you’re eyeing a short Canary Islands escape or an epic world cruise in 2027, the right departure is likely already on the page below.

Ready to explore specific routes? Browse Mediterranean cruises for 2027 or check out Caribbean sailings to see what’s available at the dates that suit you.