P&O Cruises have been a favourite for British passengers since they began cruising way back in the 1840s. The cruise line is incredibly well-known and well-loved for its mix of family-friendly and adults only ships, excellent service and an exceptional range of itineraries.
This friendly yet relaxed style of cruising has gained P&O Cruises a loyal legion of fans who adore the cruise line’s focus on the needs of their passengers and comfort. But if you’re yet to sail away with P&O Cruises, you may be keen to dig deeper and learn more about what makes this cruise line so special.
To help you get a snapshot of what P&O Cruises has to offer, in this blog we detail the top 10 reasons why you should book with P&O Cruises, including details on engaging activities, included tips, great drinks packages on offer. Read on to discover why exactly you should voyage to new horizons with P&O Cruises…
1) So Much Included
If you’re keen to book a cruise that doesn’t break the bank and includes tons of amenities, activities and entertainment, P&O Cruises is one of the best choices out there.
From the moment you step aboard, your accommodation, main dining, and entertainment are all taken care of. Enjoy delicious meals across various restaurants, from casual buffet dining to more formal options in Main Dining Rooms all included in the price.
There’s also a wide range of daytime and evening entertainment, from theatre shows to live music and cinema screenings and live performances in grand Atriums and SkyDomes. If you’re venturing out on a fly-cruise with P&O Cruises, the cruise line even throws in coach transfers between the ship and airport, and shuttle buses when you purchase a Select Fare.
2) Kids Clubs
There is no shortage of fantastic kids clubs and activities to keep the whole family happy onboard P&O Cruises’ family-friendly cruise ships Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura.
All five onboard age-appropriate clubs, Nursery, Splashers, Surfers, Scubas, H20 and The Scene, are completely free and staffed by fully qualified Reef Rangers who lead educational programmes, entertainment sessions and activities. The complimentary ‘Night Nursey’ is available to all ages and is open from 6pm to 2am, allowing parents to explore all nightlife on offer. Located in a quiet area of the ship, parents can be directly contacted via pager service giving complete peace of mind.
All children can be registered to attend kids clubs when you get onboard, or two weeks before your cruise. After registering, you can book a session at a kids club, day by day (excluding 13 to 17 year olds).
3) Pay In Pounds
Stressing over foreign currency? Forget the stress and relax by paying in pounds on a P&O Cruise! From the moment you book, everything is priced in British currency, so there’s no need to worry about fluctuating exchange rates or hidden fees.
Onboard, all purchases, whether in the shops, bars, or restaurants, are charged in pounds, making it easy to keep track of your spending. This is especially reassuring when budgeting for your holiday, as there are no unexpected currency conversions to complicate things. Paying in pounds ensures a seamless and stress-free experience, both before and during your cruise.
4) Special Events & Entertainment
There isn’t a dull moment on a P&O Cruise! Daily events range from movies played at Ocean Studios, including new and popular releases, dance and fitness classes, cookery clubs and quizzes.
At night time the fun doesn’t stop, there will be Black Tie evenings with five-course Gala menus, deck parties, themed nights and deck barbeques. P&O Cruises also stages a number of absolutely incredible shows featuring top-notch singers and dancers.
Shows include Festival, a summer-themed extravaganza, Greatest Days, a heart-warming Take That musical, and Centre Stage, an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular. Best of all, you can see all these stellar productions for free, as admission to these shows is included in the price of your P&O Cruise.
5) Tips Always Included
Great service doesn’t come with a price tag onboard a P&O Cruise. The cruise line, as standard, does not require guests to leave tips for staff while onboard.
This means you won’t have to worry about additional gratuities or service charges during your holiday. With no extra tipping expenses, you can cruise with complete peace of mind, knowing your budget is under control from start to finish.
6) Food Heroes
P&O Cruises are known for quality and this is reflected in their myriad of included and speciality dining experiences. You’ve probably heard of their famous Food Heroes, a collection of esteemed chefs and culinary masters who the chefs who participate in a number of exclusive P&O Cruises events.
These heroes, namely, Marco Pierre White, Olly Smith, Jose Pizarro, Shivi Ramoutar, and Kjartan Skelde share their expertise with P&O Cruises passengers during various select sailings. These foodie-focused cruises can include special live cooking demos, exquisite dinners, and Q&As with the chefs themselves!
7) Huge Choice Of Cruises
Anywhere you could dream of visiting, P&O Cruises can take you there in style. The cruise line operates more than 700 cruise holidays a year, ranging from mini breaks and two-week trips to mega world cruises.
The range of destinations the cruise line visits is simply second to none too. Discover paradise in the Caribbean, explore the worlds most modern city in Dubai, see the beauty of the Norwegian Fjords or voyage to quaint cities across Europe.
Cruise lengths vary from two to 99 nights, departing from a variety of ports all over the world plus Britain’s favourite port of Southampton too.
8) Great Drinks Packages
Cocktail or tea, whatever your preferred tipple, P&O Cruises has the drinks package for you.
Nearly every drink they offer is included in their drinks packages, including the Refresh, Alcohol-Free, Classic and Deluxe, for a fixed price per person per day. The price of these packages range, and P&O Cruises do offer occasional discounts when booking specific fares too.
Drinks included in these packages can be picked up at a variety of bars and lounges onboard, from poolside venues to late night hot spots!
9) Superb Service
Relaxed, attentive yet friendly service can be found in pretty much every corner of a P&O Cruise. Whether it’s your cabin steward ensuring your room is always pristine, or the friendly restaurant staff providing seamless dining experiences, you’ll feel truly looked after.
This exceptional level of service is a hallmark of P&O Cruises and a key reason why so many passengers return time and time again.
10) Get Rewarded For Loyalty
If you board your first P&O Cruise and end up absolutely loving the experience (which you almost certainly will!), you’ll be rewarded for cruising with them again via the Peninsular Club reward scheme.
Designed to reward returning passengers, the club offers a range of exclusive benefits the more you cruise. After your first 15 nights with P&O Cruises, you’ll join the club and can then start rising through the ranks of the club’s tiers.
Each tier has its own set of benefits, ranging from priority booking and onboard gifts to access to exclusive cocktail parties and discounts on onboard spending! With such a rewarding programme in place, the more you cruise, the more you benefit – making every voyage even more enjoyable.
