Photo: P&O Cruises logo
CruisePing verdict
P&O Cruises is the practical British mainstream choice, especially for Southampton departures. Its weakness is fleet inconsistency: choosing the correct ship matters more than the brand name alone.
P&O Cruises at a Glance
| Line type | Ocean cruise line |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1837 |
| Parent company | Carnival UK Ltd, part of Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Headquarters | Southampton, England |
| Current fleet | 7 ships |
| Primary markets | uk |
| Passenger orientation | Mixed-age |
| Formality | Varies by ship |
| Typical ship scale | Mixed fleet |
| Typical fare level | Mainstream |
| UK departures | Regular |
Best suited to
UK passengers wanting regular Southampton departures, a familiar British onboard style and a choice between family mega-ships, a contemporary flagship and quieter fleet alternatives.
Think carefully if
Passengers seeking small ships, consistently quiet public areas, an international atmosphere or fares that include drinks, Wi-Fi and most speciality dining.
P&O Cruises is the most straightforward starting point for many British passengers who want to sail from Southampton, keep the onboard experience familiar and avoid turning the journey to the ship into a holiday in itself. Its real strength is not that every vessel offers the same experience, but that the seven-ship fleet covers several different versions of mainstream cruising under one recognisable British brand.
The important booking decision is therefore not simply whether to choose P&O Cruises. It is which P&O ship suits you. Iona and Arvia are large, modern, family-friendly ships with extensive dining and entertainment. Britannia sits in the middle: still a substantial resort ship, but easier to understand than the two Excel-class vessels. Aurora and Arcadia are adults-only, while Ventura and Azura represent an older, more traditional family product. Treating them as interchangeable is the quickest way to book the wrong P&O holiday.
P&O Cruises ship guides
Arcadia Cruise Ship
A ship-specific Arcadia guide covering its adults-only world-cruise role, balconies, dining, spa, library, older design and comparison with Aurora.
Arvia Cruise Ship
An independent Arvia cruise ship guide covering routes, cabins, dining, passenger fit, strongest features, weaknesses and recurring passenger feedback.
Aurora Cruise Ship
A ship-specific Aurora guide covering its adults-only atmosphere, smaller scale, traditional style, cabins, library and comparison with Arcadia.
Azura Cruise Ship
A ship-specific Azura guide covering its Mediterranean fly-cruise role, family atmosphere, SeaScreen, pools, cabins, library and comparison with Ventura.
Britannia Cruise Ship
An independent Britannia cruise ship guide covering routes, cabins, dining, passenger fit, strongest features, lift problems and recurring passenger feedback.
Iona Cruise Ship
An independent Iona cruise ship guide covering routes, cabins, dining, passenger fit, strongest features, weaknesses and recurring passenger feedback.
Ventura Cruise Ship
A ship-specific Ventura guide covering its Southampton family role, pools, dining, cabins, library, crowding and comparison with Azura and Britannia.