![\"\"](\"https:\/\/notjustcruise.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/po_british_pub.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs it for me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you enjoy your home comforts then this could be the cruise line for you. It won\u2019t take you too far out of your comfort zone while you explore overseas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average age of a P&O cruiser is 50, but that falls dramatically during the official school holidays as families scramble on board for their annual getaway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In particular, the bigger ships in the fleet are designed with families in mind, offering a host of kids clubs, activities and family facilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks to sofa beds and or pull-down beds, there are a number of cabins that accommodate families of four. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bearing in mind all the paraphernalia families need to bring with them, the fact that P&O sets sail largely from Southampton is a godsend. As long as it can all fit in your cabin then you can bring it all on board. Worth noting that babies must be at least six-months old and baby food can ordered well in advance (at least eight weeks please). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s even access to bottle warmers and sterilisers, travel cots, push chairs and baby baths on-board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having said that, the variety on board means there really is something for everyone. Couples looking to spoil themselves may want to upgrade to a suite where they\u2019ll have butler service. They can choose to eat in the fine-dining restaurants, hang out in the quieter, more intimate cocktail bars and indulge in lazy days in the spa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you\u2019re idea of a good holiday is one on which you can escape the kids, then P&O\u2019s Arcadia <\/em>and Aurora<\/em>both cater to adults only, but they retain that very British feel \u2013 just quieter (and older)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Price wise, we\u2019d say P&O is a good mid-range choice. It\u2019s certainly not your five-star but it\u2019s not your cheap-n-cheerful either. There\u2019s very often good deals to be had and cruises can be secured with impressively low deposits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are seven ships in the fleet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Arvia<\/em> is the baby of the family launched in December 2022. Having said that, it\u2019s also the biggest, sitting alongside her sister Iona<\/em>. Both these ships hold 5,200 passengers and are known as Excel-class ships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Arvia <\/em>has 19 decks, 30 bars and restaurants, plus four swimming pools, including two infinity pools, 20 whirlpools, a sky dome with a retractable glass roof and an outdoor cinema screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This ship is a great choice for families, with plenty of activities and entertainment for kids. There are age-specific children\u2019s clubs, a Splash Valley water play area and even an adrenaline-pumping rooftop rope course (the first at sea!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iona i<\/em>s pretty similar – although you won\u2019t find some of Arvia<\/em>\u2019s signature touches, such as the rope park, the retractable roof and escape room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Britannia<\/em>, launched in 2014 is probably the most elegant ship in the family. She was christened by none other than Queen Elizabeth II and is still billed as P&O\u2019s flagship vessel welcoming the highest number of repeat passengers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She holds 3,647 passengers and is more intimate than her far larger and younger sisters. In celebration of her 10th birthday she underwent a facelift and now boasts a fresher colour palette and more modern decor and furnishings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Azura<\/em> and Ventura<\/em> are the mid-size ships having 22 and 21 restaurants on board respectively and hold about 3,100 passengers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, Arcadia<\/em> and Aurora<\/em> are the cruise line\u2019s adult-only ships. They\u2019re both relatively small, holding 2,094 and 1,874 passengers respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a word – fun! Particularly on Iona <\/em>and Arvia <\/em>where there are loads of family facilities that you won\u2019t find on the older sisters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arvia <\/em>has to be the most playful. Her top deck Altitude experience includes the ship\u2019s high-rope challenge, a tropical themed mini-golf and water splash zone. There\u2019s even a sports arena where kids can play football, basketball, short tennis or cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On all the family ships there are four age appropriate kids\u2019 clubs where children from two years old right up to 17 can safely go and be entertained or join in a schedule of activities or simply chill out playing games. Air hockey is a firm favourite among the teens. The club for 13-17 year olds is just a cool place to hang out with friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the action takes place around the pools during the day. With up to four pools to choose from, there\u2019s normally space \u2013 although on \u2018sea days\u2019 you\u2019ll need to nab a sun bed nice and early to secure your favourite spot as it can get busy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having said that: you can curate your own unique experience. If you want to take part in all the organised and scheduled activities on board then it\u2019s all laid on for you. Or, if you want to do your own thing \u2013 like that couple we mentioned above \u2013 then it\u2019s entirely possible. Life can be exactly how you want it to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Come the evening, full-scale theatre productions, live music, party nights, comedy, the latest movies, guest presenters and interactive game shows are all on the agenda to keep guests entertained. There\u2019s never room for boredom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And when it\u2019s time to chill, all the ships have spa facilities – to differing degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Retreat is an outdoor area where guests can indulge in treatments al fresco in shaded cabanas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, the Oasis Spa and Health Club comes with a luxurious thermal suite with heated and cooling chambers; heated lounge chairs; plus a hammam and steam showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be prepared – it\u2019s a long menu. As you\u2019d expect from a Brit-centric cruise line, the menus reflect the culinary trends in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the main dining rooms you\u2019ll always find the British classic dishes serving breakfast, lunch and dinner – and everything in between. From your Sunday roasts with all the trimmings, to your steak and chips, your pizza and burgers, your kebabs, your ice creams and your chocolate fondants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are numerous buffet options, poolside options, grab \u2018n go options, cafe options and in-room dining options. There\u2019s fast food and there\u2019s slow food and the vast majority of venues are all included in the package price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond that, the ships have a great choice of speciality restaurants \u2013 which cost extra, but are still reasonably priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sindhu serves upscale Indian flavours; Keel & Cow is a gastropub serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; while Epicurean is a fine-dining experience with top notch service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On board Arvia <\/em>you\u2019ll find Green & Co featuring Mizuhana. Here you\u2019ll savour plant-based dishes alongside fresh sushi plates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And, for an all-American diner experience, head to 6th Street Diner for everything from whoopie pie, pancake stacks, steaks, \u2018freakshakes\u2019 to cocktails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For something entirely different, head to the Limelight Club. This is more like a supper club where you dine while being entertained by the house band or singers. It\u2019s strictly for adults-only. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a swanky wine bar called The Glass House, where wines have been selected by wine expert and TV presenter Olly Smith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Olly Smith is just one of the \u2018Food Heroes\u2019 that P&O has collaborated with to bring their culinary expertise to its Excel ships, Arvia<\/em> and Iona<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join Marco Pierre White \u2013 nicknamed \u2018the godfather of British cooking\u2019 \u2013 as he hosts live cooking demos or learn the top tips for the tastiest tapas from acclaimed Spanish chef Jos\u00e9 Pizarro in an exclusive Q&A. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MasterChef Norway judge, Kjartan Skjelde shares his love for the wild and traditional ingredients of his homeland with his six-course tasting menu in Epicurean, while Queen of Caribbean cooking, Shivi Ramoutor, showcases her twist on dishes from her sun-kissed island home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The dining set up on P&O is a mix of traditional dining and \u2018Freedom Dining\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time of booking, you opt for either first sitting, at 6.30 pm or second sitting, at 8.30 pm. Many people like this because they get to make friends with their fellow diners with whom they share their table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively you go for Freedom Dining. With Freedom Dining, you can turn up any time between 6pm and 9.30p.m. The exceptions are on Iona<\/em> and Arvia<\/em>, where the main dining rooms offer Freedom Dining only, with no assigned tables or sittings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our experience it\u2019s best to time your dining around the evening shows. Showtimes are usually 8.45pm and 10.45pm so if you want to catch the early performance, don\u2019t turn up at the Freedom Dining restaurant at 8pm. You need to factor in possible waiting times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t be doing with all the queuing, then on the newer ships there\u2019s an app-based booking system which, while you chill out in a nearby bar, the app will alert you when your preferred table is ready. Cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In all honesty the drinks packages on board P&O have come in for a bit of stick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s always cheaper to book your package before you board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Refresh package of soft drinks starts at \u00a39.85 per person per day. But we\u2019d have to go for the Alcohol-free package for \u00a322.45 per person per day because it includes Costa coffee (and we can\u2019t go without at least two proper coffees a day). The Classic package almost doubles to \u00a340.45 and that includes all your wines and spirits. And for \u00a349.45 per person per day the Deluxe package includes all your swanky cocktails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And here\u2019s the small print: \u201cDrinks Packages cannot be purchased on a \u2018per day\u2019 basis and packages purchased on board are non-refundable. All adults in the same cabin must purchase the same package and all packages are limited to 15 drinks in any 24-hour period.\u201d Nuff said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth saying at this stage that water, tea and coffee are free from the buffet all day. You\u2019ll also find fruit juice during breakfast and tea and coffee in the Freedom and Club restaurants during mealtimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Deciding which cabin to choose can often be a minefield. With P&O they\u2019s kept it relatively simple. You haven\u2019t got loads of different categories to confuse you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, you\u2019ve got your \u2018suites\u2019, your \u2018balcony\u2019 cabins, your \u2018sea view\u2019 cabins and your \u2018inside\u2019 cabins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know before you\u2019ve even stepped on board that you\u2019re going to be enjoying the ship facilities for 90% of the time, then opting for an inside cabin may well suffice \u2013 and they\u2019re far cheaper. We have to say, they\u2019re basic, but they\u2019ve got everything you need for a great night\u2019s sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The suites are where things get interesting. From Champagne and chocolates on arrival to complimentary bathrobes and slippers, suites come with lots of perks. Right from the start you\u2019ll get the VIP treatment with priority check-in and an optional butler. All suites come with a lounge area, some have whirlpool baths and all have spacious balconies \u2013 perfect for enjoying dinner for two courtesy of the free room service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suites are available across the fleet and occupy each ship’s prime real estate. Penthouse suites can be found on Aurora<\/em>, Azura<\/em> and Ventura<\/em>. Also, family suites are available on Azura<\/em> and Ventura<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having been named the Musical Director of Arvia<\/em> and Iona<\/em>\u2019s The 710 Club, Take That frontman Gary Barlow has catapulted this venue into the spotlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gary has crafted a eclectic range of performances, plus he\u2019s given aspiring performers a lucky break in his ‘Talent of Tomorrow’ competition whereby three finalists receive one-to-one mentoring from the man himself. The winner goes on to receive a seven-night cruise during which they\u2019ll take to stage in The 710 Club by night to entertain audiences in a series of gigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gary\u2019s been on board more than a few times and there are selected cruises on which he\u2019ll be performing in the theatre and doing exclusive, more intimate gigs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s in the Headliners Theatre where the big shows take place. West End musical adaptations, aerial displays, comedians, magicians, dance shows \u2013 they all unfold on stage. The resident theatre company tends to run the show, but they very often have guests popping up to add that little extra thrill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, take to the mike in a karaoke session; hit the floor at a nightclub; test your general knowledge and luck by participating in an exciting game shows, including British favourite Deal or No Deal; or catch a movie at the onboard cinema (inside or under the stars on deck). <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the newer ships, the SkyDome is a swimming pool with large screen showing family-friendly movies by day and a lively alternative performance space by night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Staying true to its Norwegian heritage, unsurprisingly P&O Cruises are no stranger to Norway\u2019s fjords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The seven ships in the fleet stick to some specific regions, usually moving around based on the seasons. For example, Iona<\/em> spends much of the year touring the Norwegian fjords on the same seven-day itinerary, relocating to the Canary Islands for the winter season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arvia<\/em> glides the waves of the Mediterranean but also the Caribbean, utilising the Fly-Cruise option setting sail from Barbados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the summer season Azura<\/em> pulls out of Malta and from Barbados in the winter months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The two smaller ships in the fleet tend to do the longer cruises or the ones that need access to the smaller ports of call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, Arcadia<\/em> is the choice for the big, long cruises, such as a 45-night cruise to Australia or a 99-night Western Circumnavigation Cruise taking in the Europe, the US, Asia, Australia and Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aurora <\/em>sticks closer to home cruising the Med and also the shores of the British Isles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a shore excursion for everyone. How about exploring Norway\u2019s famous Briksdal Glacier? Swimming with turtles in Barbados? Jet skiing in Antigua? Witnessing the spectacle that is the Northern Lights? Explore the coast of Spain\u2019s Stiges on a kayaking adventure? Take a cooking masterclass in Lisbon or go on a food and wine tour of Tenerife? <\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter your age or interest there\u2019s an excursion that is right up your street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tours can be (and we advise should be) booked well in advance. You can book until three days prior to your ship lifting its anchor and pulling away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to explore a port yourself, then look out for the digital guides that P&O sends out to all their passengers prior to departure. They’re packed full of information and tips, including local caf\u00e9s, bars and restaurants \u2013 saving you time researching before you go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything \u2013 as long as you don\u2019t want anything else! In other words, you could pay the package price and not have to shell out for anything else if you don\u2019t want to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All your food, basic soft drinks, entertainment, shows, use of pools, Altitude activity park (on board Arvia<\/em>), the Silent Discos, the quizzes and many of the classes, use of the sports deck and gym and all those visits to the cinema \u2013 they\u2019re all included. This makes P&O Cruises a really good value option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there are numerous extras \u2013 should you want them. For example, if you want to dine in one of the speciality restaurants, then that would be added to your bill. Spa treatments and shore excursions \u2013 as you would expect \u2013 incur an additional charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some activities, such taking on the challenge of the escape room or the high-ropes experience on Arvia<\/em>, costs extra. The cookery club on Britannia <\/em>and rolling the dice in the ships\u2019 casinos are experiences that you\u2019ll have to pay for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Access to the high-speed onboard wifi also costs extra. You can either commit to a package that covers the entire duration of your cruise or pay as you go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve already mentioned the drinks packages \u2013 which, as a reminder, cannot be purchased day-by-day, so you\u2019re committed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing we appreciate is that tips are all included in your initial package. So there\u2019s no need to keep putting your hand in your pocket to show your appreciation for the crew. Many of us Brits struggle to get our head around the concept of tipping, so this is not an issue with P&O. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A must-know before booking is the different fare classes offered on P&O Cruises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve got three different price types: Select, Early Saver and Saver. Each has slightly different pros and cons. At the time of booking your Not Just Travel agent can advise which is the best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those looking for a slice of Britain while exploring the high seas, this could be a perfect choice. It won\u2019t take you too far out of your comfort zone yet will allow you to travel the world and explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The price is attractive and the value for money is, in our opinion, pretty good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With seven ships to choose from, booking via a Not Just Travel agent means you\u2019ll board the one that\u2019s best suited to you. They\u2019ll also help you pinpoint the itinerary that most excites you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And of course, they\u2019ll help you get it for the right price, assisting you with the various price packages and added extras. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, we love P&O Cruises and we think you will too. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the ships like? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/notjustcruise.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/p_and_o_britannia.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s life like on board? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/notjustcruise.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IONA-2022-PROM-DECK-04_All-rights.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s on the menu? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And what about the drinks? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where will I sleep?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the evening entertainment like? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/notjustcruise.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IONA-2022-SKYDOME-01.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere can I go? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the shore excursions like? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s included? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bottom line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n