Which is the best P&O cruise ship? Here's how to choose The Times Jeannine Williamson | Qin Xie, Cruise experts Which is the best P&O cruise ship? Here's how to choose The world's oldest cruise line is aimed firmly at UK travellers, with features on board its seven ships including a gin distillery, giant kids' clubs and plenty of entertainment P&O Cruises' Azura in the Mediterranean near Santorini Christoper Ison Jeannine Williamson and Qin Xie , Cruise experts Friday October 23 2026, 5.00am BST , The Times Listen 0:00 / · 9:11 min Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save W ith a fleet of seven ships, P&O Cruises is the largest line based in the UK. It is known for its no-fly itineraries from Southampton — taking passengers to Europe, the Americas and beyond — but also offers fantastic fly-cruise options for those short on time, with packages that include flights and transfers. Established in 1835 as the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company, later becoming the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, P&O is the oldest cruise line in the world. Yet today you'll find a surprisingly innovative fleet. The two newest ships are Arvia and Iona, launched in 2022 and 2021 respectively. These are known for SkyDome, an all-weather pool area that transforms into an entertainment space in the evenings, as well as distilleries where guests can blend their own spirits. Iona creates its own gin at sea, while Arvia makes rum on Caribbean cruises. Most commented 1 US withdraws diplomats from Saudi Arabia amid deadly Houthi attacks US news 203 comments The three mid-size ships Britannia, Azura and Ventura are designed to be family friendly while remaining stylish. Top stories 1 What orthopaedic surgeons do every day to protect their knees Health & Fitness 2 New I took hallucinogenics to cure my PTSD from being an NHS paramedic Health & Fitness 3 Bernie Taupin: 'Elton John could be difficult— I would just roll my eyes' Music 4 The cool corner of Australia you'll want to keep to yourself Australia 5 Now's the time to lock in a pre-Christmas holiday deal — here are 12 Inspiration Then there are the two smallest ships, Arcadia and Aurora, which are adults-only and offer a more intimate experience. There will be big changes in 2029, when Cunard's Queen Anne joins the fleet after a full renovation and Arcadia departs for Holland America Line. Meanwhile, here is our experts' guide on which P&O ship is right for you. Advertisement All recommendations within this article are informed by independent expert editorial opinion. This article contains affiliate links and links to our in-house travel agency, Times Holidays, all of which will earn us revenue. Editors' choice Best for traditional cruising Aurora is the smallest ship in the fleet and its calm atmosphere appeals mainly to an older crowd Best for food lovers Britannia has a Cookery Club and features menus by celebrity chefs on its journeys Best for families Family-friendly Iona operates dedicated school-holiday itineraries that make getting away even easier Best for longer cruises Arcadia is embarking on a world cruise from January 2027, with far-flung destinations in Asia and Australasia in the mix Experts' pick For first-time cruisers, Azura is a good introduction to the brand. It features many of the entertainment and restaurant highlights you'll find on other P&O ships but with a more intimate atmosphere How to book Click the “Book now” button to start organising your trip with our in-house travel agency Times Holidays or one of our affiliate partners 1. Aurora Launched in 2000 as an improved version of the much loved, now retired Oriana, Aurora is the smallest and oldest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet. In 2019 the vessel was turned into one of P&O Cruises' adults-only ships, alongside Arcadia. The kids' club was taken out and replaced with 28 new cabins; the ship now caters for 1,874 passengers. Aurora appeals mainly to an older clientele looking for quieter and more traditional cruising, and it operates mostly in Europe, with occasional itineraries to the Americas. Top stories 1 High street banks are on borrowed time Saving & Investing The galleried four-deck atrium is at the heart of the ship and the centrepiece is a sculpture by John W Mills, whose works include the National Firefighters Memorial opposite St Paul's Cathedral. One of Aurora's most popular speciality restaurants is Sindhu, found across the P&O Cruises fleet — its signature dish is a trio of fragrant curries. Meanwhile, the Crow's Nest cocktail bar is a top spot to watch the world float by. Best cruise lines for adults 2. Arvia This 5,200-passenger vessel is nicknamed the “sunshine ship”, as it operates in the Mediterranean during summer and the Caribbean in winter. Guests can enjoy those itineraries with a choice of 30 bars and restaurants, including Green & Co feat. Mizuhana for vegetarian and sushi, and the American-style 6th Street Diner. Advertisement Thrill-seekers will love the Altitude Skywalk, P&O Cruises' high ropes course, along with the more sedate, island-themed mini-golf. The top-deck SkyDome has a retractable glass roof above the pool to make the most of sunny weather. Youngsters (and the young at heart) will also love P&O Cruises' extended partnership with Aardman, which brings the British eccentricity of Wallace and Gromit to the stage in another fun feature. On the accommodation front, Arvia features plenty of affordable Inside cabins, which include family suites sleeping four. Best Mediterranean cruises 3. Britannia Simon Kennedy When Britannia was named by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, the 3,647-passenger ship was the largest specifically built for the UK market. While it has since been eclipsed by Iona and Arvia, it was given a full refit in 2024 and remains the flagship. There's an emphasis on food: the Cookery Club has a variety of classes to roll up your sleeves for, and you can even learn from Marco Pierre White, who hosts classes on selected trips. He's one of the line's Food Heroes who create menus on board. These include wine expert Olly Smith and Spanish chef José Pizarro at the Glass House. You can now search for and book your next cruise with Times Holidays 4. Iona Travelling from its home port of Southampton, Arvia's sister ship heads to destinations in the Norwegian fjords, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean. Families will appreciate the dedicated school holiday bookings, which avoid the hassle of busy airports. When it's time for a G&T, Iona has a gin distillery. It was developed in partnership with Devon's Salcombe Distilling Co, and the 18 botanicals like blackberries and heather were inspired by the Scottish island of Iona. Another place to chill out is the 710 Club, a live music venue conceived by Take That's Gary Barlow. Advertisement Travel newsletter Your weekly round-up of the best travel inspiration, guides, hotel reviews and advice from our experts. Sign up with one click You've successfully signed up to the Travel newsletter Explore our newsletters An error occurred. Please use the link below. Travel newsletter Explore our newsletters 5. Arcadia Simon Kennedy The 2,094-passenger Arcadia had a full makeover in 2024. One of only two adults-only ships, it features stylish interiors that will appeal to traditionalists who want to travel on an elegant, relaxed vessel. Amenities include 15 restaurants and bars and a three-tier theatre with performances from magic shows to musicals. In January 2027, it's embarking on a world cruise, with stops in Asia and Australasia . Best round-the-world cruises 6. Azura Christopher Ison The sister ship to Ventura, the 3,100-passenger Azura launched in 2010 and, like the other older ships in the fleet, has undergone a full refurbishment. The ship's venues have a cosmopolitan atmosphere and include Manhattan, a New York-inspired cabaret lounge, and Malabar, which draws on contemporary Indian design. Naturally, there is a British pub, Brodie's, which is also on Britannia and Iona; the other ships in the fleet all have their own version of a pub with a large selection of British and international beers. Azura appeals to all ages with sports facilities, five pools, entertainment throughout the day, a spa and the Reef kids' club. Destinations include the Canary Islands in winter and the Med in summer. Best cruise lines for first-timers 7. Ventura Simon Kennedy Ventura, which launched in 2008, is one of P&O Cruises' five family-friendly ships. It's particularly popular during school holidays as it has a large kids' club, the Reef, divided into age-appropriate sections from tots to teens — and there are also sports courts where youngsters can let off steam. When adults want some downtime they can head to the adults-only Retreat, a quiet sundeck of the 3,200-passenger ship. Advertisement With the arrival of the larger Iona and Arvia, Ventura now ranks as a mid-size ship in the fleet. It often travels on round-trip Southampton cruises to Spain and the Canaries, and during term time the ship attracts a loyal following of retirees who can head off on leisurely longer holidays from the UK, such as a 35-night round-trip Caribbean and US cruise. Best cruises from Southampton We regularly reassess and refresh this list, adding the latest advice and inspiration. Do you have a favourite P&O ship? Let us know in the comments Travel Inspiration Cruises Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save