Holland America Line Unveils Bar 1873, a Stunning Venue Inspired by More Than 150 Years of Maritime Heritage
Holland America Line Unveils Bar 1873, a Stunning Venue Inspired by More Than 150 Years of Maritime Heritage
P&O Cruises
Britain's largest cruise line, with large modern ships and traditional favourites aimed at UK cruisers.
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P&O Cruises at a glance
- Type
- Cruise line
- Website
- pocruises.com
- Parent company
- Carnival Corporation & plc
- Headquarters
- Southampton, England
- Origins
- 1837 (Peninsular Steam Navigation Company)
- Market
- United Kingdom
- Loyalty programme
- Peninsular Club
- Official site
- pocruises.com (opens in a new tab)
P&O Cruises history
P&O Cruises traces its roots to the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company, founded in 1837 to carry mail and passengers to the Iberian Peninsula. The Peninsular and Oriental name followed, and passenger cruising became a major part of the business in the 20th century.
Today P&O Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc and is based in Southampton. Its ships are aimed squarely at British holidaymakers, with a mix of very large newer ships and smaller, more traditional vessels.
Practical information for P&O Cruises
Dress code: most evenings are smart casual, with a small number of formal nights on longer cruises. Check the dress code for your own sailing.
Gratuities: a daily service charge is added to your onboard account by default. Ask guest services if you wish to change it.
Booking: P&O Cruises sells many sailings from UK ports, so there is no need to fly. Always check what is included in the fare you are quoted.
P&O Cruises ships
- Arcadia Arcadia is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
- Arvia Arvia is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
- Aurora Aurora is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
- Azura Azura is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
- Britannia Britannia is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
- Iona Iona is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
- Ventura Ventura is a ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.
Questions about P&O Cruises
Which ships does P&O Cruises operate?
Ships in our P&O Cruises guide: Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, Ventura.
What is the P&O Cruises website?
The official P&O Cruises website is pocruises.com.
Where is P&O Cruises based?
P&O Cruises is based in Southampton, England.
What should I know before sailing with P&O Cruises?
Dress code: most evenings are smart casual, with a small number of formal nights on longer cruises. Check the dress code for your own sailing. Gratuities: a daily service charge is added to your onboard account by default. Ask guest services if you wish to change it. Booking: P&O Cruises sells many sailings from UK ports, so there is no need to fly. Always check what is included in the fare you are quoted.
Latest stories about P&O Cruises
Carnival Corporation supports young tourism leaders at SOTIC 2026
Carnival Corporation the world's largest cruise company, strengthened its support of Caribbean tourism and young people as the lead sponsor of the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress.
Cunard's Queen Anne to join P&O Cruises in 2029; Arcadia heads to Holland America Line
Queen Anne will leave Cunard after her 2028/29 World Voyage, be reimagined and renamed, and enter service with P&O Cruises. Arcadia will end her P&O Cruises career in August 2029.
Includes stories about P&O Cruises ships.
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