P&O Cruises Reviews 11,520

Just returned from a cruise on P&O Brittania to the Canaries, Madeira, Spain and Portugal the weather was not a hot and sunny as we would expect for this time of year but overall the cruise was excellent. The highlights of the cruise were definitely the evening entertainment by the theatre company and the overall staff who were there for our every need. The food was served promptly and hot and was varied every day. The ship is well maintained throughout and there was a good mix of passengers onboard from families with young children to teenagers and the usual older passengers. My wife and I have cruised with several companies now and I would say that in our opinion P&O is the most consistent.

Just completed our 17th cruise with P&O and again a fantastic experience. Staff can not do enough for you, great food, drinks and entertainment, the only thing that let's down our holidays is grumpy other passengers.

Excellent staff, ship, entertainment and choice of shore excursions. Beautiful cuisine.

After spending 15 weeks aboard Arcadia I just wanted to give you my opinion, we stayed in a balcony deluxe suite, the balcony was big enough to have 2 chairs, table and be able to move about. The cabin was nicely decorated with plenty of storage. The bathroom was basic and had a shower over the bath. The TV could do with being updated as the picture quality was poor. The ship is getting old and has a few leaks from the air conditioning but it handles the high winds and 5 meter waves with ease. The ship is clean and hygiene is high, it’s easy to get around and is nicely decorated with plenty of bars and public areas to sit and read or have a drink which are priced similar to pub prices at home. There is plenty of choice for eating and food is very nice with plenty of curry on offer for those that like it. The entertainment is good with plenty of choice in the different bars and shows in the palladium. The staff are amazing, they were friendly helpful and nothing was too much trouble. We had captain Chris and Yullian who were both very informative keeping us up to date with everything. Captain Chris was often seen walking around the ship spending time talking to guests and was happy to answer questions or just chitchat. I would definitely sail Arcadia again but only on adult only voyages, I understand they aim to open it to families. In my opinion there is nothing for children to do, no special areas for activities, the pool is small and basic. Railings around the decks which can be dangerous for small children. P&O should concentrate on the family friendly ships they already have and leave acardia for the adults

The whole thing was awesome, 100 nights of top quality entertainment, delicious food, amazing trips, great staff and lovely people.

Some people moan a lot but this is a positive review.
I travelled for a week on Azura from Malta to Croatia.
Thoroughly enjoyed my time ,good food and good entertainment.
The weather was mixed in April but all the passengers that I spoke to had a good time on the cruise.

First time, won't be the last.
We had a fantastic time on the Azura, visiting Malta and Croatia. The ship was spotlessly clean throughout, there food was lovely, and the range of activities on board was impressive. The best thing though was the staff who were so friendly and welcoming.
Going on a cruise is a great way to visit multiple places in one trip.

Arcadia World cruise January 2026
We are a couple in our 60s and we were on board Arcadia for 100 nights in an inside cabin with a classic drinks package. We have cruised 30+ cruises with many different cruise lines this was a first with P&O and probably our last unfortunately the dislikes outweigh the likes. We did not find it overall good value. If you like lots of formal nights, Indian flavoured inspired food and being around very old,80% British,nosy,entitled, fragile people who love lots of quizzes it may suit you but to us it was very much 3*
Dislikes
Entertainment was the worst we have experienced on any ship ever
Far too many formal nights
Room TV (6 channels) and ship tracking position is very poor
Issue getting tables for 2
Early fixed dining sitting is 6.30pm and you will be finished and out in 50-60 minutes maximum!!!
Avoid Sindhu it is expensive cold uninviting and small portions Ocean Grill is better but menu hardly changed for 100 days
Room steward very poor forgetting things on a number of occasions
WiFi which costs £20 for 24 hours
Ships APP is very poor even daily newspapers not loaded until late morning or early evening and menus not available online ever
No free ice cream available
Classic drinks package excluded the special drinks of the day
Costa coffee is very poor quality and you cannot takeaway
No compensation offered for missed ports
All menus/dishes very much Indian inspired and always available items on menu poor/limited also in Meridian there are no extras offered or deviation from menu
Food in Lido very poor/tasteless
No pizza EVER only if you order room service with a cost
Very small washing machine room 3 washers and 3 dryers and one ironing board for a world cruise!!
Buffet closed with no food everyday between 11am -12 midday and 9pm-10.30pm
Far too many annoying very old fragile passengers who have only ever cruised with P&O
Likes
Check in efficient at Southampton
Food good basic most nights in Meridian restaurant albeit small portions but rushed in and out !!!
Bigger cabin with lots of storage
Meridian Restaurant open almost every day for lunch with different menu albeit it had a lot of Indian inspired dishes
Wine/prosecco is good quality They gave options for people to buy alcohol for their cabins
Steak everyday available albeit it is very small and thin cut steak
Hour changes done midday not at night which is much better
Free shuttle buses into centres but at a cost for saver fares only select fares were free

Hope this review helps just for info our favourite cruise lines are Princess, Celebrity, Holland and Azamara with a far younger more international passenger and fewer formal nights and 5* food

We have travelled on Arvia twice and she is a beautiful ship. The service has improved since we sailed in 2023, where it could be a little standoffish. Arvia has a huge range of entertainment, kids clubs and day activities to do. We have done a couple of excursions and they are always well run.

The entertainment is fantastic; the Limelight Club is a must. Even if it's someone you've never heard of, the stories and the intimacy is well worth it. The included (free) food is not the best, but if you're willing to pay for the premium options they are excellent.

Arvia is a wonderful ship and if you're looking for a big ship with plenty to offer, I would really recommend her.

Just completed the 2026 world cruise on Arcadia and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my first solo cruise and found it safe and friendly

We had a fantastic world cruise onboard Arcadia and loved every minute of it. The destinations were incredible and the people that we met helped make it such a great experience.
We loved the food and entertainment, including the varied talks throughout the days. There was always plenty to do.
We’ve booked another cruise for next year on a different P&O ship and very much looking forward to it.

Cruise ship great, great accommodation, food and entertainment. Research shore excursions before had as some are better than others.

Excellent customer service from Yujun, who assisted me with multiple bookings efficiently and professionally.

Great value, good food, great destinations brilliant staff when booking a cruise it's my first choice

We have just returned from the World Cruise… it was amazing from start to finish!

Thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. We didn’t stop at two ports but that was for our safety. The boat and the staff were amazing. The food was fabulous. Cannot fault it.

Just back from 1/2 World cruise on Arcadia had a fantastic experience.
It’s our first long trip 49 days from New Zealand back to Southampton
The ship is excellent it has aged related issues but otherwise ok
The so called Arcadia cough did the rounds but we coped!
We found the food in the buffet excellent
We never use the restaurants
Entertainment was ok some good speakers and shows
Overall we had a fantastic experience
The sea days can be long but enjoyed spending time on the balcony watching for marine life!!
I would highly recommend this trip

Went onthe britainna around the carribean but unfortunately I took unwell and had to attend the medical centre was kept in overnight fortunately I was OK in the morning, welI thats until i got the bill, i claimed through my insurance but they need the doctors report. I called p&o and was told it takes up 14 days to receive it, 14 days past and nothing, i called again and was told I would have it 1 week later, again it never arrived, I called again, and was told it would have to be raised again and it would take 14 days, 14 days later nothing , I called again and was told I should have received it, but they would raise it again and surprise surprise it would take 14 days, it is now 7 weeks since I asked for this letter, you can't speak to anyone in authority no manager will come to the phone, next Monday will be another 14 days past making it 9 weeks, i was told at one point it had been sent to the travel agent i booked through,so I called them, they said they never received it and would call p&o , p&o then told them it had been sent to me, what a USELESS INEPT COMPANY. this was my 3rd cruise with them and it will be my last .
How hard can it be to send a bloody letter,
so if any of you take unwell on any of thier ships get a doctors letter before you leave the ship

My friend and I enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise for my 60th birthday. This was our first cruise and certainly wont be our last. The food, staff, entertainment and the wonderful friends we made on board all helped make it an absolutely fabulous experience.