P&O Cruises anyone?

[Pigeonqueen]

Debating booking one. Thinking of the 4 night Amsterdam one and find myself feeling overwhelmed by the various vlogs on you tube and the actual P and O website is so glitchy.

My main issues are - there will be 3 of us - dh, me and Ds aged 11 so I’m guessing we have to have some sort of bunk bed thing? Is that the only option for 3 or is there a sofa bed option? Wondered what experiences others had had.

And also food - what is it like? Do we need to spend a lot extra or are most things included? (We don’t drink alcohol so don’t need a drinks package).

Never done any cruises before but very keen to give it a go and Ds and dh would love to go to Amsterdam so seems like a good way to try it!

@Pigeonqueen I can do quiet old people, being one.

I definitely recommend eating meals in the main dining room - they do breakfast, lunch and dinner. Much quieter than the buffet - I avoid it if I can. The speciality restaurants are quiet too.

I would consider a balcony cabin as you get your own outside space so even on sea days it is quiet.

Look for a cabin where there are cabins above and below, either side and across the corridor. This minimises noise from the theatre, sun deck etc.

If you go for an inside cabin then use the prom deck to sit outside - much quieter than the sun deck.

Amazingly each ship has an art gallery which is quiet and has some interesting pictures.

The daily programme will have all types of activities and on sea days the lectures can be interesting.

I know it’s more expensive and the itinerary’s are different but Cunard Queen Elizabeth is my favourite ship.

Have a look at Princess with that criteria. We loved Princess when we went on Sky. But it is a quieter, older dynamic but not older like saga or Fred olsen.

Great thread.

Will be bookmarking for future, as hoping to book another P & O cruise for 2026 (last went in 2016 on Oceana around the Med from Southampton, but got caught in an awful storm across the Bay of Biscay).

Thinking of Greek Islands in April or Norwegian fjords in August. Just need to look at itineraries and prices when they become available.

Amazing tips. Thank you.

I haven’t really heard much about Princess. Thanks for the idea, I’m off to google! 👍

I found P&O Arvia very rough, crowded and "Butlins At Sea". Just not for me at all.

Don't go expecting luxury with P&O and you should be fine, especially if it's only a few nights. The worst of it tends to be around the buffet and clubhouse. I agree with taking meals (inc breakfast) in the Dining Room.

I agree princess is another good option.

I've just got back from a 12 day cruise. It went around Malta and Sicily and the temperature was 24 degrees and people were in hot tubs and swimming in the on deck pool.

I haven't been so this is purely anecdotal, but I was told that boat is a fancy ferry. I have been on Norwegian cruise lines and it was nice for the lower end of the price tag.

@Doggymummar I have been on both Ventura and her sister ship Azura several times and I do not consider them a fancy ferry. Ventura’s decor was a little dated but other than that I like them both.

Princess Cruises also have ships based on the same basic design.

Our first ever cruise was a 4 day taster with P&O on Ventura, Southampton to Zeebrugge. Honestly it was nothing like a regular cruise. The food was rubbish and all our time was cooped up inside couldn't use the pool or even walk around on deck as it was too cold & windy.

I haven't been with MSC but they do 4 night cruises around the Med, that may be a better option for you!

OP, I’d wait until next Tuesday (21st) before booking with P&O because that’s the date they start to announce any Black Friday deals.

I’m looking to book Iona for next year myself. I cannot recommend cruising enough - everyone I know just loves it! Better than air travel any day, IMO.

Thank you so much everyone for your tips and comments.

I have been browsing MSC, Princess and P and O and have thoroughly confused myself 😆 so many options and I am not sure what we will go for. I am still leaning towards my original idea of the 4 night Ventura Amsterdam one but I’m watching lot of you tube videos of various ideas etc.

Emma cruises on YouTube is a good channel, if you've not seen her yet.