P&O Cruises (originally the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company), boasts an illustrious history in passenger shipping since 1837. While the company's suggestion that they they "invented" cruising may not be entirely accurate, P&O is assuredly a pioneer of modern cruising. Having set aside such throw-backs as passenger classes, the company acquired Princess Cruises in 1974. P&O then purchased Sitmar Cruises and merged it with Princess in 1988, and the passenger-cruise business -- known as P&O Princess -- was spun off from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 2000; in 2005, the parent company became a subsidiary of Dubai Ports World. P&O Cruises, which is now owned by Carnival, remains Britain's leading cruise line, sailing Britain's largest and most modern fleet.

The fleet is equipped with every modern facility you could think of, from swimming pools to stylish restaurants, spas, bars, casinos, theaters and showrooms. An abundance of balcony and outside cabins ensures that a view to the sea is never far away. P&O ships, with accommodation from inside cabins to lavish suites, cater to a wide cross-section of budgets and tastes.

Food

P&O has joined the choice bandwagon and offers a somewhat dizzying number of options, although actual menu offerings vary quite a bit across the fleet. Club Dining, with assigned seating, is available on all ships; Select Dining in specialty restaurants requires reservations and carries a small charge; Freedom Dining is an open-seating dinner offered in certain restaurants on Arcadia and Oceana. Meals are tailored to British tastes, so you will see a lot of curries on the menu. Requests for special diets such as diabetic, fat-free, vegetarian, and gluten-free can be satisfied with advance notice. A children's menu is available, and baby food can be provided upon request. Afternoon tea is served daily. There is a charge for items ordered from room service, but every cabin has tea and coffee makers.

Fitness & Recreation

Each ship has a well-equipped gym and exercise classes as well as deck spaces designated for joggers. Deck quoits, an informal shipboard form of ring toss (rope rings are thrown alternately by players at round targets on the deck), is popular with passengers and areas are designated for play.

Your Shipmates

Count on fellow passengers to be predominantly British singles, couples, and families, although you may find Scandinavians, Americans, and Australians aboard for some sailings. Arcadia and Artemis are all-adult ships, and passengers must be 18 and older to sail aboard them.

Dress Code

Daytime attire is appropriately casual; evening wear falls into three categories; Formal, Informal, and Smart Casual.

Service

You should expect friendly, yet proper, service throughout the fleet.

Tipping

The recommended gratuity is £3.75 per passenger (age 12 and older) per day.

P&O Cruises.
Phone: 0845/678-00-14
www.pocruises.com