P&O Cruises

Overview

P&O Cruises.

P&O Cruises (originally the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company) boasts an illustrious history in passenger shipping since 1837. Although the company's suggestion that they invented cruising may not be entirely accurate, P&O is assuredly a pioneer of modern cruising. Having set aside such throwbacks 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 in 2000.

P&O Cruises remains Britain's leading cruise line, sailing the U.K.'s largest and most modern fleet. The ships are equipped with every big-ship amenity you could think of, including swimming pools, stylish restaurants, spas, bars, casinos, theaters, and showrooms.

The P&O fleet offers a diverse range of venues for relaxation and entertainment, including cocktail bars, nightclubs, cinemas, games rooms, and show lounges. On board you'll find live bands, dramatic musicals, and deck parties, cabaret singers, comedians, specialty acts, classical recitals, and concerts. Theme evenings include tropical, 1960s and '70s, or Black and White Ball themes. Other activities include quizzes and panel games, with prizes awarded to winning teams. A select number of itineraries offer the opportunity to spend the evening, or even overnight, in port.

An abundance of balcony and outside cabins on P&O ships ensures that a view to the sea is never far away. Accommodations, from inside cabins to lavish suites, cater to a wide cross section of budgets and tastes. In view of U.K. laws banning smoking in public places, smoking is only allowed on private balconies and in designated areas of open decks; all staterooms and ship interiors are no-smoking.

To offer passengers a variety of choices, P&O has adapted their fleet to match the preferences of their primary markets. Although most of the fleet caters to families as well as couples and singles of all ages, Arcadia and Artemis are adults-only ships. It has been announced that Artemis will leave the fleet in April 2011, when Adonia (formerly Royal Princess) will be added. No specifics about Adonia were available at this writing; however, it has been announced that the 1,818-passenger Oriana will become an all-adult ship following a refit in November 2011. Richmond House, Terminus Terrace, Southampton, SO15 3BF. 0845/678-0014. www.pocruises.com. Cruise Style: Mainstream.