Why We Keep Booking P&O Cruises: A Repeat Passenger Review
If someone had told me a few years ago that we'd become regular cruisers, I probably wouldn't have believed them.
In fact, when my hubby Nathaniel and I booked our first cruise in 2022, it wasn't because we particularly wanted to go on a cruise. We simply wanted to visit the Norwegian Fjords, and cruising seemed like a convenient way to do it.
Fast forward a few years, and we've now sailed on three different P&O ships - Iona, Arvia and Ventura - with Britannia coming up next. At the time of writing, we've completed three P&O cruises and have three more booked.
That doesn't make us cruise experts, but it does mean we've experienced a variety of ships, itineraries and onboard experiences. Everything in this review is based on our own experiences as paying passengers.
So why do we keep coming back?
Why We Chose P&O Cruises in the First Place
When we were researching our first cruise, several things drew us towards P&O Cruises.
Firstly, they came highly recommended. No fewer than five different couples told us how much they enjoyed sailing with P&O, which certainly gave us confidence.
We also liked the fact that P&O operates as a distinctly British cruise line. Although they are owned by Carnival Corporation, their ships sail primarily from the UK and are designed with British passengers in mind.
Another big factor was pricing. We liked knowing exactly what we were paying upfront. Meals, entertainment and gratuities were all included, making it much easier to compare costs and budget for the holiday. Some cruise lines seemed to have endless add-ons and optional extras, whereas P&O felt refreshingly straightforward.
As vegetarians, we were pleased to see plenty of positive feedback about the food options available on board.
And finally, they happened to be sailing to the Norwegian Fjords on the exact dates we wanted to travel.
At the time, it felt like a practical choice rather than the start of a new travel obsession.
We Didn't Think We'd Be "Cruise People"
Like many people, we had preconceived ideas about cruising.
We imagined crowded ships, limited food options, and perhaps a slightly old-fashioned holiday experience.
We were wrong. Very wrong.
From the moment we stepped onboard, we were surprised by just how much we enjoyed it.
What Keeps Bringing Us Back
The Ships Feel Like Floating Hotels
One of the things we love most about cruising is the feeling of stepping into a luxury hotel that just happens to move between destinations while you sleep.
Your cabin becomes your home for the trip, and every morning you wake up somewhere new.
There's something wonderfully relaxing about unpacking once and then letting the ship do the travelling for you.
Whether we've been sailing on the newest ship Arvia, the impressive Iona, or the smaller Ventura, we've found the same things keep us returning: great service, excellent food and a relaxing atmosphere.
The Service Is Outstanding
Over multiple cruises, we've consistently received excellent service.
Whether it's the waiting staff who remember your preferences, the cabin steward who keeps everything spotless, or the countless crew members working behind the scenes, we've always found the service to be warm, friendly and professional.
It's one of those things that's difficult to appreciate until you've experienced it.
My delicious vegan dessert in Green & Co, onboard Arvia.
The Food Has Been Excellent
As a vegetarian and a vegan, food is always an important consideration when we travel.
We've been pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety available onboard. We've enjoyed everything from casual lunches to multi-course evening meals, and honestly can't recall having a genuinely disappointing meal.
In fact, some of our favourite holiday meals have been onboard P&O ships!
Read my blog about veggie food on P&O Cruises >
The Ships Have Never Felt Crowded
Despite carrying thousands of passengers, we've rarely felt crowded.
There are always quiet corners to sit and read, outdoor decks to stroll around, and plenty of space to simply relax and enjoy the sea views.
It helps that we are not fans of a buffet - so we do tend to go to the restaurants/dining rooms to eat - but even a quick buffet drop-in for lunch or a midnight snack, there was always plenty of space and veggie food available.
We do tend to travel off-peak, which I’m sure helps.
We Love Exploring New Places
One of the biggest advantages of cruising is the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in a single holiday.
We're naturally curious people and love exploring new places, but equally we don't always need to spend a full week in every city we visit. Cruising gives us the perfect introduction to a destination.
Sometimes it's enough to confirm we'd love to return for a longer stay. Other times we're happy to have experienced somewhere for a day before moving on to the next adventure.
Onboard Ventura… We love black tie nights - it’s fun to get dressed up.
Sea Days Are Some of Our Favourite Days
This may surprise non-cruisers, but sea days are often the highlight of the trip.
There is something incredibly relaxing about having nowhere you need to be.
We spend our time reading books, watching the sea drift by (occasionally, spotting dolphins), enjoying a leisurely breakfast, attending entertainment, wandering the decks, and generally slowing down.
In everyday life we're often rushing from one task to the next.
At sea, life seems to operate at a gentler pace.
Is P&O Perfect?
Of course not. No holiday company is.
We've experienced occasional small issues over the years, but nothing significant enough to stop us booking again.
What matters more to us is the overall experience, and P&O consistently delivers a holiday that feels relaxing, enjoyable and good value for money.
Would We Recommend P&O Cruises to First-Time Cruisers?
Absolutely.
In fact, we've already done so many times.
P&O gave us our introduction to cruising, and several years later we're still choosing to sail with them.
If you're considering your first cruise and wondering whether P&O is a good option, our experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
We started out wanting to see the Norwegian Fjords. What we didn't expect was to discover a completely new way of travelling that we'd enjoy so much. And that's why we keep coming back.
Sunset during our Caribbean cruise on Arvia…
Our P&O Cruise Adventures
If you're considering a P&O cruise, you might also enjoy reading about some of our previous voyages:
Iceland Cruise (coming soon!)
…and we have two more booked!
Each destination offered something completely different, which is another reason we continue to enjoy cruising so much 😊