p&o short cruises

P&O Mini Cruises

Find Out More About P&O Cruises

P&O mini cruises are perfect if you are looking for a shorter break to celebrate a special occasion or introduce yourself to cruising. Lasting five days or less, you can discover the exciting amenities on-board your ship while exploring iconic cities and finding out whether a holiday on the high seas is for you.

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With a huge choice of ships and a reputation for great customer service, you are sure to find a P&O mini cruise to suit you and the way you like to travel.

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Explore Belgium on a mini cruise

P&O mini cruises from the UK can whisk you away to Belgium, calling at the busy port of Zeebrugge, where you are within easy reach of beautiful and historic Bruges, the home of fine chocolate and even a chocolate museum. Take a canal boat trip to see Bruge’s beautiful historic buildings, and visit the Belfry – a World Heritage Site landmark offering incredible views out over the city. Alternatively, see the floral lawns and landscaped paths of the Beguinage, a peaceful retreat away from the centre.

Mini cruise to the Netherlands

Why not embark on a mini cruise to The Netherlands? You could choose to travel on from Zeebrugge in Belgium and spend two days docked in colourful Amsterdam – home to world-famous landmarks like Anne Frank’s house and the comprehensive art collection in the Van Gogh Museum. Tuschinski Theatre is a must-see Art Deco masterpiece and one of the city's most beautiful buildings, and you absolutely have to stroll alongside the city's famous canals. Don’t miss the Flower Market during your time here, too; the perfect place to pick up some of Holland’s famous tulips.

Republic of Ireland mini cruises

If you want to mini cruise somewhere closer to home with P&O Cruises, why not sail from Southampton to Cobh on the coast of County Cork, where you can take the Titanic Trail and visit the beautiful, French Gothic Cobh Cathedral. From there you can visit bustling Dublin, where you will have a couple of days to explore the many sights, sounds and tastes of Eire’s capital. Tour the fair city’s pubs and bars, or visit Glasnevin Cemetery and Croke Park, the fourth largest stadium in Europe.

Book a mini cruise with P&O Cruises

Would you like to embark on a short cruise with P&O? Find your ideal itinerary, below, and call our award-winning Cruise Concierge team to book your taster voyage. Introducing you to the unique cruise experience and a stunning selection of ports, there is no better way to catch the cruising bug!

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P&O Cruises

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About P&O Cruises Deals

British cruise line P&O Cruises are the pioneers of modern cruising, with over 170 years experience under their belt. They offer a wide range of destinations as well as a great variety of cruise styles. Some of their ships are sophisticated adults-only vessels, whilst others focus on families with great kids facilities. Depending on which ship you sail on, you may find that it's skewed to the slightly more formal end of the market, with set dining times, or that you can choose Freedom Dining and eat when you want every night.

Speciality dining is one area where P&O Cruises excels thanks to a couple of partnerships with high profile celebrity chefs. Marco Pierre White, Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar and TV wine expert Olly Smith have all worked with P&O Cruises to bring their expertise to unique bars and restaurants on some ships.

With many of the ships calling Southampton their home port, no-fly cruises are easy to find with this Brit-centric line. However, all the ships are registered in Bermuda , which means that you can get married onboard if you wish!

Top Destinations

P&O Cruises sail to 180 different ports in 72 countries across the globe, so you should be able to find the itinerary you're after!

Cruises from the UK depart from Southampton, and head to an astonishing variety of places. Sailings for around Britain cruises as well as to the Mediterranean , the Baltics, the Canary Islands , Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords will all return you to Southampton. Setting sail for the USA, Canada and the Caribbean will usually be a one-way trip, so expect to catch a flight for the return journey.

If you're happy to combine a flight and cruise additional destinations on P&O Cruises itineraries include Australasia, Asia and the Orient, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Panama Canal, the Middle East and Central America.

If you're just looking to dip your toe in the water then how about a P&O Cruises mini cruise? These usually last two or three nights and travel between two nearby European ports ? that could be Southampton to Bruges, or part of the Norwegian Fjords route.

Cheap P&O Cruise Cruises

If you're after a short cruise break on the cheap then the range of mini cruises P&O Cruises offer can't be beaten! They have all options covered, whether you want to sail from Southampton or fly off to Europe and cruise for two or three nights.

It can be a really good idea to get organised early and take advantage of early bird offers to make sure you get the cruise you've been dreaming of at a great price. If you're less concerned over the exact cruise you want then it's worth scouring our newsletter for a last minute deal .

Booking a sector of a world cruise , or on a repositioning cruise , can also be a great way to save money. Remember to always check if flights are included, and look for extras like free hotel stays. It's also worth researching and buying drinks packages before you sail as that's when you get the best prices.

How many ships are there in the P&O Cruises fleet?

P&O Cruises have seven ships in their fleet. Iona, Britannia, Azura, Ventura and Arvia are all family-friendly options, with all the facilities to boot. You can expect children’s clubs and shows that appeal to adults and little ones alike. Arcadia and Aurora are adults-only ships, meaning that things feel a little more laid-back here, and relaxation is at the heart of the offering.

Which destinations does P&O Cruises sail to?

P&O Cruises sail to an impressive number of destinations, with both far-flung sailings and mini cruises on offer. Budget-friendly mini cruises around the British isles, or to some of the UK’s closest neighbours, make P&O Cruises a great option for those who are new to cruising and want to sample all that cruising has to offer without breaking the bank. However, if you want to sail to more traditional cruise destinations like the Norwegian Fjords, the Caribbean and the Canary Islands — P&O Cruises have a sailing for you too!

Does P&O Cruises operate a traditional dining system or an open seating system?

P&O Cruises offers a mixture of fixed-time-and-table dining, and more relaxed open dining (referred to by P&O Cruises as ‘Freedom Dining’). Some ships, such as the Iona, operate on a solely Freedom Dining basis, meaning that you can eat when and with whom you choose. However, for those who relish the chance to make friends over dinner during their cruise, plenty of ships have restaurants dedicated to that traditional model. Flexibility is at the heart of the P&O Cruises proposition and this is reflected in its eateries, with both casual dining spots and plush formal affairs available on all of the ships. This is a cruise line that understands that one size does not fit all.

What are P&O Cruises' sustainability policies?

P&O Cruises and its parent company, Carnival Corporation & PLC, have outlined an ambitious plan to become much more eco-friendly by 2030 and 2050. You can read their full plan here . These plans include everything from changing fuel sources, to working with local communities within the destinations visited to ensure that the supply chains are as green as possible. Iona is the first British ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas, so this is a commitment that P&O Cruises is putting into action!

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Short Break Cruise Getaways

Whether you’re after a weekend escape or a romantic getaway, or just a few days break to relax and recharge, a p&o short break cruise is the perfect holiday when you’re short on time..

From stunning destination cruises to fun themed cruises, choose from a range of 2 to 4 night short break cruises and deals departing from Auckland. From a trip to unique Napier, to a side-splitting comedy cruise, you’ll feel like you’ve had a full holiday in just a few days.

Book today and get ready to slow down - fast.

Short Cruises from Sydney

Short cruises from brisbane, short cruises from melbourne, what is a p&o short break.

In today’s fast paced world, it’s hard to find the time to slow down. P&O Short Breaks are short 2 to 4 night cruise getaways that will give you that relaxed holiday feeling in a few short days. We offer the biggest range of short cruises between 2 to 4 nights in New Zealand & Australia, from themed events to family getaways - so no matter what kind of mini break you need, you’ll find it here.

P&O Short Break Cruises depart from:

Accommodation options for everyone!

Loads of inclusions in the price: No expensive surprises

Stress free travel

Unpack once and your holiday begins

Great 2-5 Night Short Break Cruises

Why you’ll love a short cruise.

Are short cruises worth it? Absolutely. If you’re looking for a quick holiday or weekend trip - or have limited annual leave days - a Short Break cruise is the perfect option. Forget about airport stopovers or long road trips. Instead, get ready to enjoy every last minute of your time off. Better yet, many of our short cruises include at least one land-based stop, so you can explore new destinations at your own pace.

Stunning destinations & shore tours

Our one-stop short cruises take you to some of Australia’s most popular destinations, from the beautiful reefs of the Whitsundays to scenic Kangaroo Island. Even if you just want to kick back for a couple of days, we’ve got you covered: Just stay onboard, lay by the pool, and go nowhere at all!

Specialty themed cruises

Looking for an extra special getaway that’s jam-packed with fun? Check out our themed cruises for a short holiday or weekend getaway like no other. Choose from an array of exciting options including our fabulous 80’s themed, country music, and comedy cruises.

To find out more, read our ultimate Guide to Themed Cruises.

Test the waters with a short cruise

Sometimes called ‘teaser’ or ‘sampler’ cruises, our short cruises are great for first timers who want to try before buying into a longer cruise holiday. A short 3 to 5 night cruise is the perfect way to explore our cruise ships , relax by the pool, and sample our mouth-watering restaurants  without committing more than a few days of your time.

To find out more, read the 5 top reasons people choose a short cruise.

Set sail for calmer seas

If you’re ready to kick back and relax for longer than 2-5 nights, treat yourself to a longer cruise with P&O. Cruise to exotic destinations, book one of our themed cruises, and browse our range of Australian cruises online to find the best holiday for you.

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• Choose your P&O Cruise Holiday
• Short Break Cruises

Short Cruises from Brisbane

Planning an impromptu quick getaway or considering a short holiday? Make the most of your time off and pack all the action of a full-length holiday into half the time with a P&O Short Break cruise from Brisbane. Our 2, 3, and 4 night cruises from Brisbane are the perfect way to see and do more in a short period of time - even if ‘doing more’ means simply kicking back and relaxing!

Whether you’re blowing out the candles on another birthday , tossing confetti for a wedding or vow renewal, or enjoying a family reunion, P&O short cruises are a great holiday option. Even if you’re not marking a special occasion, our short cruises themselves are something to celebrate. From barrels of laughter on our signature comedy cruises to retro-themed parties on our 80s cruises, Short Breaks cruises offer an unforgettable holiday experience.

Enjoy a short break that’s long on value

Forget about hotel transfers, connecting flights, and lost baggage: Our short cruises from Brisbane take smooth sailing to a whole other level. Kick back on a country music cruise or dive into crystalline waters on our cruise to the Whitsundays - all you have to worry about is having the best time possible, and we’ll do the rest.

No matter which short cruise you choose, you’ll enjoy access to all our onboard facilities, a wide range of events and activities, and all the wonders cruise holidays have to offer - all for just one fare. You’ll return to port feeling refreshed and with plenty of great holiday snaps and stories to tell.

Test the waters of cruise holidays

Not sure you’re ready to dive into a full-length P&O cruise? Our short cruises are a great way for first time cruisers to try our cruise offering before buying a ticket aboard a longer trip. Get your sea legs on a short cruise out of Brisbane and get familiar with P&O’s long list of onboard experiences. From first-class entertainment to waterparks and mouth-watering restaurants, we’ve got something to suit every passenger. With over 60 onboard activities on offer everyday, the hardest part is choosing which one you’ll do next!

Dining & Restaurants

Health & fitness, entertainment, set sail on a family cruise.

At P&O, we know that holidaying with kids can be challenging. Finding activities that appeal to adults and younger family members isn’t always easy, and the risk of cabin fever is real. On your next family trip, banish school holiday boredom and book into a P&O short cruise. Between our age-appropriate Kids’ Clubs, kid-friendly waterparks, and onboard babysitting facilities,it’s fun the whole family will love.

Find a Short Cruise from Brisbane

Our brisbane cruise terminal.

P&O short cruises from Brisbane depart from the Brisbane Portside Cruise Terminal in Hamilton, on the bank of the Brisbane river. The Brisbane cruise port is wheelchair accessible and easy to get to by train, taxi, or car, with short-term parking available on the premises.

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