p&o cruises comedy cruise

P&O Cruises Comedy Cruise review

Laugh and the world laughs with you, especially if you’re on a P&O Cruises Comedy Cruise. The line has hosted more than 200 comedy cruises featuring more than 30,000 jokes since 2009. If you’re game, you can even get up on stage and tell a few gags yourself with help from a pro comedian. Comedian David Smiedt ran a comedy workshop for P&O Cruises passengers who were interested in participating in the Comedy Gong Show or, like me, keen to learn more about what it takes to stand up in front of a group of strangers and make them laugh.

Smiedt did his first comedy gig aged 38 after one of his best mates from university, comedian Adam Hills, suggested he give stand-up a go. Twelve years later he’s helping first-timers create the perfect premise, set up and punchline as we sail from Auckland to Brisbane. “Just jump up and give it a go. There are lots of different ways to tell a good joke. Everyone has their own style and the crowd is behind you,” says Smiedt.

He’s an engaging presenter and almost succeeds in getting me up to have a go. But not quite. However, a couple of passengers who are braver than I am prove him right, getting a big round of applause for gags that are more Dad than rad. Some jokes are better than others, but all of them are met with good natured laughter and fit the PG requirement for the all ages Gong Show. I’m content to leave the jokes to the professionals onboard like Smiedt, Frank Woodley, Fiona McGary, and comedy ventriloquist Dean Atkinson who has the audience in stitches and the three guys on stage having second thoughts about volunteering to be human ventriloquist dolls.

Just like a regular cruise, there are also Broadway-style production shows and plenty of bars featuring live musical entertainment. Comedy shows in the main theatre are typically at 7pm and 9pm, with a couple of R18+ comedy shows taking place in The Sit Down Comedy Club after 10pm. One afternoon there is also a Comedy Debate and an intimate Cocktails and Comedy show in The Dome lounge.

Perhaps the best thing about our comedy cruise is the overall quality of the onboard entertainment which is akin to a cruise ship buffet featuring comedy rather than food. Not everything is going to be to your taste but there is always something tempting. Plus it’s a great opportunity to try new things. With a variety of different genres and entertainment for all ages, a Comedy Cruise is ideal for families. Children can catch one of the afternoon or early evening PG shows then head to the kids club. Our teen laughed along with us at the cheeky MA15 performances at 9pm which were more grown up.

With most comedy cruises taking place over the weekend, it’s a great way to enjoy a family holiday without your kids missing school. Pack their school uniform and they can go straight from the pier to school on Monday, arriving in time for the first lesson of the day. Join the fun and you’ll be laughing.

Disclosure: The writer travelled as a guest of P&O Cruises and was way too shy to get up and perform at the Comedy Gong Show.

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Tiana Templeman

Dr Tiana Templeman is an award-winning food and travel journalist, travel author and media industry academic. She is the creator of The Travel Temple, writes for Australian and international media outlets and appears on radio talking about where to go, what to see and travel industry trends.

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Funniest thing I heard on a cruise ship: P&O comedy cruise review

Cruise ships pride themselves on their entertainment - but sometimes, the passengers on board turn out to be better value than the professionals.

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The thing you need to know about an Aussie audience, warns comedian Danny McGinlay as he lays down the rules of stand-up, is that they’re a tough lot. “I put it down to the fact we live in a country designed to kill us,” he says.

McGinlay is sharing his advice very loudly – because that’s another important thing any prospective comedian needs to know. Turn up the volume and be confident, since the audience will always feel what you feel.

We’re on a comedy cruise, where the comedians don’t just entertain on stage, they hold workshops revealing the tricks to making people laugh.

And this afternoon on board P&O’s Pacific Eden , McGinlay has the rapt attention of all the wannabe jokesters, including some who plan to try their luck (and best gags) at the next day’s amateur gong show.

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For most of us, telling jokes to a roomful of people is a terrifying prospect. But McGinlay is reassuring. It’s fine to be nervous, since he always is; just be loud, confident and keep your jokes snappy; and don’t be put off if the audience start throwing things.

He had things chucked at him once, at a Victorian gig where the audience had expected a Swedish death metal band.

“And they threw empty beer cans and plastic cups, and one was a full can, so I caught it, skolled it and threw it back. That stopped them,” he tells his rapt listeners proudly. “For 20 seconds.”

Timing, as he might have added to his list of advice, is also crucial.

So, any volunteers? Most of us shake our heads. Then Sharon from Queensland stands up. Before she even tells her joke, he gets the audience to boo her, just so she can get used to it. Then, we all have to cheer and laugh – and she still hasn’t opened her mouth.

“Preferred it the second time,” she admits, and gets a bigger chuckle than the joke she eventually tells: “What did the bra say to the hat? You go on a head, and I’ll give these two a lift.”

There’s also Pete, who is nervous and stumbles a bit. And Fiona, whose husband has booked her on the cruise just for the chance to try her luck. It’s fair to say they need all of McGinlay’s wisdom and more.

The Pacific Eden is on a three-night cruise out of Adelaide, one of 72 comedy cruises the company plans for its five ships in 2018-19, including a “comedy festival at sea” with 14 acts and 36 shows over four nights, leaving Sydney in June.

It’s proved a popular concept, jumping steadily from only four comedy cruises eight years ago.

In our case, the only real destination is the next punchline because the ship is just doing long loops of Gulf St Vincent for three days, which means very smooth sailing since we never venture into the open ocean.

Not that anyone seems to mind. It’s a chance to relax, party, have a few drinks. Think a floating Fringe Festival.

Sea days and a good laugh is what Mick and Pat Stout are after. The couple are down from rural South Australia for the trip, part of a group of friends from different country centres.

We share a lunch table with them – one of the good things about cruising for those who like to meet new people.

The pair love stand-up comedy and Pat has been before. She says she’s keen to do a routine herself in the gong show, but has left her best clean gags at home. Next time, then.

For the Stouts, the deal is good value. The cost of coming to Adelaide for a long weekend, with a few shows, food and transport, couldn’t compete with their ship fares of a little over $1000 for two. The only thing they need to buy is drinks.

Most meals are included, but for something special, with a price tag, there’s the upmarket Salt Grill by Luke Mangan and the Chef’s Table, where we sampled a terrific nine course meal with wine degustation.

The ship, which carries 1500 passengers, is not the Queen Mary 2 ; it’s entry level cruising. Even so, our cabin was spacious, the public areas and restaurants were well done, and the crew helpful and friendly.

It’s certainly a party boat – the pool deck was rocking with conga lines even before the ship had left Port Adelaide. But at nearly 220m long, over nine passenger decks, there are places where you can find a quiet spot, like the Blue Room where a good cappuccino or martini is ready for anyone wanting to enjoy jazz in a soft chair by a big picture window of the sea.

Even more laid back is the ship’s spa where you can pay for a massage or various other pampering treatments, although be prepared for some upselling as you try to leave.

But if it’s action you want there’s a flying fox on a zip line across the top deck, try some rock climbing, or abseil – again, at extra cost.

And then, there’s the promise of a belly laugh. The professionals on the trip certainly delivered – Bob Downe with his crooning musical tunes, R-rated New Zealand magician and comedian Jarred Fell, the musical Josh Earl, and the anecdotal styles of McGinlay and Kehau Jackson.

But what about the amateurs?

There are eight slots for the comedy gong show, and they each get three minutes to impress the five professionals, scorecards at the ready. The theatre is packed. Has anyone listened to McGinlay’s advice?

Fiona, all shy and wobbly the day before, certainly has.

She bounds on stage and grabs the mike gamely before strutting about, talking loudly. She’s bought into the confidence routine big time, and ends up finishing third, although her biggest laugh is when after a few jokes she grabs her cheat sheet, dons her glasses to check what gag comes next, and admits: “Oh! I’m now out of material.”

Second place goes to Pete, who had also sought McGinlay’s advice on cracking jokes, but in the end changes his plan. Instead of telling gags, he borrows a guitar and performs a song he’s just written called “I wanna be a like Danny” – an hilarious stalker ditty to his new mentor, Danny McGinlay. It’s genius – the fact he can sing and play eliminates his nerves. The lyrics are also a hoot, playing on the comedian’s own jokes. “We have a winner!” declares McGinlay (wrongly as it turns out).

That title goes to Steve, who delivers a series of funny (but borrowed) jokes about his father. “I don’t think my dad liked me,” he begins. “He took me fishing one day. And as I was swimming home…”

The judges loved it. The crowd loved it. And P&O clearly loves it, because it’s promising 2000 minutes of jokes on its “The Big Laugh” comedy festival at sea in June, and upping the total number of comedy cruises to 38 in 2019.

For South Australians the line is offering a dozen cruises next year (January 30 to March 16) – more than double this year’s total – including several food-and-wine themed affairs, two seven-night round-trip cruises to Tasmania and, just for a laugh, two devoted to comedy.

The author travelled as a guest of P&O Cruises.

ESCAPE ROUTE: P&O COMEDY CRUISES

Stand-up comedy at sea has proved a winner for P&O, expanding from four cruises eight years ago to 72 in 2018 and 2019.

The Big Laugh Comedy Festival from June 20-24, 2018, on the Pacific Explorer features 36 shows and more than 14 comedians including Jimeoin, Claire Hooper, Dave Hughes, Dave Thornton, Denise Scott, Tommy Little, Scared Weird Little Guys, Kat Davidson and Harley Breen. It travels from Sydney to Moreton Island return. From $523.96 a person quad share. Three-night comedy cruises on Pacific Eden depart Adelaide on February 2 and February 16, 2019. Fares start at $419 and $409 a person quad share in an interior cabin.

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Roy has worked for The Advertiser, The Courier-Mail, The Age, The Australian and The Bulletin; and written for Time magazine and The Times of London. He has covered two Olympic Games, worked for five years in the federal press gallery, and from 2000-2005 was The Australian's Washington correspondent.

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News Release

P&o cruises announces the biggest comedy festival at sea.

P&O Cruises is giving Aussies a good reason to laugh out loud with the launch of ‘The Big Laugh' - the biggest comedy festival at sea - onboard Pacific Explorer in June 2018.

Fourteen big-name comics including Jimeoin, Matt Okine, the Scared Weird Little Guys and Dave Callan will deliver 36 shows and a combined 2,000 minutes of jokes at the jam-packed four night festival departing Sydney on June 20, 2018.

The announcement comes as P&O Cruises launch its biggest ever season of comedy comprising 72 dedicated comedy cruises in 2018 and 2019.

Well-known names Dave Hughes, Harley Breen and Claire Hooper will kick off the laughs with a three-night comedy cruise on Pacific Explorer departing Sydney on December 14, 2017.

A selection of additional famous comics will headline the 34 dedicated comedy cruises on offer in 2018 – a mix of two, three and four-night SeaBreaks departing Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, and Auckland.

In 2019 the laughs will continue with the largest number of dedicated comedy cruises in P&O history and 38 itineraries running from January to October.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the introduction of the biggest comedy festival at sea aimed to build on the already extremely popular comedy entertainment offering.

"Aussies and Kiwis are renowned for their great sense of humour and our guests love comedy. It's been a hugely successful part of our itineraries, with 650 shows now performed across our fleet each year. That's nearly two comedy shows a day – a figure to rival comedy stores around the country.

"We're always looking at ways we can push the boundaries on what our guests can continue to expect from our onboard entertainment. ‘The Big Laugh' will serve up many different types of comedy genres every day and night, from big marquee performances right through to intimate gigs in our many stylish bars and lounges. There really will be something for everyone," said Mr Myrmell.

P&O's new season of comedy follows almost a decade of comedy cruises which began in 2009 with big names Tom Gleeson, Fiona McGary, Mick Meredith and Joel Ozborn.

Today P&O Cruises offers a wide range of comedy performances from Comedy Workshops, Comedy Gala Shows, the Comedy Gong Show where guest performers get judged by the audience, and Cocktails and Comedy, an intimate show to be enjoyed as the sun goes down.

"Since 2009 we've delivered 99 dedicated comedy cruises with over 600 comedians, delivering more than 30,000 jokes and entertaining over 170,000 guests. By the end of 2019, we'll have carried out close to 200 comedy cruises making P&O the biggest provider of comedy down-under," said Mr Myrmell.

‘The Big Laugh' on Pacific Explorer departs Sydney on June 20, 2018. Fares start from $529 per person quad share.

For more information, visit pocruises.com.au, call 13 24 94 or see a licensed travel agent.

*subject to availability, conditions apply

Media information, please contact:

Zoe Finlayson

FleishmanHillard

M: 0434 279 709

E: [email protected]

Lyndsey Gordon

M: 0466 170 047

E: [email protected]

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What to expect on a P&O Comedy Cruise

By Sparky74 , May 7, 2022 in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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One of the five (are you kidding? FIVE?! That’s ridiculous!) cruises we have booked for this year is a 3 night Comedy Cruise out of Brisbane on the Pacific Explorer. It was in the latest flash sale and we decided to book it rather than finding land accommodation for the few days between our Transpacific on the Carnival Splendor and sailing to PNG on the Pacific Explorer.   

What should we except on a comedy cruise? I’m worried that being a three nighter it’s probably going to be a booze cruise (we aren’t drinkers) and I’m thinking that the comedy is likely to be of a ribald nature which is not to our taste.   

If necessary we can amuse ourselves in our cabin for three days especially seeing as the cheap price tempted us to spring for a balcony.  

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The only real difference between the cruises to nowhere and a comedy cruise is that they have a quality act on the ship late each night. For Explorer, that is likely to be in Black Circus or the theatre.

They partner with the Sit Down Comedy Club. Likely you will see Demo Simis (former P&O cruise director) on one of the nights, and someone like Bev Killick, Mick Meredith etc. They could have anyone, but they are usually adult and edgy.

On one of our most recent P&O cruises we were scheduled to have "Rusty and another Guy". The other guy couldn't make it, so we scored an impromptu reuniting of the Scared Weird Little Guys. 

Aus Traveller

1 hour ago, Sparky74 said: One of the five (are you kidding? FIVE?! That’s ridiculous!) cruises we have booked for this year is a 3 night Comedy Cruise out of Brisbane on the Pacific Explorer. It was in the latest flash sale and we decided to book it rather than finding land accommodation for the few days between our Transpacific on the Carnival Splendor and sailing to PNG on the Pacific Explorer.    What should we except on a comedy cruise? I’m worried that being a three nighter it’s probably going to be a booze cruise (we aren’t drinkers) and I’m thinking that the comedy is likely to be of a ribald nature which is not to our taste.    If necessary we can amuse ourselves in our cabin for three days especially seeing as the cheap price tempted us to spring for a balcony.  

If you don't like what is called 'adult comedy' I suggest you don't go to the late night shows. Comedy on P&O can be more 'adult' than on (for instance) Princess, and you can expect the late night shows to be even more so. We don't usually go to shows billed as adult comedy, but we went on one occasion when Demo Simis was on. We went because we knew him quite well from when he was on the Fairstar . We were in the second row and didn't feel we could leave, but we wished we could. The show wasn't late at night and it wasn't crude, but we found it to be objectionable.

I am sure there will be enough other activities to make a great cruise.

A lot of what I would call "juvenile toilet humour" - where the comedy simply involves the frequent use of the F*** word as we young juvenile males did behind the toilet block at school. This will be received with great bursts of laughter by much of the audience. 

We went on one p&o comedy cruise and they had a kids comedy on about 8pm and they dropped the F word a few times so not really a kids comedy

22 hours ago, Sparky74 said: One of the five (are you kidding? FIVE?! That’s ridiculous!) cruises we have booked for this year is a 3 night Comedy Cruise out of Brisbane on the Pacific Explorer. It was in the latest flash sale and we decided to book it rather than finding land accommodation for the few days between our Transpacific on the Carnival Splendor and sailing to PNG on the Pacific Explorer.    What should we except on a comedy cruise? I’m worried that being a three nighter it’s probably going to be a booze cruise (we aren’t drinkers) and I’m thinking that the comedy is likely to be of a ribald nature which is not to our taste.    If necessary we can amuse ourselves in our cabin for three days especially seeing as the cheap price tempted us to spring for a balcony.  

As to whether they are a booze cruise, that depends on the time of year. Uni holidays are a bit boozier than other times, and also a reason why P&O don't sell drink packages for cruises less than 7 days.

If you are old enough, you will remember Ugly Dave Gray. We thought it was great to see him billed on our cruise, but not so thrilled when we had already heard most of the gags on Blankety Blanks 30 years earlier. His was an excellent comedian, with perfect timing, but not funny when you already know the punchline. We declined the opportunity on a couple of later cruises. I would much rather watch current comedy, and it isn't all blue - Scared weird little guys are an example. Sit near the exit if you are worried, but not much point doing a comedy cruise if you don't want to check-out the acts.

I did a comedy cruise with my sister so she could see if she liked cruising. There was a few bucks night type groups but I didn’t find it interfered with our enjoyment of the cruise. I didn’t go to the comedy shows because I don’t enjoy stand-up and we enjoyed exploring the ship while I quietly converted her to our world!!

MicCanberra

Great times too be had, but yes

*some will treat it like booze cruise,

*there can be lines to get into some of the acts

*sometimes  you will need to line up for tickets and then line up for good seats.

We have had some great cruises with some wonderful acts, think a comedy festival (Melbourne or Edinburgh) at sea.

We have done a couple of Comedy Cruises that were ok, nothing too shocking the way the world is nowadays.

The thing that stuck with me was the guy and his partner with two young daughters that were around four to six years old.

The comedian spotted them in the upper seats and suggested the show was not suited to young kids but the parents yelled out they we’re ok with it 😕

To the comedians credit he tamed down the language until they left.

It was a sad sign of the times.

• 1 year later...

On 5/7/2022 at 3:13 PM, arxcards said: The only real difference between the cruises to nowhere and a comedy cruise is that they have a quality act on the ship late each night. For Explorer, that is likely to be in Black Circus or the theatre.   They partner with the Sit Down Comedy Club. Likely you will see Demo Simis (former P&O cruise director) on one of the nights, and someone like Bev Killick, Mick Meredith etc. They could have anyone, but they are usually adult and edgy.   On one of our most recent P&O cruises we were scheduled to have "Rusty and another Guy". The other guy couldn't make it, so we scored an impromptu reuniting of the Scared Weird Little Guys. 

Sad to say that after 30 years covering a few different roles up to CD then as a featured comedian, it would seem that P&O no longer requires the services of Demo Simis. Quite a few staff that you would consider to be "the face of P&O" are no longer aboard.

cruiser3775

If it's anything like the "comedy" on Carnival Splendor, you are not going to enjoy it.  The stand up comedians did a daytime show, where they complained that they had to keep it clean or lose their job. Then they proceeded to give a racist, sexist performance, which was apparently OK as long as the language was clean and everyone was insulted equally.  I didn't attend an "adult" evening show.

I'd just avoid the live entertainment. See a movie, listen to some live music, dine at leisure - the restaurants will be quieter when the shows are on.  Or just enjoy sitting on your balcony.

2 hours ago, cruiser3775 said: If it's anything like the "comedy" on Carnival Splendor, you are not going to enjoy it.  The stand up comedians did a daytime show, where they complained that they had to keep it clean or lose their job. Then they proceeded to give a racist, sexist performance, which was apparently OK as long as the language was clean and everyone was insulted equally.  I didn't attend an "adult" evening show. I'd just avoid the live entertainment. See a movie, listen to some live music, dine at leisure - the restaurants will be quieter when the shows are on.  Or just enjoy sitting on your balcony.

Some do. Others are just genuinely funny. You just don't know what you will get until you have boarded though.

Comedians can be a funny lot.

14 hours ago, MicCanberra said: Comedians can be a funny lot.

There's a few comedians on here, many of them are funnier than some of the 'professional' comedians. Well, they give me a laugh, smile or maybe a groan, more often than the 'funny' ones on TV or ships 🙂  

Comedy cruises……..This is a serious subject….it’s no laughing matter.

7 hours ago, mr walker said: There's a few comedians on here, many of them are funnier than some of the 'professional' comedians. Well, they give me a laugh, smile or maybe a groan, more often than the 'funny' ones on TV or ships 🙂  

And then there is MicCanberra who only thinks he is a comedian    Well, he is not as funny as me anyway. 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

Well as some w ould say, I am about as funny aa fart in an elevator., 

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said: Well as some w ould say, I am about as funny aa fart in an elevator., 

Oh well, that could be the problem. When an average comedian farts on Coral Princess, it seems they make the ship smell funny.  🐖 💨

8 hours ago, arxcards said: Oh well, that could be the problem. When an average comedian farts on Coral Princess, it seems they make the ship smell funny.  🐖 💨

And that just leads to another topic.

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• From Comedy to Country: A guide to themed cruises

To help you find the perfect themed cruise for you, no matter what your interest, budget or calendar, here’s a guide to the  best themed P&O cruises - plus some extra tips for getting the most out of your mini holiday.

1. Comedy Cruises will have you crying (in a good way)

While a regular P&O cruise will have you smiling in seconds, our famous 3-4 night Comedy Cruises will have you rolling on the deck with laughter. Enjoy headline shows every night from Australia and New Zealand's favourite comedians, plus comedy workshops and interactive performances aplenty. This is the perfect short getaway to transform your mood, lift your spirits, and give you the happy buzz that only comes from a great big belly laugh.

2. Country music is king, ya’ll

There’s no doubt about it, country music fever is hitting the high seas! Our new country music themed cruises offer an incredible range of toe-tappin acts, events, and experiences - sure to delight country music fans of all ages and backgrounds. To get ready for your Country Music Cruise , pack your favourite cowboy hat and boots, and brush up on your yee-haws - there’ll be plenty of onboard activities to entertain you, from sing alongs to line dancing.

3. Rock out to the 80s

Ah, the 80s. What a time to be Livin’ On a Prayer. If you’re someone whose go-to karaoke songs include Queen, Bon Jovi, Whitney or Madonna, then our 80s themed cruises  will make all your Sweet Dreams come true at once. 

P&O has rolled out a series of dedicated 1980s three-night cruises to celebrate the best of the MTV-generation’s music from pop, hip-hop, metal and rock. Rock out to performances from authentic 1980s bands, dance the night away to incredible tribute acts, and enjoy all the glitz and glamour from the decade when more was well, more! 

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4. Themed cruises are the perfect short break

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What to expect in dining venues on p&o cruises.

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Red pepper parfait served in the Epicurean specialty restaurant on P&O Cruises.

No matter how comfortable the guest staterooms, how luxourious the lounges, or how exciting the ports of call, the onboard dining experience can make or break a cruise vacation.

Large modern cruise liners offer a diverse array of dining options designed to satisfy every preference. Whether you're a foodie seeking gourmet experiences, a family looking for quick, simple meal options, or a couple in search of a romantic dinner setting, cruise ship dining is more flexible than ever before.

As the biggest cruise line solely targeting the British market, P&O Cruises offers family-friendly cruise vacations on some of the world’s biggest ships. Yet the fleet also includes smaller, older ships that operate adults-only itineraries.

This diversity in fleet and demographic means the dining concept varies considerably depending on which P&O Cruises ship you choose.

P&O Cruises Dining Concept Explained

Similar to other major cruise lines, all P&O Cruises ships include meals in a main dining room, buffet restaurant, and at least one other informal dining option in all cruise fares.

Specialty restaurants are also available on all ships. Aurora —the smallest ship—features three additional dining options, whereas Arvia —the biggest and newest ship in the fleet—features six specialty restaurants, together with an additional three informal dining options that are included in all cruise fares.

Guests on P&O Cruises will not go hungry with a wide variety of dining options available.

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What to expect on a mid-size ship such as the flagship vessel Britannia ? Four specialty restaurants, plus the signature Cookery Club , a kitchen studio at sea that hosts regular teaching and hosted dinners from some of P&O Cruises’ Food Heroes .

You won’t go hungry on any of the the ships in the fleet. But if you are a foodie or you plan to celebrate something special, it’s worth spending some time studying the options available on each ship before booking your cruise vacation.

Main Dining Rooms

Every guest will be assigned a table and time for dinner, typically on an early or late sitting.

Main dining rooms feature different table sizes and may offer fixed dining or anytime dining.

‘Freedom dining’ is becoming more popular, whereby guests can choose where and when they dine. Tables can be requested using the ‘My Holiday’ app, but you should expect a wait at popular times.

Three-course dinner menus on P&O Cruises change every day. British classics such as fish and chips, pan-fried chicken breast, gammon steak, and apple pie with custard sit alongside Mediterranean-influenced dishes such as asparagus and ricotta tortellini, and sweet potato and kale balls.

There’s usually six options for the main course of which at least one is vegetarian and another vegan. There’s also a vegetarian or vegan option among the four desserts, such as a vegan cherry cheesecake.

An example three-course meal in the main dining room on P&O Cruises.

Although most travelers consider the main dining rooms a venue for dinner, there is at least one dining room open for breakfast and lunch. It’s often a calmer choice than the buffet, although opening hours are limited.

Informal Dining

Every ship in the fleet has a buffet restaurant, which is open for much of the day. This gives all guests the flexibility to eat at a time that suits them, or to grab something quick before or after an excursion, for example.

Most days, a carvery station is available together with a selection of other main dishes and vegetable accompaniments. Curry always seems to be available, too, along with soup and a selection of desserts.

The buffet restaurant is a popular place for breakfast, with many British options available.

A poolside grill is also available during daytime hours, serving simple burgers, hot dogs, fries, and slices of pizza. There’s nothing gourmet about this fast food outlet, but it’s a quick option and a handy one for families spending the day by the pool.

When it comes to informal options, P&O Cruises has really upped its game on the newest, biggest ships, Iona and Arvia . A food-hall inspired concept, a Mediterranean restaurant, and an American-themed diner are among the additional inclusive dining options on Arvia .

The Quays features counters for fish and chips, roast meat with Yorkshire puddings, and small salads and desserts, with additional outdoor seating available.

On 'Arvia', there is a daily carvery in 'The Quays' food hall, as well as in the buffet restaurant.

Securing a dinner reservation at the Olive Grove and the 6th Street Diner can be challenging, but the diner is also open for late breakfast and brunch most days.

If you’re keen to have some variety in your dining but not fond of paying for speciality restaurants, Iona or Arvia could be the ships for you.

Room service is available on all ships across the fleet. A simple continental breakfast menu is available for free, although it must be ordered the previous night. A menu of snacks, meals, desserts, and drinks is available throughout the day at a small charge.

Specialty Restaurants

All ships in the P&O Cruises fleet offer at least a few specialty restaurants, with the most available on the newest, biggest ships.

If you are a foodie, the bigger ships with more options can turn your cruise from a simple summer sun vacation into a gastronomic adventure , if you’re prepared to pay.

Epicurean offers fine dining in elegant surroundings.

Available on all ships, Epicurean is the fine dining venue for a celebration. The premium afternoon tea is popular, as is the multi-course dinner, for which booking is essential.

Slow-cooked ox cheek, enormous tiger prawns, whole Dover Sole prepared at the table, and a delightful apple and juniper berry crumble are among the highlights.

Another venue available fleet-wide, the Glass House is a wine bar by day and casual eastery by night serving hearty dishes alongside a signature range of tapas designed by Spanish chef José Pizarro.

'Glass House' offers a wine bar with a specialty restaurant attached.

Here, guests can pick at orange-stuffed Gordal olives, aged manchego cheese, and flavorful jamón ibérico while sampling the impressive wine list, or indulge in a spread of lamb cutlets, seared Atlantic scallops, squid croquetes, and patatas bravas .

Given the popularity of the cuisine among P&O Cruises’ core customer base, it’s no surprise that all ships in the fleet feature the British Indian restaurant Sindhu . Expect a refined take on British Indian classics, with inventive desserts such as cardamom bread and butter pudding and chilled rice pudding with mango.

The Limelight Club presents a three-course meal in a stylish cabaret club setting.

Iona and Arvia introduce new specialty options including gastropub Keel & Cow . Meanwhile, the Limelight Club presents a show-stopping three course menu served before a cabaret show from a leading British entertainer. This frequently sells out, so advance booking is essential.

Beverage Packages

In 2023, the line overhauled its beverage packages , which are no longer the must-have add-on they used to be.

Whether a package is worth it to or not depends on a guest’s own drinking habits, but take into account the itinerary too. The more sea days, the more likely the package is to give value.

Purchasing a beverage package is best done prior to the cruise when a 10% discount is available. However, any onboard credit a guest may have cannot be applied to a prior purchase, so some guests choose to buy a beverage package on board so any credit can be used towards the cost.

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