Iona, P and O December 2021, christmas decorations and portraits

Cruise life Life On Board Christmas

A Christmas message from us to you

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever you’re wishing for, we hope you enjoy these festive messages from our P&O Cruises captains this Christmas.

4 min 24 Dec 2025

Editorial Team

Author

Aurora – Captain Russell Robson

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

Working together with other officers for a few hours in the Pot Wash on Christmas Day with my wife Jane to afford the crew a break so they may enjoy some downtime with friends and colleagues.

From all your officers and wonderful crew here on board Aurora and indeed from all here at P&O Cruises, may this festive season find you among those you love, sharing in the glories of generosity and gratitude and let the true spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path. Wishing you all, a very merry Christmas!

Azura – Captain Karl Shepherd

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

Since having little ones, watching them soak up the day and open their presents and getting joy not only from the gifts themselves but their creativity with the resulting boxes. More importantly sharing the day with my loved ones and closest people.

Wishing you, your family and friends a blessed and very merry Christmas from the team on Azura.

Britannia – Captain Andrew Foote

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

My favourite tradition, and one to embrace the festive spirit each December is that I visit my local ‘Spectacle of Light’ display, walking around an old castle grounds in the bracing winter evening, with a hot chocolate to keep me warm surrounded by an array of sparkling Christmas lights aglow. It all feels quite festive.

Wishing you a most memorable and festive Christmas from us all on Britannia.

Arcadia – Captain Yuliyan Kostov

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

My favourite Christmas tradition is the singing of the Christmas carols. They always highlight the warmness of the Christmas spirit bringing together the guest and crew as a family and spreading merry joy, love and peace on board.

Wishing you the best merry Christmas from Arcadia. Let it bring peace, joy and hope to everyone in a year full of light and happiness!

Arvia - Captain Paul Brown

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

Conducting the Christmas morning service with the Seven Lessons and Carols, it’s so wonderful to see our guests of all ages enjoy the Christmas story. It’s also amazing to see the variety of ‘Christmas Jumpers’ even when we are in the heat of the Caribbean.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas from Arvia’s entire team.

Ventura – Captain Neil Turnbull

Having served 40 years before the mast – the out stander in traditions for me as captain is on Christmas Day which sees myself and the senior on board team serving the Christmas Day lunch to the entire ship's company. This includes serving, clearing, washing up, serving drinks and responding to the clicking of fingers and calls for ‘hey waiter ‘.

Wishing all guests, on board and shore colleagues a wonderful Christmas and all the wealth, health and happiness for 2026.

Iona – Captain Martin Allen

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

On board I split my time between our Christmas cruising guests and the Iona crew. I read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ in the Atrium on Christmas Eve and attend the guest carol service.

At lunch time, on Christmas Day, Iona’s senior officers all serve the crew a full Christmas lunch in the Crew Mess. I’m usually on turkey carving duties.

Wherever you are celebrating Christmas this year …… A very merry Christmas to all from Iona.