Cruise life New to cruising Family

How cruise holidays bring people together

On a cruise holiday, you can discover new destinations and experiences. You can also make friendships that last a lifetime – and even find lasting love

4 min 19 Nov 2025

Editorial Team

Author

Tasha McIntyre: finding a soulmate at sea

Tasha McIntyre, a 26-year-old copywriter from Southampton and a P&O Cruises employee, has enjoyed family holidays on our ships since she was six years old. ‘We all loved being so close to the water and the variety of things you can do on board,’ she says.

 

In 2019, while exploring the Mediterranean on Azura with her extended family, she clocked a fellow guest during the first week of her holiday. It wasn’t until the second week that she struck up a conversation with Aaron, the man who would become her husband.

 

He made quite an impression. ‘He was super funny and had a really nice energy about him,’ says Tasha. ‘I liked being around him. He was super respectful and a kind and gentle person.’

 

At the end of the holiday, Tasha and Aaron shared a hug and went their separate ways, subsequently striking up a virtual friendship. During Covid, the friendship blossomed and, when restrictions lifted, they saw each other in person for the first time in 14 months. They realised the friendship had shifted – and the rest is history.

 

Tasha reflects that the happy atmosphere on board helps forge friendships and more. ‘Everyone is so relaxed when you’re on board that it’s hard not to get chatting with someone. The atmosphere is happy and friendly – everyone always seems to just be enjoying getting away on a beautiful ship.’

 

And what about the romance of travel? ‘Whether it’s a beautiful destination or the blue ocean waves that are your backdrop, taking a stroll on deck with your significant other can be a very romantic experience,’ says Tasha. ‘And the speciality dining venues are the perfect place for a romantic meal for two.’

Julie Webb: forging new friendships

When Julie Webb retired, she was keen to travel the world. The 58-year-old from Essex had never tried a cruise holiday before, but when a friend recommended P&O Cruises as a great way to see many destinations in one holiday, she booked her first cruise on Ventura, visiting Spain, Portugal and Gran Canaria in April 2024.

 

Having enjoyed the experience so much, she went on to enjoy an enriching cruise adventure in the USA and Canada on Aurora and, more recently, a Mediterranean cruise on Britannia.

 

As a single traveller, Julie felt at ease and nurtured, and she embraced the opportunity to meet new friends. ‘I felt safe and was so well looked after by the crew,’ says Julie. ‘And I loved meeting new people. Being put on single tables in the restaurants is a great way to meet other single people, or you can sit with couples.’

 

Julie forged great friendships, remaining close to two couples from her first cruise. They met up subsequently and then booked the same Britannia cruise to travel together. She also found a close friend on her Stateside travels – and a friendship that has lasted beyond her holidays. ‘It turns out we only lived about half an hour from each other. We’ve spoken since and have arranged to meet up.’ 

Susan Binda: exploring with kindred spirits

Before Susan joined P&O Cruises, she had never considered a cruise before. Having spent Christmas on Britannia in the Caribbean cruise with her husband and teenagers, it’s now her favourite way to holiday.

 

‘As the holiday planner in our family, I love the fact that all the planning stops once I get on board. No itineraries to manage, no researching restaurants or planning days out, or how we’re getting from A to B, as we would do on a shore holiday. It feels like a real rest for me, and I can completely switch off.’

 

Susan’s sense of wanderlust is satisfied too. ‘I can never stay in a holiday location for more than three or four days because there’s so much to explore and I get restless. That’s why visiting nine Caribbean islands in one cruise holiday was perfect, completely satisfying my explorer nature! It was effortless from start to finish.’

 

The holiday took a fun turn when they met two families, travelling together from Manchester with children of similar ages. The children bonded first and soon became inseparable. Naturally, the parents met over drinks and three families got on really well. ‘We often went on shore experiences together, ate in The Glass House and Sindhu and spent sea days together. It was unexpected to meet and get on brilliantly and so lovely to share happy memories and photos.’

 

Since then, the children have stayed in close touch despite their busy lives. Susan’s family went to Manchester for the weekend to visit their new-found friends and they all went on another cruise together the following year in the Mediterranean.

 

‘We had another brilliant holiday together,’ says Susan. ‘The children all stay in touch, and I don’t doubt we’ll see each other on another cruise one day.’