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On Board with Rankin

Think you know cruising? This free photography exhibition, featuring images by Rankin, sheds new light on what it’s like to holiday on our ships – and it might just surprise you. 

3 min 17 Sep 2025

Editorial Team

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Capturing the Art of a P&O Cruises Holiday

At P&O Cruises, we’re all about finding new ways to share what holidaying at sea is all about, so we teamed up with legendary photographer Rankin to bring you something really special: a free portrait photography exhibition at Battersea Power Station.

 

Shot on our newest ship, Arvia, On Board with Rankin offers images that capture the fun, energy and unforgettable moments of a P&O Cruises holiday. Think stylish snapshots, easy-going glamour and the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you’ve stepped off your ship.

 

Rankin – real name John Rankin Waddell – is one of the UK’s most iconic photographers, known for his bold and creative style. From fashion and music to activism and portraiture, his work oozes personality. He’s photographed some of the world’s most famous faces, including Kate Moss and Queen Elizbeth II. His images have also graced the pages of magazines like Vogue, and Dazed & Confused, which he famously co-founded.

As Rankin says, “This isn’t a cruise as you once knew it. This is travel with depth, design and personality. This project is about freedom. Real people enjoying a truly elevated experience. It’s about stepping onto a ship that feels more like a boutique resort. Sophisticated, spacious and full of surprises. You make it your own.”

 

“I wanted to capture that anticipation and energy of a P&O Cruises holiday,” Rankin continues. “You’re out at sea, the horizon is wide open and your day could be anything you want it to be. Spa mornings, fine dining, contemporary theatre or quiet time with a book by the infinity pool. It’s that sense of possibility.”

 

You’ll spot some familiar faces throughout the exhibition, including performer Layton Williams, Blur bassist and cheesemaker Alex James, and our very own P&O Cruises Food Hero, Marco Pierre White. Real guests on holiday also feature, in addition to members of Arvia’s own ship’s crew. 

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Arvia joined the P&O Cruises fleet in 2022 and is the youngest of our seven ships. Her retractable SkyDome, infinity swimming pools, Amber Lounge bar, Ocean Studios cinema, sun decks, and hydrotherapy pool, are just some of the iconic venues you’ll see immortalised in On Board with Rankin.

“ These photographs not only showcase the exceptional experiences on board, but also the joy and individuality of our guests. Each image brings its own charisma, captured in candid and dynamic moments that epitomise Arvia’s cool and contemporary spirit. We are proud to present this exhibition at Battersea Power Station and invite everyone to see cruising in a whole new light.”

Paul Ludlow - President, P&O Cruises

On Board with Rankin is running at Battersea Power Station in London from 17 to 28 September 2025 and is free to visit.

 

Whether you’re a Rankin photography fan or just curious to see cruising from a fresh perspective, these iconic images – shot by one of the world's most celebrated portrait photographers – gives you a taste of life on the ocean waves like nothing you’ve seen before.