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Rise and shine: how to have magical mornings on your next P&O Cruises holiday

Whether you’re up at dawn or still under the duvet, a good morning sets the tone for the whole day.

4 min 05 Mar 2023

Editorial Team

Author

Here, we offer four of our favourite ways to embrace the AM on a P&O Cruises holiday. Plus, we speak to three of our ships’ captains about everyone’s favourite breakfast treat: pancakes!

Four of our favourite morning rituals

Start with a sweat

If you’re someone who likes to start their day with a good workout, there are lots of ways you can earn that early-morning glow. The on-board gyms offer everything from free weights to yoga classes. Plus, with floor-to-ceiling windows, your workouts come with a serious view, too. Keep an eye on your daily Horizon newsletter, which is delivered to your cabin on board – it will give you details about wellness and fitness classes.

Soak up the morning sun

For an extra dose of vitamin D, why not venture out on deck for a bit of morning sunshine? Get your steps in with a walk around the promenade deck – several of our ships have decks that encircle the whole ship, including Ventura, where seven laps make one mile, or Iona, where a mile is three-and-a-half laps. If swimming is more your style, take advantage of the early hours and get some strokes in while the pools are quieter. Or, simply kick back with a Costa coffee and breathe in the fresh sea breeze.

Wake up to new destinations

Of course, one of the most exciting aspects of a cruise holiday is waking up in a new destination every day. On days your ship is in port, there’s nothing more exhilarating than throwing open your curtains or venturing down to the atrium to see a new coastline just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re exploring independently or venturing out on a shore experience, the sight of a new destination is guaranteed to put a spring in your step.

Find out more about shore experiences

Bite into breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and there’s certainly lot to support that theory across the fleet. On Arvia, head for The Quays for bite-sized, fluffy pancakes, or visit 6th Street Diner for all-day breakfast. Market Café on Britannia serves up delicate crêpes and tasty waffles with delectable toppings. And across the fleet, the buffet restaurants offer anything you could want for your first meal of the day, from fresh fruit to a full English. Or, on those duvet days, why not order room service  and savour breakfast from the comfort of your cabin?

Find out more about dining on board

The great debate: pancakes or waffles

With breakfast on our minds, we ask Captain Dave Hudson (Ventura), Captain Simon Love (Aurora) and Captain Wesley Dunlop (Iona) if pancakes or waffles make the best morning treat.
 

What will it be: pancakes or waffles?
 

‘Pancakes every time.’
Captain Dave Hudson, Ventura
 

‘Traditional pancakes please! Reminds me of my childhood.’
Captain Simon Love, Aurora
 

‘How on earth can you choose between a pancake and a waffle?! If I was forced to choose, I think pancakes have the edge.’
Captain Wesley Dunlop, Iona
 

And what's your favourtive topping?
 

‘For pancake toppings you have to look across the water. Pure Canadian maple syrup rules.’
Captain Dave Hudson, Ventura
 

‘I’d also go traditional here – lemon and sugar. It’s almost healthy as well!’
Captain Simon Love, Aurora

‘It would have to be banana and a certain well-known chocolate spread!’
Captain Wesley Dunlop, Iona