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Unforgettable holiday happiness for the whole family
Family time is precious and holidays are treasured. We’ll make sure the extraordinary memories you create together will last a lifetime.

<h3>With 5 ships and hundreds of cruises to choose from, let us help you find your perfect school holiday cruise.</h3>

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<h3>P&amp;O Cruises holidays come with world-class dining and sensational entertainment included and family holidays are packed with even more exciting experiences.&nbsp;</h3>

A P&amp;O Cruises holiday is perfect for families, offering unbeatable value and variety to keep everyone happy, at all ages. With a staggering choice of dining and entertainment, there are non-stop activities, sports, games, cinemas and swimming pools. With all-day children's clubs, kids' tea, a night nursery and flexible clubs for teens, what's not to love? And that's just on board. Don't forget you have exploration and adventure ashore in all of the exciting locations you discover together, with half price under 12s and under-2s being free*.
*The price of shore experience tickets for children between the age of 2-12 years old will be 50% or less of the value of the respective adult ticket price at the time of booking. Infants aged under 2 years old can accompany an adult free of charge. There may be age restrictions on certain shore experiences. Shore experience ticket prices may vary depending on the time or place of booking and tickets are subject to availability. For more information, please see our terms and conditions at <a href="https://prod.author.carnivalukgroup.com/content/po/master_website/en_GB/my-cruise-tcs.html">https://www.pocruises.com/my-cruise-tcs.</a> Pricing may be reviewed and withdrawn at any time.

Are cruises good for families?

When it comes to dining we lay on a special early tea (time and location will be confirmed once on board) with children’s favourites to suit younger tastes. If you prefer the relaxed, informal buffet is available from early morning to late evening and has a wide selection of dishes. Or if you’d rather all dine together in the Freedom and Club dining restaurant, that’s great fun for families too.

Are there any special dining options for children?

Yes! A special children's tea will always be available in one of your ship's restaurants, but we do ask that parents/guardians are there to supervise. Full details of locations and menus will be available on board. And, usually, children’s tea parties happen between 17:00 and 18:30, although, times may vary.

Are there designated meals for children?

Please do! *We can provide Hipp Organic baby food jars [Stage 1 (4 months +) and Stage 2 (7 months +)] in an assortment of savoury and dessert flavours. We’ll also happily puree or mash adult food from the main restaurant menu for your little toddler. If you have a younger baby or prefer an alternative brand, please provide your own. Also, please advise our Customer Contact Centre before you sail if you have any specific requests.&nbsp;
*Please note: baby food must be requested a minimum of 8 weeks before sailing. We also cannot supply guests with baby food on bookings made within 8 weeks of the departure date.

Can I request food for babies and infants?

We want every child to have a great time in our children’s clubs, in an environment where everyone is supported and cared for. To attend our clubs, children must be able to manage their personal care needs independently (unless they are of pre-school age) and join in group activities without one-to-one supervision or additional support.&nbsp;
We have participation guidelines in place to help parents and guardians decide whether the children’s club is suitable based on the level of support we can provide in a group session.
If the children’s club seems the right environment for your child, please provide as much information as you can when registering them. Our Youth team on board will use our guidelines when discussing your child’s needs with you and will make the final decision on whether the club setting is appropriate at that time.

Do you cater for children with disabilities in the children's clubs?

If you are travelling with children or teenagers, our family prices on Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura offer generous reductions, utilising the extra beds that are contained in a number of cabins, though this family reduction can vary by cruise. Infants aged 1 year and under will also pay a reduced rate, which will remain the same no matter which cabin grade is booked, from Inside cabin all the way up to a Suite.&nbsp;
Please note, if a child is booked into a lower berth (i.e. the first two beds in the cabin), there isn’t a reduced rate and the standard double rate for the cabin will be charged.
Please check our <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise#start=0">Find &amp; Book</a> page or call our Customer Contact Centre for the reduction amount of a specific cruise.

Do you pay full price for a child on a P&O Cruises holiday?

Every child (6 months-17 year olds) must be registered before they can book or attend any sessions in The Reef or Scene. You can register each child 14 days ahead of your holiday at <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-pocruises">My P&amp;O Cruises.</a>
You can book a session once on board. If there is a high demand for a session then we unfortunately cannot guarantee a place for every child. Sessions can be booked from 8:30am the day before via <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pocruises.com%2Fmy-holiday&amp;data=05%7C02%7CSophie.Bushby%40carnivalukgroup.com%7C9b649f4eed684092761b08dc73635fcf%7C9e37b9e905de4906b089536f19689074%7C0%7C0%7C638512117859968463%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hO7vTh5Jeb6l09tW7BhvqT%2FL7S8A1WnSaWdRS%2FciSdY%3D&amp;reserved=0">My Holiday</a>.
Please note that those wanting to attend the 13-17 rooms are not required to pre-book their sessions but must register.
Please ensure you read the <a href="http://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/code-of-conduct/childrens-club-behaviour-policy">children's club behaviour policy and participation guidelines.</a>

How do I register my child for the P&O Cruises kids' clubs?

If you’re travelling with children or teenagers our family prices on Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura offer generous reductions, utilising the extra beds that are contained in a number of cabins. In twin cabins these extra beds are pull-down beds which your cabin steward will stow away by day (please note in selected Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura cabins there are sofabeds instead; see deck plans for details). To calculate the family price, the first two occupants pay the adult price for the grade concerned minus any applicable savings, then add the reduced price for a child/teenager aged 2-17. Family reductions can vary by cruise, so talk to your travel agent or call our Customer Contact Centre for the reduction amount of a specific cruise. Azura, Britannia and Ventura have a number of cabins that can accommodate a travel cot for an infant aged over 6 months and under 2 years. In these cases you pay the rates available from our Customer Contact Centre. There are limited infant, child and teen places available on all cruises. It is advisable to book as soon as possible if intending to take advantage of the family prices offer. Please note family prices are not available on the first two occupants or on single occupancy. Please note there is limited availability for cabins with additional occupancy. For more information call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).

How much are family cabins on P&O Cruises ships?

Please remember children will need their own passports. If you choose a cruise that departs and returns to Southampton, there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can bring. So long as you can fit it comfortably into your cabin then you’re welcome to bring as many essentials as you like. This means that prams are welcome, as is a favourite travel cot, as many supplies as you need and, of course, any favourite toys to make your little ones’ holiday as enjoyable as yours. If your children are going to use the children’s facility then it would be great to bring their own water bottle which they can use in the clubs.

What do we need to pack for a family cruise?

We always try our best to offer as much assistance as possible, but we’re unable to accommodate requests for: any alternative baby food brands to Hipp Organic baby food jars.
*Please note: baby food must be requested a minimum of 8 weeks before sailing. We also cannot supply guests with baby food on bookings made within 8 weeks of the departure date.

What don't you provide for children?

In some ports it is necessary to anchor off shore rather than alongside the dock or quay. When this is the case, we use a tender to take you ashore. A tender is a small vessel that carries around 100 guests. In order to board the tender, please note that you will be required to use steps (up to 20cm/8 inches high) and navigate the gap between the platform and the tender (of up to 45cm/18 inches).&nbsp;
In the interests of safety, we require all guests wishing to use the tenders to have sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steps and traverse a gap of up to 45 cm/18 inches. Anyone wishing to board the tender will need to demonstrate this ability via a mobility test prior to tender embarkation by stepping unaided over a distance of 45 cm/18 inches. Children who are unable to step across a gap of this size will be permitted to use the tender service provided their parent/guardian is able to demonstrate that they can carry or pass them safely across the mobility test gap.&nbsp;

What is going ashore by tender and can children do this too?

All children between the ages 2-12 inclusive are required to wear a safety wristband whilst onboard the ship.&nbsp; The wristband is issued at check in and must be affixed prior to boarding. Once onboard the wristband should not be removed.&nbsp;
This wristband indicates the Muster Station that the child has been designated to. In the event of a child being separated from their parent during an emergency, the information on the wristband will assist the crew in re-uniting them as quickly as possibly at the correct muster station.&nbsp;

What procedures are on board for children during an emergency?

We would ask parents and/or guardians to remember that there are other guests on board and for this reason a few of the lounges and public rooms are exclusively for adults. Please note that guests under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or companion aged 18 or over. We are unable to carry babies under the age of six months on any of our holidays, or under one year for B225/A, B306/A, B326/A, B406/A, K301/A/B, K305D, K306/A, K321/A/B, K405D, K406/A, N233, N302, N306, N401, N403. This is due to the remote itineraries and number of consecutive days at sea. Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel in a cabin without a guest who is 16 or over. Children using the designated pools must be under the supervision of their parent/ guardian. All parents/guardians are responsible for the behaviour of their children. We also ask parents and guardians to note that children under 16 must not be left unaccompanied on the ship whilst at a port of call.

What restrictions should we consider on a P&O Cruises holiday?

We know children love to be active and explore, so all of our activities and facilities have been designed to be child-friendly. Each of The Reef’s rooms feature secure door entry systems and in the Balcony cabins there are protective balcony nets, available on request. There are check in and check out procedures for the 6 months -17 year olds. All our Reef rangers have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 6 months -17 year olds, as well as having enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks. In the unlikely event that you need them, our on-board medical centres are fully equipped and staffed by qualified doctors and nurses. For every child’s enjoyment and safety we have a strict child to staff ratio within The Reef/Scene.

What safety precautions are there for families?

The children’s clubs are open every day and will operate a number of sessions throughout the day. In addition, a night nursery is also available from 6pm to Midnight. Opening times may differ across the fleet depending on the time of year. Check <a href="http://my.pocruises.com/">my.pocruises.com</a> for full details.&nbsp;
Children's club session durations can vary between 2-5 hours and there is no limit to how many sessions children attend (subject to availability). For exact sessions, check My Holiday once you are on board.

When and how long do children's clubs run?

We have five dedicated family-friendly cruising ships, giving you a large variety to choose from when making your selection:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/arvia/overview">Arvia</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/iona/overview">Iona</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/britannia/overview">Britannia</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/ventura/overview">Ventura</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/azura/overview">Azura</a></li>
</ul>
Maybe you want to look through the sky dome on one of our biggest fleets ‘Iona’ or take a dip in one of Britannia’s four swimming pools?
Whatever you choose, our ships hold an amazing atmosphere and bring that homely feel wherever you sail.

Which ships are family friendly?

FAQs for your family cruise

Find out here all you need to know if you are planning to travel with us pregnant.

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Acccommodation

All family-friendly cabins have been carefully designed to maximise space by day and create flexible sleeping arrangements by night, perfect for families and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/group-travel">group travel</a>.
&nbsp;
Iona and Arvia offer a great choice of accommodation for families, including two special family suites at the front of the ship. See below to read more about our options and prices.

A great choice of accommodation for families

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Great news! If you’re a family of five, you can now holiday together in one cabin, subject to availability. We’ve introduced a limited number of five-berth options with Superior Deluxe Balcony cabins on Britannia and Conservatory Mini-suites on Arvia and Iona. And if you’re keen to try one of our smaller ships, Arcadia and Aurora now offer cruises for all ages.

Family holidays you can all get on board with

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Children aged 12 and under pay half the adult ticket price for shore experiences, and under-2s go free!*
We offer a range of hand-picked family-friendly shore&nbsp;experiences designed to make exploring exciting for&nbsp;every age. We make it easy for parents and fun for&nbsp;kids. So why not fuel your appetite for family&nbsp;adventure in stunning cities and new destinations&nbsp;together? *&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-cruise-tcs">T's &amp; C's apply</a>.
Already booked?&nbsp;<a href="https://my.pocruises.com/mycruise/login">Log in to My P&amp;O Cruises</a>

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Yes, guests can take alcohol on a mini cruise from southampton.
What drinks can you take on P&amp;O Cruises short breaks?
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board when they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion, which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account.&nbsp;
Other alcohol types such as spirits are considered restricted items and guests are prohibited from bringing them on board when they first embark the ship.
*prices subject to change

Can I take alcohol on a Short Break cruise holiday?

Amsterdam is famous for its art galleries and museums (from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank house), beautiful canals, interesting architecture and lively nightlife. You’ll also find a deliciously innovative food scene and, in the spring, thousands upon thousands of tulips covering the city in a kaleidoscope of colours.

What is Amsterdam known for?

It’s always worth checking the local weather before you head off on a Short Break, but in the summer you’ll generally need to dress for the heat (think dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals – and don’t forget your swimming costume) while the winter usually calls for layers and thick coats.
During your days on board, you can dress in whatever you like. However, on all our ships, we have two dress codes that apply in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. For nights when the dress code is Evening Casual, you can bring out your best shirt, dress and smart, dark denim. For nights where the dress code is Black Tie, make sure you pack your best tux, suit or cocktail dress.
There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure you check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship. For those travelling on family-friendly ships, dress codes also don’t apply to children aged 17 and under.

What should I pack for a Short Break cruise holiday? 

The best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam depends on what you’d like out of your holiday. Do you prefer the sun or a winter chill? Do you want to see the Light Festival and wander Christmas markets? Or would you rather see the world’s largest flower garden (think miles of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths) in bloom in the spring? How about cruising the canals in the heat of the summer sun, cocktail in hand? We visit Amsterdam almost year-round so that no matter your holiday style, you’ll find a Short Break cruise holiday to suit you.

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam?

The best time of year to go on a mini cruise to Bruges is up to you – what do you want from the weather? What activities do you fancy doing? We’ve got Short Break cruise holidays that visit Bruges (from Zeebrugge) almost year-round. If you’re dreaming of walking around a chilly Christmas market with a hot chocolate (or mulled wine) in hand, December is the month for you. Or, if you’d rather be a bit warmer as you cycle through the countryside or wander medieval streets, April or May might be a better choice. A visit in October will add autumnal magic to a stroll along the canals as the leaves fall around you.&nbsp;

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Bruges (from Zeebrugge)?

Summer brings warmth and sunshine to Amsterdam (with an average temperature of around 23°C) while winters are cold and bring a likely chance of snow. Amsterdam’s spring is fairly mild, heating up and drying out as it gets closer to summer, while autumn brings a good chance of rain as it cools down towards the end of the year.

What's the weather like in Amsterdam?

We tend to visit Hamburg in December on our Short Break holidays when it’s fairly frosty. Hamburg usually has highs of 5˚C and lows of 1˚C in December, with an average of 12 days of rain – but you might be lucky enough to be there when it snows.

What’s the weather like in Hamburg?

On our Short Break holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Bruges (from Zeebrugge) in Belgium
Cherbourg in France
Hamburg in Germany
Le Havre in France
Rotterdam in the Netherlands
St Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands

Which countries does P&O Cruises visit on Short Break cruise holidays?

On our mini cruise holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam
Bruges (from Zeebrugge)
Cherbourg
Hamburg
Le Havre
Rotterdam
St Peter Port, Guernsey

Which ports does P&O Cruises visit on mini cruise holidays?

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Family cruise holidays

P&O Cruises holidays come with world-class dining and sensational entertainment included and family holidays are packed with even more exciting experiences.

Don't just take our word for it...

Best Cruise Line for Family Holidays 2025

Best UK Cruise Line 2025

Best Cruise Line for No Fly Cruise Holidays 2025

Best Cruise Line for Customer Service 2025

Best Ocean Cruise Line 2024

Ocean Cruise Line of the Year 2024

Family cruise cabins and suites

A great choice of accommodation for families

Family holidays you can all get on board with

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With 5 ships and hundreds of cruises to choose from, let us help you find your perfect school holiday cruise.

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