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There's enough to tickle the tiniest of tastebuds
Our ships have every ingredient you need for a top family holiday and more, especially when it comes to dining.

If you’ve a young family or you’re looking for a more laid-back dining experience&nbsp;together at a quieter time, simply check the helpful selected screens around the&nbsp;ship showing which restaurants are quieter, when and where.

We’ve made sure our menus offer the perfect balance of popular and traditional British family favourites, with plenty of healthy, fresh, colourful and exciting dishes to choose from.

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Enjoy burgers and hot dogs by the pool, sit down for a family meal to mark a special occasion, or head to the early children’s tea to enjoy healthy options and treats for all tastes.

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?

Family dining FAQs

Escape to a world of relaxed coastal vibes at The Beach House.

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Treat your little ones to a delightful Children's Tea – an early dinner option for young cruisers.&nbsp;

Indulge your sweet tooth at Sundaes.&nbsp;

Offering a tempting selection of freshly made pizzas, the Poolside Pizzeria is perfect for a poolside treat.&nbsp;

This casual eatery offers a tempting selection of freshly made snacks, perfect for satisfying poolside cravings.&nbsp;

A world of temptation awaits with a fresh menu at Market Café in the heart of Britannia’s atrium.

The Olive Grove celebrates the flavours of the southern and eastern Mediterranean.

The Quays caters to all palates and preferences, allowing you to embark on a delicious global adventure without leaving the ship.

Slice of traditional pizza Margherita on gray background viewed from above

Embark on a global culinary adventure at Taste 360, a vibrant street-food-style haven on the Lido Deck, with panoramic views.&nbsp;

Our younger guests have their very own dedicated and delicious menu to choose from. Across all of our ships, we offer exclusive menus packed with an exciting range of tasty options. The menus also feature under-sea characters, colouring and puzzles. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.pocruises.com/content/dam/po/pdfs/BR25-052-Childrens-Menu-2025.pdf">View sample menu here.</a>

If you purchase the Deluxe or Classic drinks package and you’re travelling in the same cabin with children 17 and under, their package is included without charge.

A flavour-filled selection of dishes inspired by South American, Caribbean and Stateside cuisine is waiting for you in The Beach House. Lick your lips and enjoy colourful party-on-your-plate dishes – and don’t forget to leave room for dessert!

Find scoopfuls of holiday happiness at this family-friendly gelateria. Snowflake Luxury Gelato blends the best of British and Italian cultures in a range of artisan flavours. A traditional cone with your choice of toppings? A gelato afternoon tea, cookie or sundae? With so many treats, you’re sure to be back for more.

A family of 5 whooping with joy on the beach. A road trip to the coast, especially enjoyed by the youngest boy and mother. Arms raised and laughing, the youngest boy is laid back on the legs of his father. Oldest son looks amused by the scene.

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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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