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We've got the fun covered, from tots to teens!
Step into a world of wow factor on an&nbsp;extraordinary family holiday. From your tiniest tots up to young adults aged 17 years old, we make sure each day has just the right balance of&nbsp;fun and freedom.

pre-book

From two weeks before your holiday, you can book places in The Reef for a small fee on My P&amp;O Cruises. This brings peace of mind that your children have a spot secured, and gives you the chance to plan time for yourself (maybe to enjoy a relaxing spa treatment or a romantic meal?). Please note that all adults must be registered with us as a trusted carer to drop off and collect kids from The Reef. Not ready to make plans? Some spaces in The Reef are available to book for free while on board, on a first-come, first-served basis.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-cruise-tcs#youth">T's and C's apply.</a>

Please read our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/code-of-conduct/childrens-club-behaviour-policy">children's club behaviour policy and participation guidelines.</a>

OFFER ENDS 26 AUGUST 2025

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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?

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?

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?

Kid's clubs FAQs

Kid's clubs

With age-appropriate toys and games, plus bespoke themed Turtle Tot activities, the Nursery offers a safe environment where your children can have great fun and meet new friends. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times and is open at selected times during the day.

The Night Nursery can help you enjoy your evenings safe in the knowledge that your little ones are asleep in good hands. It operates each night, so your children can dream sweet dreams in the quiet area and we’ll contact you if they wake up. While your child is in safe hands, you can enjoy our extraordinary dining and evening entertainment.

Splashers is our club exclusively for guests aged between 2 and 4. Get ready for softplay and toys, books and activities. Your little ones will be spoilt for choice! Each ship varies, but you'll still find enthusiastic and qualified Reef Rangers in each club, with programmes and activities suited to the Splashers age group.

For guests aged 5 to 8, we have Surfers. Your Surfer can look forward to playing computer games, watching movies, running and jumping around the soft play area, creating their own puppet show, and so much more. Each varies, but you'll still find enthusiastic and qualified Reef Rangers in each club, with programmes and activities suited to the Surfers age group.

9 to 12 year-old guests can immerse themselves in the fun and excitement of Scubas. Youngsters visiting Scubas can take part in activities like air hockey, computer games, pool, or just chill out with their new friends, with a huge variety of activities on offer. Each ship varies, but you'll still find enthusiastic and qualified Reef Rangers in each club.

Aged 13-17? We’ve more activities created just for you. Our friendly Youth team will lead the excitement, from letting loose at the Party Night to testing your knowledge at the Quiz Night and getting active at Fitness Club. It’s all tailored to you, our terrific teen guests. *Please note that those wanting to attend the 13-17 rooms are not required to pre-book their sessions but must register.

H2O Children's Club/ The Scene (for 13-17 year olds)

Entertainment

Got your baa…gs packed? Let the family fun begin!​ Wallace &amp; Gromit and Shaun the Sheep can’t wait to meet you on board. Join themed crafts in The Reef children’s club with special character appearances, showings of Aardman films, dance sessions and more. Get a photo keepsake with the well-loved British characters and sit down together for story time.

Little ones (and their grown-ups) are sure to be captivated by our family-friendly theatre shows. The curtain will rise on traditional fun and frolics with Sooty and Sweep, amazing life-sized animatronics of The Animal Guyz and lots of laughs with Basil Brush. It’s the perfect introduction to theatre and a memorable holiday highlight.

As a family with children of any age you’ll find all kinds of fun activities available throughout your holiday. Little ones love to laugh along with the cracking Aardman antics with characters Wallace &amp; Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. Our Academy workshops and shows inspire and excite. Together you can take part in family sports and discos, too. And for tumbling tiny tots under 4, soft play adventures await.

Tots to teens and even the grown-ups are invited to Ocean Performance Academy workshops on board during school holidays. Come along and learn circus skills, dancing, drama and so much more. Join a unicorn workshop, sign up to superhero school, and enjoy pirate and dino-themed shows.

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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Kid's clubs and entertainment

Kid's clubs for 6 months - 17 years old

Nursery (6 months-2 years)

Night Nursery (for 6 months-4 years)

Splashers (for 2-4 year olds)

Surfers (for 5-8 year olds)

Scubas (for 9-12 year olds)

H2O Children's Club/ The Scene (for 13-17 year olds)

Pre-book places in The Reef

Entertainment

Aardman

The stage is set for family fun

Family zone

Ocean Performance Academy

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