https://my.pocruises.com/api-mc/mc-getCruiseSummary/v1

January. Who wouldn’t want to give this month a miss? But it doesn’t have to be this way. Start the new year with a Short Break or seek out some tropical sunshine on one of our newest ship Arvia’s Caribbean holidays. If you need to beat those January blues, then we’ve the perfect holiday for you.

OFFER ENDS 26 AUGUST 2025

Please correct the errors below and try again.

You’ll shortly receive an email from us to confirm your sign up. Please click on the link contained within this email to start hearing more from us. If you are unable to find this email in your inbox, please check your junk mailbox.

/content/dam/po/content-fragments/en_GB/forms/email-offer-signup-form

Title* 

First name*

Last name*

Email address*

Email Offer Consent

Your dream cruise might only be an email away...

Though technically the coldest month the <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/caribbean">Caribbean</a> experiences, January is still warm – and certainly still offers t-shirt weather. Because of this, you’ll want your luggage to reflect a typical summer cruise holiday. Here’s what we’d recommend bringing along:
<ul>
<li>Swimming costume/swim shorts</li>
<li>Sunscreen with SPF</li>
<li>Sunglasses</li>
<li>A hat for sun protection</li>
<li>Shorts/linen trousers</li>
<li>A light jumper</li>
<li>T-shirts 
</li>
<li>Flip-flops or sandals</li>
<li>A good book</li>
<li>Walking shoes</li>
<li>Your dinner jacket, cocktail dress or ballgown (for our Black Tie evening)</li>
</ul>

What should I pack for a Caribbean cruise in January?

With an average temperature of 27°C in January, <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/ports/bonaire-saint-eustatius-and-saba">Bonaire</a> is the warmest of the Caribbean islands at this time of year. When you’re here, you’ll find winter to be a faraway idea as you soak up vitamin D and the warmth of the ocean.

Which Caribbean island is the warmest in January?

The warmest of the <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/canary-islands">Canary Islands</a> in January is <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/ports/gran-canaria-spain">Gran Canaria</a>. Though not huge, this sunny island offers a wealth of diversity that’s unlikely to leave you bored for a moment. And what’s more, in January it features an average temperature of 18°C although it can get as warm as 21°C!

Which is the warmest Canary Island in January?

There are a few reasons you might pick January for a cruise. Perhaps your New Year’s resolution was to spend a little more time relaxing or seeing more of the world – in which case a cruise holiday is certainly the answer. The good news is that holiday prices in January tend to be much lower, sparing you a pretty penny or two. Whatever your reason for booking a January cruise, don’t they say ‘start as you mean to go on’?

Why cruise in January?

Frequently asked questions

Two people paddle boarding in the Norwegian Fjords

The beauty of a P&amp;O Cruises holiday is anything goes; you might kayak along a fjord or explore by bicycle or catamaran by day and kick up your heels to a live band by evening. This is your chance to holiday like never before.

Couple drinking wine on a sun lounger on deck on a P&O Cruises cruise ship

Cabins, dining times, deposits – there’s more to our prices than just the cost. But with three to choose from, which will work best for you?

On board every cruise ship you'll enjoy the same P&amp;O Cruises experience. But what you'll also find is that each cruise ship has a number of unique features and facilities...

Aerial drone photo of sail boats anchored in tropical Caribbean island paradise bay with white rock caves and turquoise clear sea; Shutterstock ID 1166039707; project: olly; job: ; client: pocruises; other: 

Picture an idyllic holiday, picture the Caribbean. Lazing on white sands under palm tree-shaped shadows; crystal-clear waters lapping metres away while you sip from a coconut… It’s the epitome of relaxed holiday days. But don’t be fooled into thinking the Caribbean is just a beach holiday. Each diverse island has a whole wealth of charms waiting beyond its breathtaking coastline.

Beautiful view of amazing tropical scenery with exotic palm trees and mountain valleys above wide open sea in golden evening light at sunset with blue sky and clouds in summer, Canary Islands, Spain; Shutterstock ID 512796058; project: olly; job: ; client: pocruises; other: 

Island-hop, city-swap and explore all that the region has to offer on your first cruise holiday. And while there is undoubtedly more to enjoy than the beaches and blue skies, some days the turquoise waters and mountain-backed shores might just prove irresistible.

The coastline is your gateway to a sprinkling of spectacular Spanish and Portuguese cities and you’re in for a treat. Those seeking variety from their holiday will love Spain and Portugal cruises which contrasts fishing villages with ornate cities and an eye-watering mix of architectural styles.

Sign up to hear from us

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?

Get to know us

https://www.pocruises.com/frequently-asked-questions

https://www.pocruises.com/request-a-brochure

Support

https://www.pocruises.com/manage-my-booking

https://www.pocruises.com/deals/promotion-terms-and-conditions

https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations

https://www.pocruises.com/new-to-cruising/whats-included

Useful links

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/privacy/cookies

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy

https://www.pocruises.com/company-information

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/consumer-protection

https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/safety-and-security

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/booking-terms-and-conditions

Footer Bottom

Stay connected

sm-Facebook

sm-Instagram

sm-Youtube

sm-Pinterest

AbtaLogo

AtolLogo

https://www.pocruises.com/account/my-details

https://www.pocruises.com/account/my-preferences

https://www.pocruises.com/login/pay-balance

https://www.pocruises.com/my-account/brochures/request-a-brochure

Avatar menu

On board

Discover cruising

Help

https://www.pocruises.com/deals/cruise-deals

Holidays in January

January destination highlights

Caribbean

New to cruising

Our fares explained

Meet the fleet