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Sampling a holiday with us has never been easier with a Short Break. Explore a new ship and dip your toe into colourful destinations.

<h3>A Short Break of 3 to 5 nights is the perfect reset in our busy lives.</h3>

Britannia and Ventura are the best ships to help you get the most out of your first Short Break holiday. With friendly atmospheres matching those of the ports you'll visit, and so much to do on board, these ships are sure to complement your Short Break holiday perfectly.

<h3>Time to shake up the routine? Set sail on a mini cruise.</h3>

There's plenty to do, whether you decide to explore ashore by yourself or pay a little extra for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/shore-excursions">shore experience</a>.

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Our Short Breaks take you to Europe and visit the wonderful countries of Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Guernsey.

Short Break cruise holidays depart from Southampton terminal.

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Our Short Break cruise holidays are from 3-5 nights.

Our Short Break cruise holidays are from April to December.

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Historical towns, museums, exploring nightlife.

 Boats in Amsterdam canal in front of buildings

Our last minute holidays are departing within the next 90 days, so book now and benefit from a fantastic price. Don't miss out, book today and sail soon!

Amsterdam is often rated as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities thanks to its many cycling routes and its flat, compact landscape. So, if you’re looking to explore authentically, hop on two wheels like the locals do and admire the leafy canal-ways, vibrant culture and traditional architecture all around.

Rotterdam is a city of modern masterpieces. The famed yellow 'Cube Houses' are one of the many things worth exploring here. The architect, Piet Blom, intended the houses to feel like an urban forest, with each slanted yellow 'tree house' sitting on top of the pedestrian bridge. Step inside for a feel of life on the edge!

Discover cutting-edge design in Rotterdam

Bruges is one of Europe’s top spots for treating your taste buds. Stroll through the historic heart of the city and you’ll soon be tempted by dazzling chocolate shop window displays. Fancy something a little more filling? Follow the sweet aromas of traditional shortbread cookies and lip-smacking Belgian waffles wafting from the bakeries and food stalls.

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{"metadata_en_GB":{"alt-text":"Cube Houses, Blaak Heights - Rotterdam by P. Blom, 1978-1984."}}

Shore experiences cost a little bit extra, but they're worth it. Either log in to&nbsp;<a href="https://my.pocruises.com/mycruise/login">My P&amp;O Cruises</a>&nbsp;and book and pay for your shore experience there, or you can do so once you're on board at the shore experience desk or by using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-holiday">My Holiday digital pocket planner</a>. Please note, shore experiences are popular and tend to be booked in advance.&nbsp;You can book shore experiences up until 3 days before your cruise departs.

Cherbourg is a hub of beautiful art museums, ornate churches and fascinating history. Travel a little further afield and you can wonder at the magnificent Mont-Saint-Michel. Rising from the islet, the ancient Gothic-style Benedictine abbey and the village that surrounds it is an unmissable UNESCO-listed site.

Visit the enchanting Mont-Saint-Michel from Cherbourg

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Developed in the Middle Ages, this maritime port city is awash with historical treasures and contemporary attractions alike. Set your eyes on UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world. Marvel at the gigantic red-brick Gothic buildings, then perhaps take a leisurely stroll to the Elbphilharmonie, a spectacular, modern concert hall.

Experience a mix of ancient and modern in Hamburg

The pretty harbour of St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom

Join a guided kayak tour, taking you to the pretty sheltered bays and tucked-away coves only accessible by sea. Paddle along the coast while your guides share their knowledge of the environment, history and wildlife of Guernsey – the perfect way to take in the scenery of this beautiful island.

With evening and overnight stays in port, you can make the most of wherever you are on your Short Break holiday. Get cosy (or 'gezellig' as they say in the Netherlands) and soak in the low lighting, serene atmosphere and good beer – the perfect blend for a relaxing evening.

Soak up the local nightlife with evenings and overnight stays in port

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From morning to night, Amsterdam rocks around the clock. Read on for our top tips on how to spend a day in this spellbinding city.

Group of people sat on table by the river enjoying food in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Taking a few days to relax, explore and experience something new with your pals by your side is a recipe for lifelong memories.

Five fabulous Short Break destinations for friends

From antiques and exclusive boutiques to vintage clothes and other curiosities, a trip to Amsterdam is a shopper’s dream.

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An overnight stay in port means that the ship will dock and you can explore the destination in the evening, getting the most out of your holiday.

For a little bit extra, you can take part in a range of fun activities with experienced and informative guides by your side.

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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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Short Break holidays

Where can a Short Break take you?

Time to shake up the routine? Set sail on a mini cruise.

Top things to do on a city break in Europe

Explore Amsterdam by bicycle

Discover cutting-edge design in Rotterdam

Satisfy your sweet tooth in Bruges

A Short Break of 3 to 5 nights is the perfect reset in our busy lives.

Visit the enchanting Mont-Saint-Michel from Cherbourg

Experience a mix of ancient and modern in Hamburg

Kayak the Channel Islands

Good to know

Sail from Southampton

Duration

Time of year

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Short Break shore experiences

Soak up the local nightlife with evenings and overnight stays in port

Read up on Short Break destinations

Recommended ships for Short Breaks

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