On-board activities

You can view any available bookable activities and dining via My P&O Cruises online portal before your holiday and book before departure. You may also book using the My Holiday web app once you’re on board. Please refer to your daily Horizon magazine when you get on board for the booking details of each activity/event.

To book a spa treatment, you can do so via My P&O Cruises from 365 days prior to your cruise, up until 72 hours prior to sailing date (other than some longer duration cruises). For spa passes, these can be booked once on board via the Spa Reception or pre-booked through My P&O Cruises. Alternatively, guests can book on board.

Some activities/events can be booked by turning up on the day and this will be managed on board. 

P&O Cruises' daily activity programme, The Horizon, keeps our guests on board up to date on what is happening during their cruise. This includes where and when shore experiences depart from, opening times for the bars and restaurants, the entertainment for the day/night, and much more. The Horizon is issued in English and delivered to every guest's cabin each evening. Please note that guests cannot place a personal message in The Horizon.

Comfortable and stylish accommodation, delicious dining, exciting activities and enthralling entertainment – it’s all included in the price of your P&O Cruises holiday.

Whether you fancy a hearty breakfast, a light bite, a poolside snack or a Celebration Night dinner, you can enjoy mouth-watering food in a variety of restaurants throughout the day. Our menus feature dishes inspired by the destinations you’ll visit, as well as favourites from home.

In the mood for live entertainment? Be captivated by theatre shows, soak up the sounds of bands and singers, and giggle your way through hilarious stand-up comedy sets. If you’re a film lover, sit back for a film screening (some ships have dedicated cinemas, others have feature open-air SeaScreens and some show films in the theatre. You can watch movies and catch your favourite shows on your in-cabin TV too).

With at least two pools and a number of whirlpool spas on each ship, there are plenty of places to take a dip. And if you want to get your pulse racing, you can use the state-of-the-art gym, join in a game of football or basketball on the sports court or, on selected ships, hit the jogging track. There’s also a selection of fitness classes available, as well as activities including deck games, quizzes and karaoke. All of our holidays feature free dance classes and art talks too.

Our family-friendly cruises onboard Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura, all include a night nursery as well as The Reef children’s club. Here, kids up to 17 years old can make friends, play games, get creative with crafts and more in age-specific zones that are fully supervised by our friendly Reef rangers. There are also Aardman activities to get involved in, with various events hosted by Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

On top of all this, each ship offers its own unique things to do. So, depending on which ship you choose, you might find yourself teeing off for a game of minigolf on the top deck, admiring spectacular views from an infinity pool, running around a jogging track, cutting a rug at a silent disco, relaxing in a sauna or steam room, joining a salsa dance class, splashing about with the kids at an aqua zone or, for older children, picking up new skills at an interactive workshop.

As Britain’s favourite cruise line, you’ll always find a diverse range of entertainment and activities on all of our ships. So, if you’re wondering what a typical day on board might look like, here’s a taste of what you can expect…

Feeling energised after breakfast? You could hit your ship’s state-of-the-art gym or join a fitness class such as Pilates, spin, FitSteps® or an invigorating yoga session. Prefer to ease yourself into the morning? With swimming pools and whirlpool spas to dip into, you’re sure to find your ideal spot to relax.

For some holiday retail therapy, head to your ship’s on-board boutiques, where you’ll find fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and more from global brands. Afterwards, for a little extra, why not try your hand at archery or pick up a new skill at one of our cookery or art classes? If you’re in the mood for dancing, you could make new friends as you learn how to salsa and cha-cha, foxtrot and line dance with our on-board instructors. And when lunchtime hunger pangs start, the pizzeria and grill is the perfect place to grab a poolside snack and enjoy a meal under the sun.

To put your knowledge to the test, pop to the pub for team quizzes. Still have energy to burn? How about an afternoon game of football or short tennis on the sports court? Or a little time practising your swing in the golf nets? And for some well-deserved pampering, you could book into Oasis Spa and Salon for a massage or unwind in the sauna.

If you want to step out in style for your night of on-board entertainment, you could treat yourself to a makeover or new haircut. For a little extra, our beauty and hair technicians are ready and waiting to make you feel gorgeous from top to toe. And as the sun goes down, the lights go up in your ship’s casino, where you can try your luck with a spin of the wheel as you sip an aperitif before catching a show. Or maybe you'd rather enjoy the live music at your favourite lounge, drink in hand, before you head off to enjoy a sumptuous dinner. 

Please note that guests under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or companion aged 18 or over.

Casino - Entry into the Casino is limited to guests over the age of 18, regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by a parent/guardian. (21 years whilst in US waters).

Swimming pools - On some of the ships there will be designated pools for the use of adults only. The pools on board are unsupervised and children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. All children using the pools must be toilet trained. There are certain pools where children who wear swimming nappies can use. 

Whirlpools - The whirlpools on-board are not to be used by children aged 8 and under, and children aged 8-16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian                    

Gym, saunas and steam rooms - Saunas and steam rooms have restrictions to those under the age of 16.

Children under 14 years are not permitted to use the gym, sauna and steam room.

Children aged 14-16 years must be accompanied by a guardian over the age of 18 when using these facilities and may only use the cardio equipment in the gym.

The Retreat - On-board Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura is reserved for adults only and therefore entry is only allowed for those aged 18 years and over.

Nightclubs - When in operation, children under the age of 18 are not allowed in the venues designated for the adult night club.       

Other - Children may be required to have adult supervision whilst using certain rooms, further information on this can be provided when on-board. 

There may be time restrictions when children are no longer allowed in certain areas such as bars after midnight. These times and locations will be notified to you once on-board.

Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to use the lifts unless accompanied by an adult.

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.

Each of our stunning ships offers its own unique restaurants, bars, activities and entertainment. So, depending on the ship you choose, you might enjoy a game of minigolf, sip cocktails at a swim-up bar, traverse a high-ropes course, watch or take part in a virtual game show, sunbathe at an alfresco spa terrace, test your problem-solving skills in an immersive submarine simulation experience, or watch a spectacular stage show such as Greatest Days: The Official Take That Musical.

All our holidays include a range of delicious dining options, available in various venues throughout the day, from full English and continental breakfasts to poolside snacks, sumptuous lunches and decadent dinners.

There are plenty of popular activities across our whole fleet too. Each of our ships has at least two swimming pools as well as a number of whirlpool spas to relax in. You can get involved in deck games, quizzes and karaoke, or sit back and watch a movie (some ships have dedicated cinemas, others have giant outdoor SeaScreens and some show films in the theatre, and you can always watch films and your favourite shows on your in-cabin TV). And when it comes to live entertainment, you can enjoy captivating performances, bands and singers, and hilarious comedy shows.

If you like to keep fit, you can use the state-of-the-art gym, join in a game of football or basketball on the sports court, or tee off in the golf nets. Some ships have a running track and there’s a selection of fitness classes available. If you’d like to improve your moves, our holidays feature dance classes. Prefer something more laid back? Head to the Oasis Spa and Salon to be pampered or indulge in a little retail therapy in the on-board shops. And if you're feeling lucky, you could even stop by the casino for a flutter.

Our family-friendly ships, Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura, all include a night nursery as well as The Reef children’s club. Here, kids up to 17 years old can make friends, play games, get creative with crafts and more in age-specific zones that are fully supervised by our friendly Reef rangers. There are also Aardman activities to get involved in, with various events hosted by Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. 

Guests are welcome to attend by themselves, if a carer is required to assist during the class, the carer does not need to book a place.

The Cookery Club features one low level work station specifically designed for wheelchair users, as well as one wheelchair accessible place at the main table.