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Why not turn that winter wanderlust into reality with a sun-kissed Caribbean holiday on our newest ship, Arvia? Or, if you’re in the mood for some festive fun, how about embracing the magic of the season at the Christmas markets on a Northern European City Escape or a short break? From revitalising sunshine escapes to winter wonderland getaways, we’ve a winter holiday for you.

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During the winter months at home, you probably hunker down and do your best to keep dry from the rain – but it needn’t be that way. On a P&amp;O Cruises winter cruise holiday, you can switch up the routine and head instead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe">Europe</a>&nbsp;for fun in the sun in Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands; celebrate the New Year in style in the Caribbean; or even set your sights on the adventure of a lifetime on our World Cruises. Or, if you’d like to embrace the wonders of winter, perhaps you can see yourself skiing on the slopes of Norway, soaking up the colourful cultures of Northern Europe and Scandinavia,&nbsp; or roaming Europe’s festive Christmas markets. Wherever you choose to holiday in the winter – from your welcoming ship to the delightful destinations – it’s set to be oh-so wonderful.

Besides packing suitably for the weather you’re expecting on your holiday, make sure to bring along a showstopper of an outfit for the New Year’s Eve Black Tie evening. Whether it’s a cocktail dress or your finest suit, this is a dress-to-the-nines kind of occasion – and, if you’d like, our on-board photographers can capture it all as the best kind of memento.

What do you wear on a cruise on New Year’s Eve?

If you’re going on a winter cruise to the <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/caribbean">Caribbean</a>, your holiday is likely to be brimming with warmth and sunshine. If you’ve selected the Caribbean for your winter holiday, you’ll want to pack a swimming costume or swim shorts, a few pairs of shorts, several t-shirts, and flip-flops or sandals. To stay protected under the sun, bring sunglasses, sunscreen with SPF, and a sun hat. If you’re planning any leisurely adventures, be sure to pack a pair of walking shoes or comfortable trainers, and don’t forget your fancy dinner jacket, cocktail dress or ballgown for our Black Tie evening!

What should I pack for a winter cruise to the Caribbean?

It depends where you’re off to. If you’re following the sunshine for a warm winter, you’ll want to load up on light summer clothing. &nbsp;
If you’re travelling to one of the brisker climates, Northern Europe and Scandinavia or <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/norway-iceland">Norway</a> for example, we’d suggest packing for comfort as well as the cold. You’ll want to pack:
<ul>
<li>Layers</li>
<li>Jumpers</li>
<li>Long-sleeved tops</li>
<li>Waterproof or water-resistant trousers</li>
<li>Sunscreen and lip-balm with SPF (if travelling to a snowy region)</li>
<li>Salopettes, goggles and sunglasses (if travelling to a snowy region)</li>
<li>Winter jacket</li>
<li>Thermals</li>
<li>A good book</li>
<li>Boots</li>
<li>Winter accessories, e.g., scarves, hats and gloves</li>
<li>Your dinner jacket, cocktail dress or ballgown (for our Black Tie evening)</li>
</ul>
Evening dress codes: We have two dress codes that apply in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. Nights where 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 to pack your best tux, suit or cocktail dress.
There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure to check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship.&nbsp;

What should I wear on a winter cruise?

Throughout the festive period, we offer <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/themed-cruises/christmas-cruises">Christmas cruise holidays</a> in sunny and warm locations as well as cooler regions. If you’d like a slow-paced holiday that’s filled with sunshine, consider a Christmas cruise to the <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/caribbean">Caribbean</a>. Or for festive sunshine that’s closer to home, how about the <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/canary-islands">Canary Islands</a>?
For a traditionally chilly Christmas, consider a <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/short-breaks">Short Break</a> or a Northern Europe and Scandinavia cruise. Many of the locations we’ll visit are host to vibrant Christmas markets where that magical festive feeling’s almost palpable.

Where can I cruise during Christmas?

If you want to get your new year off to a warm and sunny start, consider kicking back on a Caribbean cruise. Or, for scenic landscapes and plenty of sunshine, consider Portugal and the Canary Islands.
For a brisk yet cosy entrance into the new year, consider a Western Europe holiday; many of the destinations we visit will give you the opportunity to enjoy the last of the year’s vibrant Christmas markets.

Where can I cruise during New Year?

Frequently asked questions about winter cruise holidays

Woman looking into river from bridge in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Set sail for the ultimate city break with all of Iona’s on-board luxury to look forward to. Get a flavour of Hamburg’s multi-cultural foodie scene, lose yourself among fairy-tale towers in Bruges (from Zeebrugge), discover Rotterdam’s ‘Cube Houses’ and savour Iona’s vibrant activities and entertainment.

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.

From peaceful pavement cafés to pulsating nightlife, Amsterdam has many faces. Keen to discover rich local culture or simply soak up the atmosphere? You can find your own rhythm in this diverse city.

Man standing on a cliff in Lofoten, Norway

Cruise holidays to Norway and Iceland take you to the heart of Mother Nature. To a world of vivid landscapes, punctuated by deep fjords, soaring peaks and cascading waterfalls. And the best way to unlock these treasures? Through a cruise.

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.

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

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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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