What’s Included on a P&O Cruise? Real Answers from Real Cruisers

Wondering what’s included on a P&O cruise? From dining and entertainment to extras worth knowing, discover real answers and honest tips from our very own Rachel. 

She climbed aboard P&O's Arvia on a stunning Mediterranean Cruise, with 16 family members in tow! Now that's what we call a family cruise holiday! 

So, first things first, the big questions? What is included on a P&O cruise? What does full board cruising really mean? And how does this make a cruise holiday such good value for money?

The short answer? A P&O Cruise holiday includes more than you might think! Accommodation, entertainment, onboard activities, kids clubs, and even transfers on Fly Cruises. Plus, it's full board, so breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND afternoon tea are all included. P&O Cruises does offer different fare types, including Select Price, Saver, and Early Saver, each with varying inclusions and benefits. So, it’s best to research which one fits your cruise budget best. 

Where every cabin has Twinings tea, and you’ll always find a decent pint to toast an amazing voyage, P&O Cruises is a favourite among British cruisers for a reason. So, what drinks are actually included in your full board fare?

With P&O Cruises, tea, coffee, water, and breakfast juices are all included in the price of your holiday. Have a different holiday drink you prefer, and that will be priced separately. But don’t worry, that’s where P&O Cruises' easy drinks packages come in. 

For most, a drinks package is a great value add-on. It's simply a way to make things feel truly all-inclusive and help with budgeting. Travelling in a big family group, I found it a game changer. We chose the Deluxe Drinks Package, which included large wines, craft beers, Costa coffees, and even signature cocktails in speciality restaurants. 

The best way to work out if a P&O Cruises drinks package is worth it for you? Think about what you typically drink and how often, you’ll find even the more high-end drink packages pay for themselves within a morning latte, a Pepsi or prosecco by the pool, and a couple of sundown cocktails on deck.

One of the most common questions first-time cruisers ask is: Is food included on a P&O cruise? The short answer is yes. And there’s a lot more variety than many people expect. On P&O Cruises, your cruise fare includes a wide range of dining options, meaning you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day without reaching for your wallet. 

Main Dining Rooms – À la carte breakfast, lunch and multi-course dinners with table service.
Buffet restaurants – Casual, flexible dining with a wide selection of global dishes. 
Casual eateries and grab-and-go options – Perfect for relaxed, informal meals

Beyond the buffet, you can explore included venues like the Main Dining Room, Taste 360 for global flavours, 6th Street Diner for American-style comfort food, and The Quays for street food-style live cooking stations. It’s a great example of how P&O cruise food options go far beyond traditional cruise dining, offering something for every taste and mood.

My best advice is simple: come hungry and try a bit of everything. 

With over 30 bars and restaurants, there’s no shortage of food options onboard P&O Cruises’ Arvia. And while a huge amount is included, not everything is. There are also speciality restaurants on P&O Cruises that come with an additional charge.

We decided to try out as many as we could on Arvia. At Sindhu, the £10 deposit covered a standard 3-course meal, Beach Club was £10 for 3 courses, and the Glasshouse tapas were £10 for 3 tapas. All amazing! Foodies - you’ll be in your element. 

A big YES! I am the perfect example of why P&O Cruises is great for family holidays. Travelling with 16 family members (children aged 5–18), everyone found their own way to enjoy the ship. From west-end style shows and cinema nights, to live music, quizzes, comedy clubs, and silent discos, the entertainment is nonstop. Add multiple pools, a sports deck, and adults-only areas, and there are countless things to do on a sea day.

One night, the adults checked out the adults-only Limelight Club, whilst the younger ones had a ball in the kids’ club, and the teens had a bit of independence, grabbing dinner before playing pool and darts. We always ended up together at Brodie’s Bar to round off the night. 

You really do. Most itineraries are designed to give you plenty of time in each destination, whether you prefer guided experiences or exploring at your own pace. I combined planned shore excursions with spontaneous port days. In Alicante, I booked a P&O excursion to a waterpark, then enjoyed more relaxed, independent days, such as heading to the beach in Málaga or exploring the shops and sights of Barcelona.

Many ports are either walkable or just a short transfer from key attractions, meaning you can maximise your time ashore without long travel times. The result? A holiday that lets you see multiple destinations without ever feeling rushed. 

One of the biggest draws of sailing with P&O Cruises is the sheer variety of destinations on offer. Whether you’re dreaming of beaches, culture, or dramatic scenery, there’s an itinerary to match.

From the UK, many cruises sail directly from Southampton, making it easy to explore without the need to fly. Popular routes include the Mediterranean, where you can discover cities like Barcelona and Rome, as well as the Canary Islands for year-round warmth. If you’re craving something more scenic, Norwegian Fjords cruises offer breathtaking landscapes of waterfalls and towering cliffs. Further afield, P&O Cruises also sails to the Caribbean, with white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, as well as destinations across Northern Europe and beyond.