P&O Cruises Mini Cruises 2019 / 2020

Looking for a mini cruise holiday on a cruise ship? Trusted British cruise line P&O Cruises has you covered.

P&O Cruises Britannia in Guernsey
This deal has expired but there are still great prices available.

Do you fancy testing out a cruise ship holiday but the thought of committing to a week or two at sea sends shivers down your spine?

Thankfully trusted British cruise operator P&O Cruises has a range of short taster mini cruise breaks offering excellent value for money, conveniently sailing from the port of Southampton, Hampshire.

👍 Hear about the deals first - click here and follow my Mini Cruise Addict page on Facebook (opens in new window).

Tip: Don't confuse P&O Cruises with P&O Ferries. They are completely separate with completely different fleets. P&O Cruises offers a range of exciting ocean cruises spanning the globe. P&O Ferries operates short North Sea and French Channel ferry crossings.

Why choose a P&O Cruises mini cruise break?

P&O Cruises originated back in 1822 so what they don't know about cruise ships isn't worth knowing. The cruise line is fiercely proud of being rooted in Britain and on-board you can expect a reassuringly comfortable home-away-from-home atmosphere.

You'll feel you're on holiday as soon as you step aboard but you will still have all the creature comforts of home. Purchases are made in Great British Pounds, tea and coffee making facilities can be found inside each cabin and classic British dishes can be found on the restaurant menus.

Entertainment is included and there's plenty to do on-board. Children can be enrolled into the Reef Kids Club offering them a safe space to have plenty of fun, while the grown-ups can relax by the pool or indulge in a luxurious spa treatment. A gym can help burn off those extra calories from the delicious food included in the price.

A cruise ship holiday is a step up from a mini cruise aboard a ferry and the price reflects this. Even so, if you are considering booking a mini cruise but want all the facilities of a hotel resort then look no further than a P&O cruise ship.

Note: P&O Cruises don't offer 2 for 1 mini cruise deals but they do offer great value cruise fares throughout the year instead. Remember to book early online to get the best price for your next cruise holiday.

The good and not so good

The good

  • Great way to try a cruise ship holiday without committing to a week or more.
  • Sail direct from Southampton port - no flights required and no bag limits.
  • A wide choice of cabins are available: value Inside cabins, Outside cabins with a sea view, Balcony cabins with a private outdoor space, and Suites for extra luxury.
  • Your sailing is full board meaning your main meals and snacks are included.

The not so good

  • There won't be enough time on a mini cruise to fully explore and experience the ship, leaving you wanting more.
  • Drinks cost extra, as do premium dining choices and premium snacks. Complimentary drinking water and fruit juice (during breakfast hours) is available from the buffet restaurant and room service though. Drinks packages are available which may be better value depending on how much you intend to drink.

The fleet

P&O Cruises has a fleet of eight ships spanning a variety of sizes.

Family friendly ships are: Britannia, Azura, Ventura, and Oceana. Britannia is the biggest and newest in the fleet. Azura and Ventura are popular ships although a bit smaller. Oceana is smaller again. Iona is a new family-friendly ship in the pipeline for 2020. Each ship has a range of facilities to accommodate solo travellers, couples, families and groups of friends.

For a kid-free cruise experience look for sailings on Aurora, Oriana and Arcadia. Arcadia, Aurora, and Oriana are mid-sized ships. These ships are reserved for guests aged 18+ and are popular with those travellers looking for a more grown-up cruise experience.

Mini Cruise itineraries for 2019/2020

You can find the very latest list of mini cruise itineraries here, together with current pricing and live availability.

I've listed them below, split by ship. If you want to dip your toe into the world of cruise ship holidays then a two-night cruise is ideal. If you've been on a cruise ship holiday before, perhaps not with P&O Cruises, then a four-night sailing would give you more time to explore the ship.

DateNightsShipTypeItineraryPrices
1 February 20194VenturaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to Amsterdam to SouthamptonPrices
22 March 20194AzuraFamilySouthampton to Amsterdam (overnight) to SouthamptonPrices
5 April 20192BritanniaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
19 April 20194VenturaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
17 May 20192ArcadiaAdults onlySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
24 May 20192VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
21 June 20193ArcadiaAdults onlySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
7 July 20192AuroraAdults onlySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
19 July 20193OrianaAdults onlySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
16 August 20194AuroraAdults onlySouthampton to Guernsey to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
31 August 20192AzuraFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
21 September 20192BritanniaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
18 October 20192AuroraAdults onlySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
23 October 20192BritanniaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
15 November 20192VenturaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
22 November 20194AuroraAdults onlySouthampton to Amsterdam (overnight) to SouthamptonPrices
29 November 20192VenturaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
13 December 20194VenturaFamilySouthampton to Amsterdam (overnight) to SouthamptonPrices
19 December 20192AuroraAdults onlySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
29 December 20195VenturaFamilySouthampton to Hamburg to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
29 December 20195ArcadiaAdults onlySouthampton to Amsterdam (overnight) to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
7 February 20204VenturaFamilySouthampton to Amsterdam (overnight) to SouthamptonPrices
10 April 20202BritanniaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
18 April 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
9 May 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
30 May 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
27 June 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
18 July 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
8 August 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Cherbourg to SouthamptonPrices
29 August 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
19 September 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Guernsey to SouthamptonPrices
10 October 20202VenturaFamilySouthampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) to SouthamptonPrices
Click here to find out more about this offer
This deal has expired but there are still great prices available. If you think the deal is back on again please let me know and I'll let everyone else know the good news.

The dull-but-necessary small print

All deals are subject to availability and can be withdrawn by the operator without prior notice. The lead-in prices (otherwise known as the 'from' prices) are, unless otherwise stated above, based on two adults sharing the cheapest available cabin on the cheapest available date. Typically the best prices are available at the start of any promotion period so the earlier you book the better choice of sailing dates and cabin availability you should have. Mid-week sail dates are likely to be cheaper than weekend sail dates.

(Photo credit to David Fiske)

Alternative cruise lines to try

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Mini Cruises 2020 / 2021

Looking for a mini cruise holiday on a cruise ship? Experience the characterful Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ships.

Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Mini Cruises 2020

Looking for an action-packed, fun-filled mini cruise holiday on a cruise ship? Sail with Royal Caribbean International.

TUI Discovery

Marella Cruises Mini Cruises 2020

Sail with Marella Cruises on a taster voyage to some wonderful ports of call.

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