p and o cruises to norway

Norwegian Fjords Cruise with P&O: Everything you need to know

Norway is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Here you’ll find enchanting towns, historic ruins, cascading waterfalls, and most importantly, the magical Norwegian Fjords. One of the best ways to experience this unspoilt natural wonder is on a Norwegian Fjords cruise.

I was lucky enough to sail through the fjords on-board the P&O Britannia a few years ago with my granddad and sister and it was an unforgettable experience. We sailed on one of the September cruises which started and ended in Southampton, UK, and went up to Stavanger, Flåm, Olden and Bergen.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about doing a Norwegian Fjords cruise with P&O in 2024. I’ll cover the key things you should consider when booking a cruise, such as the best time to go and the different ships you can book. I’m also sharing details of our itinerary to give you an idea of what you’ll see, where you’ll stop, and the best things to do in each destination.

Disclaimer: This blog post features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase. There’s no extra cost to you but it just helps me to keep writing these free guides and itineraries for my readers. Thank you for your support!

Planning a Norwegian Fjords cruise

There are lots of things to consider when booking a cruise. If you’re new to cruising, you’re probably wondering if this is the right option for you. I’ve always had mixed views on cruising as I like being able to explore on my own schedule but we wanted to go away with our granddad and a cruise was the best way for him to be able to see the fjords. The more I looked into it, the more I realised that a cruise was an ideal way to explore this beautiful region.

There are plenty of opportunities to get off the boat and explore, whether that’s on one of the many Norwegian Fjords shore excursions or a self-guided tour. If you want to take it easy like our granddad, you can enjoy your time on-board and soak in the views from the top deck.

With that said, let’s jump into the key things you should think about before booking your own cruise:

P&O’s Norwegian Fjords Cruise Ships

There are lots of cruise lines which offer fjord cruises but we decided to go with  P&O Cruises  as they offered the best rooms and prices for our chosen dates. Our granddad had already been on a few different cruises with P&O and had really enjoyed them so it was an easy choice.

P&O has a few different ships that travel to the Norwegian Fjords. They’re all fantastic but they have some key differences which may determine which cruise ship you decide to book:

P&O Britannia

We went on the P&O Britannia and had a great experience. Built in 2015, the Britannia has 13 guest decks with 26 restaurants and bars, 5 theatres and lounges, and 4 pools. The ship also has a spa and salon, as well as a luxurious open-deck adults-only spa area called The Retreat. The Britannia can accommodate over 3,600 guests and has 1,837 cabins.

At the time, the Britannia was the only option if you wanted to do the 7-night itinerary. That’s since changed with the arrival of P&O’s Iona and now there are two ships that to choose from if you want to do a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.

Here is the Britannia’s 2024 cruise itinerary:

Day 1: Southampton

• Day 2: Day at sea

Day 3: Stavanger

• Day 4: Olden, Innvikfjorden (cruise-by) and Nordfjord (cruise-by)
• Day 5: Flam, Aurlandsfjord (cruise-by), and Sognefjord (cruise-by)
• Day 6: Haugesund
• Day 7: Day at sea
• Day 8: Southampton

P&O Iona

Built in 2020, the P&O Iona is the first British cruise ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it the greenest ship in P&O’s fleet. With the glass-roofed SkyDome and the on-board gin distillery (yes, you read that correctly!), the Iona has some incredible features.  There are 33 restaurants and bars, 6 theatres and lounges, and 5 pools, including a beautiful infinity pool. The Iona accommodates 5,200 guests and has 2,614 cabins over 15 guest decks.

There are two Iona Norwegian Fjords 7-night itineraries in 2024 to choose from. They’re very similar but if you go early or late in the season, your itinerary will include a stop at Alesund instead of Hellesylt. The reason I point this out is that Hellesylt is very close to the beautiful UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord. This is a bucket list spot for a lot of visitors. If you want to sail along the Geirangerfjord and explore more of the area on one of the Iona Norwegian Fjords excursions, pick the summertime Hellesylt itinerary.

Here’s a summary of the Iona’s Norwegian Fjords itinerary:

• Day 5: Alesund OR Hellesylt, Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden (cruise-by), and Storfjorden (cruise-by)

P&O Aurora and Arcadia

Both of these cruise ships sail to the Norwegian Fjords and are exclusively for adults. However, they are only available on the 12-night itinerary. Both ships are beautiful and are great alternatives to the Britannia and Iona if you’re looking for a longer trip and don’t have children.

You will spend a few more days at sea as you’ll travel to some locations further afield, such as the picturesque Leknes which is part of the Lofoten Islands. Here’s a sample itinerary for the Aurora:

• Day 2 & 3: Days at sea
• Day 4: Nordfjordeid and Nordfjord (cruise-by)
• Day 5: Andalsnes and Romsdalsfjord
• Day 6: Day at sea
• Day 7: Leknes (Lofoten Islands)
• Day 8: Day at sea
• Day 9: Kristiansund
• Day 10: Alesund
• Day 11: Haugesund
• Day 12: Day at sea
• Day 13: Southampton

The Arcadia goes to Bergen and Trondheim instead of Leknes.

When is the best time to do a Norwegian Fjords cruise?

The Norwegian Fjords cruise season typically runs from April to September each year. This region of Norway is incredibly picturesque all year-round so there really isn’t a bad time to visit! That being said, there are a few things that you’ll want to consider when deciding when to go on a Norwegian Fjords cruise:

The weather can be quite unpredictable in the Norwegian Fjords. Expect a mix of cloud, rain and sunshine. When we went in September we had 5 days of sunshine and 2 days of rain. However, earlier that year in June, most of the cruises had non-stop rain. You can never guarantee what weather you’re going to get but fortunately the fjords are very scenic and I personally think they look even more magical in the rain!

School Holidays

If you’re thinking of travelling on the Britannia or Iona and don’t have children, you might want to go before or after school holidays. There are plenty of options in April, May and June to choose from, and there are normally one or two cruises in September once the school holidays are over. 

Norwegian Fjords cruises are normally more expensive in the summer months when school is out and families are more likely to want to travel. If you can, try to travel early in the season or later in summer when there is less demand and prices are a bit lower.  

Destinations

As I mentioned earlier, the Iona has two different itineraries. If you want to visit Geirangerfjord, you’ll need to book for the middle of the season which does mean you’ll probably be travelling during the school holidays which is peak season.

Looking for more beautiful destinations with rugged landscapes? Put Iceland on your list! This epic Nordic country is home to incredible waterfalls, towering glaciers, iceberg lagoons, dramatic canyons, and much more. Read more: 6 Days in Iceland: The Best of the South Coast

What to pack for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Temperatures and conditions can vary in the Norwegian Fjords, even in the summer months. I’m currently working on a complete packing guide but below I’ve suggested some items that you should pack for a Norwegian Fjords cruise. This is based on what I found most useful during our cruise. We spent most of our time sight-seeing and hiking. If you plan to spend most of your time on-board and take it easy, you may not need all of these items.

We woke up to clouds and rain on a few mornings but the sun came out by the afternoon and the temperature warmed up significantly. I recommend packing a range of layers so that you can easily add and remove items as needed. Make sure you have at least one warm insulation layer such as the Patagonia Down Jacket or Nano Puff Jacket and one waterproof layer. I took my Patagonia waterproof shell as it can easily go on top of my Patagonia puffy jackets but a parka like like the Columbia South Canyon Sherpa is also ideal. Look for something with a fleece lining to keep you nice and warm but make sure it’s also waterproof.

For mid-layers, you’ll probably want some sweaters and fleeces. One of my favourite breathable mid-layers is the Patagonia Snap-T Fleece Pullover .

You’ll probably spend quite a bit of time on deck as you sail through the fjords and into the ports each day. Even when it’s sunny, it can be quite breezy outside and the wind chill can make it feel a lot colder than it is. Pack some base layers for those chilly mornings. I took my Icebreaker thermal leggings and long-sleeve top on this trip. I’d also suggest packing a winter hat/ beanie and gloves.

Hiking shoes

If you’re planning to go on any of the P&O Norwegian Fjords shore excursions, I’d recommend packing something comfortable to walk in. You can get by with a good pair of trainers if you’re joining one of the bus tours that don’t require much walking. However, if you want to go hiking, make sure you take some suitable shoes or boots. You’ll want something lightweight and waterproof. I took my Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boots and they were perfect for all the walking we did. 

Evening wear

There are so many things to do in the evenings on a P&O Norwegian Fjords cruise. The Britannia, Iona, Arcadia and Aurora have lots of lovely restaurants, theatres and lounges with daily entertainment. They often have one evening which is a formal night (think black tie) where everyone can get dressed up if they want to. You’ll definitely want to pack some nice outfits for the evenings. Check with your cruise line before you go to find out what the required dress code is for those events. If getting dressed up isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Even on the formal night, there are still restaurants you can go to which don’t have a formal dress code. 

The facilities on-board the Iona and Britannia are state of the art. The gym has everything you need, from cardio machines to free weights. You’ll probably do a lot of walking at each destination but there are a few days where you’re at sea so you might want to get a workout in. If you want to go to the gym, make sure you back some workout clothes and trainers.

Most cruise ships have pools, hot tubs and saunas. The P&O Iona has a stunning infinity pool and the Britannia has a lovely spa area. If you want to use these facilities, pack your swimwear.

If you’re planning to do any of the cruise shore excursions, you’ll want to bring some kind of day bag. As a photographer, I like the Peak Design Everyday Backpack. For a more casual, everyday backpack, I recommend something like the Osprey HikeLite 26L Backpack .

Stay tuned for a comprehensive Norwegian Fjords packing guide!

Cruising the Norwegian Fjords: P&O Britannia 7-night itinerary

We sailed in September on the P&O Britannia’s 7-night cruise. Our journey began in Southampton, UK. From there, we sailed up to Stavanger and then up to Olden and the Nordfjord. We continued on to Flam, passing through Sognefjord, and down to Bergen, before returning to Southampton.

The P&O Britannia’s 2024 itinerary is very similar but instead of stopping at Bergen on day 6, it stops at Haugesund. The Iona’s Norwegian Fjords 2024 itinerary also goes to many of the stops below but instead of going to Flam it stops at Alesund or Hellesylt. 

Here is a map of the route we took:

We boarded the P&O Britannia just after lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ship and checking out all the facilities on-board. There was plenty to keep us occupied as we sailed up the English Channel and into the North Sea.

The Britannia has a high-tech gym with the latest equipment, a range of fitness classes and sports courts on the top deck. If you wanted to pamper yourself and relax, the Oasis spa offered a range of treatments from manicures to deep tissue massages, as well as access to The Retreat, a private open air terrace, and the Hydrotherapy Suite with steam rooms, saunas and aromatic showers. The ship even had hair and beauty salons to help guests get ready for the black tie evenings.

Day 2: At sea

We spent the day at sea as we made our way up to Stavanger. To be honest, it wasn’t much of a scenic journey as we were sailing through the North Sea so all you could see was the ocean in all directions.

We decided to make the most of the day at sea and went to the gym, relaxed by the pool, and read in one of the many lounges. There was a variety of evening entertainment as the night set in and we continued towards Norway. We went to a theatre show and then to one of the many lounges where we listened to live music before heading to bed, excited knowing we would be waking up in the Fjords.   

We woke up bright and early and headed to the top deck to watch the sun rise as we sailed down Rottsfjorden and into the harbour of Stavanger. The sky was painted in pastel shades and you could just see the mountains through the morning haze which created a beautiful scene as we arrived in Stavanger.

Stavanger was originally a fishing port before becoming the centre of Norway’s oil and gas industry following the discovery of offshore oil deposits in the 1960s. Today, the city is a blend of old and new. Parts of the city feel like a living museum where you can step back in time, whereas other parts showcase the city’s modern architecture.

Essential information:

The Stavanger region is home to some of Norway’s most iconic sites such as Preikestolen, Kjerag and Trollpikken. We wanted to go to Preikestolen but the tour was already full and it would have been too tight to hike it and be back in time for the ship’s departure. If you’re planning on doing your own cruise then I would recommend booking onto the popular tours like this at least a week before you leave.

The walk up to Old Stavanger is quite hilly and most of the streets are cobblestoned so make sure you wear some flat, comfortable shoes.

Old Stavanger

We got off the boat and headed to Old Stavanger, a historic area filled with pretty white wooden houses, quaint cobbled streets and old fashioned lampposts. The houses were built in the 18 th and 19 th century for seafarers and traders and have been very well preserved due to a large rehabilitation project. The residents take great pride in their houses and we saw so many beautiful flower displays as we wandered down the streets.

Øvre Holmegate

We wandered back down to the port and looked around the local fish market before heading into the old shopping district. There are lots of lovely streets to explore but make sure you don’t miss Øvre Holmegate. Known as Stavanger’s Notting Hill, this colourful street is one of the most photographed landmarks in Stavanger and is lined with charming cafes, boutique shops and restaurants.

The street is known locally as Fargegaten, which translates as the ‘Colour Street’, but it wasn’t always like this. It used to be like all the other streets in the district but in 2005, a local hairdresser had a vision to transform the street to draw more customers to his salon and his neighbours’ cafes and shops. A Scottish artist called Craig Flannagan created a Miami Vice inspired design using a very deliberate colour scheme. Each house was given a set of colours in order to create a sense of harmony. As you wander down the street, stop and look at the doors, windows and the facades and you’ll see how each house compliments the next.

After taking far too many photos of this cute and colourful street, we bought some lunch and headed to the city park to sit by the small lake, Breiavatnet. We got back on the ship at 4pm and set sail just before 5pm. We headed North through Byfjorden and into Kvitsoyfjorden and back to the North Sea where we continued up to Olden.

Day 4: Olden, Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord

We’d been looking forward to exploring Olden for weeks, ever since we saw photos of its rugged wilderness. Set at the top of the innermost arm of the Nordfjord, Olden is situated in a valley beneath magnificent mountains.

The P&O shore excursions were already booked up for the day (make sure you book them in advance!) so we decided to go straight to the local tour centre, Olden Adventure , It’s located a few steps from where the ship docks. They offer a range of tours but they also provide transfers to Briksdal glacier and Loen Skylift – two of the places we wanted to see. My sister and I like to have the freedom to explore places at our own pace so this was perfect for us and also much cheaper than doing a tour.

Olden is a small town and there is very little near the port where you dock. To make the most of your time in this pretty region, book a P&O shore excursion or a transfer from Olden Adventure if you want to explore independently.

Briksdal Glacier

We decided to visit the Briksdal glacier first. We bought our tickets for the Glacier Express Shuttle Bus which was parked outside the tour office. The 45 minute drive to the glacier was beautiful. We drove along the river passing several lakes, including Floen and Oldevatnet. The low-lying mist over the water was a stunning sight and as we got closer to Jostedalsbreen National Park we started to see more and more small waterfalls cascading down the mountainside.

The bus drops you at Briksdal Inn and you have two hours to explore. It takes about 45 minutes to walk to the Glacier so you’ll need to set off quickly. If you don’t want to walk all the way, you can take a ‘troll car’ some of the way and then walk the rest. The walk itself was quite flat at the start but there is a slight incline and steps up in some places.

We passed Kleivafossen waterfall which was spectacular. It’s very powerful so make sure you have a waterproof jacket as the spray can be intense!

You’ll reach a meadow where you’ll get your first glimpse of the glacier in the distance. Carry on walking along the path and you’ll reach an open clearing with a toilet block and some picnic tables. The ‘troll cars’ also park here as this is as far as they can take you. From here, it’s a 10 minute uphill walk to the foot of the glacier. Words really can’t describe the natural beauty of this place. It truly is magical!

Loen Skylift

After taking a few photos of the glacier we walked back to the bus and back to Olden. We still had 4 hours before we had to be back on the ship so we bought tickets from the tour office to Loen Skylift , which is only a 10 minute drive from the port. It’s one of the steepest cable cars in the world. We ascended 1,100 meters up Mount Hoven in 5 minutes and were rewarded with unforgettable views of Lake Lovatnet, Mt. Skåla, Olden, and the beautiful Innvikfjorden. 

There are lots of hikes around Mount Hoven and you could easily spend the whole day up here exploring the different trails and enjoying 360 degree views of the Norwegian landscape. We reluctantly headed back down and got the shuttle bus back to the ship.

We set sail just after 5pm and cruised through the Innvikfjorden onto the Nordfjord, passing pretty villages built into the hills. The skies darkened and it started to rain so everyone headed inside to get ready for dinner, except for me and a few other photographers. We pulled up our hoods and watched the magical scene unfold in front of us.

Day 5: Flåm, Aurlandsfjord and Sognefjord

We got up early and headed up to the top deck to find we had already docked in Flåm. Situated at the head of the fjord, this small farming community is nestled between two mountain peaks. From the deck, we could see the little farms dotted on the green grassy slopes and red Norwegian cabins beautifully situated on the water’s edge.  

We had booked a P&O shore excursion with our granddad in the afternoon so we left him to relax on the ship while we went off to explore. We wandered past the famous Flåm Railway which is said to be one of the world’s most breath-taking journeys, offering panoramic views of the mountains and waterfalls that characterise the region. There were a few tours which took you on the train. If you want to do this then pre-book your ticket before you arrive as it often sells out very quickly. There was also a tour to Tvinde Waterfall and Gudvangen where you could go kayaking.

Flåm is a small town and public transport is limited. There aren’t any taxis and the bus schedules aren’t suitable for day sightseeing. It was lovely to walk around the town and the fields but I would recommend booking onto one of the tours in Flåm as you’ll get to see a lot more of this pretty region.

It was so peaceful as we walked through the fields, admiring the cute cabins and listening to the flowing water. The fields were surrounded by steep mountainsides and there was a small waterfall which cascaded down the mountain.

At lunchtime, we walked back to the port and met our granddad for the tour. We drove along the Aurlandsfjord, before heading inland past pretty lakes and gushing rivers. The bus continued to drive up the beautiful, winding mountain road through a series of tunnels. As we climbed higher, we got stunning views over the fjord villages of Vassbygda and Aurland. We stopped at a viewing point where we had a 10 minute photo stop. There isn’t really anywhere for buses to stop on this road as there are so many bends and tunnels, so we had to carefully cross the road to the other side where we had a beautiful view looking through the valley.

We continued through the pretty valleys of Stonndalen and Aurland before arriving in Østerbø, a mountain farm region which has become a popular spot for hikers. We were served tea and coffee at the Mountain Lodge and tried vafler, a traditional Norwegian waffle served with sour cream and strawberry jam. Afterwards we had a walk around the fields before heading back to the bus to drive back to the ship.

That evening we sailed through the Aurlandsfjord and Sognefjord and experienced the unsurpassed beauty of the Norwegian fjords. It was one of the most magical evenings of my life.

Day 6: Bergen

Our final port of call was Bergen. Surrounded by seven mountains, Bergen is known as the gateway to the Western fjords and is Norway’s second largest city.

The funicular is one of Bergen’s most popular tourist attractions and offers spectacular views over the city. If you want to do this make sure you book your tickets in advance and get off the ship early, otherwise you will miss out!

We avoided the shopping district which was packed with tourists from other cruise ships and headed into the residential area. Here you’ll find quaint cobbled streets and pretty wooden houses. We carried on walking up the back streets, climbing higher to get a better view of the city and eventually came across the old fire station, a small white wooden building overlooking Bergen. We sat and ate our lunch here taking in the lovely city views.

You can carry on walking up the path to Mount Fløien, one of the seven hills that surround Bergen. It’s quite a climb so many people opt to take the funicular to the top instead. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to hike it and the queues for the funicular were too long. Instead we headed back down to the town and walked along the quayside.

Bryggen is lined with brightly-coloured wooden warehouses and is one of the most photographed places in Bergen. These tall and narrow buildings now house restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops. After a few hours walking around the city, we made our way back to the ship, wishing we had another week to explore this beautiful part of the world.

Day 7: Sailing back to Southampton

Our final day was spent relaxing on-board as we sailed back through the North Sea and down into the English Channel.

Final thoughts

We had a lovely time exploring the fjords with our granddad on the P&O Britannia. Cruising isn’t for everyone and there are lots of things to consider. It was a great way for our granddad to see places that he wouldn’t have had the chance to see otherwise. We actually really enjoyed being on the ship and cruising through the fjords was an unforgettable experience.

If you want to see this wild and beautiful region, a Norwegian Fjords cruise is a great way to do so! I hope this guide gives you an idea of what to expect. If you have any questions about doing a P&O Norwegian Fjords cruise in 2024, drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Where next?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe or the UK this year, check out the following guides for some travel inspiration and useful tips:

• 6 Days in Iceland: The best of the South Coast
• How to spend a week in Dubrovnik
• 43 Stunning Instagram spots you have to see in Paris
• A complete guide to Montmartre, Paris
• How to spend a weekend in Bath
• A weekend in Edinburgh

Love from Steph

Save for later.

More Europe and UK Guides

5 ideas for a girls’ weekend away in the UK

How to spend a Weekend in Bath: A unique 2-day itinerary

How to spend an incredible 2 days in Edinburgh

10 of the prettiest and most unique London Mews Streets

Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door: A beautiful English Walk

18 Gorgeous Spots to see London’s wisteria in 2022

35 thoughts on “norwegian fjords cruise with p&o: everything you need to know”.

Love this information but my questions are about extras .. So you have sailing in September great. Do you have cinermas on board I know you have shows. Does the spa and viewing place cost extra. There is a free pool and jacuzzi isn’t there. What others facilities are free. Do you have accessible rooms .are they extra . How much are the excursions .can I explore independently.

Hi Jennifer! I would reach out to the cruise company’s customer service team as they will be able to answer your questions on extras. I don’t work for P&O – I just went on one of their cruises a couple of years ago so this is all based on my experience back then. As for the excursions, they vary in price depending on what you want to do. The cruise company will have a list they can share with you. However, you can also explore yourself or book with a local company instead. Hope that helps!

What a brilliant blog and so informative! Thank you so much. We are planning our first ever family cruise to the Norway Fjords and I just wanted to ask you whether this cruise was suitable for disabled people as my mum is in a wheelchair. When the cruise stops for a day of exploring is it suitable for someone on a wheelchair?

Hi Sally! I’m glad you found it helpful and that’s so exciting! The cruise itself is definitely suitable for anyone with mobility issues or in a wheelchair – there are plenty of lifts on the boat to get between the floors and ramps around the deck. As for the excursions, there will be some that you won’t be able to do, but if you book them with the cruise ship they’ll be able to advise on which ones are wheelchair friendly. If you’re going on day tours, there will be a bus and it will have a ramp for wheelchairs. If you just want to explore the towns on your own when you dock, that’s also doable. You won’t be able to get everywhere but there is plenty near where the ship docks to see and do and most of the paths are accessible. Some places do have cobbled streets so it’s a bit trickier – definitely research before you go and ask the cruise company’s customer service team – they are so helpful!

Hi Steph. Fantastic blog post thank you. I was wondering if you had any thoughts about cruising the fjords in April/May? Do you think it’d be limiting? I’ve heard often the ships can’t stop at the ports if the weather is too bad… We are a couple travelling with a baby. Do you think we will be able to do most of the excursions with the baby? We have a backpack so can hike with her. Thank so much!

Hi Rebecca. The nice thing about this cruise is that there are plenty of things to do at each port. Some excursions might not be suitable with a baby but there are plenty of options to choose from so I don’t think it will limit you. I would just research the hiking excursions the cruise ship offers and look into the distance and elevation and decide what you’re comfortable with. As for the weather in April/ May, it’s hit and miss. May might be better as it’s closer to summer so hopefully it will be better, but even in summer can be weather can be unpredictable. I just had a quick look at historical weather by month online and last year it seemed okay. I would have a look and potentially ask the cruise company’s customer service if they had any issues stopping at the ports last year. Good luck!

Thank you this is really helpful. We’re just considering this, I didn’t think I would like a cruise. But the more I look into it, it looks like it ticks lots of boxes. I’m an active person and I would be looking forward to hiking, running kayaking. Are there many/any opportunities for wild swimming?

Hi Charlie – I felt the same way but it was actually a great way to get around Norway and see quite a lot in a short space of time. I don’t think there are any tours where you’d have time for wild swimming but if you decided to explore some places on your own then you probably could! I would check the itinerary for the cruise you’re thinking of doing and then have a quick research of the places it stops at – that should give you an idea of what is in the area!

Thanks for such a detailed info. We are taking the cruise with my parents and trying to book shore experiences. Some of them are sold out but just wanted to check if there are taxis or other form of transport available on the ports to book by ourselves?

There are a few taxis at some ports but not all of them. Places like Olden and Flam are quite small. You could book a taxi in advance but for places like Olden, I would look up different tour providers. That’s what we did and we found Olden Adventures which offered similar tours to those offered by P&O. They usually have space and are slightly cheaper than the boats as well. Good luck!

Thank you Steph, you have given me some ideas for our cruise in September. This is a great blog and I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into this xxx

Thanks Lisa – that means a lot and I’m glad you found it helpful!

Interesting post , keep up the good work. Have a great day.

Thank you so much! That means a lot. Have a great weekend 🙂

Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!|

Thank you so much – that really means a lot! It’s been a busy few months so apologies for a very slow reply! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it – have a lovely weekend.

What a beautiful trip! A cruise through the fjords is really high on my list! I’m saving this post for future references 🙂

Thanks Coni! It was a wonderful trip and the scenery was spectacular so I hope you get to go one day!

That street is so pretty–I love all the different colored houses! The photos you shared of the fjords are breathtakingly beautiful! I’m definitely adding this to my travel bucket list!

Thanks Farrah! That means a lot 🙂 It’s such a diverse region – I really loved exploring the quaint towns and sailing down the fjords. We’re already planning a trip back to go further North!

Wow your photos are stunning! Is September the best time of year to go?

Thanks Katie – I did a photography course just before I went which came in handy! Although I think it would be impossible to take a bad photo in the fjords! June and September tend to be the best times to go but the weather is very changeable so you need to pack for all seasons just in case! We had a lot of sunny days but it was quite cold in the morning and did rain a bit in the evenings.

Wow! Now, this is my kind of cruise. I’m not usually too keen on cruises, but the Norwegian cruises have always intrigued me. Your photos alone make me want to do this cruise! So beautiful!

Thanks Lindsey! I hadn’t ever considered going on a cruise before this but it was actually a good way to see the fjords. I loved sailing through them as you saw so much more than you would if you were driving. It’s a lovely region to explore – I just wish we had had longer!

Wow! I never would have thought to take a Norwegian cruise but this definitely has brought it to my attention! How beautiful! Love the post!

Thanks Allison! It wasn’t something I would have thought to do either but when we started looking into it we realised it was actually a good way to see the fjords! I was quite hesitant as I’m so used to planning my own itinerary but we had more flexibility in each port that I expected and got to see and do a lot!

Wow! It looks every bit as beautiful as I imagined. I have been hesitant to cruise, but this looks like a great way to cover a lot of ground in a small amount of time – great for us fast-travellers.

Thanks Zoe! I was also very hesitant and it was only when our granddad mentioned it that I realised it was quite a good way to see the fjords. I would have liked to explore some areas more but overall we had quite a lot of flexibility to do what we wanted in each port. We got to see a lot in a short amount of time – it was a nice introduction to Norway!

This looks like my dream vacation! Visiting the Norway fjords is on my bucket list. And your photography is outstanding!

Thanks so much Chelsea! The fjords were absolutely stunning so I hope you get to go one day!

We hope to do this cruise one day. It looks beautiful and your post is so informative Steph

I’m glad you found it helpful Wendy! It was a lovely way to explore this part of the world. I just wish we had had longer!

Our family hasn’t taken a cruise as yet, but I could see us loving this one around the Norwegian fjords. It has such diversity from pretty towns to amazing natural scenery. I will be pinning this for future reference.

Thanks Sharee! We hadn’t ever really thought about doing a cruise until our granddad suggested it. But it was such a good way to see the fjords and it was lovely to see the towns as well as the national parks!

Thank you so so much Steph for writing a beautiful review of the Norwegian fiords cruise. It’s very helpful and has saved us so much time. We will be there in 3 weeks time. Enjoying reading some of your other holiday reviews. Love them! Cheers Kath x

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

P&O 1 Week Iona Norwegian Fjords Cruise 2024 (HONEST Review)

Welcome to our honest review of the P&O 1 Week Iona Norwegian Fjords Cruise.

In this article, we review the various aspects of our cruise experience, offering insights and firsthand experiences to help you make an educated decision about your future voyage. From the culinary offerings and accommodations to the onboard entertainment and shore excursions, we provide an unbiased account of what you can expect during your time aboard P&O Iona in 2024.

Let us be your guide as we navigate through the remarkable landscapes, experiences, and memories that await on this incredible journey through the Norwegian Fjords.

Table of Contents

Food: Satisfactory Selection, Familiar Menus

The food onboard the P&O cruise ship provided a satisfactory dining experience, though nothing truly exceptional stood out. It is important to note that four of the restaurants aboard the ship had identical menus, despite their varied settings. Therefore, while you may be seated at different venues throughout the ship, the food options remained the same.

Among the dining options, the Keel & Kow Steakhouse restaurant stood out as our favorite onboard. This restaurant required an additional fee, but the delicious steak offerings made it well worth the extra expense. 

Additionally, the Beachhouse and Olive Grove restaurants were two hidden gems that demanded an extra charge but were undoubtedly worth every penny. The Beachhouse offered a tasty array of American and Caribbean dishes, while the Olive Grove showcased the rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. 

While the overall food experience was satisfactory, it would have been more enjoyable to have greater diversity in menu options and unique dining experiences across the ship. Nonetheless, the presence of standout restaurants like the Keel & Kow, Beachhouse, and Olive Grove ensured that culinary delights were never far away for those willing to explore beyond the standard fare.

Rooms: Exceeding Expectations in Comfort and Amenities

The accommodations on the P&O cruise ship were a pleasant surprise, exceeding our expectations. Opting for a standard balcony room provides ample space and comfort.

The rooms were well-equipped, featuring a minifridge, television, sofa, and a desk area. Ample wardrobe space allowed for easy organization, and the wide selection of movies on the television ensured entertainment during the downtime. The beds were comfortable, and we had a good night’s sleep throughout the journey.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the televisions in the rooms did not have access to Netflix or other streaming services. However, this wasn’t a significant drawback, considering the wide range of movies available on the television, which provided ample entertainment options. For those who desired a more personalized selection, we would recommend downloading movies onto your laptop before embarking on the cruise. This way, you can enjoy your preferred movies at your leisure.

Onboard Entertainment: Few Options with Room for Improvement

While the entertainment onboard the ship may not have been specifically tailored for young adults, this was something we expected and were prepared for. However, we really enjoyed the top deck. Here, we found a selection of sports and games that catered to everybody. Whether it was a friendly basketball match, a competitive game of table tennis, testing our skills on the giant chessboard, going for a run, or practicing our swing on the golf simulator, there was no shortage of fun activities to partake in.

Additionally, the ship’s gym proved to be a welcomed addition for those looking to maintain their fitness routines while cruising. Fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, the gym offered everything one needed for a comprehensive workout. What made the experience even more enjoyable was the breathtaking sea views that could be enjoyed while using the cardio machines.

For those seeking relaxation and pampering, the onboard spa provided a sanctuary of tranquility. While the prices were a little on the higher side, the spa treatments were still a pleasant indulgence. However, it’s worth mentioning that the staff could be quite pushy when it came to upselling additional products during our treatments. Despite this, the thermal spa onboard the ship was a standout feature that we highly recommend. This oasis of relaxation included a sauna, steam room, salt room, and jacuzzi, providing a rejuvenating and soothing experience after a day of exploration.

Shore Excursions: A Key Highlight, Planning is Key

The shore excursions stood out as some of the best experiences during our trip. However, we quickly learned that planning these excursions in advance is crucial to making the most of your time ashore. By avoiding booking directly with P&O and instead opting to book with tour operators when disembarking from the ship, you are able to save money and have more flexibility in selecting your preferred tours.

It’s important to note that the availability of these direct bookings is subject to the tour operators’ schedules, but rest assured, there are always options available for those who are not too particular about which tours to take. While some ports may offer limited activities beyond leisurely strolling around the towns, booking shore excursions provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the local culture, history, and natural wonders.

One of our most memorable excursions took place in the port of Olden. Here, we embarked on an awe-inspiring adventure by taking a skylift ride on one of the steepest lifts in the world. The ascent offered breathtaking views of the surrounding Norwegian Fjords, showcasing the sheer grandeur and magnificence of the landscape. It was a truly enjoyable experience that left a lasting impression and added a touch of adrenaline to our journey.

Staff & Service: Friendly and Helpful

One of our favourite aspects of our P&O 1 Week Iona Norwegian Cruise was the exceptional staff members onboard. From the moment we stepped foot on the ship, it was clear that the crew was dedicated to ensuring a pleasant experience for every guest. They consistently went above and beyond, working tirelessly to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of passengers.

The staff’s friendly and approachable nature created a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the ship. From the dining venues to the cabins and common areas, their genuine smiles and willingness to assist made us feel valued and appreciated as guests. No matter the request or inquiry, they were always quick to respond and provide helpful assistance.

While tipping is not mandatory on P&O cruises, we would strongly encourage leaving a gratuity for the hardworking staff. Their dedication and commitment to providing exceptional service deserve recognition and appreciation. Tipping is a personal decision, but it can be a meaningful gesture to express gratitude for the outstanding efforts put forth by the staff members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience for everyone.

Price: Good Value for a Unforgettable Journey

Considering the overall experience, the P&O cruise offers exceptional value for money. While additional expenses such as water, snacks, dining at specialty restaurants, and extras like photographs are to be expected, the initial price of the cruise itself, coupled with the quality of the accommodations, dining options, shore excursions, and fantastic service, make the investment worthwhile.

Guests should budget accordingly and prepare for the added expenses, but rest assured that the overall value received far exceeds the additional costs. The memories and experiences gained from a P&O cruise are truly priceless.

The P&O 7-day Iona Norwegian Fjords Cruise offers a satisfying and memorable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords. With comfortable accommodations, standout dining options like the Keel & Kow steakhouse, and a range of onboard activities including sports on the top deck and a well-equipped gym, there is plenty to enjoy.

Planning shore excursions in advance and booking directly with tour operators proves to be a money-saving strategy, while the helpful and friendly staff adds to the overall experience.

Although some minor drawbacks exist, the cruise provides excellent value for money, allowing guests to indulge in relaxation, exploration, and unforgettable moments amidst the stunning scenery of the Norwegian Fjords.

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

Related posts

The Warmest Places in Norway: 7 Hottest Norwegian Destinations

Mountains Close To Oslo: 7 Mountains You Need To Explore

Dangerous Animals In Norway: The 9 Most Deadliest Animals

• Bungy Jumping
• Horse Riding
• Ice-Climbing
• Kite-Surfing
• Motor Sport
• Rock Climbing
• Scuba Diving
• Shark Diving
• Snowboarding
• Stand Up Paddle-Boarding
• Wakeboarding
• White Water Rafting

Adrenaline , Travel , Video

P&o norway cruise to the norwegian fjords: complete guide.

Page Contents

I’ve always wanted to visit Norway and finally got the chance, though not for a cruise. Instead, I explored the shore excursions, the “P&O Norway Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords”

The Fjords aren’t exactly designed for road trips, just look at how many car ferries, winding mountain roads and bridges you need to cross.

The Fjords are designed for ships. So, sailing on a round trip from Southampton, on a new ship built only to do this route, for me, this is the way to see Norway.

Trust me, it’s an incredible way to see Norway, perfect for the fjords’ unique landscape. Whether you’re young, with family, or seeking adventure, there’s something for everyone.

And then, with activities like these on offer, there’s plenty of choice for the younger generation, couples, families or the adrenaline junkies amongst you. Curious to know more? Here’s a full guide.

P&O Norway Cruise – Introduction

Before going through all the activities you can enjoy on the cruise, here’s the itinerary and some essential information you should know when booking.

P&O Norway Cruise Itinerary

Here is the itinerary for this cruise, which starts in Southampton, UK:

• Day 1: Southampton, UK
• Day 2: Day at Sea
• Day 3: Stavanger, Norway
• Day 4: Olden, Norway + Pass by Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord
• Day 5: Haugesund, Norway
• Day 6: Kristiansand, Norway
• Day 7: Day at Sea
• Day 8: Back in Southampton, UK

Are Norwegian Fjord Cruises Worth it?

Absolutely, Norwegian Fjord cruises are a must-do! Imagine gliding through stunning landscapes with towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

These cruises offer a unique vantage point to absorb Norway’s breathtaking natural beauty. You’ll see quaint villages, learn about the rich history, and possibly wildlife sightings. Plus, the convenience of unpacking once while visiting multiple destinations is a huge bonus.

What is the Best Time to Cruise the Norwegian Fjords?

The best time to cruise the Norwegian Fjords is between May and August. This period offers longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and the full bloom of Norway’s natural beauty.

The Midnight Sun in late June is a highlight, with nearly 24 hours of daylight, especially north of the Arctic Circle.

Can You See the Northern Lights on a Fjords Cruise?

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights on a Fjords cruise, but timing is key. The best chance is during the winter months, from late September to March.

This is when the nights are darkest and the skies are clearest, ideal for witnessing this magnificent natural light show.

It’s worth noting that while you can see them, no one can guarantee it as it depends on the day and several factors.

Activities on P&O Norway Cruises

Now that you have a little more context and information about this P&O Cruise, let’s go through the activities you can enjoy on the trip.

If there’s one way to get a feel for the magnitude of the Fjords, I think its kayaking. Getting on the water, up close and personal will give you the feeling of just how huge they are.

We picked them up at Geiranger and spend a couple of hours on the Geiranger Fjord. I can only compare this experience to kayaking in New Zealand’s Milford Sound , or at Halong Bay in Vietnam.

It’s just such a great way to see them, and you get a feeling for just how small and insignificant you are, amongst Fjords formed over hundreds of thousands of years.

The first thing you notice is how still the water is, you can feel how calm and quiet it is being on the fjords. Breathtaking.

Herdal Farm

On paper, visiting a Goat Farm isn’t really my kind of thing, and it might not be yours. We all know what we like. But sometimes we are wrong, so rip that piece of paper up and listen!

This isn’t any ordinary farm, we visited a protected national park, with UNESCO World Heritage status. It was a farm that held century-old traditions, the people lived on site in their traditional huts and produced some of the tastiest cheese you’ll ever try.

And with surroundings like these below, what’s not to love?

Exploring Norway by road? Check out the 7 best places to see on a Road Trip .

Downhill Biking

There’s one key word here: downhill! On this trip, the bus takes you uphill, and then you get to enjoy the ride back down on your bike—so that’s the first win.

The second bonus is that the route goes through the Dalsnibba viewpoint, one of those jaw-dropping Norway spots you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. You know, the ones with a moody person in an orange jacket, staring off into the distance.

I opted for blue and struck a pose I like to call “the Viking.” Then comes the cycling—sweeping downhills, hairpin turns, and those unbeatable views. What’s not to love?

And don’t stress about the fitness aspect; it’s a pretty easy ride, making it a fantastic way to soak in the scenery without breaking a sweat.

High Speed RIB Boat

The next few shore excursions take place from Olden, and this one is for the adrenaline junkies. A high-speed RIB boat ride around the Nordfjord.

It’s a pretty exciting way to see the Fjords, and like the kayaking gives you a real perspective on them. You can also whizz passed your P&O Cruise ship and wave at any passengers that didn’t bother to get off!

Our captain stopped us at a couple of crayfish nets too, to see if any had been caught and to our surprise one of them had around 5 crayfish! And they made a tasty snack after too.

Loen Skylift

The newly opened Loen Skylift whisks you 1,011 meters above the Nordfjord in just five minutes, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the town below. Their slogan, “From Fjord to Sky in 5,” couldn’t be more accurate.

At the top of Mount Hoven, you’ll find the Hoven restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal while soaking in those incredible vistas. Depending on the season, there’s plenty to do—summer offers hiking and mountain biking, while winter is perfect for ski touring or snowshoeing.

If you plan to explore on your own rather than through a P&O Cruises tour, be sure to use a guide or plan your route carefully. The mountains are stunning, but they demand respect and careful preparation.

Briksdal Glacier

If you’ve never seen a glacier, this is the tour for you. There’s something about glaciers that are magical, whether it’s the length of time they’ve been there, or the fact most of the Fjords were created by them in the first place.

Either way, it’s also important to appreciate them, as most glaciers in the world are retreating, it’s the harsh reality of global warming.

When you get to Brikdal, you have the choice to either walk up or take one of the “troll” cars. If it’s a nice day I recommend walking, and maybe taking the troll car back down.

On the way you’ll pass by some stunning waterfalls, and once you make it to the top the views just get better. I recommend taking some time to learn about the glacier and the fragile environment we live in.

Final Thoughts

So that’s the options, you’ll be spoiled for choice of what to do or where to go. Either way seeing Norway on a cruise is a fantastic way to enjoy the incredible scenery.

And the fact that you can sail right from Southampton, local to me on the South Coast, even better.

I visited Norway in partnership with P&O Cruises, however all the views are my own. Please share and comment to support me on more adventures like these.

Founder & Editor of Intrepid Escape, a huge lover of adventure, adrenaline, sport & fitness. After travelling extensively for the last 12 years, Scott started to document his travels before fulfilling an important lifelong goal by starting Intrepid Escape. He has since become a full-time Travel Writer, Videographer, Presenter and Producer.

0 thoughts on “ P&O Norway Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords: Complete Guide ”

Thank you, I am planning a trip on Iona August 2022 – the first time I am taking my 3 children on holiday as a single parent. I have been looking for further information and advise and came across your blog – thank you, it has been really helpful, especially the dining information and excursion explanations. I am taking on board your comment about a balcony and morning coffee but maybe next !time

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Bremerhaven
• Le Havre (Paris)
• London Greenwich
• London Portsmouth
• London Tilbury
• Southampton
• Warnemunde (Rostock)
• Zeebrugge (Bruges)
• Arctic Circle
• British Isles
• Midnight Sun
• Northern Europe
• Northern Lights

Norwegian Fjords

• Scandinavia
• Transatlantic
• Western Europe
• AIDA Cruises
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Saga Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Ports Of Call

P&O Cruises - Norwegian Fjords Cruise

During one of P&O Cruises' Norwegian Fjords itineraries, you'll have the opportunity to take in some of Europe's most spectacular natural beauties. Exploring the Norwegian Fjords isn't limited to viewing from the ship; there are plenty of opportunities for off-board adventure. From thrilling RIB-boat tours that skim across the fjord's waters, to picturesque hiking trails that crisscross the stunning landscape, adventure awaits at every turn. Biking along the scenic Flåm railway, or kayaking in the tranquil waters of the fjords, presents another perspective of these geological wonders. Embark on a fjord safari to get up close to the magnificent waterfalls or try your hand at fishing in the rich marine life-filled waters.

Onboard a P&O Cruises ship, you'll find an abundance of amenities and services to enhance your Northern Europe cruise experience. Indulge in exquisite dining options at specialty restaurants, relax in the luxurious spa, or take a dip in the pool while enjoying the stunning views. The ships feature a variety of entertainment options, including live shows, music performances, and themed parties. Fitness enthusiasts can stay active at the fitness center, and those seeking relaxation can find solace in the tranquil onboard retreats and lounges. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that comes along with traveling with P&O Cruises as you make your way through Norwegian Fjords region , where you'll get to see a wide range of different cultures, magnificent palaces, historical sites, and breathtaking natural beauty.

The Norwegian Fjords are steeped in fascinating history and vibrant local culture. Ancient tales of seafaring Vikings echo through the fjord's valleys, adding a layer of mystery to the awe-inspiring landscape. Lectures about the Sami, the indigenous people of Norway, provide insight into their traditional way of life and strong connection to the land. A visit to the region's ancient stave churches, such as the one in Borgund, serves as a window into the past. The fjords also carry an air of Norwegian folklore, with legends of trolls and mystical creatures intertwined with the area's cultural narrative.

P&O Cruises Norwegian Fjords Cruise Schedule

Norwegian Fjords cruises are the ideal way to see the world and you can see a selection of these cruises from P&O Cruises. P&O Cruises have an exciting range of cruises from the British Isles to incredible Northern Lights and the magnificent Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia, via the Baltic States and Russia, all of which can be enjoyed without having to travel too far to join your cruise ship.

12-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton

Aurora, p&o cruises.

Date: October 17, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Andalsnes, Tromso, Alta, Alta, Haugesund, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: December 9, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Andalsnes, Tromso, Tromso, Alta, Alta, Stavanger, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: March 12, 2025

Date: March 24, 2025

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the P&O Cruises website.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

• P&O Cruises ( UK )

Iona and Norway ,an honest opinion

By gsmt47471015 , July 25, 2022 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

Recommended Posts

gsmt47471015

Having just returned from a week long cruise on Iona to Norway here are our thoughts .

Firstly the ship itself is very modern with lots of light flooding in and feels quite spacious in all the main areas , we had 4600 pax on this trip but it never felt crowded, embarkation and disembarkation were pretty smooth and the level of service was overall very good ,but allowances had to be made for quite a number of new staff who were "bedding in". The self serving eating areas had an American feel to them in the way they were set out, (the quays and the horizon) and at times it was easy to forget you were on a P and O ship, there were some pinch areas at peak times but nothing major and we always managed to find seats, something that doesn't always happen on the other ships in the fleet. It was evident that with this been the new flagship that the best is put on show with excellent staffing levels and top end entertainment, we pre booked the limelight club and the whole deal was one of the best we have had on a cruise ship , top marks there P and O. Food was to a good standard everywhere we ate and drink prices had not increased as much as we thought they would.

One or two things were a little disappointing, though some of it is not the companies fault, we accept that this is a family ship but the standard of some passengers, and their offspring left a lot to be desired,  a great deal of people on board were the new to cruising that P and O are trying to attract and allowance has to be made for there exuberance , but good manners cost nothing and throwing food around in the buffet and throwing water from the infinity pool isn't acceptable, our thought was that at least one pool ,Infiniti perhaps, should be adults only and also the same for the jacuzzi, they were nearly always full of unsupervised kids.

As for the Itinerary it soon became obvious that this ship is not suited to the Norwegian Fjords, first two ports Stavanger and Olden went ok but then it went pear shaped as the captain announces that due to EXPECTED  high wind the Hellisyilt port is cancelled and also the scenic cruising part of Gerainger but we will go to Alesund instead ,which is nothing like a Fjord, and finally due to EXPECTED storm conditions coming from Britain we will leave our last port Haugesand at 1.30 to avoid it ,another port that looks like it could be anywhere other than a Fjord, as we had first time cruisers with us this was a major, major disappointment as apart from a few hills at Olden they never got see what they had booked for ,we did feel really bad about this as we had sold them the proper Fjords and they ended up with some towns that could have been anywhere. As for the expected bad weather we never saw or felt any of it .Iona is a lovely ship but just cannot cut it to these destinations and a lot of other people will suffer the same issues of missed ports etc 

Would we go on Iona again? Certainly not to Norway and not anywhere near school holidays, it is a very stylish ship with lots of up to date facilities but to be honest the type of people that P and O are trying to attract on these ships are not always the people we want to socialize with , we are just average working class people but the behaviour of some passengers showed that cruising was just a floating Butlins to them, others will no doubt disagree but as the title suggests an honest opinion 

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Gettingwarmer

1 hour ago, gsmt47471015 said: we will leave our last port Haugesand at 1.30 to avoid it ,

1 hour ago, gsmt47471015 said: As for the expected bad weather we never saw or felt any of it

That was what the captain planned I assume.

Sorry your cruise was not to your liking. I tend to agree that Iona is not for the fjords. We are booked on her to the Canaries and will see what she is like there. 

I also think Iona is not suited for the Fjords and she is not a good fit for introductory cruises in the family market. For that she needs all the fancy stuff such as water slides etc etc and hot weather.

It may be that this summer season has been plagued with unexpected weather problems but next summer may be different. 

A fully refurbished Ventura or Azura would be better suited to Norway

I too have Iona booked for the Canaries

Son of Anarchy

An interesting read, thank you.  We were on Iona last September, good to read that the ship did not feel crowded with significantly more pax than when we were on board.

Must admit, I did think that behaviour of a small minority of pax left a bit to be desired one evening when a group of young adults were noisy enough to drown out the comedian in the show lounge.  There was nowhere else where to sit, and it did impinge on those nearby.  Hey ho, things like that happen elsewhere, maybe that's the way the world is going.  We did feel that the show lounge simply wasn't big enough for the amount of pax, and we'd sailed at 50% capacity.

32 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said: ...We are booked on her to the Canaries and will see what she is like there. 

19 minutes ago, davecttr said: ...I too have Iona booked for the Canaries

Let's hope she gets into Madeira more often than not then...

5 minutes ago, Britboys said:   Let's hope she gets into Madeira more often than not then...

Yes, I had forgotten about the wind problems there.  

terrierjohn

I am disappointed that Iona seems to be struggling with windy weather, she has azipods and these should make her far more manoeverable than all the other P&O ships, except for Arcadia.

I wonder if in fact the lack of azipod ships to train on in the P&0 and Princess fleets could be the major problem.  On our Celebrity Eclupse cruises the Captains could turn her on a sixpence and on one occasion in strong winds we managed to dock in Stavanger when 3 other ships failed.

1 minute ago, terrierjohn said: I am disappointed that Iona seems to be struggling with windy weather, she has azipods and these should make her far more manoeverable than all the other P&O ships, except for Arcadia. I wonder if in fact the lack of azipod ships to train on in the P&0 and Princess fleets could be the major problem.  On our Celebrity Eclupse cruises the Captains could turn her on a sixpence and on one occasion in strong winds we managed to dock in Stavanger when 3 other ships failed.

Not sure what the problem is , but as soon as any mention of windy weather occurred everything got cancelled , and this is another reason for a lack of confidence in making a future booking on Her

15 minutes ago, terrierjohn said: I am disappointed that Iona seems to be struggling with windy weather, she has azipods and these should make her far more manoeverable than all the other P&O ships, except for Arcadia. I wonder if in fact the lack of azipod ships to train on in the P&0 and Princess fleets could be the major problem.  On our Celebrity Eclupse cruises the Captains could turn her on a sixpence and on one occasion in strong winds we managed to dock in Stavanger when 3 other ships failed.

I'm not sure equating Eclipse to Iona is a fair comparison.  Iona is 50% bigfer than Eclipse. 

Iona,  like all  mega cruise ships has an enormous superstructure, and is therefore much more adversely affected by wind than smaller ships. You could therefore argue that she is eminently unsuitable for cruising the fjords! 

6 minutes ago, Billish said: I'm not sure equating Eclipse to Iona is a fair comparison.  Iona,  like all  mega cruise ships has an enormous superstructure, and is therefore much more adversely affected by wind than smaller ships.

AidaNova has been made it to all her Fjord stops this year and she is exactly the same ship as Iona...

puppycanducruise

Thanks for sharing your comments.

Thank you - very interesting.  I’m looking forward to our September cruise on Iona and it’s good to read positive comments about her.  I’m also getting the feeling that Iona isn’t suited to Norway, but hope that our itinerary (which has already been revised since booking) goes ahead as planned! 

24 minutes ago, Saab4444 said: AidaNova has been made it to all her Fjord stops this year and she is exactly the same ship as Iona...

Good point. Does she go to the Fjords every week, like Iona ? 

On our Iona staycation cruise last October the captain had great delight in demonstrating the ships Manoeuvrability off the Channel Islands by spinning Iona through 360 degrees " because we can ". Perhaps he has forgotten how to do it.

12 minutes ago, zap99 said: On our Iona staycation cruise last October the captain had great delight in demonstrating the ships Manoeuvrability off the Channel Islands by spinning Iona through 360 degrees " because we can ". Perhaps he has forgotten how to do it.

We had Independence of the Seas which is not much smaller spinning around 360 degrees in front of the Seven Sister Waterfall in Geiranger Fjord because she can!

17 minutes ago, Billish said: Good point. Does she go to the Fjords every week, like Iona ? 

She has different itinieraries but also goes to all those Fjord stops like Flam, Olden, Nordfjordeid and Alesund, Bergen, Stavanger, Haugesund...  

3 minutes ago, Saab4444 said: She has different itinieraries but also goes to all those Fjord stops like Flam, Olden, Nordfjordeid and Alesund, Bergen, Stavanger, Haugesund...  

I was just wondering if Iona's problems were because she does the same itinerary week in, week out, and therefore has more chance of being impacted by adverse weather. 

1 hour ago, Billish said: I'm not sure equating Eclipse to Iona is a fair comparison.  Iona is 50% bigfer than Eclipse.  Iona,  like all  mega cruise ships has an enormous superstructure, and is therefore much more adversely affected by wind than smaller ships. You could therefore argue that she is eminently unsuitable for cruising the fjords! 

Iona may have a lot more passengers but she is not massively bigger than Eclipse.

Iona length 1130ft, beam 138ft, total decks 19.

Eclipse length 1040ft, beam 121 ft, total decks 17.

10 minutes ago, terrierjohn said: Iona may have a lot more passengers but she is not massively bigger than Eclipse. Iona length 1130ft, beam 138ft, total decks 19. Eclipse length 1040ft, beam 121 ft, total decks 17.  

But Iona's tonnage is 50% greater. I'm not a sailor, so not sure if that is significant.

Just now, Billish said: But Iona's tonnage is 50% greater. I'm not a sailor, so not sure if that is significant.

The tonnage figures we all quote are based on enclosed volume and not really the weight, although it will obviously be higher, having 2 extra decks and being wider and a bit longer.

I did however notice that Iona seems underpowered compared to Eclipse at 61.7mw vs 67.2 me, but there is no comparable propulsion data on wikiperdia. However Eclipses top speed is 24 kts  vs 21 kts, so it does seem Iona may not have the same oomph.

46 minutes ago, Billish said: I was just wondering if Iona's problems were because she does the same itinerary week in, week out, and therefore has more chance of being impacted by adverse weather. 

I don`t think so. If you do the same itinerary week in, week out you have much more routine and experience in approaching the ports even in challenging conditions. And the weather seems to be bad only in specific Fjords when Iona is approaching...  

18 minutes ago, terrierjohn said: did however notice that Iona seems underpowered compared to Eclipse at 61.7mw vs 67.2 me, but there is no comparable propulsion data on wikiperdia. However Eclipses top speed is 24 kts  vs 21 kts, so it does seem Iona may not have the same oomph.

Yes, that seems a logical conclusion. 

Perhaps Moley will drop by and enlighten us. 

32 minutes ago, terrierjohn said: The tonnage figures we all quote are based on enclosed volume and not really the weight, although it will obviously be higher, having 2 extra decks and being wider and a bit longer. I did however notice that Iona seems underpowered compared to Eclipse at 61.7mw vs 67.2 me, but there is no comparable propulsion data on wikiperdia. However Eclipses top speed is 24 kts  vs 21 kts, so it does seem Iona may not have the same oomph.

Newer ships all have less power. Look at QE2 with 32.5 knots and 95MW. However, she had no thrusters and azipods and was much less manoeuvrable. She was also much longer. But length and power ist not the issue, it is mainly heights. Ships who are build like big high blocks are most affected by wind. Nevertheless if ships like MSC Grandiosa, Norwegian Getaway, Costa Diadema, Anthem of the Seas and AidaNova can make it into the Fjords there is still no excuse for Iona...       

BouncingWheel

This honest review thread is veering towards a game of Top Trumps  🤣

Regardless of what passengers have to say, remember that according to P&O,, Iona has had a spectacular maiden season!

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Limited Time Offer: Up to $5000 Bonus Savings
• ANNOUNCEMENT: A Touch of Magic on an Avalon Rhine River Cruise
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!
• How To: Follow Topics & Forums (Get Notifications)

Write An Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started 6 hours ago

LauraS · Started Saturday at 05:56 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 08:15 AM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 02:44 PM

LauraS · Started October 1

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

If you are already a Cruise Critic member, please log in with your existing account information or your email address and password.

Thank you for signing up!

Look out for your first email with our latest news and offers heading straight into your inbox!

At Hays Travel we promise to respect your privacy and we will not give out your details to any 3rd party. Take a look at our privacy policy for more information.

News & Latest Offers

Call our experts on

• Destinations
• Cruise Lines
• Cruise Types
• Hays Travel
• Hays Worldwide

Featured Destinations

More Destinations

Featured cruise lines.

More Cruise Lines

Featured cruise types.

More Cruise Types

Norwegian Fjords Cruise Holidays

Book your p&o cruises holiday in the norwegian fjords with confidence with hays travel.

The Norwegian Fjords is a fantastic choice for your cruise holiday, As well as beautiful dramatic scenery, fascinating cultures, history and archaeology. Very few cruises can offer the diversity of cultures and historic traditions that a cruise in this region can. Vikings, fjords, cliffs, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and churches, the region guarantees stunning landscapes and captivating cities.

Cruise holidays offer great value for money, with a whole host of facilities included in your cruise fare. Starting with stylish accommodation, meals on a full board basis, daytime activities and evening entertainment included as standard. Not forgetting, onboard facilities such as swimming pools, Jacuzzis, kids clubs, gymnasiums and sports courts. If you choose a fly cruise, your flights and transfers to/from the port are also included.

Hays Travel will bring you truly impartial & expert advice to ensure that your next cruise holiday is a relaxing & enjoyable experience away from home with friends and family. Whether you're cruising from Southampton, jetting to Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands, Norwegian Fjords , or taking one of our Hays Travel exclusive Caribbean cruises, we're on hand to find the perfect cruise for you.

Why P&O Cruises?

If you've never cruised before, there's so much to look forward to...

With so much variety on a P&O Cruises holiday, every moment brings something new. Get ready for enthralling destinations, incredible adventures, and stylish accommodation, dining and entertainment, all wrapped up in one great value holiday. From discovering your ship's pools, restaurants and entertainment venues to watching the sun set over the horizon and exploring exciting new destinations with ease, so many special moments lie in store.

The Norwegian Fjords Cruises

Are the spectacular fjords of Norway high on your travel bucket list? If that's a big 'yes', it's easy to see why. Majestic mountains, tranquil glacier-carved fjords and atmospheric towns make this region the most popular choice for first-time travellers with P&O Cruises.

So much more included

On a P&O Cruises holiday, you can relax knowing it's all paid for

P&O Cruises

signature service

Tipping isn't needed on P&O Cruises ships, so you can relax knowing good service and good times are all part and parcel of your P&O Cruises holiday.

Premium accommodation

From a simple place to lay your head to something more luxurious, everyone has their own holiday style. Whether you're going solo, enjoying a romantic getaway, or a family who needs more space, you'll find a cabin to suit you.

Incredible dining

Enjoy a decadent dinner in style or pick up a freshly made lunch snack from beside the pool. Whatever the occasion and whatever you fancy, you'll find a menu and a venue to match your mood on board.

Exercise and energise

Get your endorphins pumping in one of the state-ofthe-art gyms or learn something new from one of P&O Cruises fitness experts. You could even pick up some new dance moves in one of the many classes available.

Relax and recharge

You can watch the world sail by fromone of the on-deck whirlpool spas or soak up the sun and the views from one of the loungers. Or take a dip in any one of the pools on board - some are even covered by a retractable roof.

Activities for all ages

Whether it's just you or you've brought the whole family along, there are activities to keep everyone entertained, including children's clubs. Every moment brings something new.

View all P&O Cruises Holidays

View all Norwegian Fjords Cruise Holidays

GET EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND MUCH MORE

Sign up to our emails today...

• Off West End
• Edinburgh Fringe
• Brighton Fringe
• Canterbury Festival
• North America
• Disney Parks
• Christmas markets
• Norwegian fjords cruise excursions: are they worth the money?

When I was planning our first cruise earlier this year, one of the thoughts that kept entering my head was whether we should be booking Norwegian fjords shore experiences with P&O Cruises or exploring ports independently. Within the shore experiences section (cruise excursions) of the company’s ‘My Holiday’ site there were many different suggestions of things to do in port, but unfortunately very few of the activities met our budget.

With limited excursions available for less than £40 per person, you can imagine my dilemma at what to do next. Do I book the most exciting excursions and take a hit to our overall trip budget? Do we board the boat without any bookings and play things by ear? Today I will show you how we navigated the many Norwegian cruise excursions on a tight budget, in the hope that it can help other first time visitors to the fjords. If you are unsure whether the excursions are worth the money, independent exploration is usually the cheaper and more flexible option, but you might miss out on once-in-a-lifetime trips further away from the port.

Before embarkation

I can only provide details for P&O Cruises, but purchases of shore experiences on this cruise line are completely refundable before you embark the ship. This gives you a great level of flexibility as you don’t have to be 100% certain that you want to go ahead with an excursion upfront. The policy was really helpful for us as we were one of the first sailings for 2022 and the return to ‘normal’ holidays.

Eleven months before our embarkation date, cruise policy stated that you needed to be on a guided trip to disembark. Initially I made bookings for all four ports: Stavanger, Olden, Alesund and Haugesund, expecting to cancel a few of them if policy changed. A month before we were due to travel I checked the guidance again and indeed things had changed; we were now able to disembark without an excursion. I cancelled the walking tours for Stavanger and Alesund, getting almost half of our excursion money back and started some research for our own separate plans.

Types of excursions available

In every port there were walking and coach tours available. There were also several water-based experiences such as boat rides to Pulpit Rock (Stavanger), kayaking on Lake Olden and a day cruise on Lake Stryn (Olden). For hikers, you could walk up Alesund’s Sugarlump Mountain or take part in various other mountain-based activities. With Norway’s rich history, there were Viking tours in both Stavanger and Haugesund and an open-air folk museum at Sunnmøre (Alesund). The most popular attraction was the Briksdal Glacier by foot and there were multiple coaches lined up to take people to the natural wonder when the ship arrived in Olden.

Olden excursion

Olden was the most remote port, located in the Jostedalsbreen National Park. The nearby Briksdal Glacier was on our must-see list so we were very pleased to secure this experience as an excursion (£59 per person). Our tickets included transport to and from the glacier and a dessert buffet at the visitor centre. This day out was the highlight of the week for me and if you are interested in the trip details, I created a whole separate article on the glacier experience .

Skudeneshavn excursion

Haugesund was the last port of our trip and we visited the city on a bank holiday. Everything shuts in Norway over Easter week and the whole of Haugesund city centre was closed. Fortunately, we were booked onto an excursion to the historic town of Skudeneshavn for the morning (£48 per person) so we weren’t going to be stuck without things to do.

Forty five minutes away by coach, Skudeneshavn or ‘Skudenes’ as it is known by locals is a preserved fishing town on the island of Karmøy. It is known country-wide for its 19th-century wooden houses and the town is a popular cruise excursion destination. Organised by P&O, the trip lasted for approximately four hours and covered the Karmøy Fisherman’s Memorial, Skudenes Museum and some free time in the town centre. The museum showcases a merchant family home in the 1800s and the exhibits were absolutely fascinating. Visitors are able to learn about family life and industry in old Norway, as well as picture life on the fjords during a bygone era. It was a great half day out on the island of Karmøy.

Were the excursions worth the money?

The Briksdal Glacier and Skudeneshavn were located miles away from the Stavanger and Haugesund ports and the included coach transportation was a huge help in getting us to the attractions. The addition of the complimentary refreshments at the glacier visitor centre and the museum entrance fee in Skudenes expanded the shore experience offerings, but not enough to fully justify the high prices. I am not sure if it would have been possible to get to either place without a pre-booked tour so logistically P&O Cruises’ tours were the best option for us, but the prices were not cheap considering how many people could fit on a coach. Briksdal’s remote location and the novelty of the experience made the £59 more reasonable, but even so this was quite a lot for two coach journeys, some tea and cake.

Even though we cancelled our P&O-organised walking tours, we saw a few groups out and about in central Stavanger . In this city and Alesund you moor up footsteps from the tourist areas. Unless you are a real history fan and interested in the commentary, I would not pay for a walking tour in either of these places. Instead, I would head straight to the tourist information building, ask the concierge for recommendations and explore using the free city map. You will save approximately £20-30 per person, be able to devise your own walking route and stroll at your chosen pace. We definitely made the right choice exploring these cities independently.

Final thoughts

Shore experiences around the Norwegian fjords are fantastic if there is an attraction you really want to see. Transport and entrance fees are completely covered for you, taking the hassle out of your trip and when you disembark the boat, all you need to do is find your tour guide. This convenience comes at a price though as the touring and cruise companies need to make some money from the day out offerings and the customer ends up paying quite a bit of money for half or full day trips.

If you are also travelling with P&O, I recommend booking excursions for each day upfront and then utilising the free cancellation policy if you change your mind. In the lead up to your holiday, why not spend some time working out how you would get to the attraction and how much the independent transport would cost. You can then decide if you are comfortable with exploring on your own and find out if you are being charged above the odds for transport and attraction fees.

Are you heading to the Norwegian fjords soon? Have you booked any excursions?

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Love Kat xxxx

Hi is it possible to send me the list of shore excursions that p&o offered for Norway with prices. we are trying to work out if we can afford it, but can’t find this info anywhere before you book. it will give us at least a ball park figure to go on. thanks

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately I don’t have access to this list anymore, as it was accessible through their booking portal. Have you tried asking in one of the P&O Cruises Facebook groups? Somebody might be able to help you there.

Have a lovely day. Kat

thank you , this was just what we were looking for as first time cruisers on this actual cruise with P and O in May. My concerns about taking the excursions are whether the number of people spoil the experiences, I would rather do them independently but it sounds as though that would be impossible and could even be more expensive I guess.

my wife and I are going next year 2025 and we looked at the excursions so expensive so I think that we will do our own thing your advice was invaluable thank you so much

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More travel

Call the Midwife Official Location Tour review

What some people don’t know is that the popular BBC One TV series Call the Midwife is actually filmed in Chatham, Kent. The…

The Original Sound of Music Tour review (Salzburg)

One of the highlights of summer 2023 was getting to finally visit Salzburg and join the Original Sound of Music Tour, something…

Reasons to visit Lille in December

This year I kicked off December with a visit to Lille: a city in Northern France, close to the Belgian border and a stone’s…

Day trips from Vienna, Austria

In July I headed to Austria for 8 nights, spending the first part of the week in Vienna. It is a city that I have visited multiple times…

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Lines

P&O Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

P&O Cruises fleet

Pacific encounter, pacific adventure, pacific explorer, review of p&o cruises.

This is CruiseMapper's hub for both companies - P&O UK and P&O Australia. Both cruise lines are part of the Carnival Group of companies being subsidiaries of the world's largest cruise shipping company Carnival Corporation & PLC .

P&O Cruises is under the management of Carnival UK.

Note: There is a 3rd "P&O" named company (not part of Carnival plc) - the UK-based P&O Ferries .

IMPORTANT : In May 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) announced that in 2025 will discontinue its Australian brand "P&O Cruises Australia" (2000-founded), citing the South Pacific region's limited population and high operating costs. P&O AU's ship Pacific Explorer will be retired in February 2025 (sold or scrapped), while Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure will be transferred to/integrated into CCL-Carnival Cruise Line 's fleet and remain in Australia.

Company history and changes

P&O Cruises UK (POcruises.com) is a British-American passenger shipping company headquartered at Carnival House (Southampton, England) and operated/managed by Carnival UK. P&O was originally a constituent of “Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company” (1797-founded/1966-defunct) which was the world's oldest cruise line that operated the first-ever passenger ships.

P&O Cruises' sister company is P&O Cruises Australia. P&O Australia's current President is Marguerite Fitzgerald. while P&O UK's (as well as Carnival UK's) current President is Paul Ludlow.

In 2000, "P&O Cruises" was excluded from P&O Group, becoming the subsidiary "P&O Princess Cruises". In 2003, P&O Princess merged with Carnival, forming Carnival Corporation & plc.

P&O (UK and AU) holds as market share ~5% of the worldwide cruise industry. Both companies (P&O Australia and P&O UK) were created in 1977, re-branding P&O's passenger division. Arcadia was the fleet's first adults-only liner, followed by Adonia (now Azamara Pursuit ), Oriana and Aurora (April 2000).

P&O UK ships Arcadia and Aurora are currently marketed as adult-only.

In August 2017, Azura became the world's first cruise ship to perform gay weddings at sea. P&O UK's wedding package prices started from GBP 1200. For comparison, Cunard’s shipboard weddings cost starts at ~GBP 2570 ( RMS Queen Mary 2 ) and ~GBP 2120 ( Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ). On MS Azura, gay wedding ceremonies are carried out by the ship’s Captain, while marriage licenses are issued by Bermuda's Government (as the vessel is registered in Hamilton Bermuda ).

In June 2018, P&O UK announced that Oriana leaves the fleet in August 2019. The liner (now named Piano Land ) was sold to the Chinese company Well Star Travel Cruise (brand of CTS-China Travel Services International). The Chinese company plans short cruises from Chinese homeports to ports in Japan and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia).

Since May 1, 2019, P&O Cruises UK's Daily Service Charge per person (GBP 7) is no longer required. Crew tipping remains not expected or required.

In June 2021, P&O UK launched a mobile app to optimize pre-boarding and maximize onboard efficiency. The new "My Holiday" app is free of charge but available only on the ship. It allows pre-booking and making reservations onboard (dining times, restaurants, shows) via mobile phones and tablets. The app is an addition to the My Holiday (Reception Desk) which provides 24-hour assistance, including booking and how to use the application.

In summer 2023, two P&O UK ships (Iona and Arvia) introduced in their retail shops three kids' toy brands (Barbie, Hot Wheels Cars, Keycraft's Pocket Money) in addition to the always available toys from brands like Lego, Jellycat, TY (stuffed animals).

In April 2024 was introduced fleetwide the new illusion show "Unbelievable" created by Stephen Mulhern (TV presenter, magician, comedian) and Jonathan Wilkes (TV presenter, singer) and with Vegas-style choreography from Paul Domaine (show director, professional choreographer).

In August 2024 was signed a partnership with Southampton FC, making P&O Cruises the football club's official sleeve partner. By the deal, for several years, the company's logo will be on the sleeves of all teams' jerseys.

In June 2011 was announced that P&O UK will expand the fleet with a new 141,000-ton unit built by Fincantieri. The new vessel ( MV Britannia ) entered service in 2015. In January 2014, with Britannia was introduced a new livery based on UK's Union Flag.

On September 6, 2016, P&O UK (via Carnival Corporation) signed an MoA with Meyer Werft ( Papenburg Shipyard ) for building a new (company's largest) 5200-passenger vessel. In late-October 2016, P&O announced that the new ship ( Iona ) will have some of the largest at sea outdoor areas, glass-domed top deck, glass-walled atrium (full height) and wider and longer (approx 2600 ft / 800 m) Promenade Deck allowing multiple alfresco dining/open-air venues.

Iona was delivered in October 2020 and inaugurated in August 2021. The sistership Arvia was postponed (due to the COVID crisis) and delivered in December 2022 and inaugurated in January 2023.

The newest P&O UK vessel has max passenger capacity 6264, volume 187500 GT-tons, 18 decks, 2610 staterooms, 17 eateries (including 7 specialty restaurants/ Britannia has just 3), 12 bars/lounges, 13 entertainment venues, 4 swimming pools, 16 outdoor whirlpools. The top-deck Dome is an entertainment space, with a swimming pool, large jacuzzies, a retractable stage. This all-weather venue hosts daily entertainment and dining and nightly shows (aerial performances and light projections onto the covering glass roof).

P&O UK's newest ship is also LNG-powered (by liquefied natural gas). Two similar-design ships (180K tons) were also ordered for CCL-Carnival Cruise Line . On January 26, 2018, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding contract with Meyer Werft for building a second (180,000 GT) liner for P&O, with the delivery scheduled for 2022. As of 2018, Carnival Corp’s fleet of newbuilds ( on order and under construction ) numbered 19 units, scheduled for deliveries in 2018-2022.

In January 2016, Carnival Corporation signed an MoA (memo of agreement) with Fincantieri to build 4 new units. Contracts were finalized in April 2016. Of these, 2 vessels were for Costa Asia (homeported in China), one for Princess and one for P&O Australia. With this shipbuilding order, the Corporation had a total of 17 new ships scheduled for deliveries between 2016 and 2020. The four vessels will be built at Fincantieri's shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, with scheduled deliveries in 2019-2020.

Three of the vessels are designed with gross tonnage 133,500 tons, LOA length is 323 m (1060 ft) and capacity 4000 passengers plus 1450 crew (2 are for Costa Asia, 1 for P&O AU). One ship with GT 143,700 tons and capacity 3560 passengers is for Princess. Both Costa ships are exclusively for the booming Chinese market. Each vessel is powered by two MAN diesel engines (model 14V48 / 60CR) plus three MAN diesel engines (medium-speed, model 8L48 / 60CR), providing total power output 62,400 kW. The engines are Tier-II compliant.

P&O Cruises Australia

P&O Cruises Australia Ltd is a British-American company with corporate headquarters at Carnival House (Southampton, England UK). P&O Australia is a sister company of P&O UK. Both are under Carnival UK's executive control. Currently, P&O Australia operates 3 boats deployed in the South Pacific Ocean on island-hopping itineraries - mainly roundtrips from homeports in Australia.

After numerous changes in the company’s organization, in 2000 P&O Group demerged all cruise shipping operations. Then, P&O Princess Cruises was created- a new company independent of P&O; consisting of AIDA Cruises , Princess Cruises , P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises (UK), and later "Ocean Village" and A-Rosa Cruises (riverboats).

In 2003, Carnival Corporation merged with P&O Princess Cruises thus forming Carnival Corporation & plc- the largest cruise company in the world, with eleven cruise lines portfolio, including P&O AU. Official website pocruises.com.aunofollow.

Princess' oldest ship - Regal Princess, was transferred to P&O Australia in October 2007, and after a month of drydock refurbishment entered service as Pacific Dawn.

Carnival Corporation informed about the closure of Ocean Village (UK-based travel brand) on October 30, 2008. Both Ocean Village ships were transferred to P&O Australia - Ocean Village 2 (as Pacific Jewel, in December 2009) and Ocean Village 1 (as Pacific Pearl, in December 2010).

P&O ships sail on 270+ itineraries each year (with 120+ of them departing from Southampton), and visiting 90+ countries on 6 continents.

Pacific Pearl was renamed MV Columbus and in 2017 started operations for CMV . Pacific Pearl left the fleet in April 2017, after completing 294 voyages for P&O and carrying 1+ million passengers over 5 years. In November 2019, for Pacific Aria (now Celestyal Journey) and Pacific Dawn (now Ambience) were signed presale agreements with CMV and both ships were planned to start operations for the UK-based company in 2021 as "CMV Amy Johnson" (Pacific Dawn) and "CMV Ida Pfeiffer" (Pacific Aria). In September-October 2020, following CMV's bankruptcy , both vessels were acquired by new shipowners.

On November 25, 2015: P&O AU's entire fleet (all 5 liners) gathered in Sydney Harbour to celebrate the arrival of the fleetmates Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.

In June 2018, P&O Australia launched with  Pacific Explorer "The Big Laugh" onboard show program - advertised as "the biggest comedy festival at sea". The program included all 14 stand-up comedy celebrities performing a total of 36 shipboard live shows (combined over 33 hours live performances). The program started with the 4-day roundtrip Sydney cruise to Moreton Island (departure June 20).

Among the guest comedians were Jimeoin (Irish), Matthew Matt Okine (AU), David Gerard Callan (Australian), Scared Weird Little Guys (Australian comedy music duo - John Fleming and Rusty Berther), David William "Hughesy" Hughes (AU), Harley Breen (AU), Claire Hooper (AU). "The Big Laugh" program comprised of all 72 comedy- themed cruises in 2018-2019. The famous Australian comedians performed during 2-, 3- and 4-night itineraries ("SeaBreaks") leaving roundtrip out of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Auckland NZ.

In 2019, P&O AU scheduled the ever largest "comedy cruise" program in the company's history - 38 itineraries (January through October). On March 7, 2018, was announced that Pacific Eden is sold to the UK-based company CMV , joining CMV's fleet in April 2019.

Since 2007, P&O Australia ships' onboard retail shops are managed by Harding (UK-based travel and cruise retail group). In 2020, Harding was acquired by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP (1983-founded, NYC-based investment management firm with USD 34+ billion in managed assets). Harding has hubs in Bristol (England) , Miami (Florida USA)  and Sydney (NSW Australia) .

New beverage packages

In May 2023, P&O UK introduced four new drink packages available fleetwide but only on longer voyages, with durations of at least 5 nights (or longer).

The beverage packages are at a fixed price per person and per day. The package's pricing is lower if purchased online and before the voyage.

• "The Refresh Drinks" package is priced GBP 9.85 (prior to the voyage) and GBP 10.95 (if purchased onboard).  The Refresh package Includes soft drinks (lemonade, Pepsi, juices).
• "The Alcohol-free Drinks" package is priced GBP 22.45 (before) and GBP 24.95 (onboard) and includes all The Refresh package's beverages plus Costa Coffee and sodas.
• "The Classic Drinks" package is priced GBP 40.45 (before) and GBP 44.95 (onboard) and includes all beverages from The Refresh and The Alcohol-free packages plus alcoholic beverages (spirits, wines, cocktails).
• "The Deluxe Drinks" package is priced GBP 49.45 (before) and GBP 54.95 (onboard) and includes all other packages' beverages plus specialty cocktails, premium spirits and wines. Additionally, passengers who buy The Deluxe Drinks package also receive 20% off on all drinks excluded from this package.

The above-listed new packages are for P&O UK ships only and introduced/first offered on the liners Iona and Ventura (starting May 20, 2023) and available fleetwide since July 2023.

P&O Cruise Personaliser

PandO Cruise Personaliser is an online service that allows passengers to update their before-sailing information and see in a concise form all their booking details. P&O Personaliser is NOT mandatory to complete but may be of great help in cases of emergency for the company to contact family members, relatives, friends.

To log in, you'll need to input your first and surname, and cruise reference number. It is received as part of your reservation confirmation (up to 120 days prior to departure, not available for 18-yo) or upon booking (up to 1 year). The same number serves all people included in the booking. On the Web page, there's information about cruise itinerary, stateroom (category and number), boarding times, contact info (including emergency contacts), passport data, medical and dietary requirements (if requested).

PO Cruise Insurance is optional. If purchased, the Insurance policy type is also shown (Standard or higher), package deal type, all kinds of pre-made reservations (shore excursions, Air, Spa), credit card number, luggage tags, etc.

• Dining /medical requests can't be entered online - they must be specified in the manual form.
• The accessible information about changes and updates pertains ONLY to a phone number, address, passport, emergency contacts.
• You can't book a cruise through P&O Cruise Personaliser - booking requires full payment and immigration details.
• Through the Personaliser you can make online reservations (shore excursions, tours, Spa, hairdresser, specialty restaurants), to update special requests and onboard preferences, or to add some additional services (babysitting, amenities, etc).
• Itinerary changes are also listed in the Cruise Personaliser form, along with other important updates.
• Immediately call P&O if you have forgotten or lost your booking number. Call between 7 am – 8 pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time - Monday to Friday) and Saturday (8 am - 5 pm) - phone number 1300-159-454.

PO Cruise Personaliser is accessed by both travel agents and passengers. With personal bookings (through a travel agent or P&O Reservations Centre) passengers receive reference numbers (after confirmation). On a particular booking, each passenger can access the Personaliser using the booking reference number and first name-surname. If you're not the booking person, contact the one who did it for obtaining booking reference. After log-in, note that all passengers' names in the booking party are displayed under the same reference number.

IMPORTANT - Each of the same-booking passengers is able to access the info about you and the other, i.e. you can update and provide information of all other passengers in your booking, and they can change your information. If you wish so, you could provide P&O with other passengers' personal information. Another case is when they are minors (younger than 18 years old). Then you must be a parent or legal guardian.

After providing P&O cruise company with the personal data needed on the Personaliser (and also with additional info if asked for more details), this database is used for updating pre-cruise information.

Certain information is sometimes required under maritime-customs-immigration-security laws. Personaliser info may be disclosed to P&O Cruises service providers (ticketing companies, travel, and port agents, authorities, emergency response providers, immigration, airlines, customs, shore tour operators, related entities) for Carnival Corporation's business purposes. Certain information is collected because of customs or immigration laws requirements. If you refuse to provide the information requested in the Personaliser, they may not be able to process the booking or provide certain services during the voyage.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, P&O's entire fleet (all UK- and AU-based liners) is with an expanded cancellation policy. All bookings on pre-scheduled itineraries (departures in the period March 14 through August 31, 2020) were given the option to cancel up to 48 hours (prior departure) without penalties.

All affected bookings received a 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) transferred to a booking made before December 31, 2021, or 100% monetary refund. With the FCCs customers can also pay for cabin upgrades or book a second stateroom (on existing bookings). FCCs can be also gifted or transferred (options offered through December 31, 2021).

P&O UK canceled all voyages departing between March 14, 2020, and June 2021.

• P&O UK planned to resume operations in early-February 2021 (Caribbean fly-cruises from Barbados and St Lucia) and in mid-March 2021 (roundtrips out of Southampton).
• P&O UK's World Cruises 2021 (ships Arcadia and Aurora) were both canceled.

Next are listed P&O UK's ships and their first departure dates in 2021-2022 - AZURA (Dec 10, 2021), BRITANNIA (June 27, 2021/UK Coastal), AURORA (April 13, 2022/Mediterranean from Southampton), ARCADIA (March 27, 2022/Canaries from Southampton), IONA (Aug 7, 2021/ Maiden Voyage /UK Coastal), VENTURA (Oct 3, 2021/Canaries from Southampton).

P&O Australia canceled all departures between March 14, 2020, and May 31, 2022. P&O Australia resumed operations in 2022 with the ships Pacific EXPLORER (May 31/from Sydney), Pacific ENCOUNTER (Aug 27/from Brisbane), Pacific ADVENTURE (October 22/from Sydney).

Citing the Coronavirus crisis' impact, in early-July 2020, P&O UK sold the ship Oceana . A total of 190 scheduled itineraries (departures from homeports Southampton UK and Dubai UAE) were canceled.

Itinerary of P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises ships sail on mostly round-trip itineraries leaving from UK (Southampton, April through October), Caribbean (from Barbados, during winter) and from Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - year-round departures). While most PandO UK ships remain in Europe year-round, the line's largest vessels also sail in the Caribbean (out of Barbados) and offer longer world cruise itineraries.

Citing the COVID crisis' impact on the passenger shipping industry, in early-July 2020, P&O UK sold the cruise ship Oceana . A total of 190 scheduled itineraries (departures from homeports Southampton UK and  Dubai UAE ) were canceled.

P&O UK's 2025-2026 itinerary program (opened for booking on October 18, 2023) features 12 new for the company ports (including Los Angeles CA USA, Melbourne Victoria AU, Port Chalmers/Dunedin NZ, Benoa Bali Indonesia, Bodo Norway, Tangier Morocco). MS Britannia has scheduled two new Caribbean fly-cruise itineraries visiting Jamaica, Dominicana, Grand Turk). In January 2026, MS Aurora starts a 75-night Grand Voyage while MS Arcadia starts a 100-night World Circumnavigation Cruise (28 ports/destinations). Traditionally for P&O, both World  Voyages are roundtrips from Southampton.

(UK & AU) PO cruise itinerary changes

PO AU's vessels are all UK- flagged . However, all ships are registered in Bermuda ( Hamilton ) to allow shipboard weddings (at sea). These ceremonies are conducted by the Captains and are pretty popular.

Our P&O cruise schedules include the ships of both brands (Australia and UK).

P&O Cruises related cruise news

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line expands Australian fleet with new 2026-2027 itineraries

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line is preparing for its Australian expansion with the addition of two ships from P&O Cruises Australia, Carnival Adventure...

Gastrointestinal illness outbreak affects 70+ aboard P&O UK’s ship Arcadia

70+ individuals on P&O UK's ship Arcadia experienced a gastrointestinal illness outbreak during a recent voyage. According to the Centers for...

P&O Cruises faces legal action after norovirus outbreak affects hundreds

A cruise operator is currently facing demands for refunds and compensation following a widespread illness outbreak on board one of its vessels. 500...

Carnival Splendor drydock refurbished, with new livery and upgrades

Carnival Splendor has successfully completed a drydock refurb in Singapore, emerging with CCL's new livery. The vessel now displays the red...

48-yo P&O Australia cruise ship passenger arrested for inappropriate activity/attempting to groom a...

Police have arrested a P&O Australia passenger as the man disembarked at Sydney’s International Passenger Terminal. He was detained for...

Australia-based ship Carnival Splendor scheduled for drydock refurbishment in 2024

Carnival Splendor ship is en route to Singapore for a drydock refurb project in preparation for the upcoming 2024-2025 Australian season. Currently...

Passenger medevaced in serious condition from P&O Australia's ship Pacific Explorer

A passenger aboard P&O's Pacific Explorer experienced a medical emergency shortly after the ship departed from Auckland on Monday, July 8th. The...

P&O expands flight program for Caribbean fly-cruises from the UK

P&O Cruises has expanded its air program to enhance Caribbean fly-cruises scheduled between November 2025 and February 2026. This expansion aims...

Norovirus outbreak prompts later boarding for P&O's Ventura ship

Passengers scheduled to board the Ventura ship, which recently experienced a norovirus outbreak, have been advised to arrive later than usual to...

P&O Cruises UK offers special OBC/onboard credit promo for Mediterranean itineraries

P&O Cruises UK is offering additional OBC/onboard credit (spending money) for bookings made within the next month. Up to GBP 520 per balcony...

•   show more news