P&O Caribbean Cruises in January

Why January Is a Strong Month for a P&O Caribbean Cruise

January is the peak of the Southern Caribbean sailing season. P&O Cruises commits a significant slice of its fleet to the region at this time of year, with sailings departing from Barbados and Antigua as well as a handful that leave directly from Southampton, England. Durations run from a fortnight upward, with a median of 14 nights — long enough to settle into the rhythm of Caribbean cruising, and to visit a genuine spread of islands across the Southern Caribbean. If your window for a holiday is the first few weeks of the year, this is where P&O concentrates its effort.

Where Do P&O January Caribbean Cruises Go?

The Southern Caribbean makes up the heart of the programme, with the majority of sailings in this period covering that region. A smaller number operate as part of longer world cruise itineraries, and there is a further option in the broader Caribbean category. Here is how the regions break down in terms of where the volume lies.

Southern Caribbean

This is the mainstay of P&O’s January Caribbean offer. Sailings in this category typically base themselves in Barbados — the majority disembark there, making it both the start and end point for round-trip itineraries. The Southern Caribbean routes give you the widest spread of island variety that P&O covers at this time of year. Round-trip sailings mean you fly out, sail a full loop of the islands, and fly home from the same port — straightforward and efficient.

World Cruise Segments

Two sailings in January form part of P&O’s longer world cruise programme from Southampton. These are substantial voyages — durations reach up to 106 nights — and they carry the Caribbean as one portion of a much wider itinerary that calls at ports across multiple continents. If you are considering a world cruise segment rather than a standalone Caribbean holiday, our team can explain exactly what that involves and how the embarkation and disembarkation points work.

Which Ships Sail P&O Caribbean Cruises in January?

P&O deploys some of its most capable ships on the January Caribbean programme. Below is a look at the vessels you will find on these sailings and what sets each one apart.

Arvia

Arvia carries the highest number of January Caribbean sailings in this programme. Launched in 2022 and christened by Nicole Scherzinger, she is P&O’s newest and largest ship — the biggest ever built specifically for the British market. The most talked-about feature is the SkyDome: a 970 m² retractable glass roof that sits above a swimming pool and transforms into a performance space, a venue that does not exist in quite this form anywhere else at sea. Beyond that, Arvia offers more than 30 dining and bar venues, including Sindhu, The Epicurean, The Glass House and the Keel & Cow gastropub. Sailing on Arvia in January means you are on P&O’s flagship-class ship for the Caribbean.

For a closer look at what is available on board, including cabin grades and deck layouts, visit the Arvia cabins and deck plans page. Cabin options on Arvia include:

• Larger Inside Cabin OA — 15 m², sleeps 2. More floor space than the standard inside grades, giving you genuine room to unpack and spread out.
• Suite B4 — 40.3 m², sleeps 4. Dramatically more living space than any balcony or sea-view cabin — a strong choice for families or those who simply want room.
• Deluxe Balcony Cabin EA — 20 m², sleeps 2. Your own outdoor space for fresh sea air and sunbathing, away from the shared deck areas.
• Family Sea View Suite BA — 40.3 m², sleeps 2. A private balcony included at this grade — personal outdoor space that is not available in the standard sea-view cabin category.

Britannia

Named by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, Britannia is among the most recognisable ships in the P&O fleet and sails year-round from Southampton — widely regarded as the most quintessentially British ship afloat. For a January Caribbean sailing, that British character translates into a familiar, comfortable atmosphere on board. Dining choices include menus contributed by Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, and James Martin across 13 restaurants and cafés. Entertainment runs from the Headliners Theatre — fitted with LED immersive technology — to the Limelight Club cabaret and the Crystal Room. Check the Britannia cabins and deck plans for the full range.

• Inside Cabin OA — 15.8 m², sleeps 2. Roomier than the standard inside cabins — worth the upgrade if you plan to relax in your cabin between ports.
• Owner’s Suite B4 — 44 m², sleeps 3. The largest suite grade on board, with 3–4 m² more floor space than the other penthouse options.
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin DA — 26.1 m², sleeps 3. Larger than standard balcony cabins, with a separate seating area including a two-seater sofa, chair and table.

Arcadia

Arcadia brings a more classical feel to the Caribbean programme. She features The Palladium, an impressive 3-tier theatre, Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill restaurant, and an onboard hydro-therapy pool. Arcadia suits guests who prefer a quieter, more traditional cruise atmosphere. The Arcadia cabins and deck plans page covers the full layout.

• Inside Cabin OA — 19 m², sleeps 2. 2 m² more floor space than the standard inside grades — noticeably roomier for the same price point.
• Sea View Cabin LB — 17 m², sleeps 2. Natural daylight and an unobstructed sea view through a window — the essential step up from an inside cabin.
• Deluxe Balcony Cabin EA — 24 m², sleeps 2. A private balcony for fresh sea air and breakfast without sharing the public deck areas.
• Suite B1 — 56 m², sleeps 2. Includes a dedicated butler service throughout your voyage — personalised attention that no other cabin category on Arcadia receives.

Aurora

Aurora is a mid-sized, classic ship with a distinctly British character. She is well suited to guests who appreciate a more intimate scale and a familiar atmosphere at sea. For cabin choices and deck layouts, the Aurora cabins and deck plans page has the detail.

Iona

Iona is the largest ship sailing year-round from Southampton and carries up to 5,200 guests. Like Arvia, she features the SkyDome — that 970 m² retractable glass dome above a swimming pool — along with 18 venues including Anderson’s gin bar, Sindhu, The Epicurean and The Chef’s Table. Iona was built to run on LNG as well as conventional fuel, which gives her strong environmental credentials for a ship of her scale. The Iona cabins and deck plans page covers every grade in detail.

Where Do These Sailings Depart From?

The majority of January P&O Caribbean sailings depart from Bridgetown, Barbados or from Antigua — which means a flight from the UK to join the ship. If you are flying out, we can arrange the flights, hotels for any nights either side, airport transfers and tours as a single Cruise1st Package, so there is nothing left to piece together separately. We work with you to match the air arrangements to your itinerary, whether you are travelling from London, Manchester or anywhere else in the UK.

A smaller number of sailings depart from Southampton, England. For those, most of Britain can reach the port by road or rail with no flight involved at all — you can drive, take the train, or let us arrange a transfer so you go straight from your front door to the ship. If you are thinking about a no-fly Caribbean cruise, these are the departures to focus on. Our cruises from Southampton page covers the full year-round programme from that port, and the dedicated 2027 cruises from Southampton page shows what else is available.

All sailings in this programme are round-trip — you return to the same port you departed from, which simplifies the logistics considerably.

What Does a January P&O Caribbean Cruise Cost?

Prices start at £1,140 pp* for January Caribbean sailings with P&O Cruises, based on 2 people sharing. The price you pay depends on the ship, the sailing length, and the cabin grade you choose. Reductions are available on selected departures — up to 24% on one sailing, with most reduced sailings sitting closer to 9% off that cabin grade’s previous listed price. Our team can talk you through the fare types available, including options such as early-saver and last-minute offers, and help you judge which represents the best value for your circumstances.

P&O Cruises January 2023 — Still Searching?

If you have landed here searching for P&O Caribbean cruises in January 2023, those sailings have now passed. The programme covers departures in January 2027, which is where the current P&O Caribbean availability sits. The ships, the regions and the departure ports are much the same — Barbados, Antigua and Southampton remain central to the January programme — so if you are planning a return trip, the 2027 sailings are the right place to look. You may also find it useful to browse all January cruises across every line and region, or to look at January cruises from Southampton specifically.

How to Make It a Complete Holiday

A P&O Caribbean cruise in January is rarely just the cruise. Most guests are flying to Barbados or Antigua to join their ship, which opens up the option of a night or two either side — arriving early to settle in, or extending at the end to make the most of the flight. As a cruise specialist, Cruise1st can bundle flights, hotel nights, transfers, tours and travel insurance around your cruise as a single booking, rather than leaving you to coordinate each element yourself. That is what a Cruise1st Package means in practice: one call, one booking, one holiday. And if you would prefer a Caribbean fly-cruise where the flight is included from the outset, we can structure that too.

Our expert advisers are available by phone before you book — not a chatbot, but people who know the P&O fleet and the Caribbean itineraries in detail. Whether you are comparing Arvia and Britannia, weighing up cabin grades, or trying to decide between a 14-night Southern Caribbean loop and a longer world cruise segment, that kind of advice is what makes booking with a P&O specialist different from booking direct.

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Thinking About the Caribbean Beyond January?

If your dates are flexible, the Caribbean is well served by P&O across the winter season. Caribbean cruises in December 2026 give you a run-up to the new year, while P&O cruises in February 2027 carry the programme forward into the next month. Broader winter cruises across all lines and destinations are also worth a look if you are open to alternatives. For those planning earlier, Caribbean Christmas cruises in 2026 and even Caribbean 2027 sailings combined with a New York stay may be worth exploring.

If you want to see everything the Caribbean has to offer across all cruise lines — not just P&O — or if you want to look at Caribbean cruises from Southampton specifically, both pages give you a wider view. You can also browse all cruises across every destination and departure to find the combination that suits you best.

For January sailings more broadly, February cruises are the natural next step once the January programme is booked up, and our fly Caribbean cruises in February page covers that combination directly.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.