P&O Discount Cruises – Great Value Sailings

Why P&O Discount Sailings Are Worth Booking Now

P&O Cruises is the UK’s most recognisable fleet, and sailings are available at reduced prices across a broad range of routes and durations — from 3-night short breaks to 12-night voyages. Discounts reach up to 28% off the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, though a reduction of around 9% is more typical across the reduced fares available. Whatever the saving, the key is knowing which cabin grade and which sailing date suits you — and that is exactly where expert advice pays off.

Where Do P&O Discount Cruises Go?

The routes on offer divide neatly into three directions, and which one appeals will depend on whether you want sunshine, scenery or a no-fly short break close to home.

Round Britain and No-Fly Sailings

The largest share of sailings stays close to home, departing from Southampton and sailing around the coast of England and the wider United Kingdom. These are the easiest cruises to reach: Southampton is served by direct trains from London, Birmingham and beyond, and most of Britain can get there by road or rail without a flight. If you have never cruised before, a short break around the British Isles is a low-commitment way to find out what the experience is like. If you are a regular cruiser, a mini cruise from England in the autumn or winter makes a smart, effortless escape.

The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands account for a substantial share of the sailings here. Most depart from Southampton, so there is still no flight involved for most travellers — the ship sails south over several days, calling at ports including Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de Mogan on Gran Canaria. These are typically week-long or longer voyages, and they suit anyone who wants warm weather without the hassle of an airport.

Norway and the Fjords

For dramatic scenery, the Norway sailings deliver some of the most striking cruising in Europe. P&O sails to the Norwegian fjords from Southampton, so again, no flight is needed. If you want a dedicated look at what is available, our Norway cruises from the UK page covers the full range. These tend to run to around a week and suit travellers who want to spend meaningful time at sea between port days.

The Western Mediterranean

A smaller number of sailings head into the Western Mediterranean, with embarkation options including Valletta, Malta. Where a sailing starts abroad, we can put together flights, hotel nights either side and transfers as part of a Cruise1st Package, so you are not left to piece it together yourself.

Which Ships Sail on P&O Discount Cruises?

Several ships from the P&O Cruises fleet appear across these sailings. Here is what each one is known for.

Azura

Azura carries the most sailings among the reduced-price options. Refreshed bow-to-stern in 2025 — new restaurants, bars, cabin décor and corridor carpets throughout — it is a ship that feels current even after more than a decade at sea. The 800-seat Playhouse theatre delivers West End-quality aerial acrobatics and shows, and the SeaScreen open-air cinema on deck gives you a film under the stars. Specialty dining includes Sindhu for modern Indian cuisine and the Glass House, curated by TV wine expert Olly Smith.

Ventura

Ventura has sailed from Southampton since 2008 and remains one of the most popular ships in the fleet — christened by Dame Helen Mirren, and with over 60% of cabins featuring balconies. The Arena Theatre puts on West End-style shows nightly, the Havana late-night club keeps the evening going, and nine onboard bars mean there is always somewhere to settle. For dining, the Glass House, Sindhu’s British-Indian fusion, and The Epicurean with its focus on quality British produce cover most tastes. When you are choosing a cabin, the Ventura cabins and deck plans page will help you find exactly the right position on the ship.

Britannia

Britannia was named by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 and sails year-round from Southampton — widely regarded as the most quintessentially British ship afloat. Thirteen restaurants and cafés carry menus contributed by Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar and James Martin, which sets a benchmark most ships cannot match. The Headliners Theatre uses LED immersive technology for its productions, and the Limelight Club adds a cabaret option for evenings. Check the Britannia cabins and deck plans to see which grades suit your travel style.

Iona

Iona is the largest ship sailing year-round from Southampton, carrying up to 5,200 guests. Its standout feature is the SkyDome — a 970 m² retractable glass dome above a swimming pool — which acts as the social heart of the ship in all weathers. Eighteen venues include Anderson’s gin bar, Sindhu, The Epicurean and The Chef’s Table, built firmly around British tastes. The Iona cabins and deck plans show the full range from inside cabins to suite grades.

Arvia

Arvia launched in 2022 as P&O’s newest ship and the largest ever built specifically for the British market, christened by Nicole Scherzinger. Like Iona, it features the SkyDome — a 970 m² retractable glass dome that fuses a swimming pool with a performance stage, a venue found nowhere else at sea. With 30-plus dining and bar venues including Sindhu, The Epicurean, the Glass House and the Keel & Cow gastropub, there is genuine variety on board. Explore the Arvia cabins and deck plans for the full picture on cabin grades and deck positions.

Aurora

Aurora is a mid-sized, classic ship with a distinctly British character. It sails straight from Southampton, making it an easy gateway to European cruising without the need to fly. For cabin options, the Aurora cabins and deck plans page has everything you need.

Cabin Grades — What Do You Actually Get?

P&O Cruises offers a consistent cabin structure across the fleet. On Azura and Ventura, the grades run as follows:

• Larger Inside Cabin (OB) — Around 15–16 m², no window, but a well-defined location on the ship that makes navigating to facilities straightforward. A solid choice if you plan to spend most of your time out of your cabin.
• Sea View Cabin (LB) — 15 m², with natural light and an unobstructed view of the water. Everything an inside cabin offers, plus an outlook onto the sea.
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin (DA) — 29 m², with a private balcony giving you your own outdoor space for sea air and open views that inside and sea-view cabins cannot match.
• Penthouse Suite (A1) — 69 m², the largest suite grade on board, with a separate lounge area and significantly more living space than any other grade.

On Britannia, the headline grades are:

• Inside Cabin (OA) — 15.8 m², noticeably roomier than standard inside cabins — worth the upgrade if you plan to spend time relaxing in your cabin between port days.
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin (DA) — 26.1 m², larger than standard balcony grades, with a separate seating area including a two-seater sofa, chair and table.
• Owner’s Suite (B4) — 44 m², the largest suite grade on Britannia, with 3–4 m² more floor space than the other penthouse options.

Our team can walk you through the differences between grades on any ship and help you decide what is worth paying for on your particular sailing — whether that is a balcony for a Canary Islands route or a well-located inside cabin for a short break.

Departing from Southampton — No Flight Required

The majority of these sailings depart from Southampton, which means no airport, no check-in queues and no flight costs for most travellers in Britain. Southampton is well connected by rail and road — direct trains run from London Waterloo, and motorway links make it straightforward to drive and park. If you want to arrive the night before, we can add a hotel to your booking. For the full range of options, see our P&O Cruises from Southampton page, or if you are planning around 2027 specifically, P&O Cruises from Southampton in 2027 has the relevant sailings. Short-break options starting from 3 nights are also available — our 3-day mini cruise from Southampton page is a good starting point, or you can browse all 2027 cruises from Southampton for a broader view.

Make It a Holiday

For sailings that start abroad — including those departing from Spain or Malta — we can take care of everything around the cruise as well. Flights from your nearest airport, hotel nights before you board or after you disembark, transfers between airport and port, and travel insurance can all be arranged as a single booking. That is what a Cruise1st Package means in practice: one conversation, one booking, no loose ends.

You can also find related value options on our cheap cruises from Southampton page, cheap mini cruises from Southampton, or if you are interested in all-inclusive fares, our cheap all-inclusive cruises from Southampton page is worth a look. Mediterranean options are on our Mediterranean cruise deals page. The broader cruises listing covers all lines and all prices if you want to compare further afield.

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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.