p&0 mini cruises

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P&O Cruises Mini Cruises

With cruises starting from just two nights, P&O Cruises mini cruises are an ideal way to enjoy a few days away.

Choose a departure range of up to 1 month if you have not selected a specific cruise line or Choose a departure date range of up to 3 months if you have selected a specific cruise line

Mini Cruise Offers

1. short break.

Aurora 3 nights 04 Jul 2024

• Elegant, traditional and exclusively for adults

2. Western Europe

Ventura 4 nights 09 Jul 2024

• Family Friendly Ship*

3. Short Break

Arcadia 3 nights 27 Jul 2024

4. Short Break

Aurora 3 nights 23 Aug 2024

5. Western Europe

Ventura 4 nights 10 Sep 2024

6. Belgium And France

Arvia 4 nights 21 Oct 2024

7. Short Break

Aurora 4 nights 05 Dec 2024

8. Short Break

Arcadia 5 nights 14 Dec 2024

9. Western Europe

Ventura 5 nights 29 Dec 2024

10. Belgium And Netherlands

Arcadia 5 nights 29 Dec 2024

11. Amsterdam

Ventura 4 nights 07 Feb 2025

12. Western Europe

Ventura 4 nights 23 Feb 2025

13. Short Break

Iona 5 nights 13 Mar 2025

14. Western Europe

Iona 4 nights 01 Apr 2025

15. Western Europe

Ventura 3 nights 03 Apr 2025

16. Western Europe

Ventura 4 nights 16 Apr 2025

17. Western Europe

Aurora 3 nights 21 Apr 2025

18. Western Europe

Arcadia 3 nights 09 May 2025

19. Western Europe

Ventura 4 nights 10 Jun 2025

20. Western Europe

Aurora 3 nights 07 Jul 2025

P&O Cruises Ship

Couple on P&O Cruise Ship

Friends dining onboard P&O Cruises

Friends having drinks

About P&O Mini Cruises

On a P&O Cruises mini cruises you get the same dining options, some excellent choice of entertainment and relaxation options that are found on their longer cruises, meaning these mini cruises are designed to help you get the most out of your days and nights on board their ships.

No kidding: These 12 cruises are the perfect multigenerational family vacation option

T he launch of Disney Cruise Line in 1998 was a game changer for family cruises. Now in its third decade of operation, Disney Cruise Line consistently tops the list of best cruise lines for families. And its newest ship (for now), Disney Wish , is unquestionably one of the best cruise ships for kids ever made. But Disney isn't the only major player in the family cruising space. 

A host of other cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises , Princess , Norwegian , MSC , and Royal Caribbean , have helped usher in a new era of family vacations on cruise ships with amenities like kids clubs, water parks, stage shows, theatrical dining experiences, reduced fares for young children, and even kids sail free deals . And because the best cruise ships for kids are also great for grownups , you have plenty of options when it comes to the best family cruises. 

NO HIDDEN FEES: 7 best all-inclusive cruise lines in the world

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1. Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line

The sheer volume of onboard entertainment options for families on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, Disney Wish , takes things to a whole new level. From action-packed dinner-and-a-show experiences like Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure to the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge , and Incredibles-themed inflatable obstacle course , you'll never run out of things to do. 

BIG SAVINGS: Kids sail free: 7 cruise lines with kids cruise free deals this year

Sailings on the Disney Wish also include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay , which is always a highlight of any family cruise. Castaway Cay’s family beach is a great place for swimming, and you can rent bikes, kayaks, and snorkeling gear to see colorful tropical fish and perhaps even a sea turtle munching on seagrass.

2. Disney Magic

While every ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet has a claim to be among the best family cruises, the original DCL family cruise ship deserves a special mention: Disney Magic is the ship that launched Disney Cruise Line in 1998, and with DCL's constant improvements and upkeep, the ship doesn’t feel outdated at all. Pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a thrilling water slide with a three-story drop are just a few of the fun features that make this a kid-favorite ship on one of the best cruise lines for families. In 2013, Disney added the AquaDunk high-speed thrill slide and Marvel Avengers Academy kids club. In 2018, a Tangled dinner theater restaurant made its debut. 

WATER WORLDS: 50 best cruise ship water parks for kids and tweens

As one of the smaller ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Magic can be a less overwhelming experience for younger kids and first-time cruisers, especially given the trend among family cruises to be bigger and louder with every new ship. (The fabulous Disney Wonder is similarly sized.) But there's more than one reason to consider a Disney Magic voyage in 2024. This year, the ship will be the first to sail to Disney Cruise Line’s newest private island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , in the Bahamas.

3. Disney Treasure

Making its debut in December 2024, Disney Cruise Line's sixth ship will be called Disney Treasure and it will be the ship for fans of the Disney theme parks. Venues inspired by classic attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea are among the highlights to look forward to when the ship sets sail. The sister ship of Disney Wish will also have a high-tech Worlds of Marvel dinner show and a theater-in-the-round dining experience, this time themed to Pixar’s Coco. 

CAPTAIN MICKEY: 7 best Disney cruises for families in 2024  

Disney Treasure will also feature a brand-new original Broadway-style production called "Disney The Tale of Moana" in the Walt Disney Theatre. Other shows performed on board will include "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure." Best of all, Disney Treasure will sail seven-night itineraries to both the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. That means you can enjoy two distinct dinner shows in the Worlds of Marvel and Plaza de Coco restaurants, and all of the Broadway-style shows on stage during one family cruise. 

4. Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean

A brand-new class of ship is heading to North America in 2024, and it starts with Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in January. Among the many firsts for Icon of the Seas is the AquaDome, the largest glass and steel structure on any cruise ship, seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides, eight separate neighborhoods, 40 ways to drink and dine, four stages, and a three-level ultimate family townhouse. The innovative AquaDome is a peaceful oasis during the day and a vibrant hotspot at night with a 55-foot-tall water curtain and AquaTheater that debuts performances with divers, skateboarders, and robots. 

FAMILY CRUISES: 5 best cruise ships to entertain your teen  

Thrill-seekers will love Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six waterslides. There's also the Crown’s Edge, which is part skywalk, part ropes course, and 100 percent thrill ride where you can dangle 154 feet above the ocean. And, of course, you'll also find the Royal Caribbean staple FlowRider surf simulator and the Lost Dunes mini golf course. Those looking to take it easy should head to Chill Island, which features four pools spread over three decks with sweeping ocean views.

Fans of Royal Caribbean will enjoy the Royal Promenade with 15 restaurants, bars, and lounges; Central Park's open-air neighborhood filled with live plants and trees; and Surfside, the first neighborhood designed specifically for young families. The ship's seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean family cruises all stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay , the line’s award-winning private island. Families will find an array of activities on Perfect Day at CocoCay, such as its beaches and freshwater pool (included) and an expansive water park and zip line (available for an extra charge).

5. Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships debuted in early 2022 and instantly ignited buzz that they might be the most kid-friendly cruise ships in the entire world. At 1,188 feet long and 18 decks tall, there's plenty of room for families to spread out and find entertainment onboard the Wonder of the Seas . Two dedicated private teen spaces onboard make vacationing with teenagers a little easier. In fact, teens aged 16 and up can even enjoy a massive teens-only hot tub that literally protrudes over the edge of the ship on Wonder of the Seas' deck 15. 

SCENIC VOYAGES: Everything you need to know about river cruises in the USA

Grade school kids and even the littlest ones have it pretty great, too. For big kids, there’s an enormous multiple-deck play area called Wonder Playscape . For the youngest passengers, there's the Adventure Ocean play area full of soft toys and games for toddlers. And a playground with climbing equipment gives them a space to work off their energy. Wonder of the Seas also has the most amazing family suites around. They come complete with two levels of space, an in-suite slide, table tennis, and plenty of room for the whole family.

6. Oasis of the Seas

When it launched in 2009, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was the largest ship in the world, accommodating more than 5,500 passengers per voyage and cementing the line's place among the best cruise lines for families. After a reimagining 10 years later, Oasis of the Seas is still a popular option for family cruises in 2024 with its Caribbean-inspired pool deck, rock climbing walls, and Perfect Storm trio of multistory waterslides. Among the many reasons that make Royal Caribbean one of the best cruise lines for families is that its Symphony of the Seas builds upon the strengths of the line’s other Oasis Class ships. 

7. Norwegian Viva

Norwegian Cruise Line

What makes Norwegian one of the best cruise lines for families? For one thing, you’ll never hear "I’m bored" from kids. And with its three-story race track, two escape rooms, The Rush and The Drop dry slides, The Wave waterslide, immersive virtual reality games, Topgolf simulator, mini golf, waterpark, splash ground, and kids’ clubs, your family’s biggest problem on the Norwegian Viva might just be deciding how to balance all the activities with quiet relaxation. 

GO ALL IN: These 6 cruise lines offer the best themed cruises

The Norwegian Viva arrived in North America in December 2023 and offers Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in early 2024 before heading to Europe through November. The ship's Observation Lounge has panoramic 180-degree views to soak in the scenery or take Insta-worthy photos on Oceanwalk’s glass walkway. After playing the day away in port or on the ship, your family can enjoy dinner followed by a live performance of Beetlejuice: The Musical, based on the cult-classic Tim Burton film.

8. Carnival Panorama

Carnival Cruise Line

One of Carnival Cruise Line ’s newer ships, the Carnival Panorama 's many kid-friendly features have already made it one of the best cruises for families. The Panorama has supervised kids programs in three different age categories, a massive aqua park, the popular SkyRide aerial attraction, SkyCourse ropes course, and the first SkyZone trampoline park at sea. 

DON'T OVERPAY: How to save money on a Carnival Cruise (with or without kids)

In addition, Carnival's exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises provides "Seuss at Sea" experiences on family cruise vacations, such as Dr. Seuss Bookville, Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, and the Seuss-a-palooza Parade. Based in Los Angeles, Carnival Panorama sails week-long round-trip cruises to the Mexican Riviera in 2024.

9. Caribbean Princess

Princess Cruises

Made famous by the classic '80s TV series "The Love Boat," Princess Cruises now hosts more than two million passengers each year. Kid-friendly Caribbean Princess underwent an extensive renovation in 2017 that boosted its family offerings to include Camp Discovery Youth and Teen Center, HD Movies Under the Stars, and the Reef Family Splash Zone (the line's first splash zone at sea). 

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS: 11 best outdoor movie screens for your backyard staycation

Caribbean Princess will be 20 years old in 2024, but another extensive drydock refurbishment in 2022 has kept the ship from feeling dated. Other features that earn the Caribbean Princess a spot on my list of best family cruises include its partnership with Discovery Inc. for "Discovery at SEA" activities, which feature Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programming, the Stanley the Bear experience, and JrChef@Sea cooking classes. In summer 2024, Caribbean Princess heads to Southampton for a series of European cruises before heading back to Florida.

10. MSC Meraviglia

Unless you're a hardcore cruise family, MSC Cruises might be the largest cruise line you’ve never heard of. One of the leading cruise lines in Europe, South America, and other parts of the world, MSC is working hard to get a foothold in North America by offering great deals on family cruises. These include kids ages 18 and under sailing free on select departures , and young children ages two and under always sailing free. 

FIRST-TIMERS: 19 things to know before your first cruise with kids  

Family-friendly MSC Meraviglia launched in 2017 and it features seven different kids’ clubs for children from babies to age 17. Teens have their own space with a cinema, game room, and live stage. And Meraviglia’s Polar Aquapark has three different waterslides, including a high-speed “champagne flute,” that easily make it one of the best cruises for families. Families can play together in the vast entertainment area that includes an MSC Formula One Racing Simulator, a full-sized bowling alley with two lanes, an interactive XD cinema, a flight simulator, and a video games arcade. There’s also a Sportsplex facility for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, pickleball, mini golf, and five-a-side soccer.

11. MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises

The U.S. flagship of the MSC Cruises brand, MSC Seascape was designed with families in mind and offers plenty of options for onboard entertainment. The cruise line's partnership with LEGO includes a DUPLO room for children ages three to six and a second LEGO room for kids ages seven to 11 with the opportunity to earn a LEGO Master Builder certificate. Teens have three different themed areas to engage with their peers. 

BRING THE LITTLE ONES: 10 toddler-friendly vacations that are just as much fun for parents  

You have to check out Robotron on these family cruises. Robotron is a robotic arm ride that sends you 173 feet above the sea, giving you a unique 360-degree view as you're moved in different directions and flipped upside down. At night, Robotron offers a personalized DJ experience where you can curate your musical journey with colors and music preferences. 

MSC Seascape sails from Miami on the Bahamas and Caribbean family cruises, including a visit to MSC Cruises' private Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay features two miles of white sand beaches and a variety of family-friendly activities such as snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. Some family cruises dock overnight at Ocean Cay, allowing you to watch the spectacular Lighthouse light show.

12. Celebrity Equinox

Celebrity Cruises

An upscale cruise line with prices to match, Celebrity Cruises appeals to families with older children or multigenerational groups looking for luxurious family cruises. Celebrity Equinox is not the newest ship in the line (its inaugural sailing was in 2009), but this kid-friendly cruise ship received an extensive overhaul as part of the "Celebrity Revolution" in 2019 and continues to impress with its family cruises in 2024. 

COUPLES CRUISES: 7 best cruise lines for couples (and their most romantic voyages)  

Celebrity's Camp at Sea kids' program offers a diverse and constantly changing series of activities so that it’s "never the same camp twice." And Celebrity Equinox partners with Miami’s Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to offer STEM programming on topics such as the importance of plankton to the Earth’s oceans. Other kid-friendly activities on Celebrity’s family cruises include hot glass blowing classes and demonstrations, as well as lawn games such as croquet and bocce on the real grass of the Lawn Club.

7 great cruise lines for families (and their 12 most kid-friendly ships) originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 13 cheap family vacations that are super fun
• 50 best family vacation ideas for all ages
• 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S.

FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist covers family vacation ideas ; family vacation spots ; all-inclusive family resorts ; and must-have travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations . The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No kidding: These 12 cruises are the perfect multigenerational family vacation option

The fold of P&O Cruises Australia signals the end of Australian-branded cruising

Analysis The fold of P&O Cruises Australia signals the end of Australian-branded cruising

In 1981 Australia was on the cusp of a recession that would usher in the Hawke and Keating years.

And one Aussie-branded company, P&O Cruises Australia, was selling the idea of escaping the rat race by taking to the high seas .

But now the brand is set to fold as the harsh economic realities of the 2020s take their toll.

Its parent company, the Miami-based Carnival, has decided it's too expensive to operate the brand in Australia.

There will be job losses in Carnival's Sydney office, and one of three ships under the P&O brand will be retired, with the other two absorbed into Carnival's fleet.

Griffith University's Cruise & Maritime researcher Johnnel Smith called the decision "heartbreaking". 

"It's sad news all-round," she said 

"Our beloved P&O Cruises will be leaving the Australian market."

It's understood P&O Cruises Australia will be absorbed by the Carnival Cruise Line brand.

"It's a cessation of the [Australian-branded] cruising," Ms Smith adds. 

"Basically Carnival is taking over all of the ships."

Restructure not uncommon in cruise industry 

To be clear, P&O Cruises Australia is not insolvent.

Ms Smith explains there's "lots of restructure" in the cruise industry, especially post-pandemic. 

"There's been a lot of restructuring – a lot of bigger cruise lines, you take over smaller ones," she says. 

"I wouldn't say [the business] is a bust.

"I would say it's an improvement."

Which is precisely how Carnival Corporation chief executive officer Josh Weinstein described the move.

"Given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach to give us the efficiencies we need to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round to our guests in the region," he said.

More competition in the cruise market 

The fundamental problem is P&O Cruises Australia has become, as far as US bosses are concerned, a high cost and uncompetitive operation.

Costs, including port fees and fuel, are relatively high in Australia and make it one of the most expensive regions to operate a cruise line.

Carnival told the ABC it viewed the Australian P&O brand as a drag on the overall business.

Or to put it bluntly, the business isn't turning a big enough profit for the company's American shareholders.

Between 10 and 20 jobs will be lost in Australia and Carnival says crew members will be assigned to other ships, although it's not clear where or how.

Competition was also an unwelcome factor for P&O, Ms Smith says. 

"This past cruise season we had Disney and Virgin Voyages come Down Under for the first time," she said. 

"And so when it comes to the level of competition taking place in the cruise market, Aussies are cruising, and all it means is that [you need to be] a bit more competitive [but] it takes cash to care."

"It costs a lot of money to stay competitive and to remain top of mind [for travellers]."

Fears for future itineraries

It's the end of an era for the popular brand which set sail from Sydney on December 23, 1932, on a seven-day itinerary calling at Brisbane and Norfolk Island.

The company's first permanent ship in Australia, called the "Fairstar" and heavily promoted as 'the fun ship', was part of the fleet for nine years until 1997.

The brand's fold has also led to doubts about the future of cruises across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand for many cruise goers, Ms Smith says.

"People are a bit concerned that, in addition to taking over this cruise line, that there are going to be changes to the itineraries," she said. 

"It's a major concern. 

"And especially also value for money because P&O does provide a lot of value for money for cruises."

Passengers booked onto P&O Cruises this year won't be affected, while guests booked for next year will have the option for a full refund.

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Carnival Corp to fold P&O Cruises Australia brand into Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Corp. will fold P&O Cruises Australia into Carnival Cruise Line next year.

• Other Carnival Corp. brands include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
• The change does not affect Carnival Corp.’s England-based P&O Cruises, which is a separate brand.

The cruise line operator will retire the P&O Cruises Australia brand in March 2025, the company announced Monday.

"Despite increasing Carnival Cruise Line's capacity by almost 25% since 2019 including transferring three ships from Costa Cruises, guest demand remains incredibly strong so we're leveraging our scale in an even more meaningful way by absorbing an entire brand into the world's most popular cruise line," Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein said in a news release .

Other Carnival Corp. brands include Holland America Line , Princess Cruises and Seabourn.

Carnival Cruise Line will constitute around 35% of the company’s worldwide capacity when the transition is finished, up from 29% in 2019. P&O’s Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships will sail for Carnival following a rebrand, while Pacific Explorer will leave the fleet in February.

"P&O Cruises Australia is a storied brand with an amazing team, and we are extremely proud of everything we have accomplished together in Australia and the broader region," Weinstein continued. "However, given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach to give us the efficiencies we need to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round to our guests in the region.”

A spokesperson for the company told USA TODAY the integration "will unfortunately result in some staffing reductions, and we are notifying employees," though they did not share specific numbers. "We also expect to have most members of the P&O Australia shipboard team redeployed to work for Carnival Cruise Line or our six other cruise lines operating in the region," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Following the change, Carnival will have four ships sailing in the market, including Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. The company said guests will be contacted “in the coming days” about any changes to future cruises because of the consolidation. Current itineraries will sail as scheduled.

Cruise booking tips: There's more to it than picking your travel dates

"We look forward to building on the history and heritage of P&O Cruises Australia by bringing some of our innovations to more cruise guests in the region," Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy added in the release. "While we plan to make some technology upgrades and other small changes to the two P&O Cruises Australia ships, they will continue to be geared to the unique Australian market with a familiar feel and much of the same experiences for P&O Cruises Australia guests.”

The change does not affect Carnival Corp.’s England-based P&O Cruises, which is a separate brand. The company also recently announced that Carnival Cruise Line will add two new Excel-class ships in 2027 and 2028.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Why Carnival Cruise Line’s Fleet Is About to Get Bigger

Carnival Cruise Line will absorb its sister brand P&O Cruises Australia and its ships next year.

Horacio Villalobos/GETTY IMAGES

Carnival Cruise Line will absorb its sister brand P&O Cruises Australia and its ships next year, growing its presence in the South Pacific.

The addition to Carnival’s fleet comes as parent company Carnival Corporation & plc makes plans to shut down the Australian cruise line in March 2025, according to the cruise company . Two of P&O Cruises Australia’s ships — the Pacific Encounter and the Pacific Adventure — will then be incorporated into the Carnival Cruise Line brand.

"Despite increasing Carnival Cruise Line's capacity… guest demand remains incredibly strong so we're leveraging our scale in an even more meaningful way by absorbing an entire brand into the world's most popular cruise line," Josh Weinstein, the chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, said in a statement, adding, “given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach to give us the efficiencies we need to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round to our guests in the region.”

When the merger is complete, Weinstein said Carnival Cruise Line will make up about 35 percent of the company's total global capacity. In addition to the new P&O Cruises Australia ships, Carnival will operate the Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa in the region .

P&O Cruises Australia currently operates three ships. The cruise line’s third ship, the Pacific Explorer , will be phased out of the fleet in February 2025.

Carnival Corporation said current P&O Cruises Australia sailings will operate as normal and guests will be notified of any changes to future bookings.

P&O Cruises, which is a company based in the United Kingdom, is not affected by this merger.

In addition to these cruise lines, Carnival Corporation operates AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

The decision to grow its presence in the South Pacific comes as Carnival is in the process of updating how it advertises cruise fares . Starting July 1, Carnival will include all government-mandated taxes, fees, and port expenses in the total advertised price thanks to a new California law requiring cruise lines to include those extra expenses in the advertised fare.