What can you really expect on P&O Cruises’ 18+ holidays?

Adult only cruises are what many grown-ups seek when they want to enjoy a holiday without the interruption of youngsters. Luckily, more and more cruise lines are offering these kid-free jollies, including beloved British brand P&O Cruises.

While all P&O Cruises getaways – available to book via Bolsover Cruise Club – are suitable for grown-ups, the cruise line now has two cruise ships exclusively for travellers over 18 years old.

We’ve had a look at what to expect from these two adult only cruise ships and the cruises you can take on them.

Which P&O ships are adults only?

P&O Cruises currently has both Arcadia and Aurora operating as adult only cruise ships. According to the cruise line, customers can expect the vessels to be “refined, elegant and with more than a touch of sophistication” – just how we like them.

What’s more, P&O Cruises is set to soon update guest areas on the two ships so they’ll be shiny and like-new, all thanks to a whopping multi-million-pound investment! The overhaul follows an initial series of facelifts in May 2023 when the pair were treated to new cabin chairs and balcony furniture plus updated furniture on open deck areas. On Arcadia, the Neptune Pool has also been lavished with new lounge chairs, sofas, tables and armchairs.

However, the biggest treatments of all are diarised for November 2024 for Arcadia cruise ship and April 2025 for Aurora. The pampering follows Arcadia’s world cruise – she’ll in be need of some serious R&R after all that globetrotting!

P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow, previously said of the upgrades: “Arcadia and Aurora are two of our most beloved ships in the fleet offering guests a more intimate experience in stylish surroundings. After a busy season hosting guests on longer duration itineraries and world cruises, we will be making sure that both ships look their absolute finest ahead of the summer season.”

Crucially there will be no children – the line’s rules mean that holidaymakers must be 18 and over at the time of sailing to be able to cruise aboard these two ships.

Where do P&O Cruises’ adult ships go?

The two adults only cruise ships, take travellers from the Canary Islands and the Caribbean to Canada and Copenhagen.

What’s more, itineraries offer overnight and evening calls so you can really make the most of some of the world’s most exciting cities, while back onboard Arcadia and Aurora P&O Cruises promises “attentive, intuitive and thoughtful service”. Yup, just our cup of tea.

Let’s deep dive into the ships themselves…

Expect both chic and classic vibes onboard adult only cruise ship Arcadia, dubbed the “indulgent explorer” of the fleet. A nickname we like to relate to!

With capacity for 2,094 guests and 866 crew, it boasts 10 bars and cafés, five whirlpool spas, two swimming pools and one three-tier cinema plus an art gallery, a boutique cinema, a library and an expansive spa.

Keep fit on the sports courts, learn new skills at a dance class, stock up on souvenirs and essentials in the shops, place a bet in the casino or get your nails done in the salon on your adults only cruises – there’s lots to keep you busy!

The ship – which entered into service in 2005 – is also exclusively home to Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill as well as authentic Indian restaurant Sindhu among its five restaurants.

Adults may not have a bedtime but P&O Cruises has sleeping covered – cabins range from Inside to Suite, catering for solo travellers, couples on indulgent getaways and everything in between.

As for where you can go, adult only cruises with Arcadia (which are always no-fly from Southampton) whisk jet setters off to Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, North America and Canada.

Aurora’s moniker is “an intimate classic” (it has capacity for 1,874 guests and 850 crew) so you know you’re going to get the ultimate traditional cruise experience onboard amid stylish surroundings on an adult only cruise.

If you’re after cocktails and views head to The Crow’s Nest bar while wine lovers will relish The Glass House where you can sip on hand-picked plonk from award-winning expert Olly Smith. There are 11 bars and cafés onboard in total – reckon you can tick off everything on the drinks list?

For fun casual eats with a vista, there’s The Beach House or for fancy fare there’s Sindu among the seven restaurants onboard.

In Carmen’s show lounge guests on an adults only cruise can take in cabaret performances, live music, quiz shows, tribute acts and more while the Curzon Theatre or the Playhouse cinema have plenty to keep your eyes and spirits occupied.

Other entertainment options on the P&O Cruises ship include Vanderbilt’s card room, the library and an art gallery along with a luxurious spa and salon, gym, fitness classes, casino, sports court and shops – not to mention three swimming pools!

As with Arcadia, Aurora offers a range of rooms to suit all needs and budgets. If you splurge on a suite you’ll benefit from butler service (exclusively to this cabin category), spacious accommodation, a superior bathroom with a full-size whirlpool bath, inclusive room service, breakfast each day in an exclusive restaurant, premier toiletries, your own coffee machine and a well-appointed lounge with a television. We could get used to this!

So where can you travel to? Aurora – which entered into service in April 2000 – carries out world cruises as well as holidays to Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Norway, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, North America and Canada.

What’s more, unlike Arcadia, P&O Cruises’ Aurora sails from a plethora of ports – Southampton, Auckland, Brisbane, Dubai, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Singapore and Sydney – making it ideal for a cruise and stay holiday if you want to extend your getaway.