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. Until recently, beloved British brand P&O Cruises had two ships that operated exclusively as adults-only – Aurora and Arcadia. However, a new announcement revealed that on select sailings each year, families will now be welcome onboard the ships too.

We’ve had a look at what these changes mean, and what to expect from these two adult-only cruise ships and the cruises you can take on them if you are keen to be with a solely 18+ crowd.

Which P&O ships are adults only?

P&O Cruises currently has both Arcadia and Aurora operating as adult only cruise ships for most of the year. 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, thanks to a whopping multi-million-pound investment over the last year, the pair of ships were treated to full facelifts, with refreshed cabins and balcony furniture plus updated furniture and decoration in many areas – both interior and out on deck. On Arcadia, the Neptune Pool has also been lavished with new lounge chairs, sofas, tables and armchairs.

For the majority of the year, there will be no children onboard – 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.

However! In October 2025 P&O Cruises announced that from October 2026 through to September 2027, both Aurora and Arcadia would offer a number of sailings that would welcome guests of all ages. For Arcadia, there will be eight family-friendly sailings, for Aurora there will be nine.

These include a 14-night cruise aboard Aurora sailing through Scandinavia, departing on 15 December 2026, where your days may be merry and bright, surrounded by family! Prices start from £1,299 per person.

Other family cruises available on the previously adults-only cruise ships include Arcadia’s five-night Belgium and Netherlands cruise that departs on 27 August 2027, with prices from £599 per person.

Where do P&O Cruises’ adult ships go?

The two adults-only cruise ships take travellers to all corners of the globe – 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.

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 vino 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? Game on.

For fun casual eats with a vista, there’s The Beach House, or, for fancy fare, there’s Sindu (same as on Arcadia) 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 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 and holds the title of P&O Cruises’ oldest ship in operation today – 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.