World Voyages -P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is part of the US Carnival group and with a fleet of 7 individually designed ships with a 4 plus star rating and itineraries tailored to each, there really is something for everyone.

The ships of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company - now known simply as P&O Cruises - have been cruising the world's seas since 1837. In those early days, they undertook voyages known as 'excursions', which were the forerunners of today's cruises. These were cargo vessels, with very makeshift accommodation, where passengers travelled with the Royal Mail to ports on the Iberian Peninsular and the Mediterranean.

Cruising for pleasure was very much an adventure, affordable only by the wealthy. P&O used Canberra, for the combined P&O-Orient Line service between the United Kingdom and Australia for the transport of '10 pound poms.' Following cessation of emigration to Australia in 1968, the route become unprofitable. A refit in 1974 saw the Canberra adapted to cruising and the ship then enjoyed a long and successful career as a cruise liner.

Today, P&O Cruises visits 225 destinations in 90 countries and operates over 1,200 tours a year around the world. Offering a full range of facilities, including beauty spa's, world-class dining options, cabarets, theatres, creative workshops, P&O Cruises is about providing choices for their cruisers.