P&O Cruises Opens Arcadia and Aurora to All Ages for 2026

George and Dan
Oct 7
3 min read

Big news for P&O Cruises fans – holidays for all generations just got even better.

From December 2026, two of the line’s most elegant ships, Arcadia and Aurora, will be welcoming guests of all ages on a selection of sailings. That means families can finally come together to enjoy these much-loved ships and explore new destinations, side by side.

Whether you’ve always dreamt of showing your grandkids the Norwegian Fjords, spending Christmas at sea, or just enjoying a family short break from Southampton, 2026 and 2027 bring some brilliant opportunities to do exactly that.

What’s Changing

After plenty of guest feedback, P&O Cruises has chosen to open up a small selection of Arcadia and Aurora sailings to all ages. These ships have traditionally offered adult-only holidays, but from late 2026 you’ll be able to book multi-generational cruises – perfect for families wanting to make new memories together without losing the classic P&O touch.

Don’t worry if you love the peaceful atmosphere of an adults-only sailing though - most Arcadia and Aurora holidays will remain exclusively for adults, so there’s still the best of both worlds.

What to Expect On Board

Arcadia and Aurora will stay true to their elegant, relaxed style. You can still look forward to delicious food, top entertainment, peaceful lounges and a proper sense of British cruising tradition.

Children’s clubs won’t be offered on these ships, but there’ll be a variety of entertainment and activities suitable for all ages, along with children’s menus, family-friendly games and special events.

The only physical changes will be small touches such as baby-changing and bottle-warming facilities, bed guards and children’s lifejackets - ensuring younger guests are just as comfortable and safe on board.

As always, adults can still unwind in the spa, enjoy fine dining or take in a show in the theatre while new ports and cities appear on the horizon each day.

Arcadia Holidays Welcoming All Ages

If you’ve ever wanted to sail Arcadia with the whole family, these are the cruises to look out for:

Spain, Portugal & Canary Islands – 16 nights, departs 21 December 2026
Short Break to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) – 3 nights, 10 May 2027
Northern Europe & Scandinavia – 14 nights, 13 May 2027
Spain – 7 nights, 27 May 2027
Norway & Iceland – 14 nights, 20 July 2027 (children must be at least 12 months old)
Eastern Mediterranean Discovery – 24 nights, 3 August 2027
Short Break to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) & Rotterdam – 5 nights, 27 August 2027
Norwegian Fjords – 14 nights, 20 September 2027

Aurora Holidays Welcoming All Ages

Aurora will also open her doors to families on the following sailings:

Short Break to Rotterdam – 4 nights, 11 December 2026
Christmas Scandinavian – 14 nights, 15 December 2026
Short Break to Hamburg – 5 nights, 29 December 2026
Short Break to Rotterdam – 4 nights, 21 April 2027
Northern Europe & Scandinavia – 7 nights, 26 May 2027
Short Break to Rotterdam – 4 nights, 21 June 2027
Southern Cruise Break (Spain, France & Portugal) – 7 nights, 9 July 2027
Short Break to Hamburg & Zeebrugge (for Bruges) – 5 nights, 16 July 2027
Northern Europe & Scandinavia – 16 nights, 21 July 2027
Short Break to Hamburg & Zeebrugge (for Bruges) – 5 nights, 6 August 2027
Western Mediterranean Discovery – 21 nights, 11 August 2027
Short Break to Rotterdam – 4 nights, 13 September 2027

A Few Handy Details

Bookings for these all-ages holidays open 7 October 2025.
Infants can be booked from six months of age (12 months for Arcadia’s Norway & Iceland itinerary).
There’ll be children’s menus, family-friendly activities, and a few tweaks to onboard facilities to suit younger guests.
No children’s clubs or babysitting services will be available on Arcadia or Aurora, but family-friendly ships like Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Azura, and Ventura continue to offer them year-round.

Final Thoughts

This update marks a lovely step forward for guests who’ve long wanted to share the P&O Cruises experience with their children or grandchildren - especially on two of the fleet’s most charming ships.

By introducing a handful of family-friendly sailings while keeping plenty of adults-only options, P&O Cruises is giving travellers even more choice for 2026 and 2027.

So whether you fancy a traditional adults-only escape or a family voyage where everyone’s invited, the possibilities just got even bigger.