P&O Cruises will open up Arcadia and Aurora to travellers of all ages for the first time from December 2026 to provide more options for multi-generational cruisers

Selected cruises on the two smaller ships in the P&O Cruises fleet will be open to families on specific dates, during peak holiday periods and in time for Christmas next year.

The move will offer more cruises from Southampton for families and groups, and will add 23 per cent more cruises for families to choose from in school summer holidays in 2027.

Carnival UK and P&O Cruises associate vice president, sales and distribution, Ruth Venn, cited recent CLIA data showing that multi-generational travel is a rising trend. “Over 30 per cent of families are now cruising with at least two generations onboard,” she added.

“In response to guest feedback and increasing demand we are excited to invite all ages to join Arcadia and Aurora on selected holidays meaning the whole family can come together to experience these elegant ships.”

Venn said these cruises will provide agents with “even more opportunity” to promote P&O Cruises. “Arcadia and Aurora will continue to offer holidays exclusively for adults for the much of the year ensuring guests can enjoy the choice of both family-friendly and adult only cruises when booking a P&O Cruises holiday,” she continued.

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Bookings open on 7 October 2025, with cruises available on Aurora from 11 December 2026 and on Arcadia from 21 December 2026.

A total of 12 sailings on Aurora and eight on Arcadia will be available to families through to September 2027. More holidays for winter 2027-28 go on sale on 14 October 2025.

Menus for children will be available together with baby changing and bottle warming facilities and both ships will offer entertainment and activities for all ages.

Itineraries available for all ages on Aurora include the four-night Short Break to Rotterdam cruise on 11 December 2026, a 14-night Christmas Scandinavia cruise departing on 15 December 2026 and a 21-night Western Mediterranean Discovery in August 2027.

Arcadia, meanwhile, will sail a 16-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands itinerary on 21 December 2026, a three-night Short Break to Zeebrugge (for Bruges) cruise on 10 May 2027 and a 24-night Eastern Mediterranean Discovery itinerary on 3 August 2027.