P&O Cruises have been sailing in Australian waters for over 75 years. Their first cruise from Sydney took place at Christmas 1932 when 'Strathaird' sailed for Norfolk Island with a full complement of passengers. P&O Cruises invented cruising in the mid-1800s and it has been synonymous with the industry ever since, sailing its famous white ships across all the oceans of the world.

Today P&O Cruises is Australia and New Zealand's leading cruise line to destinations in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Regular cruises depart from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle and Auckland. The P&O Cruises fleet currently consists of the 47,000 ton PACIFIC SUN carrying 1,900 passengers, the 70,000 ton superliners PACIFIC DAWN with 2,020 passengers and PACIFIC JEWEL carrying 1,950 passengers, and the 63,000 ton PACIFIC PEARL carrying 1,800 passengers.

The P&O Experience

A P&O cruise is an enjoyable, laid back and good value for money cruise experience. Their ships provide plenty of facilities for young and old alike with an emphasis on lots of fun.

Passenger Profile

P&O ships are suitable for people of all ages who are young at heart and enjoy a very casual style cruise with lots of fun and entertainment. Whatever your choice, you will find people of all ages and backgrounds on a cruise with P&O.

Children's Programs

P&O's dedicated team of Children's Activity staff keep your children entertained so they have as good a holiday as you do. A comprehensive supervised childrens program is available from 10am to 10pm and includes pool games, arts & crafts, movies, talent shows, educational talks and late night child minding.

5-year olds and under can have a fun-filled time in 'Turtle Cove'. The 'Shark Shack' provides activities for the 6 to 12 year olds and HQ is a great area for teenagers only. A full list of activities is printed each day in the children's own activity guides.

Accommodation

Choose from outstanding balcony cabins with ocean views, great-value internal cabins, 4-berth options to share with family or friends or outside cabins with windows. Indulge with a mini-suite or full suite offering over 25 extra luxuries. There are also 10 cabins available for wheelchair-dependent guests.

Complete with air conditioning and an ensuite, your cabin is your home away from home. Your cabin steward takes care of every small detail and prepares your room every day. You can even enjoy movies and 24-hour room service. But the real beauty of a P&O Cruises holiday is that you only need to unpack once and settle in for your best ever holiday. It's our pleasure to look after you so you can enjoy your time at sea.

Activities, Spa & Fitness

Enjoy your holiday your way. Simply laze on a deck chair by one of our pools. Relax in our whirlpool spa, or be pampered with a rejuvenating, soothing massage. Discover the Picasso in you at an art or craft class. Enjoy a workout at the gym, jogging track or feel your pulses racing at the first ever Bootcamp at Sea.

Pop your nose into a wine appreciation seminar or learn how to make a perfect latte from our baristas. Star in a karaoke session or feel the beat at a dance class. Trivia, bingo, deck sports, art auctions, yoga classes – it's all here to create your best holiday ever.

Cuisine

All P&O Cruises vacation packages are a feast for your senses. Be tempted by tantalising choices, fresh delicious flavours, unique creations. And with 'Your Choice Dining' you can choose who you dine with, when and where!

Choose from lavish buffet selections or dine on four-course à la Carte menus in our formal dining rooms. If you're yearning for a succulent steak or some freshly shucked oysters, head for our seafood and steakhouse restaurant or the new Salt Grill by Luke Mangan celebrity restaurant.
Enjoy casual dining at a pizzeria or relax poolside with a quick snack. Saunter into The Café for some chocolate indulgence and a perfect latte or luxuriate in a sunset cocktail in one of our bars. And just like any great resort, room service is available 24 hours a day.

Destinations

P&O Cruises gives you a choice of destinations as far as the eye can see. Whether you want to experience Australia in a more spectacular way, meet our neighbours in a tropical island paradise or explore the exotic, we'll take you there with amazing vacation packages. Cruise in safety and luxury between each port, then join our expertly guided shore tours showing you the most exciting highlights.

Australia - Sometimes the best adventures are right in your own backyard. It helps if your backyard is the largest island and its own continent as well. Add a rich cultural history and the friendliest locals in the Southern Hemisphere and you've got the recipe for the perfect holiday.

Head north to the tropics to experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef, or south to the rugged isle of Tassie. Go west to exquisite destinations perched between wilderness and the sea. Soak up Darwin's World War II history or the Barossa's world-renowned wines. You'll find indigenous culture, unique wildlife, scenic golf courses, fantastic sightseeing and so much more. Australia has the perfect mix of excitement and awe-inspiring natural beauty.

P&O Cruises offers a number of short break and longer cruises departing near you. Match the itinerary of your dreams to the shore tours offered to create your own ideal holiday.

New Zealand - New Zealand packs more adventure, scenic beauty, culture, history and wonder into every footstep, photo and friendly conversation than any country in the Southern Hemisphere. Come discover why it's one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.

You'll marvel at the wonders of Fiordland as your superliner takes you into Milford Sound to view the dramatic glaciers and massive mountains including Mitre Peak. See fascinating geothermal activity and unique wildlife. Witness Maori culture and explore the stories and meaning behind the 'haka', visit the art deco capital of the world and cruise into the 'City of Sails'. Feeling adventurous? Try canyoning, take a bungy challenge, go whitewater rafting or swim with the dolphins.

There's plenty to explore on both north and south islands in the 'land of the long white cloud'.

Pacific Islands - P&O will show you the Pacific like you've never seen it before. Glide through azure seas up to emerald islands with crystal clear lagoons.

Feel a warm traditional welcome as you discover our unique guided shore tours giving you the real flavour of distinctive local cultures.

From spectacular sights of Fiji that are truly off the tourist track, to the stunning natural beauty of Vanuatu, French flavours of New Caledonia and French Polynesia to the friendliness and lush landscapes of Samoa, P&O Cruises are truly out of the blue.

Asia - Selamat datang! Welcome to our best cruise deals where the east is a mystery no longer. We'll show you the most fascinating highlights of vibrant destinations to give you the real flavour of exotic Asia.

Cruise amongst the 13,000 islands of Indonesia on-board your floating resort. Come face to face with a Komodo dragon, experience tantalising local cuisine and traditional ceremonies, or just be wowed by beauty beyond your imagination in our rich diversity of shore tours.

In lands of ancient mystery you'll discover a wealth of contemporary experiences and treasures to take home.

Entertainment

With our great cruise packages, every night is a celebration. As the night sky begins to sparkle so does your holiday experience.

Start with a pre-dinner drink or catch up with friends over cocktails in one of our themed bars. Then take your seat in the Marquee Theatre for a spectacular musical production, laugh your head off at a comedy show, rock on to our live bands, singers, specialty acts and musicians. Or watch the stars on the big screen at a recent-release movie.

Cocktail Nights give you the chance to dress up and dance the night away. Everything's open till late, including our on-board casino.

Family

Your kids will tell you this is their best holiday ever. Why? Because our three on-board Children's Centres* have the coolest ways to entertain your little ones and teens. In fact, there's so much to do in one day that we publish a daily newsletter just to fill you in. Our experienced Youth Activity Team loves organising the most awesome activities. And they take fun seriously, which means our staff are qualified to look after your children, in a safe and secure environment.

TC and Skipper - Our two lovable characters, TC and Skipper, star in their very own Junior Cruises Show which is suitable for the whole family to enjoy. All shows are held in the Turtle Cove and Shark Shack Children's Centre.

Ocean Friends Club - In association with Sydney Aquarium, Ocean Friends Club features a fun, educational programme of interactive 'touch and feel' activities, art and craft and energetic games. Kids learn about the marine environment and its many inhabitants. At the end of the cruise, children who take part receive a free entry pass to Sydney Aquarium (conditions apply).

Travelling With Infants - Infants aged 12 months to 2 years 11 months travel for free with two adults in a cabin. However, children under the age of 3 years cannot enter the Children's Centre unless they are supervised by their own parent or guardian.

Shopping

Some of the best cruise deals on board! Reward yourself and friends at home with superb gifts and mementos. An exciting part of life on board P&O Cruises is a choice of delightful and luxurious ways to indulge in retail therapy.

Tax and Duty Free - P&O Cruises Tax and Duty Free Shops offer savings of up to 50% off Australian recommended retail prices. Browse and select from some of the world's most exclusive products and brands. Pamper yourself with Chanel, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Clarins and Lancome cosmetics and fragrances. Choose fashion, jewellery and accessories by Guess, Fossil, Citizen, Seiko, Swatch, Tissot, Swarovski and more. To remember your cruise, you'll also find a stylish choice of P&O Cruises fashion and souvenirs.

Themed Cruises

Food & Wine - If one of your great passions is supurb food accompanied by fine wine and friends, our gourmet food and wine cruises are just perfect for you. Cruises departing from Sydney will showcase the supurb produce and wines of the Hunter Valley and from Auckland local New Zealand specialties feature.

Comedy Cruise - Imagine taking time out on board a fabulous floating resort and being entertained by popular Australian comedians. Our NEW Comedy Cruises will have you laughing every day. So, if you love a good laugh, choose a Comedy Cruise.

Lifestyle & Melbourne Cup - Next time you have some time to yourself, why not make the most of the break by focussing on you. Our 'It's all about Lifestyle' cruises do just that by offering a variety of presentations, interactive workshops, special activities and events designed to enhance your own lifestyle. It's the perfect way to escape and spoil yourself.

The Melbourne Cup cruise is where the party atmosphere often means champagne and canapes, huge hats and racetrack fashions. Get to Flemington in style with our Melbourne Cup cruise from Sydney.