Cruise life New to cruising Celebrations

Everything you need to know about group bookings

Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply reconnecting, a group cruise can bring you together for a holiday you’ll never forget

5 min 15 Apr 2025

Editorial Team

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Bring the whole family

A P&O Cruises holiday is a blast for all ages, from little ones through to their grandparents and everyone in between, and there are endless ways to keep everyone entertained on our family-friendly ships.

 

You may have a hard time tearing your kids away from the swimming pools, and we wouldn’t blame you – you’ll find them on all our ships, and all of them offer a chilled-out spot to swim, snack and relax.

 

If swimming doesn’t blow off enough steam, try the Altitude activity zone on Arvia, where you can test your nerve on the high ropes adventures (54 metres above the ocean!) or get competitive at the tropical island-themed nine-hole minigolf course.

 

And while family fun is goal number one, it’s important for them (and you!) to have a bit of freedom. Our children’s clubs cater to kids six months to 17 years old, providing them with a safe, stimulating place to explore and spend time with kids their own age. And while they’re safely occupied and in the hands of our qualified Reef Rangers, the grown-ups will have time to have their own fun on board, be it an afternoon in the pub or a romantic meal for two.

 

When it comes to cabins, we’ve got the whole family sorted. All our family-friendly cabins have been carefully designed to maximise space by day and create flexible sleeping arrangements by night. On our family-friendly ships, cabins and suites can accommodate families of up to four, with sofa beds or upper pull-down beds. Families of five or more will need two interconnecting cabins. Family Suites are available on Azura and Ventura, and Arvia and Iona even have two special family suites at the front of the ship.

Celebrate in style

Life’s big moments call for big celebrations.

 

Picture the most romantic day of your life – now add your nearest and dearest toasting you with Champagne and the sparkling sea as your backdrop. A wedding at sea makes an unforgettable day even more special. On top of the dreamy ceremony, delectable food and stunning venue, we make it easy for you with the help of a pre-cruise and on-board wedding planner, leaving you free to enjoy time with your loved ones. We can even take care of gifts for your ceremony party. Up to 10 guests can join your ceremony as part of the Wedding at Sea or Renewal of Vows package, and if there are more than 10 of you, you can simply pay a little extra for every multiple of 10 guests.

 

Hitting a milestone birthday? Why not go big and gather your loved ones for a celebration they’ll never forget? It’s sure to be a birthday that goes down in family history, whether you’re enjoying the spoils of a well-earned spa day or toasting the years gone by and the ones still to come over a glass of fizz on deck. The icing on the cake is our Birthday Package, which comes with a sponge birthday cake, a bottle of Prosecco, a birthday portrait taken by a professional photographer and dinner for two in a speciality restaurant.

 

We all wish we had more time to spend together as a family, but sometimes, life just gets in the way. So why not make time and book a cruise holiday for your next family reunion? We have accommodation, dining and entertainment for all generations to enjoy, and the memories you’ll make on board and on shore will be with you for years to come.

Iona, P&O, march 2022, ceremonies at Sea

Share meals to remember

When it comes time to eat, we’ve got dining to indulge any appetite. Fussy young tastebuds to please? The Beach House is home to fun, bright dishes such as tacos and poke bowls. On Arvia, 6th Street Diner brings all-American diner vibes and a menu with crowd-pleasers like milkshakes, waffles and fried chicken. And of course, you can’t go wrong with the buffet – if it’s choice you need, you’ll find it here. Looking for a bit of grown-up luxury? The Glass House pairs fine wines with Spanish-inspired small plates for a menu that’s made to mingle over, while Sindhu takes you on an Indian-inspired culinary adventure in stylish surrounds. And of course, the Freedom and Club dining rooms are perfect for big groups, with diverse menus and a lively atmosphere.

 

When you want to be seated all together for a group meal, we’ll always do our best to link your group bookings where we can. For groups of up to six, you can book speciality restaurants via My P&O Cruises before your sail date. For larger gatherings of seven or more, on our larger ships, you can book a dining table for a group of up to 10 via My P&O Cruises (subject to availability). If you can’t book the table size you need, please contact the restaurant as soon as possible once on board and they’ll do their best to accommodate you. There’s no need to book for Freedom Dining – simply request a larger table when you arrive at the restaurant and our crew will try their best to find one for you. To request larger tables in Club Restaurants, we suggest linking your booking with the rest of your party.

Group of friends are enjoying a meal in a restaurant. They are are talking and laughing while eating and drinking wine.

Let us entertain you

When you travel as a group with us, one thing’s for sure – you’ll never run out of things to do. Day or night, you can do as much or as little as you’d like. You could try out a new activity together, such as a dance class or painting. Who knows, you might even keep it up after you get home! Or challenge each other to a game of football or table tennis on the sports court – bragging rights are a souvenir money can’t buy. If you’re on Britannia, you could book into The Cookery Club and learn to make something scrumptious. And of course, when the sun is shining, there’s no better place to be than on deck, soaking up the sun and reminiscing over the incredible experiences you’ve already had.

 

In the evenings, we put on quite the show – gather the gang to watch a dazzling musical theatre production, cosy up with a cocktail and listen to live music in The 710 Club, or hit the dancefloor until the wee hours.

 

On Arvia, Britannia and Iona, you can book the theatre individually via My P&O Cruises and turn up together, as we don’t reserve seats. For the rest of the fleet, no booking is required as seating in the theatre is on a first come, first served basis.

Score a special deal

We can offer special deals such as extra on-board spending money for guests in a group of 16 people or more.

If you’ve booked a wedding at sea and are flying on a TUI charter flight, we can also offer wedding party benefits for parties of 16 or more, such as extra on-board spending money and one free cabin for every 20 cabins booked. T&Cs apply. 

Feeling inspired? To find out more about our cruise group deals, please get in touch.