P&O Cruises vs Princess Cruises is one of the most common comparisons for UK cruise passengers, especially when sailing from Southampton.
At first glance, both cruise lines look very similar. They operate modern ships, offer comparable itineraries across Europe and the Mediterranean, and provide a full onboard experience with dining, entertainment, and accommodation included.
But once you start looking at what you actually get for your money, how the pricing works, and what the onboard experience feels like day to day, the differences become much clearer.
This guide breaks down those differences in a practical way, based on recent sailings on Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Arvia, Iona and Britannia. The focus here is how these cruise lines actually compare when you are onboard, paying for things, moving around the ship, and deciding whether the experience matches what you expected when you booked.
Watch the Full P&O Cruises vs Princess Cruises Comparison
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Can You Really Compare ?
There is a long-standing perception that Princess Cruises sits in a more premium category, while P&O Cruises is positioned as a more mainstream, British-focused cruise line. You will often see this reflected in online discussions, where Princess is described as more refined, and P&O is sometimes dismissed as more casual or even compared to a “holiday camp at sea.”
In reality, that gap is far smaller than people expect.
Both cruise lines operate ships of a very similar standard. The theatres, restaurants, cabins, and public areas are broadly comparable in layout and quality. You are not stepping into a completely different class of cruise when you move from one to the other.
Where the difference really lies is in how the experience is structured. Princess focuses more on optional extras, add-on packages, and a slightly more international feel. P&O focuses on simplicity, bundled pricing, and a more familiar British atmosphere.
That difference in approach affects everything from how much you pay, to how easy the cruise feels, to how you spend your time onboard.
P&O Cruises vs Princess : What’s Included in the Fare?
One of the biggest differences between these two cruise lines is how they structure their pricing.
P&O Cruises
With P&O Cruises, the model is straightforward. Your fare includes your cabin, all meals in the main dining rooms and buffet, a wide range of entertainment, port taxes, and importantly, gratuities. If you book a fly cruise, flights and transfers are also included, often on a charter flight where your luggage is handled for you and delivered directly to your cabin.
This creates a much clearer upfront price. What you see when you book is very close to what you will actually spend.
P&O What’s Included
• Accommodation
• Main dining and buffet
• Entertainment
• Port taxes
• Gratuities included
• Flights and transfers on fly cruises
Princess Cruises (Tiered Pricing)
Princess Cruises uses a tiered pricing system. The entry-level fare, known as Princess Standard, includes your cabin, dining, entertainment, and basic service, but excludes drinks, WiFi, and gratuities. These are added separately, either as individual purchases or through bundled packages.
The most common upgrade is Princess Plus, which typically costs around sixty dollars per person per day. This includes a drinks package, WiFi for one device, gratuities, and a few additional perks such as desserts and delivery options. At the higher end, Princess Premier costs closer to eighty to ninety dollars per day and adds further inclusions such as higher-value drinks, photo packages, and reserved seating.
The key point here is that the advertised price on Princess is rarely the final price. To match what P&O includes by default, you often need to upgrade to at least the Plus package, and sometimes Premier, depending on how you cruise.
Princess Standard
• Cabin
• Dining
• Entertainment
• Service
• No drinks
• No WiFi
• No gratuities
Princess Plus (approx. sixty dollars per day)
• Drinks package up to fifteen dollars per drink
• WiFi for one device
• Gratuities included
• Extra perks such as desserts and delivery
Princess Premier (approx. eighty to ninety dollars per day)
• Higher drink limits
• Unlimited casual dining
• Photo package
• Reserved seating
• Additional extras
The structure gives flexibility, but the total cost builds quickly.
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Gratuities – A Key Pricing Difference
Gratuities are one of the simplest but most important differences between these cruise lines.
On P&O Cruises, gratuities are included in your fare. There is nothing added to your onboard account each day, and you do not need to think about it during your cruise.
On Princess Cruises, if you are travelling on the Standard fare, gratuities are charged daily and automatically added to your onboard account. This is typically around sixteen dollars per person per day. Over a twelve-night cruise, this can add more than one hundred pounds per person.
If you upgrade to Princess Plus or Premier, gratuities are included, but that cost is effectively built into the higher daily package price.
The practical impact is that P&O feels simpler and more transparent, while Princess requires you to be more aware of ongoing daily costs.
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Real Price Comparison (Southampton Sailings)
To understand how this works in practice, it helps to look at real cruise pricing rather than headline fares.
For a fourteen-night cruise on Iona sailing to Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, an inside cabin was priced at around one thousand two hundred and nineteen pounds per person. This included gratuities and the core onboard experience.
A comparable sailing on Regal Princess, a twelve-night British Isles itinerary with France, was advertised at eight hundred and seventy-nine pounds per person, plus two hundred and ninety-eight pounds in taxes, bringing the base cost to one thousand one hundred and seventy-seven pounds.
At first glance, these prices appear very similar.
However, once you add gratuities, which come to roughly one hundred and thirty pounds per person, along with WiFi and drinks, the Princess price increases significantly. At that point, it is no longer directly comparable to the P&O fare.
A second example shows an even clearer gap. A thirteen-night Mediterranean cruise on Arvia was priced at around nine hundred and seventy-nine pounds per person. A fourteen-night Mediterranean itinerary on Sky Princess was priced at around one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine pounds per person, before adding extras.
Even allowing for differences in itinerary and port taxes, the overall cost difference is substantial, and increases further once Princess extras are included.
The key takeaway is that Princess can appear competitive at first glance, but the final price often ends up higher once you account for how you actually cruise.
Example 1
• P&O Iona: 14 nights – £1,219
• Regal Princess: 12 nights – £1,177 base
Once you add gratuities, drinks, and WiFi, Princess becomes noticeably more expensive.
Example 2
• P&O Arvia: 13 nights – £979
• Sky Princess: 14 nights – £1,849
Even before extras, the gap is significant. After adding extras, the difference increases further.
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Fly Cruises = One of the Biggest Differences
If you are considering a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise, the way each cruise line handles flights and transfers becomes extremely important.
With P&O Cruises, fly cruises are designed to be seamless. Flights are included, transfers are included, and in many cases, your luggage is checked in at the UK airport and delivered directly to your cabin. The entire process is managed by the cruise line, which removes a significant amount of planning and stress.
With Princess Cruises, the approach is different. In most cases, you are expected to book your own flights and arrange your own transfers. Princess does offer flight packages, but these are typically optional and come at an additional cost.
This creates more flexibility, but also more responsibility. You need to consider flight timings, transfer logistics, and what happens if there are delays. For experienced travellers, this may not be an issue, but for first-time cruisers or those who want a simpler experience, the difference is significant.
P&O Cruises
• Flights included
• Transfers included
• Luggage often goes straight to your cabin
Princess Cruises
• Flights usually booked separately
• Transfers arranged independently unless added
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Cabins and Space
In terms of cabin layout, both cruise lines offer similar categories, including inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite cabins.
However, there are some practical differences.
P&O Cruises tends to offer slightly larger inside cabins. On Britannia, for example, inside cabins are around one hundred and seventy square feet, while on Regal Princess they are closer to one hundred and sixty square feet. While this difference may seem small, it is noticeable when you are moving around the cabin, especially on longer cruises.
Balcony cabins are broadly similar in size across both lines, although Princess often leans towards a slightly more refined décor, while P&O feels more functional.
One major difference is that P&O offers dedicated solo cabins, including solo balcony cabins on Britannia. Princess does not offer solo cabins, which means single travellers often need to pay a supplement.
For solo cruisers, this alone can make P&O the more practical and cost-effective choice.
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Dining – Where the Experience Changes
Dining is one of the areas where the difference between the two cruise lines becomes more noticeable.
On Princess Cruises, the overall standard of food is more consistent. Main dining room meals are generally well presented, with a good level of variety and reliable quality. Casual dining options, such as the International Café, are also strong, offering a range of snacks and light meals throughout the day.
On P&O Cruises, the experience is more variable. There are standout venues, particularly in speciality dining. Restaurants such as Sindhu and The Beach House offer excellent food at a reasonable price, making them good value for money.
However, the buffet can be inconsistent, particularly during busy periods, and the main dining rooms do not always match the consistency found on Princess.
The practical difference is that Princess delivers a more reliable food experience across the board, while P&O offers better value when you choose to pay for speciality dining.
Princess Cruises
• More consistent food quality
• Strong main dining room standard
• Excellent casual dining
P&O Cruises
• Good overall but less consistent
• Strong value in speciality dining
• Standout venues include Sindhu and The Beach House
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Entertainment and Onboard Atmosphere
Both cruise lines offer a wide range of entertainment, but the style is different.
P&O Cruises leans heavily into a British atmosphere. Expect pub quizzes, comedians, live music, and interactive shows. Venues such as Brodie’s can be lively and busy, especially in the evenings, creating a sociable and energetic environment.
Princess Cruises takes a more international approach. Theatre shows are often more polished, with a production style closer to West End or Broadway. There is also a greater focus on enrichment activities, live music in lounges, and a generally calmer onboard atmosphere.
Neither is better or worse in terms of quality. The difference is in the type of experience you prefer. P&O feels more social and informal, while Princess feels more relaxed and refined.
P&O Cruises
• British focused entertainment
• Pub quizzes, comedians, interactive shows
• Lively and social atmosphere
Princess Cruises
• Theatre productions
• Live music and enrichment
• More relaxed and international feel
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Service and Technology
Service on both cruise lines is generally strong, but the style differs.
On Princess Cruises, service tends to be more polished and formal. Staff are attentive, and the Medallion system enhances the overall experience. This technology allows you to order drinks and food directly to your location on the ship, reducing the need to queue and making the experience feel more seamless.
On P&O Cruises, service feels more relaxed and familiar. Staff are friendly and approachable, and the atmosphere is less formal. However, service can be less consistent on larger ships during busy periods, particularly when demand is high.
The choice here depends on whether you value technology and efficiency, or a more traditional and informal cruise experience.
Princess Cruises
• More polished and formal service
• Medallion system allows ordering drinks anywhere on the ship
• Strong app integration
P&O Cruises
• Friendly and informal service
• Less advanced technology
• More traditional cruise experience
P&O Cruises vs Princess : Overall Comparison
P&O Cruises offers a more straightforward experience, with clearer pricing, more inclusions, and a familiar onboard atmosphere. It is particularly strong for value, fly cruises, and solo travellers.
Princess Cruises offers a more refined experience, with better food consistency, stronger technology, and a slightly more relaxed onboard environment. However, this often comes at a higher overall cost once extras are included.
Choose P&O Cruises if
• You want a clear all in price
• You prefer a British atmosphere
• You want easy fly cruise logistics
• You are travelling solo
• You value simplicity and upfront pricing
Choose Princess Cruises if
• Food quality is a priority
• You want better onboard technology
• You prefer a quieter and more refined feel
• You are happy to pay for extras or packages
Final Verdict
Neither cruise line is objectively better. They are simply designed for slightly different types of travellers.
If you want a cruise where the price is clear, the experience is easy to manage, and the atmosphere feels familiar, P&O Cruises is likely to be the better choice.
If you are happy to pay more for a more polished experience, with better food consistency and more advanced technology, Princess Cruises may be the better fit.
The most important factor is not the brand name, but how the cruise fits your priorities. Once you understand how each cruise line works, the decision becomes much easier.
Related Guides
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Staying Connected at Sea
If you don’t want to rely entirely on the ship’s Wi-Fi, another option is a cruise eSIM.
Saily has recently launched cruise eSIM plans that provide mobile data both at sea and in supported ports. Depending on your itinerary and how you use your phone, this could be a convenient alternative for messaging, maps and general internet browsing.
You can check the latest plans and coverage here: Saily Cruise Esim
Use code SOLOTRAVEL10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I haven’t personally tested Saily’s cruise eSIM yet, so please check the latest coverage, data allowances and device compatibility before purchasing.
FAQs
Is Princess Cruises more luxurious than P&O?
Not significantly. Princess feels more refined, but both operate at a similar overall standard.
Is P&O better value than Princess?
In most cases, yes, especially once gratuities, drinks, and WiFi are included.
Do both cruise lines offer similar itineraries?
Yes, particularly from Southampton.
Which is better for first time cruisers?
P&O is often easier due to simpler pricing and more inclusions.