P&O Cruises is bending one of its longest-standing rules. From December 2026, the line will open a limited run of family and multi-generational departures on its two adult-only ships, Aurora and Arcadia. Think of it as a carefully ring-fenced exception rather than a full rebrand: most of the calendar stays adults-only, but a handful of dates will welcome children, parents and grandparents aboard together.

The programme adds up to 20 cruises round-trip from Southampton, with bookings live today (7 October) and the winter 2027–28 season following on 14 October.

What’s actually changing

On the designated family sailings you can expect the practicalities parents care about: children’s menus, baby-change and bottle-warming facilities, and age-appropriate entertainment woven into the day. The idea is to keep the ships’ quieter, classic feel while making sure younger travellers aren’t left improvising with grown-up schedules.

Aurora carries eight family-friendly cruises between 11 December 2026 and 13 September 2027, ranging from four to 21 nights and calling around Northern Europe, Scandinavia and the Western Mediterranean.
Arcadia hosts 12 multi-gen options from 21 December 2026 to 20 September 2027, three to 24 nights, with itineraries that include Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Spain, the Eastern Mediterranean and Iceland.

The move follows rising demand for trips that put multiple generations on the same gangway. As P&O Cruises’ sales and distribution lead Ruth Venn notes, industry data shows more than 30% of families now cruise with at least two generations—and agents were asking for products to match. The compromise here is neat: choice for families on specific dates, tranquillity for adults on the rest.

Why this matters (and who it suits)

If you love Aurora and Arcadia’s smaller-ship atmosphere—more bookish lounge than theme park—but want to bring the entire clan, these dates finally make that possible. They also suit grown-up families travelling with older teens or university-holidays in mind, where a sophisticated pace beats water-slides and laser tag.

If you’re booking an adults-only escape, don’t panic: the majority of the year remains 18+ on both ships. Just check the badge on your chosen sailing before you start picturing the library to yourself.

The small print

• On sale: family dates open 7 October; winter 2027–28 goes on sale 14 October.
• From: Southampton on both ships.
• Durations: short breaks to three-plus weeks, depending on itinerary.
• Destinations: a spread of Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the Med and out to Iceland.

As ever, match the vibe to your travellers. Culture-soaked city calls and longer sea days will suit curious kids and patient grandparents; if you want waterparks and cartoon parades, pick one of P&O’s family-designated ships instead.

We’ll update this page as more detail lands—fares, cabin availability and the finer points of the family programming. For now, consider this your heads-up that two of Britain’s best-loved adult-only ships will briefly set the table for everyone.