P&O vs Ambassador comes down to scale and convenience. P&O Cruises sails big, modern resort-style ships (up to 5,200 guests) mainly from Southampton, with lots of dining, entertainment and family facilities. Ambassador Cruise Line runs small, older ships of around 1,200–1,400 guests from regional UK ports such as Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Bristol, and from the 2027-28 season its no-fly cruises are adults-only.
Both are British-flavoured, no-fly-friendly cruise lines with pounds sterling on board and a strong UK following, so it is no surprise that people weigh them up side by side. Below we compare the fleets, ports, cabins, dining, entertainment, drinks packages and the type of passenger each line suits, with a quick-reference table of P&O cruise ships for anyone choosing between them.
P&O vs Ambassador at a glance
| P&O Cruises | Ambassador Cruise Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Ships sailing for UK market | 7 (Iona, Arvia, Britannia, Ventura, Azura, Aurora, Arcadia) | 2 main UK ships (Ambience, Ambition); Renaissance mostly serves the French market |
| Ship size | 1,874 to 5,200 guests | Around 1,200 to 1,400 guests |
| Main UK departure port | Southampton | Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool, Bristol, Dundee, Belfast, Portsmouth |
| Children | Welcome on five family ships; Aurora and Arcadia mostly adults-only | No-fly cruises adults-only from 2027-28 (a few multigenerational sailings) |
| Style | Modern, resort-style, lots of choice | Traditional, relaxed, destination-led |
| Drinks packages (per person per night, approx.) | Classic from £50, Deluxe from £60 | Classic £42.95, Premium £49.95 pre-booked, gratuities included |
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Fleets compared: P&O cruise ships vs Ambassador ships
The biggest single difference between the two lines is the size of their ships. P&O’s newest vessels are among the largest ever built for British passengers, while Ambassador deliberately operates smaller, second-hand ships that it has refitted and upgraded.
P&O Cruises ships at a glance
If you searched for “P&O cruise ships” or “best P&O ship”, this table gives the current fleet as of October 2026. Figures are approximate and based on standard (lower-berth) capacity.
| Ship | In service | Gross tonnage | Guests | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arvia | 2022 | 185,581 | 5,200 | Families and groups wanting the most facilities, including the Altitude Skywalk and SkyDome |
| Iona | 2021 | 184,700 | 5,200 | Families and first-timers; Norway, Northern Europe and Mediterranean from Southampton |
| Britannia | 2015 | 143,000 | 3,647 | Mixed ages wanting a big ship with a more classic feel |
| Ventura | 2008 | 116,017 | 3,078 | Families on a mid-size ship |
| Azura | 2010 | 115,055 | 3,100 | Families and couples; sister ship to Ventura |
| Arcadia | 2005 | 83,781 | 2,094 | Adults wanting long voyages and world cruises |
| Aurora | 2000 | 76,152 | 1,874 | Adults who prefer a smaller, traditional ship |
Two fleet changes are worth knowing about if you are booking far ahead. Aurora and Arcadia are adults-only for most of the year, but P&O has opened selected sailings on both ships to families from December 2026 through to September 2027, mainly during school holidays and Christmas. Further out, Carnival Corporation has announced that Cunard’s Queen Anne will be refitted, renamed and join P&O in May 2029, while Arcadia leaves the fleet after her final P&O season ends in August 2029 and moves to Holland America Line. You can read more in our news story on Queen Anne heading to P&O and Arcadia moving to Holland America.
As for the “best” P&O ship, there isn’t one answer: Arvia and Iona have the most to do, Britannia balances size with a more traditional atmosphere, and Aurora is the closest in feel to an Ambassador ship.
Ambassador Cruise Line fleet
| Ship | Built | Gross tonnage | Guests | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambience | 1991 | 70,285 | Around 1,400 | UK, home port London Tilbury |
| Ambition | 1999 | 48,123 | Up to 1,200 | UK, multiple regional ports |
| Renaissance | Early 1990s | 55,575 | Up to 1,100 | Mainly French market (Ambassador Croisières), plus some fly-cruises |
| Ambella (ex-Oceania Sirena) | 1999 | 30,277 | To be confirmed | German market from 2028 (planned) |
The recently announced purchase of Oceania’s Sirena does not add a new ship for UK cruisers. She is due to join in 2028 as Ambella for a new German-language brand, Ambassador Kreuzfahrten, sailing from Bremerhaven and Kiel, with a winter charter to Semester at Sea. For UK passengers, the choice remains Ambience and Ambition.
Departure ports: Southampton vs regional UK ports
This is often the deciding factor. P&O Cruises sails almost all of its UK no-fly holidays from Southampton, with some ships based in the Caribbean or Mediterranean for fly-cruises in winter. If you live in the South of England, Southampton is easy; if you live in Scotland, the North East or Northern Ireland, it can mean a long drive or an overnight hotel.
Ambassador’s model is the opposite. For the 2026-27 season it sails from seven UK ports:
- London Tilbury (Ambience’s home port)
- Newcastle (Port of Tyne)
- Dundee
- Liverpool
- Belfast
- Bristol (Avonmouth)
- Portsmouth, new for 2026-27
Ambassador has also moved Ambition towards more single-port departures, ending some dual pick-ups, so check exactly where your chosen sailing starts and ends. For many passengers in the Midlands, North and Scotland, a cruise from the nearest regional port saves both time and travel costs, which can offset any difference in fares.
Cabins
P&O’s newer ships have a high proportion of balcony cabins, plus suites, family cabins and solo cabins on several ships. Cabin layouts are modern and consistent across each class.
Ambassador’s ships were built in the 1990s, so there are far fewer balconies and many more inside and ocean-view cabins. Sizes vary more than on newer ships, and cabins have been refurbished rather than designed from scratch. On the plus side, Ambassador offers dedicated solo cabins, and fares for inside and ocean-view grades are often modest. If a private balcony matters to you, P&O gives you far more choice.
Dining
Both lines include full-board dining in the fare, with afternoon tea, and both charge extra for speciality restaurants.
- P&O Cruises: a wide choice of included main dining rooms and buffets, plus extra-charge venues that vary by ship, such as The Glass House, Sindhu Indian dining, Epicurean and the Chef’s Table on the larger ships. Most ships offer flexible “freedom” dining, with set-time options on some.
- Ambassador: a smaller line-up. Ambience has the Buckingham Restaurant and the Borough Market buffet, with speciality dining at Saffron (Indian) and Sea & Grass. Ambition has the Buckingham and Holyrood restaurants, Borough Market, Saffron and Lupino’s.
In short, P&O wins on variety, especially on Iona and Arvia. Ambassador’s approach suits passengers who prefer a familiar restaurant routine rather than lots of choice.
Entertainment and onboard atmosphere
On P&O’s big ships you can expect West End-style production shows, comedians, live bands, large pool decks, a SkyDome with a retractable roof on Iona and Arvia, and late-night bars. Even on Aurora and Arcadia, the programme is broad, with theatre shows and guest entertainers.
Ambassador’s entertainment is lower-key: Theatre@Sea shows, live music, guest speakers and enrichment talks, quizzes, dance classes and a craft studio, with arts and crafts sessions on longer sailings. The atmosphere is quieter and more social, and evenings tend to end earlier. Days are focused on the destinations, which often include smaller ports that big ships cannot reach.
Families vs adults-only
For families, P&O Cruises is the clear choice. Iona, Arvia, Britannia, Ventura and Azura all have kids’ clubs and family cabins, and P&O offers its children’s activities across school holidays. Even Aurora and Arcadia now have selected family dates.
Ambassador is heading the other way. The line has said that the 2027-28 season is the first in which every no-fly itinerary is child-free, with only a few multigenerational sailings per year. If you specifically want a peaceful, child-free cruise from a regional port, that makes Ambassador a strong option alongside P&O’s Aurora and Arcadia. Our round-up of adults-only cruises from the UK compares the wider choice.
Prices, drinks packages and what’s included
Ambassador fares are often lower than P&O’s for a similar length of cruise, though prices on both lines vary a lot by date and cabin, and P&O frequently runs sales. The real cost difference usually shows up in extras.
| Drinks package (per person per night) | P&O Cruises | Ambassador (2026-27, pre-cruise) |
|---|---|---|
| Soft drinks / alcohol-free | Refresh £16; Alcohol-Free £29 | Non-Alcoholic £20.95 |
| Standard alcoholic | Classic from £50 | Classic £42.95 |
| Premium alcoholic | Deluxe from £60 | Premium £49.95 |
P&O package prices are higher on cruises of 14 nights or fewer, and P&O adds gratuities separately. Ambassador’s package prices include gratuities and service charges, and the line charges more if you buy on board rather than before you sail. Prices are correct at the time of writing but change regularly, so check the line’s website before booking.
Both lines include full-board meals, core entertainment, pools and gym. Wi-Fi, speciality restaurants, spa treatments and shore excursions are extra on both.
Which is better: P&O or Ambassador?
Choose P&O Cruises if you:
- are travelling with children or teenagers
- want a balcony cabin, lots of restaurants and big production shows
- live within easy reach of Southampton
- like a lively, modern ship with plenty going on
Choose Ambassador if you:
- want to sail from a port close to home in the North, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the West Country
- prefer a small, quieter, adults-focused ship
- care more about itineraries, including smaller ports, than onboard attractions
- like the idea of drinks packages that already include gratuities
One tip that comparison guides often miss: work out your total door-to-door cost. A Southampton cruise might be cheaper on paper, but fuel, parking or a pre-cruise hotel can add a significant sum if you live far from the South Coast, while a regional Ambassador departure may cost more per night but less overall. Itineraries also overlap; both lines sail to the Norwegian fjords, so see our guide to Norwegian fjords cruises from the UK if that is on your list.
For more no-fly and adults-focused options, read our guide to the best cruises for over 50s from the UK.
If you book Arcadia, our guide to Arcadia cabins to avoid explains which areas can be noisy or overlooked.
If dining matters most, our P&O Arvia restaurants guide shows which venues on P&O’s newest ship are included and which cost extra.
FAQs
Is Ambassador cheaper than P&O?
Ambassador fares are often lower for a similar length cruise, and its drinks packages are a little cheaper and include gratuities. P&O sales can close the gap, so compare total costs, including travel to the port.
How many cruise ships does P&O have?
P&O Cruises has seven ships as of October 2026: Iona, Arvia, Britannia, Ventura, Azura, Aurora and Arcadia. Queen Anne is due to join from Cunard in May 2029, and Arcadia is due to leave for Holland America after August 2029.
Which is the best P&O cruise ship?
It depends on who is travelling. Arvia and Iona suit families wanting the most facilities, Britannia suits mixed groups, and Aurora or Arcadia suit adults who prefer a smaller, quieter ship.
Is Ambassador Cruise Line adults-only?
From the 2027-28 season all of Ambassador’s no-fly itineraries are child-free, apart from a few designated multigenerational sailings each year. Check the sailing details when you book.
Where does Ambassador sail from?
For 2026-27, Ambassador sails from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol and Portsmouth.
