Key Aspects:
- P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and Aurora, traditionally adults-only ships, will allow families on select itineraries beginning in December 2026.
- The itineraries range from short 3- and 4-night European breaks to extended journeys of up to 24 nights, all roundtrip from Southampton.
- Passengers already booked on affected sailings have until December 1, 2025, to change to a different cruise without penalty.
In a move that will certainly cause a stir with passengers, both thankful and hateful of the change, P&O Cruises has announced its Arcadia and Aurora ships will welcome families on a limited number of sailings beginning in December 2026.
The two ships are traditionally adults-only, but the cruise is opening the ships to children in response to passengers requesting more options for holiday sailings with P&O Cruises.
“Following guest feedback, we’ll be welcoming all ages on a small number of cruise holidays on Acadia and Aurora from December 2026,” said the cruise line.
“This means families of all generations will now be able to enjoy holidays together on these two beautiful ships.”
The 83,781-gross-ton Arcadia and 76,152-gross-ton Aurora will add family sailings on both short European journeys and longer voyages through destinations such as Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.
These selected itineraries will open the ships to children, teens, parents, and grandparents for the first time in years.
It also means passengers already booked on adult-only voyages will now be sailing with children.
While P&O Cruises confirmed that current reservations will remain unchanged, some guests looking for an adults-only cruise may want to inquire about swapping their bookings to a kid-free itinerary and have until December 1 to do so without penalty.
The cruise line added, “If you’d like to discuss your booking with us following these changes, you have until 1 December 2025. After that, your booking will be subject to standard terms and conditions.”
Despite the decision to open certain voyages to all ages, Arcadia and Aurora cruises will remain largely adult-only.
Limited Sailings Open to Families
The 1,874-passenger Aurora’s first family sailing will depart from Southampton, England, to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on December 11, 2026.
This four-night short sailing will be followed by a 14-night Christmas Scandinavian cruise leaving December 15, 2026.
A 5-night itinerary to Hamburg for New Year’s Eve on December 29, 2026, will complete the year, but Aurora will also include multiple Northern Europe and Mediterranean sailings through the summer of 2027, such as a 21-night Western Mediterranean voyage on August 11, 2027, also from Southampton.
Meanwhile, the 2,094-guest Arcadia will begin its family sailings with a 16-night Spain, Portugal, and Canary Islands Christmas cruise departing on December 21, 2026, from Southampton.
Read Also: Who Owns P&O Cruises and Why People Get Confused
Other voyages include a 3-night short break to Zeebrugge from Southampton on May 10, 2027, and a 24-night Eastern Mediterranean adventure to Sicily, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, and Gibraltar on August 3, 2027.
The vessel has added one restriction for Arcadia’s Norway and Iceland sailing, which requires children to be at least 12 months old. That journey departs from Southampton on July 20, 2027.
The full list of cruises includes 12 itineraries for Aurora and eight for Arcadia spread across 2026 and 2027.
More From Cruise Hive
The ships will not be offering children’s clubs or babysitting services but the cruise line noted there will be a variety of activities, entertainment, and games for all ages onboard. Children’s menus will also be provided.
P&O Cruises says more sailings could be added after October 14, when new winter cruises are released.
