There’s no better way to immerse yourself in a place than through your passions, whether that means diving deep into the culture through a walking tour, tasting the local food and drink on offer, or soaking up the beauty of your surroundings through your own exploration. And with the freedom of a P&O Cruises holiday, there'll be no shortage of fascinating experiences to uncover.
P&O Cruises sails to up to 200 destinations in 70 countries around the world and allows you to take in multiple stunning places in a single trip. Not only that, but it also offers great value, as so much is included with your holiday – from delicious food to state-of-the-art gyms and theatre shows. Plus, you’ll travel in style and comfort the whole way, with a cabin featuring contemporary design to call home for the duration.
The Norwegian Fjords, which is a popular choice for many first-time cruisers, is just one of the many incredible locations you can visit with P&O Cruises, and thanks to its varied itineraries, it’s easy to get under the skin of each one.
Here are some of the thrilling experiences – both ashore and on board – you could find waiting for you...
The Norwegian Fjords
There’s no better place to enjoy the great outdoors than the Norwegian Fjords. And with P&O Cruises, not only can you take in the full glory of the mountains, waterfalls and fjords from the comfort of your ship, but with a variety of shore experiences on offer, you can really get to the heart of this serene destination too.
“You can really get to the heart of this serene destination”
For something a bit different, and completely unforgettable, admire the picturesque town of Ålesund from a paddle board. The water is so unbelievably clear, you’ll want to keep looking down into the strait, but don’t forget to look up too, as the panoramas are simply breathtaking. Ålesund’s Art Nouveau buildings are crowned by elegant spires and turrets, while majestic mountains tower over them in the background.
More of a get up and go type? From the port of Olden, you can take things up a gear with an energising hike. You’ll traverse through fragrant pine forests to reach a mountain farm at Osberget, where you can soak up vistas of the sparkling fjord and the surrounding peaks from 500 metres above sea level. You can even cool down with a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear lake, if you like.
The Caribbean
If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful white-sand beaches in the Caribbean, P&O Cruises has many culinary-based experiences on offer here, including a street food walking tour around St John’s, Antigua’s historic capital.
As you stroll along, you’ll nibble on a range of local specialities, including roti flatbreads, patties with various fillings and spices, and sweet plantains – all washed down with fresh fruit juice or rum punch. The Best of Antigua tour, meanwhile, will take you to some of the island’s most famous landmarks, including Nelson’s Dockyard, where you’ll discover the harbour’s storied past and sit down for a delicious meal of freshly caught lobster at the Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn.
“P&O Cruises has many culinary-based experiences on offer here”
A stop in Martinique could see you visit L'Habitation Belfort, where you’ll get to tour the banana plantation on a small train and sample the fresh produce. There’s also Clément Plantation, a former sugar plantation that exhibits local artists’ work in an open-air contemporary gallery, which is nestled within a lush botanical garden featuring more than 300 tropical plants. There’s also a magnificent 18th-century Creole house and charming outbuildings to explore, along with an old rum distillery, where you can learn all about its history and try rum and sugar cane juice.
The Mediterranean
Bursting with fascinating history and graceful architecture that changes from city to city, culture lovers will be in their element in Europe. And with P&O Cruises, you can be sure the best local experiences have been hand-picked for you at each destination. What’s more, you’ll have plenty of time to take it all in, as many of the cruises now offer late calls and overnight stays to help you get the most out of your visit.
“The best local experiences have been hand-picked for you”
If you’re stopping in Barcelona, visit the unfinished Gaudí masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, then refuel at La Boqueria food market. You’ll find more than 200 traders selling a wonderful range of produce here, and you can hang out with the locals while you enjoy a few plates of traditional tapas at one of the many tiny bars. Take the time to stop at the tranquil Parc Güell too. At more than 17 hectares, it’s a great spot for a relaxing walk surrounded by Aleppo pines and aromatic rosemary. It boasts magnificent views of the metropolis and features Gaudí’s fascinating house, which is open for you to explore.
Over in Italy, a stop at La Spezia will spoil you for choice, as it will allow you to tick the leaning Tower of Pisa or the famous dome of the Duomo of Florence off your list. Plus, it’s the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cinque Terre – a collection of five pretty villages perched along the coastline – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Back in La Spezia itself, you'll find a number of churches and museums, including the 13th century Our Lady of Assumption church, which houses a surprising collection of art, while the civic museum in the Castle of San Giorgio is just one of seven museums in the town.
What's on board?
Happily, the memorable experiences don’t just lie ashore with P&O Cruises, especially as it is welcoming two new world-class ships to its fleet – Arvia, which arrives in December and will travel to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and Iona, the most recent addition, which travels to the Norwegian Fjords and parts of Europe. They have been specifically designed to bring the outside in to offer impressive views, so you'll never miss the beautiful scenery all around you.
With a Food Hero cruise, you can indulge your culinary interests and watch live cooking demos from household names, including Marco Pierre White, and sample an exclusive tasting menu from Norwegian chef Kjartan Skjelde. Your choices on board really are as varied as the places you’ll visit. You’ll have an impressive range of restaurants and bars to choose from, the chance to enjoy a spot of pampering at the spa or relax by the pool with a cocktail. You can also learn to dance, recharge with a gym class and take in captivating evening entertainment in the form of live music, shows, comedy and film. And on Iona, you can even watch jaw-dropping acrobatic displays by the world-renowned production company Creativiva.
And, with Gary Barlow as Music Director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona, a visit to this intimate live music bar is a must. The singer, songwriter, producer and performer has crafted an eclectic line-up of up-and-coming musicians, so you can look forward to world-class entertainment in a wonderfully atmospheric setting. Plus, the man himself will be performing on selected cruises.