Holland America Line vs P&O Cruises

The core difference

Holland America Line and P&O Cruises share more corporate DNA than most travellers realise. Both sit within the Carnival Corporation family — HAL alongside Seabourn in the Holland America Group, P&O alongside Cunard under Carnival UK. Both carry genuine maritime heritage measured in centuries rather than decades. Both attract mature travellers who prefer quality dining, cultural enrichment, and a refined atmosphere over water slides and go-kart tracks. On paper, they look like natural competitors.

In practice, they serve different continents.

Holland America Line was founded in Rotterdam in 1873 as a transatlantic shipping company, evolving over 152 years into a globally deployed cruise line headquartered in Seattle. The fleet of 11 mid-size ships carries between 1,432 and 2,668 passengers each, sailing to nearly 400 ports across 114 countries on all seven continents. The onboard culture is classic American enrichment cruising — Explorations Central destination lectures, BBC Earth in Concert screenings with live orchestral scores, America’s Test Kitchen cooking demonstrations, and the Music Walk live music district that ranks among the best entertainment programmes at sea. Dutch heritage threads through the experience, from the Grand Dutch Cafe serving stroopwafel to Dutch Day celebrations on every sailing. The atmosphere is elegant but not stuffy — wood-panelled interiors, fresh flowers, extensive art collections, afternoon tea, and a passenger base that skews 55 to 75 years old and values intellectual stimulation over high-energy nightlife.

P&O Cruises was founded in 1837 as the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company — arguably the oldest cruise heritage in the world at 188 years. In 1844, P&O began the first leisure cruises from England to the Mediterranean, effectively inventing cruise tourism as a concept. Today the line operates seven ships ranging from the intimate 1,874-passenger Aurora to the 5,200-passenger Iona and Arvia, all sailing from Southampton. P&O is unashamedly British — Union Jack-inspired livery, afternoon tea as ritual, pub quizzes, fish and chips at The Quays, British comedy acts, and a passenger base that is 95 per cent or more from the United Kingdom. Celebrity chef partnerships with Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, and wine expert Olly Smith give the dining programme genuine star power. The Gary Barlow-curated 710 Club and the SkyDome retractable-roof entertainment venue on Iona and Arvia deliver innovative entertainment. The overall positioning is accessible premium British holiday cruising — familiar, sociable, and convivial rather than exclusive.

A critical point for Australian readers: P&O Cruises Australia, which many Australians knew from ships like Pacific Explorer, Pacific Adventure, and Pacific Encounter sailing from Sydney, was an entirely separate brand. Despite sharing the P&O name, the Australian and UK operations ran independently with different ships, crews, and target markets. P&O Cruises Australia ceased operations in March 2025 — its ships were absorbed into Carnival Cruise Line or sold. P&O Cruises UK continues independently from Southampton and has never operated from Australian waters. Any Australian considering P&O should understand they are booking a distinctly British product departing from England.

What is actually included

The inclusion models on these two lines differ in ways that shape the total cost equation significantly — and one particular inclusion gives P&O a meaningful advantage that Australians will appreciate.

Holland America’s base fare includes main dining room meals at breakfast, lunch on select days, and dinner; the Lido Market buffet at all meals plus late-night snacks; casual dining at Dive-In burgers and New York Pizza; the Grand Dutch Cafe for light bites, stroopwafel, and Dutch coffee; afternoon tea; 24-hour room service with a complimentary basic menu; World Stage productions and live music; enrichment lectures and America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows; and use of the main pool, fitness centre, and sports courts.

Holland America does not include crew appreciation gratuities at US$17 per person per day for standard cabins and US$19 for suites; speciality dining surcharges ranging from $19 to $55 per person; alcoholic beverages; Wi-Fi from approximately US$18 per day; spa treatments and thermal suite passes; shore excursions; and casino spend.

Holland America’s Have It All package bundles the key extras at approximately US$55 per person per day when purchased pre-cruise. It includes a Signature Beverage Package covering wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails up to $11 per drink; one to three speciality dining experiences depending on cruise length; Wi-Fi Surf on one device; and a shore excursion credit of $100 to $200 depending on duration. The Have It All Early Booking Bonus periodically upgrades this to include the Elite Beverage and Premium Wi-Fi packages, plus prepaid crew appreciation — making it genuinely near-all-inclusive when the promotion runs.

P&O’s base fare includes all main restaurant dining at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea; buffet and Market Cafe dining; entertainment and theatre shows; kids’ clubs on family ships; self-service laundrettes with complimentary washing machines, dryers, and irons; and — importantly — gratuities. P&O has included service charges in the ticket price since May 2019, eliminating the daily gratuity line that many cruise passengers find uncomfortable.

P&O does not include alcoholic and premium beverages; speciality dining surcharges typically running GBP 15 to 35 per person; Wi-Fi; spa treatments; the Thermal Suite day pass at GBP 39 or weekly at GBP 129; The Retreat day pass at GBP 40 or weekly at GBP 145; shore excursions; and room service beyond complimentary continental breakfast.

P&O’s new all-inclusive packages, launched in December 2025 for sailings from March 2026, add competitive bundling. The Classic Package at GBP 49 per person per day includes a Classic Drinks Package, Essential Wi-Fi on one device, and a speciality dining credit of up to GBP 55. The Deluxe Package at GBP 59 per person per day upgrades to a premium drinks package, unlimited Wi-Fi including streaming, and a higher dining credit. Both represent approximately 32 to 34 per cent savings over purchasing each component separately.

The gratuity inclusion is a genuine differentiator. HAL’s crew appreciation at US$17 per day adds US$119 per person to a seven-night cruise and US$238 to a fourteen-night sailing. For Australians, who come from a non-tipping culture, P&O’s approach of folding service charges into the headline price is cleaner and more transparent. HAL treats gratuities as a separate line item that many guests feel socially obligated to pay but culturally reluctant to assess.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines invest heavily in culinary partnerships, but the approach and ambition differ in character.

Holland America’s Culinary Council brings together seven internationally recognised chefs who collectively shape the dining programme across the fleet. Master Chef Rudi Sodamin — Austrian-born, French-trained — oversees all onboard dining and curates Rudi’s Sel de Mer, a Mediterranean bistro concept refreshed in 2025 with a more casual, regionally inspired approach on the Pinnacle-class ships. The council includes Jonnie Boer, the Dutch chef behind three-Michelin-star De Librije; Andy Matsuda, the sushi master behind Nami Sushi; David Burke, an American contemporary chef behind Pinnacle Grill concepts; Jacques Torres, the French-born chocolatier; Elizabeth Falkner, an American pastry and contemporary specialist; and Ethan Stowell, a Seattle restaurateur whose Italian-influenced dishes appear across the fleet. Select sailings feature Culinary Council chefs aboard for demonstrations, exclusive dinners, and meet-and-greets.

The complimentary dining includes the main Dining Room with a rotating multi-course menu, the two-storey Lido Market with themed stations, and casual options like Dive-In burgers and the Grand Dutch Cafe. Speciality dining carries surcharges: Pinnacle Grill at $46 for dinner, Rudi’s Sel de Mer at $55, Nami Sushi at $55, Tamarind Pan-Asian at $35, and Canaletto Italian at $29, all plus an 18 per cent service fee. HAL’s Global Fresh Fish Programme sources over 80 types of locally caught fish around the world — a genuinely distinctive initiative. The America’s Test Kitchen partnership delivers complimentary live cooking shows and hands-on workshops fleet-wide. Room service is 24-hour with a complimentary basic menu, and HAL remains one of the last non-luxury lines to maintain free room service — a point of quiet pride.

P&O’s celebrity chef programme centres on Marco Pierre White, who has been associated with the line for nearly two decades and will celebrate 20 years in 2026. White — the youngest chef ever to earn three Michelin stars, at age 33 — designed the main dining room menus fleet-wide and created signature venues including the Ocean Grill on Arcadia and Celebration Night five-course menus with wine pairings. Atul Kochhar, a Michelin-starred chef, contributes the Sindhu Indian-British fusion restaurants across the fleet and the East pan-Asian concept on Iona and Arvia. Wine expert Olly Smith created The Glass House wine bar and dining concept on every ship and hosts tastings on select sailings. Additional Food Heroes include Spanish chef Jose Pizarro, Norwegian chef Kjartan Skjelde, Caribbean chef Shivi Ramoutar, and food critic Tom Parker Bowles. P&O’s Food Hero sailings feature live celebrity chef appearances with Cookery Club masterclasses, Q&A sessions, book signings, and hosted dinners.

P&O’s included dining spans multiple main dining rooms per ship — four on Iona alone — plus the Quays Food Hall with British street-food counters including Hook Line and Vinegar for fish and chips. Speciality dining surcharges are more modest than HAL’s: Epicurean at GBP 29 to 35, Sindhu at GBP 20 to 25, East at approximately GBP 20, The Keel and Cow steakhouse at GBP 25 to 30, and The Olive Grove at GBP 15 to 20. The Cookery Club on Britannia offers a fully equipped teaching kitchen with bookable classes led by guest chefs.

HAL edges ahead on culinary ambition and global reach. The seven-chef Culinary Council, the Global Fresh Fish Programme, and venues like Nami Sushi represent a more internationally diverse and gastronomically serious approach. P&O’s strength lies in the celebrity chef connection — Marco Pierre White is a genuine culinary icon — and the accessibility of its dining, with lower surcharges and a distinctly British comfort-food thread running through the programme. Both deliver quality; they simply speak different culinary languages.

Suites and accommodation

Both lines offer accommodation from interior cabins through to premium suites, though the range and design philosophy differ.

Holland America’s stateroom categories span from Inside Staterooms at 143 to 225 square feet through Ocean View at 175 to 282 square feet; Verandah at 228 to 405 square feet including balcony; Spa Verandah cabins located near the Greenhouse Spa with yoga mats and upgraded bath amenities; and the unique Lanai Staterooms on Pinnacle-class ships offering direct Promenade Deck access. Suite categories begin with the Vista Suite at 260 to 356 square feet with a private verandah, sitting area, and whirlpool bath. The Neptune Suite at 465 to 502 square feet adds a dual-sink bathroom, separate living area, and access to the Neptune Lounge — an exclusive lounge with library, refreshments, and a dedicated concierge. The Pinnacle Suite at approximately 1,290 square feet is the flagship, with a large living room, dining area, king bed, dressing room, and private verandah with whirlpool.

Neptune and Pinnacle Suite guests receive Club Orange dining access on Pinnacle-class ships — a dedicated restaurant serving an enhanced breakfast and dinner menu. Additional suite benefits include the Neptune Lounge concierge, priority check-in and disembarkation, priority tender boarding, complimentary laundry and pressing, and an enhanced room service breakfast with options like steak and eggs and smoked salmon Benedict.

P&O’s accommodation ranges from Inside Cabins at 101 to 213 square feet through Sea View at 210 to 307 square feet and Balcony at 142 to 279 square feet. A common observation from reviewers is that balcony cabins on the Excel-class ships Iona and Arvia are on the smaller side compared to older ships in the fleet. The Conservatory Mini Suites on Iona and Arvia at approximately 274 square feet feature bi-folding doors that fully open to the balcony, creating an indoor-outdoor living concept. Family Sea View Suites at approximately 530 square feet sleep up to four. Standard Suites range from 382 to 698 square feet, while the largest Penthouse Suites on Aurora, Azura, and Ventura reach up to 937 square feet.

P&O suite guests receive butler service — unpacking and packing, spa and dining bookings, and in-suite event planning. Additional benefits include priority embarkation, Epicurean Restaurant breakfast access, complimentary room service from the main dining room menu at all times, a Nespresso coffee machine in select suites, champagne and chocolates on arrival, whirlpool baths, and luxury toiletries. Butler service is a meaningful P&O advantage over HAL, which offers concierge service but not dedicated personal butler attendance at any cabin level.

For Australians, HAL’s mid-size ships generally offer better space-to-passenger ratios than P&O’s larger vessels, particularly the 5,200-passenger Iona and Arvia. HAL’s Neptune Lounge creates a genuine ship-within-a-ship experience for suite guests. P&O’s butler service adds a personal touch that HAL does not match. Both lines provide decent accommodation at every level, but HAL’s consistency across a fleet of similar-sized ships contrasts with P&O’s wider variation between the intimate Aurora and the mega-ship Arvia.

Pricing and value

Comparing these two lines on price requires careful attention to currency, inclusions, and the total cost of the experience — not just the headline fare.

Holland America’s directional pricing for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise runs approximately US$115 to 150 per person per night for an inside cabin, US$140 to 175 for ocean view, and US$175 to 230 for a verandah. Neptune Suites start from approximately US$350 to 500 per night. Adding the Have It All package at roughly US$55 per day brings drinks, Wi-Fi, a speciality dining credit, and a shore excursion credit. Crew appreciation at US$17 per day is additional. For Australian market pricing, HAL has been referenced from approximately AUD $82 per day, and the line periodically offers standby fares from US$99 per person per day for inside cabins.

P&O’s directional pricing for a seven-night Norwegian Fjords sailing from Southampton starts from approximately GBP 107 per person per night for an inside cabin and GBP 131 for a balcony on Early Saver fares. Fourteen-night sailings to the Canary Islands or Iberia start from approximately GBP 79 per night. Mediterranean fly-cruises run from approximately GBP 121 per night. Adding the Classic all-inclusive package at GBP 49 per day or the Deluxe at GBP 59 per day bundles drinks, Wi-Fi, and a dining credit. Gratuities are already included in the base fare.

For Australian travellers, the currency equation matters significantly. HAL prices in USD — and the Australian dollar typically buys more against the US dollar than the British pound. At the time of writing, the AUD-USD exchange is considerably more favourable than AUD-GBP, which means P&O’s apparently lower headline fares can be deceptive when converted to Australian dollars. Add international flights to Southampton, UK accommodation before and after the cruise, and airport transfers, and P&O’s total trip cost from Australia escalates rapidly.

HAL’s Australian departures from Sydney eliminate the international flight equation entirely. A 14-day Australia and New Zealand sailing on Noordam — departing from your home city, no jet lag, no transit hotels — represents a fundamentally different value proposition than a P&O sailing that requires a 24-hour flight to the United Kingdom. The Have It All package and the included enrichment programming provide genuine substance for the fare. P&O’s gratuity inclusion is a genuine advantage, but it is outweighed by the flight and logistics costs that Australians face to access the product.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer quality spa facilities with similar surcharge models, though the scale and branding differ.

Holland America’s Greenhouse Spa and Salon operates on all ships, emphasising a natural, earth-inspired wellness philosophy with botanically sourced products. The Thermal Suite features a hydrotherapy pool with specialty jets, heated ceramic lounge chairs, steam rooms including an aromatherapy option, a dry sauna, rain showers, and full-length ocean-view windows. Unlike Viking Ocean, which includes its thermal suite for all guests, HAL’s Thermal Suite requires a separate pass — approximately US$49 for a day pass or US$149 to 299 for a voyage pass per stateroom. The fitness centre, cardio equipment, free weights, and basic stretch and abs classes are complimentary. Speciality fitness classes including spinning, boot camp, Pilates, and yoga carry a surcharge. Treatments start from approximately US$159 for a 50-minute massage and US$149 for facials. Five-Star Mariners in the loyalty programme receive one complimentary thermal suite day pass per cruise. Spa Staterooms and Suites are located near the Greenhouse Spa and come with wellness amenities including yoga mats and upgraded bath products.

P&O’s Oasis Spa operates across the fleet, with the largest facilities on Iona and Arvia spanning two decks. The Thermal Suite offers heated loungers, a sauna, sensory steam room with salt brine solution, experiential showers, and a hydrotherapy pool with massaging jets and air recliners. Day passes cost GBP 39 or GBP 129 for a weekly pass. The Retreat on Iona and Arvia is a separate adults-only outdoor wellness area on Deck 18 featuring two infinity whirlpools with uninterrupted sea views, private cabanas, day beds, hammocks, and complimentary smoothies and fruit platters. Retreat access costs GBP 40 per day or GBP 145 for seven nights. The gym operates with floor-to-ceiling ocean windows and offers free classes in meditation, HIIT, and functional training, while yoga, Pilates, and spinning carry a surcharge of GBP 14 to 15 per class. Treatments range from GBP 89 for a 50-minute Swedish massage to GBP 199 for premium therapies. Additional services include a Blow-Out, Lash and Brow Bar, Kerastase hair treatments, and a dedicated Barber Shop.

Neither line distinguishes itself dramatically on spa offerings — both follow the standard premium-cruise model of complimentary gym access with surcharges for thermal suites and treatments. P&O’s Retreat concept on Iona and Arvia is a pleasant differentiator for guests seeking a dedicated outdoor relaxation space, though it comes at an additional cost. HAL’s Greenhouse Spa has a slightly more nature-oriented branding and the loyalty-programme thermal suite benefit rewards frequent sailors. For travellers who prioritise spa access, both lines deliver competently without reaching the inclusive generosity of Viking’s complimentary LivNordic Spa thermal suite.

Entertainment and enrichment

This is where Holland America and P&O reveal distinctly different personalities — and where the choice often comes down to whether you lean toward musical heritage and intellectual enrichment or toward theatrical spectacle and British pop culture.

Holland America’s Music Walk is the signature entertainment district and arguably the strongest live music programme in the cruise industry. On Pinnacle-class ships — Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam — three adjacent venues create a self-contained music quarter. B.B. King’s Blues Club features an eight-piece band performing authentic Memphis blues. The Rolling Stone Rock Room delivers classic rock hits from a dedicated live band. Billboard Onboard is an interactive piano bar where the audience requests chart-topping hits. On Vista-class ships including Noordam and Westerdam — the two vessels deployed to Australia — the Rolling Stone Lounge replaces B.B. King’s with a seven-piece band covering an expanded repertoire of R&B, rock, and pop six nights per week. Lincoln Center Stage, a partnership with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, has evolved from a dedicated string quartet on select ships to a travelling ensemble performing classical music on the World Stage.

The World Stage main theatre on Pinnacle-class ships seats over 700 guests surrounded by 270-degree floor-to-ceiling LED screens and a descending spherical dome. Productions include the Step One Dance Company, the Cantare vocal ensemble, and BBC Earth in Concert — award-winning nature footage from Planet Earth and Blue Planet projected on the massive screen with live orchestral accompaniment. HAL’s enrichment programming runs deep: Explorations Central destination lectures by local experts, EXC Encounters where local cultural representatives board before port calls, a 2025 regional soloist programme bringing culturally inspired live performances matched to each itinerary, and an art studio with a full-time instructor. The line also partners with the HISTORY Channel for themed itineraries and shore excursions. For 2026, HAL has announced a fleet-wide entertainment evolution with revitalised World Stage productions, more live music, and a refreshed Cruise Director role.

P&O’s entertainment leans into British pop culture and theatrical innovation. The headline venue is the SkyDome on Iona and Arvia — a retractable glass-roof entertainment space that serves as open-air cinema, acrobatic performance venue, late-night DJ space, and celebration party venue. It is unique in the cruise industry and genuinely impressive. The 710 Club, curated by Gary Barlow of Take That, is an intimate adults-only music venue on Iona and Arvia where handpicked acts perform with a focus on musicianship and storytelling. Barlow personally selects the artists, named Iona at her christening ceremony, and his musical A Different Stage transferred to the West End. The Headliners Theatre on all ships hosts West End-style productions, including Greatest Days — The Official Take That Musical on Arvia, an adaptation of the Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth’s show The Band. Partnerships with international entertainment company Creativiva deliver bespoke acrobatic and physical theatre productions. Live music venues, comedy acts, tribute performers, pub quizzes, game shows, and cinema screenings fill the daily programme.

Both lines maintain a traditional dress code with formal evenings. HAL calls them Gala Nights — one on cruises up to six nights, two on up to 13 days, three on up to 20 days — expecting suits and ties or cocktail dresses, with the option to dine casually in the Lido on formal evenings. P&O’s Celebration Nights run at similar frequency with comparable expectations. Neither is as formal as Cunard or as casual as Viking. For Australians who prefer to travel without formal wear, both lines require a small concession, though casual dining alternatives are always available.

The distinction between these two entertainment programmes is clear. HAL delivers breadth and sophistication in live music across genuine brand partnerships — B.B. King’s, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Lincoln Center — combined with destination-focused intellectual enrichment. P&O delivers theatrical spectacle, celebrity cachet through Gary Barlow, and innovative venue design on its newest ships. HAL appeals to music lovers and cultural enthusiasts. P&O appeals to travellers who enjoy West End entertainment, pop culture, and a convivial British social atmosphere.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison reveals fundamentally different strategies — and this is where the practical implications for Australian travellers become most apparent.

Holland America operates 11 mid-size ships across four classes spanning 27 years of shipbuilding. The three Pinnacle-class ships — Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam — are the newest and largest at approximately 99,500 gross tonnes carrying 2,650 passengers each, featuring the World Stage with its 270-degree LED screens and the full Music Walk entertainment district. Two Signature-class ships — Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam — sit at approximately 86,700 gross tonnes with around 2,100 passengers. Four Vista-class ships — Noordam, Westerdam, Oosterdam, and Zuiderdam — carry approximately 1,964 passengers at 82,000 gross tonnes with excellent space-to-passenger ratios. Two R-class ships — Volendam and Zaandam, the fleet’s oldest at 1999 and 2000 — carry 1,432 passengers in a more intimate setting. HAL has no new ships currently on order, focusing instead on fleet refurbishment — Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, and Zaandam all received significant dry dock upgrades in 2025.

Destination coverage is HAL’s great strength. Alaska is the crown jewel — HAL has sailed Alaska for over 75 years, deploying six ships to the region in 2026 with itineraries from seven-day Inside Passage sailings to a 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice voyage. Glacier Bay National Park permits, limited to select cruise lines, give HAL privileged access. The Mediterranean and Northern Europe programme deploys three ships across five homeports with 28 Collectors’ Voyages ranging from 14 to 27 days. Caribbean sailings run year-round from Fort Lauderdale. World cruises and Grand Voyages are a HAL speciality — the 2026 Grand World Voyage on Volendam covers 133 days, 51 ports, 23 countries, and five continents including an Antarctic experience. Total reach spans approximately 400 ports across 114 countries on all seven continents.

P&O operates seven ships spanning a much wider range of sizes and experiences. The two Excel-class ships — Iona and Arvia — are the largest ever built specifically for the UK market at approximately 184,000 gross tonnes carrying up to 5,200 passengers, powered by liquefied natural gas. Britannia at 143,000 gross tonnes carries 3,647. Ventura and Azura sit at approximately 115,000 gross tonnes with around 3,000 passengers each. Arcadia and Aurora, the adults-only ships, are the fleet’s most intimate at 83,781 and 76,152 gross tonnes respectively. Like HAL, P&O has no confirmed new-build orders as of early 2026.

P&O’s deployment is overwhelmingly Southampton-centric. Over 120 of approximately 270 annual itineraries depart from Southampton. Norwegian Fjords is a flagship programme running April to September on multiple ships. Mediterranean sailings run as 14-night roundtrips from Southampton or shorter fly-cruises from Malta or Palma. Canary Islands and Iberia fill the autumn and winter calendar. Caribbean fly-cruises from Barbados deploy Britannia and Arvia in winter 2026-27, with Iona joining for 2027-28. World cruises maintain a long P&O tradition — Arcadia’s 100-night Epic World Explorer departed January 2026 covering 28 ports across six continents, while Aurora’s 75-night Grand Voyage sailed the same month. Short breaks of three to five nights from Southampton serve the UK mini-cruise market.

The contrast is stark: HAL operates globally from multiple homeports across six continents. P&O operates primarily from one port in one country. For Australians, HAL’s global deployment means accessible sailings from Sydney, Auckland, Vancouver, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, and numerous European ports. P&O requires travel to Southampton for most itineraries, or to Barbados for Caribbean fly-cruises.

Where each line excels

Holland America excels in:

• Alaska. No cruise line matches HAL’s 75-plus years of Alaskan heritage, six-ship deployment, Glacier Bay permits, and range from seven-day samplers to the 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice. If Alaska is your priority, HAL is the specialist.
• Live music. The Music Walk is the best live music programme at sea. B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard, and Lincoln Center Stage deliver genuine quality across genres every night.
• Global itinerary breadth. Nearly 400 ports across 114 countries on all seven continents. World cruises, Grand Voyages, Legendary Voyages, and Collectors’ Voyages offer extended sailing options that P&O cannot match in scope.
• Culinary ambition. The seven-chef Culinary Council, Global Fresh Fish Programme, and Nami Sushi omakase represent a more internationally diverse and gastronomically serious approach than most lines at this price point.
• Mid-size ship consistency. All 11 ships carry between 1,432 and 2,668 passengers, delivering excellent space-to-passenger ratios and a consistent experience without the crowding that 5,200-passenger ships can produce.
• Australian presence. Ships sail from Sydney seasonally. Australians can board in their home city and explore the Pacific, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia without international flights.

P&O excels in:

• Adults-only ships. Arcadia and Aurora offer dedicated child-free cruising — a genuine rarity in the industry. Few lines designate entire ships as adults-only, and for travellers who specifically seek this guarantee, P&O delivers what HAL cannot.
• Value for British travellers. No-fly cruising from Southampton eliminates airfare and transfer costs for UK residents. The base fare includes gratuities. The new all-inclusive packages at GBP 49 to 59 per day add drinks, Wi-Fi, and dining credits at competitive rates.
• SkyDome. The retractable glass-roof entertainment venue on Iona and Arvia is genuinely innovative and unique in the cruise industry. No other line has an equivalent space.
• Celebrity chef identity. Marco Pierre White’s nearly two-decade association with P&O gives the line a culinary personality that is immediately recognisable. The Food Hero sailings with live chef appearances create genuinely special experiences.
• Ship variety. The fleet ranges from intimate 1,874-passenger Aurora to 5,200-passenger Arvia. Travellers can choose a mega-ship carnival atmosphere or a quieter, smaller-ship experience within the same brand.
• World cruise tradition. Arcadia’s 100-night circumnavigation and Aurora’s 75-night Grand Voyage maintain a P&O tradition that predates most modern cruise lines.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Holland America

35-Day Legendary Australia Circumnavigation (Noordam, departing November 2026). A full circumnavigation of Australia with four ports in Papua New Guinea, overnights in Fremantle and Hobart, and late-night stops in Adelaide, Phillip Island, and Melbourne. This is a genuine standout — a comprehensive exploration of the Australian coastline on a mid-size ship with HAL’s enrichment programming. No international flights required.

14-Day New Zealand Discovery (Noordam, roundtrip Sydney, January to March 2027). Eight ports plus Milford Sound scenic cruising, sailing between Auckland and Sydney. HAL’s mid-size ships suit New Zealand’s more intimate harbours, and the included enrichment programme provides destination context at every stop.

28-Day Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice (Noordam, departing June 2026 from Seattle). Thirteen ports across Alaska and British Columbia including remote calls at Nome and Dutch Harbor, an overnight in Anchorage, late-night calls in Valdez and Juneau, and Great Bear Rainforest scenic cruising. HAL’s flagship Alaska itinerary — bookable from Australia with flights to Seattle.

133-Day Grand World Voyage (Volendam, departing January 2026 from Fort Lauderdale). Fifty-one ports in 23 countries across five continents, including a four-day Antarctic experience, Great Barrier Reef, Singapore, the Maldives, and the Mediterranean. Bookable in 21 to 55-day segments. World cruise early booking incentives include up to US$2,000 onboard credit per guest.

28-Day Legendary Coral Triangle and Great Barrier Reef (Westerdam, January 2027, roundtrip Singapore). Scenic cruising along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef combined with the biodiversity of the Coral Triangle. Westerdam’s first deployment to the Australia-adjacent region.

P&O Cruises

Arcadia 100-Night World Cruise segment through Sydney (departed January 2026). Arcadia’s Epic World Explorer includes an overnight call in Sydney. Australian travellers can book segments joining or leaving in Sydney, experiencing P&O’s adults-only flagship on a portion of the world cruise without flying to Southampton. This is the most practical way for Australians to sample P&O UK.

Iona 7-Night Norwegian Fjords (summer 2026, ex-Southampton). If you are visiting the United Kingdom, adding a seven-night Norwegian Fjords sailing on P&O’s largest ship is a rewarding extension. SkyDome under the midnight sun, Geirangerfjord, Olden, Bergen, and Stavanger from approximately GBP 849 per person. The quintessential P&O experience.

Arvia 14-Night Caribbean Fly-Cruise (winter 2026-27, ex-Barbados). Islands including St Lucia, Grenada, Martinique, St Kitts, St Maarten, and Tortola. Air-inclusive from the UK, though Australians would need to arrange their own flights to Barbados. An alternative Caribbean experience to the US-centric options from Florida.

Aurora 75-Night Grand Voyage (departed January 2026). A smaller, more intimate world cruise on P&O’s most classic ship. Adults-only, traditional, and with a loyal following. For Australians seeking a long British-style world cruise, Aurora offers something genuinely different.

Britannia 14-Night Canary Islands and Iberia (autumn 2026, ex-Southampton). Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Lisbon. The Cookery Club experience with Marco Pierre White menus makes this a strong food-focused sailing. Accessible for Australians during a UK visit.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Holland America

Rotterdam — The flagship and newest ship, launched 2021. Full Music Walk with B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard. World Stage with 270-degree LED screens. Rudi’s Sel de Mer as a standalone venue. Currently deployed to the Caribbean and Europe. If you want the best HAL has to offer, book Rotterdam — but you will need to fly internationally.

Koningsdam — The top-rated ship in the fleet according to Cruise Critic reviewers, praised for service, food, and entertainment. Identical Pinnacle-class amenities to Rotterdam. Strong Mediterranean and Alaska deployments. Worth seeking out for European itineraries.

Noordam — The primary ship for Australian travellers. A Vista-class vessel from 2006 carrying 1,972 passengers, Noordam sails from Sydney each season and offers the 35-day Australia Circumnavigation, 14-day New Zealand itineraries, and connections to the broader Pacific. Reviewers note some signs of ageing despite refurbishments, but the itineraries and the convenience of Australian departures make it the practical first choice. Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard provide solid live music.

Westerdam — Joining Noordam in the Australian region for 2026-2027, doubling HAL’s local capacity. Another Vista-class ship from 2004, Westerdam brings 26 combined itineraries to the region. The 28-day Coral Triangle and Great Barrier Reef voyage is a standout addition. For Australians who have sailed Noordam and want a fresh HAL experience from a similar ship, Westerdam is the natural next step.

Volendam — The oldest ship in the fleet at 1999, but carries grand world voyages and extended itineraries that attract a loyal following. The 133-day Grand World Voyage and the 45-day Ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic Passage are Volendam highlights. Smaller at 1,432 passengers, creating an intimate feel. Shows its age in hardware, but the itineraries compensate.

P&O Cruises

Iona — P&O’s first Excel-class ship, refurbished October 2025. The SkyDome, 710 Club, and four main dining rooms make this the most complete P&O experience. Norwegian Fjords is the signature itinerary. For Australians visiting the UK who want a single P&O sailing, Iona on a seven-night fjords cruise is the strongest recommendation.

Arvia — The newest P&O ship, launched 2022. Similar Excel-class amenities to Iona plus the exclusive Greatest Days Take That musical, Green and Co plant-based dining with Mizuhana sushi bar, and The Keel and Cow steakhouse. Caribbean fly-cruises from Barbados are Arvia’s strongest deployment.

Arcadia — The adults-only world cruise ship. At 2,094 passengers, Arcadia is more intimate than the Excel-class vessels and offers Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill. The 100-night world cruise with a Sydney overnight is the most accessible P&O product for Australians. Note that from December 2026, select sailings will welcome families.

Aurora — P&O’s oldest and most traditional ship at 1,874 passengers. Adults-only with a loyal following who appreciate its classic, understated atmosphere. The 75-night Grand Voyage is Aurora’s flagship offering. Like Arcadia, select sailings will welcome families from December 2026.

Britannia — The middle ground: 3,647 passengers, refreshed in 2024 for its 10th anniversary, and home to the Cookery Club teaching kitchen. The Limelight Club supper club and Marco Pierre White-designed main dining room make this the strongest P&O option for food-focused travellers.

For Australian travellers specifically

This is where the comparison becomes less about which line is objectively better and more about which line is practically accessible — and the answer is unambiguous.

Holland America has a meaningful and growing Australian presence. For the 2025-2026 season, Noordam is the sole ship, homeporting from Sydney from November through March with itineraries including 14-day New Zealand sailings, South Pacific voyages, and the Australia and South Australia Discovery programmes. For 2026-2027, HAL is doubling its investment with both Noordam and Westerdam deployed to the region from September 2026 through April 2027, offering 26 itineraries ranging from 13 to 35 days. Ports include Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, Hobart, Fremantle, Adelaide, Phillip Island, and multiple Papua New Guinea calls. The 2027-2028 season has been announced with deep exploration from the Great Barrier Reef to Fiji.

HAL maintains an Australian sales office at 171 Clarence Street in Sydney, operating through the Carnival Australia umbrella that also manages Princess, Cunard, and Carnival in the AU/NZ market. Prices are available in AUD. The POLAR Online booking engine supports Australian travel agents. Awareness among Australian cruise enthusiasts is strong, and HAL has been winning Cruise Critic’s Best Service award for four consecutive years — a reputation that precedes the ships to every port.

P&O Cruises UK has no Australian presence whatsoever. Zero ships are deployed to Australian waters. The line does not market in Australia. Pricing is exclusively in GBP. There is no Australian sales infrastructure. Australians can book P&O UK sailings through Australian agencies — Clean Cruising, Cruise Guru, and Cruise1st all list P&O UK products — but must travel to Southampton or a fly-cruise departure port independently.

The confusion factor is real. Many Australian travellers who sailed with P&O Cruises Australia — on Pacific Explorer, Pacific Adventure, or Pacific Encounter — may assume that P&O Cruises UK is the same brand or a natural successor. It is not. P&O Australia’s loyalty points transferred to Princess Captain’s Circle, not to P&O UK’s Peninsular Club. The ships, crew, onboard culture, and target market are entirely different. An Australian who booked a P&O UK sailing expecting the casual, Australian-accented experience of P&O Australia would find a very different product — more formal, overwhelmingly British in passenger composition, and culturally oriented toward UK tastes.

For Australians who do travel to the United Kingdom and are curious about P&O, there is genuine appeal. A seven-night Norwegian Fjords or 14-night Mediterranean sailing from Southampton could be a rewarding addition to a British holiday. Arcadia and Aurora offer charming, intimate adults-only experiences. But the overwhelmingly British passenger mix means an Australian would be one of very few non-British guests — which may be delightful or isolating depending on temperament.

The loyalty pathway also differs. HAL’s Mariner Society is a standalone programme earning cruise day credits toward five tiers of escalating benefits, including specialty dining discounts, complimentary laundry, and thermal suite passes. Carnival Corporation does not merge or cross-recognise loyalty programmes across its brands — so Mariner Society points on HAL have no value on P&O, Princess, Cunard, or Carnival. P&O’s Peninsular Club operates similarly with six tiers based on nights sailed, offering onboard spend discounts and escalating privileges. Neither programme offers cross-brand recognition, which is a competitive disadvantage compared to the Royal Caribbean Group’s status matching across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmosphere aboard these two lines reflects their respective national characters — and this is the factor that most often determines whether a traveller rebooks.

Holland America’s atmosphere is refined, intellectual, and gently American. The ships feel like well-appointed mid-century hotels — wood-panelled walls, extensive art collections, fresh flowers in public spaces, and a colour palette that leans toward warm, traditional tones. The Music Walk buzzes with live energy on performance nights, but the overall mood is contemplative rather than raucous. Conversations in the Explorers’ Lounge or the Crow’s Nest tend toward port experiences, the morning’s enrichment lecture, or the evening’s BBC Earth screening. The passenger demographic is predominantly 55 to 75 years old, primarily American with a growing Australian and British contingent on relevant itineraries. The loyalty base is fierce — HAL has one of the highest repeat-cruise rates in the industry, and long-time Mariners treat their ships with a proprietary affection. Gala Nights bring out the blazers and cocktail dresses, but the overall atmosphere is accessible. It is not as formal as Cunard or as stuffy as some premium lines can feel. Reviews consistently highlight the crew — HAL has won Cruise Critic’s Best Service award for four consecutive years. The ships reward travellers who enjoy live music, good food, destination lectures, and the social rhythm of a well-run mid-size vessel.

P&O’s atmosphere is sociable, convivial, and quintessentially British. Step aboard Iona or Arvia and you are in a floating British holiday resort — pub quizzes at sea, fish and chips at The Quays, a full English breakfast, Sunday roast, cricket on the screen, and afternoon tea served with the kind of comfortable ritual that British holidaymakers associate with a proper getaway. The passenger base is overwhelmingly British, and the social culture reflects it — deck parties, themed evenings, Gary Barlow music in the 710 Club, and a Celebration Night where guests dress up with genuine enthusiasm. Iona and Arvia, at 5,200 passengers, can feel busy — some reviewers note crowding at peak times — but the energy is part of the appeal for P&O’s target audience. Arcadia and Aurora offer the opposite: smaller, quieter, adults-only environments where the pace is gentler and the atmosphere more traditional. The demographic varies dramatically by ship — families and younger couples on Iona and Arvia, older adults and solo travellers on Arcadia and Aurora. Reviews praise the crew warmth but note that food quality and maintenance have drawn criticism from long-time guests who perceive declining standards on some ships.

For Australian travellers, the atmosphere question carries an additional dimension. On HAL, particularly on Australian-season sailings, the passenger mix includes a meaningful Australian contingent alongside Americans and international travellers — creating a comfortable, diverse social environment. On P&O UK, an Australian would be a genuine rarity. The cultural references, the entertainment, the food, and the social dynamics are all calibrated for British tastes. Some Australians would find this charming and immersive — a cultural experience in itself. Others would feel like an outsider at someone else’s party. Neither response is wrong; it depends entirely on what you are looking for.

The bottom line

Holland America Line and P&O Cruises are both competent lines owned by the same parent company, but they serve fundamentally different markets — and for Australian travellers, the practical choice is clear.

Choose Holland America if you want to cruise from Sydney without international flights. Choose it for mid-size ships that deliver excellent space-to-passenger ratios and a consistent, refined experience. Choose it for the Music Walk — B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard represent the strongest live music programme at sea. Choose it for the Culinary Council’s seven-chef dining programme and the Global Fresh Fish initiative. Choose it for Alaska, where HAL’s 75-plus years of heritage and six-ship deployment are unmatched. Choose it for world cruises and Grand Voyages that span all seven continents. Choose it for the Have It All package that bundles drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, and excursion credits into a single daily rate. Accept that the fleet includes older ships, that gratuities are charged separately, that the passenger demographic skews older, and that no new vessels are currently on order.

Choose P&O Cruises if you are visiting the United Kingdom and want to add a cruise from Southampton to your holiday. Choose it for adults-only sailing on Arcadia or Aurora — dedicated child-free ships are a genuine rarity in the industry. Choose it for the SkyDome on Iona and Arvia, an innovative entertainment venue with no equivalent elsewhere. Choose it for Gary Barlow’s curated 710 Club and the Greatest Days Take That musical on Arvia. Choose it for the gratuity-inclusive pricing that eliminates tipping discomfort. Choose it for Marco Pierre White’s 20-year culinary partnership and the Food Hero sailings with live celebrity chef appearances. Accept that there are no Australian departures, that the passenger base is overwhelmingly British, that pricing in GBP is less favourable for Australians than USD, that some guests perceive declining standards, and that the brand should not be confused with the defunct P&O Cruises Australia.

For Australian couples seeking an enrichment-focused, mid-size ship cruise from their home port, Holland America is the practical and qualitative winner. HAL’s growing Australian commitment — from one ship in 2025-2026 to two ships and 26 itineraries in 2026-2027 — demonstrates genuine investment in the market. P&O UK remains an interesting option for Australians with existing UK travel plans, particularly on the adults-only ships, but it is not a line that competes for Australian business in any meaningful sense. The real competitors to Holland America for Australian travellers are Celebrity, Viking, Princess, and Cunard — all of which deploy ships locally. P&O’s battle is fought in Southampton, not Sydney.