If you’re considering booking your first cruise with P&O cruises, one of the first questions that might come to mind is, “Does the cruise include food?” After all, enjoying good meals is an essential part of any holiday experience. The short answer is yes: P&O Cruises do include food. However, there’s more to know about the dining options, the types of meals included, and what might come with an additional charge. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about dining on a P&O cruise, so you can set sail with confidence.
Dining Options: What’s Included?
P&O Cruises offers a variety of dining experiences that cater to different tastes and occasions. When it comes to meals included in your fare, the cruise line is generous, with a range of complimentary dining venues. These typically cover three main areas:
Main Dining Rooms
Each P&O ship has one or more main dining rooms where passengers can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menus here are extensive, with a rotating selection of international and British favourites, ranging from hearty breakfasts to multi-course dinners. The main dining rooms are generally open-seating, so you can choose to dine alone or join others.
Buffet Restaurants
For a more casual dining experience, P&O ships have buffet restaurants offering a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These restaurants are great for those who prefer a more flexible approach to dining, as you can choose exactly what you want and eat at your own pace. The buffets offer a mix of cuisines and cater to different dietary preferences, so there’s usually something for everyone.
Poolside and Casual Dining
Many P&O cruises also have more relaxed dining spots near the pool, where you can grab snacks, light bites, and meals throughout the day. These are perfect for a quick bite in between activities or lounging by the pool.
Speciality Dining: What Costs Extra?
While P&O Cruises provides an excellent range of included dining, there are also speciality restaurants on board that come at an additional cost. These are premium dining experiences with à la carte pricing or a cover charge, offering menus created by renowned chefs or unique cuisines. For example, on many P&O ships, you’ll find options like the Epicurean or Sindhu an Asian-inspired restaurant. These venues provide an upgraded dining experience, ideal for special occasions or simply for food lovers who want to try something different.
Room Service
Room service is also available on P&O Cruises, with certain items offered for free, such as light breakfasts (may vary on each ship). For a more extensive menu, there is usually a nominal fee for items like pizza, sandwiches, and snacks delivered to your cabin. This is a convenient option if you’d prefer a meal in the comfort of your cabin or fancy a late-night snack.
Dietary Needs
P&O Cruises is accommodating for dietary requirements, and they offer options for guests with allergies or preferences like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free meals. It’s advisable to inform them of your needs when booking, so they can make the necessary arrangements.
Drinks: What’s Included?
While food is largely included, drinks are a bit different. Tea, coffee, water, and juice are typically complimentary in the dining areas, but alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and specialty coffees usually come at an extra charge. For those who want to enjoy a few drinks on board, P&O offers drinks packages, which may be more cost-effective than paying per drink.
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