If you are considering a cruise with either P&O Cruises or Cunard, you may be wondering how they compare.

I’ve cruised with both cruise lines, so in this post, we will explore the differences in dress codes, dining, onboard experience, and more.

What Are The Difference Between P&O Cruises and Cunard?

Cunard cruises are usually more expensive than P&O cruises and offer a more traditional cruising experience.

P&O cruises attract a younger market than Cunard and have a busier daily schedule. Dress codes and dining times are less strictly enforced on P&O cruises.

Both are British cruise lines, but this is really where the similarities end

Note: It’s worth noting that for the purposes of this article, we are talking about the British portion of P&O cruises. There is also an Australian part which is much more of a party cruise line. 

Dress Codes & Formal Nights

Both cruise lines do have formal nights and dress codes in place, but the dress codes for Cunard cruises are much stricter and are enforced ship-wide.

Lovers of formal dress would love both cruise lines as compared to other cruise lines they are both quite formal.

Cunard – Dress Codes & Formal Nights

The formal dress codes on Cunard are actually the reason why I started this website! I couldn’t believe how strict the dress codes were, even on informal nights.

I had cruised before my Cunard cruise, but only with Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC, which are incredibly relaxed.

The informal nights on Cunard cruises are more formal than the formal nights of most other cruise lines so I started this website to tell people what I had learned. The rest is history!

Cunard Has 2 Formal Nights Per Week

On a seven-night Cunard cruise, you’ll typically find two formal nights, with the other nights being informal nights.

On formal nights, men have to wear a shirt, tie and jacket, which cannot be taken off.

On informal nights, jackets are still required for men, but the tie is optional.

There are no dress codes during the day, but guests can’t wear shorts for afternoon tea

Are The Dress Codes Enforced on Cunard Cruises?

The dress codes are strictly enforced and guests who aren’t dressed appropriately will be asked to change.

The dress code does apply ship wide with certain places being ‘formal nights dress code free’ such as the buffet.

Cunard cruisers take the dress code very seriously, I doubt that other guests would actually tell you off if you were underdressed but you’d certainly get some stares!

Generally speaking I wouldn’t recommend a Cunard cruise to anybody who doesn’t want to take part in the formal nights and dress codes.

To learn more about Cunard’s dress codes, including what you cannot wear, check out this post:

Cunard Dress Code – (Mens, Womens, Childrens – Real Examples)

P&O Cruises – Dress Codes & Formal Nights

P&O also have dress codes but these aren’t as strictly enforced as the dress codes on Cunard cruises.

Our Gala Evenings, or Black Tie nights, offer a chance to get dressed to the nines in glamorous evening wear. Don your favourite cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown, or dinner jacket, or alternatively a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.

Cunard

Some guests cruising with P&O really do go all out and wear Tuxedos and Ball Gowns. That said, other guests who don’t want to take part won’t look out of place either.

The dress code is enforced only in the main dining room so guests wanting to avoid dressing formally usually eat in the buffet or order room service, more about the room service later!

Are P&O Cruises Dress Codes Enforced?

The dress code on P&O cruises isn’t strictly enforced. 76% of P&O cruisers said that they didn’t feel as though P&O’s dress codes were enforced.

There are no specific daytime dress code rules on P&O cruises.

When I sailed onboard P&O’s Arvia, I wasn’t allowed to wear shorts in Crow’s Nest Bar after six o’clock.

Rather than going back to my room to change, I just wrapped my Mum’s cardigan around my legs when I sat down, so it looked like a skirt. I got away with it!

Find out about that eventful Arvia cruise here:

Target Market/Families

Generally speaking P&O have a younger passenger demographic than Cunard.

P&O often advertise to families and have discounted places for children to encourage families to come onboard.

In recent years, they have introduced Arvia and Iona into the fleet. These ships are more family orientated, and appeal to a wider range of people.

Find out about my very cheap cruise on P&O’s Iona here:

Cunard – Target Market/Families

The Cunard cruises I have taken probably have had the oldest passenger demographic of any cruise that I’ve been on. I’ve been on over seventy cruises to date.

My gran who’s 97 always loved cruising with Cunard – and she’s probably Cunard’s target market.

Cunard Offers a Traditional Experience

Cunard focuses on the traditional elements of cruising that older passengers tend to prefer.

You will find some younger people on a Cunard cruise, but I have to say that when I first cruised with Cunard at 23, I was probably the youngest person onboard.

I didn’t feel out of place on a Cunard Cruise, but if I was looking for nightlife or friends my own age – I would have been disappointed!

Cunard cruise ships do have Kids Clubs, but the ships themselves aren’t designed with children in mind. No ships in the Cunard fleet have waterslides or play areas.

I love the design of the Cunard ships, they’re very elegant and having waterslides on the top would definitely ruin this!

Cunard has the world’s last Ocean Liner Sailing, The Queen Mary 2. She is a beautiful ship! Find out what I thought of my cruise on her here:

P&O Cruises – Target Market/Families

P&O advertise themselves as a family cruise line and you’ll find lots of families on board. I constantly recommend P&O to families, to find out why check out our recommended cruise lines page here:

Best Cruise Lines For Families (Tried & Tested, Pros & Cons!)

P&O Often Have Family Discounts

P&O cruises often have discounts on children’s places. Walking around a P&O cruise ship, you’ll likely see younger people than on a Cunard cruise.

With the launch of P&O’s new ship, Iona, the cruise line is definitely trying to attract younger cruisers and families to the brand.

P&O’s cruise fares include gratuities and are generally good value for money. They have Kids Clubs on board, and many of their cabins accommodate 4 or 5 guests.

There is a lot more for children to do on a P&O cruise compared to a Cunard cruise.

Ship Design

Cunard has a new ship, Queen Anne, that was launched in 2024. The newest ships in P&O’s fleet are Arvia and Iona.

Queen Anne holds around three thousand passengers, whereas Iona and Arvia are bigger ships holding over six thousand two hundred passengers.

Cunard and P&O’s other ships have a smaller passenger capacity.

The style onboard the Cunard ships is much more traditional, and there is less variety between the Cunard ships and those of P&O cruise ships.

That said all ships in both fleets are widely loved for different reasons.

I took a short cruise on P&O’s smallest ship, Aurora. She had a charm and character all of her own – and is an adult only cruise ship.

Find out more about her here:

Cunard Ships – Ship Design

Cunard’s cruise ships are among some of the most famous in the world. They have a distinctive classic style and are well-known for being elegant and classy.

Cunard has four cruise ships, with the newest ship, Queen Anne, being launched in 2024.

Cunard Fleet

The Queen Mary 2 was built in 2003 and is the only remaining Ocean Liner.

She cruises across the Atlantic, and cruises on her are often described as being the best way to take a transatlantic cruise. I would agree!

When I take a transatlantic cruise, It will definitely want it to be onboard the Queen Mary 2. She is built for such journeys.

If you’d like to find out why she’s so well designed for this journey, check out this post, which describes the differences between cruise ships and ocean liners, theres is more to it than you’d think: 

Cruise Ships vs Ocean Liners: 5 Fundamental Differences

Cunard also has:

• Queen Victoria – built in 2007
• Queen Elizabeth – built in 2010.

I sailed on the Queen Victoria back in 2016 and that cruise inspired me to start my blog

The Onboard Style is Cunard Ships is Traditional

The styling and facilities onboard all three ships are very similar. They feature classic designs and colours with all the elements that you’d expect from a traditional cruising experience, such as a promenade deck and open atrium.

It feels as though the ships are incredibly well looked after, and they are always clean and cared for.

P&O Cruises Ships – Ship Design

P&O cruises have a range of cruise ships ranging in size and age. The oldest was built in 2000, with the newest ship, Arvia, being launched in 2022.

The stylings onboard are fairly modern and they appeal to a wide range of passengers.

The older, smaller cruise ships are a little more traditional than the newer, bigger ships, but even still, there is a style onboard which is instantly recognisable across the fleet.

All P&O Cruises cruise ships have Union Jack flags on the bow, which makes it easy to identify them from far away.

I compare a newer and older P&O ship in the video below:

Onboard Activities/Entertainment

Generally speaking the schedule on a P&O cruise is busier than that of a Cunard cruise.

Both cruises do have daily schedules which will be delivered to your cabin each night, these detail the events which will be happening the next day of the cruise.

Cunard Onboard Schedule

I’ve been on over seventy cruises to date, and without a doubt, the schedules on my Cunard cruises were some of the quietest.

Most guests will fill their days sitting by the pool with a book, dancing in the ballroom or enjoying afternoon tea.

Cunard do have wonderful enrichment talks, with wonderful guest speakers – they are always worth going along to.

Cunard do have many drinks packages, to learn more about these, including what I’d recommend, check out this post:

 Cunard Drinks Package Guide and Menu With Drink Prices.

Typical activities found on a Cunard cruise include:

– Trivia
– Movies
– Needlework/Knitting
– Live Music (String quartet, harpists, classical music and popular music)
– Theatre Lectures

If you are considering a Cunard cruise make sure that you bring a good book and are ready to entertain yourself.

This isn’t a problem for me at all and I loved the chance to really relax but I do know that some people like to have busier onboard schedules.

On most days there tends to only be one activity per hour at most times on the onboard schedule.

The events on the daily schedule cover roughly from 7am until 10pm.

Afternoon tea is a very big part of any Cunard cruise and this is included in your cruise fare. It’s amazing how fast you can get used to having another meal between lunch and dinner!

P&O Cruises Onboard Schedule is Busier than Cunard’s

P&O Cruises tend to have a busier onboard schedule than Cunard but they are still relatively relaxed compared to the bigger American cruise lines.

You’ll find activities happening much more frequently than on a Cunard cruise and there are definitely more entertainment options in the evenings.

Typical activities on a P&O Cruises Cruise include:

– Trivia and Gameshows
– Movies
– Poolside Games
– Live Music (Pop, Rock, Classical)
– Discos and Dancing
– Exercise Classes

On a daily schedule for a P&O Cruises cruise, you’ll usually find an event happening every 15 minutes to half an hour. There are additional activities for children throughout the day.

I took part in a cookery class with Marco Pierre White, which was so much fun. I’m not normally a fan of cooking, but I really enjoyed the experience. This does cost extra.

The events on the daily schedule cover roughly from 7 am until 12 pm.

Room Service/Dining

Both cruise lines include your meals in the cruise fare. Everyday breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea are available at several different venues.

The dining experience with Cunard tends to be more fixed than with P&O cruises.

Room service is free on Cunard cruises, but there is a charge for it on P&O Cruises.

Most cruise lines do charge for room service, either by item or with a set fee for the delivery of the room service.

Cunard Has FREE Room Service

Some of the best room service that I’ve ever had on a cruise has been on Cunard.

The room service is actually available 24 hours a day which is wonderful.

There is a wide variety of food available, and one of my fondest memories of my Cunard cruise is sitting on the balcony with my family while we sailed away from a port eating a room service dinner.

I only ever order room service when it is free, so if you take a Cunard cruise, make sure to take advantage of this!

The room service is also a great option if it is a formal night or you simply can’t be bothered to get dressed for dinner.

It is worth noting, though, that as the dress codes do apply ship-wide, you can’t go to the theatre in the evening wearing ‘inappropriate’ clothes.

P&O Cruises Charges For Room Service – Sometimes!

P&O Cruises do have room service but like most cruise lines you will be charged for this.

The charge will automatically be added to your onboard account when you order and you’ll have to pay it at the end of your cruise when you get your bill.

P&O Cruises charges by the item.

Room service is however free for breakfast so I’d definitely recommend that you take advantage of this. Breakfast in bed or on the balcony is brilliant!

Cunard Dining Times

For the majority of passengers, Cunard only offers fixed dining in their main dining rooms for dinner.

There will be an early and late seating, which you will usually be able to choose before you cruise.

If you are cruising in a ‘Britannia Club’ stateroom, you can dine in the Britannia restaurant, which doesn’t have set dining times.

There are no set timings for breakfast or lunch.

P&O Cruises Dining Times

P&O Cruises have both flexible dining times and set dining times. Ahead of your cruise you’ll be asked to pick a set time for dinner or the more flexible option.

I always go for the more flexible option because I like to eat when I’m hungry, not when it’s dinner time.

We never had to wait for a table and had no problem getting a table for two.

We were able to share with others when we wanted to which was great. We shared a big table for ten on the first night of our cruise on Britannia, and met up again for the last night.

P&O also have several speciality restaurants where you can have dinner if you want something a little special.

Which Would I Recommend?

The experience on a Cunard cruise is much more traditional, with fixed dining times, enforced dress codes and a relaxing onboard experience, so this would suit somebody who likes a quiet, elegant atmosphere.

For families and younger cruisers, I would usually recommend P&O cruises as the onboard schedule is busier, and the dress codes and dining are more flexible.

I personally enjoy cruising with both lines.

To find out more about the cruise lines which I recommend, check out our recommended cruise lines page here: 

Recommended Cruise Lines, Full List

Before You Go

If you’re more used to cruising with American cruise lines, check out this comparison between P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean:

7 HUGE Differences Between P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean

Find out about the drinks packages Cunard offer in the post below:

Cunard Drinks Package Guide – Real Menus and Drink Prices