Royal Caribbean Vs P&O

Which Family Cruise Experience Reigns Supreme?

As someone who's spent countless weeks sailing the seas with both my excitable children and occasionally just my equally cruise-obsessed husband, I've experienced the best (and occasional worst) of what the major cruise lines have to offer families. Today, I'm diving into the differences between two popular choices for UK cruisers: P&O and Royal Caribbean.

If you're torn between these two cruise lines for your next family adventure, grab a cuppa and let me walk you through the key differences that might just help you make that all-important booking decision.  Some may say it’s like comparing apples with oranges, and, they may not be wrong.  But, the question is, which do you want to buy?

The Price Point Perspective

Let's address the elephant in the room straight away - Royal Caribbean typically comes with a heftier price tag than P&O. This price difference can be substantial, especially when booking for a family of four or more. But as with most things in life, you need to consider what you're getting for your money before deciding if the premium is worth it.

While scrolling through cruise deals in February 2025, I found the following:

A 10-night Mediterranean cruise on P&O's Ventura, from Southampton, in a balcony for 2 adults and two children, for just over 5k.  This also came with some onboard spending money.  For the equivalent Royal sailing on Independence of the Seas from Southampton, 9 nights, the price was just over 9k.  For my family of four, that's huge difference - enough for a pretty lavish shore excursion budget! Or even another cruise! The itineraries were both Spain & Portugal.

Now, there will be the case of - time of searching, offers from either cruise line at the time and they are slightly different ships etc, etc.  But you get the picture - it’s a choice to make.  Having sailed both of these cruise lines, Let’s give you the rest of the picture.

British Charm vs American Pizzazz

We Will Rock You - Royal Caribbean

One of the most noticeable differences stems from their heritage. P&O is proudly British, with over 180 years of maritime history and a distinctly British atmosphere onboard. From proper cups of tea (with actual boiling water!) to British comedians and familiar comfort foods, P&O feels like a floating slice of home.  Here is another question to answer - do you want a slice of home or are you looking for something different?

Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, embraces its American roots with a more international approach. The atmosphere is more vibrant, often louder, and designed to appeal to a global audience. This means the entertainment, food, and overall vibe has that distinctive American energy that some British families love, while others find a bit much.

Dining Experiences: A Tale of Two Appetites

Food is always a crucial part of any holiday, and here's where things get interesting. From my experience sailing on both lines, I've found Royal Caribbean's buffet options to be more varied and generally of higher quality, especially at breakfast time.  Some of the curries at lunch time were amazing in the Windjammer - this is something P & O just doesn’t have in the buffet.

Wonderland - Royal Caribbean

While P&O's Horizon buffet serves up a perfectly acceptable full English breakfast (and they do know how to cook proper bacon, not that floppy American stuff), Royal Caribbean's Windjammer marketplace offers everything from made-to-order omelettes to Asian congee, Mexican breakfast burritos, and fresh smoothie stations.

However, when it comes to speciality dining, P&O surprised me with some truly exceptional experiences. The Epicurean and Sindhu (the line's signature Indian restaurant) genuinely outshone any speciality restaurant I've tried on Royal Caribbean ships.  The Glass house was epic as well. The service was impeccable, the presentation beautiful, and the flavours divine.

Don’t get me wrong, Chops Grill was extremely good on more than one occasion but P & O’s speciality dining was much more varied.

Entertainment: Showstoppers vs Traditional Variety

If your family enjoys Broadway-style productions and jaw-dropping spectacles, Royal Caribbean absolutely takes the crown. Their shows are technically impressive, with elaborate sets, professional performers, and production values that wouldn't look out of place in London's West End.

On our last Anthem of the Seas cruise, we watched We Will Rock You with the kids, and it was genuinely as good as the theatre production I'd seen years earlier. Add in the ice skating shows, aqua theatres (on Oasis class ships), and high-tech entertainment venues, and Royal Caribbean definitely delivers the wow factor.

P&O's entertainment, while perfectly enjoyable, tends toward the more traditional cruise variety with  comedians, and production shows that, while professional, rarely match Royal Caribbean's scale.

Family Facilities: The Thrill Factor

When it comes to onboard activities, Royal Caribbean has built its reputation on innovative, adrenaline-pumping experiences. Depending on which ship you choose, you might find rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, zip lines, skydiving simulators, bumper cars, and even ice skating rinks.

My teenager still rates the North Star observation pod on Anthem of the Seas (a glass capsule that extends over the side of the ship) as "the coolest thing ever," and my daughter became absolutely obsessed with the FlowRider.

P&O has traditionally been more restrained with onboard activities, focusing on quality over quantity. However, their newest ships are changing this perception. Iona offers stunning multi-level swimming pools and an impressive SkyDome that transforms from a relaxing pool area by day to an entertainment venue by night. Arvia has introduced the first "Altitude Skywalk" high ropes course at sea and the "Mission Control" underwater-themed escape room experience, showing P&O is stepping up its game for families seeking thrills - If you can get into it that is.  If you want to do this experience book early as it sells out.

Cabin Comfort: Your Home at Sea

When it comes to cabins, both lines offer comfortable accommodations, but with different styling approaches. P&O cabins tend toward understated elegance with a distinctly British feel - think cool blues, comfortable but not overly plush bedding, and straightforward functionality.

Royal Caribbean cabins typically feel more modern and sometimes more spacious due to clever design elements. Their family cabins, particularly on newer ships, often include thoughtful touches like separate sleeping areas for children and parents, and storage solutions that make living with kids in a compact space more manageable.

The Verdict: Which Line Deserves Your Booking?

I've concluded there's no clear-cut "better" option - it depends entirely on what your family prioritises.

Choose P&O if:

- You prefer a distinctly British atmosphere

- You're watching your budget

- Fine dining experiences are important to you

- You prefer a more relaxed, less frenetic pace

- You want to avoid the hassle of currency conversion (P&O prices in pounds)

Choose Royal Caribbean if:

- You want the most innovative onboard activities

- High-energy entertainment is a priority

- You prefer international cuisine and diverse buffet options

- You don't mind paying a premium for more "wow factor"

- Your children (especially teens) crave adventurous activities

Whichever you choose, both lines have earned their loyal followings for good reason. And remember - the most important ingredient for a successful family cruise isn't the ship at all, but the memories you'll make together sailing the world's oceans.

And if you want to compare how a Disney Cruise stack up - read our guide to Magic at Sea! Here’s a sneak peak below,