Summer 2028 Is Calling

And P&O Cruises Has Just Made It Very Hard to Say No

Browse the brand-new P&O Cruises Summer 2028 collection with Spear Travels, and discover why now is the perfect time to get ahead of the crowds.

Summer 2028 may feel like a distant dot on the horizon, but in the world of cruise holidays, the early birds really do get the best cabins. P&O Cruises has just launched its biggest-ever summer programme, 215 brand-new holidays across seven ships, visiting 121 destinations in 29 countries, and it is already turning heads.

Here at Spear Travels, we have been helping people plan the holidays of their lives since 1983. So when a collection this exciting lands, we want to make sure you hear about it first.

What Makes This Summer Different?

This is not just more of the same. The Summer 2028 collection runs from March through to October and brings a real sense of discovery to the calendar.

The 2028 summer programme represents an 8% capacity increase compared to P&O’s previous record-holder, summer 2026. That translates into more ships, more itineraries, and, crucially, more choice for you.

Some of the biggest talking points in the new collection include extended time ashore in key cities, with 64 overnight calls and 69 late evening departures, giving guests more time to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Acropolis in Athens and Gaudí’s landmark buildings in Barcelona.

The message from P&O is clear: the journey matters, but so does what happens when you step off the ship.

Norwegian Fjords: The Nation’s Favourite Just Got Better

If there is one destination that consistently tops the wish lists of British cruisers, it is the Norwegian Fjords. Tumbling waterfalls, mirror-still waters, mountains that seem to rise straight out of the sea – it is the kind of scenery that stays with you long after you are home.

For Summer 2028, P&O has expanded its Norwegian Fjords programme in a big way. The line is scheduling 36 weekend departures, including Friday sailings, between May and September 2028, designed to make shorter scenic breaks easier to book for UK guests travelling from Southampton.

Iona departs Southampton and takes in the likes of Stavanger, Olden, Ålesund and Haugesund on its classic 7-night Norwegian Fjords itinerary. Whether you want to hike up to the best viewpoints, take a thrilling RIB ride across the water, or simply stand on deck and take it all in, this is a holiday that delivers from day one.

Something New for Every Type of Traveller

One of the most exciting parts of the Summer 2028 collection is the variety. P&O has clearly been listening to what its passengers want, and the results show.

Arvia Heads to Europe

Arvia, the newest ship in the fleet and usually found in Caribbean waters, is making a move to European routes for summer 2028. Arvia will alternate weekly 7-night Norwegian fjord itineraries with cruises to Spain, France and Portugal, allowing passengers to combine consecutive sailings into comprehensive 14-night holidays that deliver both Norway’s natural wonders and Southern Europe’s Mediterranean charm in a single journey.

Azura Stays Longer in Livorno

For first-timers and returning guests who love Italy, this is a genuinely exciting update. For the first time, Azura will offer overnight stays in Livorno on selected holidays, creating more time for guests wanting to visit Florence and Pisa. There is something quite special about exploring Florence at your own pace, without one eye on the clock.

Aurora Takes on the Arctic

Aurora will return to Northern Europe with an expanded Arctic adventure in August 2028, including an overnight stay in Reykjavik and calls at Honningsvåg, Tromsø, and the very top of mainland Europe. If Iceland has been on your bucket list for years, this might be the one.

Arcadia Opens Its Doors to Families

This is a historic first. Arcadia will welcome guests of all ages on designated school holiday cruises for the first time in P&O Cruises’ history, offering seven and 14-night holidays plus a new May Half Term short break. Families who love the more classic, intimate feel of Arcadia now have a door that was previously closed to them.

Fly-Cruise or Sail from Southampton?

It depends entirely on what suits you best and the Summer 2028 collection caters to both.

Sail from Southampton and you can skip the airport altogether. There is no luggage limit and no long check-in queues. You step on board, and your holiday starts immediately. It is a particularly popular choice for those who prefer to keep things straightforward, or who simply love the idea of watching the English coastline disappear as the ship heads south.

Fly-cruise from Malta puts you in warm Mediterranean sunshine from day one. Flights are included in your holiday price, and P&O has regional departure options so that London is not your only starting point. From Valletta, itineraries fan out across the Greek Islands, Adriatic, and Eastern Mediterranean – places like Dubrovnik’s terracotta-roofed Old Town, Split’s Roman Diocletian’s Palace, and Piraeus for tours to Athens.

The Spear Travels team can help you weigh up both options and find the route that works for your schedule and budget.

All-Inclusive: More Value, Less Thinking

One of the most welcome additions to the P&O experience is the new all-inclusive package. The Classic package, starting at £49 per person per day, includes drinks, speciality dining credit and Wi-Fi, representing a saving of up to 32% compared to purchasing those items individually on board.

For many travellers, knowing the big extras are already covered makes for a genuinely more relaxing holiday. You are not mentally tallying up every drink or deliberating over the Wi-Fi at the end of the day. You just enjoy it.

There is also a Deluxe option at £59pp per day, which steps up to premium spirits, craft beers, cocktails, ultimate streaming-quality Wi-Fi, and enhanced dining credit.

Book Before 30 June 2026 – Early Bird Offers Are Live

Here is the part that is worth paying close attention to right now. P&O is offering a 10% early booking discount and a 10% deposit on applicable Select Price and Early Saver holidays, with an additional 5% discount for Peninsular Club loyalty members on selected sailings, all for bookings made by 30 June 2026.

Early booking also means first pick of cabins. The best balcony rooms, the most popular departure dates, and the itineraries that sell out fastest – they all go early. Getting ahead of the crowd is genuinely worthwhile.

Why Book Through Spear Travels?

With 40 years of experience and branches across the UK, the team at Spear Travels knows P&O Cruises inside out. Our consultants travel the world themselves, which means when you come to us with a question, whether it’s about which ship suits your style, which cabin grade to go for, or whether a 7-night or 14-night itinerary is the better fit, you get a real, informed answer from someone who genuinely loves travel.

All prices and offers are subject to availability. Early booking offers apply to new bookings on applicable Select Price and Early Saver fares made by 30 June 2026. Terms and conditions apply. ABTA protected.