Aurora

The 2001-built P&O Aurora cruise ship is one of the older liners in the P&O UK fleet. The 2014 drydock refit made her the first ship in the fleet to receive the company's updated hull livery featuring the Union Jack flag.

In February 2018, P&O UK announced that Aurora would become an adults-only vessel following her scheduled drydock refurbishment in March 2019. She officially joined the adult-only fleetmate Arcadia on April 8, 2019. Both ships are now exclusively for adults.

The vessel (IMO number 9226906) is currently Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310556000) and registered in Hamilton.

History – Construction and Ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary brand owned by Carnival Corporation, operating two brands: P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P&O is the world’s oldest cruise company, having begun passenger shipping operations in 1822 with routes between England and Iberia.

The 1,900-passenger Aurora offers a wide range of luxury cruises from England, with affordable options for UK-based travelers. Known as one of the most family-friendly cruise ships in the UK prior to becoming adults-only, Aurora is popular for World Cruise itineraries departing from Southampton. She is particularly suited to British cruisers, offering a classic design with tiered stern and ocean liner aesthetics. The ship delivers premium cruise experiences with stylish entertainment and five-star amenities. Reviews often highlight Aurora as a top choice for birthdays, anniversaries, small family reunions, or simply spending quality time at sea.

Decks and Cabins

P&O Aurora staterooms include 981 accommodations across 20 categories: 30 Suites, 392 Balcony cabins, 257 Oceanview, 292 Inside, and 10 Single Oceanview cabins.

Most cabins are between 150-175 ft² (14-16 m²), and balconies are 30-40 ft² (3-4 m²). Aurora has 22 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

The largest accommodations are the Penthouse Suites (Duplex Apartments) measuring 865 ft² (80 m²), with a 70 ft² (7 m²) terrace.

The ship has 13 decks, including 10 accessible to passengers and 7 with staterooms.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

Aurora's décor is classic and appeals more to mature British travelers. The ship follows a two-sitting fixed dining system, with dress codes enforced in dining venues and bars during the evenings. The main dining venues are the Medina and Alexandria restaurants, both offering open seating for breakfast and lunch and Club Dining (fixed seating) for dinner. The specialty venue Café Bordeaux (by chef Marco Pierre White) offers Mediterranean cuisine and requires reservations and a surcharge. Other options include the self-service Orangery buffet and the casual Pennant Grill. Room service is available at an extra cost.

Full list of dining venues and food bars:

• Medina Restaurant (forward dining room; open seating for breakfast 8–9:30 am, lunch 12:15–1:45 pm, afternoon tea 4–4:45 pm, Club Dining at dinner – fixed seatings at 6:30 or 8:30 pm; complimentary)
• Alexandria Restaurant (aft dining room; dinner only, fixed seatings at 6:30 or 8:30 pm; complimentary)
• Café Bordeaux (120-seat French-style venue by Marco Pierre White; surcharge; breakfast 6:30–11 am, lunch 11 am–5:30 pm, afternoon tea 5:30–6:30 pm, dinner 6–10:30 pm, late-night snacks 10:30 pm–6:30 am)
• The Orangery (Lido buffet; complimentary; breakfast 7–10:30 am, brunch 10:30 am–12 pm, lunch 12–2:30 pm, kids’ tea 5:45–6:30 pm, dinner 6:30–9 pm with themed buffets)
• Sidewalk Café (fast food bar with pizzas, burgers, fish and chips; complimentary; open 11 am–6 pm)
• Sindhu (Indian restaurant by Atul Kochhar)
• Pennant Grill and Bar (alfresco, surcharge applies; dinner only, 7–9:30 pm)

Shipboard Entertainment Options – Fun and Sport

While once popular with families during school holidays, Aurora now primarily caters to adults seeking a traditional cruise experience. The Sun Deck offers a golf simulator, Cyb@Study internet center, the Crow’s Nest lounge/nightclub, the Uganda Room (private parties), and Crystal Pool with five hot tubs. The Lido Deck includes the Oasis spa, The Orangery buffet, Sidewalk Café, and Pennant Bar. Riviera Pool and the gym are on Deck 11. The ship also features eight bars, three pools (one with a retractable roof), two Jacuzzis, lectures, dance lessons, and language classes.

Full list of entertainment venues:

• Atrium (four-deck central hub)
• Palm Court Lobby
• Curzon Theatre (600 seats; high-tech stage productions)
• Carmen’s Lounge (cabaret, bingo, dancing, live music)
• Champions Bar (sports), Anderson’s Bar, Charlie’s Bar (piano/wine)
• Monte Carlo Casino, Art Gallery
• Masquerade Disco and Nightclub
• Raffles Bar (specialty coffee, handmade chocolates; a la carte pricing)
• Retail shops: Mayfair Shop (jewelry), Piccadilly Court (apparel), Emporium (duty-free goods)
• Photo Gallery, Library with internet access, Vanderbilt’s Card Room
• Cyb@Study (24-hour computer center)
• Uganda Room (private events, weddings)
• The Playhouse (213-seat cinema)
• Decibels Disco (teen club)
• Kids’ facilities: Toybox Room, Night Nursery, Quarter Deck, Jumping Jacks, Intergalactic Arcade
• Oasis Spa and Health Club (treatment rooms, steam, salon)
• The Retreat (yoga, Tai Chi, dance classes)
• Weights and Measures Gym (fitness equipment, yoga and Pilates at a surcharge)
• Crow’s Nest Lounge (dance floor, panoramic windows, daytime activities)
• Sports facilities: jogging track, court for tennis/football/cricket, shuffleboard, table tennis, golf simulator and nets

Itineraries

P&O Aurora’s itinerary program includes roundtrips from homeport Southampton, England. Highlights include an annual World Cruise, Transatlantic Caribbean cruises, voyages to the Canary Islands, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, Iceland, Norway, and mini-cruises to Belgium.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aurora was paused from operations through April 2022.

MS Aurora was specifically designed to appeal to the UK cruising market. As British travelers tend to prefer traditionally styled ships, Aurora’s hull and superstructure were designed to resemble classic ocean liners. The design is based on MV Oriana, but with significant enhancements and expanded cabin and facility layouts.

P&O Aurora (built at the Papenburg shipyard, hull number 640) is powered by MAN B&W marine diesel engines (model 14V48/60), delivering a total power output of 56 MW.

One of the most unfortunate events in Aurora’s history occurred during her maiden season. During the christening ceremony in Southampton, the ceremonial Champagne bottle failed to break against the hull—an incident considered bad luck by maritime tradition. This was followed by a technical failure that led to the cancellation of the ship’s inaugural Mediterranean cruise on May 1, 2000, just 16 hours after departure. Aurora was taken out of service for drydock repairs, and the passenger compensation package cost P&O UK an estimated GBP 6 million. The ship returned to service two weeks later.

Aurora was officially christened on April 27, 2000, by HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne). Other P&O ships named by British Royals include Oriana (April 6, 1995, by HM The Queen), Britannia (March 10, 2015, by HM The Queen), and Oceana and Adonia (now Azamara Pursuit), both named on May 21, 2003, by HRH Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips.

In addition to Aurora, the list of P&O World Cruise ships includes MV Arcadia.

P&O Aurora Refurbishments Review

The ship is scheduled for drydock refurbishment in April 2025.

The April–May 2023 renovation included new chairs in all passenger cabins, updated furniture on all balconies, and new deck furniture throughout the open areas. The sundeck surrounding Neptune Pool was fitted with new garden furniture, including loungers, sofas, tables, and armchairs.

The following changes were made during the 2014 drydock at Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg (November 29–December 18):

• New livery: Aurora became the first P&O vessel to feature the line’s updated livery with a Union Jack design on the bow and new blue funnels with illuminated rising sun motifs.
• (Deck 8) The library was replaced by the Indian cuisine restaurant “Sindhu” by Atul Kochhar; the library was relocated to Deck 13 (formerly cyb@study).
• (Deck 8) Café Bordeaux was replaced with the wine bar and specialty restaurant “The Glass House.”
• Refurbishments (décor and furniture) were made to Lido Buffet, Sidewalk Café, Spa (Deck 12), Reef Club (Deck 8, including renaming kids’ rooms), Champions Bar, Casino, Theatre, and Carmen’s Lounge (Deck 7).
• New Grill evening menu was introduced at “The Beach House.”
• New venues added: Medina Restaurant (Deck 6, with more two-seat tables), “Grab & Go” food station, and a specialty Costa Coffee Bar.
• Passenger cabins received updated amenities including new flat-screen TVs and furnishings.

The 2014 refurbishment cost GBP 26 million (~USD 44 million).

Aurora underwent drydocking at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland from June 9–23, 2022. Prior to that, the ship was in drydock for general maintenance in March 2019.

Around South America Cruises 2023

Below is the itinerary for Aurora’s 65-night/66-day "Around South America" cruise (booking code R301), roundtrip from the UK:

Prices started from GBP 1,450 per person based on double occupancy.

P&O Aurora World Cruise 2022 (Canceled)

In 2021, P&O UK planned a 100-day "World Cruise 2022" aboard MS Aurora, scheduled roundtrip from Southampton (January 3–April 13). However, P&O President Paul Ludlow announced the cancellation due to the “complex logistics” involved in a global itinerary amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The canceled voyage was also available for booking in smaller itinerary segments:

• (Jan 3) 49-day Southampton to Sydney
• (Jan 3) 24-day Southampton to San Francisco
• (Feb 21) 51-day Sydney to Southampton
• (Feb 21) 23-day Sydney to Singapore
• (Feb 21) 19-day Sydney to Hong Kong
• (Feb 23) 49-day Brisbane to Southampton
• (Feb 23) 17-day Brisbane to Hong Kong
• (Mar 12) 14-day Hong Kong to Dubai
• (Mar 12) 32-day Hong Kong to Southampton
• (Mar 26) 18-day Dubai to Southampton

Instead, the ship was rescheduled to operate two substitute Southampton roundtrip cruises (bookings opened on July 6, 2021), departing in 2022 on February 22 (Transatlantic to the Caribbean) and April 1 (Canaries itinerary).

The 40-night Caribbean itinerary (from GBP 2,150 per person) visited La Coruna (Galicia), Funchal (Madeira), Basseterre (St Kitts), Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), Oranjestad (Aruba), Castries (St Lucia), St George's (Grenada), Kingstown (St Vincent & Grenadines), Bridgetown (Barbados), and Kralendijk (Bonaire).

The 12-night "Portugal and the Canaries" itinerary (from GBP 600 per person) included Santa Cruz de La Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arrecife de Lanzarote, and Lisbon (Portugal).

A third passenger sharing the same cabin paid only GBP 200 on both P&O Aurora cruises.