P&O Cruises vs. Marella Cruises: Which is the best budget UK cruise line?

Deciding between P&O Cruises and Marella Cruises is a rite of passage for many British travellers looking for value without sacrificing the comforts of home. While both lines cater heavily to the UK market—offering kettles in cabins, Yorkshire puddings on the Sunday roast menu, and prices quoted in Sterling—the actual experience onboard differs significantly. P&O Cruises, operating out of their hub in Southampton, offers a more traditional, grand ship experience. In contrast, Marella Cruises (part of the TUI group) provides a laid-back, fly-cruise focused product that includes more in the base fare as standard. To choose the right one for your next holiday, you need to look beyond the headline price and examine the inclusions, the fleet age, and the atmosphere on deck.

The Cost of 'All-Inclusive' vs. 'Select Fares'

The most significant difference between these two lines lies in their pricing structures. Marella Cruises operates a 'truly all-inclusive' model. Your base fare includes flights, transfers, tips (gratuities), and a broad selection of alcoholic and soft drinks. For a budget-conscious traveller, this provides peace of mind that the final bill will be close to zero. Typically, a seven-night Mediterranean sailing on Marella might start at £800–£1,100 per person, including flights.

P&O Cruises operates differently. Their 'Select Price' or 'Early Saver' fares usually include just the cruise, food, and basic tea and coffee. Gratuities were removed as an extra charge in 2019, so they are now included in the fare, which is a major plus for UK guests. However, drinks are extra. P&O offers several drinks packages, often ranging from £40 to £50 per person, per day. If you don't drink alcohol, P&O might work out cheaper; if you enjoy a few gin and tonics by the pool, the Marella all-inclusive model often wins on value.

• Marella: Flights, transfers, tips, and standard drinks included.
• P&O Cruises: Tips and food included; drinks and flights (except on fly-cruises) are extra.
• Practical Tip: Always check if P&O is running an 'onboard credit' promotion, which can be used to offset your bar bill.

Southampton Departures vs. Fly-Cruises

If you prefer to avoid airports, P&O Cruises is the clear winner. As the mainstay of Southampton’s Horizon and Mayflower terminals, P&O offers the most seamless 'no-fly' experience for Brits. You can pack as much as you like (subject to what fits in your cabin) and be on the Solent within hours of leaving home. Ships like Iona and Arvia sail year-round from Southampton to the Norwegian Fjords, Spain, and the Canary Islands.

Marella Cruises, meanwhile, is the king of the fly-cruise. Utilising TUI’s extensive regional flight network, they fly travellers from local UK airports like Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, and Newcastle directly to hubs like Palma, Corfu, or Dubrovnik. While P&O does offer Caribbean fly-cruises in the winter, Marella’s model is built entirely around ease of flight access.

• P&O Favourites: Iona, Arvia, Britannia, and the adult-only Arcadia and Aurora.
• Marella Favourites: Marella Discovery, Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Explorer 2 (adult-only), and the newer Marella Voyager.

Ship Size and Onboard Atmosphere

The 'vibe' onboard is where these two lines diverge. P&O Cruises offers a sense of occasion. You will find formal nights (Black Tie) where the ship transforms into a sea of dinner jackets and ballgowns. The newer, larger ships like Arvia (5,200 guests) are floating resorts featuring SkyDomes, aerial acrobatics, and celebrity-chef-backed restaurants like Marco Pierre White’s Epicurean.

Marella ships are generally smaller and more intimate, often repurposed from other lines like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises. The atmosphere is decidedly 'TUI at sea'—think friendly, casual, and energetic. There is no strict formal dress code; instead, they have 'Dress to Impress' nights which are far more relaxed. If you find the idea of a tuxedo stifling, Marella is your best bet. If you love the glamour of a traditional cruise, P&O remains the gold standard for the British budget.

Dining and Entertainment

In terms of culinary variety, P&O Cruises has the edge due to the sheer scale of their newer vessels. They offer a sophisticated 'Freedom Dining' concept and a wealth of speciality restaurants, including Sindhu (fine-dining Indian) and The Glass House by Olly Smith. While many of these carry a modest cover charge (usually £15–£30), the quality is exceptional for the price point.

Marella counters this with simplicity. Their main dining rooms and buffet (The Market Place) offer high-quality British favourites. What they lack in celebrity-chef partnerships, they make up for in convenience—many of their speciality spots, like Kora La (Asian) or Surf & Turf, are highly rated by repeat cruisers for their intimate service. Entertainment on Marella tends towards West End-style revues and excellent live bands, whereas P&O leans into high-tech theatre productions and big-name musical guests.

Family Facilities vs. Adult-Only Retreats

Both lines cater well to families, but their approaches differ. P&O’s Iona and Arvia are family powerhouses with extensive kids' clubs, splash zones, and even a submarine-themed escape room. They manage to feel spacious even when at capacity. However, P&O also maintains two dedicated adult-only ships, Arcadia and Aurora, for those seeking a child-free environment with a traditional feel.

Marella offers a fantastic family product, particularly on Marella Discovery, which features a climbing wall and outdoor cinema. For those seeking peace, Marella Explorer 2 is their dedicated adult-only ship. A key difference here is the age of the fellow passengers; P&O’s adult-only ships tend to attract a much older, retired demographic, whereas Marella’s adult-only ship attracts a broader mix of ages, including younger couples looking for a value-all-inclusive break.

How They Compare to Fares from MSC and Royal Caribbean

When looking at the 'budget' sector, it is worth noting how P&O and Marella sit against international competitors like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. MSC often has the lowest headline prices in the UK market, sometimes as low as £499 for a week from Southampton on the glitzy MSC Virtuosa. However, MSC is a Mediterranean line with a more international feel; you won’t find the same focus on British tastes or tea-making facilities.

Royal Caribbean offers more 'wow' factors (FlowRiders, bumper cars) but can be significantly more expensive once you add in the high cost of drinks packages and the expected daily gratuities, which are often charged in USD. For a British traveller who wants to know exactly what they are spending, P&O and Marella remain the most predictable and tailored options.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

The 'best' line depends entirely on your priorities.

Choose P&O Cruises if:

• You want to sail from Southampton and avoid the airport.
• You enjoy the tradition of formal nights and a sense of 'grandeur'.
• You want the latest, largest ships with the most diverse dining options.
• You prefer a ship designed specifically for British tastes from the keel up.

Choose Marella Cruises if:

• You want total budget certainty with drinks and tips included.
• You prefer a casual, relaxed atmosphere without the need for formal wear.
• You want to fly from a local UK airport directly to the sunshine.
• You enjoy smaller, friendlier ships where the crew gets to know your name.

Prices and inclusions vary by season and booking date, so always check the specific terms at the time of booking to ensure your drinks package or flight details are confirmed.