Cruise lines are constantly tweaking what they offer, and P&O Cruises is no exception.

Over the years, the focus has shifted more toward delivering value, which often means prices stay competitive — but some of the little extras that once made the experience feel more premium have quietly disappeared.

These aren’t deal-breakers, and many guests still love sailing with P&O, but long-time cruisers may notice that certain touches they once looked forward to are no longer around.

From cabin comforts to dining room traditions, here are perks that P&O Cruises has gradually phased out.

Cabin Comforts That Disappeared

1. Mini Toiletries Replaced With Refillable Bottles

There was a time when stepping into your P&O cabin bathroom meant spotting miniature White Company toiletries — a touch of luxury that you could even sneak home at the end of your trip.

Now, they’ve been swapped for refillable bottles of handwash and body wash. While this is undeniably more eco-friendly, it does feel a little less indulgent.

If you’re sailing in a suite, you’ll still find full-sized White Company products waiting for you, but for most guests, the little bottles are now history.

2. Evening Turndown Service and Pillow Chocolates

Remember when your steward would visit twice a day — once to tidy up and again in the evening to prepare your bed for a restful night? That little extra, complete with a chocolate on your pillow, has vanished.

P&O has joined many other cruise lines in cutting evening turndown service outside of premium brands like Cunard and Celebrity.

It may not seem huge, but loyal cruisers often miss those thoughtful nighttime touches.

3. Biscuits and Boiled Sweets in Your Cabin

British passengers loved that P&O thought of home comforts, like a kettle in every cabin.

But over time, the biscuits that once came with the tea tray have been scaled back, now just a very basic option rather than the variety guests used to enjoy.

Another small delight — the handful of hard-boiled sweets left in the cabin — has also disappeared. They were never a dealbreaker, but they were a nice surprise to nibble on.

4. Hot Breakfast Room Service Cut Back

Breakfast in bed is still available, but only the continental version (pastries, cereals, fruit, juice).

The hot items — think Full English, bacon sandwiches, or eggs on toast — are no longer part of the complimentary service.

If you want something cooked, you’ll have to head to the buffet or dining room.

Dining Perks That Slipped Away

1. From Five Courses to Three

Once upon a time, dinner in the main dining room was a more elaborate affair. A five-course menu included a fish dish and even a sorbet palate cleanser. Today, things have been simplified to a standard three-course structure.

Don’t worry — you’ll still find a good variety of options, and you can stretch it to four courses if you order both soup and salad as starters. But the days of a formal five-course dinner are gone.

2. Cheese and Crackers, Stilton Included

For many, a cruise dinner wasn’t complete without finishing with a plate of cheese and crackers.

P&O used to offer a proper spread, complete with wheels of Stilton that had been soaked in port and served table-side.

Now, the cheese plate you get feels like more of an afterthought — still available, but not customisable and lacking that touch of care that made it a highlight for some guests.

3. Afternoon Tea in the Main Dining Room

As a proudly British cruise line, P&O embraced the tradition of afternoon tea. For years, it was included in the main dining room, complete with scones, cakes, and sandwiches.

These days, it’s no longer complimentary in that setting. Instead, you’ll need to pay extra at specialty venues if you want the full experience.

Of course, you can still cobble together your own DIY tea in the buffet, but it doesn’t feel quite the same.

4. Chocoholics Buffet: A Sweet Memory

A real fan favourite, the Chocoholics Buffet was a once-per-cruise event where guests indulged in chocolate fountains, cakes, and desserts galore.

Lines would stretch, and while the selection wasn’t always enormous, it was something passengers looked forward to.

Sadly, it hasn’t returned in years. While you can still satisfy your sweet tooth at the buffet or specialty venues, the dedicated chocolate night is one of those traditions that long-time cruisers miss.

5. Fruit Juice by the Pool

Before 2020, you’d find self-serve dispensers of chilled juice and water by the pool — perfect for grabbing a drink without queuing at the bar.

That’s been phased out, likely due to stricter hygiene protocols, but it also nudges guests toward paid bar drinks instead.

6. Grab & Go Snack Bar

One of the most convenient little extras was the Grab & Go snack station by the pool, where you could pick up sandwiches and light bites without trekking to the buffet. Sadly, this option has vanished.

It’s unclear whether it was removed as a cost-saving measure or to reduce the risk of germs spreading, but either way, passengers miss the ease of grabbing a quick snack between meals.

7. Trays in the Buffet

This one may sound minor, but it’s a surprisingly big deal. P&O used to provide trays in the buffet, making it easy to carry multiple plates, especially if you were juggling food for kids or family members.

Now, it’s just plates — which means more trips back and forth. For families or guests helping others, it feels like an unnecessary step backward.

Entertainment & Atmosphere Changes

1. Cruise Directors Replaced by Entertainment Managers

Long-time P&O fans will remember the cruise directors who once shaped the daily schedule and added their own flair to the onboard experience. These days, they’ve been replaced by entertainment managers.

While the role is similar, many guests feel it’s been watered down — with more clashes in the daily program and less of the personality that directors used to bring. It’s not a huge loss, but it has changed the vibe for some.

2. The End of Fancy Dress Nights

There was a time when P&O allowed passengers to have a little fun by wearing fancy dress outfits on board — though never on formal nights. It added a playful spirit, especially for groups celebrating stag or hen parties.

But after the infamous “clown incident” on Britannia (a brawl that, despite rumours, didn’t actually involve a clown), the cruise line banned costumes altogether. Now, fancy dress is officially a thing of the past.

3. Goodbye to the Great British Sailaway

P&O leaned heavily into its British identity, and nothing captured that better than the Great British Sailaway parties.

Guests waved Union Jack flags while belting out patriotic songs like Jerusalem. Today, sailaway parties are still held, but they’ve lost their British flavour.

The flags and bunting are gone, and modern pop music has replaced the traditional tunes.

Some guests say it’s about being more politically correct and cutting back on single-use plastics, but for many, it’s a loss of something unique.

Policy & Alcohol Changes

1. No More BYO Spirits

Not long ago, P&O was one of the few lines where you could bring your own spirits onboard.

Many guests saved hundreds by packing a bottle of gin, vodka, or whisky to mix with soft drinks in their cabin. But in May 2024, P&O changed its alcohol policy.

Now you can only bring one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (up to 1 litre). It puts them in line with most other cruise lines, but many loyal passengers feel this perk more than most.

2. Free Third & Fourth Guests (Short Cruises) Scrapped

Previously, when you booked a family cabin on a short break — say a 3–4 night cruise — P&O sometimes allowed the 3rd and 4th guests to sail free.

This made it a great choice for families during half-term breaks. Today, that offer only applies to 7-night (or longer) cruises, meaning short trips now cost more for families who once enjoyed a bargain.

Behind-the-Scenes Experiences

Free Bridge & Kitchen Tours Ended

P&O once offered complimentary tours of the ship’s bridge (where the officers work) and the galley kitchens.

These gave guests a fascinating look behind the scenes and made the cruise feel extra special.

Now, those tours still exist but come with a price tag. They last around 3 hours and are worthwhile — but no longer the free perk they once were.

Final Word

P&O Cruises is still one of the most popular lines for British travelers, and it continues to offer great value.

But over time, the cruise line has shifted from premium touches to cost-conscious adjustments.

While many of these changes might seem like “first-world problems,” for loyal cruisers, it can be disappointing to realize that the experience isn’t quite as special as it once felt.

That said, cruising with P&O is still a great way to see the world without breaking the bank — just don’t expect every little extra that longtime guests might remember fondly.