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P&O Australia vs Royal Caribbean
Compare and contrast two of Australia’s biggest cruise operators.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
It’s not always easy to play “spot the difference” with two competing cruise lines. So how do you find the itinerary that’s best for you?
We’ve sifted through the small print to work out all the ways P&O Australia and Royal Caribbean cruise lines differ from each other. Plunge into the results below.
P&O vs Royal Caribbean
| Feature | P&O | Royal Caribbean | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where does it sail to? |
|
| Royal Caribbean covers more destinations. |
| Does it have Wi-Fi? | Yes, paid for | Yes, paid for | Both offer paid-for Wi-Fi. |
| Does it provide towels? | Yes | Yes | Both provide towels. |
| Contact options |
|
| P&O offers live chat. |
| Is it all-inclusive? | No | No | Neither is all-inclusive. |
| How much is the deposit? | $75 to $400 depending on cruisel length. | Deposits vary but generally:
| P&O’s deposits can be cheaper. |
| Does it have a gym? | Yes | Yes | Both have gyms. |
| Does it have hair dryers, laundry and irons? | Hair dryers and irons are available. Charges apply to self-service laundry. | Hair dryers/irons yes. Self-service laundry, no. | Royal Caribbean does not offer self- service laundry. |
| Does it include food? | Yes | Yes | Both include food. |
| Does it have casinos? | Yes | Yes | Both have casinos. |
| Does it have an ATM? | No | Yes | P&O does not have ATMs. |
| Does it have formal nights? | Yes | Yes | Both have formal nights. |
| How much are drinks? | $4 to $6 for a beer and $6 to $7 for a wine. | $5 to $8 for a beer and $6 to $12 for a wine. | Drink prices are similar. |
| Is it good for families? | Yes | Yes, especially the newer ships. | Both are family-friendly. |
| Does it have child care? | There are kids’ clubs on some ships and group child minding. | Yes | Royal Caribbean has more child care options. |
| Does it have virtual balconies? | No | On some ships | Royal Caribbean offers virtual balconies. |
| Does it have a waterslide? | Yes | Yes | Both have waterslides. |
| Does it have a promenade? | Yes | Yes | Both have promenades. |
| Does it have free room service? | No | Some items are free but gratuities apply. | Royal Caribbean offers some free items on room service. |
| What are my payment options? |
|
| They offer similar ways to pay. |
| Can I price match? | No | No | Neither company price matches with other providers. |
| Does it allow for cancellations/ changes? | Some fares come with cancellation penalties. | Some fares come with cancellation penalties. | Cancellation penalties apply on both lines. |
| How much are airport transfers to the departure port? | Prices vary. Brisbane Airport to port costs AUD$18. That’s about 10 miles. | Prices vary. Example Miami Airport to Port Everglades (30 miles) US$29 one-way. | Transfer costs are similar. |
| How much are gratuities? | Tipping is not required. | The automatic gratuity is US$14.50 or US$17.50 for suite guests. | Royal Caribbean’s gratuities are greater. |
| Has a ship ever sunk? | No | No | No ship has ever sunk with either line. |
Who offers the best price?
We compared similar journeys on P&O Australia and Royal Caribbean to see which stacked up better in terms of cost.
Prices for a 12-night pacific island cruise, round trip from Melbourne, stopping at five ports of call start at $1,473.57 with P&O.
Prices for an 12-night South Pacific cruise from Sydney that stops at five ports starts at $1,510 with Royal Caribbean.
The verdict?
In a similar comparison, P&O Australia’s cruises come a bit cheaper. Royal Caribbean does tend to be known as a slightly more luxurious cruise line, and the ships are larger with more amenities.
Is this cruise line good?
P&O’s ships are rated as either 3.5/5 or 4/5 on Cruise Critic. Reviews often mention the family friendliness and joyful onboard atmosphere.Royal Caribbean has an overall rating of 3.5/5 but some ships that operate from Australia, like Radiance of the Seas, have higher ratings of 4. The quality of the food in the paid-for restaurants always gets a mention, as does the standard on evening entertainment.What are the deals like?
P&O Australia runs regular sales that offer things like $600 onboard spend when you book certain itineraries. It also runs discounts on last-minute cruises.
Royal Caribbean runs sales such as buy one all-inclusive fare, get another half price on certain sailings.
The verdict?
Great deals are available with both cruise lines. If on-board credit and last minute cruises are more your style, P&O might work better. However if you’re often found travelling with a companion, Royal Caribbean might have a deal to suit.
Top P&O Australia and Royal Caribbean deals
CruiseDirect
Up to 71% off holiday cruises
Available on select cruises in 2021 and 2022 with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, MSC cruises and more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Singapore, Caribbean, Bahamas and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
CruiseDirect
Australia and New Zealand cruises from USD$228
Available on select dates in 2021-2022 with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night cruise with Carnival Cruises.
Last verified
CruiseDirect
3+ nights last-minute cruises from USD$180
Available on select travel dates with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night Caribbean cruise with MSC. Destinations include Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Alaska and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
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