Cruise holidays may carry us across oceans to spectacular destinations, but what lingers long after we've arrived back on home shores are the connections forged on our holidays – whether that's finding true love or bringing generations of the family together.
Here are just a few of the countless stories that could be told – from a teenage prediction of romance at sea coming true, to a race against the cruise ship Britannia with work colleagues, to multi-generational family adventures on Iona.
They all go to show that the true magic of a cruise holiday lies not only in the destinations, but in the people you sail with.
‘I found love on board Azura’
As a teenager, Tasha McIntyre predicted she would meet the man of her dreams on board a cruise ship. But how many people would have believed her prediction would come true?
“My parents hated flying, so I spent my holidays at sea from the age of six,” Tasha explains.
“When I was 15, I declared to my mum on the deck of the P&O Cruises ship Azura that I’d meet my future husband on a cruise holiday. I'd always had a feeling about it, but I had no idea it would actually happen.
“Then, five years later, on a family holiday to the Mediterranean on the very same ship, I first noticed Aaron at Brodie's Bar.
“He was with friends, I was with my parents, and we were both shy. Somehow, despite the ship’s size and wealth of entertainment venues, I kept seeing him around.
"Fate stepped in one night at the casino: I was trying my luck at the blackjack table while waiting for my parents to come out from a comedy show.
“When they appeared, Aaron was randomly in tow. They had started talking to each other as they left the venue.
“From then on, he became an unofficial member of our family trip. Evenings were spent doing quizzes at Brodie's, playing blackjack and talking on deck until the early hours.
“Despite the connection, nothing romantic happened, and I assumed I’d never see him again — he lived nearly 200 miles away from me in Norfolk.
“But when I arrived home, I discovered he had friended me on Facebook, and the rest is history. Six years later, we bought our first home together in Southampton.
“As a couple, we've been on three more cruise holidays, and we've even discussed honeymoon destinations, including a cruise around the Caribbean.
“Whatever happens, I’ll always be grateful for that life-changing family holiday, and still find it hard to believe that my teenage prediction came true.”
Bringing people together with P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is the headline partner of the Pride of Britain Awards, celebrating the remarkable individuals who inspire us all.
Just as Pride of Britain unites people through incredible stories of courage and kindness, P&O Cruises brings people together for unforgettable holidays, experiences and connections.
With shared values of community, celebration and togetherness, P&O Cruises is proud to stand alongside Pride of Britain, recognising the power of people to make a difference every day.
Don't miss Pride of Britain on ITV1, 23 October at 8pm.
‘We beat Britannia on foot to raise over £14,000 for charity’
In June this year, Sam Cox and three colleagues from P&O Cruises took on the company’s flagship, Britannia.
The challenge was for the team – all on foot – to beat the ship on its 10th anniversary journey from Liverpool to Southampton.
“Six days and 230 miles later, having sometimes run in 30-degree heat, we crossed the finish line just 10 minutes ahead of the ship, raising over £14,000 for charity,” Sam says.
“It all started when my colleague Mark Price said, ‘Fancy racing Britannia for charity?’
“I said yes before fully realising what it meant. Alongside Mark, Nicola Robinson, and Martin Dove, we planned six days of 13 and 15-mile relay legs, supported by an additional team of four colleagues.”
The goal was to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, which provides specialist units in hospitals for young people with cancer, and Saints Foundation, the charity of Southampton Football Club (a partner of P&O Cruises), which supports people in need throughout the city.
Mark said, “This challenge started out as a vision to test myself mentally and physically, and became a reality thanks to the incredible support of everyone who got involved. What an amazing way to support our charity partners while also celebrating a milestone for the
P&O Cruises flagship Britannia.”
In the event, it proved even more challenging than expected…
“By race week, injuries and a heatwave made the challenge even tougher,” Sam recalls.
“From canal paths to busy roads, we battled exhaustion, adding extra checkpoints and relying on ice, cold flannels and our support crew to keep going.
“My lowest point came on the Newport to Worcester stretch — running at 4pm in the hottest part of the day, with only water poured over my head to cool me down.
“Meanwhile, Britannia’s captain, Patrick Maguire, was texting us throughout, promising to put ‘all four engines on’ to beat us to the finish.
“That banter kept the rivalry alive and pushed us forward.
"Finally, in the early morning of 20 June, we crossed the finish line, just minutes ahead of Britannia docking!
“It was a moment of immense pride – and some sadness that such an epic journey had ended.
“Those six days and the challenges we overcame brought us together in an unexpected way.
"We raised a total of £14,617 for our chosen charities."
P&O Cruises has now raised over £1million for Teenage Cancer Trust through the efforts and generosity of its colleagues and guests.
“The Beat Britannia campaign continues,” Sam adds. “We’re already discussing our next challenge.”
Sailing through generations: A family adventure on board Iona
Fond memories of a family cruise with her nanna when she was three years old inspired Sarah Harding to book a multi-generational holiday on board Iona to the stunning Norwegian Fjords.
“My first cruise memory is of taking part in an onboard talent show during a holiday with my parents, sister and Nanna,” Sarah says.
“I forgot the words to 'Oh, I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside', halfway through, but the audience heartily joined in and saved my embarrassment.
“To me, that spirit of togetherness is the essence of a cruise holiday.
"Decades later, now a mum myself, I was keen to see if the formula still worked. So I booked a similar holiday with my husband John, our four-year-old Jack, and my parents, now in their seventies: a seven-night trip to the Norwegian Fjords on the P&O Cruises ship Iona.
"With school years looming for Jack, we seized the chance for a final family holiday outside term time.
“Boarding at Southampton was blissfully stress-free — no airports, no baggage worries, just fizz and lunch within 45 minutes of arriving at the dock, thanks to priority boarding: a perk of booking our adjoining xonservatory mini-suites.
“We soon discovered these suites were perfect for family travel, offering Jack his sleep space while we could enjoy late-night drinks and lounging in the comfortable conservatory area with floor-to-ceiling windows.
“It also made the perfect spot for private fjord-side breakfasts courtesy of room service.
"Some days adventure beckoned: on one, John, Jack and I soared 1,000m up the Loen Skylift (from Olden), one of the world's steepest cable cars – the views were incredible, and there's a lovely restaurant and coffee shop at the top where we had hot chocolates, coffees and cinnabuns. Another time we raced across Geirangerfjord on a rib boat – a thrilling highlight that I'd recommend to anyone.
“Meanwhile, my parents enjoyed strolls in the picturesque local towns, and cocktails in the Crow’s Nest bar on Iona.
“Jack happily spent hours making new friends in the incredibly well-organised Splashers kids club, giving us the freedom for guilt-free, grown-up indulgences like afternoon spa treatments and date nights at The Glass House restaurant and The Limelight Club.
“Whatever we got up to, we regularly reunited at mealtimes to share what we'd been up to, and to enjoy live magic shows, family discos, themed kids’ dinners in the Horizon Buffet, drinks, and card games on one of our balconies.
"From fjord sunrises to exhilarating shore experiences – which can easily be booked through P&O Cruises – live entertainment, and round-the-clock dining, the week blended adventure, relaxation and precious time together.
“All in all, it was the perfect three-generation family trip. P&O Cruises provided grandparents, parents and a (very active) four-year-old child with an incredibly memorable holiday – one that I hope Jack remembers as fondly as I do my first.”