P&O Cruises Children’s Menu Guide
If you’re cruising with children on P&O Cruises, you’ll find a dedicated children’s menu designed specifically for younger guests. The menu featured here offers a wide selection of familiar family favorites, healthier choices, and child-friendly desserts, making it easier for families to find something everyone will enjoy at mealtimes.
Rather than simply offering smaller portions of the main dining room menu, P&O Cruises provides a dedicated menu aimed primarily at children aged 3 to 10, while also noting that older children are welcome to order from it if they wish. Portion sizes are intended for younger diners, but the variety ensures there is something suitable for different tastes.
A Dedicated Menu for Young Cruisers
The children’s menu is colorful, easy to read, and designed with younger guests in mind. Fun illustrations and playful characters accompany the menu while the food focuses on familiar dishes that many children already enjoy.
According to the menu, guests can choose from several starters, mains, grilled options, sides, desserts, and drinks, creating a complete meal rather than limiting children to only a few selections.
Starters
Children can begin their meal with a choice of lighter appetizers including:
- Tomato soup or soup of the day
- Hummus with cheesy pitta fingers, cucumber, and carrot sticks
- A taco served with salad and a choice of cheddar cheese or grilled chicken
These options provide a mix of classic comfort foods along with lighter vegetable-based choices.
Main Courses
The main section offers many of the dishes families expect to find on a cruise vacation, including:
- Crispy breaded fish fingers
- Pork sausages
- Super spaghetti bolognese
- Crispy chicken nuggets
- All-American cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and ketchup
- Tomato penne pasta with butternut squash
- Mighty macaroni and cheese
Several menu items are marked with vegetarian or gluten-free options where available.
Mini Grill Choices
For children who prefer a simple grilled meal, the menu also includes:
- Oven-baked fish of the day
- Chicken breast
- Fillet steak
These can be paired with a choice of sides, allowing families to customize each meal.
Side Dishes
Guests may choose up to three sides with their main course or mini grill selection.
Available options include:
- Green vegetables
- Waffle fries
- Mashed potatoes
- Chunky chips
- Baked beans
- Sweetcorn
- Gravy
This flexibility allows children to mix healthier vegetables with classic favorites.
Desserts
Dessert choices continue the family-friendly theme with several familiar treats, including:
- Fresh fruit salad or watermelon wedges
- Golden crêpes with Nutella and banana
- Rocky road with red berries
- Raspberry and red fruit jelly
- Vanilla ice cream
The menu balances lighter fruit options with more indulgent desserts for special vacation meals.
Children’s Drinks
The menu also lists several beverages available for an additional charge, including:
- Belvoir Farm Raspberry Lemonade
- Frobishers Jubilant Juices
- Pip Organic Juice
- Still or sparkling water
Drink prices are shown directly on the menu.
Options for Younger Toddlers
For very young children, the menu notes that daily fresh purées are available. Parents are advised to ask their waiter about the day’s selection, making it easier to accommodate toddlers who are not yet ready for the standard children’s menu.
Dietary Information
P&O Cruises clearly identifies menu items with dietary symbols, including:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Vegan option available
- Gluten-free
- Gluten-free option available
- Low sugar
The menu also includes the standard allergy notice advising guests with allergies, intolerances, or coeliac disease to speak with a member of the restaurant team before ordering.
Family Dining on P&O Cruises
Having a dedicated children’s menu helps make family dining easier onboard. Instead of navigating a large main dining room menu, younger guests can quickly choose from familiar meals while parents still enjoy the wider restaurant offerings available throughout the ship.
Combined with children’s clubs, family entertainment, and dedicated activities, the menu is one part of P&O Cruises’ family-friendly onboard experience.
FAQ
Is there a children’s menu on P&O Cruises?
Yes. P&O Cruises offers a dedicated children’s menu featuring starters, mains, sides, desserts, and drinks designed for younger guests.
What age is the children’s menu intended for?
The menu states it is specially created for children aged 3 to 10, although older children may also order from it.
Are healthier options available?
Yes. The menu includes vegetables, fruit, grilled chicken, baked fish, salads, and fresh fruit alongside traditional children’s favorites.
Are vegetarian and gluten-free options available?
Yes. Several dishes are marked as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or available with gluten-free or vegan alternatives where indicated.
Does P&O Cruises offer food for toddlers?
Yes. The menu advises guests to ask their waiter about the daily fresh purée available for younger children.
Conclusion
The P&O Cruises children’s menu offers a thoughtful balance of familiar comfort foods, healthier alternatives, and customizable meals for younger guests. With everything from fish fingers and chicken nuggets to grilled chicken, fresh fruit, vegetables, and toddler purées, the menu provides plenty of variety while keeping family dining simple and enjoyable. For parents planning a cruise with children, this dedicated menu offers a helpful preview of the food options available for younger cruisers onboard.
