What is the difference between P&O Cruises Club Dining and Freedom Dining?

P&O Cruises offers two main dining options onboard: Club Dining and Freedom Dining, which gives you the choice between flexibility and a more traditional dining experience. In this blog post, we look at the differences between the two and provide more information on which restaurants onboard offer Club Dining and Freedom Dining. 

At the time of booking your P&O cruise, you’ll have the choice of Club Dining and Freedom Dining. Each ship in the P&O Cruises fleet has its own unique Club Dining and Freedom Dining restaurants where you can explore flavours from around the world, along with favourites from home, at almost any time of the day. It’s good to understand the difference between the two so you can make the right choice. Both dining options take place in the main Club Dining and Freedom Dining restaurants onboard, but more on that below. 

Club Dining is a fixed seating option that operates on two sittings: a first sitting at 18:30 and a second sitting at 20:30. Your table will be reserved at the same time each evening, with the same waiters and fellow diners for the duration of your cruise. You can choose your preferred dining time and table size at the time of booking. 

• Arcadia: Meridian Restaurant (Upper Tier) on Deck 3 
• Aurora: Alexandria Restaurant on Deck 6
• Azura: Oriental Restaurant on Deck 6
• Britannia: Peninsular Restaurant and Oriental Restaurant on Deck 6
• Ventura: Bay Tree Restaurant on Deck 6

Freedom Dining is a flexible option that allows you to dine anytime between 18.00 and 21.30. Tables, which range in size from two guests to eight, are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can join a virtual queue on the My Holiday app if you’d prefer to wait at a bar or in your cabin. 

• Arcadia: Meridian Restaurant (Lower Tier) on Deck 2 
• Arvia*: Meridian Restaurant on Deck 6 and Zenith Restaurant on Deck 7
• Aurora: Medina Restaurant on Deck 6
• Azura: Meridian Restaurant on Deck 5 and Peninsular Restaurant on Deck 6
• Britannia: Meridian Restaurant on Deck 5 and Peninsular Restaurant on Deck 6
• Iona*: Pearl Restaurant, Aqua Restaurant and Opal Restaurant on Deck 6 and Coral Restaurant on Deck 7
• Ventura: Cinnamon Restaurant on Deck 5 and Saffron Restaurant on Deck 6

*Please note that Arvia and Iona are solely Freedom Dining.