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P&O Cruises Indian Food Guide:
Will You Get Indian Food, and Is It Included?
If you are an Indian family thinking about a P&O cruise, you probably have one big question on your mind: “What will we eat for 7 days?”
It is a fair worry. Indian stomachs need Indian flavours — daal, roti, some spice, maybe Jain food for grandparents. The good news is that P&O Cruises does have a good answer for this. The slightly tricky part is that not everything is “free” with your ticket. Let's break it all down in simple words, so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Quick Answer: Yes, Food is Included, but Indian (Sindhu) Costs Extra
Yes — most food on a P&O cruise is already included in your cruise fare. This includes the main dining rooms, the buffet restaurant, poolside grills, and basic room service.
But here is the catch: the dedicated Indian restaurant on P&O, called Sindhu, is a specialty restaurant. This means it is not included — you pay extra to eat there, just like an a-la-carte restaurant.
Summary: You will never go hungry; there is free food available almost 24 hours a day. However, to eat fine-dining Indian food at Sindhu, you must pay an extra charge.
The Food Breakdown — Where and What is Included?
Here is the exact breakdown of included dining venues, the signature Sindhu Indian restaurant, and ship availability.
Included Dining (Main Spots)
Most food on P&O is already included in your cruise fare, meaning you have access to general meals day and night.
Details & Options
- Main dining room (sit-down dinners)
- Buffet restaurant (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Poolside grills and snack counters
- Basic room service (tea, coffee, sandwiches)
What Exactly Is Sindhu?
Sindhu is P&O's signature Indian specialty restaurant. It feels less like a roadside dhaba and more like a smart restaurant in a 5-star Mumbai or Delhi hotel — Indian flavours presented in a fancy fusion style.
Details & Options
- Kerala-style spiced crab
- Sev puri (a fun starter!)
- Lamb bhuna and chicken khow suey
- Duck tikka malabari
- Vegetarian and vegan thali options
- Desserts: gulab jamun mousse, boondi ladoo, and chocolate rasmalai
Which P&O Ships Have Sindhu?
This is important because not every P&O ship has this restaurant. Sindhu is generally found on P&O's larger and newer ships.
Details & Options
- Arvia
- Aurora
- Azura
- Britannia
- Iona
- Ventura
- Arcadia
Is It Really Authentic Indian Food?
Let's be honest with you — that's the “Indian friend” promise of this guide.
The Good
High-End Quality
Reviewers call it one of the better Indian dining experiences at sea, and it is generally well-rated for quality.
Smart Fusion Presentation
Expect vibrant, beautifully plated dishes representing modern Indian cuisine with premium ingredients.
The Reality Check
British-Indian Fusion Menu
It is a modern, British-Indian fusion menu, not exactly like your traditional home cooking.
Not a Roadside Dhaba
If you are expecting classic regional dhaba spices, these dishes are toned down and styled for a global palate.
Our honest take: If you are looking for classic comfort food, you can find basic vegetarian items in the buffet. Sindhu is fantastic for a special dining night out to enjoy fancy fusion dishes, but it won't replace everyday home cooking.
Vegetarian & Jain Food Vetting
Large cruise lines like P&O are generally used to handling vegetarian requests, and the main dining rooms and buffets always have vegetarian dishes clearly marked.
For Jain food or very specific dietary needs (no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables):
- Not guaranteed by default: You must request it in advance, ideally 30+ days before sailing.
- Varying quality: Availability can vary ship to ship, and even meal to meal.
- Sindhu Specialty: Sindhu has vegetarian/vegan options, but specific Jain prep needs a special pre-arranged request.
Visa Reality Check
P&O Cruises mostly sails from UK and European ports. For Indian passport holders, this involves detailed planning:
- UK & Schengen Visas: You may need a UK visa (e.g. Southampton departures) and possibly a Schengen visa if flying through or stopping in Europe.
- Appointment Delays: Visa slots can take weeks, and requirements (bank statements, hotel bookings, cover letters) are strict.
- Alignment is Key: Cruise dates, flight dates, and visa validity dates must align perfectly. Even a one-day mismatch can block boarding.
How Much Does Sindhu Cost? (The Money Talk)
Nobody likes hidden charges. Here is what you need to know about costs, GST, and TCS for Indian families.
- Included Dining (Buffet, Main Dining)FREE (Included)
- Sindhu Dinner Cover Charge£15–£25 (₹1,600–₹2,700/pp)
- Sindhu Tiffin Lunch (Sea-Days)A-La-Carte (Pay per dish)
- GST on Booking Fee5% (Agent fee only)
- TCS (Tax Collected at Source)5% to 20% (Refundable Credit)
GST (5%): Applicable on the service fee/commission charged by the Indian booking agent, not on the entire cruise cost paid to P&O.
TCS (Tax Collected at Source): Applies when buying an “overseas tour package” from an Indian seller (5% below ₹10L/yr, 20% above). This is not a loss — it is adjustable against your income tax returns.
Insider Tips Most Travel Agents Won't Tell You
Avoid common pitfalls with these five practical tips for P&O Cruise bookings:
Secret #1: Book Sindhu on Day 1
Specialty restaurants fill up fast, especially on sea days. As soon as you board, walk to the restaurant or use the cruise app to reserve your slot.
Secret #2: Pack some 'emergency' Indian snacks
Things like dry namkeen, instant poha, or masala packets (in sealed, permitted quantities) can be a comfort on days when the buffet feels too 'western'.
Secret #3: Ask for the kids' menu — even for adults
Sometimes simpler, milder dishes (like plain rice, dal, grilled veggies) are on the kids' menu and can be requested by anyone with a mild palate.
Secret #4: Sea-sickness Cabin Selection
Choose a cabin in the middle of the ship, on a lower-middle deck, for the least motion. Carry ginger candies — they genuinely help with mild nausea, especially useful for kids and elders.
Secret #5: School Holidays Bookings
School holiday sailings get booked 8-10 months early — especially during Diwali, Christmas, and summer breaks. If you're planning around these dates, start early.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is all food free on P&O Cruises?
No. Most restaurants (main dining, buffet, grills) are included. Specialty restaurants like Sindhu cost extra.
Is Sindhu available on every P&O ship?
No. It is on most of the larger/newer ships, but you should confirm for your exact ship and sailing date.
Is the food at Sindhu 'real' Indian food?
It's Indian-inspired, but in a fusion, fine-dining style — not exactly like home-cooked Indian food. Think '5-star hotel Indian restaurant,' not 'tiffin service.'
Can we get Jain food on P&O?
You can request it, but it's not automatic. You must inform the cruise line in advance (ideally at the time of booking) and confirm again 2-3 days before sailing.
What if my child or elderly parent doesn't like the food at all?
The buffet usually has rice, plain vegetables, soups, fruits, and bread — a safe fallback option is always available, even if it's not 'Indian.'
Do we need a visa to board a P&O cruise?
Almost always yes, for Indian passport holders — typically a UK and/or Schengen visa, depending on the departure port and itinerary.
Will GST and TCS make my cruise much more expensive?
GST applies to agent service fees (small amount). TCS is a refundable tax credit, not extra cost — but it affects your upfront cash flow. Always ask for a clear cost breakdown.
Is it cheaper to book everything (flights + cruise + visa) separately?
Sometimes it looks cheaper upfront, but timing mismatches (visa dates not matching flight dates, or flights landing after the ship sails) can cause expensive last-minute changes.
How early should we book for the best price?
For Indian school holiday periods (Diwali, Christmas, summer), 8-10 months in advance is ideal for both price and cabin choice.
Can we celebrate a honeymoon or anniversary on board?
Yes — most ships allow you to request special touches (cake, decorations) for occasions, usually for a small fee if arranged in advance.
DIY vs. Booking With Us
Here is what it takes to plan this trip on your own versus letting us coordinate everything for you.
The DIY Route
- Research which P&O ships have Sindhu and check specific sailing menus.
- Book the cruise on P&O's site or a UK agent (often with currency conversion confusion).
- Book international flights separately, ensuring enough buffer before ship departure.
- Apply for UK/Schengen visas — collecting documents, appointments, and matching timelines.
- Call or email the cruise line in English to request Jain/veg meals and Sindhu bookings.
- Calculate GST/TCS taxes and cash flows entirely on your own.
- Manage emergency delays or visa issues completely alone close to your date.
With BookCruises.in
- Food vetting: We handle Jain/veg requests and confirm your ship has Sindhu.
- Visa guidance: Detailed document checklist tailored to your family for UK & Schengen.
- Flight sync: Full synchronization of flight timings to match the cruise port boarding.
- Cost transparency: No hidden shocks — simple, clear breakdown of GST and TCS.
- Zero booking fees: All planning assistance and coordination is completely free.
Stop Stressing Over Food, Start Dreaming
Planning an international cruise should feel exciting, not stressful. Let us handle the boring parts — visa documentation guidelines, flight syncing, and food/dietary requests — so you can focus on making memories at sea.
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