P&O Cruises has announced the launch of a new onboard comedy club, curated by popular comedian Jason Manford, set to debut on select summer sailings in 2026. The venue, named Manford's Comedy Club, will be hosted in the Limelight Lounge aboard the cruise line's Iona and Arvia ships between May and October 2026.
Exclusive Adult Entertainment
The comedy club will be exclusively for adults, offering guests the opportunity to purchase tickets for a double bill of comedians. While Manford himself will not perform, he will personally select 70 stand-up comedians to deliver a total of 140 shows throughout the season.
Sailing Routes and Pricing
Manford's Comedy Club will be available on a variety of itineraries. For example, a seven-night Norwegian fjords round-trip from Southampton departing on 4 July 2026 starts at £849 per person. Additionally, a 14-night summer holiday sailing from Southampton to Spain and France, departing on 16 August, has fares starting from £1,229 per person.
Partnership Announcement
Jason Manford expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating: "I'm thrilled to be teaming up with P&O Cruises in 2026 to take Manford's Comedy Club on the road – or rather, to sea. Across 35 cruises to France, Spain, Italy and the Norwegian fjords, 70 comedians handpicked by me will perform 140 shows, giving guests the chance to experience top-tier live comedy as part of their holiday."
Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises, added: "We are delighted to be partnering with Jason Manford to bring Manford's Comedy Club on board Iona and Arvia. Working with one of the UK's best-loved comedians allows us to offer our guests something truly special, which further strengthens the entertainment we offer on board."
Additional Offers and Packages
P&O Cruises is currently offering up to £800 onboard spending money on select cruises departing between June 2026 and November 2027, with bookings required by 1 June 2026. Guests can also choose from new all-inclusive packages covering drinks, WiFi, and speciality dining credit, starting from £49 per person per day.
Comedy clubs are becoming increasingly popular on cruise ships. For instance, MSC World America features its own comedy club, and Virgin Voyages regularly hosts comedy sailings, with the most recent event compered by Jack Whitehall.
