P&O Cruises has announced its biggest-ever Shine at Sea program for 2026, expanding the popular initiative to give more travel agents the chance to experience its ships firsthand.
The move reflects the cruise line’s continued focus on supporting the trade with real, on-board exposure rather than classroom-style training.
For the 2026 season, the program will welcome 120 travel agents across three separate sailings, with 40 places available on each cruise.
That’s a significant increase compared to previous years and signals just how important agent engagement remains for the brand.
According to the cruise line, the aim is simple: help agents truly understand the P&O Cruises experience so they can sell it with confidence.
By stepping onboard as guests themselves, agents get a real sense of the atmosphere, dining, entertainment and shore experiences their clients can expect.
The move follows broader efforts in California to encourage cruise operators to adopt whale-safe sailing practices during peak migration seasons.
One of the sailings included in the program is a five-night cruise aboard the Aurora to Belgium and Germany, departing on September 9, 2026. Agents can also win a place on a seven-night Northern Europe cruise on the Iona, leaving Southampton on October 31, or a shorter four-night sailing to Belgium and France on the Ventura, departing November 29.
All three cruises sail roundtrip from Southampton, making them easy to access for UK-based agents. While onboard, participants will enjoy the full guest experience, from dining in a range of restaurants to sampling onboard entertainment and joining shore experiences in port.
Alongside the leisure side of the trip, agents will also take part in exclusive, face-to-face training sessions with P&O Cruises’ training team.
These sessions are designed to be practical and interactive, giving agents useful insights they can take straight back to their customers.
To be in with a chance of winning a spot, Shine Rewards Club agents need to make a Select Price booking and register their interest between January 29 and March 3, 2026. Additional chances to win will also be offered through P&O Cruises’ travel agent social media channels.
Winners will be selected weekly and contacted directly by the cruise line. For many agents, Shine at Sea offers a rare opportunity to learn by doing turning firsthand experience into better conversations with future cruisers.
