P&O Cruises Adds Jason Manford's Comedy Club to 2026 Sailings
The partnership reflects how cruise lines are using recognizable live entertainment to make sea days feel more like destination experiences for UK holidaymakers.
P&O Cruises will add Jason Manford’s Comedy Club to selected sailings between May and October 2026, scheduling 70 comedians for 140 adults-only performances in the Limelight Club aboard the ships Iona and Arvia. The program spans 35 cruises to France, Spain, Italy and the Norwegian fjords, with UK comedians selected by Manford.
The Limelight Club is a limited-capacity adults-only supper-club venue that pairs a three-course meal with live cabaret-style entertainment.
Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK & P&O Cruises, said the partnership with Manford “further strengthens the entertainment we offer on board.” Ludlow said the line was “delighted to be partnering with Jason Manford” for the Iona and Arvia program.
Manford said he was “thrilled to be teaming up with P&O Cruises in 2026” and described the plan as taking the club “on the road — or rather, to sea.”
Southampton sailings and fares
Among the published examples, Iona will operate a seven-night Norwegian fjords cruise roundtrip from Southampton departing July 4, 2026, with starting fares listed at 849 per person. Arvia will feature the comedy program on a 14-night Spain and France roundtrip departing Aug. 16, 2026, with starting fares listed at 1,229 per person.
Both prices are based on two guests sharing an inside cabin. The comedy performances will be held on select nights. Cruise Hive said the shows will be ticketed.
Mulhern residency adds to Iona’s Limelight schedule
The Manford program is one of the named Limelight Club additions scheduled for selected P&O Cruises sailings in summer 2026. On Iona, Stephen Mulhern’s Live & Unbelievable! will run in the same venue during three back-to-back seven-night cruises from Southampton in July and August.
Mulhern is scheduled to perform on four nights of each sailing, with a family-friendly workshop on one sea day per cruise. The departures are July 25 and Aug. 1 for the Norwegian fjords, followed by an Aug. 8 Spain and France itinerary.
P&O Cruises did not identify the individual comedians or publish a full sailing-by-sailing show roster in the initial Manford announcement. The company also did not disclose financial terms for the partnership.
