P&O Cruises Limelight Club
The Limelight Club Logo. Images Credit: All Images Courtesy of P&O Cruises
The Limelight Club - P&O Cruises Exclusive Supper Club
The Limelight Club on P&O Cruises Britannia. Image Credit: P&O Cruises
Updated August 2026
Looking for the ultimate adults-only night out on your next P&O cruise? The Limelight Club is P&O Cruises’ exclusive, limited-capacity supper club combining an intimate three-course fine dining meal with top-tier British cabaret, comedy, and musical entertainment. Available on Britannia, Iona, and Arvia, this ticketed venue requires an extra supplement and features headline acts ranging from West End stars to Jason Manford’s Comedy Club.
Because it is one of the most oversubscribed restaurants on the fleet, we have updated our complete guide with everything you need to know about the current 2026 pricing, menus, and the crucial 14-day booking window hack to ensure you don’t miss out.
What is The Limelight Club?
The Limelight Club is an exclusive for-adults-only Supper Club offering cabaret-style entertainment alongside a delicious 3-course meal. Featuring entertainment by some of Britain’s best-loved musical talents, for “a little extra” (as P&O Cruises artfully refer to the supplement payable), this limited-capacity exclusive venue offers a fabulous show in an intimate atmosphere. It is a not-to-be missed experience, and it is recommended that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Is the Limelight Club included in Cruise Fare?
Whilst I’d highly recommend this venue, The Limelight Club isn’t included in your cruise fare. Due to its exclusivity and limited numbers, it attracts a small (ish) supplement which varies depending on the act billed to perform. Prices start from around £25/£35 (depending on artist performing) which includes a sumptuous 3-course meal unique to the venue, plus of course the show with a headliner.
Which Ships Have a Limelight Club?
Following its huge success as a breakout venue on P&O Britannia (where you can find it on Deck 5 Forward opposite Reception), The Limelight Club is now a staple feature on P&O Cruises' Excel-class flagship vessels:
P&O Iona: Located starboard side mid-forward on Deck 6 (Gala Deck), directly opposite the Art Gallery.
P&O Arvia: Located on Deck 6, beautifully positioned near the Grand Atrium.
Note: The layout is slightly larger on Iona and Arvia compared to Britannia, but all three ships offer the same intimate, low-lighting supper club atmosphere.
Limelight Club Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?
While standard dining rooms are included in your fare, The Limelight Club requires a small premium cover charge.
The price varies depending on the profile of the headline act performing on your sailing. Currently, pricing typically ranges from £25 to £35 per person, though headline celebrity acts (such as high-profile comedians or TV magicians) can occasionally command a slightly higher supplement.
Your cover charge bundles both the full three-course dinner (plus appetiser) and entry to the exclusive live performance. Drinks are charged separately at standard P&O bar prices.
What Food is Served In The Limelight Club?
The dining experience here is designed to mirror a classic theatre production. Courses are creatively split into four acts: The Rehearsal (Appetiser), The Opening Act (Starter), The Headliner (Main Course), and The Grand Finale (Dessert).
The menu leans towards upscale, modern British and international cuisine. You will typically have a choice of two starters and four mains (always including a high-quality vegetarian/vegan option).
Popular Menu Highlights Include:
The Rehearsal: Smoked salmon rillette or artisan bread with specialty whipped butters.
The Opening Act: Crisp ham hock terrine with pickled vegetables, or a smooth goat's cheese moussewith beetroot textures.
The Headliner: Slow-braised beef blade with rich truffle mash, pan-seared sea bass with a saffron reduction, or a roasted butternut squash and lentil pithivier.
The Grand Finale: A decadent dark chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream, or a classic glazed lemon tart.
Note: The menus alternate throughout your sailing to keep things fresh for back-to-back cruisers, and the galley easily accommodates specific dietary needs if flagged to the maître d’ ahead of time.
Sample Menus
I’ve included menus from our visit. These are examples only as menus rotate and new additions may have been added.
Which Acts Appear in The Limelight Club?
The entertainment roster changes frequently depending on your specific ship and sailing dates. P&O Cruises has rolled out massive headline entertainment partnerships, making the club line-up better than ever.
Some of the most popular acts and residencies appearing in The Limelight Club include:
Jason Manford’s Comedy Club: Running across selected Iona and Arvia sailings, featuring a rotating line-up of handpicked UK comedians delivering exclusive, adult-only stand-up sets.
Stephen Mulhern: Bringing his signature close-up magic, comedy routines, and crowd participation to Iona.
West End & Pop Headliners: The club regularly plays host to major UK vocal talent and theatre stars, including Max George (from The Wanted), Ray Quinn, musical theatre stars Amber Davies & Ben Joyce(West End Magic), and powerhouse vocalists like Red and Sharlene Hector.
Bar Seating in P&O Britannia Limelight Club Image Credit: P&O Cruises
How to Book The Limelight Club
Because the venue is strictly ticketed and highly oversubscribed, knowing when and how to book is crucial to avoid missing out.
The 14-Day Booking Window: P&O Cruises opens the booking window for The Limelight Club exactly 14 days before your embarkation date.
How to Book: You must log into your My P&O Cruises online portal or use the My Holiday app as soon as this window opens. High-profile comedy and magic acts frequently sell out within minutes of going live.
Onboard Bookings: If an act didn’t sell out pre-cruise, or if you booked your cruise last minute, you can attempt to secure a slot via the My Holiday app once connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi or by visiting the venue directly on embarkation day.
Limelight Club Secrets: Timelines, Seating Warnings, and Drinks Hacks
To ensure you get the absolute best experience (and the best value for your money), there are a few real-world logistics you need to know before you step through the doors.
⏱️ The Dinner vs. Show Timeline: Do You Eat During the Performance?
One of the most common questions first-time P&O cruisers ask is whether they will be clinking cutlery while the act is performing. The answer is no. The evening is highly choreographed so that the dining and the entertainment are kept completely separate.
While exact times can vary slightly depending on your itinerary, a typical evening session follows this precise timeline:
6:15 PM – 6:30 PM: Arrival & Seating. Doors open. You are shown to your table, your drink orders are taken, and your appetisers are served.
6:45 PM – 8:00 PM: The Dinner Service. The 3-course meal is served at a relaxed pace. The house lighting is bright, and low background music plays so you can enjoy your meal and chat.
8:00 PM – 8:15 PM: The Clearing Interval. The waiting staff efficiently clear all plates, take final drink orders, and prep the room.
8:15 PM: Showtime! The main house lights go down, the stage lights go up, and the headliner takes the stage. Waiter service is paused during the performance so the artist is not interrupted.
🚨 Seating Warning: Beware of the Structural Pillars!
Because of the layout of the ship's infrastructure, the Limelight Club on Britannia, Iona, and Arvia contains several large structural support pillars.
Tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by the maître d’ as you walk through the door. If you arrive late, you run a high risk of being seated directly behind one of these pillars, which will completely obstruct your view of the stage.
The Cruise Lowdown Tip: If you want a guaranteed clear line of sight to the stage, join the queue outside the venue 15 to 20 minutes before the doors are scheduled to open. This gives you the best chance of securing a prime, centrally located table.
🍷 The Drinks Hack: Are Drinks Packages Valid?
While your premium cover charge covers all of your food, your drinks are charged separately.
The good news is that all P&O Cruises Drinks Packages are fully valid inside The Limelight Club. Whether you have the Classic or Deluxe drinks package, you can order your inclusive glasses of wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks just as you would in any other bar onboard.
Top Tip: Keep an eye out for the venue’s exclusive cocktail menu, featuring themed drinks curated specifically to match the upscale, jazzy supper club vibe!
Cruise Lowdown Top Tips for The Limelight Club
Adults-Only Atmosphere: Remember that while P&O's Excel-class ships are family-friendly, The Limelight Club is strictly an age 18+ venue in the evenings.
Arrive Early for Seating: Tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis as you arrive at the door. If you want a prime, central view of the stage, aim to arrive 15–20 minutes before the doors officially open for your dining session.
Dietary Requirements: The staff are excellent at accommodating allergies and dietary needs, but because it is a fixed, limited-choice menu, it is highly recommended to flag any requirements on your cruise personaliser or with the restaurant manager on day one of your cruise.
P&O Limelight Club: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Limelight Club adults-only?
Yes. While P&O Cruises’ Excel-class ships (Iona and Arvia) are family-friendly, The Limelight Club operates strictly as an adults-only (18+) venue during the evening dinner and show sessions.
What is the dress code for The Limelight Club?
The dress code follows the ship's designated dress code for that specific evening. If it is an Evening Casual night, smart-casual attire is perfect. On Celebration Nights (Black Tie), you will need to be in formal wear to attend.
Can you go to the Limelight Club just for the show?
No, tickets cannot be purchased for the entertainment alone. The venue is strictly a supper club experience, meaning the ticket price seamlessly bundles both the multi-course meal and the performance.
What time does the Limelight Club start?
The club usually operates two distinct sittings per evening to accommodate the show times. Exact times are published on your My Holiday app, but generally, early seating begins around 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, with the second sitting following later in the evening.
Does the Limelight Club sell out?
Yes, incredibly fast. Because the venue has a very small, intimate capacity compared to the ship's main theatres, high-profile acts and comedy nights often sell out within minutes of the pre-cruise booking window opening.