&nbsp;<br />P&amp;O Cruises is bucking the trend and has seen an influx of bookings in the last week, proving that even in the current economic climate, people are realising that pound for pound a P&amp;O Cruises holiday provides maximum value for money for experience.<br /><br />Cruising has traditionally been seen as the preserve of the well heeled but the increase in the size and number of ships in the fleet has meant that the price of cruise holidays has actually fallen over recent years. A seven night cruise on board Ventura in April 2009 starts from &pound;538 per person, including all main meals, entertainment, facilities and child care.*<br /><br />Going into the December and January peak booking period, P&amp;O Cruises is making holidays even more affordable by offering up to &pound;120 on board credit per stateroom, on bookings made before 31 January 2009. In addition, up to &pound;100 per person discount is being offered on Ventura 2009 sailings. <br /><br />P&amp;O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: &ldquo;The current economic climate is understandably making people nervous about committing to holidays but we aim to reassure people that luxury need not break the bank and a holiday with us is a very sensible, as well as inspiring, choice.<br /><br />&ldquo;A cruise offers a holiday experience like no other, enabling passengers to effortlessly visit up to eight different places in fortnight. And for the same experience, if you add up all the hotels, meals, the cost of child care, entertainment, flights and transfers, a land-based holiday can easily cost more than a P&amp;O Cruises holiday. <br /><br />&ldquo;This is especially true with the savings we are offering, meaning holidays can be booked for as little as &pound;76 per person per night.&rdquo; <br /><br />Phil Nuttall, director of The Cruise Village travel agency added: &ldquo;Lots of our customers are looking to save money this year and we are happy to recommend a P&amp;O Cruises holiday because it&rsquo;s such good value, and with Southampton departures to the Med, Fjords and beyond it&rsquo;s so easy to get away: it&rsquo;s the sensible choice for 2009.&rdquo;<br /><br />Esdale continued: &ldquo;We are encouraging early bookings for 2009 and those who do will have the best range of choice &ndash; of cabin, of ship and of itinerary. This is especially true for families. We have free or heavily discounted child places on a number of cruises throughout the year, and families looking to book their holiday now will get the best deals on family cabins. <br /><br />&ldquo;Our new advertising campaign explains what it is that makes every day of a P&amp;O Cruises holiday so different. Not only do passengers awake to a new destination almost every day but they travel in style and enjoy service that simply cannot be found elsewhere.&rdquo;<br /><br />The new TV campaign featuring seven different films, one for every day of the week, breaks on Boxing Day and can also be seen on www.pocruises.co.uk.