P&O Cruises partners with Saints Foundation for International Women’s Day to inspire Southampton schoolgirls
Saturday 28 February, 2026
P&O Cruises welcomed 50 schoolchildren from seven Southampton secondary schools on Iona on Saturday (28 February) for a special International Women’s Day careers fair, delivered in partnership with Saints Foundation.
The immersive event sought to highlight STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) career paths for women both ashore and on board.
The girls from Saints Foundation Community Champions and Changemakers projects, aged 14 -16, were given the opportunity to build relationships with industry professionals as part of an action-packed day designed to champion diversity and reinforce P&O Cruises commitment to inclusion across all levels of the business.
The focus of the event was a 90-minute interactive workshop, with senior female leaders discussing career opportunities, and hosting Q&As and activities in various venues on board.
Guest speaker Marianne Spacey-Cale MBE, Saints Foundation Ambassador and Director of Women’s Football at Southampton FC, talked about leadership, resilience and forging a career in a traditionally male-dominated environment.
The schoolgirls were also treated to an exclusive theatre performance and lunch on board.
Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “As a proud father to a daughter myself, this is a very positive initiative. I want the next generation of young women to grow up realising there are no limits to what they can achieve, and that industries like ours are places where they can thrive, lead and make a real impact.
“Working with Saints Foundation to host this International Women’s Day event on board Iona, we hope to have broadened horizons and challenged perceptions. This event was a powerful way for us to open up the world of cruising and STEM careers – making them feel exciting and within reach for young people. We are so proud to call Southampton our home and we feel a real responsibility to invest in the city, its people and its future.”
Marieanne Space-Cale, Saints Foundation Ambassador and Director of Women’s Football at Southampton Football Club, said: “Our mission is to raise the aspirations of Southampton’s young people to believe in themselves and their potential. Partnering with P&O Cruises on this event has given local students an unforgettable experience while introducing them to career options they may never have considered – particularly in STEM, where representation still matters enormously. Using this amazing setting on Iona brings these conversations to life in a really engaging and exciting way.”
The initiative forms part of P&O Cruises wider commitment to supporting local communities in Southampton, its homeport, and to inspiring the next generation to consider careers in the travel industry.
For more information, call P&O Cruises on 0344 338 8003, visit www.pocruises.com or visit a travel agent.
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Michele Andjel, michele.andjel@carnivalukgroup.com 07730 732 072
Sam Balls, sam.balls@pocruises.com 07879 198864
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About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is Britain’s favourite cruise line, welcoming guests onboard its seven ships to experience holidays with a blend of discovery, choice, relaxation and exceptional service catered towards British tastes. With a proud history spanning more than 187 years, each ship has its own appeal from family friendly or exclusively for adults with every sailing delivering each guest a holiday like never before.
With over 180 destinations worldwide, P&O Cruises itineraries are carefully curated to inspire discovery and are varied to suit newcomers and experienced guests alike. P&O Cruises prides itself on working with top culinary talent; Food Heroes include chefs Marco Pierre White and José Pizarro as well as award-winning drinks expert Olly Smith.
Recent awards for P&O Cruises include:
Wave Awards 2025 – Best Advertising & Marketing Campaign
British Travel Awards 2025 – Best Cruise Line for Family Holidays
The Travel Industry Awards 2025 by TTG – Industry Marketing Campaign of the Year
Sailawaze Excellence Awards 2025 – Best in Entertainment
Best in Cruise Awards by Cruise Critic Awards 2025 – No-Fly Cruise Line (Ocean Category)
The company is part of Carnival Corporation & PLC (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).