P&O Cruises announces 2021 deployment and is "planning for the future with vigour"

Rhea-AI Summary

P&O Cruises has outlined its phased restart plan for 2021 and early 2022, with ships like Britannia and Iona commencing Mediterranean and Atlantic coast itineraries starting September 25. The winter season will see Britannia and Azura operating in the Caribbean. A revised vaccination policy mandates all guests aged 18 and over to be fully vaccinated before sailing. Future Cruise Credits will be issued for cancelled cruises, worth 125% of deposits. P&O aims to respond to evolving travel regulations positively, with hopes for open borders in key destinations like Spain and the Caribbean.

Positive

• Scheduled resumption of cruises for Britannia and Iona starting September 25.
• Future Cruise Credit worth 125% for cancelled cruises encourages customer loyalty.
• Revised vaccination policy likely enhances guest safety and confidence.

Negative

• Cancellations of long-haul cruises for Arcadia and Aurora due to scheduling complexities.
• Ongoing uncertainty with travel restrictions impacting operational planning.

MIAMI, June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- P&O Cruises has announced its expected deployment and phased re-start plan for the remainder of 2021 and into early 2022.

Britannia will begin the planned western Mediterranean itineraries on September 25 and Iona will start her Atlantic coast holidays from the same date. These cruises will follow the series of UK coastal cruises beginning in June.

Ventura's first cruises will be the planned programme of Atlantic islands holidays from October 3.

Following the Mediterranean season, running until October, Britannia will reposition to the Caribbean for her winter season as scheduled, followed by Azura which will begin Caribbean fly/cruises slightly later than published from December 10, 2021.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: "We are very much looking forward to getting Britannia and Iona back to sea for the series of UK coastal cruises – staycations at their best - which are certainly proving very popular and then beginning our international re-start as we phase in each of the other ships.

"As we know the UK Government has developed a traffic light system for holidays abroad this summer. The current situation means that whilst unfortunately there will be a number of cancellations of itineraries on some ships, we are looking ahead and planning for the future with vigour.

"We are confident that destinations will soon open up their borders both for UK travellers and also for cruise ships. Spain and its islands and the Caribbean are both looking very positive and we are seeing, one by one, countries publicly looking forward to welcoming us back."

The length and complexity of Arcadia and Aurora's planned long haul cruises from January next year has forced their cancellation and these two ships will not begin sailing until next year. However a replacement itinerary for Aurora, with winter sun appeal, will be announced shortly.

In addition, following ongoing guest feedback P&O Cruises has reviewed its vaccination policy. For all cruises departing from September 25 to December 31, 2021, all guests 18 years old and over will be required to have completed their vaccination course a minimum of 14 days prior to sailing. All guests 17 years old and below will need to have completed their vaccination course a minimum 14 days prior to sailing or will require a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to travel.  All guests will also require a negative COVID-19 test at the terminal. The PCR and COVID-19 test at the terminal will be provided on a complimentary basis. This vaccination and testing policy will be reviewed on a regular basis as the global situation continues to evolve.

The vaccination policy for the UK coastal cruises until September 24 2021, remains that all guests travelling, of all ages, must have completed their vaccination course a minimum of seven days prior to sailing (or 14 days prior to sailing if an approved single dose vaccine).

All guests who have had their cruise cancelled will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% of the standard deposit terms, and 100% of any additional monies paid. This Future Cruise Credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021, on any cruise on sale at the time of booking. Cruises currently on sale run through to April 2023.

Please see www.pocruises.com for full details and the latest updates

Note to editors – new cruise schedule for 2021/222

Iona – UK coastal cruises from August 7 to September 25 then sailing Atlantic coast beginning with G133 on September 25, 2021

Britannia – UK coastal cruises from June 27 to September 25 then sailing Western Mediterranean beginning with B122 on September 25, 2021

Ventura – Currently paused up to September 4 – two new cruises cancelled (N118 and N119) – then sailing Atlantic islands cruises from N120 October 3, 2021

Azura – Currently paused up to September 1 – cancelled A118A to A124A inclusive – then sailing Caribbean fly/cruises from A125 / A125A December 10, 2021

Aurora – Currently paused up to September 1 – 9 new cruises cancelled – then sailing R202 Central Med on April 13, 2022 (although replacement itinerary for early 2022 will be announced shortly)

Arcadia – Currently paused up to September 14 – 10 new cruises cancelled – then sailing J204 March 27, 2022

About P&O Cruises 

P&O Cruises is Britain's favourite cruise line, welcoming guests to experience holidays with a blend of discovery, choice, relaxation and exceptional service catered towards British tastes.  P&O Cruises fleet of premium ships combine genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail. In May 2021, P&O Cruises launched Iona, its first Excel class ship. The new LNG-powered ship, with 5,200-guest capacity, is the largest ship built to serve the UK market. Iona features enhancements to already successful brand signature venues from the existing fleet, as well as features newly developed for Iona. P&O Cruises second LNG-powered Excel class ship and sister ship to Iona is named Arvia, meaning from the seashore, and will join the fleet in December 2022. Arvia is an innovative and future-focused ship and will offer outstanding, varied and contemporary holidays. Arvia has been designed to travel to the sun all year-round and to maximise views of the ocean and the seashore from everywhere on board. With over 200 destinations worldwide, P&O Cruises itineraries are carefully curated to inspire discovery, and are varied to suit newcomers and experienced guests alike. With a wide choice of holidays from two days to three months there is something for everyone. P&O Cruises sails to Australia & New Zealand, Baltic, the British Isles, Canada, the Spain, Portugal & the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Central America, the Far East & Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, South America, the South Pacific, the United States and Western Europe.

The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).  

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SOURCE P&O Cruises

FAQ

What is the new cruise schedule for P&O Cruises in 2021?

P&O Cruises will restart with Britannia and Iona on September 25, 2021, followed by Ventura and Azura later in the year.

What is P&O Cruises' vaccination policy for guests?

Guests aged 18 and over must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing for cruises from September 25 to December 31, 2021.

What is the Future Cruise Credit offered by P&O Cruises?

Guests with cancelled cruises will receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% of their deposit, available for bookings made by December 2021.

When will P&O Cruises start sailing in the Caribbean?

P&O Cruises plans to sail in the Caribbean starting December 10, 2021, with Azura's fly/cruises.