P&O Cruises to offer "the ultimate escape" staycation this summer

Rhea-AI Summary

P&O Cruises will launch short and week-long UK cruises as staycations this summer, set to go on sale later in March. President Paul Ludlow expressed optimism as government restrictions ease and vaccination efforts expand, aiming to provide a reliable holiday experience. However, to accommodate these new sailings, existing cruises on several ships will be canceled until late August and September. Canceled guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit of 125% of their payment or a 100% refund, valid until December 2021.

Positive

• Launch of UK staycation cruises aims to attract customers.
• Future Cruise Credit of 125% enhances customer retention.

Negative

• Cancellation of cruises on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Ventura until August.
• Cancellation of Britannia and Iona cruises until September.

MIAMI, March 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- P&O Cruises will offer a series of short break and week-long UK cruises as "the ultimate escape" staycation this summer. The cruises will go on sale later in March.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said:  "Following recent Government announcements and as the vaccine programme is rolled out across the globe we can all begin to feel a sense of reassurance and hope that this current lockdown period in the UK will come to an end. Life can, we hope, slowly return to some semblance of our previous normality as hospitality opens up and summer holidays can be booked with confidence.

"Whilst holidays here in the UK will be the first to become a reality we will, of course, gradually see the return of international travel but first we want guests to be able to enjoy a proper summer holiday at sea with the best in relaxation, entertainment and dining choice.

"These sailings will leave from our home port in Southampton and sail around UK coastal waters enjoying the summer sunshine. More details of dates, prices and the experience on board will be announced later this month, but they will, of course, all have flexibility so guests can book with confidence.

"We hope that the UK "ultimate escape" staycation option will have wide appeal and we will do our utmost to make it a very special time. There really will be something for everyone and the opportunity to spend precious and much-longed for time with family and friends.

"In order to offer these UK breaks it does mean that unfortunately we need to cancel some of our current published programme of holidays this summer. Cruises on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura and Ventura have been cancelled until the end of August and on Britannia and Iona until the end of September.

"We remain in very close contact with the UK Government and associated bodies as we monitor the latest situation and guidance on travel. From the moment we see travel restrictions lifting we will begin the significant logistical task to re-start our operations. It will take some time for the first ship to return to service, followed by the phased return of the remaining fleet. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back on board with the protection of effective protocols to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all crew and guests.

"I really am so sorry for the disappointment these cancellations will cause but hope that the new UK cruises will enable everyone to enjoy a wonderful holiday this summer."

All guests whose cruises have been cancelled will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% of what they paid.  This 125% 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.

Alternatively, 100% refund is available through the form on www.pocruises.com and may be requested until December 2021.

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 2021, P&O Cruises will launch Iona its first Excel class ship. The new LNG-powered ship, with 5,200-guest capacity, will be the largest ship built to serve the UK market. Iona will feature 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).  

For further images visit: https://www.pocruisespresspictures.com/

*Holidays which will be cancelled due to current guidance are detailed below

Ship	Cruise	Departure date	Destination	Nts
Arcadia	J105	20-May-21	Western Mediterranean	18
	J106	07-Jun-21	Cruise Break	4
	J107	11-Jun-21	Iceland	14
	J108	25-Jun-21	Norway Fjord	12
	J109	07-Jul-21	Cruise Break	4
	J110	11-Jul-21	Norway Fjord	12
	J111	23-Jul-21	British Isles	12
	J112	04-Aug-21	Arctic Circle	23
	J113	27-Aug-21	Central Mediterranean	19

 

Ship	Cruise	Departure date	Destination	Nts
Aurora	R105	24-Apr-21	Southern Cruise Break	7
	R106	01-May-21	Central Mediterranean	19
	R107	20-May-21	Baltic	16
	R108	05-Jun-21	Norway Fjord	12
	R109	17-Jun-21	Central Mediterranean	19
	R110	06-Jul-21	Iceland	14
	R111	20-Jul-21	Baltic	16
	R112	05-Aug-21	Norway Fjord	12
	R113	17-Aug-21	Baltic	16

 

Ship	Cruise	Departure date	Destination	Nts
Azura	A109	29-Apr-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A109A	29-Apr-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A109B	06-May-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A109C	06-May-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A110	13-May-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A110A	13-May-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A110B	20-May-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A110C	20-May-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A111	27-May-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A111A	27-May-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A111B	03-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A111C	03-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A112	10-Jun-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A112A	10-Jun-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A112B	17-Jun-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A112C	17-Jun-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A113	24-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A113A	24-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A113B	01-Jul-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A113C	01-Jul-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A114	08-Jul-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A114A	08-Jul-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A114B	15-Jul-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A114C	15-Jul-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A115	22-Jul-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A115A	22-Jul-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A115B	29-Jul-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A115C	29-Jul-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A116	05-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A116A	05-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A116B	12-Aug-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A116C	12-Aug-21	Eastern Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A117	19-Aug-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14
	A117A	19-Aug-21	Central Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A117B	26-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	7
	A117C	26-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean (Med Fly)	14

 

Ship	Cruise	Departure date	Destination	Nts
Britannia	B111	25-Apr-21	Atlantic Coast	13
	B112	08-May-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B113	22-May-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B114	05-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B115	19-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B116	03-Jul-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B117	17-Jul-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B118	31-Jul-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B119	14-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B120	28-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	B121	11-Sep-21	Western Mediterranean	14

 

Ship	Cruise	Departure date	Destination	Nts
Iona	G111	24-Apr-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G112	01-May-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G113	08-May-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G114	15-May-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G115	22-May-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G116	29-May-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G117	05-Jun-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G118	12-Jun-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G119	19-Jun-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G120	26-Jun-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G121	03-Jul-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G122	10-Jul-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G123	17-Jul-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G124	24-Jul-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G125	31-Jul-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G126	07-Aug-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G127	14-Aug-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G128	21-Aug-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G129	28-Aug-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G130	04-Sep-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G131	11-Sep-21	Norway Fjord	7
	G132	18-Sep-21	Norway Fjord	7

 

Ship	Cruise	Departure date	Destination	Nts
Ventura	N108	30-Apr-21	Short Break (Round Trip)	2
	N109	02-May-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	N110	16-May-21	Baltic	14
	N111	30-May-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	N112	13-Jun-21	Baltic	14
	N113	27-Jun-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	N114	11-Jul-21	Baltic	14
	N115	25-Jul-21	Western Mediterranean	14
	N116	08-Aug-21	Baltic	14
	N117	22-Aug-21	Western Mediterranean	14

 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/po-cruises-to-offer-the-ultimate-escape-staycation-this-summer-301239313.html

SOURCE P&O Cruises

FAQ

What are the new cruise offerings from P&O Cruises for summer 2021?

P&O Cruises is launching short break and week-long UK cruises as staycations.

When will the P&O Cruises UK cruises go on sale?

The new cruises will go on sale later in March 2021.

What happens to canceled cruises on P&O Cruises?

Guests with canceled cruises will receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% or can request a 100% refund.

Why were some P&O Cruises canceled?

Cruises were canceled to accommodate the new UK staycation offerings.

What is the Future Cruise Credit offer from P&O Cruises?

Guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit of 125% of their payment, valid for new bookings until December 2021.