P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, will position Azura in Malta for a series of summer cruises and Oceana again back to the Arabian Gulf as parts of the line’s 2021-22 programme, it said in a statement.
Oceana’s 2019-20 winter programme in the Arabian Gulf was cancelled due to security concerns a few weeks ago. The ship will return top the region for the 2020-21 winter season as well.
“In its biggest launch to date, P&O Cruises is putting its summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022 holidays on sale with over 400 cruises visiting 186 unique ports in 68 countries worldwide,” the line said.
The line’s largest ship, Iona, which will enter service in the summer of next year, will offer second year of itineraries featuring the Norwegian Fjords and a winter season of Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands and Northern European City Escapes.
P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow said: “P&O Cruises offers much more than just a holiday. The world is full of life-enriching experiences which give our guests the chance to delve deeper, to really get under the skin of a destination and explore more whilst creating life long memories.”
Pre-registration opens on October 14 and the programme will go on sale to Top Tier Peninsular Club members from 21 October and on general sale on 23 October, 2019. Deposits are low at just 5% and discounts of up to 10% are available on Select Price cruises if booked by December 9, 2019.
Iona
In summer 2021, Iona will continue to offer a season of seven-night Norway Fjords cruises from April through to September which will include calls into Stavanger, Olden, Geiranger and Haugesund as well as seven calls to Alesund at the start and end of the season. On the morning of the calls to Geiranger, Iona will also offer a brief stop in Hellesylt to provide an opportunity for guests on tour to disembark.
For the 2021/2022 winter season, Iona will continue to offer a mixed season of Spain and Portugal; Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands and Northern European City Escapes; as well as a 16-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands cruise over Christmas & New Year, with guests celebrating Christmas whilst at sea between islands and New Year’s Eve festivities on board while returning to Southampton.
Britannia
In April 2021, Britannia will offer four sailings comprising a Southern Cruise Break; a Short Break; a Northern European City Escape and a Spain and Portugal itinerary. The ship will then begin a dedicated summer season of Western Mediterranean cruises between May and October 2021.
Britannia will return to the Caribbean for winter 2021-22, starting with a Transatlantic sailing from Southampton to Barbados followed by 14-night holidays from Barbados and seven-night holidays from St Lucia.
Azura
Azura will take over from Oceana and operate a Fly/Mediterranean season throughout the summer. The first sailing will be a repositioning cruise Barbados to Malta in March and Azura will then be based out of Malta from April to October operating a choice of seven and 14 night Central, Eastern and Western Fly Mediterranean itineraries
Azura will start kick off its winter season with a Transatlantic sailing from Malta to Barbados in October 2021 and will spend the winter in the Caribbean operating 14 night turnarounds from Barbados focusing on the Northern and Eastern Caribbean. Azura’s winter 2021/2022 season will end with a positioning sailing back to Malta.
Ventura
Ventura will take over from Azura for summer 2021, operating alternating 14 night Western Mediterranean and Baltic cruises between May and October. Ventura’s Western Mediterranean itinerary features destinations including Cagliari and Naples which maintain the exploration focus.
Ventura’s winter season will focus on Spain and Portugal; Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands and long Caribbean cruises from the UK including a cruise to New Orleans. A Christmas and New Year cruise will give guests the opportunity to watch the spectacular New Year fireworks in Madeira.
Oceana
Oceana will take over from Ventura to operate the programme of 12-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands; seven-night Southern Cruise Breaks and two-night Short Breaks.
For winter 2021/2022, Oceana’s Dubai & Arabian Gulf programme will continue with a programme consisting of two alternating seven-night itineraries; one to the north-west, featuring Qatar and Bahrain, and the other to the east, featuring an overnight call in Muscat. Oceana will be in Abu Dhabi for New Year fireworks.
Aurora
For summer 2021, Aurora will continue to offer a diverse mix of holidays designed to appeal to experienced cruisers, with itineraries specifically designed to include lesser frequented destinations. The ship will operate three discovery-oriented Baltic cruises; a 14-night Iceland cruise including an overnight call in Reykjavik and a 30-night discovery itinerary to Canada which then travels south to Boston for an overnight then onto New York for three full days.
Aurora’s 99-night western circumnavigation of the world in 2022 includes two full days in Tokyo, as well as other iconic destinations including San Francisco; Auckland; Sydney; Hong Kong and Singapore. A variety of shorter exotic fly/cruises from the longer itinerary will also be available at launch varying from 14 nights to 57 nights.
Arcadia
The highlight of Arcadia’s summer 2021 season will be a 23-night discovery cruise taking in Iceland and Norway, including an overnight in Reykjavik, scenic cruising of the North Cape and calls in Honningsvaag; Tromso; Leknes and Narvik. Arcadia will also offer a 14-night Iceland cruise with an overnight in Reykjavik. Arcadia will then transit the North Atlantic in September 2021 on a 24-night cruise focusing purely on Canada with an overnight visit to Quebec as well as calls to hidden gems such as Saguenay; Sept Iles and Gaspe.
A 55-night Grand Tour (J201) on Arcadia departing Southampton on January 7, 2022. Highlight ports include a transit of the Amazon; Barbados; St Lucia; Antigua; St Maarten; Tortola; Bonaire; Aruba; Curacao; Roatan; Cozumel and Bermuda.
