Two British cruise lines resumed operations during the weekend, in line with announcements they had made earlier.

The first guests in 15 months were welcomed by P&O Cruises on Sunday as Britannia departed Southampton for a four night summer sailing around the UK coast.

P&O Cruises ships anchored locally, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora, and those of sister brand Cunard, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, celebrated the occasion with a horn-sounding departure salute as Britannia left the Port of Southampton at 6pm and sailed down the Solent. Both P&O Cruises adds Cunard are parts of the Carnival group.

Britannia will sail a series of three, four and seven night UK coastal cruises until September 25 when western Mediterranean itineraries will commence prior to her winter Caribbean season. 

Iona’s maiden voyage will be on August 7 and she will then sail weekly seven night scenic coastal cruises, before beginning Atlantic coast holidays, the company said in a statement.. 

Meanwhile, Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery that was delivered to the company in July 2019, also returned to service as it sailed from Tilbury Docks on Sunday. It will call first at Portsmouth on June 28, Portland on June 29, the Isles of Scilly on June 30 and Falmouth on July 1, the company said in a statement.