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