UK staycation cruise details launched

[No pager thank you]

I can only assume that the requirement to stay in UK territorial waters refers to where the ship docks, and which protocols are followed if there is a Covid-19 outbreak on board.

 

It does seem odd to me why there are no ports - that will put off a lot of passengers, including the "seasoned" group.

 

A 2-3 night sail around Southampton/Cornwall will just turn in to a booze cruise, particularly if it rains.  Maybe this the strategy, drink more (will have to be an awful lot to take out the excursions income).

 

You'd also think, from marketing perspective, that they would pull these new cruise itineraries forwards.  Now they have thousands of passengers thinking what to do - refund or rebook to an expensive international cruise...or wait until 2023 for an unknown list of cruises...

[zap99]

2 hours ago, ann141 said:

I wonder if P and O may start with a couple of short breaks  staying on the ship in Southampton and offering excursions from there- Winchester, New Forest etc .More like a hotel?That would perhaps explain the wording.

Staying on the ship sound ok . Living an hour from Southampton, I may pass on the excursions.

[lindylooellalouise]

1 minute ago, Splice the mainbrace said:

 

Our record is 35 minutes from leaving my late mum's house on the outskirts of Southampton to stepping onboard! 

You are so lucky👍

[Eddie99]

Surely a hotel, or even self-catered,  stay in the UK is a nicer prospect for most people?  Chose your location and activity - city break, pamper deal, seaside, rural retreat, Warner’s, whatever.

I simply can’t fancy 5, 6 or 7 x 24 hours aboard in UK waters with UK weather (and UK alcohol duty on bar sales?) - and with lots and lots of other passengers

The freedom of a hotel is more attractive to me

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

John, they have already said that Iona won't be cruising until October.

My understanding is that scheduled itineraries are cancelled to end August or September, these tester cruises are yet to be revealed.

[zap99]

17 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

I Agree.

15 miles to North Shields.

350 miles to Southampton.

Graham. I don't.

50 miles to Southampton

315 miles to Norths shields.

60 miles to Northampton if that helps🤣

 

[ToxM]

3 minutes ago, Eddie99 said:

Surely a hotel, or even self-catered,  stay in the UK is a nicer prospect for most people?  Chose your location and activity - city break, pamper deal, seaside, rural retreat, Warner’s, whatever.

I simply can’t fancy 5, 6 or 7 x 24 hours aboard in UK waters with UK weather (and UK alcohol duty on bar sales?) - and with lots and lots of other passengers

The freedom of a hotel is more attractive to me

the beauty of people enjoying different things. For me, 7 days at sea would be a decadent luxury that I would leap at like a lioness onto a gazelle.

[terrierjohn]

55 minutes ago, wowzz said:

P&O have already said that these cruises will begin and end in Southampton.

They are allowed to  change their mind  if enough of us request some ships serve the northern ports.

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Graham. I don't.

50 miles to Southampton

315 miles to Norths shields.

60 miles to Northampton if that helps🤣

 

Last time for Explorer of the Seas October 2019 I drove and did a stay and cruise with taxi transfer at the Mere Valley hotel.

Most times we flew down from Newcastle with Flybe.

[Eddie99]

Just now, ToxM said:

the beauty of people enjoying different things. For me, 7 days at sea would be a decadent luxury that I would leap at like a lioness onto a gazelle.

I love sea days on a “proper” cruise

Have done TAs & repositioning cruises with stretches of 6 consecutive sea days

but

warm/hot weather and no restrictions aboard

The restrictions we’ve already heard about make the prospect something other than decadent luxury - to me

 

It will be good for the company if enough people fancy it, so I welcome it in that respect - “keeping ships warm” for when/if I’m back on board

[Adawn47]

22 minutes ago, zap99 said:

I guess we are all still wondering. I was having a look round the internet this morning for the med. RCI and NCL still have cruises on sale and may still sail this summer.

I've just checked the total cost of our 19 night cruise in October.  It has increased from our booked cost of £2,702 to the princely sum of £5,558.😲 Time for a brandy me thinks.

Avril

[ToxM]

2 minutes ago, Eddie99 said:

I love sea days on a “proper” cruise

Have done TAs & repositioning cruises with stretches of 6 consecutive sea days

but

warm/hot weather and no restrictions aboard

The restrictions we’ve already heard about make the prospect something other than decadent luxury - to me

 

It will be good for the company if enough people fancy it, so I welcome it in that respect - “keeping ships warm” for when/if I’m back on board

i think it’s as much about running the crew and ship up to speed gradually as opposed to straight into the planned itins, which would probably be disastrous on many levels.

 

passengers on these cruises need to know they are part of a shakedown exercise.

[Selbourne]

16 minutes ago, Eddie99 said:

Surely a hotel, or even self-catered,  stay in the UK is a nicer prospect for most people?  Chose your location and activity - city break, pamper deal, seaside, rural retreat, Warner’s, whatever.

I simply can’t fancy 5, 6 or 7 x 24 hours aboard in UK waters with UK weather (and UK alcohol duty on bar sales?) - and with lots and lots of other passengers

The freedom of a hotel is more attractive to me

Thats pretty much our view. I am baffled by those who say “well it’s better than staying at home”, as if the only two choices are cruising to nowhere or staying at home. Very odd. Perhaps we are revolutionaries in daring to consider that you can have very enjoyable holidays other than on cruise ships 😉 

[Son of Anarchy]

8 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

I've just checked the total cost of our 19 night cruise in October.  It has increased from our booked cost of £2,702 to the princely sum of £5,558.😲 Time for a brandy me thinks.

Avril

Hopefully the cruise will still go.  You can congratulate yourselves that booking early got you a flippin' great deal and have another brandy when you get on board!

[Froxfield]

Well, at the risk of upsetting everyone, we had an email this am about cancellation of our May 2021 Iona cruise, which was already a rebooking of an earlier cancellation.I spent a happy had hour getting through to P&O on the phone.  I was able to book a replacement May 2022 Iona cruise in a cabin two doors down the corridor.  It turned out to be £190 cheaper than the booking it replaced, with n extra £10 cabin credit. I had only previously paid a small deposit. They also took my not yet available FCC from this deposit as deposit for the new booking and said I would get the 125% credit.  So overall I am about £250 ahead on the deal and well pleased. I can understand others may not be so happy.

 

Will cruising be back by next May?!? 

[Bertie Doe]

50 minutes ago, ToxM said:

P&O are shooting themselves in the foot at this point with their prices. I understand supply and demand, but when 2 weeks in an inside is less than a 6 star line, there is something wrong with your algorithm.

Ok cruise lines have taken a hit over the last 18 months, I'd have thought they would attempt to recoup these losses over say, a 3 year period ...

 

Another reason for the price hike may be the 125% bonus on previous bookings via a FCC. I was gutted when my TA emailed me the news of our August J112 Iceland/Norway Arcadia cancellation from Southampton. A bargain 23 nights at £3299pp balcony = £143 pp per night.

 

The closest P&O can offer next year is J212 it's £2799pp for balcony but it's only 14 nights (missing 6 Norway ports) but the cost is £198 pp per night, an increase of 40% pp per night. Sadly (or happily) we haven't paid the balance so the 125% only valid against our (£345) deposit. It's only worth about £86. I'll leave the deposit with the TA, so our next Iceland/Norway cruise, doesn't need to be with P&0.

[yorkshirephil]

UK cruises to go on sale later this month

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

[besberry]

3 hours ago, Lily lady said:

When are 2023 cruises released, to possibly use fcc.

 

When I changed my 2022 cruise on Arcadia last week, my TA said that 2023 cruises should be on sale sometime in March.

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

John, they have already said that Iona won't be cruising until October.

My 25 September cruise on Iona isn''t cancelled (yet)!

[zap99]

42 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Last time for Explorer of the Seas October 2019 I drove and did a stay and cruise with taxi transfer at the Mere Valley hotel.

Most times we flew down from Newcastle with Flybe.

A couple of years ago we stayed at the Meon valley hotel. Ok, but better hotels are in the area. We like the Burley manor.

[Windsurfboy]

If there are NO stops,  WHY NOT SAIL SOUTH, THE MED 

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, zap99 said:

A couple of years ago we stayed at the Meon valley hotel. Ok, but better hotels are in the area. We like the Burley manor.

Thanks.

Meon Valley was okay but hard to find and the restaurant was in the 19th hole of the golf club.

[zap99]

38 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Thats pretty much our view. I am baffled by those who say “well it’s better than staying at home”, as if the only two choices are cruising to nowhere or staying at home. Very odd. Perhaps we are revolutionaries in daring to consider that you can have very enjoyable holidays other than on cruise ships 😉 

No need to stay at home. We have 2 holidays booked in Cornwall and Dorset . A holiday in Menorca also. All for this year. We like cruise holidays, but not to the exclusion of other types. P&O are not the only option. Plenty of others who may may still sail. A fly cruise to the med perhaps.

[yorkshirephil]

2 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

If there are NO stops,  WHY NOT SAIL SOUTH, THE MED 

You wouldn't be able to get to the med and back in 7 days, so would mean nearly half your cruise would be through the bay of Biscay. Probably safer round the Isle of Wight.

[Cathygh]

When Cunard launched their tester restart cruises ( now cancelled) we booked the first one which was 3 nights sailing around the Scillies and back along the Jurassic Coast. I expect P&O will start with the same so we will book one as we think that the scenery could be quite interesting. 

Cathy

[zap99]

2 minutes ago, yorkshirephil said:

You wouldn't be able to get to the med and back in 7 days, so would mean nearly half your cruise would be through the bay of Biscay. Probably safer round the Isle of Wight.

As our Government don't rule the world, how about a cruise down to the med and fly home from, say Barcelona. Return from Barcelona, or somewhere else. Majorca are crying out for Brits to be allowed.