Cunard and P&O Cruises announce sale dates for 2012 World Cruises

2010-06-23

Cunard and P&O Cruises have today announced the dates for when their 2012 world cruises will go on sale.

P&O Cruises full world cruises will go on sale Thursday 15th July at 8 am, with all other holidays hitting the shelves the following day, Friday 16th July, at 8am.

Cunard will put their 2012 world voyages on sale Thursday 15th July at 1pm.

If you have a favouite cabin or there is a sector you've been looking forward to experincing get in quick and book your perfect holiday, our cruise experts will be available from 8am on 0208 544 6620.

Written by Stephen Adam

First female captain sails Artemis on cruise

2010-04-21

The first woman ever to captain a P&O Cruises ship has spoken of her delight at being given the opportunity.

Sarah Breton took charge of the Artemis when it set sail on Monday (April 19th), becoming the first female in the 173-year history of the company to do so.

The 45-year-old from Essex had worked her way up the ranks with the firm before finally landing the top job.

She said: "Growing up near the water I always loved boats and the ocean, so it really does fulfil a lifelong ambition of mine to be a captain with P&O Cruises.

"It is made even more special to be captain of the first cruise ship I ever served on, after joining P&O Cruises as third officer back in 1989."

Carrying up to 1,260 passengers and weighing 45,000 tonnes, the Artemis takes holidaymakers on cruises around the Mediterranean, South America and Baltic Fjords.

Oriana arrival starts strong cruise year for Dublin

2010-04-14

Dublin's economy is set to get a massive boost this year as a record number of cruise ships are expected to dock at the location.

In total, some 86 ships are planned to call into the Irish capital, with the Oriana vessel from P&O Cruises the first to arrive, carrying 1,900 passengers and 800 crew members.

It is expected that up to 80,000 passengers will arrive in Dublin over the course of the year, which will generate somewhere close to €55 million for the local economy.

Minister for tourism, culture and sport Mary Hanafin said: "In an increasingly challenging and competitive international tourism market, it is encouraging to see that we continue to attract a larger number of these magnificent cruise liners each year.

"Their contribution to our economy is significant and the business that cruise ships bring to the ports and cities should not be underestimated."

Cruise fans spending time on board the Oriana ship can take advantage of ten bars, a cinema, a nightclub, a casino and three swimming pools, while there is a paddling pool for younger passengers.

Written by Chris Smith

P&O Cruises offering Keukenhof deal

2010-04-07

Cruise passengers can enjoy one of the most colourful locations in Europe by travelling to the world's largest floral display at Keukenhof.

Located near Lisse in the Netherlands, Keukenhof, which is also known as the Garden of Europe, has been open to the public between March and May for the past 50 years.

P&O Cruises is offering holidaymakers the chance to visit part of the site of the former Slot Teylingen on a two-night mini cruise break from Hull to Rotterdam.

Prices are based on two people sharing a cabin and special offers apply to passengers travelling on Sundays and Wednesdays. Return coach transfers and entry into the gardens are included in the cost.

April is shaping up to be a busy month for Keukenhof, with a summer bulb market, orchid weekend and flower parade planned ahead of next month's costume festival.

This year, Keukenhof is debuting its audiovisual discovery tour, which will remain open until the display's closure on May 16th.

Written by Chris Smith

Stamps issued to celebrate P&O Cruises' return to Norfolk Island

2010-04-01

Norfolk Island has welcomed the return of P&O Cruises with the launch of a special set of commemorative stamps.

Widely-regarded as one of the true unspoilt paradises of the Pacific, Norfolk Island is known for its stunning scenery and, in particular, its pine forests.

However, the cruise liner has now landed there for almost 80 years, meaning that the news that it is to offer the island as a destination on its Pacific cruises has been widely welcomed, with the launch of the new stamp collection testament to this.

The stamps, which have been limited to a print run of just 20,000, feature images of P&O cruise ships both past and present, with Carnival Australia senior vice president Jenny Lourey suggesting that they are likely to be a hit with passengers and crew members alike.

"Norfolk Island is such a unique destination, we're sure its many natural and historical attractions will be a hit with our passengers," she added.

Captain James Cook is the first-known European to have spotted Norfolk Island on his second voyage to the South Pacific in 1774.

Written by Chris Smith

P&O Cruises to offer Mediterranean fly-cruise holidays

2010-03-15

British holidaymakers planning to take fly-cruise breaks in the Mediterranean can now choose to sail with P&O Cruises, which has revealed it is to start providing the service once more.

The cruise operator's new vessel P&O Adonia will offer six central and eastern Mediterranean fly-cruises from October 2011, the first time the company is providing such voyages in nearly a decade.

Targeted primarily at adults, Adonia will start sailing in May 2011 and tickets for the ship will go on sale next month.

Meanwhile, P&O Oceana
will offer winter voyages from Southampton between October 2011 and April 2012 to the western and eastern Mediterranean, as well as the Atlantic Islands, the Caribbean and the US.

Carol Marlow, P&O Cruises' managing director, said: "We are offering a bigger range of destinations to the whole of the British market.

"The ships are different sizes but they all offer the P&O cruise experience – it's all about the British style of cruising which is tailored to the British market."

Written by Chris Smith.

P&O Azura 'a shining star'

2010-02-19

P&O Cruises' new luxury cruise liner will bring into the market a new level of sophistication and features designed to make a holiday at sea an unforgettable experience.

Azura has been described as "a shining star" by the Telegraph, which highlighted the ship's design and features aimed at giving passengers "an amazing onboard experience".

Launching on April 10th with the customary breaking of a bottle of champagne by the ship's godmother Darcey Bussell, the vessel will not only offer itineraries to the most exotic destinations, but also a wide range of onboard entertainment.

The vessel, which goes on her maiden voyage on April 12th, features "a modern and sophisticated style that has been carefully blended with authentic British cruising that is so loved by passengers".

A variety of amenities on the luxury ship, including facilities for ballroom dancing, a playhouse hosting West End musicals and giant Plasma screens, will provide added entertainment.

The Passenger Shipping Association estimates 1.65 million British cruise holidays in 2010.

Written by Chris Smith.

Chef Marco Pierre White to host Ventura cookery sessions

2010-01-18

People opting to take a holiday on board P&O Cruises' superliner Ventura over the next few months may be lucky enough to catch celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

The Hell's Kitchen star will be on hand to show cruise lovers a few tricks in cookery sessions for groups of up to eight adults and children at various dates throughout the year.

Mr Pierre White, whose fine dining restaurant The White Room is onboard Ventura, will host the interactive sessions teaching holidaymakers how to create a series of Mediterranean dishes.

According to the chef, who wants children to learn about "the provenance of food" and how to cook "simple, fun dishes", cooking is "a philosophy, not a recipe".

"For me it is all about passing on the knowledge I have and about using good ingredients to create simple and flavoursome dishes which can be easily recreated at home," he said.

Voyages will depart on February 12th, June 5th and July 3rd 2010.

P&O Cruises also operates Arcadia, Azura, Artemis and Adonia.

Written by Chris Smith

Darcey Bussell celebrity godmopther to P&O Azura

2010-01-05

P&O Cruises' new vessel Azura will have former prima ballerina Darcey Bussell as its celebrity godmother during its inauguration later this year.

The former dancer will name the 3,100 passenger ship at a ceremony to be held in the south-east of England port city of Southampton on April 10th 2010, reports the UK Press Association.

Boasting a crew of more than 1,200, the 115,000-tonne cruise ship will feature a variety of amenities including restaurants, a health and beauty spa, a theatre that can seat over 700 people, nightclubs, a cinema and a gym.

The news provider revealed that invitations are being sent to over 1,200 guests and that Ms Bussell, who is now working with Australia's Sydney Dance Company, has chosen the organisation, as well as The Royal Ballet School and the Prince's Rainforests Project as beneficiaries.

After the naming ceremony the ship will embark on a 16-night maiden cruise to the Mediterranean, taking in Malaga, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Venice.

P&O Cruises is expected to launch Adonia, a small 710-passenger vessel designed for adults only, in 2011.

Written by Chris Smith.

P&O Cruises to unveil 700-passenger Adonia in 2011

2009-12-09

Cruise lovers will in the near future be able to visit destinations that are not usually on the itinerary of large vessels thanks to P&O Cruises, which has announced a new addition to its fleet.

The company will in May 2011 launch the new ship called Adonia which, with a maximum capacity of just 710 passengers, will be the smallest of P&O Cruises' seven ships.

Just like Arcadia, the new ship will be an adult-only vessel boasting 355 well-appointed cabins, more than three-quarters of which will feature balconies.

Commenting on the vessel, which will also be equipped with a library with more than 4,000 titles, P&O Cruises' managing director Carol Marlow said it will deliver "real small ship charm".

"She will offer a truly intimate and traditional cruise experience, yet with all the comforts you would expect from a modern vessel," explained Ms Marlow.

"With this size of ship our passengers will be able to get to know their fellow cruisers and crew easily as they travel to some of the most intriguing destinations on the map."

According to World Travel Market, cruising is the fastest growing travel sector.

Written by Chris Smith.

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