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P&O Cruises Around Britain Cruise

P&O Cruises has published its 2009 Preview Edition brochure. The brochure features cruise holidays to 235 destinations in 82 countries and the first round Britain cruise for the line.

Ventura, the largest and newest superliner built exclusively for the British market, will sail her first full year programme, with 19 departures from Southampton and 10 fly-cruise holidays from Barbados within the 2009 brochure.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Our 2009 programme is our biggest yet, offering a 30% increase in capacity for our brand with the first full year of Ventura. We have more ships, more UK departures and more breadth of appeal than any other cruise line.”

Departing on 5 July 2009, Artemis will offer an 11-night debut tour of the British Isles. Ports of call are Leith for Edinburgh, Invergordon, Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Moville for Londonderry, Greenock for Glasgow, Dublin, Falmouth and St Peter Port. Prices for the cruise start from £1,099.

“For a brand that has brought the world to the door of British passengers for almost 170 years, it is perhaps long overdue and fitting for us to visit the British Isles.”

Other new ports of call a little further afield include Antwerp in Belgium, the island of Hvar in Croatia and La Spezia in Italy.

“Cruise holidays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for younger couples and families and we have two ships within the fleet dedicated to serving this market in terms of length of holiday, destination, on board entertainment, facilities and dining, and pricing.

“Shorter cruises on Ventura and Oceana are the perfect choice for people who are new to cruising and want to see if it’s for them without being away for two weeks. In 2009 we are offering 16 such itineraries of either two or seven nights – this is double the amount we offered in 2008.”

Early booking incentives are available before 30 June 2008, including up to 45 per cent Pricebreakers discount and free car parking on all Southampton roundtrip itineraries within the brochure, offering passengers up to an additional £115 saving on an average two week cruise.

Highlights of the brochure include:

· Party Cruise, Ventura (N920) two nights 30 August – 1 September 2009. Southampton, Bruges (from Zeebrugge), Southampton. Starting from £249.

· Cruise Break, Oceana (E913) seven nights 30 May – 6 June 2009. Southampton, Falmouth, Dublin, Bilbao, La Rochelle (from La Pallice), Brest, Southampton. Starting from £599.

· North America, Aurora (R911) 24 nights 30 August – 23 September 2009. Southampton, Wilmington for Philadelphia, New York (two full days in port), Newport, Boston (full day and evening in port), Portland, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Quebec (day and a half in port), St. John’s, Southampton. Starting from £2,599.

· Mediterranean, Oriana (X915) 14 nights 30 August – 13 September 2009. Southampton, Gibraltar, Palau, Rome (from Civitavecchia), La Spezia, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Palma, Southampton. Starting from £1,399.

Continuing the successful partnership started on Ventura, in 2009 Oceana will also be joined by Tate Modern and the remaining four ships in the fleet by Tate Britain, to present ‘Tate Talks’, an enriching programme of talks, interviews and creative workships which bring the world of modern art to life.
All four family friendly ships in the fleet – Ventura, Oceana, Aurora and Oriana – will have re-branded children’s clubs by summer 2008. Both Noddy and Mr. Bump will also be on board popular family itineraries throughout the year, to entertain the two to four and five to seven year olds.

Official P&O Cruises press release Posted 23 Apr 08

P&O Cruises Launch 2009 Preview Edition Brochure

P&O Cruises have now published their 2009 Preview Edition brochure which features their 2009 cruise holidays. Their cruises cover 235 destinations in 82 different countries as well as a cruise around Britain, the first of its kind for P&O Cruises. Ventura will depart from Southampton 19 times in her first full year of sailing. This cruise ship is the first purpose-built ship for the British market and will also do 10 fly-cruise holidays from Barbados in her first full year. Artemis will offer an 11 night debut tour of the British Isles calling at the likes of Greenock, Dublin and Falmouth. P&O Cruise’s managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Our 2009 programme is our biggest yet, offering a 30% increase in capacity for our brand with the first full year of Ventura. We have more ships, more UK departures and more breadth of appeal than any other cruise line.” “For a brand that has brought the world to the door of British passengers for almost 170 years, it is perhaps long overdue and fitting for us to visit the British Isles.” “Cruise holidays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for younger couples and families and we have two ships within the fleet dedicated to serving this market in terms of length of holiday, destination, on board entertainment, facilities and dining, and pricing. “Shorter cruises on Ventura and Oceana are the perfect choice for people who are new to cruising and want to see if it’s for them without being away for two weeks. In 2009 we are offering 16 such itineraries of either two or seven nights – this is double the amount we offered in 2008.”

Ventura Named in Southampton

P&O Cruise’s Ventura has officially been named by award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren on April 16th. She was joined onboard by 1,500 guests including celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, Kate Ford and Hugh Bonneville. Dame Helen Mirren was over the moon to be fronting the spectacular ceremony and said:  “It is the first time I have ever named a ship, let alone one of the size of P&O Cruises Ventura and am really looking forward to being Godmother.” P&O Cruise’s managing director was just as pleased to have Dame Helen Mirren onboard as she was to be there. P&O cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale said:  “Dame Helen Mirren embodies glamour, vitality and Britishness, which are all values that will be a feature of Ventura. We are honoured that she has agreed to become Godmother. The arrival of Ventura is set to usher in a new era for the British cruise industry and will accelerate the rate of progress of an already fast growing market. We are delighted that Dame Helen is to be associated with her. At the same time, we are determined to get the bottle-smashing right, and are grateful for the military coordinated assistance of the Royal Marines.” Ventura is due to cruise to the Mediterranean on Friday on her maiden cruise.