P&O Britannia in the Caribbean, photo credit Spacejunkie
Arcadia will depart on a Canary Islands sailing on Sunday (27 March), restoring the line to its six-ship fleet – with seventh vessel Arvia joining P&O’s ranks in December.
The LNG-powered ship will sail its maiden voyage to the Canaries followed by a winter season in the Caribbean out of Barbados.
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said the return of Arcadia marked “an important milestone” for the company “one certainly cause for celebration”.
“Britannia and Azura have had a very successful season in the Caribbean from Barbados and Iona has spent her maiden winter months in the Canary Islands and northern Europe and will soon head up to the spectacular Norwegian fjords for the summer of scenic cruising and thrilling adventures,” said Ludlow.
“It is evident that our guests are reassured by the steps we have taken to protect their health and wellbeing and that they are delighted to be back on board reigniting their passion for travel.”
Six months after the restart, Princess Cruises has added a total of eight ships back in service, including the new Enchanted Princess, which welcomed its first guests in November.
Back in Action in the Caribbean, West Coast and Hawaii
Pursuing a phased restart plan, Princess grew its active fleet to eight ships in the past six months.
The premium brand is now offering cruises in the Caribbean, West Coast and Hawaii, sailing from three different homeports.
Here are the details:
Majestic Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,600 Date: In service since July 25, 2021 Region: West Coast Homeport: Los Angeles (United States) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
Regal Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,600 Date: In service since July 31, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 5 to 7 nights Itinerary: Eastern and Western Caribbean
Sky Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,600 Date: In service since August 30, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Western and Eastern Caribbean
Grand Princess Capacity at 100%: 2,600 Date: In service since September 25, 2021 Region: West Coast Homeport: Los Angeles (United States) Length: 10 to 15 nights Itinerary: Mexican Riviera, Sea of Cortez and Hawaii
Emerald Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,100 Date: In service since October 15, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 14 and 15 nights Itinerary: Panama Canal and Southern Caribbean
Ruby Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,070 Date: In service since October 31, 2021 Region: West Coast Homeport: San Francisco (United States) Length: 15 nights Itinerary: Hawaii and Panama Canal
Enchanted Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,600 Date: In service since November 10, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 10 nights Itinerary: Southern and Eastern Caribbean
Caribbean Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,100 Date: In service since November 28, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Western and Eastern Caribbean
Most of the Fleet Set to Return by May
As Princess returns to additional destinations in 2022, more vessels are resuming service. According to the company’s current restart plans, most of the fleet is set to be sailing again in May, in time for summer seasons in Alaska and Asia.
Here are the planned service resumption dates:
Discovery Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,660 Date: March 27, 2022 Region: West Coast Homeport: Los Angeles (United States) Length: 7 nights First itinerary: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta
Island Princess Capacity at 100%: 1,950 Date: April 27, 2022 Region: Panama Canal Homeport: Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (United States) Length: 14 nights First itinerary: Cartagena, Panama Canal (old locks), Puntarenas, San Juan del Sur, Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta
Diamond Princess Capacity at 100%: 2,600 Date: April 28, 2022 Region: Asia Homeport: Yokohama (Japan) Length: 6 nights First itinerary: Nagasaki, Busan and Kagoshima
Royal Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,600 Date: May 2, 2022 Region: Alaska Homeport: Vancouver (Canada) Length: 12 nights First itinerary: Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm, Ketchikan and Victoria
Crown Princess Capacity at 100%: 3,070 Date: May 7, 2022 Region: Alaska Homeport: Seattle (United States) Length: 7 nights First itinerary: Juneau, Glacier Bay Park, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria
Sapphire Princess Capacity at 100%: 2,600 Date: August 28, 2022 Region: Asia Homeport: Hong Kong to Fremantle (Australia) Length: 12 nights First itinerary: Nha Trang, Phu My, Singapore and Lombok
Coral Princess Capacity at 100%: 1,950 Date: September 3, 2022 Region: Australia Homeport: Sydney (Australia) Length: 35 nights First itinerary: New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific
The 5,877-passenger ship, a sister to MSC Seashore, is currently under construction in Italy and set to be delivered in late November.
Seascape will begin operating its inaugural season from Miami the following month offering two choices of a seven-night itinerary to different parts of the Caribbean.
An Eastern Caribbean sailing will call at MSC’s Ocean Cay marine reserve and Nassau in the Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Seascape’s Western Caribbean voyages will also visit Ocean Cay, as well as Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
The ship is set to feature 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges, and six swimming pools, and offer the largest MSC Yacht Club area in the line’s fleet.
All MSC Voyagers Club members booking Seascape before 31 January will benefit from their customary 5% discount, plus a further 5% early booking discount and enjoy double Voyagers Club points.
Members from Silver to Diamond will also earn a shipboard credit of €50pp.
All guests booking before 31 March will have the option to reschedule their cruise free of charge up to 15 days prior to departure.
MSC has also opened sales for two other US-based ships next winter, MSC Divina homeporting in PortMiami and MSC Meraviglia sailing out of Port Canaveral.
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