P&O Announces UK Coastal Cruise Details, Sailing in June

Posted on 18 March, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

P&O’s brand New ship Iona.

P&O Cruises is now offering a series of short breaks on the flagship Britannia in summer 2021 and week-long cruises on the new ship Iona. This was announced in a press release.

The cruises will depart from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK coast, “where the sun shines brightest,” the cruise line said. The guests will have to be fully-vaccinated UK residents.

“Given recent announcements, we have every hope that our guests will be able to enjoy a holiday this summer. After the stresses and challenges of the past year, everyone certainly deserves a treat and this series of cruises will provide memorable and much-needed UK getaways,” said P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow.

“Whilst there is still uncertainty about holidays abroad this summer, we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the ultimate escape here in the UK with the reassurance that we will take care of everything. Also, we really will look at the weather forecast for each cruise and aim to take our ships where it is warm and sunny,” he added.

According to Ludlow, at the start of Iona’s maiden seas, the Ultimate Escape series of holidays will include a seven-night maiden voyage sailing around the Scottish islands

“The Iona will anchor off Iona, the island after which she was named, with a celebratory extended stay until sunset for magical views of the historic shores,” Ludlow said.

P&O Cruises extends pause in operations because of European travel uncertainty | Crew Center — P&O Britannia

The sailings will sail from Southampton. Guests will be offered gourmet dining and poolside bites, cocktails and coffees, shopping, spas, shows and endless sea views, P&O said.
P&O Brittania.

The Britannia will offer three- and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday running from June 27, 2021, through to Sept. 19, 2021. Prices start from £449 per person.

The Iona offers seven-night itineraries running from Aug. 7, 2021, to Sept. 18, 2021. The Iona’s seven-night maiden voyage starts from £1,199 per person.

The cruise line said that given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination program and strongly expressed a preference on the part of its guests for this series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on the Britannia and the Iona will be for the UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. Travel insurance will also be mandatory for all guests.

All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and wellbeing measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises.

“As we have spent the majority of the last year at home, to be able to have a restorative and relaxing break, sit on the deck with a sea view in the summer sunshine and then enjoy an indulgent dinner and show – it’s certainly what we all need this year and we cannot wait to have our guests back on board,” Ludlow said.

Fred Olsen chief appeals to government to support cruise lines

Posted on 31 March, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines also known as 'Fred. Olsen', 'Fred. Olsen ...

The boss of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has called on the government to provide more support for the cruise industry.

With cruise operations suspended until May 23 during the coronavirus pandemic, the UK-based cruise line has been forced to dock its four ships.

Peter Deer, Fred Olsen’s managing director, praised the government for the schemes it had introduced to ease cash flow constraints on companies across the country but appealed for further help to be extended to the cruise sector.

UK chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government was prepared to enter negotiations with individual airlines to discuss “bespoke support as a last resort” last week.

Speaking to Travel Weekly, Deer said: “As a cruise line you hear quite a lot about the airline industry receiving funding from the government. We’re quite a passive bunch. I suspect our margins are better but lining up ships is not a cheap thing to do.

“The government needs to recognise that cruise is a big part of travel in the UK and find ways to support it.”

He called for lobbying from “every angle”, adding: “This is a hairy time for every cruise line, particularly the ones that have brought in new tonnage. It makes your life a bit tougher.”

In Fred Olsen’s 2021-22 brochure, the line offers departures from five UK ports – Southampton, Newcastle, Dover, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

Fred Olsen Cruises Ocean cruises cruise line review - Which?

Deer outlined how food, fuel and other services are bought by Fred Olsen from UK businesses.

Deer added: “We are worth a huge amount to the UK market. When we talk about a holiday environment, money is spent on that destination but with a cruise line that money is spent on a ship.

“It would be great to see some positive spin from the government.”

Asked if Fred Olsen was preparing for a “bounce back” in terms of consumer demand later this year, Deer said: “I think at some point we will see it, but it is all about consumer confidence. People do not have the will to think about their holiday in the short-term.

“They do not know when this event is going to subside. Everyone wants to go on holiday but they need some confidence that the virus is going to disappear.”

Deer said that it was “too early” for targeted marketing but added that the business was still trying to remain at the forefront of customers’ minds.

“We are just talking about our company and what we are doing,” he said. “It is a broader approach.

“People will see if cruises go-ahead before they commit their money.

“People may not do long-haul fly-cruises. They may look to the Mediterranean or the Canaries. I think people just do not know.”

Funchal Set To Be Towed to Liverpool

Posted on 22 October, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

According to industry sources, the classic 1961-built Funchal will soon be towed to Liverpool as new owners Signature Living have made the final payment on the vessel.

“Their plans have changed again and they will not be locating her in Ibiza as previously reported,” said a source familiar with the situation.

Thus, Signature Living plan to tow the ship to Liverpool, refurbish her, and then find a permanent spot for the vessel in the UK as a hotel vessel.

Last December, the vessel was sold at auction for 3.9 million euro to Signature Living, a UK hotel operator.